Part 11 (1/2)
”A hundred thousand dollars,” she said. ”Used bills.”
”Are you trying to bribe me?”
”Do you need to be bribed?”
Even though his brain was running on one cylinder, he could tell it was a loaded question. Was she testing his integrity? What would happen if he gave the wrong answer?
”I have another question first,” he said. ”Is the security system in this apartment active now?”
”Very much so,” she said.
”I didn't see any wires or sensors.”
”Trust me. n.o.body is getting in, not alive at least. And if an enemy did manage to penetrate the perimeter defenses, I can incinerate the entire apartment in five seconds. I just have to press a b.u.t.ton.”
”I see.” He swallowed. ”In that case I don't need a bribe because I don't want to die.”
She chuckled. ”Very good! You continue to impress me, Dr. Smythe. You'll be a fine addition to the team. Here are your orders.”
”Wait. Since when do I take your orders?”
”I'm your commander now. Get used to it because it will be that way for a long time. Stay in that apartment. Sleep, eat, and recuperate for as long as you like, but don't leave. When you're ready to face the world again, call me.”
”What if I run?” he asked. ”With all this money, I could escape to Mexico. I know a little Spanish.”
She paused. ”You wouldn't escape for long. We're a global organization with almost limitless money and influence, while you're just one man. So, think about the important choices you need to make. You stand at a crossroads. One path leads to a productive and exciting life spent serving G.o.d.”
”And the other path leads to prison?”
”No. The other path leads to death, for the Lord does not forgive those who ignore His call to service, and neither do I. Sleep well.”
Chapter Eight.
Marina looked up at the sign for ”Madame Shen's Beauty Salon.” It had been years since she had visited a salon. She didn't like strangers touching her hair, and as far as she was concerned, only Yvonne back at headquarters knew the right way to cut it.
Marina sighed. The sacrifices I make for the mission. She went inside.
A thick haze of incense made her want to step back outside and get another breath of fresh air. Beaded curtains hung everywhere, each with a different abstract pattern made of white crystals sewn into it. Prisms in front of the windows added rainbows to a room with too many sparkles. She already hated this place.
A girl with purple hair and a pierced cheek sat behind a desk. She seemed to be a receptionist, so Marina approached her.
”Hi,” Marina said. ”I'd like to see Madame Shen.”
”Do you have an appointment?”
”I was hoping she could squeeze me in.”
The girl smirked. ”That's not possible.”
”Then when can I see her?”
The girl didn't even look down at her appointment book. ”Madame Shen only sees her good friends with compatible auras.”
”Wait. Are you telling me she won't cut a new client's hair?”
”She does not cut hair; she sculpts hair. If you want any of our other talented stylists to serve you, I'm sure I can find an opening.”
”No.” Marina shook her head. ”Only Madame Shen.”
”Sorry.” The girl shrugged.
”There must be a way.”
”I could put you on the waiting list.”
”Waiting list for what?”
”To have your aura certified, of course.” The girl smiled. ”It's another service we offer.”
”That's ridiculous.” Marina rolled her eyes.
The girl shrugged again. Marina fantasized about breaking her scrawny neck.
”OK,” Marina said. ”Forget about me. Who is Madame Shen seeing next?”
”Hmm.” The girl ran her finger across the appointment book. ”Mrs. Tiemann, but...”
”I'll wait.”
Marina sat on a chair and inhaled incense smoke for half an hour. When an old lady in a pink coat entered the salon, the girl glanced at Marina nervously. This must be her.
Marina stood up and smiled. ”Mrs. Tiemann?”
”Yes?” Mrs. Tiemann wore gla.s.ses with hot pink frames.
”I need to see Madame Shen right now.”
”But my appointment is now.”
”Yes.” Marina nodded. ”I'll take your place. I also want you to introduce me to Madame Shen. Pretend I'm an old and trusted friend.”
Mrs. Tiemann shook her head. ”You're crazy.”
Marina reached into her purse and took out a roll of hundred dollar bills. She began to peel them off. ”One hundred... two hundred... three hundred... four hundred...”
Mrs. Tiemann's eyes opened wide.