Urban Prey (6 page)

“It sounds to me like she’s making it difficult.”

“She is,” Carla sighed. “At first, we thought it was just bad luck, all those people being there. Since then, we’ve concluded that she’s playing games with us. She doesn’t keep to any set routine. If she leaves her hotel, and she does that a lot, it’s always at different times and always to go to a different place than she went last time. The only common denominator is that there’s always lots of people around. She doesn’t use taxis, so there’s no chance of getting her into a cab driven by one of our people.”

“How does she get around, then?”

“Buses, usually. She doesn’t use the subways at all. If her destination isn’t too far away, she’ll walk.”

“No private limo service?”

“No,” Carla shook her head. “We’ve already looked into that.”

“Any idea why she’s making it so difficult?”

“Some people think she’s decided she doesn’t really want to do it after all. Women
do
change their minds, you know.” Carla laughed. “But her contract has a forfeiture clause. If she leaves before our window closes, she forfeits what she paid. If our time runs out, and we haven’t gotten her, she gets a full refund. So maybe she’s just hanging around trying to run out the clock.”

Ron turned another page. There was a short bio of their subject, but it was as sterile as everything else he’d read so far.

“Is that the general consensus?” he asked.

“Pretty much,” Carla nodded. “This is something completely new to us. What do you think?”

Ron mused for a moment. “That forfeiture deal. Just how much money are we talking about?”
Carla told him. It was a fair chunk of change, but if this Kreuger woman was as well off as the file said, it was something she could walk away from without too much pain. He pointed this out.

“Yes, we know that,” Carla said. “But she’s also a pretty savvy businesswoman, so we thought she was probably trying to recoup her investment.”

“There’s another possibility,” Ron told her.

“What might that be?”

“She’s not making it easy for you. But she hasn’t left town, either. If she was just trying to run out the clock, she could just as easily stay safe in the hotel, right?”

“I suppose,” Carla shrugged. “But that would be kind of boring, wouldn’t it? Nothing to do all day?”

“I think she could stand that if it was just a matter of the money. But from what I’ve been told she goes out every day, right?”

“Yes. She’s visited a couple of the museums and galleries here, and she’s done some shopping in the downtown district. So?”

Ron turned back to the picture. Carla there or no, he had to study it now. This was business. He stared at it intently for a long moment, taking in the high cheekbones, the thick mane of hair, the stubborn set of her chin below the smile she’d put on when the picture was taken. He kept going back to her eyes. They were large and dark, and no doubt very expressive as a rule. But in the picture they seemed wary and watchful, belying her smile. He looked away for a moment and took a deep breath. He let it out and looked at the picture again, no longer concentrating on a specific feature, but trying to see the face as a whole.

There it was. He couldn’t understand how he’d missed it at first. Her face had an I-dare-you expression behind the smile. It was a challenge, not a warning.

“What are you doing?” Carla leaned towards him across the table.

“It’s a trick I use sometimes,” Ron answered without looking up. “It usually helps.”

“You looked terribly predatory while you were staring at her picture.”

Now he looked up. He smiled at her. “Well, isn’t that my job here? I was called in because I
am
a predator, and a good one at that.”

Carla leaned back. “Did your trick help, then?”

“I think so,” he answered. “I don’t think she’s trying to run the clock out at all, but if it works out that way she won’t mind taking back the money.”

“Well, then, what
is
she trying to do?”

“She’s trying to make us work to get her,” Ron said. “She just doesn’t want to make it easy. She isn’t just looking to live out a fantasy. She wants an adventure. She wants something special.”
“You sound so certain about it,” Carla shook her head. “How can you know?”

“It’s my job. I’m good at it.”
And I’ve seen this before
, he thought.

“
There
you guys are!” Hines came into the cafeteria, looking rumpled. For once, he wasn’t

bouncing. His walk was more like a slow shuffle. He yawned as he approached.

“You disappeared without tellin’ me if I was supposed to wait or what. When I asked where you were, all anybody’d tell me was that you were still here somewhere.”
“Oh, Mr. Hines!” Carla sounded dismayed. “I’m afraid we forgot all about you! You could have gone home. We’d have made sure that Mr. Smith had a ride.”

“Yeah, well, I thought of that myself,” Hines yawned and rubbed the back of his neck. He sat down at the table with them. “But how was I gonna tell you? I was gonna leave a message and just go, but I saw this cute little number in the slave pens. Looked like a college cheerleader, she did. So I used one of my chits.” He shook his head and smiled. “She about broke me down. So anyway, what’ve you guys been doin’?” He looked from Ron to Carla. His gaze fell on her wrist. Rope marks were still visible. Carla put her hands under the table, but not quickly enough. It looked like she was actually blushing.

“Well, prob’ly none of my business anyway,” Hines shrugged. “I’m just a driver and a gofer. I’m gonna get myself some coffee.” He got up, yawned again and shuffled off towards the hot drinks station.

“I don’t think he’ll say anything,” Ron said quietly to Carla.

“I don’t think so either,” Carla replied. “We don’t employ anyone who can’t keep their mouth shut when it matters.” She leaned forward again, but she still kept her arms under the table. “So you think this Kreuger woman is looking for an adventure?”

“I’m sure of it.”

“Can you give her one?”

“I think I can,” Ron nodded. “I just have to figure out how. Hines told me we have nine days to reel her in. How much time do we get once we’ve done that?”

“No more than an extra week,” Carla said. “Less, if she doesn’t like it or gets bored and calls it off.”

“She can do that? Usually, once they’re in, they’re in for the whole ride, like it or not.”

“She didn’t go for the usual deal,” Carla told him. “She negotiated her own contract.”

“She did? So she knows exactly what she wants, and if she isn’t getting it she’ll walk. Can I get a look at that contract?”

“Certainly, but I don’t know how much help it will be. It reads like a lawyer wrote it.”

“You ran her through the usual psych evaluations, didn’t you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Were any of them videotaped?”

“I can find out for you. At the very least we’ll have her in-depth interview somewhere.”

“Good,” Ron nodded. “I need to get inside her head. Can you send whatever you find over as soon as possible?”

“Yes.” Carla reached out and put her hand on his. “I would have loved to have you stalking me, Mr. Smith.”

“I’d have liked that too,” he smiled at her. He meant it, and she knew he did.

“Can we go soon?” Hines wandered back with an extra-large cup in his hand. Carla quickly put her hand back under the table. “I don’t wanna rush things, but I’m damn near dead on my feet.”
“I think we can go now,” Ron said. “I’m a little tired myself.” He pushed his chair back and stood up. He held out his hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Carla. Thanks for all your help.”

Carla smiled warmly. She took his hand and shook it once. “It was a pleasure to meet you as well, Ron. Good luck.”

Chapter Five

The loud knocking at the apartment door woke him up. Ron stirred in the bed and looked at the clock radio on the nightstand. It was a little after nine-thirty. The knocking resumed.

He sat up on the bed. It was a bit more comfortable than the old couch. “I’m coming!” he called out to whoever was pounding on the door. He got up and put on a robe. It was intended for a smaller man, but it was the only one in the room and he didn’t feel like getting dressed at the moment. It was probably Hines anyway, and he didn’t think Hines would care much if he were dressed or not. If it
was
Hines, he was probably bringing the materials he’d asked for. The thought made him get to the door a little quicker. He opened it.

“Ah…good morning.” The pretty young blonde in the hallway looked like the one who’d driven he and Hines around the previous afternoon, but this morning she was wearing jeans and a black t-shirt instead of a chauffeur’s uniform. Her hair was gathered back into a ponytail. She wore running shoes, and the top of her head didn’t quite reach as high as his chin. She was carrying a shopping bag.

“Sorry,” Ron said, pulling the robe as close as he could. “I was expecting Hines.”

The woman smiled. “It’s his day off,” she said. “I’m Lisa. May I come in? You’re safe from me. I’m into girls.”

“Oh…sorry. Come on in.” Ron stepped aside for her. Lisa walked in and over to the living room area of the apartment. She set the shopping bag down on the battered coffee table as he shut the door.

“This is a dreary little place,” Lisa commented as she looked around.

“As long as it’s temporary, I can live with it,” Ron said. “Can I get you some coffee or something?”

“Thanks. Coffee would be fine, if you’re making some anyway.”

“Have a seat,” Ron waved in the direction of the couch. He went into the kitchenette and hit the “brew” button on the coffeemaker. There was something to be said for setting it up the night before. Morning was no time to have to deal with the logistics of measuring and scooping and pouring.

“I like it on the strong side,” he told Lisa. She was shifting around on the couch, trying to find a comfortable spot.

“That’s fine,” she reassured him. “Hines told me you drink it black, too. I can live with that.”

“I got some groceries last night,” he said. “I’ve got half-and-half if you want some.”
“Even better!” Lisa smiled. “Sugar?”

“Got that too.” The coffeemaker gurgled loudly. Ron sat down in the chair opposite the couch and took the shopping bag. He looked into it. There was another file folder in it, and two videocassettes. He left them where they were for now and looked at Lisa again.

“You work for the company too, I gather.” He was stating the obvious, but he was looking to start a conversation and that seemed the quickest way to do it.

“Two years,” Lisa nodded. “I’ve been assigned as your driver, by the way.”

“Why do I need a driver?” he asked her.

“How well do you know the city?” she asked him.

“How well do
you
know the city?” he countered.

“I was born and raised here.” Lisa shifted her position again. “Did you get this couch from someone who hates you?” she asked.

Ron laughed. “The middle isn’t so bad,” he told her. She moved there.

“You’re right,” she said, and settled back.

“What happened to Hines?”

“He’ll have other things to do now. He asked me to wish you ‘good luck’. Like I said, it’s his day off or he’d have come here and told you himself.”

“Tell him thanks from me when you see him.”

“Okay.” Lisa sat eying him. The robe had fallen open again.

“Sorry,” he said. “Let me get dressed.”

Lisa laughed. “I told you, I’m into girls. But go ahead, if it makes you feel better.”

He went into the postage-stamp bedroom and donned jeans and a t-shirt. When he came back out, Lisa hadn’t moved.

“You’re a big, muscular guy,” she commented. “I can see why women get all moist around you.”

“Is that meant as a compliment?”

“Sorry,” Lisa flashed a mischievous grin. “Yeah, it’s a compliment, even if you’re not my type.”
“Thanks, then,” Ron smiled back. “I don’t mean to be rude, but are you planning on staying here?”

“I’m your driver,” she said evenly.

“I won’t need a driver for a while.”

“I can also answer questions, if you have any. Is that coffee ready? It smells great.”
“So you’re telling me that I’m stuck with you for the day?”

Lisa’s grin flashed again. “Yeah, pretty much. Really, this is my job. I don’t have anywhere to go or anything to do until nine tonight, when I’m off the clock.” She frowned. “Do you want me to leave? Am I making you uncomfortable or something?”

“No,” Ron said. It wasn’t a total lie. “I just wasn’t expecting this. It’ll take me a little time to adjust. I’ll bring the coffee in here.”

Lisa used so little sugar and half and half in her coffee that he understood why she wouldn’t have minded it black. He studied her while she measured and stirred. She was so intent on what she was doing that she didn’t notice. In spite of her dark blonde hair, her eyes were brown, which made him suspect a dye job. She had a pretty face, but it was unremarkable. A man might see it, find her attractive, and completely forget what she’d looked like ten minutes later. She was on the slim side. Her jeans fit snugly enough, but her t-shirt wasn’t straining anywhere. She felt his gaze on her at last and looked up.

“What?” she said.

“Nothing,” Ron shrugged. “It’s an old habit, studying people. I take it you’re more than just a driver.”

She grinned and leaned back on the couch. She took a sip of her coffee. “You’re right,” she acknowledged. “I’m on call as a ringer, too. Don’t worry, though. They won’t call me while I’m working for you.” She crossed her legs and looked at him over the rim of her coffee mug as she took another drink. It was a taunting look, as if she was daring him to try something. He had the feeling she was teasing him, and enjoying it. He wondered if she had a habit of teasing men.
“So you’re a ringer, and you’re into girls,” he leaned back himself. “What’s that like?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“You said you were here to answer questions,” he smiled.

She grinned wickedly. “Somehow, you guys always ask me that question sooner or later. All right.” She put down the coffee mug and sat upright, throwing her shoulders back a little so that her teats pressed against the material of her t-shirt. “Sometimes, they put a couple of freshman women together in a cell. They’re naked. It’s a little chilly in there, and they have to huddle together on one little mattress with just one blanket. I get put in there with them. Sound interesting so far?” She tilted her head to one side.