Seductive Company

17

India was now totally confused, although Lady Davenport recently had told her that Travis was involved in setting her up, India did not fully understand Lady Davenport’s role in this dilemma. She did not know that she was planning to make contact with her Corporation. As she stood there waiting on Travis to respond to her question, she knew that she had to see Lady Davenport and do it like yesterday.

Travis mugged her up and down and then responded, “I’m not saying anything until I find out what you’ve done...I don’t trust you and I think you should stay the f*ck away from me until I find out why you’re setting me up like this!”

He quickly slammed his glass on the bar as he stood up, strolling around her, leaving her standing there in awe. She slowly sat down at the bar and ordered a drink as she thought; “Only one person knew about Lady Davenport offering me a position with her firm.” “I thought I could trust her but I really see that Danika is really out to get me!”

Meanwhile Whitney was in her suite preparing to leave for the United States when she received a knock at her door. She hurriedly strolled to open it thinking it was Travis. She smiled as she opened the door wide, but was disappointed when she saw it was Danika standing there. She quickly turned around, strolling away from the door as she responded, “Oh, it’s you...what do you want?”

Danika smiled as she entered the room, closing the door behind her as she replied, “You know what I want...why you are holding out on me, Whitney?”

Whitney turned to face her puzzled as she responded, “What are you talking about, Danika?” “I’ve told you everything that I know so what is it that you want from me?”

Danika strolled over toward the bar, poured herself a drink and then replied, “I want to know the truth about Philly!” “You see I know that something’s up and you know what it is!”

Whitney smiled as she moved over toward the bar and sat down on the barstool.

“Why do you think that something is up, Danika...why don’t you just tell me what you think happened?”

Danika smiled as she took a sip of her beverage and then she replied, “Well...I think that India really slept with your boy Travis....since you two are almost identical I can see you two pulling something like this off!” “But what I don’t get is why...why you are two doing this?” “What’s the reason?”

Whitney sat there staring into space in deep thought as Danika waited for her answer. She knew she had to say something but she did not want to expose India’s cover up so she responded, “The truth is I was there in Philly...India was trying to sort things out with her mother and she asked me to step in.”

Danika looked at her with disbelief as she replied, “Now, do I look like a fool to you?” I know you don’t expect me to believe that bullshit do you?”

She looked at her straight as she replied, “Well it’s the truth...take it or leave it!”

Danika smiled as she replied, “So, I guess you sleeping with me the other night was all part of the plan too, huh?”

Whitney frowned as she replied, “I thought we were just kickin’ it...so now you think I was trying to set you up...what the f*ck is wrong with you?”

Suddenly across the room, Travis was standing there listening to the conversation. He slipped into the room without them even noticing as he responded, “Yeah...what IS wrong with you Ms. Winfield...you seem a bit edgy lately?”

Whitney rose up and immediately strolled over toward Travis instantaneously embracing him as she responded, “Baby...I didn’t hear you come in...Danika was just...”

He immediately interrupted her, “Just leaving...Ms. Winfield I’ll get with you, later...now please see your way to the door!”

She gazed at him with a malicious expression as she unhurriedly strolled toward the door. When she reached the door she quickly turned around to face him as she replied, “You really don’t have a clue do you, Travis?”

She opened the door, sauntering out the suite without closing it as he replied, “That’s Mr. St Croix to you!”

Ursula had nervously been chain-smoking, and warm, angry tears had ruined her mascara as she sat there in a dark corner of the bar. Her lipstick had worn off on the stubs of the cigarettes. She downed several drinks as she thought about what she saw in that infamous packet. She was already frustrated with the fact that she slept with a man who her best friend had been sleeping with and now this. She was very distraught. After a few minutes, Marc came into the place and walked over toward the bar. She immediately caught a glimpse of him and tried to hide before he noticed her presence. He turned as if he felt someone staring at him. He strolled quickly over toward the table as he became aware of her presence. He immediately detected that something was wrong with her as he stood there watching her rub her eyes.

“Ursula...Why are you sitting over here in the dark?”

She smiled slightly as she responded, Hey Marc...what are you doing in here?”

He gazed at her with concern as he replied, “I come here sometimes to have a few drinks...Ursula...what’s going on?”

She looked at him, sipped her drink and then motioned for him to sit down across from her. She immediately fired up another cigarette as she responded, “India’s coming home in the next couple of days.”

His face lit up as he responded, “That’s great news...right?”

She sat there for a brief second before she responded to his question.

“Ahhh...yeah...but there's a little problem that India needs to address as soon as she gets back in town.”

Marc was very concerned as he immediately responded, “What is it Ursula...what’s going on?” “Is India in some type of trouble?”

She look up at him as she gulped her drink down and motioned to the bar maid to bring her another. He looked at her as he quickly replied, “Don’t you think you’ve had enough to drink for tonight?”

She frowned as she responded, “Look Marc...don’t you come in here telling me what to do!” “Don’t you think I know when I’ve had enough to drink?”

As soon as she said that, she attempted to put her glass back on the table but missed and almost fell off her chair. Marc and his quick response prevented her from doing that, so as he helped her back into her seat. He looked at her and responded, “I think you need to sleep this off...I’m gonna call you a cab!

“No...Wait,” she immediately replied as she looked him straight in his eyes, “Why don’t you take me home...I trust you Kenneth uh...I mean...Marc...to take me home, okay!”

As she tried to stand up she quickly began to fall forward and instantly Marc grabbed her by her shoulders to break her fall. He looked at her as the tears in her eyes instantly began to run down her face as she replied, “I just don’t understand what she was thinking...why she did that?”

Marc was confused about Ursula blabbing and tried to decipher what she was saying. He quickly escorted her out of the bar toward his car. As he put her in the passenger side of his car he thought, “I really need to find out what is going with India...whatever it is I want to help her!” “I have to let her know that I truly care about her and this is my chance to let her know how I really feel!”

He fastened her seat beat and closed the door. As he strolled around to the driver’s side of the car, he could hear her whispering something under her breath as he finally got in the car. As he started the engine he thought, I wish I could get somebody to watch her...I need to find out if India is alright!”

After about forty minutes, Marc pulled up in front of Ursula’s apartment complex. He parked the car and quickly strolled around toward the passenger side of the vehicle to open her door. As he opened the door, he noticed that Ursula was still mumbling gibberish that did not make any sense as he sighed heavily and then unfastened her seat belt. He quickly noticed that she was in no shape to walk up to her apartment so he immediately picked her up and slammed the door with his leg. As he strolled toward the apartment building, Ursula began to giggle as if her husband was taking her over the threshold on their wedding night. He looked down at her suddenly realizing that this was the first time that he had ever been this close to her. He observed her pearly white skin and her blonde hair that was now covering her left cheek. He thought as he got to the foyer of the building, “She ain’t half bad...she just needs to find someone for herself!”

Finally, Marc got Ursula to her apartment door. He put her down to get her to stand on her feet and then he asked, “Do you have your key?”

She smiled as she reached in her purse to get the key. After several seconds of searching, she finally found it and put it in front of his face. He tried to take the key from but she decided she wanted to play games and began to jerk them back from him. She did this several times as he tried desperately to retrieve the key from her hand until he finally became frustrated and said, “Look Ursula...I need you to give me the key!”

She smiled and then she stretched her key clad hand toward him, but when he tried to get the key, she allowed it to drop in her blouse between her large breasts. He immediately pulled his hands back as she began to giggle profusely as she said, “Well...I guess if you want the key you gotta get it from my boobies!”

As much as he wanted to just leave her standing there and walk away he didn’t he just looked down at her with a angry expression as he said, “You better be glad that I’m a man who cares about what happens to you!”

He reached toward her breasts, sliding his hand between them as he grabbed the key with his fingertips. Before he could get his hand out between her breasts, she moved his hands toward her harden nipple. She looked up at him as she said in a raspy sensuous voice, “Squeeze it for me, daddy.”

He gazed down at her as he noticed that her nipples were now protruding through her sheer blouse, which made him, began to sweat. He slowly squeezed her nipple as she requested and she closed her eyes so she could tune into his touch. He had to admit to himself that her breast was feeling good as he suddenly realized that he had never been inside a white woman before. As the thought dwelled in his mind for a brief minute, he quickly pulled his hand out of her blouse as he thought about what he was doing. He quickly regrouped and stuck the key into the door lock, twisted it, to unlock the door. What happened next took him by surprise as the door opened wide; she immediately reached up and kissed him. As she kissed him, he did not return the kiss as she continues to pull him into her apartment. He looked down at her and says, “Why are you doing this Ursula...you know how I feel!”

She laughed as she replied, “You want India...why do you want her so bad?” “You can have me if you want...I’m ready right now!” Just take me...!”

He grabbed her slightly pushing her into the apartment and closing the door behind him. She tried to kiss him again but he refused as he tried to get her to go into the bedroom to lie down. She continued to pursue him as she took off her blouse exposing her large mammaries to him. He stood there for a brief moment as he gazed at her creamy white breasts and her pick hard nipples. As he tried to stay focused on what he was doing , he quickly grabbed the folded blanket that was lying on the end of the bed and wrapped it around her, as he said, “Ursula...please get a hold of you...stop this I say!’

She frowned as she felt rejection and humiliation from his actions. She glared at him as she replied, “You know something, I knew you was gay when I first laid eyes on you...I know you’ve got to be gay to turn down this white p-ssy!”

He looked her up and down as he responded, “You’re just drunk, Ursula...you need to sleep it off and thank me in the morning!”

She stepped over toward the bed and immediately lay down as she replied, “You just scared of this white p-ssy...that’s it...scared of it because you know you can’t handle this!”

Before she could get her head on the pillow, she had passed out like a light. He slowly strolled over toward her to make sure she was still breathing as he thought, “I wonder if she has that packet here with her?”

He strolled out of the bedroom, searching around to see if he could find her attaché case. He looked around until he finally spotted it in the corner next to the umbrella stand by the door. He quickly ran over to retrieve it and he thought, “Just my luck, she has this damn thing locked.”

Slowly, he put his thumbs on the release buttons as he closed his eyes, “Please open...!”

As he pushed the buttons with his thumbs, he felt a slight tug as the latches holding the attaché case closed suddenly released, opening the case. He quickly opened his eyes as he pushed open the case and searched the contents. He moved around the papers that were covering a large brown packet. As he moved the papers around, he carefully took the packet out of the case and observed it. He sighed as he whispered in a low breath, “Whatever’s in this packet...I know India is not part of it!”

He unhurriedly opened the packet, slowly pulling out the contents within as he whispered again, “Whatever’s in this packet...I know India is not part of it!”

He looked down at the papers that were now in his hand as he began to read the documents. He could not believe what he was reading as he thought, “India is involved with this?” “This can’t be true...something is just not right here?”

He commenced to filter through the papers until he came across some photos, which were of India, and several different sexual partners having some alluring and detailed sex. Marc was devastated as he flipped through the photos. He tried extremely hard to refute the images that he saw in those photos as he tried to disbelieve that India would be part of a conspiracy to embezzle millions from the corporation to fund an explicit sexual pleasure ring. He was completely distraught as he put the contents back into the packet, placing back in her attaché case. One thing he did notice was the facial features on the photos of India was a little distorted which left him to believe that it was possibility that she could be caught in the middle of a set-up scandal. He strolled toward the door as he thought, “I’ve got to find out more about this...It really doesn’t make sense...I just don’t believe India could do something like this!” “I’m gonna find out one way or another...who’s behind this shit and I gonna make sure they’re stopped!”

Several hours later India was standing in the elevator waiting for the doors to open as she thought about Whitney. She knew that she was about to go back home and she wanted to thank her for all she had done to keep her secret in the closet. As the elevators doors opened, several members of the Bahamian Police Department stopped her as she stepped out of the elevator. Her heart skipped a beat as she tried to find out what had happened down the hall. After she and several other guests were told to stay behind, the now stretched out “DO NOT CROSS – POLICE tape, she quickly noticed that all the commotion was coming from her friend, Whitney’s suite. Now she was really feeling timorous as she thought, “Should I tell them that I know her or should I just keep my mouth shut?” “What happened down there?”

Before she could make a decision, one of the police officers motioned to the officer who was holding back the guests to allow India to cross the police line. He looked at her as he said in his Caribbean distinctive accent, “You may pass Miss!”

She smiled slightly as she stepped under the yellow line, quickly making her way toward Whitney’s room. As she slowly strolled toward the crowd of police officers that were now parading around the area, it was as if she was travelling in slow motion as the words of everyone around her sounded extremely sluggish. She was frightened as she thought about what was waiting for her in her friend’s room. She hoped that it was just a small misunderstanding with Travis or a minor medical issue, but deep down in her soul she knew it was more than just a lover’s quarrel. She knew it was much deeper than that.

As she approached the scene of confusion, a medium height chocolate brother was standing their giving orders to one of the police officers. After he finished giving his instruction, he quickly turned around and addressed India.

“You are Ms. Wynn I presume?”

She frowned as she replied, “Yes...that’s correct...what’s going on here?”

“Ms. Wynn, please allow me to introduce myself…I’m Inspector Randolph Poirier with the Royal Bahamian Police.” “I’m sorry to inform you but you see...there has been a murder!”

India’s heart skip a beat as she immediately replied, “A murder...what do you mean...where is Whitney...Whitney!”

She tried to pass him to go into her suite, but his strength prevented her as he grabbed her by her shoulders and turned her to face him.

“Please, Ms. Wynn...you’re not allowed to go into the crime scene area...now please let us go over here (pointing at the other side of the hall) I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

She looked at him as if she wanted him to release her as she shook her head in the affirmative and strolled over in the suggested direction down the hall.

They stopped and then they faced each other. The tears were now beginning to flow down her face as the Inspector begins his interrogation.

“So I take it that you know this Ms. Whitney?”

“Yes...I knew her briefly...she was here visiting my colleague Mr. Travis St. Croix...where is he...is he...?”

He quickly interrupted her, “No...He’s fine...this Whitney has many of your attributes...many of your features...are you sure you are not related...family perhaps?”

She frowned as she replied, “What do you mean...she was just a girl who was here visiting a colleague...not a family member!”

He smiled as he began to scribble some notes on his pad. He then looked at her as he replied, “Please, Ms. Wynn I am not trying to get you upset but...”

Suddenly, Travis and Danika came rushing onto the floor as the Bahamian Police held them back at the do not cross line. Travis immediately shouted out to India, “Don’t answer his questions...our lawyers are in route as we speak.”

She immediately turned toward the Inspector as he sighed and motioned for her to join Travis. She immediately strolled down toward them as she thought, “What the hell is really going on around here...what I have gotten myself into?”

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became as Marc sat there at his cube. He knew that Ursula was going to do something with that packet but he did not know what. He wanted to contact India to tell her exactly what was going on so he picked up the phone as he thought, “What if she is involved in this mess...I need to know why...why she would do something like this!”

He gazed at the phone as he began to dial her phone number.

He sat there in anticipation as the phone began ring. He waited for her to answer, so he desperately could hear her voice. He wanted to hear her say it. Suddenly, the phone picked up as he quickly commenced to speak, “India...it’s me Marc...I really need...”

Suddenly, her voice began to respond but it was the sound of her answering service, “Please leave a message after the beep!”

“Damn,” he thought as he slammed the phone back on its cradle. He was now determined even more to get in touch with her at whatever cost. Suddenly another co-worker came into the area and shouted, “Hey come quick to the break room!” “Something is going on at that Marketing convention in the Bahamas!”

Marc quickly got up out of his chair and raced to the break room where there was a news flash on the television. He looked up at the screen as he watched the breaking news unfolding. As the newscaster started to report the breaking news: “This is truly a tragic event as the local Bahamian authorities are now investigating the mysterious murder of an African-American female tourist, who was in the country visiting to whom we believe to be a senior executive from the Bluefield Marketing Group; Which is one of America’s top marketing corporations visiting the Bahamas as part of a International Marketing initiative that has been taking place there for the last few months...there is no word on whether this senior executive is involved with the death of this young woman; whose name has not been identified as of yet.” “We have not received any statements from the Corporation at this time and so far according to Police, there are no leads other than their request to converse with the alleged senior executive who at this time is a person of interest and not a suspect...”

Marc was totally upset now after watching the criminal investigation unfolding in the Caribbean. He knew he needed to speak with India and he had to do it with quickness. As he was racing out of the break room, Ursula was coming in. He looked at her as she gave him a discomfit expression as she tried to walk around him. He stopped her by pulling slightly on her arm as he said, “Ursula...we need to talk!”

She frowned as she responded, “Look Marc about last night, I was just trying...”

He quickly interrupted, “I’m not talking about last night...we need to talk about India!”

She looked at him amazed as she replied, “INDIA...I mean India...what about her?” “Wait...let’s go somewhere private.”

They left the break room, walked down the hall, and entered a private conference room, shutting the door.

He looked at her as if she was crazy as he responded, “Haven’t you seen the latest news broadcast on CNN...there’s been a murder in the Bahamas that involves some senior executive that’s down there from this company with India...do you have any idea who that guy is?”

Ursula looked at Marc dumbfounded as she replied, “No but I’ve heard that this particular guy has been causing problems for India since she’s been on that assignment...wait is India alright?” “Have you spoken with her?”

He sighed as he replied, “I’ve tried to call her but she’s not answering and I’m getting worried.” The reporter said that the woman who was murdered was a tourist who indicates that it’s not India, but they didn’t release any names yet so we still need to find out!” “First this bull about her embezzling funds from the corporation, now this!”

She stopped as she realized what he just said. She looked at him as she responded, “What did you say...how did you find out about...wait a minute you went searching in my attaché case last night didn’t you?”

He gazed at her with a ridiculous expression as he replied, “What difference does it make...we need to find out if India is alright...then we need to find out who’s really responsible for this embezzlement scam!”

Ursula sighed as she replied, “Marc...I assure you she’s the one who been stealing from the corporation!”

Marc glared at her with disbelief as he responded, “What...listen to what you’re saying Ursula about your best friend...what motives would she have for doing such a thing?” “She was already well on her way and didn’t need to take nothing to get what she deserved.”

Ursula for the first time in Marc’s eyes looked as if she was jealous of India. It was as if she wanted to believe that she was corrupt. He gazed into her baby blue eyes as he responded, “So you think that she did this...what proof do you have that she’s guilty Ursula...why do you have that makes this...your friend guilty?”

She smiled as she replied, “The packet...that’s right...the packet!”

He laughed as he responded, “The packet...the one that was sent here?” “Have you checked the reliability of the source that sent it?” “How do you know what was in the packet is legit?”

She looked at him dumbfounded as she replied, “I...I don’t know but...!”

He quickly interrupted her, “See...that’s why we need to investigate this before we go accusing people...to really find out what’s going on!” “We have to clear India before it’s too late!”

Ursula sighed as she responded, “Why do we always have to help her?” “It’s always about India, India, INDIA!”

Marc looked down at her as he replied, “Look...I don’t know what it is that wrong with you, but we owe it to her to help her so snap out of this Ursula!”

She looked down toward the floor as she thought, “Okay Marc but...I really think she’s part of this and I’m gonna prove it!”

♠♠♠

Meanwhile back in Nassau, Travis was standing in the corner conversing with two of the corporate mouthpieces that were sent to represent the corporation’s interest as Danika strolled over to converse with India. India who was totally upset was now sitting on the couch in the middle of the room as Danika slowly made her way toward her and quickly sat down next to her. She gazed at her for several seconds before she set in motion her bogus apology, “Look India...I know I’ve been a bitch since we’ve been on this outrageous assignment, but for what it’s worth...I’m sorry about what happened to your friend.”

India glared at her as she replied, “Is that all you’ve got to say about this?” “I thought she was your friend too...damn Danika, you slept with her and she’s nothing to you, huh?”

Surprised Danika responded, “What...did she tell you that?”

India glared at her with a demented expression as she replied, “I guess you thought your shit was covered up...I know you and I know that as pretty as Whitney was you had to have tried!”

Danika sighed as she answered, “Okay...maybe we did have a little licking fest but it wasn’t like I was in love with her…I surely didn’t want to see her dead!”

India looked at her as she replied, “You sure about that, Danika...I know how much you’re jealous of anyone that’s around me...maybe you felt she was f*ckin’ me and you wanted to get her out the way!”

As soon as she was about to answer, Inspector Poirier strolled over to converse with the women.

“Ms. Winfield...I’d like to ask you a few questions...if you would follow me...we can do this now!”

She glared at India and then she gazed at him as she responded, “Yes...of course Inspector….lead the way.”

He smiled as he looked at India and said, “Please excuse us, Ms. Wynn.”

She smiled back at him as she watched Danika and the Inspector strolled toward the far side of the room. Suddenly, her cell phone began to ring as she immediately retrieved it from her purse. She recognized that the call was from Marc as she quickly answered, “Hello...Marc!”

Marc sighed with relief as he replied, “India...I’m so glad to hear from you...I was so worried about you...are you alright?”

India’s voice sounded weak as she replied, “I’m fine...I just can’t believe that there was a murder right here in our hotel!”

“I know...I’m just glad that you’re alright...what about this rumor circulating that you’re involved in an embezzlement scam?”

Surprised India responded, “What...what are you talking about Marc?”

“You mean you don’t know...that packet...the one you told Ursula to retrieve...it had information implicating you as a prime suspect in embezzling million’s from the corporation!”

India sighed as she replied, “So that’s what Travis was up too...He’s trying to steal from the company and make me the scapegoat!” “You know...he was in a relationship with the young woman who was murdered here...maybe she found out his plan and he killed her!”

Marc quickly responded, “India...please be careful, you don’t want him to know that you are on to him!”

As she was about to respond to his suggestion, a member of Lady Davenport’s camp quickly came rushing into the area where everyone was detained. She immediately strolled over toward India and hurriedly said, “Please Madam…Lady Davenport wishes your presence in her limousine.” “It’s just down in front of the hotel…please I will take you there!”

She quickly said on the phone, “Marc…I’ve got to go!”

Marc tried to keep her on the phone as he shouted, “India…wait…please don’t hang up…”

She quickly hung up the phone as she shook her head in the affirmative and immediately commenced to follow the assistant to the elevators.

The Inspector, while conversing with Danika quickly observed India and Lady Davenport’s assistant beginning to make their way toward the elevators as he immediately blurted out, “Ms. Wynn…Please…I still need to ask you a few questions!”

The assistant quickly responded, “Inspector…when you’re ready to question Ms. Wynn…you can reach her at Lady Davenport’s residence!”

As soon as she say that he sighed heavily as he frowned at her. He then glanced back at Danika who was not gazing at him with a mischievous grin. It was obvious that Lady Davenport was an authoritative woman and the way things were looking at that moment, she had a strong domination of the local authorities. As he now watched India and the assistant step into the elevator, he continued with his questioning session with Danika.

“Ms. Winfield…how long did you know the victim?”

She smiled slightly as she replied, “Inspector…you just let her go and you want to ask me questions?”

He sighed as he replied, “Look, Ms. Winfield…I will get to your friend…trust me on that, but you need to cooperate…It is to your advantage if you do it may make things as you say in America…worth your while!”

She smiled as she replied, “Inspector…are you trying to bribe me?”

He smiled as he responded, “Ms. Winfield…bribe is such an ugly word…I prefer to say that we are just cutting to the chase!”

She sighed as she replied, “So what are you offering for cutting to the so-called chase?”

“Well, Ms. Winfield…it depends on what evidence you have that can help my people to solve this case…do you have something that can help us?”

“Let me think about that…well if I had about $100,000 dollars in my purse…I’d be delighted to give you some evidence that may help in this case…when can I get my money?”

The Inspector laughed as he replied, “Let me work on that…I really need this information!”

She glared at him as she replied, “If you don’t get my money you won’t get any help!”

She turned to walk away as he responded, “I’ll call you as soon as I have it…give me one hour!”

She smiled as she walked toward the elevators, “I’ll be waiting!”

Meanwhile, Travis was still conversing with the lawyers as he observed Danika strolling down the hall toward the elevators. He quickly shouted out toward the Inspector, “Sir…why are you letting her go…I saw her arguing with the victim last night!”

Danika quickly turned around as the Inspector was now staring at her. She glared at Travis as she responded, “I was not an argument…it was just a misunderstanding…you don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Travis slowly strolled toward the Inspector as his lawyers tried to get him to stop talking.

“Inspector…you need to keep this one from leaving because she’s guilty!”

The Inspector smiled as he replied, “Mr. St Croix…please let me handle this investigation…you have your lawyers and you chose not to speak so please sir…”

Travis was upset as one of the lawyers slightly put his hand on his shoulder, leading him away from the Inspector. As he began to stroll back with his lawyers he thought, “She’s gonna get away with this…I know it!”