| * Chapter One * |
| �I guess this comes at an awkward moment,� I spoke to the group of people around me, �but I�ve run out of time to tell you all this. I know you came here expecting to be safe but, in a sense, you are all in mortal danger.� The faces around me were full of fright and worry as we all stood in this musty room. They all stared at me as if in hatred as I sat in the dusty old rocking chair with this book and pen and thought of a beginning to this story� I never would have thought that we would all end up stuck together somewhere when I first met these travelers. I used to be just an ordinary person walking down an ordinary street toward an ordinary apartment. One day, though, I ran into the man that would change all of that, a man that would give me a gift by taking everything away. I handed the vendor two one-dollar bills and fifty-eight cents in change. �Thanks, Mike.� He said to me as he handed me the hot dog and chips and placed the money into his cart. �Come back again tomorrow, bud.� �I come back everyday, Jerry.� I chuckled as I picked up my briefcase and walked toward my office building down the way. �Why would tomorrow be any exception?� �I just like saying it, y� know?� Jerry held out his hands. �Makes me feel like I have real friends, Mike.� �I�m your real friend.� I gave him a sly grin. �What better friend to have than a lawyer?� Jerry Hopkins owned the Happy Dogs hot dog stand right in front of the Guire and Associates building; my work. Always being a nice guy and joking with customers made Jerry the best hot dog vendor in all of New York City. I, Mike Jenkins, was a top lawyer at the Guire and Associates building on Wall Street. I had been offered a partner position before but, well, a partnership just was not right for me. I crumbled the empty napkin and threw it in a garbage receptacle in front of the giant scraper. The doorman opened the glass doors. �Good afternoon, Mr. Jenkins.� He stared at me as I walked by. �How�s your day been, sir?� �Fine, Ben,� I headed toward the elevators, �just fine.� Ben Watson was an African-American doorman for our building. Although he sometimes seemed uninterested in his work, he was very good at his job and very polite to whoever entered the structure. He planned on quitting soon. Everyone will miss him. I know I will. The golden, mirrored doors slowly opened to show an enclosure half-crowded with other lawyers and staff of Guire and Associates. As I entered the crowded space, the people inside stared at me. �You always eat at the vendor�s.� A womanly voice called from behind me. �What�s so good about it? Do they put something extra in your chips?� I turned with a sly grin across my face and stared at the woman dressed in a red skirt suit. �No, Sylvia.� She grabbed my arm as I answered and shifted through the crowd so that she could stand beside me. �They only do that for you. None of us are so lucky.� Sylvia Stanton was a junior associate moving quickly up the branches of the settlement and will one day, maybe, even get promoted and become a partner. Just thinking of her being my boss makes me shudder. Just now it seems I will never find out the terror of it all. �Slick one, Jenkins.� She smiled and showed her pearl white teeth. �Just watch what you say to me when I become a partner. I could easily get your position revoked.� The elevator doors slowly opened and she exited the cabin. As the doors closed again, I loosened my tie and ran my hands through my hair. I never liked ties very much cut, because of Sylvia and her new conversion plans, every male required to wear one. My office was on the thirteenth floor although it is said to be unlucky for some but it was just right for me, being already quite unlucky in my own way. Finally, the elevator stopped on the thirteenth floor and the doors slowly creaked open. My face turned mournful as I stared at the familiar person who greeted my arrival. �Nice to see you finally show up, Mr. Jenkins.� Lewis Guire snickered upon my stepping out of the compartment. Lewis Guire was founder of Guire and Associates and a really big pain in the office. Always pestering me for work and dues, he constantly rained on my perfect days that seldomly arrive. Even though the circumstances were less than inviting, I sure am glad I finally left that demented man�s employment. �Just couldn�t wait to see you, sir.� I grinned as he and I slowly walked down the hall and into my office. �One day, Mike, you�re sarcasm is gonna get you fired.� I hated the earnestness in his inclement voice. �Yes, I know.� I set down my briefcase, sat in my chair, and gazed up at the discontented man. �Well, sir, what have you brought to ruin yet another one of my days with today?� �I only came to deliver this letter to you.� He tossed the ragged envelope onto me desk as he scowled. �Came this morning.� I picked up the article and twisted it in my hands. �This morning, huh?� I set it down and glanced back at Lewis. �If I had some spare change, I�d tip you for doing such a wonderful job at delivering my fan mail.� I grinned as his scowl grew larger. �Next time,� he walked out the door, �pick up your own mail!� He slammed the door and I was left alone in my office. I gazed slowly back down at the envelope on my desk and gently picked it up for fear it may fall apart. I turned it over and ripped it open because I was curious as to what this letter was. Pulling out the crisp paper inside, I silently read the document: Mr. Mike Jenkins: A few days ago, I noticed you walking down the street from your apartment; holding a suitcase in hand and sipping a cup of black coffee. I was amazed as to how content you seemed to be and thought that you are the perfect figure to help me with this mission I am so desperate to complete. Astonished as to your success in your workplace and you relationship and wit toward your colleagues, bosses, and friends, I wish for you to meet me today at tha Robust Coffee Shop (where you purchased the black and cream I saw you with) at 7:00 p.m. sharp�tonight. I advise you to come alone for the information I will give you is secret and must not be shared until the time of climax. It is substantial that you follow these guidelines. See you there! I turned the letter over but there was no originator anywhere on the paper. I checked the envelope but no return address could be found. I placed the paper on my desk and studied the old-fashioned handwriting on the page. Startled, I jumped when there was a knock on my door. �Mr. Lewis?� My secretary Gloria Walker opened the door and peered in. �Are you all right?� Gloria Walker was a very intellectual person with a heart of pure gold. Though she never quite understood what I did at the firm, she often had a lot of fun trying to assist me on my cases. �Just startled, I guess.� My hands shook as I adjusted my composure. �What is it?� �You have a phone call on Line Four, sir.� She opened the door the rest of the way and gazed at me worryingly. �I know you said not to be disturbed but they said it was rather important.� �Thank you, Gloria.� I motioned for her to leave as I picked up the receiver and pressed the connector for Line Four. �This is Jenkins.� �I know who you are, Mike.� The mysterious voice sounded at the other end of the line. I turned toward the grand window behind me. �Who is this?� �No matter. I only phoned to make sure that you received my letter.� �Yes,� I replied, �I have. I just don�t understand�� �I can�t explain over the phone but, if you meet me at the place and time listed in the request, I can explain it all at that time.� I gradually reached for a button on the side of my phone. ��By the way,� the voice paused, �don�t bother tracing the call. I am on a downtown payphone that is used by at least a hundred people a day.� My hand shrunk back from the taunting button and rested on the letter. �What do you want?� My voice began quivering as I tried to calm down. �All I wish for is that you show up at the Robust Coffee Shop at the designated time for us to discuss this endeavor.� There was a long pause as I Leaned back in my chair and placed the letter into my lap. �There is no way out of this, Mike. I will get you one way or another. You get the advantage of choosing how this may be consummated.� The line clicked and a dial tone erupted into my ears. Trembling, I turned back toward my desk and hung up my phone. For the longest time, I quivered like that; too fearful of the haunting voice that would soon be my undoing. What�s going on? I thought to myself as I turned on my computer. Who was that? |
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