I awoke the next morning alone with someone knocking on my door. Rising I threw a robe around me and opened the door looking like hell incarnate I am sure. The armed guard from the previous night was standing there with the laptop I had requested in hand. “There was a delay. Your transportation will be here shortly do you need help getting ready?” I stepped aside and motioned for him to come in.
“As a matter of fact I do, can you pack my suitcases while I grab a quick shower?” He nodded and began to go to work and stopped.
“Sir, someone already seems to have taken the liberty of preparing your luggage, will there be anything else?” I looked at my bags with a growing sense of trepidation.
“A pot of strong coffee would be greatly appreciated.” He smiled and called room service as I headed into the bathroom to wash away the drugged feeling in my head. After my shower and two cups of black coffee I actually felt remotely human. The guard took my bags and with my third cup in hand I followed him down the stairs to the waiting jeep. With my bags stowed securely the guard actually saluted me as the jeep pulled away, I didn’t miss the secret smile on his lips. The driver was a tight-lipped fellow of South African decent who kept his eyes on the road and evaded my polite attempts at conversation. With nothing else to do I admired the countryside and hummed a little tune until we reached the train station. My luggage, laptop and I were loaded onto the train and more armed guards appeared to play chaperone to myself and several other ‘guests’. None of my fellow travelers looked familiar to me, but then again it was a mixed bag on this trip. Two gentlemen of obvious Middle Eastern lineage were having a heated debate in Arabic, a striking young Asian lady and a tall blonde were casually chatting away sipping drinks as a solitary American Indian fellow was pondering a crossword puzzle. I walked over to the ladies and introduced myself. As I began to sit opposite them they both smiled and made room for me between them. A drink was promptly placed in my hand and introductions continued.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Prof. Sterling.” The Asian said in perfect English, “I am Akira Hirohito a Japanese national and my field of expertise is pictographs and ancient languages.” I covertly looked her over and had to admire the curves under her blouse and the long legs crossed so ladylike before her were something to behold.
“And I am Olga Detroskya,” her Russian accent was sending shivers down my spine. “I received my doctorate in psychological forensics from John’s Hopkins. A toast to interesting times.” I tipped back my drink and barely contained my urge to cough on the vodka. Olga refilled my glass before I could stop her and offered another toast. Her build reminded me more of a Norse Valkyrie than a Doctor of Forensics. I sipped my second drink and listened to the conversation quietly until I was abruptly drug into it.
“So Professor, vat do you think of these obvious outrageous carbon dating results?” Olga’s fierce blue gaze pinned me to my seat awaiting an answer.
“Well,” I stammered forcing my eyes not to drift lower to her dazzling cleavage, “I was informed the test results were triple checked. There must be some sort of anomaly distorting the dating process.” Suddenly I felt Akira’s hand on my thigh.
“You speak my thoughts exactly Professor,” Her silky voice cutting to the quick.
“Please, call me Richard.” I forced my voice to remain unstrained and natural.
“Very well, Richard.” She made eye contact with her nearly black orbs burrowing into mine. I took a healthy swig of the vodka and swallowed hard. There was something about these women’s behavior that left me feeling out of some sort of private joke.
“Please to excuse me, I must freshen up.” Olga rose and my eyes followed her out as she sashayed down the car’s length. I turned to face Akira again and again that enigmatic smile met me.
“So what’s that joke?” I asked her and her face practically lit up.
“The joke is this,” she leaned in close so that her lips nearly touched my ear, “Olga and I shared the room across from yours last night.” I could feel her breath on my flesh as she spoke. “You were very loud and we couldn’t help but hear both of the women’s voices with you.” My mouth was suddenly dry and I swallowed unable to speak. “I could barely get to sleep with the images running through my head.” She sat back and I fumbled around for something besides vodka. Thankfully a pitcher of water was nearby.
“Really?” I said as I poured myself a glass to quench my thirst.
“Yes, really.” Her smile was devilish as she lifted her drink and absently ran a hand over her chest. “I hope you are recovered from your experience.”