Authors: Sylvia Hubbard
“For what?”
“You’ve outstretched your hand, now it’s time for her to take it. Right about now, she knows that she was deliberately called here because of you. She seems like a smart woman and she knows this was no turn into adjective encounter. You’ve made your interest known to her, now you must wait until she does the same. Can you wait that long?”
Lyn from the switchboard buzzed in before Thaddeus could answer that question. “Mr. Newman, there is a Ms Skye Patterson on the line. She wanted to speak to Trisha, but she isn’t at her desk, so I thought you might want to speak to her. She’s on line four.”
His smile was clearly triumphant as he looked up at Trisha who was surprised herself. “Thank you Lyn, I will pick it up.”
“Why do I think you planned this?” Trish asked suspiciously.
“Because I did.” He pressed the pick up line using the speaker and indicated for Trisha to be quiet. “How may I help you, Ms Patterson?”
Skye was hesitant to answer, “Y-You may have forgotten to sign the agreement.”
“You think I may have?” he questioned. “And how did you come to this conclusion?”
“Because when I looked at the end of the contract once I got home, it wasn’t signed by you or Trisha.”
“Then we must get this resolved. How about... tomorrow I swing by and sign the contract.”
“Swing by where?”
“Your residence. I believe you are a home contractor, aren’t you?” he asked as if this was really no problem for him.
“Yes, but there’s no need for that, Mr. Newman. I can just return to the office.”
“Well, I might not be here tomorrow. Matter of fact my schedules filled tomorrow. How about you meet me at the café about three? I should be finished with my appointment there.”
“Can’t Trisha sign it?” she asked fighting the desperation to not see him from coming out.
“No, I would rather I sign it. Trisha may be my assistant, and can conduct some of my business, but I do still run the company.”
“Of course. So tomorrow at three at the café?” she confirmed controlling the disappointment. “Goodbye Mr. Newman.” Skye seemed too happy to get off the phone with him.
“Till tomorrow, Ms Patterson.”
When he turned off the speakerphone, Trisha asked, “Why do I have the feeling that you didn’t sign that on purpose?”
“Because you’re right. If she would have contacted you first, I would have already told you she would have been calling and insist that I sign it.”
Trisha giggled. “I like how you think, Mr. Newman.”
“I like how you think, Trisha.”
“I’ll remember that when bonus time comes around.” She stood up. “You are going to heed my advice, aren’t you, sir?”
“Of course. Take it slow if I don’t want to lose her.”
Chapter 6
Arriving at the Network, he was astonished to see the club placed open with a large bodyguard standing in front. It was usually closed before the noon hour, but of course Fats had connections and Thaddeus wouldn’t be surprised if the gangster had his hand in the profit pot as well.
Coming here had thrown a monkey wrench in the police plan to get Fats on solicitation for now. The back up plan was to get another operative in with today’s meeting to hopefully take pictures of the deal without anyone knowing. Thaddeus wondered if they had succeeded as he entered the darkly lit club. Music played loudly, but no one else seemed to be around except Fats’ people. A beautiful scantily dressed woman met him at the door as he entered.
“Mr. Newman?” the woman questioned looking him up and down as if he was her last meal.
“I’m here to see Fats,” he said seriously ignoring that he felt like a piece of meat under her hard wanton gaze.
“Come on dis way. He been waitin’ for’yr.” She ushered him to a platform where Fats sat on a couch with another scantily clad beautiful woman. Five large men were strategically placed around
Fats, which Thaddeus assumed were bodyguards. He noticed the bulges at the sides of them and knew this was no joking matter.
No matter how large he was a bullet could take him out like a bitch. One of them approached him and patted him down.
Fats explained. “A usual procedure for a man in my position.”
Thaddeus was glad he wasn’t asked to carry a wire because he was sure that was what the man was feeling for. “Perfectly understandable, but if he feels any longer, I’m going to ask for dinner.”
“It’s so good to see you, Mr. Newman.” Fats said chuckling at Thaddeus’ wry humor. The gangster didn’t get up, but instead rudely nudged the woman beside him out the way.
She stood up giving Thaddeus an appreciative glance just like the woman had done at the door.
“Later Thelma,” Fats barked to hurry her away. “Please sit, Mr. Newman, or can I call you Tad.”
“Mr. Newman is fine.” He lowered himself on the couch next to Fats who was pretty large, with a custom tailored suit on.
“I didn’t believe a damn word Pooh said when he came saying some rich cat was looking for a good time. Is it true?”
Tilting his head slightly with the same serious look, Thaddeus answered, “I am a man of wealth and finding suitable women to suffice a need has become quite tedious.” He had practiced this numerous times this morning with Craig because this is what the police had predicted Fats would ask. “I want the pleasure without all the promises, if you know what I mean. To do it legitimately has become a nuisance. Money is all I’m willing to give and they usually want more than I can buy. Emotions, marriage, a baby, you know.” Thaddeus had to put a spin on it a little because the script that was given had not seemed believable.
“I understand. I am a man who enjoys a good fuck every once in a while with no strings attached too.”
Who in their right mind would want to have sex with this gross fat man was beyond Thaddeus, but he knew there were women out there who really just needed the money. “I would like pleasure more than once in a while. If I’m displeased with your first choice, I will let you know. I’d like a somewhat educated woman who I can relate to verbally and physically. I am willing to pay a high price for monogamy as well. I don’t like to share.”
This sparked a blood-curdling, greedy smile on Fats’ face. “That would be a lovely price. A five-figure initial fee and four figures continuously. I have to make up the money I would be losing to do this.”
“I am willing to pay.” Thaddeus chose some pretty dark words to call the greedy gangster in his mind.
One of the women delivered two vodka and club soda drinks to them setting the tray on a small table in front of the couch. She gave Thaddeus another appreciative glance.
Fats said happily. “This can all be arranged.”
“I know it can,” he said playing into the man’s ego that was just as large as his huge body.”You are Fats and everyone knows that you can do anything you want.” Thaddeus raised the glass up. “To a good relationship.”
“A good union. This is a prosperous union for me, Mr. Newman.”
Thaddeus gulped the drink down and winced as it burned his throat. “So I can expect her this Saturday?”
“At ten p.m. on the dot.” He passed Thaddeus a napkin with some writing on it.
Thaddeus looked at the napkin, but made no change in expression as he read $10,000 initially and $2000 a night. This was the expected fee. Pooh had given Craig a tentative price of $20,000, which had been placed in the envelope the sergeant had initially given Thaddeus.
Thaddeus put the napkin on the table, and then reached inside his coat to pull out two envelopes. “This should cover me for the first five nights.”
One bodyguard picked up the money, and another picked up the napkin. Thaddeus saw him ignite the end of the napkin with a lighter and drop the flaming paper in an ashtray.
“Why don’t you stay a while, Newman? My girls would make it worth your while.”
Thaddeus looked over to see the two women dancing sensually together rubbing up against each daring him to join them vibe. Standing up, he straightened his jacket and sighed with theatrical disappointment.
“Unfortunately, I have too many appointments today, but I do appreciate the offer. Maybe if I am dissatisfied with what you initially offer me, I can come back and get a sample.” He winked in jesting.
“Anytime for the right price, Newman.”
They shook hands before Thaddeus left. He didn’t feel at all right about paying for sex. He had never had to in his entire life and now that he had the experience under his belt, he felt completely turned off to the woman he was going to meet Saturday.
Arriving at the café a quarter to three, he was shocked to see Skye sitting there sipping on water. She was tapping the glass nervously.
“Have you been waiting long?” he asked sitting down across from her.
“No, not really,” she lied. Skye had been there since two. When she was sitting at home waiting for three, she couldn’t concentrate. “I’m surprised the café is still open outside.”
“Yes, usually about this time of year in Detroit it’s cooler. You’re from Davenport, Ohio?” he asked.
Inwardly, she was groaning, she had the feeling that he was in the mood to talk and that was just something she didn’t want to do with Thaddeus Newman. Yet, she couldn’t help to notice how incredibly handsome he looked. “Yes,” she said answering tightly trying not to show her desire to get up and leave.
“My mother had family in Akron. I believe an aunt and cousin, but when my aunt died the cousin moved south. So you have anyone in Davenport as far as family?”
“Actually I was raised in an orphanage outside of Chicago initially. I was adopted at two by Mr. And Mrs. James Patterson who already had two children—a boy and baby girl. They died in a car fire and we were all separated when I was seven. I moved from so many homes until about eleven when I was molested by one of the foster parents. I ran away, ending up in Austin, Ohio about an hour drive from Cleveland. Again I was put in foster homes in Davenport moving from family to family until
I was sixteen when I applied to the courts for independence. I was a pretty good typist and making a living quite profitably as one.”
“Do you plan to type all your life?” he asked.
“No. I do plan to retire in a few years. I’ve invested my money seriously. One of my foster parents was an investment broker and I learned early what the profits to long term investing could do. I plan to have two million by the time I’m thirty five,” she said proudly.
He tried to look unimpressed. “Exactly how old are you now, Ms Patterson, if I may be so bold to ask?”
“Twenty—two.”
“No children?”
“None that I know of.”
He chuckled.
“And you Mr. Newman?” she countered.
“No children.”
She flushed. “That’s not what I meant. I meant how old are you?”
“I will be thirty next week.”
“So why isn’t a man of your type married?” she delved out of curiosity. He was too good to be true.
He frowned taking offense remembering what Trisha was saying the type of guy Skye thought he was. “What type of man am I?”
“The type that should have been hooked by now. The good fish never stay in the water long.”
“The smart fish do.”
“True and I must say you are intelligent, Mr. Newman. I read on the Internet just how intelligent you are.” She frowned this time. “Your business keeps you involved and away from your personal life.”
“I believe I have some personal life or I wouldn’t be here speaking with you.”
With that note, she clearly became put off. Reaching down into her brief, she pulled out the contract. “Here is the contract for you to sign. I wouldn’t want to make you late for any of your other appointments. I know you’re a busy man.”
He wanted to say, “not to busy for you,” but he knew that would be forward. Even when he made a small indication of his interest in her, she seemed to become turned off, yet she made this effort to be here on time—hell early. What the hell could he do to her to show some interest in him? It was frustrating.
Skye could sense he was suddenly irate about something, but she would not ask even though she did want to know why. Watching him scratch his name on the last page, curiosity was killing her to know what had made him so upset. “Is there a problem, Mr. Newman?”
“Yes,” he said sharply. “I want to know why when our conversation becomes personal; you become evasive.”
She gasped at his frankness, and then she huffed more to herself. “Was I? Have I?” Sighing she sipped her water. “My experiences with men have not been pleasant, Mr. Newman, but that’s neither here nor there. You are my client and I wouldn’t dare want to change our relationship. So when our verbal banter gets too personal I tend to freeze up as you say. I can’t help it. You must excuse me, but in any way think I don’t enjoy talking with you.”
She tried changing the subject slightly. “I can see why you choose this café. It’s relaxing here and you don’t seem so threatening.”
“Threatening?” he asked wanting her to elaborate on that.
Wanting to bite her lip for speaking so forward, she pressed on because she knew he would not allow her to just ignore his question. “Well your size does make a difference when people speak to you.”