Evil Intent

by Robert Olsen

  Unaware of her secret admirer, she reached back unclasping her bra. As she turned to face the mirror, he knew it was imminent that his desire to devour her right then and there, would force him to take her into his arms, and carry her into the bed, except for the fact that he simply could not move. He wanted to rush into the bathroom, sweep her into his arms, but was immobilized by her beauty, in awe over the reflection of her sexy body in the mirror. She was so breathtakingly beautiful, he had to look away.

  Fumbling with his shoes, then clothes, he left on his boxer shorts, and slid under the sheets to the other side of the bed. Laying there, he continued to stare at the bathroom door until she emerged, turning off the bath lights, and standing at bedside, her naked body dressed only in her purple panties, and drenched in the dim light of the moon. In total silence, eyes fixed on Richard, she smiled, as she too, slid under the sheets.

  Slowly, but confidently, she moved closer toward him, as she reached under the covers, wiggling for just a second, then placing her purple panties in his hand. She folded herself into his arms pressing her naked body tightly against his. Richard could not imagine anything better than the way she felt against him. All of the emotions and feelings that had been slowly building over the days and weeks gone by, suddenly overflowed. He kissed her breasts, sending warm shivers down her spine. Then, slowly moving his kisses toward her neck, he continued igniting her senses. Neither one could stop kissing each other, touching each other, as they lie locked in a tight embrace.

  Kathryn’s breathing began to quicken as he lifted his leg over hers, moving on top of her. Her fingers dancing gracefully through his hair, his hands reaching around to her back gently lifting her, pressing her against him. She tightened her arms around him clinging to him tightly, their bodies moving as one as the couple passionately made love to each other. It was more beautiful than Kathryn had ever imagined. She climaxed more than once. She was amazed how powerful they felt, causing her to quiver and shake until she was utterly exhausted. Finally, they became very still, wrapped together in love, just allowing every beautiful minute that they had experienced, to dance over and over in their minds. Neither had ever known such pleasure.

  Chapter 20

  Suki wasn’t at her desk when Kathryn tried to call her. Kathryn had just found out that Detective Peters, and Sargent O’Donnell, of the NYPD, were coming to the Rockne Pharmaceutical offices specifically to speak with her. She quickly tried to contact Suki, to give her the heads up just in case they wanted to talk with her, too.

  “Barb, I’ll be right back, I need to find Suki. If the police show up, offer them coffee and tell them I’m on my way.”

  Moments later she spotted Suki, standing at a co-workers desk.

  “Suki?” Kathryn called out. “Thank God you’re here. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need to see you for a second.”

  “What is it Kathryn?”

  “It’s urgent. I need to see you in private.”

  Suki, excused herself and walked closer to Kathryn.

  “The police are coming to see me any minute, Suki. I wanted you to know in case they want to talk to you, too. I think it’s the same two gentlemen we spoke with Friday night at the hospital.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “No. Just be aware that they’re in the building. I’m sure someone will call if they need you. I feel nervous, Suki. Why? I’ve done nothing wrong?”

  “It’ll be ok. It’s just that there resurrecting the whole night again in your head. It’s understandable. Thanks Kathryn for coming over, and don’t worry about it.”

  Kathryn returned to her office, still nervous over the idea the police were returning to question her some more.

  About 30 minutes later, Barbara quietly walks up to Kathryn’s desk.

  “They’re here, Kathryn. Do I bring them in here?”

  “Yes, I suppose so, Barbara. I don’t need a conference room. Maybe, this’ll be real quick, I hope,” she said sheepishly.

  “Miss Becker? Detective Peters, and do you remember Detective O’Donnell?”

  “Yes, of course. Please come in. Have a seat. May I get you gentlemen some coffee?”

  “No thank you, Miss Becker.”

  “Kathryn, please. It’s just Kathryn,” she said in almost a whisper.

  “We appreciate you giving us this time. We just have a few questions, Miss Becker.”

  “Of course, go ahead.”

  “Friday, I think you told us that you did not know, Lois Stanton.”

  “What? I mean who?”

  “Lois Stanton, the waitress, one of the victims.”

  “Oh yes, that’s right. I did not know her.”

  “Did you know the young man who was shot? Or the older lady, her name was Martha Radcliffe?”

  “No sir, I did not know either of them. It was just a restaurant my friend and I occasionally go to. Our office is around the corner.”

  “Yes, we know, thank you,” answered Detective O’Donnell.

  “And, what about the man in the trench coat? Did you know him?”

  “No! Well, I don’t think I did. I never saw his face?”

  “When did you first see the man in the trench coat?”

  “He was standing for quite a while outside the door. Strange looking fellow.”

  “You noticed him more than once? How long would you estimate he was outside the door?”

  “Maybe ten minutes.”

  “Ten minutes, but you didn’t see his face?”

  “No. His back was to me. He was looking out toward the street.”

  “Did you mention anything to your friend? Miss Suki Nikimora?”

  “No.”

  “A strange, suspicious looking man, and you said nothing?”

  “I didn’t say suspicious, and I thought he was strange wearing a trench coat.”

  “But you didn’t mention him to Miss Suki Nikimora.”

  “Detective Peters, there are a lot of strange weird-o’s in New York. I don’t have a habit of pointing them out, even to my best friend.”

  “I understand Miss Becker. Is it safe then to say you did not recognize anyone that day?”

  “Yes. Oh wait, I recognized the help. I did say, Suki and I regularly go there.”

  “But the help includes waitresses, and you said you didn’t know Miss Stanton.”

  “Sorry. I think I saw the owner, he was there, and I recognized the cashier. That’s all. What are you getting at Detective Peters?”

  “Just routine questions, Miss Becker.”

  Detective Peters looked at O’Donnell.

  “We’re you aware that Lois Stanton died of an insulin overdose?” Asked Detective O’Donnell.

  “Yes. I was told that by a doctor who works at Lenox Hill Hospital.”

  “Why would a doctor have told you that ma’am?”

  “He’s a friend of mind, Detective.”

  “Would that have been a Dr. Richard Marks?” Asked Detective Peters.

  “Yes.”

  “Would you have any idea how it’s possible for the victim to have died from an insulin overdose?”

  “She was a diabetic. That’s a complicated disease. She may have taken too much insulin earlier that day, or forgot to eat, or diabetics can mistakenly eat the wrong foods.”

  “Which one of those reasons would result in sudden death? Wouldn’t a patient receive some kind of warning? Or exhibit symptoms of some sort?”

  “A rapid or instant death normally would be associated with an excessive insulin dose, without possible symptoms.”

  “Were you aware the waitress was wearing a diabetic pump?”

  “Yes, but I didn’t know it at the time of her death.”

  “I presume your doctor friend told you that as well?”

  “Yes.”

  “W
ouldn’t you normally feel a device like that on someone’s body? You told us you were administering CPR to the victim to revive her.”

  “Yes, I was, but patients can wear a device like this inside her bra, strapped to her belt at the waist, or attached to her leg. There are many ways she could have worn it.”

  “Do you happen to know how Lois Stanton wore her device?”

  “No sir.”

  “Well, I think I could say it probably was not inside her bra.”

  “I’d agree,” said Kathryn, becoming even more nervous and uncomfortable with all these questions.

  “And that’s because you were administering CPR to her chest and you would have felt such a device.”

  “Yes, that’s probably true.”

  “Did you see the man in the trench coat shoot the young man?”

  “Yes,” she said softly, closing her eyes and lowering her head.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Becker, I know what a horrible and tragic sight that must have been, but I have one more question ma’am. You just said you saw the man in the trench coat, turn, come through the door, entering the restaurant, draw a gun, point it and shoot the boy who was sitting at the first booth facing you. But, you did not see the man’s face?”

  “I told you Detective Peters, I did not see the man’s face nor recognize him!” Kathryn said, slightly raising her voice.

  “Thank you for your time, Miss Becker,” said Detective Peters as he and O’Donnell stood up, and turned to walk out of her office. At the door O’Donnell turned around facing Kathryn.

  “Miss Becker, I do have another question. By any chance, would you ever have to carry hypodermic needles with you in your purse?”

  “No Detective. Absolutely not. Now would you gentlemen excuse me please? I have work to do!”

  Kathryn sat frozen, momentarily rethinking what just had transpired.

  That was odd and I didn’t like their tone of voice, either, damn it!

  For the second time in a week she whispered out loud, “Why me!”

  Fifteen minutes after the police left, Kathryn still felt nervous and annoyed at the police questioning her the way they did. She left her office, telling Barbara she had to take a walk and was going down stairs to the cafeteria for just a few minutes. As she crossed the lobby heading toward the elevator, Donald Gingrich passed by.

  “Good morning Kathryn,” he said in his usual happy disposition, turning back and adding, “I wanted to ask you how your mom is doing? Feeling better, I hope.”

  “She’s much better, thank you,” she instinctively answered, before pausing for a long minute. She had a perplexed look on her face.

  What did Donald mean by that? And how the hell would he have known my mom was in the hospital? I certainly didn’t tell him!

  Chapter 21

  The music filled her apartment, as Kathryn began to unwind after another hard day in the office. The minute she arrived home, she turned on her CD player. Enya was one of her favorite easy listening albums - New Age, and what some people would call meditation music. It was often, when things were hectic in the office, that she’d come home and play Enya just so she could relax. She somehow found that music easy on the soul. Sometimes she would just pour herself a glass of wine and plop down in her grand chair and let the beauty of the music melt her stress away. But tonight was a different story. She had little time to sit and relax. She had to take a shower and get dressed quickly, since she was expected to be at Richard’s apartment by 7:00 o’clock for their Wednesday evening Bridge game. This week, the game was hosted by Richard.

  “I made it,” Kathryn said, giving Richard a quick kiss as he greeted her at the door. “I’m not the last to arrive am I?”

  “No. We’re waiting for Carl and Lauren. They called and are on their way. Come, say hello to everyone, while I fix you a drink. I assume you’d like a glass of your Chardonnay?”

  “Yes, that’d be fine.”

  “Look who’s here, everyone? I’m so happy Kathryn can join us tonight. Oh, and I received a call from Carl, they’re not lost.”

  There were chuckles throughout the room.

  “He and Lauren should be here momentarily.”

  “We missed you last week, Kathryn,” Maggie said. “It’s so wonderful, you could come tonight.”

  “Me too, Maggie. I had every intention of coming last week, but, well...I’m sure Richard clued you in about what had happened at my office. I was so mad at them.”

  “We all heard about your tragic experience last Friday,” said Harriet. “That sounded horrendous! We’re so sad you had to go through all that. It must have been dreadful.”

  “Does anyone need another drink?” Richard interjected trying to spare Kathryn from focusing on the nightmare that transpired. “And here’s your Chardonnay, honey.”

  “Thank you, baby.”

  Bob and Harriet both needed a drink, sending Richard back into the kitchen to fix something just as the doorbell rang.

  “Ah, this must be them, now,” he said, turning toward the front door.

  Kathryn too, turned to see who was there acting jittery and somewhat nervous over any uncertainty. Deep down inside, she had an uncanny feeling that the police could walk in at any time and arrest her. Richard, of course would say that’s ludicrous, but Kathryn’s trusting soul was badly shaken by the way the police kept questioning her. And her imagination was in overdrive.

  “Hi Richard, sorry we’re late,” Carl said.

  “Hello, darling, don’t you look gorgeous tonight,” said Lauren in her usual sensuous voice. “But then, you always look good. I just love this shirt. Richard. Is it silk?” Lauren reached out feeling his arm and giving Richard a kiss on his cheek at the same time. The other hand gently found its way to his waist. Of course, steam was probably about to exit Kathryn’s ears!

  Why don’t you just excuse yourself from the living room and invite him to bed? My Lord, could she make her attraction to him any more obvious? This woman pays way too close attention to Richard for my taste, and you better remember bitch, he’s mine!

  Kathryn suddenly gulped down her drink.

  “Oh honey, could I please have another wine?” She said intentionally trying to pull him away from Lauren.

  ‘Coming honey. Excuse me Lauren, and what are you drinking?”

  “Vodka, if you have it sweetie.”

  Once they were all situated, the game progressed just fine. They were well into the play when Samantha, again, brought up the Friday murders.

  “I didn’t quite understand something about Friday’s murders. Was it three murders or two?”

  “Technically, only one. One of the victims died of a heart attack, but the prosecution may charge the alleged assailant with manslaughter brought about by an extreme emotional disturbance,” Kathryn answered. “A second victim died of an insulin overdose, which is still unclear how that happened. The only confirmed murder victim was shot.”

  Kathryn immediately looked away to try and avoid further conversation with Samantha. Unfortunately, she was now looking directly at Lauren, who, naturally was trying to get Richard’s attention. It seemed that Lauren had managed to turn her chair to face Richard, and was sitting with her legs crossed in a very provocative manner. Richard was directly across from her at the second table.

  You better be good Richard, or I’ll kill you. We both know she’s not wearing a bra tonight, and her blouse is...well...inappropriate with that plunging neckline. One wrong move, and she’s going to fall out of the damn thing and you better not be the one who rescues the damsel in distress!

  “So, they can charge the murderer for the death of the waitress too, and the other woman, even though their death could have been attributable to some medical condition?”

  “What? Oh, I’m sorry Samantha. Actually, first they have to find him, before they can charge him, or her. They do
n’t know who the murderer is, and haven’t a clue.”

  “That’s such a shame that poor woman had a heart attack,” Harriet said.

  “Absolutely. The whole thing is quite a mess,” said Bob. And I understand they haven’t identified the boy, either.

  Richard looked up at Kathryn and could see the changed look upon her face.

  “It’s ok Kathryn,” he said, as Kathryn looked up acknowledging his comment.

  Carl, who was sitting on Richard’s left, his back to Lauren, reached out and touched Kathryn’s hand and said. “Witnessing something like that is never easy.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Hey Maggie, can we all come to your place again? You and Harriet were wonderful. I can’t seem to even get a cracker out of this guy, let along some nice munchies. And trying to get another drink is like pulling teeth!” Carl shouted out.

  “Oh my Goodness!” I forgot my deserts!” Richard cried out. “Samantha, can you help me? Everyone please take a break. You know where the bathrooms are and Bob, why don’t you freshen up everyone’s drinks?”

  “Do you need help in the kitchen, Richard?” Asked Lauren.

  “I think Sam and I have it under control. Why don’t you help Bob with the drinks?”

  Nice move, honey. Keep it up and you’ll be rewarded!

  Richard had ordered some small finger sandwiches, potato chips, two small fruit plates, and an assortment of fancy cookies.

  Maggie and Harriet jumped up to get some plates, napkins, and fix the place settings. Carl and Kathryn were still sitting at their table having a deep discussion about the stock market. Soon, everything was once again under control, as everyone was enjoying the snacks. Everyone except Kathryn. She had somehow slipped into a somber, melancholy mood, quiet, and more reflective then normal. The rest of the gang picked up on it quickly, and immediately knew what brought it on.

  “I feel so sorry for Kathryn,” said Maggie in the Kitchen talking to Samantha. “What can we do for the poor child, Sam? That experience had to be just awful.”