Legal Action Pending! Open At Once!
The writing on the front of the padded envelope reminded Neil of the urgent language used in phishing and scam emails.
Well this ought to be good,
he thought as he slit open the envelope and emptied its contents onto his desk. There were several glossy photos, a USB drive, and a cover letter.
I hope you enjoyed yourself last week, but you should know when something is too good to be true. The young women you met at the Hamilton last Thursday evening provided me with the enclosed photos. I suggest you review them and consider the implications should they fall into your wife's hands.
Setting the cover letter aside, Neil examined the photos. The first was a photo of him seated at the bar of the Hamilton restaurant. To both sides sat young and attractive Asian women laughing and touching his arm. The next photo was dimmer, but Neil was easily identifiable, standing partially undressed, kissing one of the women in a hotel room. The third photo featured Neil and both women in bed, naked, and engaged in athletic sex. He returned to the letter.
Enclosed you will find a USB device. You are to, within the week, use your access to your employer's data center to attach the device to one of the core blade servers. Once you have done so send a message to the email address below. If you do not do this within one week we will provide copies of these and other photos to your wife.
Neil rubbed his eyes.
One week to decide,
he thought.
— Five days earlier —
The crowd at the Hamilton's clubby, ornate bar was starting to shift from happy hour to pre-theater, as couples in finer attire replaced groups in work clothes. Neil amused himself by observing the new arrivals, guessing which couples were on first or second dates, and which were more established.
"May I?" Without waiting for Neil to acknowledge the question a young Asian woman settled herself on the seat next to him, placing a tiny designer handbag on the bar.
"No problem." Neil made a show of making space, checking her out as he did so. The newcomer was of medium height, willowy, and had waves of long, gleaming jet hair. As a younger man he would have hit her up, but in his mid-fifties no longer harbored such aspirations. He settled for giving her a smile.
"What's that?" the woman asked, indicating Neil's drink.
"Oh. That's called a Green City Miracle. One of their specialty cocktails."
She met his gaze with dark chocolate eyes. "I don't have a cocktail menu yet."
"Try it," Neil said, sliding the drink toward her. "It's a whiskey cocktail with citrus, honey, and chili. I think there might be a splash of rosé in there, too."
She lifted the glass with slender fingers and held it to her nose before taking a sip. "It's strong," she said. "But I like the chili."
"You need one."
While she was speaking with the bartender, Neil had the opportunity to appreciate just how pretty his new neighbor was. Not just young, slim, and with gorgeous hair, she had high cheekbones, ripe lips, and was dressed in a spaghetti strap black dress that called attention to her delicate collarbones and the hollow of her throat.
"I'm Neil," he said once she turned back. "And let me get that drink for you," he added, trying to get the bartender's attention.
"I'm Rose," she said, with a hint of an accent. "And thank you, but that won't be necessary. I mean, buying me a drink. She's buying tonight."
Neil followed Rose's glance to his other side. He had been ignoring the man seated to his right, but as he turned the man was walking away and a woman was claiming his seat. He turned back to Rose. "You two are friends? I can move over so you can sit together."
"Don't you dare," the second woman said. "She gets on my nerves."
Rose shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. "What Joyce means is we're old friends who don't mind someone else to talk to for a change."
As a compromise, Neil scooted his stool back just far enough that he could more easily speak to them both, and they to each other. He introduced himself to Joyce, who was ordering a glass of white wine. Like Rose she was Asian but with much shorter hair, allowing Neil glimpses of her pale neck whenever she turned.
Rose asked, "Did we intrude on your personal time, Neil?"
"No, you saved me from it. I come here most Thursdays for happy hour with my work friends, but they have kids and just stay for one drink, leaving me unsupervised."
"Are you saying you plan to misbehave?"
"Every chance I get."
Rose waved a
you naughty boy
finger at him. Of the two she was the more direct and engaging while Joyce was quieter.
"What about you two? I love the bar here but it isn't the most happening spot if you're in your twenties."
"We're on work travel. Normally we're in San Jose."
"Ohhh! Take me with you when you go back. I love California."
The next hour was one of the most unexpected and enjoyable that Neil could recall. He spoke a little of his work, as did Rose and Joyce, but mostly they talked about travel, food, and good living. As young as they were, the pair had traveled extensively through the States and Asia. Neil learned that their employer's headquarters was in Shanghai and he grilled them on life there. They all had another round of drinks.
The dynamic was confusing. The women were at least twenty-five years younger than Neil but both were flirting with him. Rose kept touching his arm and had a sly way with innuendo. Joyce played with her hair and kept her knee pressed against his thigh. Just as odd, neither seemed to mind that her friend was getting handsy with the same man.
Neil excused himself to go to the toilet. While he was washing his hands another man joined him at the mirror to do the same. The man shook his head.
"I'd say let me be your wingman, but it doesn't look like you need one."
Neil recognized him as the man who had given up his seat for Joyce. "The women I'm with?"
"Yeah, they're hot, and you know what else?"
"What?"
