Dead Love (2 page)

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3

J
oey Caruso had to leave his small house in Queens at 5:30 a.m. His wife, Donna, had gotten up late, but managed to get his breakfast ready anyway. Her casual housekeeping sometimes irked him, but she was a loving wife and a good mother. Rosa was still sleeping in her crib when Joey quietly entered her room to see his baby girl in her pink sleeper, just for a moment. She was breathing softly, and he lovingly put his hand on her little body, just a warm touch to say good-bye for the day. She had just a shadow of fine dark brown hair and blue eyes. She had inherited his dark Italian coloring. He was still overwhelmed by the miracle God had given to him and Donna. Blowing her a small kiss, he crept from her room.

His breakfast was on the table. He was in his subway maintenance uniform, dark gray pants, and light gray shirt with his city badge, ID number and name on it. Joey yawned, tired from the weekend. He had stayed up too late watching the Yankees beat the White Sox. Though it was still early in the season, the Yankees showed great promise. Donna came over and kissed him on the lips. They gave each other a smile, and as she walked back to the sink, he gave her a gentle pat on her luscious behind. She and Rosa were his life, and he felt lucky as he looked around at the small kitchen and happy home they shared.

While eating, Joey asked, “Is my lunch made?”

She said, “Yes, and I put in your favorite dessert, too. A leftover slice of apple pie, a banana, plus the ham and cheese on rye that you like. Is that okay?”

He said, “Thanks, honey. I dread going to work today. It’s going to be a hot one, and I am tired already.”

“You should have come to bed early,” Donna said, while giving him an enticing smile.

Joey said, “You’re right. I’ll make it up to you tonight.”

Before leaving, he grabbed her and pulled her close for a special good-bye kiss. Now he really didn’t want to leave. He would definitely go to bed early tonight, no matter what was on TV. Donna wanted another baby so Rosa could have a brother or sister, and besides that, he wanted to make love to his sexy wife.

They had met at a high school dance when Joey was a senior and Donna was only a sophomore. He had danced most of the night with Angela Martin, who had long legs and large breasts, along with a reputation for being easy. He kept noticing Donna standing with a few girlfriends and asked her to dance, a slow dance, and he loved the way she leaned against him and held him. The feel of her breath on his neck and her musky fragrance excited him. He kept pulling her closer to him and he could feel her respond. After their first dance, they were inseparable. Donna was wearing skin tight jeans and a low cut fluffy pink sweater that showed off her size C breasts, and Joey was captivated by this girl’s sexy body. He wanted to feel her beautiful body against him, and not just when dancing.

One night in the back seat of his parents’ car, they made love; it was the first for them both. It had been awkward and Joey was overwhelmed. He had to make love to this girl and make her his forever. He knew she was scared and so was he but she didn’t say no to him and he knew she never would. He gave her his class ring that same night and told her he loved her and wanted to marry her. It was a promise he would keep.

Joey headed out the door to get to work by 6:15 a.m. It was a boring job, in some ways, but each day was different. He had many responsibilities, from maintenance and inspection of the subway platform, to cleaning the restrooms. He had not been able to get a better job with just two years at the community college. He and Donna were doing okay though, because she had worked in the makeup department at Macy’s until Rosa came along. His city maintenance job for the Metropolitan Transit Authority paid well enough, and the benefits were great. A secure home and family meant a lot to Joey, but he often felt like a failure for not making more money and only being a glorified janitor. He knew Donna was proud of him no matter what he did. Their marriage wasn’t perfect, but all in all, they had more than enough, and the love they shared was all the happiness she ever wanted. Baby Rosa had made their happiness complete.

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4

D
r. Suzy Chen left her condo at midnight and walked the five blocks, carrying only her purse and the package. The late model silver Taurus was just where they told her it would be.

The nondescript cutoff man was at the drop site at 3:00 a.m. The city was dark with few cars passing. Suzy Chen saw the shadowed figure standing at the bus stop. She pulled alongside the curb, lowered the passenger window, and the unknown contact strode forward, reaching into the window with gloved hand, grabbing the department store bag from the seat. Suzy clutched the .38 S&W with her left hand, invisible to the hooded figure.

He leaned forward and, in the briefest instant, with a raspy indistinguishable accent, asked, “How do I start the discharge?”

Suzy said, “There is a black lever, just under the lid of the canister. The lever beside the discharge valve… push it all the way to the right.” She cautioned him. “Remember, it cannot be reversed, and the delay is only two minutes. Don’t forget. Put the cap in this weighted bag and toss it in the river.”

Those were the last words spoken. The contact turned so fast, she couldn’t really see him, only his dark hooded sweatshirt, as he faded into the shadows.

Dr. Chen drove off slowly, careful to avoid notice. It took about three hours for her to get back to Edgewood. She left the car where she found it and walked quickly back to her condo. Her heart was beating rapidly. She was relieved to have gotten rid of the canister.

Chen was a respected biochemist and assistant director at Edgewood Laboratories, part of the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, and she had to be at work by eight o’clock. The return drive had given her time to decompress. She had labored for months, following with precision the instructions delivered to her by the Organization. The plan had been carefully formulated. Only two more tasks and her assignment would be complete.

The fear of discovery and the magnitude of the event overshadowed the exhilaration at what she had done. But the Director had assured her that she would be protected, and the rewards, on many levels, would be beyond gratifying.

What the Organization Director did not know was that her actions were also driven by a broken heart, which would directly avenge the man who had made many promises to her but had kept none.

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5

I
t was in January that Suzy had met him at a dinner, hosted by the Secretary of the Army, at a luxury hotel in Baltimore, overlooking the Inner Harbor. Dr. Chen was in a high-profile position as assistant director of research and development at the Edgewood Laboratories. She was often a guest at formal governmental affairs. Beyond her status and accomplishment, she was a beautiful woman with striking Asian features, long straight black hair, and brown almond-shaped eyes of depth and eroticism. Her intellect, beauty, and reserved demeanor kept men from approaching. She was aloof and strictly professional at work, which heightened her sexual allure. Most of her staff were men, but all knew of her exacting work ethics and dared not cross any lines. She felt isolated, but that was part of the territory. Her level of concentration at work was intense, rendering her unable to be swayed by personal matters, but that did not keep her from being noticed and desired.

One of the service staff found her as she was going into the ladies’ room, across the hall from the formal banquet room. He handed her a folded note. Suzy noted her name, handwritten in what appeared to be strong masculine script on the front. After thanking him, she entered the ladies’ room, curious to know what the note contained.

Her eyes widened as she read the contents and absorbed the meaning. It was an invitation for cocktails in a private suite, here at the hotel, following the dinner. She ran a comb through her silky hair and added some gloss to her lips. She studied herself in the full-length mirror. Her red silk sheath, with mandarin collar, slit up the side, and black stiletto heels were perfect for this unexpected date. She was glad she had dressed in her sexiest red thong panties and bra to match her dress.

Suzy walked through the hotel lobby to the elevators, glad that the dinner had not lasted too long. She had sent the note back to him by one of the waiters, with only one word written on it: “Yes.” She dated infrequently. Most men were hesitant to approach a woman of such mysterious beauty and intellect. Suzy was curious about this man who had attracted her gaze many times in the past. Now she knew he had noticed her as well.

She wasn’t sure what to expect as she got off the elevator on the tenth floor and began walking down the formal carpeted hallway to his suite. He answered, dressed in dark slacks, white dress shirt, and dark gray tie, with his military tie bar as decoration. He was slightly taller than she, five feet nine inches, with muscular build, broad shoulders, and the confident demeanor of an experienced army officer. Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell Graham was well known for his military prowess and competence, not just for his past achievements, but in his current position as special service chief to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His job was to assist in resolving matters that did not require JCS attention. He was based at Ft. Meade, but was often called to the Pentagon when needed for military updates and foreign policy meetings. He was an expert military strategist, having served in combat in some of the most dangerous special ops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Colonel Graham warmly welcomed Dr. Chen. She followed him into the plush hotel suite and glanced around as they walked to the bar. The pale golden accents, beige carpet, yellow brocade sofa, and bronze sculpted lamps were elegant. The soft glow of lamplight muted the gold tones. The matching loveseat completed the setting, but her eyes were drawn to her host. This incredibly charming and powerful man intrigued her. His military bearing heightened his masculinity and strength and captivated her. She wondered how it would translate in the bedroom. She needed a man to be her intellectual and sexual equal.

Suzy had seen Max several times from a distance in professional settings. She found him interesting looking, but near him, she could get a better appreciation for his handsome face, strong chin, and penetrating blue eyes. He had brown hair with just a touch of gray and a sexy mouth. She had to maintain a cool detachment and catch her breath.

Graham asked, “Dr. Chen, what would you like to drink?”

She said, “Please call me Suzy, and Grand Marnier, if you have it.”

He said, “Call me Max, and yes, I will have the same. It is my favorite aperitif.”

After pouring their amber-colored drinks, he led her to the glass sliding doors that opened onto a balcony overlooking the Inner Harbor. The crisp, cool air smelled of the harbor, and the twinkling lights of the yachts reflecting off the water were beautiful.

Savoring her drink, “How lovely it is here,” she observed, turning toward Max.

“Suzy, you are much lovelier, and thank you for joining me at the last minute. I have seen you several times at various meetings and at Aberdeen, but missed the chance to meet you. Your work is outstanding, from those I know at the APG. You are a biochemist?”

“Yes, Max.”

The conversation flowed from there. He told her about his career history, where he had been stationed, and other details of his military life. He had attended the US Military Academy at West Point, as his father had, and become an army officer. He had achieved his goals and was committed to the values taught there— Duty, Honor, and Country. He had graduated as a second lieutenant and achieved greater responsibilities as he moved up in rank.

Suzy was fascinated and couldn’t take her eyes off Max, preoccupied with feelings she couldn’t describe. She didn’t know if he felt the same distraction. He asked how she had chosen her field. Suzy began, saying her father was American and her mother Chinese and her parents had met when her father had traveled on business to Hong Kong. Her mother had taught music in Beijing before she was allowed to move to Hong Kong. Chinese society had allowed more freedoms then, and she was finally able to get a visa to come to the United States, where her parents were married. Her father was a chemistry professor at the University of Delaware, and Suzy, an only child, doted on by both parents, had learned ambition and hard work from them.

Max asked, “Why the Chinese last name?”

She said it was more of who she was and took her mother’s maiden name as her own surname.

They were seeing only each other, as each word was spoken, and nothing else. Suzy was caught off guard when Max put his drink on the railing, and with his strong arms holding her so close against him, he looked down into her eyes. She felt herself melting into him. He gave her a soft kiss that became deep and wet. His body pushed against hers, and his tongue and mouth captured hers. Her fragrance was enticing, the scent pulling him to her, her body so desirable, he had to be closer to her. Her mouth responded, her body against his, and nothing else mattered. She wanted this man, as no other. Their attraction was startling, and they couldn’t let go of each other. He encircled her, enveloped her, and she surrendered, leaning into him, her mouth open to his, every inch of their bodies touching.

He took her hand, no words spoken, and led her from the balcony to the bedroom, unfastening his tie as he went. Only one small lamp glowed in the corner of the room as he pulled her to the bed. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and began kissing her again. Without taking his mouth off hers, he unzipped her beautiful dress, while Suzy unbuttoned his shirt. Their kisses were deep and wet, their breathing heavy. Her hands touched his muscular chest, and her arms were around his neck. God, what was happening to her? Her dress slid to her ankles, and she gasped as he unfastened her bra. Max licked and gave lingering kisses to her delicate, perfectly proportioned breasts. Her dark nipples contrasted with her alabaster skin, and their taste turned him on. His mouth moved downward, his tongue tracing a line to the lacy edge of her red thong panties. He kept caressing her breasts, making Suzy feel out of control. Her pearlescent skin was beautiful. He began kissing her mouth as Suzy felt him hard against her. She began touching him, wanting him. He took his shirt and pants off, throwing them on the floor by her dress. Suzy and Max collapsed onto the bed, and he took her panties off and slid his tongue into her warm secret place. Her taste excited him, and she responded without any restraint. He undressed fully, spread her legs, and began rubbing his hardness against her opening, kissing her breasts, her mouth, loving her taste. He couldn’t get enough of her. The warmth of his mouth on her nipples made her want him even more.