April 19th, 1:45 p.m. Midtown, New York City

This chapter is dedicated to new wattpadder yollz216, whose encouraging endorsement of the story made my day.

Vanessa waited for her two o'clock while her fingers drum rolled on the table. A morning rain shower left a thin cloak of humid air in its wake, saturating the bones of millions of New Yorkers. By the time she arrived at BG's entry, the sun had burned away much of the overcast sky. She had reserved a table overlooking the Pulitzer Fountain across from the Plaza Hotel and beyond that was the GrandArmyPlaza with the Sherman Statue. The Wollman Rink was an icy aberration in the vast green oasis that was Central Park to the North and East.

Vanessa acknowledged the Rosehips with Hibiscus tea the server set before her with a nod. With a nonchalant smile and sharp glance, she intimated that no further conversation was necessary or desired. Deep in thought over what had transpired that morning, she glided the thumb of her right hand repeatedly over each of her fingers one by one.

Her visitor arrived, wearing a sleeveless, fitted, royal blue sheath dress and pumps for their prearranged tête-à-tête. Without a word, the other woman sat across from Vanessa. The elegant chairs with enclosed, mustard-hued backs seemed to envelope each chair's occupant.

"Everything set up on your end?" Brooke Sato asked with prosecutorial forthrightness.

Vanessa had met Brooke when she worked for The Axis Group seven years ago, arranging one of what was to be several financing vehicles for Frugeré. An investment banker with an eidetic memory, her vast experience with cross border transactions was impressive. Having been managing partner for twelve years running with Pan Asian Bankers Trust, at forty-one, she was one of two female partners, and the only Japanese woman within the company. Her straight, jet black hair rested on her shoulders; pencil thin eyebrows and perfectly proportioned lips completed the image. A light grouping of freckles lay just below her right eye.

"Kate's preparing the last vial today," Vanessa responded as she looked out through the window at the park.

Brooke's icy demeanor warmed. She placed both arms on the table, palms upturned. "Good. Just so you know, the buyers are lining up nicely. All their deposits are in escrow. May 4th is the day. Midnight."

"I would prefer if the date was moved up," said Vanessa, clenching her fists under the table. "The creditors keep knocking. I'm running out of time."

"I would if I could, but a video conference is out of the question. Cyber security concerns." Five bidders—infamous weapons dealers representing various anonymous foreign governments—would be serving as discrete proxies for foreign governments. "Low tech is the way to go on this deal."

"Should Kate attend?"

"I've contracted an independent chemist to verify it, but it'd still be good to have her there."

Brooke had presented the idea of an auction to rescue Frugeré from its dreadful financial position. Although Vanessa had been reluctant to engage in such 'unseemly' transactions, Brooke convinced her that it was all legal and that chemists within Vanessa's company could be utilized to conduct research and development so long as the project was kept off the books.

The toxin would be awarded to the highest bidder. Anyone who wanted to 'play' was required to place a substantial down payment into a Cayman Islands escrow account, one that only Brooke could access. Brooke had developed relationships worldwide with governments looking to get in the weapons game, as well as private acquisition companies who acted as brokers. Resale of weapons was a huge market. These brokers justified proliferation on an international scale. They wanted the most effective product on the market to sell to their customers, and were willing to pay dearly to get it. The profit was simply too large to ignore. So what if a terrorist group or two got hold of a weapon of mass destruction and used it. That was just collateral damage.

Vanessa drifted into her own thoughts as Brooke reached across the table and gently stroked the back of her hand.

Vanessa shuddered as Brooke gently rubbed her leg against hers in a slow but deliberate circular motion.

"You know how I feel about you, Vee," Brooke said, leaning in closer.

Vanessa tensed but didn't cringe away. "Not here, please. I can't... hold back when you do that." She was honest for the first time today.

"I don't care," Brooke responded, continuing to rub her leg against Vanessa's, validating their unique bond. After a few seconds that seemed to last a lifetime, she moved her leg away slowly.

Brooke withdrew her hand as she frowned, eyes shimmering with longing. "I'm sorry. I wish you wouldn't be so sensitive about it." Before Vanessa could respond, Brooke asked, "Does Kate know?"

Vanessa's face tightened as she hesitated but Brooke was persistent.

"Vee, does she know?" Brooke repeated.

All Vanessa could muster was a silent head shake, eyes glistening, before she whispered, "After this is behind us, it'll be different. I promise." Vanessa's hand quivered.

"I know, but for now, just save those tears."

We have met Brooke, Vanessa's partner in crime. What do you think of her? What about Vanessa's feelings toward her?

Copyright © 2016 by Alan Field. All Rights Reserved.