Carnival Of Mayhem Part 11

"A hundred thousand dollars," she said. "Used bills."

"Are you trying to bribe me?"

"Do you need to be bribed?"

Even though his brain was running on one cylinder, he could tell it was a loaded question. Was she testing his integrity? What would happen if he gave the wrong answer?

"I have another question first," he said. "Is the security system in this apartment active now?"

"Very much so," she said.

"I didn't see any wires or sensors."

"Trust me. n.o.body is getting in, not alive at least. And if an enemy did manage to penetrate the perimeter defenses, I can incinerate the entire apartment in five seconds. I just have to press a b.u.t.ton."

"I see." He swallowed. "In that case I don't need a bribe because I don't want to die."

She chuckled. "Very good! You continue to impress me, Dr. Smythe. You'll be a fine addition to the team. Here are your orders."

"Wait. Since when do I take your orders?"

"I'm your commander now. Get used to it because it will be that way for a long time. Stay in that apartment. Sleep, eat, and recuperate for as long as you like, but don't leave. When you're ready to face the world again, call me."

"What if I run?" he asked. "With all this money, I could escape to Mexico. I know a little Spanish."

She paused. "You wouldn't escape for long. We're a global organization with almost limitless money and influence, while you're just one man. So, think about the important choices you need to make. You stand at a crossroads. One path leads to a productive and exciting life spent serving G.o.d."

"And the other path leads to prison?"

"No. The other path leads to death, for the Lord does not forgive those who ignore His call to service, and neither do I. Sleep well."

Chapter Eight.

Marina looked up at the sign for "Madame Shen's Beauty Salon." It had been years since she had visited a salon. She didn't like strangers touching her hair, and as far as she was concerned, only Yvonne back at headquarters knew the right way to cut it.

Marina sighed. The sacrifices I make for the mission. She went inside.

A thick haze of incense made her want to step back outside and get another breath of fresh air. Beaded curtains hung everywhere, each with a different abstract pattern made of white crystals sewn into it. Prisms in front of the windows added rainbows to a room with too many sparkles. She already hated this place.

A girl with purple hair and a pierced cheek sat behind a desk. She seemed to be a receptionist, so Marina approached her.

"Hi," Marina said. "I'd like to see Madame Shen."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"I was hoping she could squeeze me in."

The girl smirked. "That's not possible."

"Then when can I see her?"

The girl didn't even look down at her appointment book. "Madame Shen only sees her good friends with compatible auras."

"Wait. Are you telling me she won't cut a new client's hair?"

"She does not cut hair; she sculpts hair. If you want any of our other talented stylists to serve you, I'm sure I can find an opening."

"No." Marina shook her head. "Only Madame Shen."

"Sorry." The girl shrugged.

"There must be a way."

"I could put you on the waiting list."

"Waiting list for what?"

"To have your aura certified, of course." The girl smiled. "It's another service we offer."

"That's ridiculous." Marina rolled her eyes.

The girl shrugged again. Marina fantasized about breaking her scrawny neck.

"OK," Marina said. "Forget about me. Who is Madame Shen seeing next?"

"Hmm." The girl ran her finger across the appointment book. "Mrs. Tiemann, but..."

"I'll wait."

Marina sat on a chair and inhaled incense smoke for half an hour. When an old lady in a pink coat entered the salon, the girl glanced at Marina nervously. This must be her.

Marina stood up and smiled. "Mrs. Tiemann?"

"Yes?" Mrs. Tiemann wore gla.s.ses with hot pink frames.

"I need to see Madame Shen right now."

"But my appointment is now."

"Yes." Marina nodded. "I'll take your place. I also want you to introduce me to Madame Shen. Pretend I'm an old and trusted friend."

Mrs. Tiemann shook her head. "You're crazy."

Marina reached into her purse and took out a roll of hundred dollar bills. She began to peel them off. "One hundred... two hundred... three hundred... four hundred..."

Mrs. Tiemann's eyes opened wide.

Marina placed five hundred dollars in her wrinkled hand. "Enough to pay for a fancy salon on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Am I still crazy?"

"But..."

Marina gave her another two hundred dollars. "And a pedicure."

Mrs. Tiemann stared at the money.

"If you don't want it," Marina said, "give it back."

"Make it an even grand."

Marina handed over three more bills with a smile. "Done. Let's go in."

The receptionist opened her mouth to protest, but Mrs. Tiemann shot her down with a glare.

Mrs. Tiemann led Marina past the beaded curtains, which divided the salon into separate s.p.a.ces. Each s.p.a.ce contained a sink and a single chair, and nearly all of them were occupied by other customers and stylists.

They went to a door at the back of the salon.

Mrs. Tiemann knocked politely. "Madame Shen? May I come in? It's Mrs. Tiemann."

"Come in," a soft, female voice said.

Mrs. Tiemann opened the door and Marina followed her in.

The number of crystals in the room astonished Marina. They carpeted the walls. Every time she moved, a thousand facets glittered in all the colors of the rainbow. Concealed fixtures provided the light, and it was like walking into a giant geode.

A large frame made of copper bars and shaped like a pyramid occupied the center of the room. A woman, presumably Madame Shen, stood at the exact center of the pyramid. She wore a pure white shawl and robes, which covered everything but her face and hands. Marina had expected an Asian because of the name, but Madame Shen had white skin.

"Who is this?" she asked, looking at Marina.

"A good friend," Mrs. Tiemann said. "She really wants to experience your special gift."

"You know the rules. No strangers."

"Please. I'll let her have my appointment."

Madame Shen frowned.

Marina stepped forward and put out her hand. "Hi! I'm Moon Kitten. It's a great honor to meet you. I've heard so many good things."

Shen stared at the hand as if it were diseased. "Moon Kitten, my aura is very sensitive. The slightest disturbance could unbalance its perfect harmony. I have to avoid unnecessary touching."

"Sorry." Marina stepped back.

"Rules are rules. I must interview every client before I can work with her, and trading appointments is forbidden. I can't make exceptions."

Marina put her hands together. "I'm from out of town and today is my only chance to see you. It would be the highlight of my life. I'll pay double."

"Double?" Shen raised her eyebrows.

"Make it triple, in cash." Marina took out her roll of hundred dollar bills. "And I won't need a receipt."

"Oh. Well, I suppose one, small exception won't hurt. It will be our secret. Mrs. Tiemann, please leave us. I must work now. The sacred spirit is rising within me."

Mrs. Tiemann hurried out of the room and closed the door.

Shen pushed a salon chair to the center of the pyramid. It glided silently on rollers across the tile floor. "Sit."

Marina sat in the chair, which was covered with a sheep skin that she didn't find very comfortable. Shen walked around the chair and examined her with a critical eye.

"Your hair is too short," she announced.

That's how I like it, Marina thought. "You think so?"

"Yes. Beautiful, red hair like yours should flow like a river across your shoulders. Still, I think I can do something." Shen pulled over a portable sink with water hoses connected to the wall. "Lean back."

Marina let her head fall back so Shen could wash her hair.

"I've never seen a salon like this," Marina said.

"It is unique." Shen began to rinse her hair with warm water.

"You must have interesting customers."

"With interesting auras."

"What is my aura like?" Marina asked.

"Hmm." Shen clucked her tongue. "You are sweet and kind. You must be wonderful with children."

Marina had a hard time keeping a straight face. "You really think so? Some people say I have a bad temper."

"I'm sure that's not true. I can see the gentle light in your eyes."

You couldn't be more wrong, Marina thought. "I've been upset lately."

"Oh?" Shen squirted shampoo into Marina's hair.

"I keep hearing terrible stories about what's happening at Saint Athanasius. All those poor people dying of tuberculosis."

"Tragic."