Echo (The Remote Traveler Series Book 3)

by Finian Blake

  “I am yours until you say otherwise.” Marvin said looking up into her cold almond eyes from his knees.

  “Mistress…,” Mary Lee said confidently grabbing a handful of hair.

  “Mistress…,” Marvin affirmed without hesitation.

  Winnie and Tamar did six laps of the jogging trail chatting as they ran with Tamar stopping periodically to point out various features of the property. She took Winnie down to the lowest level of the recreation center opening the door to the underground cart parking, they both hopped on a cart driving underground to Tamar’s house.

  “I was not supposed to show you this, but I could not resist.” Tamar said with pride as they started up the stairs to her house.

  “How much does a setup like this cost,” Winnie asked innocently.

  “I talked to Colleen our financial officer and she said that were just under $1580,000,000,” Tamar said quietly. “Colleen is having a fit because we are thirty percent over budget.

  “Tamar, do you know who paid for all of this?” Winnie was fishing to see if any government funds were involved.

  “I am not sure but according to Colleen everything is paid for. My son’s computers were $65,000,000.” At the top of the stairs Tamar open the door and they stepped into her kitchen. As she walked through the house Winnie noticed large sheets of paper with sketches of clothing scattered all over the house. “Don’t mind the mess. When I have an idea I just have to put it on paper. Once a week I collect everything and give it all to Mary Lee so that she can put it into the computer.”

  “Is Mary Lee very good with computers,” Winnie asked fishing for information.

  “Mary Lee is my angel. She programs all of my sketches into the computer and keeps my books.”

  “I thought that she was just a model.”

  “Oh no, modeling is just a sideline for her. She is a computer genius just like my son Boris and her brother Nikki. He makes his vial cartoon games you know the triple X stuff. He calls his company Pocket Weasel Gaming. Those games are vile but he makes a ton of money selling them.” Tamar sounded decidedly unhappy with her estimate of Nikki.

  “You mean those cartoon games?” Winnie asked as they stepped in the guest room. Tamar smiled at the pile of packages stacked on the bed.

  “Now you don’t have to go home to pack a bag,” Tamar waived her arms with pride indicating the packages on the bed. Winnie felt a small twinge of guilt for trying to pry information out of her although it was not really prying since Tamar answered all of her questions openly and honestly without any effort to hide the information. She suddenly realized why Tamar’s helpers displayed such a sincere loyalty to her. The sum of the packages contained all the items that would be needed for a weekend which she decided to do.

  “We keep a variety of clothing in all sizes for men and women. When people come here under witness protection they sometimes don’t have a chance to pack. We made a few more items specifically for you and the rest of it should fit quite nicely. Please follow me to the bathroom.” Winnie thought that she was being given Tamar’s bedroom since the room was so large containing a bathroom suite. The shower had a bench at both ends one bench was located directly in the spray of the shower and the other bench was located well out of the spray. Above the dry bench was a shelf lined with bathing amenities. Tamar opened the linen closet and could feel warm air coming out of the closet.

  “There are robes and towels in the closet please feel free to use anything in here.” Tamar took Winnie by the hand placing it on a dense terrycloth robe which was warm to the touch.

  “I don’t mean to take your room,” Winnie said blushing at the attention that she was given.

  “I assure you that this is a guest room,” Tamar said trying to reassure her. “I want all of my guests to be as comfortable as I am. Please feel free to use anything that you find in the bathroom. I am going to take my shower please come downstairs when you’re ready. I need to pick up since I wasn’t expecting company.”

  After their shower Mary Lee pushed him out of the room so that she could dress. Mistress…! He actually called her Mistress. Marvin felt as if he was having a complete meltdown. He was staring down at the carpet when a pair of patent leather wingtip shoes came into view with the hem of her cuffs a good two inches above her ankles. He looked up to see Mary Lee standing in what appeared to be a man’s suit made of raw silk. The jacket was cut wide allowing a clear view of her chest. Mary Lee’s shirt was a pearl white semi-opaque fine silk garment which clung to the curve of her breasts and was defined by the black silk tie which hung loosely around her neck. This was topped off by a gray leather fedora with a red feather in the extra wide hat band. Marvin looked Mary Lee up and down several times it was styled as a man’s suit but was unmistakably feminine.

  “It’s a man suit but you sure don’t look like a man Mistress,” Marvin said bluely trying to shake off the impending feel of disaster.

  “That Mistress talk is just for the bedroom. I do know the difference between fantasy and reality,” Mary Lee said stroking his cheek affectionately. “Thanks for the compliment.”

  “Why are you dressed up like that,” Marvin asked.

  “I have not gone out to dine in a very long time, and you have never been seen out on a date with a woman.” Mary Lee grabbed him by the chin raising him off of the couch, “we’re going to take care of both of those items tonight.”

  “I can’t go looking like this,” Marvin held his hands up away from his side.

  “I will take you back to your place where you can change.”

  “It is four o’clock on a Friday evening and the traffic will be impossible.”

  “Your apartment is only ten minutes away from Reagan National Airport and I have a helicopter,” Mary Lee bit his ear leaving behind a smear of her bright red lipstick which she intentionally did not call to his attention.

  Winnifred went downstairs looking for Tamar. As she walked through the dining room she noticed a stack of sketches about six inches high. She removed the top sketch admiring the artistry. When she was half way through the stack Winnifred heard Tamar as she walked up behind her.

  “I keep getting ideas and I have to make sketches as soon as I have them.” Tamar grabbed the sketchpad on the table starting to rapidly sketch another design. “They just explode into my head, but if I don’t sketch them out they disappear just as rapidly.” Winnie held up the half stack that she had reviewed.

  “These are amazing, and you say that they just explode into your head?”

  “Yes I can’t seem to stop them.” Tamar gestured toward the kitchen, “I am having a cocktail with Rhonda and Cherry. Would you care to join us?” Tamar led the way into the kitchen finding that Cherry, Colleen and Rhonda were sitting on barstools at the kitchen island assaulting a tray of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Rhonda lifted her glass offering an invitation to Winnie.

  “Please join us. We decided that Tamar was going to host happy hour tonight.” Rhonda pointed to several bottles and a bucket of ice sitting next to the kitchen sink. “Please feel free to mix what you would like.” Winnie realized that she was greeting these women dressed in a bathrobe pulling the tight around her. Rhonda smiled warmly reassuring her.

  “Don’t worry about that we’re very informal here.” Winnie nodded her acceptance moving to the kitchen sink and mixing herself a stiff drink joining the rest of the ladies at the kitchen island.

  “Winnifred we have a favor to ask of you,” Rhonda started the conversation by going straight to business. “Monday morning Senator Belight is going to try and force the committee into giving Titan Shipyards the contract for building 8 fast transports. Hall Shipbuilders is another viable builder and we would like you to insist on reviewing their bid.”

  “I knew that there was a catch behind all his niceness,” Winnie said relieved to find that her suspicions were correct.

  “We know that you are suspicious, but we have a sound reason for our request,” Rhonda continued. “Senator Bel
ight has accepted $50,000 in campaign contributions and personal favors from Titan Shipyards. Hall Shipbuilders have a viable offer on the table if you threatened to expose the gift that was received we are sure that he will cave in to your demands.”

  “And what do you stand to gain from all of this,” Winnie asked.

  “We know your reputation for not taking bribes. Whether we gain or not we believe that you will insist on fair play,” Rhonda said quietly. “If you will do what you normally do anyway we will give you ten percent of our gain, and you will have forced Senator Belight to shaft the person that is bribing him.” Winnie took a long pull of her drink sitting quietly for a few minutes.

  “Let me get this straight. All you want me to do as insist on fair play,” Winnie asked wanting to clarify what they were asking.

  “Yes, when the committee starts its session you will insist on reconsidering the bid from Hall Shipbuilding, and call a recess. During the recess all you have to do is quietly let Senator Belight know that his secret dealings are not so secret,” Rhonda reaffirmed the request. “We are sure that you would do this anyway but as icing on the cake we will give you 10% cent of our gain.” Winnie drained her glass placing it down heavily on the counter.

  “I’ll do it. I would like nothing better than to embarrass the good Senator in front of his crooked donors,” Winnie said brightly.

  “Good,” Rhonda said with an evil grin, “I would like to see that old goat turn purple with rage when he has to give in to you.” Winnie realized that she was only wearing a robe pulling a tight against her. Tamar recognized the move and disappeared silently as all the women refreshed their drinks. She returned wearing a robe tossing one robe to each of the other women as everybody broke out laughing.

  “You noticed,” Winnie said with quiet surprise. “No wonder they call you your Majesty.” There was a soft knock at the door and when Tamar answered it two men carried in large trays of warm and cold appetizers. Winnie pulled Cherry to the side as she entered the room.

  “You are in charge why didn’t you say something.” Winnie was dying of curiosity, since she was used to important people making grand gestures.

  “I am not in charge here Rhonda is, when I put somebody in charge I respect them,” Cherry said solemnly. Cherry picked up her drink off of the counter, “it is four o’clock on Friday afternoon Tamar, so I guess you are hosting happy hour. Since it is casual Friday I will announce that robes will be the official attire.”

  Within a half hour there were thirty people at Tamar’s house dressed in robes with the party moving outdoors on to her patio. Winnie felt at ease in her new look having received several compliments from both men and women. Winnie roamed through the crowd feeling as if she had known these people for years amazed at the fact that Tamar had set the style of dress just for her and everybody had adjusted. They were not the usual Washington crowd trying to look as important as they could. She had a long conversation with Boris finding him to be funny and charming. He was not at all the stuffed shirt geek that she imagined from his reputation. Cherry was the big surprise since she was low key in the extreme, but obviously deeply in love with both Rhonda and Boris.

  The Jet Ranger helicopter landed smoothly at Reagan National Airport with Mary Lee at the controls. Since the airport was busy airport authority normally discouraged private aircraft from using the airport, but Four Diamonds Security was a major federal contractor so an exception was made. Mary Lee and Senator Belight took a taxi to his apartment which was only ten minutes away from Reagan were the Senator cleaned up and prepared for the evening. Planning an evening of drinking they took a taxi to a fashionable French restaurant that was only minutes away from the capital. Mary Lee and Marvin were among the first diners of the evening so they decided to have a few drinks in the bar. Mary lee proved to be a hammer down drinker ordering doubles to his singles. Mary Lee looked out the large window in the front of the bar noticing two paparazzi hanging around the front of the restaurant. She recognized them as the two that she had a problem with the day before. Mary Lee had an idea whispering her plan as she nibbled on Marvin’s ear causing him to burst out laughing.

  Steve and Lloyd decided the stakeout some of the Washington DC night spots to see what pictures they could come up with. They were sitting across the street from a fashionable French restaurant when they saw a taxi pull up in front seeing Senator Belight climb out of the taxi helping a young woman dressed in a man’s business suit out of the rear door. Steve pointed at the taxi in disbelief.

  “Look their Senator Belight and he’s escorting a very young lady.” Both Steve and Lloyd picked up their cameras with the long lenses using them like they would a telescope.

  “That men’s suit is not fooling anybody there is no doubt in my mind that’s a woman,” Lloyd said in a sarcastic tone.

  “Holy shit,” Steve exclaimed, “that’s Mary Lee the Rampage girl. He’s twice her age. What is an old goat like that doing with the ‘hottie’ like her?”

  “I don’t know, but we are going to get some pictures.” Lloyd opened the camera case putting the SLR camera way in favor of a digital camera that he could hide in his pocket, and Steve followed suit. Senator Belight and Mary Lee were sitting at the bar laughing over drinks. The two paparazzi claimed the tall table near the door of the bar that had a view of the restaurant. The waiter came to the table for their drink order with both men ordering coffee sitting back to watch the Senator and Mary Lee. They snuck their cameras out of their shirt pockets sneaking pictures when they were sure nobody was looking. The couple spoke loudly not worrying about anybody hearing them. It seemed as if the Senator was scolding Mary Lee.

  “I told you to wear a short skirt this evening, and look at those shoes they are definitely not the heels that I specified. You are being extremely naughty tonight.” The maître d’ interrupted their conversation before Mary Lee could answer.

  “Your table is ready, please follow me.” The Senator stood up taking Mary Lee by the wrist moving her arm behind her back causing her to walk on her toes to the table. The two paparazzi could not believe their luck when the maître d’ seated the couple at the closest table to the door of the bar making it unnecessary for them to move to a better angle. The light was perfect and they could see the table from their table. When the couple arrived at their table the Senator put his hand on her neck firmly pushing her down into the chair taking a seat across the table from her.

  “I have a ‘shoot’ tomorrow,” Mary Lee protested loud enough for Lloyd to hear. “I can’t have any bruises like the last time!”

  “Then I will settle for spanking your ass,” Marvin snarled. “You don’t think that you are going to get away with disobedience. Do you!” Lloyd was about to take a picture but the waiter arrived with coffee handing them the tab with it.

  “Holy shit, twenty dollars for two coffees this place is ridiculous,” Steve exclaimed.

  “Just shut up and pay the tab,” Lloyd said excitedly. “If we can get some pictures of him muscling her around it will be worth big bucks. Did you see him walk her out of here in a hammer lock?”

  “I thought that it was just me thinking that,” Steve said in disbelief. The two paparazzi watched as the Senator intercepted the menu as the maître d’ tried to hand it to Mary Lee. She stared down at her plate while he ordered drinks and appetizers. When the waiter arrived to take their order the Senator reached across the table forcing an appetizer deep in her mouth, ordering for both of them as she choked. Both men were snapping pictures whenever they thought that nobody was watching. Lloyd and Steve finally ordered appetizers and drinks since the waiter kept asking them if they wanted a table in the main room. When the couples check arrived at the end of the meal the Senator handed the check to Mary Lee who quickly paid with her credit card. Once again the Senator took her by the wrist bringing it behind her back to assist her from the chair with a hammer lock causing her to squeak out in discomfort. As the couple walked out the door Lloyd and Steve stood up.

/>   “I have an idea,” Lloyd said urgently. “Keep the maître d’ busy.” Steve walked up to the maître d’ pretending to inquire about future reservations, and Lloyd snuck past them to the table. Lloyd was hoping to get an idea of what they had for dinner noticing the customer copy of the bill, quickly palming it and walking out the door. Steve and Lloyd walked out of the restaurant quickly crossing the street passing the couple as he tried to hail a taxi. Lloyd quickly started the car noticing that a taxi had stopped to pick them up. Steve took a quick look at the customer copy. “Shit $718 for dinner, “Steve exclaimed. $300 for a bottle of wine and their cocktails were $20 apiece. She left a $120 tip.” There was a short break in traffic so he did a U-turn off the curb pulling in behind the taxi stopping to allow it in the traffic. Steve gave up on the receipt not daring to take his eyes off of Lloyd’s driving.

  “$50 for appetizers and drinks, I could feed the whole family dinner for that much,” Steve complained taking the customer copy from Lloyd.

  “If these pictures sell for what I think that they’re going to sell for $50 will be nothing.” Lloyd stepped on the gas hard running a red light in order to stay behind the taxi as Steve grabbed the dashboard in a panic. “Are you kidding me? Miss Rampage being dominated by a senior senator these pictures will be worth a fortune.” They followed the couple to an elite Washington hotel. Lloyd pulled in behind the taxi, and Steve got out taking the large camera case with him. He stood in line behind the couple looking like another customer waiting to check in. Steve watched Mary Lee pay for the room using her credit card. He desperately listened for the room number finally hearing the desk clerk tell them room twenty oh one the Ambassador Suite which was on the club level. Steve moved to a position that he could observe the elevator watching Mary Lee insert her room key into the call panel for the elevator. Steve walked out of the front door waiting for Lloyd to pick him up.