A PUPPET ON A STRING

Chapter 11

Facing the apartment building. Looking up at the tall white structure. Unsure what to make of the man to who's room he is about to visit. Looking every part a tenant. Other people come and go around him. Ignoring him. Black eyes on the ceiling peer down at him. He turns away from them, hoping what Smith said was true. Having gotten this far. Smith had all the tricks in his bag. Hoping he had not made another bad choice in his life.'Stay calm... Breathe', Frank reminded himself. Taking a hefty breath through his nostrils.The elevator doors open and he hurries in away from sight of the cameras. Ayoung woman follows him in. Ten years his junior and dressed in a short black leather skirt. A psychedelic tie-dyed t-shirt fitted tightly and revealed more than Frank could have wished for. Brunette pony tails only added to the youthful titillation.

"Five please." She asks Frank in a faint French accent.

Continuing to chew gum.Frank presses five and then seven. He would back track to five after reaching seven. Hoping the woman had cleared the hallway by the time he returned.

"You're new to the building?" The young woman asked keenly.

"Just visiting a friend." Said Frank avoiding eye contact.

"Oh." Said the girl eyeing Frank over.The elevator bell sounds its arrival at the fifth floor.

"This is me..."The doors open and the woman gets out.

"Be seeing ya!" Taking one last flirting look at Frank.

"Yeah... You to." Frank responds automatically trying to remain composed.

Distracted by the young lady that had short circuited the blood flow to his brain to another part of his body. Relieved that the elevator doors had finally closed and began its crawl to seventh floor. The elevator doors open and close without him exiting. Pressing five again, he waits. A ding sounds. Doors open again and the girl from before stands waiting to enter.

"You again... We have to stop meeting like this." She said.

"Yeah I reckon... I had the wrong floor... Should have been five. Silly me..." Frank confesses the lie.

"Silly me... I've left my keys in the car... See you around I hope."Reciprocates the young woman.

"Yeah... Hope so." Frank exchanges a smile as the doors close behind her.But not before catching sight of her green eyes and the alluring scent of her perfume. He thought he saw a faint birthmark on the side of her neck. Trying to shake the woman from his mind. Frank looks up and down the hall way in search for 5C. Finding it he takes the key and tries the lock which opens the door.Entering, unsure if the man was home. The apartment was clean and sparsely furnished. Someone well organized thought Frank. Looking up at the ceiling he sees a light bulb. Not wasting any time he opens the brief case. Standing on a nearby dining chair to reach the light fitting. Carefully unscrewing the existing bulb and replacing with the Smith's bulb. What was so special about this one thought Frank? Surveillance perhaps? Frank tried to examine the bulb but it appeared like any other.

Satisfied he had done as required, he was about to flick the switch to test it.When just then his mobile vibrates with an incoming call. Smith.

"Mister Smith... I have changed the bulb. Any plumbing you want done while I'm here?" Franks asked humorously. But not tickling Smith's funny bone.

"Now that you mention it... There is... Before you leave... I want you to detach the gas line from the wall... We want it to look like... An accident."

"Accident? What are you talking about?" Frank asks now concerned with his involvement.

"Detach the gas line from wall and walk away Frank..." Smith calmly directs Frank.