The Viking Seal

CHAPTER 34 - Agendas

Susan Duncan placed the cheque in the home's bankbook and closed it, wearing a smug smile. She knew the amount would be fine, because the board had voted on holding the line for their exclusive clientele, a fact of which Wayne Jenner was unaware.

She walked to her office window and gazed out across the professional landscape and sighed a contented sigh. Handled beautifully, she complimented herself. Using all her wiles, she had Wayne believing he'd seduced her out of having to pay the increase and that at any time she would be compliant, more than happy to absorb the extra cost for his attention.

A tiny giggle reached her throat and she reminded herself that to complete the deception she had to send him a formal letter that addressed the need for an increase. Of course Wayne would be the only one to get such a notice but it would bolster his belief that he could avoid any other financial problems that arose, and avail himself of a pleasant option; he would just grace her with access to his attentions . . . a result she had plotted for a long time.

Susan fell in love with him the moment he'd arrived with his wife, and on every succeeding visit she took every opportunity to be near him. It was his last visit, when he put her off by just handing her a cheque, avoiding their usual few minutes of conversation, that she completed her plot. Now it was happening, the lock was closed. The office door opened and she turned to see him stick his head in and say goodbye.

"How was Gloria today?" She asked, coming to the door.

"About the same. She seems content enough but I'm not sure she always knows it's me."

She touched his sleeve and offered a sympathetic smile. "Well I'm content, Wayne and I definitely know it's you." She moved against him and his arm automatically came about her waist.

"About that . . . I- I don't know what-"

"I think you do. I know I did." She kissed him and kept it going until she felt him lean into her and then she stopped and patted his lapel. "We should be careful I think." She made a point of looking about the hall and then stepping out of her office and leading him by the hand to the front doors. "I look forward to your next visit, Wayne; I hope it won't be too long."

He withdrew his hand and tugged at the bottom of his jacket. "You uh- you're sure the money business will be okay?"

"Leave it to me, I'll manage something." Her look spoke louder than words and he nodded, dry-mouthed. "Until next time then." He gave her a tentative wave and hurried down the steps to his car.

The drive back was almost automatic. Wayne's mind was filled with Susan and their indiscretion. He stared at the road ahead and then gave a small laugh. Indiscretion be damned. Good business I'd call it. He slapped the steering wheel and remarked aloud, that Gloria required more attention than he'd been giving her. More visits might just improve her situation, he knew it would his.

****

"You accepted!"

"It doesn't change anything really. I just become an official agent for the Congress and when there's work needed doing in our area of the world I can handle it, instead of them having to dispatch someone like Gretta."

Mel turned and stared out the plane's window. "How could you accept something like that after what we've seen goes on?"

Mel, all their work isn't like that. Most of it is the same as what I did for you and your dad, verifying stuff and arranging for its proper placement."

"And where exactly does 'our area of the world' include?" She turned back.

"Uh, well, mostly Africa—"

"Africa! The entire continent?"

"Mel, Gretta covers the entire world right now."

"I don't care what Gretta does. Gretta is an- an- Amazon."

"Mel!" He reached for her hand but she pulled away and squeezed herself into the corner, not looking at him.

Arny looked up in surprise as Stone flopped down in the seat next to him. "Something wrong?"

"You have no idea." Stone closed his eyes. "Well, maybe you do." He sat up again and turned to Arny. "The professor asked me to become a registered agent for the Congress, and I accepted."

"Aah, and now you and Mel are having words." Stone gave him a baleful look. "Welcome to the club, except we are on opposite teams."

"Got any advice from that side?"

"Listen to her concerns and never take her with you on a project."

"That's odd coming from you. You seem to go on all Gretta's."

"Seems is the operative word there, partner. I always happen to be in the right place at the wrong time." He saw Stone frown. "It's a long story. Just consider her feelings when duty calls." Arny looked down and chuckled. "Aside from that, it's one hell of an adventure."

****

Moira came out of the change room and did a pirouette in front of the mirror to the applause of the young saleswoman. She had used her stolen cash to finance a new outfit, an outfit that would get her past the reception at Wayne's offices as well as provide a secure disguise.

"It's perfect! It is so you." The saleswoman clapped her hands again and eagerly directed Moira to the checkout. "Power suits were made for women like you. And the colour! Just dazzling."

Moira smiled and counted out the necessary cash, announcing that she would be wearing it out and would the woman be so kind as to get rid of her other clothes. She left the store, acknowledging the glances of others from both sexes, and paraded down the street to the offices of Wayne Jenner.

Stefan listened to Gordon's instructions and then took up his post in the outer office, one eye on Gordon's office door and the other on his secretary. The secretary squirmed on her chair as she felt his perusal almost tangibly on her skin. Stefan was to stop any women who came through the door and identify them. If it was Moira he was to use his skills and subdue her.

Stefan fantasized a situation where he would dispatch Moira, exciting the secretary to lust after him. He fantasized a lot. Stefan was a dwarf, three-foot nine inches tall, with a black Svengalian goatee.

Moira marched straight past the security with a confident nod and stood with several other people at the elevator. She wet her lips and envisioned Gordon on his knees, begging. The image stirred her and she must have made a sound because some of the people looked at her in amusement. You wouldn't be smiling if you knew what I was up to, she thought. The elevator doors opened and they all crowded aboard.