“I do.”
He gave a sheepish shrug. “At any rate, due to the way in which I sometimes conduct business, it becomes necessary for one of my negotiators to convince clients that they need to do the right thing. Settle their accounts, fulfill whatever they agreed to in a given business deal, etc. Most of the time it’s a simple oversight or miscommunication, but now and then people actually try to double-cross us. Regardless, these matters must be attended to and resolved, and that’s where the company negotiators come in.”
“Isn’t that why God created lawyers?”
“I promise you, God had nothing to do with the creation of lawyers.” Hope chuckled softly. “No, these situations are delicate and need to be handled with the utmost care, professionalism and above all, discretion. Those who can perform these duties well are not easy to find, Jeff, so when we come across someone we feel is right for the job we pay them handsomely.”
That’s the deal then, this is some sort of criminal enterprise, Jeff thought. I should’ve known this was all too good to be true. “With all due respect Mr. Hope, I’m a salesman, not a leg-breaker. If you want to hire a goon to lean on people there are plenty of characters in the city that do that kind of thing. I’m just not one of them.”
“No, you misunderstand, that’s not what I’m looking for at all. I abhor violence, even the mere threat of it. I’ve seen violence, real violence, and there’s nothing glamorous or appealing about it, trust me. Anyone that’s ever traversed a battlefield will tell you the same thing. I simply need someone to calmly and rationally convince delinquent clients that it’s in everyone’s best interest if they do the right thing. It’s a negotiation, not a threat or intimidation. Who better than a gifted salesman like yourself to talk to someone and sell them, in a sense, on the appropriate course of action? Besides, the kind of scum you’re referring to are wholly unnecessary in these situations. It’s been a personal policy of mine for years to never deal or interact in any way with those sorts of individuals. Frankly, they scare me. I’m a legitimate businessman, Jeff, not a criminal.” Mr. Hope scratched at his cheek delicately and smiled. “I need people I can trust, people with ethics and morals, businesspeople, professionals. I need someone who can do this job correctly, in a civil manner, and if that someone has a particular need that I’m in a position to meet by hiring them in exchange for their services, all the better. Of course even if we did decide to offer you the position, were you to find it unsuitable, simply resign and we’ll part as friends. But hopefully you’d find it to your liking, remain with us and excel in the position. However you must also understand that you’d begin on a trial basis. Generally the period only lasts the length of a single assignment, and we make a decision from there whether it’s working for us or not. Again, if not, we part as friends. But if we like what we see once you’re in action then we move forward together and welcome you permanently to the International Facilitator family.”
Though Hope’s explanation helped to soften his initial apprehension, he wasn’t sure he liked the emphasis the old man put on the word permanently. It was an odd conversation at best, and with a total stranger to boot, but curiosity had slowly gotten the better of him. He still knew virtually nothing in terms of specifics, but that would come later. He needed this job and the hefty salary promised along with it. “Well I hope we can pursue this then,” he said. “I think I’d like to learn more and see where it takes me.”
“Splendid.” Hope rose to his feet and gave Jeff a pat on the shoulder. “We’ll review your application information and someone will be back to you very shortly, most likely later this evening or perhaps tomorrow. If you haven’t heard from us by tomorrow evening you can assume we’ve decided to go in a different direction. I thank you for your time.”
“Not at all, thank you, sir.” Jeff stood and they shook hands. “I look forward to hearing from you.”
“I take it you can see yourself out. Good day.”
Jeff watched the old man turn and stride off through the door, uncertain if this was the luckiest day of his life, a total waste of a few hours, or if he’d just met the Devil himself.
-4-
When Jeff returned to his apartment building he saw that the homeless man had again taken up position on the front steps. Though it annoyed him he was too distracted by everything that had taken place that morning to give a damn. Rather than confront him he simply flashed the man a dirty look then started up the stairs without comment.
“You should stay away from her.”
Jeff froze, slowly turned back to him. “Excuse me?”
“The woman you were talking to before.” The man looked up at him. “You should stay away from her.”
Anger welled in him, followed by a touch of fear. “What woman?”
“The pretty one you were talking to in Copley Square.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes you do.”
“Have you been following me?”
The man shook his head and sighed.
“Answer me,” Jeff said, moving a step closer.
“No,” he mumbled, “I haven’t been following you.”
“Then how do you know about her?”
“I was already hanging at Copley Square. A vendor there gives me a pretzel for free every morning. He’s a good guy. Anyway, I saw you talking to that woman. Then I saw you two leave together.”
“Yeah, well that’s none of your business.”
“She offered you work, didn’t she?”
Jeff tried to swallow, nearly choked. “How do you know that?”
“Guy like me, I see a lot, hear a lot. Most folk—especially city folk—don’t notice someone like me. No more than streetlights, garbage cans or telephone wires running over their heads. It’s all right there in front of them, but they learn to filter it out until they don’t even see it anymore.”
“Apparently you missed your calling as a poet, but—”
“I’m just saying you should stay away from her is all.”
“And why would you say that? Do you even know who she is?”
“Do you?”
“It was a business meeting and none of your concern, I—for Christ’s sake—I don’t have to stand out here and explain myself to some homeless loser like you.” Jeff stabbed a finger at him. “You stay the hell away from—”
“I’m trying to help you.”
“Well if you don’t mind I’ll skip the life advice from the local neighborhood bum.” Jeff started up the steps again then thought better of it and turned back. “I’m not telling you again. Stay away from me, my wife and this building. Got it?”
“I’m not some piece of garbage, you know,” the man said, his face a mask of sorrow. “I’m a human being, the same as you.”
“You’re nothing like me.”
“Neither is your wife. She’s a very nice person.”
“Leave my wife out of this.”
The man struggled to his feet and stumbled back a few steps, bloodshot eyes never leaving Jeff. “She’s beautiful, intelligent, caring and very giving.”
“Get the fuck out of here or I’ll call the cops.”
“Do you ever wonder what she sees in you?”
“I’m warning you, asshole.” Jeff’s hands clenched to fists. “Stay away.”
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll kill you.”
“Go ahead.” The man smiled. His teeth were brown, many were broken, his gums bloody and diseased. “I’m dying anyway.”
* * * *
Jeff was still taking the stairs to his apartment when his cell phone began to ring. His former coworker Craig Henderson’s number appeared on the small screen. They’d worked together for years and Craig had become his closest friend in that time. “Hey, man.” Jeff pinned the phone between shoulder and cheek as he fumbled keys from his coat pocket. “What’s up?”
“Got some great news.”
“Good, I could use some.”
“Yo
u know that general manager gig I was going for at that independent superstore on the cape? They just called me back. I got it.”
Jeff unlocked the apartment, slipped inside, closed the door and leaned back against it. “Congratulations, Craig, that’s awesome.”
“Here’s where you come in. I can replace any existing staff I want. If you’re up for running the car audio department I’ll bounce the current guy.”
The idea that someone else would have to lose their job in order for him to get one was troubling, but Jeff told himself he couldn’t worry about such things. “It’s a bit of a commute but yeah, of course, definitely.”
“Not exactly sure what the salary is because I haven’t seen the budget yet, but from the numbers they threw at me I know it’ll be real close to what you were making before. I start next week. You’d be starting about a week later.”
“Sounds good.” He pushed away from the door and tossed his keys on the kitchen counter. “I’ll take it.”
“Then consider yourself hired, bro. I’ll be back to you in a day or two, soon as I know the particulars. I’m taking Katy and the kids out to dinner tonight, the drought is officially over!”
“Craig, seriously, man, thank you. You just saved my ass.”
“You’d do the same for me. Talk to you soon.”
“Later.” Jeff disconnected then forced himself to stand still a moment and take it all in. The guilt about what had taken place earlier continued to throttle him relentlessly, but for the moment it took a backseat to relief and joy. He knew it would be a long time—if ever—before he’d be able to forgive himself for what he’d done, but at least at this point the job would allow him to get them out of debt and back on the right track. It also meant he could forget about Jessica Bell, Foster Hope and whatever the hell their creepy company was all about.
From now on, I’ll make it right. I’ll do everything in my power to make Eden the happiest woman on the face of the Earth. I’ll never screw up like this again.
With newfound purpose, Jeff showered, changed his clothes then headed out to the local market. Without care for what things cost, he filled a shopping cart and got all the items he’d need to put together a romantic dinner at home. He’d get the apartment cleaned, make a nice meal, maybe light a few candles and then, over a glass of wine, break the good news to Eden.
He had just unloaded all the groceries when a call came into the house phone. “Hello?”
“Jeff?”
He recognized the voice immediately but pretended he hadn’t. “Yes?”
“Jessica Bell.”
“Hi.”
“Hi. I wanted to let you know we’ve reviewed your application and everything seems to be in order. Mr. Hope has given me the authority to go ahead and offer you the position. He’ll discuss salary and benefits with you himself. He’d like you to come into the offices where you interviewed tomorrow morning for an orientation and—”
“Jessica, I’m sorry to interrupt, and please tell Mr. Hope I appreciate the offer, but I’ve actually taken another position.”
“I see.”
“But again, thanks for your time and—”
“Jeff, this is very disappointing.”
“I’m sorry, but as I say, I’ve already accepted another position.”
“I hope this isn’t about what happened between us.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping to head off the headache that was drifting in behind his eyes. “That was a mistake,” he said softly. “I’m not upset with you, I—it’s not like we planned it, we—it just happened and I feel terrible about the whole thing. Look, I’d rather not discuss it, OK? I have to go.”
“So there’s nothing I can do to persuade you to—”
“No, there isn’t.”
“Mr. Hope will not be pleased.”
“I apologize if I wasted your time or his, but—”
“Did you hear what I said? Mr. Hope will not be pleased.”
OK, enough. “Well that’s too bad, Jessica, but not my problem.”
“Are you sure?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He shuddered from a sudden chill as a quick burst of nervous laughter escaped him. “Are you threatening me?”
“I’ll let Mr. Hope know of your decision. Good luck to you.”
Though the line clicked and fell silent with disturbing finality, Jeff couldn’t shake the feeling that he hadn’t heard the last of these people.
-5-
Eden entered the apartment looking haggard and exhausted, purse slung over her shoulder, a plastic bag containing items she purchased from the local drugstore in one hand and her keys in the other. Just inside the door, she hesitated and looked to the table. It was set with their good china and silver, their best cloth napkins and draped with a matching tablecloth. Red candles burned in silver holders on either side of a beautiful flower centerpiece, and the aroma of broiled steaks and a hint of garlic filled the air. She smiled cautiously as she dropped her purse on the counter and crept deeper into the room.
“Jeff?”
He stepped in from the kitchen wearing an apron, a large serving spoon in hand. “Good evening,” he said through a wide smile.
“What’s all this?”
“I’m making us dinner, steaks—and not just any steaks but top of the line Porterhouses—angel hair pasta with shrimp in butter and garlic sauce, and a freshly-tossed garden salad. I also grabbed a bottle of really good wine, so why don’t you go get changed into something comfortable and I’ll pour you a glass?”
“Jeff—”
“Dinner should be ready in about fifteen minutes.”
She slumped against the counter, deflated. “Sweetie, are you out of your mind? We can’t afford all this.”
“Oh, but we can.” He grinned.
She watched him a moment, waiting. “We can?”
“Remember the job down the cape Craig was up for? He got it.”
“OK. And…”
“He called this afternoon and offered me a position managing the car audio department. I start in two weeks. Don’t have an exact figure on the salary yet but he said it’d be in the same ballpark as what I was making before.”
Eden stared at him as if he’d spoken Swahili.
“Well don’t just stand there looking all gorgeous,” he said, playfully pointing the spoon at her. “Go get changed. Let’s celebrate.”
Without a word she vaulted across the space separating them and threw her arms around his neck with such force they nearly collapsed. Laughing, Jeff held her in his arms as she peppered his face and neck with kisses. “Oh Jeff,” she said breathlessly, “I’m so happy, I—are you happy?—we were in so much trouble, you have no idea how bad—this is great!”
“We’re going to be just fine,” he told her, his free hand gently stroking her cheek. Feeling her so close to him and so happy filled him with a rush of joy he hadn’t experienced in months, but it made the guilt stronger, too. She was so beautiful, so unaware, so completely trusting. How could he have betrayed her?
Before he could think anymore about it, Eden kissed him again. One kiss became two, and two became three, and finally, as they kissed passionately she dragged him back across the room until they had both fallen onto the couch, laughing and tickling each other.
“Dinner!” he reminded her.
As they settled down, him atop her, she gazed lovingly into his eyes and held him close. “Let it burn.”
* * * *
Later that night rain fell over the city but did little to combat the oppressive heat. Jeff drifted off to sleep listening to its steady cadence, oddly aware that the sound was shifting, changing and slowly becoming something else…the faint rhythm of ancient Arabic music echoing in his ears, the ethereal cries of exotic flutes and various percussion instruments dancing and swaying about him like whispered remnants from some distant time. And then from the darkness came blinding light. Stretched out before him was an open expanse of desert for far as the eye c
ould see; the sand so pale it was nearly white. Shuffling beneath a blistering sun, Jeff trudged up the side of an enormous dune. As he reached the summit he saw a lone tree in the valley between this and the next dune. Large and peculiarly jutting up out of the sand, the tree’s branches were long-dead, gnarled and reached toward an unforgiving sky. Lying at its base was a leopard, its deep golden color and spotted coat contrasting sharply against the white sand. As the music grew louder and more intoxicating, a woman emerged through the waves of heat rising from the desert floor as if she’d been burned into existence just then by the relentless sun.
Nude and glistening with sweat, Jessica, curled up next to the beast, her hair a wild and tangled rat’s nest, eyes wide and smeared with swathes of thick black makeup, lips painted blood-red. Her hands slid back and forth with erotic precision along the leopard’s flank.
Jeff froze, heart racing. The leopard blinked slowly, watching him with regal indifference as a low growl emanated forth, majestic and violent.
The distant horizon began to shift and change, growing darker then darker still as the beginnings of a storm roiled and surged across the desert, kicking up great black clouds as if summoned straight from the bowels of Hell.
And somewhere in the turmoil, he heard Jessica laughing seductively.
The sound of voices woke him, luring him from sleep gradually. As Jeff drifted closer to consciousness he realized he was not in a desert but the relative safety of his own bed. Still, he was certain he’d heard voices. The bedroom windows were open, perhaps the intrusion had come from outside and could be blamed on inconsiderate passersby having a late-night conversation.
Still trying to sort out the thoughts filling his head, he reached for Eden. She was next to him, nude and asleep on her stomach, her back rising and falling in a slow and steady rhythm, bare skin damp with perspiration.
The apartment still smelled vaguely of dinner, and as the strange visions from his dream faded, Jeff felt himself smile.
Draping an arm across his forehead, he watched the darkness move gracefully, like water stirred by a gentle breeze. It seemed almost…alive.
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