As soon as Chester left, it had been an Olympic feat just getting a coat over her nightgown and down to the garage before she lost track of him. Knowing what Chester did on these special business meetings could only stand her in good stead down the road. Luckily the traffic lights helped her and she managed to stay a few cars behind without any trouble. Chester pulled over and parked across from a large apartment building and Elora slowed to a stop further along, watching him in the mirror.

She made a note of the address at the apartment, waited until he came back out and then slipped into traffic, again a few cars back of Chester's. Her suspicions weren't those of jealousy; she had no illusions that Chester Hargrave was able to avail himself of a bevy of women like herself at any time; she was just fortunate enough to be the current flavour. This was purely self-preservation and a gathering of information for her ammunition supply—just in case. The traffic grew heavier as they drew closer to the center of town and Elora found it difficult to keep up without hanging right on his tail.

When he swung into the underground parking at the hotel, she gave a slight pip of surprise and circled the short block once before following him inside. Parking in the first available space and spurting into action once again, she quickly took the stairs to the main lobby and waited out of breath behind a stand of tourist folders until she caught sight of him just as he followed a family onto the elevator. The lights stopped at four, seven and then returned to the lobby.

Elora boarded and pressed seven. It would be easier running downstairs than climbing up she reasoned. The corridor was empty and she cursed her luck, wondering if he was inside a room already or had gotten off on the fourth floor. A quick scan of the seventh floor hall proved it empty and she ran to the stairs and hurried down to the fourth floor, almost running right into his line of sight as stepped through the fire exit door. Chester was backing cautiously away from a suite door and taking up a position in an alcove at the end of the hall.

Elora whooshed with relief after stepping back into the stairwell then she cautiously peered out from the door and watched as a man left the suite Chester had been listening at and when he disappeared around the corner to the elevators, Chester returned, listening briefly outside the door before knocking.

It opened and Chester raised his arm and stepped quickly inside. Elora held her breath for a moment before checking the room number and going back to the lobby. A flirtatious bit of fibbing to the clerk and a flash of red nightgown gleaned the name of the occupant of the room and Elora hurried smugly back to the penthouse. Business was it, Chester? I think yes... monkey business.

******

Rita held still as the flash went off then got up from the seat and went to the mini bar. The session was over and she was anxious to move on.

"Get something for you, Vin?" She asked unenthusiastically.

"Yeah... undressed."

"Funny. How long for the new papers?"

"I can have them ready by noon tomorrow. You do have the cash?"

"Always." She toasted him from the bar. Have I ever welched?"

"Only on complying to my request." He laughed, packing his camera away and grabbing his jacket. "I thought maybe this new Jean character might be a little more amenable."

"It's not nice to screw your friends I've found, even now as Jean." She matched his humour, following him to the door and seeing him out.

"Oh. Okay. Tomorrow then."

"Tomorrow." Rita closed and locked the door and finished her drink before going to the telephone.

***************

Chester leaned out from the alcove at the end of the hall and watched the man with the large camera bag walk down to the elevators. When the hall was empty, he walked down to the room and listened at the door. Inside he could hear the murmur of a woman's voice and deduced that she was on the telephone. With a quick check behind, he rapped heavily on the door and stood to one side. Another large denomination bill to the stuffy but greedy desk clerk had revealed the number for the only single woman, close to the offered description, registered at that time.

The door opened and Rita's amused voice asked if Vin was trying another approach before Chester stepped into sight and into the room, silencing her surprised scream with a gloved hand.

"Ssshh my dear. We wouldn't want to disturb the other guests." He closed the door and slipped the lock, cocking an eyebrow as he prepared to release her mouth. She nodded and closed her eyes. "Good girl."

"What do you want, Chester?" Rita went back to the bar and poured another drink. Her fingers shook as she tried to figure out how she'd been found.

"Not very professional using my name, Hatti—or is it Rita, or what's the latest, Jean is it? Which do you prefer by the way?" She did a mental double take then waved an impatient hand. "Fine, let's leave it at Hatti for now. To be honest, I didn't know that I would want anything from you until recently and now what I want is whatever material you might have collected at the club for Roger that refers to me in any conceivable way. And please don't insult me with a denial."

Rita looked away and crossed to the window. Obviously he knew about the blackmail request; she should have guessed someone from the club might be warning the others. "There is nothing about you in the material, Chester. Truthfully."

"Why?" The question surprised her and she hid it by sipping her drink. "Why not, Hatti? Surely I'm as vulnerable as the others to your and Roger's little scheme?"

"It was Roger's idea. He didn't want to spoil his relationship with his biggest client."

Chester looked skeptical.

"Really! It's what he said. Roger was loyal to people he liked."

"Small group." He studied her suspiciously.

"You didn't know him like I did, we were... close."

"I knew Roger quite well but all the testimonials aside, you are still in business, am I correct?"

"I don't—" His expression stopped her and she turned back to the window. "I'm winding it up. There are a few... loose ends..."

"Winding it up, how very businesslike. And the disguise?"

She spun back, forgetting that she'd dyed her hair and a look of fear crossed her pretty face. "It's not a disguise..."

"Of course." Chester pulled his glove on tighter and pursed his lips. "I need to be sure, Hatti, that what you have told me about my concern is indeed the truth."

"It is! I swear! Roger would not have it."

"I keep hearing that Roger wouldn't have it but what about you, dear. How did you feel about my uhmm... exposure?"

"So help me, Chester. There is nothing on you anywhere." Rita set down her glass and wrapped her arms around her body. Her eyes grew wide as she studied every little move he made, scared to death that he might decide not to believe her. Finally, Chester sighed and relaxed his body.

"Very well. I will give Hatti the benefit but what about Rita and this Jean you've now become?"

"Chester I swear! What can I say? What can I do? There is nothing. Nothing!" Her eyes filled with tears and she sniffed back a sob before collapsing onto the bed, her head in her hands.

Chester stood quietly, taking in the performance and finally accepting it as real. He sat beside her and she flinched.

"It's alright, dear. One more question. Did you kill Roger?"

"No! No, I loved him!" She moved away and turned to face him. "You can think what you like about me, Chester but I did love Roger... we were going to be married."

His face went blank and still. "Sure you were. Okay. I trust this will be the last time we meet or have any contact. I can be a very formidable foe if prompted I promise you."

Rita nodded repeatedly and made a prayer gesture, thanking him as he took his leave.