The Bee Keeper

by Vincent, Tracy D

  “Not really. Spent some time at the gym and hanging out with Geoff. Speaking of Geoff, he was asking about that briefcase.” Not really. I haven’t seen Geoff in a couple of weeks. I’ve been dodging him like crazy, because honestly, I don’t want him to have the briefcase. Not out of some misguided loyalty to the senator or to Timo. No, I want it for myself.

  “Oh, yeah, it’s in my closet. I’ll have it sent to you when I get home. Oh, I haven’t even been home yet. That should tell you just how highly you rank, mister.” She lays her loveliest grin on me.

  I glance at my watch. It’s almost one in the afternoon. “I wish I could stay longer, but I have to head back to the office for a few more hours before calling it a day.” I walk to her and bend down, kissing her proffered cheek. “I’ll talk with you tonight when I get home?”

  “Of course. I’ll be having supper with Daddy. You know how he is whenever I spend more than four hours away from the house.”

  “Alright, I’ll talk with you then.”

  I walk out into the gray November day. It isn’t cold enough to snow, but the sky definitely has that look about it. I head toward the fire marshal’s office to finish my errands.

  Fire Marshal Bennett is there when I arrive and Lois, his secretary, lets me right in. Lois is a little older, maybe in her early forties, and she’s in amazing shape now, too. Apparently, divorce will do that to a woman. When I first started coming to see Bennett about Senator business, she was a little overweight and outdated. I can’t say that I have problems with divorce if that’s what it does for the women.

  “Ed, my good man, what brings you here?” Bennett says, shaking my hand with one of his and gesturing for Lois to shut the door with the other.

  “The house fire on 182nd Street a few weeks ago, the senator was wondering if you’ve recovered any information.” It isn’t just the senator that’s curious.

  “The little bungalow? The place belonging to a Danielle McDermitt?” he asks, shuffling some files around on his desk. Finding the one he’s looking for, he reads for a moment. At my nod, he continues, “Oh, yeah, not really. We know that it was arson because of the accelerant used, but we couldn’t really determine anything else. It seems to be a crime of opportunity because they used the gas from her lawnmower.”

  He continues to read some more. “Oh, we did get some more information about her body, though. She was in really bad shape. It appears that she was asleep when it happened. Funny thing, she never woke up. The cause of death was smoke inhalation.” He shuts the folder, then adds as an afterthought, “Oh, and she was around two months pregnant.”

  “That’s a shame. The Senator really hates to hear about these things happening to his employees. Have you heard from her family yet?”

  “It is a shame. The Senator is really a good man to look after his people like that.” The expression on his face is guileless, telling me everything I need to know. “Yes, her mother, Eileen McDermitt, called within a couple of days of the arson and they’re going to claim the body when they can fly in. We finished with our investigation yesterday, you see.”

  “I’ll be sure to inform the senator of your department’s hard work.” I stand to take my leave of the oblivious Fire Marshall, and reach my hand to him. He takes it and gives me a firm shake.

  “You have a good day, son. Tell Wright we’re expecting to see him at the HFD Gala in a couple of weeks!” He smiles at me, his jowls jiggling with each pump of our hands.

  “Will do. Have a good day, sir.”

  I walk out of his office and see Lois. She’s obviously been waiting on me; she is leaning against her desk, with one leg crossed over the other, her arms crossed under her breasts, pushing her ample cleavage upward.

  “Have a good day, ma’am.”

  She pulls a slip of paper from her desktop and hands it to me and walks back behind it to sit down. She turns to her monitor and glances at me slyly and purrs, “Have a good day, Mr. Champlain.”

  I walk out of the building with a smirk on my face, pocketing her number. Who knows, I just might knock the cobwebs out of her pussy soon.

  I check my voicemail and there’s a call from the Department of Science and Technology. That’s odd. I listen to the message and the velvety voice on the other end makes me think of sex. I listen to the message again, this time to listen to the actual words.

  “Mr. Champlain, this is Dr. Staples from the Department of Science and Technology. I need to see you this afternoon if it is at all possible. We won’t take up too much of your time, but we have some questions regarding something that Senator Wright has asked us to look into. We called his office, and a Ms. Regina told me that you were the senator’s go-to man. If you could, please call me back at this number. It’s my personal office number. Thank you.”

  I dial her back immediately, and we agree to meet at her office in a few hours.

  Before I head back to the office, I find the food truck with my favorite steak-and-cheese sandwich and order two of them. I know Maya means well with the healthier choices, but it should be against the law to separate a man from his steak.

  I sit in my car eating and looking up Dr. Staples on the government’s employee website. The image staring back at me cannot be real. Her hair is pulled back and she’s wearing glasses, but that doesn’t take away from her beauty. And her smile, it’s large, genuine, and graced with dimples. I wasn’t necessarily dreading the meeting earlier, but I’m especially looking forward to it now.

  My phone pings, letting me know that there is a message waiting for me. I swipe over to check it out and I see it is Nancy, one of my others. She sent me a picture, no text. I tap my screen to get a look at the photo and it’s a picture of a piece of notebook paper. On the paper are the words, “FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE!”

  I chuckle to myself because she’s not too bright and thought that she gave head well enough for me to leave Maya. She is mediocre at best. The best thing about her is her enthusiasm. I guess she finally figured out I wasn’t going to call her again. The phone pings again. I see Nancy’s name with a new text. I just delete it, unread. Hopefully, she’ll let this die like most people do, with maybe some bitching and general cattiness. If she doesn’t, I will have to do something about it.

  I finish downing my sandwiches, throw the garbage away, and drive to the office. I turn up my favorite radio station and drum my thumbs on the steering wheel to the beat. Today is shaping up to be a marvelous day. And hopefully, tonight will be even better.

  I know Geoff doesn’t think I’m as good looking as he is and therefore not able to get any women unless he snags them for me, but he doesn’t understand it isn’t about the looks. It’s about what’s in the pants and how you use it. I never bothered to be much around him because I didn’t want that to come between us. He needs to believe he’s the best in the land, so I help facilitate that by pretending to be the poor schlep with a big dick and no talent to screw.

  Walking into the office, I can’t help but smile. I’m relaxed from earlier, I’ll be talking with Maya about getting the briefcase, and I will get to meet up with the lovely Dr. Staples.

  “Edward, you missed the staff meeting at three, but I have the notes if you want them,” Regina says from her desk near the back of the large office.

  “Thank you, Regina. I appreciate it. Can you email them to me?” I saunter past her, going toward my own office.

  I sit down without turning on my computer and just stretch back a moment. I know I’ll be leaving in an hour, so I need to do something. I sit up and start going through my inbox. There are several new letters for the senator. It is part of my job to determine which of his mail is important, which is headed for the garbage can, and which needs to be handled by the police.

  About twenty minutes later I get up from my desk and head to the refrigerator in the employee breakroom to grab a drink. On my way back, I see Regina standing at my door. When I reach my office, I open the door and guide her in with my hand on her elbow. I pull it closed behind me.<
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  “Ed, I’ve thought about what you suggested this afternoon,” she says with her voice barely above a whisper.

  “Oh yeah, about the meeting with Misters Miles and Long?” I ask as I sit at my desk.

  “Yes, that,” she says as she sits opposite of me.

  “What about it?”

  She clasps her hands in front of her, her legs crossed at the ankle. She appears to be calm and collected, but the fact that she’s not meeting my eyes has me concerned.

  When the silence goes on far too long, I lean forward to get her attention. “Regina, what about the meeting?”

  “I can’t do it anymore.”

  “The meetings with Mr. Long and Mr. Miles?”

  “Yes…no…”

  Her not looking at me is starting to piss me off. “You’re going to have to be clearer than that.”

  “All of it. I can’t do any of it anymore, Edward. I’m pregnant.” She says the words in a rush.

  “And you couldn’t have mentioned it this afternoon, during that conversation?” The sudden burst of rage that courses through me at that moment surprises me. The image of me shoving my dick so far down her throat that she literally chokes on it comes to mind. It gives me a little solace, enough that I can school my features and keep my voice in check.

  “I didn’t know this afternoon. After you left, I took a pregnancy test and it came back positive. I’m guessing I’m around three or so months along. The birth control that they have me on prevents me from having monthly periods, I only get them every three months, so when I missed this one, I got very concerned.”

  “And you couldn’t tell me this tidbit of information this afternoon…this possibility of pregnancy? Why?” Choking on my dick will be too fast, I decide. I have friends who love redheads. I’ll let them use her and then she can choke and die on my cock.

  “Honestly, Ed, I don’t know who the father is beyond doubt. But if I had to guess, you’re the only one that doesn’t use a condom.”

  “That’s because I can’t get you pregnant.” I make the scissor motion with my fingers hinting that I had a vasectomy. “Do you need the number of a discreet doctor that can perform an abortion quietly? Because of the platform of the senator, you cannot go to just anyone and get it done. He’ll fire you in a heartbeat. He can’t have one of his personal assistants going out there and getting an abortion when he’s promised to erase the last of the laws protecting it this term.”

  “No, I’m not going to get an abortion. I’m going to give the child up for adoption. I’ll take medical leave once I start becoming too obvious. I just wanted to let you know that not only can I not meet up with your friends, but I can’t meet up with you, either.” She still isn’t meeting my eyes, so I know there’s another shoe that’s about to drop.

  “Ed, I can’t do this anymore because you’re still with Maya. I find myself counting down the days until we make plans then counting down the hours when we do. I’m afraid that I’m falling in love with you and I can’t…” She burst into tears.

  “Hmmm. Okay. Thank you for telling me.” I look at her, slightly bored. Truth is, I’m really fucking pissed off and I just want her out of my office.

  “That’s it? That’s all you have to say?” She sniffles and glares at me with raccoon eyes.

  “Yes, that’s all I have to say. You’re pregnant, over-emotional, and good orgasms release certain hormones into your system that trick you into feeling ‘love.’ I am not feeling any of those things. I’m sorry that our trysts have to end because I really do like having sex with you. But we had an agreement from the beginning.”

  “But since I don’t possess the only dick that sticks you now and again, I can assure you that the senator is going to end it, so I’ll cancel the rest of your appointments with him. Now, do you want me to tell him about your issue, or do you want the honors yourself?”

  She gets up, clearly angry, and walks to the door. She turns, looks me in the eyes and says, “No, it can’t be his. He hasn’t fucked me in around four months. He has only watched TV and passed out. It’s not Timo’s because he only wants titty fucks and oral sex. And the only other ones are Monty and Richard. And that’s been at least six months ago. So, Ed, I’d suggest you talk to the doctor that…” She makes the scissor motion with her fingers that I made earlier, and walks out.

  Well, aren’t I just fucked?

  I leave work not long after Regina’s announcement. It would be nice to say that I’m not upset by the news, but I am. I really do like her; however, I’m not willing to let a child of mine run around and potentially ruin everything I’m striving to build. So, she’s going to have to go. Much like how the senator had Dani dealt with. Senator Wright has dug it into my head to never leave loose ends. They must all be tied up or your entire career will come unraveling around your ears.

  I’m fifteen minutes early to my appointment with Dr. Staples when I pull into the parking garage that’s attached to The Department of Science and Technology. The building is pristine and full of sharp angles and lines. This is how I want my condo to look: clean, crisp, and very modern.

  Maya has other ideas about our future home. If her bedroom is any indication of her interior design style, I’m going to be in color and floral hell. It’s still tastefully done, but then everything about Maya is tastefully done. It should be. She spends so much time deciding on the perfect color palette or piece of furniture. She loves the feminine style. I just love the female form.

  My steps echo throughout the entryway. It’s high, open ceilings and large windows give it a sense of being outdoors. The woman at the front desk smiles and welcomes me. She’s pretty in an okay way. With her red hair, she’s on someone’s wish list, however.

  She’s definitely not interested, though. She has the cool, detached expression of one who’s overly familiar with the job. Which means that I’m just another in a sea of faces that she deals with constantly. I wonder if she would wear the same expression if Geoff walked into the room. Women tend to stupidly fall over themselves when he is around.

  “I have an appointment to see Dr. Staples in R&D. What’s her office number?”

  “One moment, I have to page her down for you,” she replies as she starts dialing the phone. “Dr. Staples, your appointment is down here in the main lobby. Yes, ma’am. I’ll be sure to tell him. Yes, ma’am.”

  I watch her through this entire conversation, her typing the whole time. After she hangs up, she glances at me, stands up, and motions for me to follow her. “If you’ll head this way. Dr. Staples will be down in a moment to collect you. I’ll be taking you to our lounge area. There’re coffee and pastries available to you if you want them. Other than the entrance, there’s a door that leads to the lavatory.”

  We enter the lounge as she’s finishing. Everything is still white and steel with black and gray accents. There’s a metal counter along one wall, where coffee pots and white ceramic cups sit and all the accompaniments that one would expect for coffee. Next to that are little white plates and glass cake dishes filled with various pastries, just as she said. The couches and chairs are gray, the tables are black, and the walls and floors white.

  “Thank you.”

  She nods her head and leaves the way she came in. I pick the seat farthest from the entrance of the room. I love making people come to me. I pick up a random magazine from the nearest table and scan the contents. Luckily, it’s a magazine I actually find interesting.

  I hear the heels before I see her. It takes a few seconds before she comes into view, but when she does…damn. She’s taller than most women and those heels lengthen her already long legs. My eyes travel up her very curvaceous form. She has large round hips, a tiny waist, and large breasts. She’s built like every man’s dream, even if they claim that they don’t prefer curvy women. Women probably hate her for it. She almost makes it to me by the time I make it to her face. I stand as she approaches. Her picture doesn’t do her justice. She smiles at me and raises her hand for a handsh
ake. I take it, and her eyes widen and she bites her lip.

  I grin at her. “Dr. Staples, I assume? It’s good to finally meet you.”

  “Yes—hello, Mr. Champlain. I’m so glad you could come in on such short notice. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to the lab. I hope you don’t mind not meeting in the office itself, but I share it with my co-worker and he’s busy doing dictation.”

  I remove my hand from hers, and motion for her to walk ahead of me. I place my hand on the small of her back and allow her to lead the way.

  She leads me to a private elevator and we travel in silence. I catch her looking at me a few times in the mirror-like door. Her gaze sweeps over me, checking me out. I know I’m not a looker like Geoff, but I’m well-built and I’m confident. Women seem to sense that about me and some really respond well to it, and some don’t notice it at all. It seems to me like Dr. Staples is one of the former.

  We step from the elevator and enter into a pristine white hallway. Everything is white except for the brushed nickel door handles. There are several lining the hall and she takes me to the last one.

  “This will give us some privacy,” she says with a flush to her cheeks. I simply respond with a small smile.

  She pulls a keycard from her pocket and waves it in front of the handle. There’s an audible snick and she opens the door. We step into a tastefully decorated room. There is a small kitchenette in one corner, a seating area in another, and toward the rear of the room, there’s a hospital bed and a door. The lighting is muted and the walls are warmly painted and decorated. It’s almost shocking when the rest of the building is so modern and sterile. This room, though not totally feminine, is definitely softer than the rest that I’ve seen so far.

  She motions for me to sit at the dinette set, and she walks toward the back. “Do you want anything to drink? We have the typical stuff in the back, sodas, teas, coffee, water—whatever you want,” she says as she glances over her shoulder.