CHAPTER 7
I called for my assistant over the intercom.
"Mary, can you come in here?"
I could tell by the look on Mary's face as she entered my office that she was flustered. The beet-red flush on her cheeks, made me momentarily picture Em's thighs as the flush raced through her during her orgasm. My cock twitched at the memory and I smiled.
"Yes, um...Mr. Stone?"
The nervous hitch in Mary's voice spoke volumes. For one, there was no doubt in her mind as to what had occurred in this office. Two, she was surprised, and maybe even a bit frightened by it.
I figured I'd better take the upper hand quickly and attempt to regain some control of the situation.
"Mary," I said in a calm and steady tone. "You set up that meeting. Just who was that woman?"
I could see the wheels turning as Mary tried to figure out how to answer the question.
"Mr. Stone I'm so sorry," Mary stammered. "I..."
"There's no need to be sorry Mary," I assured her. "I'm just a bit taken aback right now."
"Oh Mr. Stone. So am I. I've known Maureen for eight years. I don't know what to say."
My mind reeled. Mary has known Maureen for eight years, I thought to myself.
As I thought about it, I pictured Em in my mind. I've seen her before, but she didn't look or act like she did today. I just couldn't place where or when.
"Eight years?" I said incredulously. "How do you know her?"
"She's a neighbor of mine," Mary explained. "She works for the tool and die manufacturer I told you about. She's been their lead sales rep for as long as I've known her."
"You met her at the Christmas party three years ago. You probably wouldn't remember," Mary continued. "I invited her as her boyfriend was away. I brought her to cheer her up."
Now I was completely confused. I remembered Maureen as clear as day. I remembered asking Mary about her briefly, and then moving on to other employees.
"Mary. Can I ask you a personal question?" I inquired. "Make that an extremely personal question. You don't have to answer."
I tried to figure how to most delicately ask the question.
"Does Em, er..., I mean, Maureen have any other jobs or, I don't know...hobbies?"
"Not that I know of, Mr. Stone. She's always been kind of, married to her work."
"Yes, but Mary, Maureen's sales style was; how should I say this? Unconventional?"
The look on my face said to Mary that I was befuddled. As I thought of what went on, I realized that Maureen had not attempted to sell me anything.
"Don't worry Mr. Stone. I intend to get to the bottom of this."
*
CHAPTER 8
As Mary left my office I picked up the HOTM card from my desk. I hadn't asked Mary about HOTM. I figured that she probably knew nothing of it anyway, so why open another can of worms.
I picked up my phone and dialed the toll-free number on the card.
"H-O-T-M. Operator 7. Please answer the following questions," a taped voice said.
"Please state your account number."
I did. There was a brief pause.
"Thank you Mr. Stone. On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your level of surprise? Please note that '1' would mean that you were highly surprised. '5' would mean that you were not surprised at all."
I spoke the number "1." I had to admit that I was more than surprised.
"Thank you. On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate Em's performance? Please note that '1' would mean that you very pleased. A '5' would mean that you were very displeased."
Again I spoke the number "1." I had no complaints about Em's "performance." I made a mental note to remember that word. "Performance" was an interesting choice of words.
"Thank you. On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your satisfaction level with H-O-T-M? Please note that '1' would mean that you are very satisfied. A '5' would mean that you are highly dissatisfied."
This time I said the number "5." I still didn't know who or what HOTM was, but I knew they couldn't stand a "5" on their record.
As the taped voice started to say "Thank you," I hung up.
*
CHAPTER 9
Not fifteen minutes had passed when Mary called.
"Mr. Stone? I have a Jeremiah Ashe on Line 2. He says he is calling you regarding your dissatisfaction with, 'services rendered'?"
Inwardly I smiled. That was fast.
"Put him through."
My phone rang, but I let it ring four more times before I picked it up.
"Don Stone," I clipped into the receiver.
"Mr. Stone. Good afternoon," Mr. Ashe stated pleasantly and professionally. "I am the national customer service director for H-O-T-M. I just received word that you were extremely dissatisfied with our services and I wanted to get through to you to see what can be done to rectify the situation."
I decided that the professional tone was best in this situation.
"Thank you for responding so quickly Mr. Ashe," I started. "It's not so much a complete dissatisfaction with HOTM, as it is concern over HOTM. What is it? Why am I involved? How did a friend of my assistant get involved? Needless to say I'm a bit perplexed right about now."
Mr. Ashe chuckled pleasantly.
"I can imagine that you are Mr. Stone. First of all let me assure you that HOTM is only interested in your total enjoyment and satisfaction with its services. Your account was established by a Ms. Diane Warren. She provided all the pertinent information regarding your personal likes and dislikes. Types of women you are attracted to. Your sexual preferences."
"Ms. Miller definitely seemed right for your initiation," Ashe continued.
"Em, uh... Ms. Miller, was fine," I stumbled. "I'm not unhappy with Ms. Miller. I am concerned with Ms. Warren and what HOTM has to do with me."
Mr. Ashe surprised me with his next statement.
"Ms. Warren is just fine. I'm sure she'll be in touch with you shortly. HOTM is totally dedicated to your 100% satisfaction with its services rendered. You'll receive a free bonus session tomorrow. After that I think you'll see the benefits of our service."
"Thank you Mr. Stone. I'm looking forward to speaking with you again. Have a great day."
He hung up.