Beyond the Island

by John W. Steele

Chapter 2

When I glanced back in her office, she stood looking at me. She walked around to the side of the desk, turned her back, and reached for something on the desktop. The exquisite line of her buttocks pressed through the dark gray slacks that fit her perfectly. Her figure was delightfully proportioned. Her hair shone with golden radiance in the light of the window. She wore black boots with high heavy heels, a fine knit burgundy sweater, and an unusual belt that looked like it was made of snakeskin.

With little deliberation, she walked out of the cube and approached me. Her boots clomped with a muted thud on the tiles as she made her way down the aisle. Her gait was sure and balanced, and her presence vital with energy. She stuck out her hand, looked directly in my eyes, and smiled.

“Hello, Sir. I’m sorry to keep you waiting. My name is Karen Frost. Please come in, won’t you?”

I followed her into the office.

“Please, have a seat. May I get you a bottled water?”

I eased into the chair without saying a word. She sat down at her desk, and I looked into her eyes without speaking, the way actors in a movie do. She leaned forward, rested her elbows on the desk, and returned my gaze with the same confident intensity.

Her features were simple, her complexion smooth and flawless. Her lips were sleek and full, and they shone with a subtle crimson gloss. Her eyes were a refined shade of slate gray and possessed by a flicker of clear light. I’d seen eyes like hers before. It seemed those blessed with them were always strong and intelligent. The most striking feature about her was her flaxen hair; it hung in a lustrous palisade just above her shoulders.

I felt as though she was fascinated by me, as well. Her gaze was intense, and I felt a rush in my stomach. Evidently, she saw something about me she liked or hated; sometimes it’s hard to tell. Lord Nagual told me I had a strong presence and that a robust aura can be a great asset or a total condemnation, depending on the root of the vibration it creates. Karen and I continued to stare at each other, and she abruptly broke her gaze.

“So what brings you to Confederate Trust, Mr...?”

“Mudd. Brian Mudd. I’m new in town. I’m here because I need to move some assets and make some investments.”

“Oh, really? Well, you’ve come to the right place, Mr. Mudd.”

“Please, call me Brian.”

She smiled. “Well, Brian, how can Confederate be of service to you?”

I folded my hands and placed them in my lap, then looked again in her eyes. “May I call you Karen?”

“Of course.”

“Well, Karen, as I said, I’m new in the area and I think I like it here. I’m tired of the hassles of city life. I think this might not be a bad place to settle down and tell the world to kiss my ass, so to speak.”

She giggled. “I know exactly what you’re saying, Brian. This place grows on you, but it takes a little time.”

I looked out the window of her office and gazed into the street. I thought about the added years of life Lord Nagual had promised me. After what he’d put me through, I was beginning to question if they were indeed worth the price.

“I’ve got time now... lots of time. I’m looking at the abandoned Sky Peak Ski Resort out on South Mountain. Of course you know it went belly up since the carbon crisis. What are they calling it, global warming or something like that? Whatever it is, it won’t be long before they find a way to tax it.”

She laughed. “Yes. They haven’t been able to keep snow there for years now and it’s been vacant for a long time. It’s a shame because it used to be an enormous draw for this area, and now it’s gone.”

“I’ll bet it was. Of course, one man’s disaster is another man’s opportunity. I’m negotiating with the Kaminski brothers right now to purchase the property. I’d like to develop the ski lodges into condominiums. The scenery is beautiful, and I’ll likely be able to buy the place for pennies on the dollar. It’s in foreclosure anyway. No one else can see the potential of that pristine piece of real estate, but I see it as a fabulous opportunity.”

“Oh, I quite agree, Brian. It’s glorious up there in the fall. The place just needs someone with a little foresight and the courage to bring it back to life.” Her smile was radiant, and her face beamed with energy.

She sat back in her chair, rested her elbows on its black leather arms, and touched the tips of her fingers together. She wore several gem stone rings, the largest of which was a topaz as big as a dime. The stone was mounted in a filigree setting, and the gem adorned the ring finger of her left hand.

“I have clients lined up from downstate who are looking for a summer homes, and this area is perfect,” I said.

She nodded. “It’s a wonderful idea.”

“Of course, I’ll buy it with other people’s money. I could finance the deal with my own funds if I wanted to. But why should I use my money when I can accomplish the project just as easily without risking a dime?”

Her countenance dimmed, and her face went blank and expressionless. Karen looked hard in my eyes, but this time her gaze had shifted. The motive had changed, and her eyes lost the warmth of their charm.

“Yes, that’s true. Of course, to get other people’s money requires that you don’t need it. So I must ask you, what kind of assets you will be bringing to this bank?”

I drummed my fingers on the desk, pretending to think about her inquiry. “Well, let’s see, I’ll start with about three million or so, I suppose.”

Her eyes widened and she cleared her throat. “We don’t often get clients with that kind of capital. If what you’re saying can be verified, I’m quite certain we can beat any bank in the tri-county area as far as interest rates are concerned.”

“That’s why I’m here. Everything will check out just as I said. It’s only numbers on a computer screen. And once we complete the application process, the numbers will appear,” I replied smugly.

She pulled a folder from her desk drawer. “You know there’s a lot of paperwork required to get established in any bank now, with all the terrorism and such. So we may as well get started. I have to ask you a lot of questions. Please don’t be offended. It’s nothing personal. Just business.”

Two hours later we completed the forms.

“Well, that was fun,” I said.

“Yes,” she replied dryly. Her eyes were locked on the paperwork, perusing every detail.

“It will take at least three business days before everything is verified. Of course, this will all be done by electronic transfer. It will take a little while before your account is activated, but you appear to be an ideal client, Brian. I don’t foresee any problems.”

She stuck out her hand. “Welcome to Confederate Trust.”

I took her hand in mine and squeezed it gently. She didn’t retreat, and we exchanged a long sustained look.

“I’m staying in the owner’s lodge at Sky while we work out the details of this transaction,” I said.

“Oh, I was up there once with friends. It’s beautiful.”

I focused on the flame in her eyes. “Yes, it truly is.”

I released her hand and looked at the floor for a moment. “This may seem a little sudden, but you’re not married are you?”

“Not anymore.”

“Neither am I. I was wondering if you’d like to go out for dinner sometime. Maybe you could show me around the springs.”

Her face softened. “Well, Brian, I like the idea but I don’t know much about you.”

“I’m going to deposit a few million in this bank. That should tell you something about me. After what you just put me through, you know more about me than my mother.”

She laughed, and her eyes sparkled. She glanced around the bank and looked over at the teller’s station, then pulled her card out from the holder and jotted her cell phone number on the back.

“I’ve got an awful schedule at work this week. I have to go to a meeting in Buffalo. But call me Thursday. I’m not supposed to date a client, but they own me only while I’m here. So right now, it’s a tentative yes.”

We exchanged glances, and I was captivated by the sincerity of her charm.

“You certainly don’t play games do you, Brian?”

“No.” I lied.

“I like that,” she said. “Of course that sort of mentality bores me but, if I have to play, I usually win.”

“No funny stuff, Karen. Too complicated. I’ll call you in a few days.”

“I’ll be waiting,” she said.

As I walked away, I noticed she was twirling the topaz around her finger with her thumb.

When I headed for the door, a feeling of self-loathing came over me with a force so intense I grew nauseated. I hated Lord Nagual, and myself, and I knew this mission was going to hurt bad.

To be continued...

to Challenge 331...