Firstly, apologies for the delay in getting this wrapped. It was a sort of request that originally came about from a private joke. As I was writing it, the plot developed somewhat my original plan was scrapped and the majority of the chapter rewritten until I was totally happy with the outcome. I just hope that Davina and Brian enjoy reading it.
Thank you to Wax for the loan of Kjersten and Maidali. They added a little icing to what has been a fun chapter to write. And you've got to love symmetry.
*****
Taking Care of Business
"So who's first?" Alex questioned, her eyes sparkling with humour.
The question was directed towards Dominic and Zabina as they relaxed over coffee in the plush surroundings of the Peninsula Hotel dining room. They had arrived in Chicago the day before for the opening of Dominic's and Zabina's latest business venture, a restaurant and nightclub just on the outskirts of Little Italy.
The club had actually been Alex's idea. After the adventure they had, where Zabi had taken Alex around some bars on Sunset Strip while she was practically naked, she had made the comment that it would be fairly cool if someone opened a club where the guests could indulge in a small amount of exhibitionism.
One thing led to another, and as it was Dominic had just purchased a suitable property in Chicago from a distant cousin. Between them they redesigned the interior with the eatery off the street then members only entrance to the night club above.
As it had been her idea, Alex had been asked to name the club, and had chosen the name The Tempest after the painting by Giorgione, and also because it was in Chicago, the Windy City. As it followed Dominic's love of all things Renaissance he had agreed immediately.
As it was the Tempest club was due to open at ten that night, and the four of them had just eaten in the Peninsula. Alex and Zabina planned to head out and check out the local competition, before meeting back up with Dominic and Jinn for the opening.
Whilst they enjoyed the excellent coffees, Mocha for Alex, Latte for Jinn and double Expressos for Zabi and Dominic, Alex was urging Zabina to do her party piece of giving a run down on a stranger just by observing their actions and appearance. Dominic had expressed a rare laugh and confessed that it had been a game they had played when they were younger. This had pricked at the interest of Alex and Jinn and eager to find just who was better at this trick, they proposed a challenge. Alex and Jinn would pick a person out and Zabi and Dominic would take turns in deducing possible facts.
Dominic leaned back in his chair, the normal lazy smile painted on his lips. "Ladies first."
The comment "Do you know where we can get any?" From Jinn earned her a light punch on the shoulder off Zabi as Alex's eyes scanned the various tables searching for someone suitable.
"That one there?" She asked Jinn as she spotted a woman sitting on her own.
"About perfect." Jinn agreed with a smirk.
Zabina glanced around until she spotted the woman Alex had indicated. "Interesting. She reminds me of how you looked when we first met."
The woman was sat on her own, on a stool by the bar. Coffee cup in one hand and her attention held by sheaf of papers in the other. She was wearing a well cut charcoal suit and a light grey blouse buttoned up to her neck. Chestnut hair hung straight down to her shoulders in a simple and conservative style. In short, she looked quite attractive in a plain sort of way.
"Well as I am starting." Zabi announced. "I will state the obvious. She is married."
Alex admitted to herself that was fairly obvious, as she had also spotted the wedding band on the woman's finger. Her eyes flicked over to Dominic as he gazed attentively at the oblivious woman.
"Two children." Dominic stated quietly and assuredly.
"Okay I'll bite on that." Jinn commented. "How do you know that?"
"I would say the spread of her hips, indicating more than one natural birth, but going off her estimated age of early forties, and the fact she is obviously a professional woman and therefor had children either early or late in her working life, no more than two." Zabi interrupted, her stare fixed on Dominic.
To be fair, Alex mused, if Dominic was impressed he didn't show it. Although Alex did spot that he raised an eyebrow. Jinn on the other hand gaped at how the deduction was made.
"Skin pigment indicates she is fairly local." Dominic said, sounding a little more energised. "And while the suit is well fitted, it is a few years old. That tells me she is wearing it for an occasion outside normal, so she is away from home. Maybe Wisconsin, but most certainly further North by the lack of Sun exposure to the skin."
Zabina leaned forward, rising to the challenge. "She has been married quite some time, the wedding band is well worn, more than likely not long after leaving college."
Dominic remained relaxed in his chair, his eyes locked on to Zabina's. "She used to be adventurous, but is now a little stayed."
"Whoa." Jinn interrupted. Drawing both sets of Vitelli eyes. "How do you know that?"
"Yes explain to your antipodean lover how you drew that conclusion." Zabi goaded.
A slight half smile curled Dominic's lips. "The suit is expensive, which hints that she was very conscious of her outward looks, but as already stated, the cut and design are a few years old. That tells me although she once felt very attractive, she now is too distracted by her family to consider it an importance."
A slight frown creased Zabina's forehead. "I disagree. Yes, she was adventurous, but she longs to be once more, she just doesn't know how to begin."
This time it was Dominic who frowned. "And you deduce this from what information?"
"Something you will never have, dear brother." Zabina answered with a smile. "Female intuition."
"If you can prove that last statement, you're the winner." Jinn announced jokingly.
There was a second or two of silence.
"Alex honey, would you assist me in a small task?" Zabi asked.
For not the first time since their relationship had started Alex felt a nagging worry that things were going to get out of hand.
***
Davina Lee leafed through the paperwork she was holding. She really hadn't wanted to make this trip. Her husband, Brian had taken their two boys off skiing to catch the end of the season, a trip she had wanted to make with them, but as it was she had to take the journey to Chicago. It was a necessary evil, she had told herself. A friend of a friend was desperately in need of advice after their visa had expired, and as legal advisor she had reluctantly agreed to file her case to have the visa re-instated.
"Excuse me."
The voice interrupted her train of thought and she looked up. A woman around her height with glossy, jet black hair, long at the back and shaved close on the sides, stood before her. She was dressed in an elegant looking tuxedo with a close fitting black skirt and a white silk dress shirt. The shirt was unbuttoned to show a fairly indecent amount of cleavage.
