Dar as Daylight

Note: I can't believe it! Instead of rejecting the story, they cut of at least 1, possibly 2 pages of it. I will add them here, hoping it makes sense to you, because they are out of context. Bob

********************************

57. Shocks to her system

They couldn't catch a break. They were up at 5 AM to get a 7 o'clock flight out of Washington National to LaGuardia Airport which was supposed to land at 8:35 AM. The long line of taxis that were normally in front of the hotel were not there. The reason was the dense fog. You couldn't see your hand in front of your face, at 'Foggy Bottom' (aptly named), no less drive-through it. They called Jet Blue and verified their tickets. They were told there was at least a 90-minute delay because of the fog. They went back inside the hotel and had a leisurely breakfast.

"Do you think this is just the beginning of the bad day, or is it going to get worse?"

"Joe, do you want me to beat you to shit in the middle of a restaurant, or are you going to be nice to me today. I have to go to a dress shop, recommended by Zabo, because I do not want to incur his wrath this evening. I will spend 15 or 20 minutes there looking at the garbage the woman has to sell, and we will go to Macy's. I will buy my gown in the Junior's section for tomorrow night, in less than 1 hour."

You have confirmed early check-in at the Mandarin Oriental, so nothing can go wrong there. We will eat lunch, fuck until 4 o'clock, get dressed, and get to his home by 6 PM exactly. He will laugh at me, and grill you to make sure you are worthy of me. We will have dinner with his son William, his wife, Gwen, his younger son Patrick, and his other guests. Jokes will be made about us, until about 11:00 PM, when we will make our escape. After that the weekend is ours to do with as we please."

"What are you doing Monday?"

"I'm supposed to go back to work, and find the person who's keeping us from changing my last name."

"Will one more day make that much of a difference?"

"No, I guess not."

"Could you call in sick and tired; or just tired of being sick of this shit. I'm very good at keeping you tired."

"That's bull shit and you know it. I'm the one that keeps you tired."

"I'll bet you all day Monday that I keep you tired."

"There is a taxi outside, I'll pay the bill and we can get to the airport."

"Why is it every time I ask you a question, you always dodge the answer?"

"You want the truth?"

"We promised we would always tell each other the truth; don't you remember?"

"Yes I remember. The reason I do it, is because it pisses you off. You become much more aggressive when we are in bed when I do it."

"Laura, if you want me to act like an ape in man in bed just say so. I try not to hurt you, because you are so much smaller than I am. If I pushed Junior to his limit, he would wind up in your lungs. I don't want to do that to you."

"Jefferson Atkins was bigger than you are, and he didn't hurt me."

"We are comparing penis size now? Who was Jefferson Atkins?"

"That is none of your business. I was 18 years old when we coupled."

"Please tell me you were 5 foot tall when that happened?"

"I believe so, but I can't be sure. I wasn't measured until I joined the FBI."

"I just know you're going to kill me before my time."

"It means we will be together for a very long time, Joseph."

"May God help us both."

**************************

"Good morning folks; the FBI building, Dulles, or National?"

"National please, and do not rush. Our airplane is delayed by 90 minutes, and we'd like all 3 of us to get there alive."

As the driver put their luggage in the trunk, Joe handed him a $100 bill.

"You will not exceed 30 miles per hour. If you do, the bags will come up front, and you will be in the trunk with a bullet in the back of your head. Do we understand one another?"

"You do work for the FBI, don't you?"

"Yes we do, and we do know how to commit the perfect murder."

"I do understand, sir. I will not exceed 30 miles an hour."

"You are a good man Mohammed. I do want you to go home to your wife and family tonight."

"Thank you very much sir."

A trip that should have taken 20 minutes, took them one hour.

As Mohammed retrieved the bags from the trunk, Joe paid him the mount on the meter, plus $100 more.

"Thank you for getting us here safely. Continue driving this way until the fog lifts, and you will have a good day."

"Thank you very much sir. It has been my pleasure to serve you."

"I hope to see you when we return from New York Tuesday afternoon."

"My name is Mohammed Asashi. If you call my dispatcher, and give him your flight number, and my name, I will be here waiting for you."

He handed Joe his card, with all the information he needed. They shook hands and parted company.

"Did you smell it, Laura?"

"Yes I did. He is either a courier, or they are going to use him to blow something up. I'm going to call it in so they can put detail on him."

"I believe I asked you a little while ago 'if this was just the beginning of a bad day, or if it is going to get worse. I believe Mohammed just answered the question for us."

"No Joseph, I think he just helped us stop an attack someplace in DC. If we told him to take us to the FBI building, and down to the garage to let us off, just think of the bedlam he could have caused.

If it doesn't happen today, and he waits for us until Tuesday, it works to our advantage. He does have to take some time off. Our forensic team can go over that cab with a fine tooth comb, to see what they have planned.

One of our covert teams can follow him wherever he goes, and see who his friends are. Your nose has just stopped what could have been a major terrorist attack on U.S. soil."

"You smelled it too."

"I need another star in my folder, like I need hemorrhoids."

"I know a way to give you those hemorrhoids."

"I'll think about it; for a very long time."

"Did you ever think that the next star would help you break the glass ceiling?"

"You are another pain in my ass."

"You said you would think about it, for a very long time."

"They are calling our flight. If you don't want to go into the luggage compartment, be quiet."

"Yes Madame. I do not wish to get into an argument with you, in a tunnel with wings."

*****************************

"FBI, we are carrying weapons."

"Yes agent Burkart, Mister Constantine, you have been cleared through by Homeland Security, and by the TSA to the aircraft. Your seats have been upgraded to first class. Please keep your weapons out of sight."

"Thank you very much."

As they walked through the gate, Laura said, "As God is my witness, I am going to kill that man."

"The Attorney General? I know he won $250,000 because of you. Maybe this is his way of saying thank you."

"No, William Zabo did this."

"If he did, I'll bet you a dime to a doughnut, there is a limousine waiting for us at LaGuardia."

"Not even he would go that far."

"I don't know why, Laura, but I think that man likes you more than you will ever know."

"I don't understand why? I just feel like a pawn in his game. I'm doing everything legal to find the guy who is attempting to blow up that rocket. Tonight he is going to tell me who the man is.

I'm not close to finding out the man's name. We just found the connection with the car in Switzerland, and wound up in Sweden. We found out because the Swiss are asking for extradition of the 3 men. They killed an important family in a shopping mall there.

We are so far behind him, we should just stop our investigation, save the money, and let him finish it. He told me the other day that there will be a trial for this man and he will not take part of it, because he's known him and considers him a friend.

The other members of the Project will pass judgment on him within the next 60 days. If he is not handed over to me to be tried and convicted under the law, I will know what the judgment was, and that the man no longer exists.

Since William had no part in it I can't accuse him of murder, or any crime in the man's disappearance. I can't accuse any of the members of the Science Project, because they will plead ignorance. It is the perfect crime."

"May I ask you one favor please?"

"Sure, anything."

"Don't let this ruin our weekend."

"As long as you attempt to fuck me to death, you have my word."

************************

As he carried their luggage towards the exit, a liveried chauffeur held a sign bearing their names.

"I told you so."

"Shut up before I break your knees."

"Good morning Miss Burkart, Mister Constantine, would you follow me please. May I take your luggage?"

"Will you be unemployed if I say no?"

"Probably."

"I told you I hated that man Joseph."

"Miss Burkart, he is a really good man, when you get to know him. He is generous to a fault, as long as you do as he asks of you."

"So you are his slaves?"

"Not by a longshot, Ms. Burkart. We have our jobs to do, and as long as we do them well, we are generously paid. Please come with me, Carolina is waiting for you."

"Oh yes, I must see these dresses, before I go to Macy's."

"Why would you go to Macy's to find a dress, instead of taking one from Carolina?"

"I don't know the woman. I'm sure Mister Zabo is about to play a trick on me."

"Sit back and relax, I am sure you have heard of Carolina."

**************************

They didn't enter by the front. The huge garage door opened and the limousine slid inside.

Laura said snidely, "Oh good, this is a mob operation."

"No Laura, traffic does not permit parking in front of the store. That's why we have this entrance on the side. You will love it when you go in to the main salon."

As promised, when she walked into the main salon, everything was too beautiful for words. The windows to the front and side of the salon were draped in heavy pink silk draperies, with lights focused on them to make sure no one could see inside.

She was looking around the opulent room, when a woman exited from the back.

"Good morning Laura, I am Carolina Herrera, it is my pleasure to meet you."

The name rang a bell, and as she tried to place it her mouth opened.

"Yes Laura, I am that Carolina Herrera. William is a very good friend of mine."

"That son of a bitch. Is there anyone he doesn't know in this world?"

"As William will tell you, there are many people he doesn't know. Like me, he saw a talent, and he picked me up out of the gutter, and made me famous. How do you thank a man for that generosity?"

"There is no way to repay him, except to remain his friend for life."

"That is the correct answer. If he calls me, and needs something quickly, I drop whatever I'm doing, and I start on his project. I never say no, and I never say I need more time. I will work 24 hours a day to get it done, and it will be beautiful. I did it for his daughter, Patricia, and many others."

"Do you have anything in a size 1. I need it for tomorrow night?"

Carolina looked at Joe. "Do you know 'egg heads' cell number?"

"I think I may remember it."

"Good; get lost. She will call you when she's ready."

"I'll be at the Mandarin if you need me."

"I'll be in good hands Joe. I don't believe we will be fucking this afternoon."

"I told you today was going to get worse."

"Do not proceed by hand. Get lost like the lady said."

As he departed, Joe heard Carolina say, "Couldn't you find someone handsome, instead of tall?"

Laura giggled.

**********************************

"Do I have any time restrictions?"

"I must be at William's home at 6 PM."

"Let me see your luggage. What are you going to wear tonight?"

"This jacket, blouse, skirt, and shoes."

"No, no, no, no. These will never do. Ladies get out here now."

"These are my best clothes, I like them."

"I'm very happy for you. You're not going to William's in them.

A dozen women descended on Carolina. In Spanish, she started giving orders about each piece of clothing. Her best clothes disappeared in a flash.

Carolina called out four names.

Women, whose combined age looked like it could exceed 500 years, walked slowly out of the back. Even though they were ancient, and bent over, each of them was taller than Laura.

Carolina asked Laura if she was shy.

"No, not at all."

"Excellent, take off all your clothes and step on the low pedestal. We have to measure you for tomorrow night's gown. We will have to try on size 2 gowns to see if we can get them to a size 1, or if we will have to make a size 1 for you by tomorrow evening."

"I don't need anything fancy for tomorrow night. A simple sheath will do."

"No it won't. You are wearing a Carolina Herrera gown, to a Celebrity Event. The paparazzi will ask you who made the gown for you. You could say you did it yourself, or your mother did it, but you work for the FBI and you will not lie about it. You will be the belle of the ball, and you will tell them I made it for you."

"You still have your clothes on, and we are wasting time."

Without a 2

nd

thought, Laura stripped to the skin, and stepped on the low pedestal. She was used to taking orders, and she followed every one of them. The measuring went by faster than she thought, and the first size 2 gown came out.

Laura gasp when she saw it. It was stunning. It was easy to get into and out of, and it turned out that is where the problem came in. From the waist down to her ankles it was perfect, too perfect. After more than an hour of trying, they gave up on trying to make the top of the gown fit. As they removed it from her, Laura' eyes were moist.

Carolina brought her back to the here and now. She barked.

"You must shave that off. Many of my fabrics are translucent, and your hair is as black as coal."

"I look like a baby when I'm bald down there."

"You will be bald tomorrow afternoon, when we try on the dress, or I will pull each hair out

'One at a time."

"Yes ma'am."

Laura didn't like the 2

nd

dress, and sent it back without trying it on.

The 3

rd

size 2 gown was breathtaking, but it was too small in the waist.

Laura asked, "How can a size 2 gown have a waist that is smaller than a size one person?"

"Models are taller and thinner than you are. Some of them are size 0. I don't know who wore this dress last, but it must have been at one of my shows. I don't know why I'm discussing this with you. I have to find a piece of Royal Silk in 'Amaranthine' so I can expand the waist. If I can find it, this gown is perfect for you.

The search was on. The fabric was so dark many people mistook it for black. The ladies tried to use black to extend the seams, by 1 ½ inches, but it didn't work. Her store in Beverly Hills did not have the color. Her store in Malan did not have it either. None of her vendors had it. For 18 inches of fabric, the dress was put away, and a second knife was put through Laura's heart.

As dress number 4 came out, Laura knew this dress could not possibly be for her. It was meant for royalty, a well-known actress, or singer. The bodice looked black, but was actually a dark navy blue silk. It had jewels in a mosaic design, and long flowing arms, with jewels and sequins spiraling down to a hidden cuff. The bottom was 'Fawn,' from her hips to her ankles in a beautiful bell shape. The jewels started tight together at her hips, and exploded outwards towards the edge of the hem of the gown. She couldn't take her eyes off it, but she knew it was not for her.

"Carolina, the dress is stunning, but it's too good for me. Let's try something plainer."

Carolina snapped back at her.

"Why do you sell yourself short? Just because you are tiny, does not mean you do not have stature among your peers. William does not do this for anyone. He knows you, and wants you to succeed. One day you will be a giant, and you will have no peers. They will be looking to you for guidance. Try on this dress, Laura. I

will

make it work."

Nearly 2 hours later, she looked in to the 3-way mirror and could not believe the person wearing the dress was truly her.

The four women were on their knees making last-minute adjustments, when they realized she was not wearing shoes. It was a ploy to keep her happy, until the hairstylists got there. He was running a late, and Carolina was giving him an ear full.

The women who took her clothes, when she first arrived, came running out with new clothes for her to try on.

Carolina said, "Take the dress off, and try these on."

"Can I put my underwear on now?"

"If you insist."

She had barely buckled her bra, when a man burst into the room.

"Carolina, I'm here."

"You're 2 hours late Frederick; there's no excuse for it."

"If you look at my car, you'll be happy I am here at all. The police wouldn't let me leave the scene of the accident, until they wrote up everything. The idiot ran a red light and plowed into the side of it."

"You better do a great job on her hair, or I'll make sure you never drive again."

"Why are you angry with me? Get angry with the cabbie; he caused the accident."

"You should have taken the subway. It's faster and safer."

"Carolina your pain in my ass, as usual. Is this her?"

"Yes, this is Laura Burkart, and if you upset her she is going to leave your hands on my walls as a thank you. Now, do your best work or you're in trouble."

"How do you want me to address you, so I don't get into any more trouble with her then I am?"

"You can call me Laura."

"That's the dress you wearing tomorrow night?"

"Yes, it is."

"Do you want me to cut your hair so you look good in the dress, or as you will look every day of the week?"

"Is there a happy medium?"

"Yes there is."

"Then that's the way I want you to do it. Just so you know, we are time sensitive. Don't sit back and admire your work, just work."

"I love people like you. Straightforward, and down to business."

***********************

25 minutes later he was done. She thought her hair looked gorgeous.

"Frank, why can't the people at Supercuts do it like this?"

He laughed. "Laura, most of those people stock the shelves at Walmart at night. They just got out of Barber College and have no idea what to do with hair. Anyone who is good with hair has been tutored by someone in a good salon for over 1½ to 2 years. You don't come out of school knowing anything about hair.

Don't go to Supercuts again. Find a good beautician, and let him or her do your hair. That way you won't look like you just came out of a Mixmaster, when they are through with you."

"Thanks Frank, what do I owe you?"

"If I took a penny from you, I would never work again."

"That man has too much power."

"That man paid for my mother's cancer operation. It was something I could never have afforded to do. I do Mrs. Zabo's hair, and apparently she told him. What am I supposed to do, when I owe him my mother's life?"

"I stand corrected Frank. I still think he's a pain in the ass."

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion."

"If you 2 are finished yapping, she has clothes to try on."

"Don't argue with her. When she's in this mood, she is a pussycat."

"Out Franklin, out now."

"Yes mommy."

**************************

Laura slipped on the first blouse, and she knew she had died and gone to heaven. It had no weight to it all. It was a pale pink long-sleeved blouse with a high neck, and French cuffs. It fit perfectly.

"How did they do that? How did they make it fit so well?"

"They had your blouse to go as a guide. They added an extra quarter inch to be safe, and there you are. Are you happy with it?"

"Happy, I'm ecstatic. This is the finest fabric I've ever felt, and the fit is wonderful. It is better then the blouse I was going to wear."