A Dangerous Affair

A Dangerous Affair Chapter 3

“Take a seat,” Carlton said, holding Tom’s glare.

Tom sat down opposite Carlton and Stephanie, and Carlton removed his hand from her leg. She had to admit that she was relieved that Tom had intervened and what’s more, Carlton didn’t seem to mind his presence. Perhaps Tom and she could infiltrate the group as a couple. It would be safer for Stephanie to have Tom around, although it would also mean that she’d have to involve Tom in her story. She didn’t like that idea at all but on the other hand, for the time being, she really had no other option.

Hours passed with a lot of flirting between the men and women in the group. Stephanie had a few more glasses of wine but managed to avoid accepting another drink from Carlton; the last thing she wanted was to get drunk in that type of situation. She tried on several occasions to push Carlton for information, but he seemed reluctant to talk about anything other than trivia, and to push him further would arouse suspicion. Still, they had time, and they were making steady progress.

Whilst she was talking to Carlton, Tom turned to make conversation with the other women. It must have been Tom’s idea of heaven having dozens of women literally draping themselves all over him. She was lucky that he wasn’t really her partner, considering the way he was behaving. Then Tom got up to find the toilets and the atmosphere of the table seemed to change. Firstly, Carlton turned to Stephanie saying,

“I am having a small get together tomorrow if you and your partner would like to join us.”

This indicated acceptance into the group, and he’d invited Tom too.

“I think we would like that, thank you,” she smiled.

“Come around 6 o clock to the old theatre, Pickering Street. Do you know of it?”

It seemed like a fantastic opportunity and Stephanie’s hopes were high. Furthermore, if they were on his own premises, who knows, they may even be able to take a quick look around and see if they could find out more about his business that way.

“No but I am sure we will find it.”

“I own the building; I think you will enjoy the experience.”

Stephanie was suddenly thrilled to have succeeded in getting an invitation out of him. Now they were considerably closer to their goal. Her feelings must have been apparent in her face but Carlton mistook her reaction when she said,

“Thank you, I will look forward to it.”

He looked at her intently then and she felt slightly anxious again. She glanced around for Tom but he still hadn’t returned to the group.

When she turned back she saw that Carlton seemed to have the unwavering attention of the majority of the people at their table. He turned then and slipped something into Stephanie's palm.

“Something for you to enjoy before then,” he smiled. She looked down to see that he had put a pill into her hand. “I hear that you enjoy this kind of stuff.” He was waiting and watching her intently. She was torn, this is what they were researching and it could be the beginning of uncovering his entire operation, but suddenly the whole group were looking at her and she felt pressured. She looked around again for Tom but he was still nowhere to be seen. Damn, where on earth was he? “Did I hear wrong?” Carlton said with a frown.

“No, no.” she replied, not wanting to ruin their chances. Then she hesitated for a moment but could not delay anymore without jeopardising all they had achieved that evening, so she popped the pill into her mouth and swallowed it with a swig of her drink. She sat for a while anticipating a reaction to the drug, but she felt nothing.