CHAPTER 126: Mindbender

 

"Dang!  You are looking sharp today!" said Action to himself as he checked out his reflection in the bedroom mirror.  It was going to be a smooth day off:  A workout, a trip down to the old Spice Quarter for a bite to eat and then taking Katherine down to the club for a little dance and a date and finally back here, with girlfriend in tow for a little woohoo magic between the sheets.  

But his moment of self-satisfaction was burst when there was a loud and repeated banging on his front door and ringing of his doorbell.

"Sheesh!  Calm down, bucko, where's the fire?" he sighed in exasperation as he headed to the door.  The pounding and ringing weren't letting up and, as a precaution, Action reached for his .38 service revolver from his shoulder holster.

"Who is it?" he said, before he opened the door.

"Alan Cuffe!  This is a matter of urgency, Detective!" came the voice, which sounded like Cuffe's alright.  Action opened the door but made sure the chain was still in place.  Peering through the gap with his pistol at the ready, he could see it was Cuffe.  He slid back the chain and let him in.

"It's my day off, Cuffe.  This had better be urgent" said Action.

"It is, Action, otherwise I wouldn't be here!" replied Cuffe.

"OK, how about you tell me what's going down?" said Action, offering Cuffe a chair whilst he put the pistol back in its holster.

"I'm being followed, my every move observed" said Cuffe.  

"Who'd want to do that?" said Action, leaning back on the wall and folding his arms.

"Them!  The people who are out to get me!"

"OK, let's back this up here...so what happened that makes you think that?"

"I was playing chess in Desert Bloom Park with Victor Feng...we occasionally meet up to play or talk and today it happened to be the park...when I noticed this guy following us, watching us from the other side of the park and using something that looked like a diary only he wasn't writing in it.  He just held it in front of him but in our direction"

"How can you be sure he was following you?  What if he was following Feng instead?" Action felt Cuffe was being paranoid.

"Because after our game Victor went to do some fishing while I headed home...this guy followed me from the table to where I'd parked my car, still holding his diary thing in front of him as if it were some kind of camera" said an agitated Cuffe.

Action stood up and paced the room, slowly.  "This could have waited, Cuffe, until you could get to a police station.  This is my day off" he said.

"Action!  I know if I bring you in on this the job will get done!  These...people...they're getting closer to me and that can't happen!  I want shot of the lot of them, I want no further part of their plans!  Get them off my back, Action!"

Action stood before Cuffe.  "OK, what did this guy look like?" he said.

"Red hair, a little long at the back and Brylcreemed down the sides and at the front.  Pale skin, really pale, and with a tiny downwards pointing triangular beard...also red, like the hair.  Blue/grey denim jacket and faded red pants."

Action wrote this all down.  "OK, I'll make some enquiries" he said.

"Do it, Action...I know you want to catch these people and I think this guy's working with Leanne." said Cuffe.

Action took a deep breath.  "I was thinking the same".  That clinched it; if he could get this guy then maybe he could catch Leanne.  She was the key to the whole mystery.  So the work out will just have to wait...

On his way into town he bumped into his work colleague, Prisha Dhatta.  Action hadn't seen her in that dress before:  It was long with an abstract pattern but cut very, very low to reveal a whole different side of her than Action was used to.

"Dhatta, all dressed up...I hope you have somewhere to go" said Action.

"I'm meeting a guy, Action, it's my day off as well" she replied.

"I didn't know you had a man in your life, Prish" said Action, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"There's a lot about me you don't know" she replied, coyly.  "And right on cue, here he is"

"Prisha!" cried the man, enthusiastically, as he walked down the road.  He was one of those button down types with neatly parted black hair and big, round glasses.  He approached Prisha and kissed her on the cheek.

"Action...this is Herbert" she said, making the introductions.

"Is your name really Action?" said the man.

"Is your name really Herbert?" replied Action, shaking the guy's hand.

"Anyway, we must get getting along now" said Prisha, fearful that Action would say something snide to Herbert.  "I'll see you on Monday, Action"

"Have fun you two" he replied.  Herbert!  He thought.  The guy even looked like one.

The Fashion District, San Myshuno was Action's destination...a diversion of his original plan to hang out in his old neighbourhood of the Spice Quarter where he would shoot some hoops, eat some Ramen and hang with the local cats down at the Waterside Warble.  The Fashion District was a different scene; hip, happening and in touch with the Now Generation.  It was also where Leanne, or one of her associates, tried to shoot Lily Feng and Madelyn Buchanan.

Action cased the area, half in hope that his suspects would show themselves.  Realistically he thought about a line of enquiry he and the police should have taken in the first place, but failed to do so.  They searched the immediate area, they questioned everyone who was in this specific corner of the Fashion District but they hadn't interviewed the food stall vendors or the bar staff.  Action was here to correct that oversight.

As he made his way through the district he came across an anti-war demonstration.

"1...2...3...4...we don't want your Vietnam War!" yelled someone holding a megaphone.  The others present held up signs with the peace symbol and other slogans on them.  Action looked on:  He'd been out there and he knew first hand what it was like.  He didn't have much time for the senior leaders who were mismanaging the war, in his opinion, and getting mired in the dirty business between North and South Vietnam but he still had buddies...fellow Marines...putting their lives on the line and doing their duty and he wondered what they'd think if they knew some folks back home weren't supporting them.  

One of the people at the protest looked on but didn't seem engaged by it.  Action approached her and showed her the photo-fit image of Leanne McGregor and gave a description of this new suspect, asking if she'd seen either of them.  She shook her head.  Action then headed over to the food vendor and was surprised to see that the guy behind the counter was the spitting image of the man Cuffe had described.  He sat down at a bench.

"Hey, can I get a hot dog with onions and mustard?" said Action.

"Yes, certainly sir" said the man, who flashed a momentary look of surprise when he saw Action.

Your hunch payed off, Action he thought to himself.  Yes, it made sense...if this guy was an associate of Leanne's then he'd be the lookout whilst she set up the hit on Lily and Madelyn.

When Action went to collect his hot dog he paid the guy and started to casually question him.

"Say, do you know either Victor Feng or Alan Cuffe?" Action asked.

"I might do, who wants to know?" said the man.

"Detective John Action, Sim City P.D." said Action, showing him his police badge.

"Look...I can't talk now, I'm still on my shift.  I finish in half an hour; I'll meet you over at Planet Honey Pop"

"You'd better" said Action, taking his hot dog and sitting down to eat...all the while observing the vendor.  Once he'd finished he headed over to the bar.

The place was half empty; most patrons were over at the bar..  Action scoped out a place where he could keep an eye on the vendor, in case he decided to slip away.  As he was surveying the scene a familiar looking woman approached him.

"Hi, Action" said Tasha, aka Miss Ginger, in a sultry voice.

"Are you here on business...or are you off duty?" she said.

"A little of both.  Say, do you know who that guy is over there?  The one selling hot dogs?" Action replied.

"Him?  Yeah, his name's Luke...don't know his last name though.  He works over there and usually comes in here at the end of his shift to have a few drinks." Tasha replied.

"Does he have any friends or a crowd he hangs out with here?"

"Not that I know of.  He usually comes and leaves alone but sometimes he'll chat with other customers.  I don't know, I can't quite put my finger on it but he kind of gives me the creeps.  Nothing definite, you know, but there's a creepy aura about him.  Why?  Is he a suspect?"

"Maybe...but I'll need something more to go on than a creepy aura, Tash.  Stay cool, I'll catch you later" said Action, giving Tasha a smile.

"You'd better" said Tasha, flirtatiously.

Action made his way over to the bar and noticed that he could see out the window to the food shack.  Luke continued serving until he pulled the shutter down, whereupon Action lost sight of him momentarily.  He got off the barstool and walked closer to the window, ready to pursue the guy if he tried to cut and run.  But, after a few minutes, this Luke character had changed his outfit from his work overalls to a shirt and tie combo and made his way to the bar.  He saw Action and walked over, sitting down next to him. 

"Detective John Action, I am here as agreed" said Luke.

"What happened to your moustache?" asked Action, noticing that the man's appearance had slightly changed from when he first saw him.

"Appearances can change" replied the man, flatly.

"And you're called Luke...what?  What's your last name?" asked Action.

"You don't need to know" replied Luke, in a cold voice that would chill anyone who was less resilient than Action.

"I think you've forgotten the fact I'm a cop and when I ask someone a question I get an answer; one way or another"

"Not today, John Action.  You have interfered with our activities enough.  Now you will stop."

Action laughed and shook his head.  The audacity of this guy!

"Listen, bud, I've dealt with people who've tried to beat, stab, shoot and blow me up since I began to crawl...many have tried to stop me; they've never succeeded.  Now for the last time, I want some answers to my questions and I'm not intimidated by a hot dog seller who stalks local businessmen."

Luke gave Action a hard stare before saying "You people are so linear thinking...I can hurt you with a thought.  With the power of my mind.  You do not know who and what you're dealing with, John Action." 

Action looked sceptical.

"Very well" continued Luke.  "You will have to be dealt with" and with that, he put his fingers to his temples before shutting his eyes and thinking hard.  Suddenly, Action started to shake and feel a hot, burning and painful sensation in his head whilst a pulsating noise pounded his brain.

"You will forget all about me, about Leanne McGregor, The Visitors, the shooting and the fire bomb...John Action.  You will remember nothing about them." Luke didn't say these things out loud:  He was transmitting them straight into Action's mind.  Action grabbed the counter hard, his knuckles white with the effort of holding on.  He tried with all his might to resist this intrusion into his mind but this was nothing like he'd ever encountered before.  

"Must...resist..." he gasped out loud as he tried to resist whatever it was that Luke was doing to him.

"Forget...it...all" went Luke's voice in Action's mind.

The burning sensation and pulsating stopped.  Action's head jerked forwards and he sat there, dazed.

"You look tired, Detective John Action:  You should go and have a lie down" said Luke.

"I...must...lie...down..." said Action, who stood up and staggered to one of the deep filled sofas in the bar.  He felt so sleepy, barely able to stay awake and when he reached the sofa he flopped down and drifted off.

"Sleep, Detective John Action...deep sleep" said Luke.  The world turned an inky black to Action.

_________________________________________________________________________________

"Action!  Action!  Wake up!" came a voice, a woman's voice that sounded familiar.

"Urrugghhhh....soup...soup's good for you...wha?  Wait...where am I?  Katherine?" said Action as he came around.

"No, it's Suzy" said the woman.

"Suzy Q?" said Action

"No.  Suzy Kent.  What happened, Action?  Did you have one too many?" asked Suzy as she helped him to sit up.

"No...I...I don't know.  Why am I here, at the Planet Honey Pop?  Is Katherine here?" he said, groggily.

"I haven't seen her." said Suzy.  Action indicated that he wanted to stand up and Suzy helped him to his feet.  Then she noticed that under his jacket he was wearing his shoulder holster with his gun in it.  "Are you on a case?" she asked.

"I don't know...I remember talking with Prisha Datta and her boyfriend and then...I was going to go for a run and meet Katherine.  But this isn't our usual haunt.  I'm...yeah...I'm meant to be off duty today.  Why have I got my gun on me?"

"You're not steady on your feet...let's talk over here where it's a little more private" said Suzy, indicating a table nearby that was away from the bar.  Action was still very dizzy and couldn't make sense of his surroundings or why he was even there.

"So, Action, Neil and I have discovered some more things about that mysterious tree...I'm not sure it's related to Leanne or not."

"Who? asked Action.

"Leanne McGregor...the woman we think is behind the hit attempts on Feng and Cuffe" 

"What hit attempt?  Who are you talking about?  Do you mean Victor Feng and Alan Cuffe?  I've never met them."

Suzy looked shocked.  "Action...this big case!  Don't you remember?  You've been chasing after this woman for over a week now!"

"Look Suzy, I've just busted that cross-dressing house thief...I know nothing about no attempted murder case."

"That cross-dressing thief you arrested over a month ago!" said Suzy.  "Action, what's happened to you?  How could you forget this case?"

"I...I don't know.  I don't know why I'm here...something happened, Suzy.  Something happened to me today and I just don't know what!"

CHAPTER 125: Return To The Glade

 

"You know, we really should get the plumbing in this place sorted out" said Neil as he grappled with the broken kitchen sink.  "This thing is always springing a leak and how many times have I had to fix the ballcock on the toilet?"

"I didn't know you were such an expert in plumbing" said Suzy.

"You have to be in this place!  Anyway, I've replaced the washers and that should be that.  Phew!" he said, mopping his brow.  "Have wrench, will travel" he added.  "But...have you given any thought to moving to a bigger...better equipped place?"

"What, leave Foundry Cove?" exclaimed Suzy.  "I guess...but this is where all my friends are!"

"I know, we don't have to move far...we can stay in Willow Creek...but we're doing well financially and after the wedding we'll have some savings to put down a deposit on a nicer house"

Suzy bit her bottom lip and hummed.

"I'll let you think about it" said Neil.  "Right, time to take these old, cracked washers and these dirty rags to the trash can" and with that he put the broken bits of the sink and the mopping up rags in a bag.  He then hauled it outside where he dropped it into the trash but then he heard his name being called out.

"Neil, Neil Humphries!" came a woman's voice.  Neil turned around to see Nancy Landgraab in her keep fit tracksuit, signal to him.  Neil wondered what she was doing calling out to him:  He hadn't spoken with her for months, what did she want with him now?

"Mrs Landgraab, what can I do for you?" he said.

"Nothing much" she replied, coldly.  "I just wanted to inform you that the Landgraab Foundation is currently re-structuring."

"Really?  What does that involve?" he replied.

"We have to focus on what is paying dividends and what is a useless asset.  Trim down the fat and the excess so to speak."

"I'm not a businessman, Mrs Landgraab" said Neil.

"No, but you have been the beneficiary of Landgraab Foundation funds to help your burgeoning career in art and, so far, you have failed to impress the trustees"

"Oh really?" said Neil, seeing where this was going.  "I had my works shown in galleries, I did some commissions for you and I have stuck to the terms of the funding grant"

"We've redefined the criteria of aspiring success and decided...you're not it" she said, again, in an icy cold voice.

Neil took a deep breath.  "Mrs Landgraab; cut the crap.  You know and I know that this isn't about my art, it's about getting at my fiancée.  She told the truth and you can't handle it" he said.

"Personally I'm very disappointed in you, Neil.  I introduced you to her so you could be a distraction for a little while...I never knew you were going to end up as her faithful sidekick."

"Maybe I'm just copying the example of your husband?" said Neil, his anger starting to bubble under his placid exterior.  This woman was as dishonest as the day is long and he actually felt good to be rid of her money.

"I'm warning you, Neil, do NOT make an enemy of me!" said Nancy with a sudden harsh tone to her voice.

"Do as you will!  I don't need your money anymore...I think I've done enough to...what did you call it?  Define my own criteria for aspiring success." he said, turning around and walking away from her.

Nancy watched him leave.  I could crush him like a bug she thought.  But not now.

Nancy began to jog again but she was stopped in her tracks by a familiar, but unwelcome face.

"Nancy Landgraab" said Leanne McGregor.  "The Alan Cuffe situation" 

"It's been dealt with:  Cuffe no longer wants to know anything more about us and is stalling the police investigation.  He's frightened, that's the next best thing to having him killed...in fact, better; killing him would have attracted too much attention" replied Nancy.

"We are monitoring Alan Cuffe.  However, it has come to our attention that the one known as Suzy Kent is interfering with your operations."

"Oh her?  It's nothing, I assure you.  She wrote a bothersome article about my son which led to him being...briefly...investigated by the police.  The judge dropped the charges.  It's purely an internal family matter, nothing for you and your associates to worry about."

"Small incidents have a way of becoming large problems if left unchecked.  Keep this Suzy Kent under control or we will have to arrange another accident."

"You're taking a great risk!" exclaimed Nancy.  "I know the police have your name and description on file and you know the detective who's looking for you lives right over there!"

"Appearances and names can change, Nancy Landgraab.  Heed my words; sort out Suzy Kent" and with that Leanne cast a glance towards the Kent residence.  Nancy too looked that way and when she turned around to face Leanne, she noticed the sinister young woman had vanished.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Neil entered and let out a sigh.

"Is everything alright?" asked Suzy.

"I just had a talk with Nancy Landgraab:  She's going to cut my arts funding" he said.

"Oh no!  How dare she!" exclaimed Suzy.

"Actually, I'm relieved:  I felt bad taking her cursed foundation money whilst I knew all the dirty tricks she pulls.  This is a release and, hopefully, the start of the next phase of my art...my work, my way"

"I'm proud of you, honey" said Suzy, smiling warmly at him.  Then she noticed someone running past the house.  "Well it looks like the great and good of Sim City have decided to walk past our humble home this morning.  It's Alan Cuffe...I want to have a word with him." she added.

Suzy ran outside to greet Alan.  "Oh hello, Suzy" he said warmly, but in a diffident and distracted way.

"I wanted to ask you..." said Suzy "...what's the response to the Malcolm Landgraab article been like?"

"Very good, very good indeed.  Sales for this month's 'Lothario' have been excellent and in part between your article and this month's Kitten...shame she's quit now.  Anyway, that's by the by, you did a good job."

"I hear Nancy Landgraab is angry about it"

"Don't worry about her; she's my problem to deal with" said Alan.  "I believe in free speech and honest reporting and your article stuck to the facts that other newspapers and magazines refuse to publish out of fear."

"That's reassuring to hear" said Suzy.  "Can I talk with you a bit about a potential follow up article I have in mind?"

"Sure, fire away" said Alan.

"I want to do a piece about the fire at your house and the police investigation" 

Alan went quiet.  "Let's not talk about this in the street...can we discuss this at your place?"

Suzy nodded.

"This is my home, it's not much but I like it" she said.  "Oh, this is my fiancé, Neil.  Neil, this is Alan Cuffe"

"Glad to know you, Neil.  So you're the man who has captured the affections of Sim City's most beautiful and courageous journalist?" said Alan, firmly shaking Neil's hand.

"You're here!" said Neil, his eyes wide with being star struck.  "You're Alan Cuffe and you're here!" 

"Well I've got be somewhere" said Cuffe, nonchalantly.  "I take it you're a Lothario reader?"

"Only the one issue, the one with Suzy's article...but I recognise you from that TV show:  Lothario After Dark"

"I get around" replied Cuffe.  "Suzy, about this article idea of yours:  I want you to drop it.  The whole incident was very traumatic to me and everyone else involved." he said.

"But Alan, this could help the police investigation as well...a detailed and truthful article about an ongoing case could prompt a member of the public to come forward with more information!" said Suzy.

"Suzy, Suzy...this isn't just a criminal case.  The FBI and State Department are rumoured to be all over this.  Please, not now...don't write this now." said Alan, with a pained and worried look in his face.  Suzy was sharp enough to notice it.

"Very well Alan" she said, picking up on the cue.  "I'll find something else" she said, solemnly.

"I look forward to reading it when it's finished.  I must be going now.  Nice to meet you, Neil."  and with that Alan Cuffe left to resume his run.

"He's covering for something" said Suzy as soon as the door shut.

"Or he's genuinely traumatised by seeing a friend nearly burned to death?" replied Neil.

Suzy shrugged.  "Well, I have a couple of topics to cover next...one is a review of Cuban Heeled Boots and the other....is investigating that tree and glade again."

"I think I can guess which one you'd prefer to write about" said Neil with a grin.

"Now be careful as you walk along the passage" said Suzy to Neil as they stood in front of the hidden entrance of the Foundry Cove tree.  "It's pretty dark in there and at one point there's a stream you have to cross.  Not wide, but get your footing wrong and you'll get wet feet."

"And it leads to some glade?  It seems impossible!" said Neil.

They both entered with Suzy leading Neil by the hand along the narrow, earthy tunnel.  They stepped over the stream and headed towards the sound of a gentle breeze and a pinkish light that was up ahead.  Eventually they stepped out of another hole of...presumably...another, almost identical tree and entered the mysterious glade.

"This...isn't possible!" said Neil in astonishment as he looked around.

"It's as beautiful as I remember from my first visit" said Suzy.

"But I made a careful note about how far we travelled" said Neil.  "I make it 200 yards from the entrance to hear.  That should put us just inside the fence of the container yard.  I can see no trace of the facility here!  And this sky...it looks like sunset but my watch says it's 11:48am!  

"Is it sunset or a dawn?" said Suzy, looking around.

"I can't tell" replied Neil.  "OK, I guess we look around to find out more about this place"

The two split up and looked out for something of interest.  Everything looked familiar but it was the lushness of the place and so many different flora from a variety of places around the world growing side by side that attracted their interest.  Neil attempted to collect a small branch off of a sapling that caught his attention but the entire tree just fell apart, as if it had melted, in his hands.  All that was left was a pile of sludge on the ground where the sapling once stood.

"Now that is bizarre" he said.  

"Let's look for something else we can take a sample of" said Suzy, scanning the scene.  "Wait!  Look over there...it looks like mushrooms or toadstools but they're in a hexagonal pattern" she said, pointing to a patch of ground where there were 6 little dirt mounds with thin, grey mushrooms sticking out of them.  The mounds formed a hexagon shape when viewed from above.  Suzy went to harvest a couple of them but they too, like the sapling, instantly turned to mush.

"How peculiar!" she said.

"Well, even though it is just a pile of slush I'll grab a sample" said Neil, producing a handkerchief and scooping up some of the mush into it.

They walked around the glade some more, trying to make observations.  "I wish I'd remembered my camera" she said.  "We'll just have to make a mental note for now and the next time we'll bring a camera."

"There's no doubting this place is strange yet beautiful.  I might come back with my sketch pad next time" said Neil.

"I told you it was a special place" she said, smiling at him.  "Now you know...thanks for being by my side on one of my adventures"

"Where else should I be?" replied Neil, returning the smile.  They stood and looked at each other warmly before being overcome by an urge to kiss each other.

"And we'll bring a picnic" she added as their lips parted.

"Let's get home" he replied, brushing a strand of her hair from her face.

But their presence and behaviour had been noticed.  On the far side of the glade a glowing, translucent ball emerged from the pond.  It hovered above the water, scanning the glade with a bright light that was contained within the ball.  It detected the two lovers and slowly, and silently moved towards them.  As it flew slowly across the glade, weaving in an out of the trees and long grasses, it left a little sparkling trail of light behind it.  

It stopped about 20 feet away from the couple and ducked behind a flower bush.  There it could observe the couple without being noticed.  It waited to see what they would do next and when the two stepped into the hole in the tree and left, the ball remained for another minute before heading back to the pond.

They went home and Neil put some of the pulped mushrooms...if that's what they were...into a jar and in the fridge.  Suzy entered the kitchen and sighed.  "Let's unwind...shall we say down at the Blue Velvet?"

Neil agreed and they headed off to the local bar to unwind, have some drinks and talk about what to do next.  

"So, what do you think we should do with that sludge?" said Neil.

"Get it to a biologist, or chemist...you know, some kind of scientist" she replied.

"Unfortunately I don't know any...well, if you except Julia." said Neil.

"Well, she might know or know someone at her work.  OK, we'll ask her.  Wow, it's really starting to get busy in here!"

Suzy spotted Liberty Lee at the far end of the bar and waved to her.  "Hey, Libs!  On your own here tonight?" she said.

"Yeah, the others bailed on me but Gary will be along shortly" replied Liberty.

"Hey, Neil and I have found out more about that tree!" said Suzy, barely able to contain her excitement in this crowded place.

"What is it?" replied Liberty, keen to know.

"We've got some plant material from there we want analysing.  You don't happen to know anyone in your line of work who could examine it?"

"I'm a rocket engineer and we're planning on going to the Moon where there's no plant life.  Sorry, can't help"

"Oh well, it was worth a shot" shrugged Suzy.

"Hey, Suzy!  Are you going to sing tonight?" called a voice of one of the regulars.

"I wasn't planning on doing so..." she replied.

"Go on, sing!" another person shouted.  And then another, and another...even Neil lent his voice in support of her singing.  Suzy shrugged and went on to the microphone.

"Well, that's over and done with" as she put the microphone back on the stand after her performance.

"That's the second best version of 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' I've ever heard" said Neil.  "Shame you don't want to do an encore"

"I will spare the audience that for tonight" replied Suzy.  "Let's sit down over there where it's less busy" 

"I'm still buzzing about what we found today" she said.

"The beginnings of a new article?" replied Neil.  

"Maybe...eventually.  But I wonder if it has anything to do with Action's investigation?  What if they're linked somehow?"

Neil nodded in thought.  "The Landgraabs certainly know about what lies beyond that tree, it's mentioned in their maps and plans for the area.  Who knows who else in The Triangle knows?" he said.

Suzy shut her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.  When she opened her eyes she looked at Neil in a very warm and seductive way. 

"Hmmm, maybe it's the fire, the drinks, the music and the fact that you're a wonderful companion but I'm feeling....hmmm....very, very warm".  She said the word warm with a soft, inviting pout of her lips.

"Suzy!  Must you be so suggestive in public?" said Neil, feeling the heat under his collar.

"I can't help myself sometimes...after all, that's how I got my man!" she replied.

"Oh you've got me alright but let's move this to back home before you get carried away any more!"

"I want to get carried away" she said, standing up and grabbing his hand.  Without another word she had whisked him back home.

They wasted no time hanging around outside but hurried to the bedroom where Neil, usually so proper and gentlemanly, let himself go, had her dress unzipped and was fiddling with her bra strap.

"I had a thought...we could hand the sample over to Action" he said, in between kisses.

"Neil...shut up" Suzy replied.

CHAPTER 124: An Offer You Can't Refuse

 

"305 Simoleons for the monthly bills is not as bad as I had feared" said Jeremy to himself.  He'd just completed his morning run, noticed the pile of unpaid bills on the kitchen table, wrote out some cheques and then posted them off.  Sure, it was a dent in their savings, savings they desperately needed to keep the boutique going and to put aside for a bigger house, but not too bad this month:  The shop needed to make a more money...it was doing OK right now but it was still early days.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Geoffrey Landgraab out on his daily run.  His route often took him down Foundry Cove and the two had a cordial, but very formal, relationship with each other.  However, this time Geoffrey had stopped his run, done some push ups and then signalled for Jeremy to come over to him.

"Jeremy, nice to see you" said Geoffrey.

"Mr Landgraab" 

"I don't know how you do it" said Geoffrey, smiling.  "You have that washboard stomach and yet I, who run twice a day, still have this paunch!"

"Well...erm...maybe I've got an overactive metabolism, Mr Landgraab?" replied Jeremy, not knowing what an appropriate response to Geoffrey's point would be.

"That must be it...anyway, I wanted to have a little discussion with you.  Are Dewey's still underpaying you?"

"They pay me just fine" replied Jeremy.

"But only fine...I've seen your work, I know how hard working and conscientious you are and I know J.J. Gotcha well enough to know he keeps his employees down.  I've got an offer for you, young man: Come and work for me" said Geoffrey, standing tall and looking Jeremy straight in the eye.

"Work for....Landgraab Industries?" replied an incredulous Jeremy.

"You sound shocked" said Geoffrey.

"I am...I didn't think you'd want to directly hire a middle-management guy like me."

"Oh I know you well enough to know that you're the kind of man who's reliable, dependable and could put this company on a better footing."

Jeremy thought about this for a moment.  There was a lot to ponder; on the one hand he was being charmed and flattered by Geoffrey.  On the other he hadn't forgotten this was a man behind a lot of very shady dealings, whose wife and son were trying to stop his close friend Suzy from exposing those dealings and who had plans to demolish Foundry Cove and replace it was some industrial facility.  He could turn Geoffrey down flat, here and now, or.... but before he could think of the alternative Geoffrey spoke again.

"Wouldn't you like to move out of here and into a bigger, better house, Jeremy?  I mean, you and your girlfriend Hannah..."

"...it's Barbara"

"Oh yes, Barbara.  Well she has this boutique to run; quite a trendy spot I'm led to believe, and that's not a cheap thing to run.  Work for me and I'll double your salary... that will ease your financial woes a little bit more."

Jeremy thought; yes it certainly would.  Would Barbara like the idea of him working for Landgraab though?  Also, would Suzy?

Jeremy thought some more and his gaze shifted from Geoffrey to the mysterious tree that led to some strange glade.  Geoffrey knew the truth about that tree and the glade.  Geoffrey knows a lot of things and working for him might get to the truth, he thought.

"Well, I'll need to give your offer some thought, Mr Landgraab and talk it over with Barbara but I have some conditions:  If you think they're reasonable then I'll strongly consider your offer."

"Name them" replied Geoffrey, calmly.

"First, I don't want anything to do with your wife's side of the business and we both know what that entails."

"I do.  That's why I want you on board...to make Landgraab Industries a better company and not have people whispering behind my back that we're just a bunch of crooks." Geoffrey replied.

"That goes for Malcolm as well: I don't want to get mixed up in his troubles.  I know he had the charges against him dropped recently but still..."

"I agree" said Geoffrey.  "You see, that's another reason to hire you: You can be a good role model for him!  Anything else?"

"Foundry Cove...I won't work on any project that seeks to demolish it" said Jeremy, firmly.  Geoffrey took a sharp intake of breath.

"That's a more difficult one to arrange; the plans have been submitted to city hall" he said.

"Well, this is where I live.  Where my friends live.  I'll tell you what, if I did come to work for you I'd find you a better site." said Jeremy.

Geoffrey looked at the tree and sighed.  "Well, there are important things about this area that is of particular interest but I'll promise you not to rush the project...so you can find this alternative"

"Then I'll think about your offer and get back to you" said Jeremy.

"Yes, I must be in the office within the hour...think about it, Jeremy, think about the move on up!" said Geoffrey before he started to run again.

"He offered you a job on the spot?" said Barbara when Jeremy told her.  "Just now?"

"Yes...I said I'd think about it" Jeremy replied.

"You're going to say no, aren't you?"

"Why?  Think about it...he's got this whole street marked for demolition:  I can stop that if I work for his company.  I can also find out about that tree, the glade, the mystery of the Triangle of Power and so much more and I could do that from working on the inside"

"You're taking this job to be a detective?" Barbara had a note of concern in her voice.

"Well, the money's VERY good so there's that: We want to save for that house and make the boutique a success"

"I don't want the money if it puts you at risk!  That's what I'm worried about...Nancy and Malcolm; well, you know the rumours that they run a large criminal organisation." she said.

"I'll be careful; I'll just look in some documents, steer the development away from our homes and...maybe...help Geoffrey distance his company away form the criminal activities.  I think he genuinely wants to make Landgraab Enterprises more legitimate." said Jeremy, giving Barbara a reassuring touch of her arm.

"I'm still not sure but...well, we could use the extra money.  But promise me you won't do any James Bond stuff!" she said.

"I'll have a vodka martini, shaken, not stirred" he said.  "Anyway, I've got to get to work now...I might have to hand in my two weeks' notice."

Barbara had the boutique to run as well but the idea of Jeremy taking a risk in accepting Landgraab's job offer played on her mind.  It wasn't just a risk resigning a stable job to take up another with a company that had a bad reputation, it was that if he was caught snooping around he might face a legal...or even physical...threat to himself.

But she couldn't dwell on these issues for long as already the customers were streaming in and she was there on her own to deal with them.  

She flitted from one customer to another, answering questions and guiding decisions.  Suits seemed to be the in-demand item for the male customers and she had to diffuse tensions between two women customers who were eyeing up exactly the same outfit but which each of them claimed "they saw it first".  However, there was a familiar face in the shop.

"Miss Dubois!  Anything new in stock for me to try?" said the trendy teenager who had entered.

"Gillian Hills; we just can't keep you away!  Yes, we do actually and when I get the chance I'll show you" replied Barbara.

"Hey, thanks for helping me model some of your outfits last week...I sent the photos to one agency and they were impressed.  I've got an interview on Saturday with them."

"Oh that's good news...well, the modelling you did helped publicise the shop so it was mutually beneficial."

But at that moment yet another person had entered the shop and it was, again, a familiar face but not someone Barbara had formally met but someone she had seen coming and going from the house of her neighbour, John Action.  This had to be his girlfriend, the mysterious Katherine, who hardly anyone in their little neighbourhood group had actually met.  Barbara noticed she had a sharp, flipped bob hairstyle that fell over one eye, high cheekbones that showed off her immaculate make up and her movements were graceful and smooth.  

"Hello, welcome to Pack's Clothing.  My name's Barbara and I'm the manager...well, actually the owner...am I right in thinking you're Katherine, Action's girlfriend?"

Katherine smiled and nodded graciously.  "Yes I am; are you a friend of his?" she said.

"I live right next door to Action" said Barbara.

"Wow, that sounds like a wild, happening scene.  Can I come?" said Gillian, who was standing right next to them.

"No, Gillian, I live next door to a man called John Action" Barbara replied.

"Oh, silly me!  But if you do hear about any really wild parties, you let me know:  I'm 18 in 4 months" said Gillian, giggling and running off to look at some more clothes.

"Ah, John's mentioned you and your boyfriend, Jeremy lots of times.  He speaks very highly of him." said Katherine.

"Well, I'm biased but I think highly of Jeremy as well.  And we all feel safer when John's around.  Anyway, if I can help you find something to wear just let me know...I'm happy to help and we must all meet up for coffee some time."

"We must!  I almost feel like a resident of the Cove!" said Katherine, with a chuckle.

Barbara was rushed off her feet serving Katherine, Gillian and a whole slew of other customers that the shift ended without all the mannequins being re-stocked.  Her feet were aching so instead of spending another couple of hours putting new outfits on them, she headed straight home.  Jeremy had got in from work ahead of her.

"Phew, what a day!" said Barbara, taking off her shoes and giving her toes a flex.

"Busy was it?" asked Jeremy.

"I should say so!  Oh, and I met Action's girlfriend, she was in the shop.  She's absolutely lovely."

"I've only ever seen her from afar" said Jeremy before taking a deep breath.  "I've given this job offer some more thought."

Barbara sighed and sat down.  "I thought you would" she said.  "Can I just say, first off, that whatever you decide I will support you only you know that I think you might be taking a risk and I don't want to see you get hurt"

"I really appreciate those words" he replied, reaching out across the table and holding her hand.  "However, I have to look at more than just the financial situation.  Pretty soon Foundry Cove will be bulldozed and we'll all have to find somewhere new to live but I can stop that from happening if I go work for Geoffrey.  I know...we know...there's something sinister going on in Sim City and that the Landgraabs are involved.  I can't avoid the truth, Barbara, and I don't want to either.  There are men, just like me, serving in Vietnam and taking huge risks so we can be free...I want to get to the truth in the same spirit as them by not cowering."

Barbara smiled and squeezed his hand.  "Promise me you'll be careful." she said softly.  Jeremy smiled and nodded.

Barbara yawned. "What a long, tiring day it's been; I'm heading to bed.  Are you coming?" she asked.

"Shortly.  There's one last thing I think I need to do" Jeremy replied.

As she went to bed he went next door to see Suzy and Neil.

He explained to them what he intended to do and how he was going to use the new job to gather information about the Landgraabs and what their plans were for this neighbourhood.  Suzy was surprised at this information, Neil sounded a note of caution.

"This is the Landgraabs we're talking about here.  I know, from personal experience with their Arts Foundation, that they promise to give but they take much, much more from you." he said.

"I know, and that's why I think I have an advantage:  I know right from the start that they're not to be trusted so I will keep my guard up." replied Jeremy.

"I don't know, I'm not sure you should do this.  I think you should talk him out of this, Suzy" said Neil.

Suzy, however, just nodded.  "I can see many advantages to this plan" she said.  "Information is key and my card is marked by that family.  They trust you, Jeremy."

"They'll keep you on a short leash" said Neil.

"I know...at first.  But we have to stop the redevelopment and find out about that tree and why it leads where it does!" said Jeremy.  "I'm willing to play my part in protecting our community and getting to the truth."

"Well, you seem determined" said Neil.  "You're a brave man" he said, getting up and shaking Jeremy by the hand.

"We must meet up when you're free and discuss what to do next" said Suzy.  "I feel like we're on the verge of finding the truth!"