Dark as Daylight Ch. 06

"That's cheating and you know it."

"You go with what you know Jemma, and I will go with what I know. I do know your body so very well."

"I believe I know yours as well as you know mine."

"Shall we go upstairs and test that theory?"

"I'm tired, why can't we do it here? William and Patrick are in Florida, with Richard and Holden, so it's only us."

"I think our staff would be somewhat shocked by our activities, and sue us."

"Can you afford to be sued?"

"I think I could handle it."

"Then fuck them, and fuck me."

"Not on my good chair."

"It's replacement will be here tomorrow."

"You are not getting rid of my chair."

"New York is a no-fault state, and I get 50% of everything. That could wind up being the most expensive chair in history."

"That's not fair Jemma; I love this chair."

"I will fuck you enough in the new chair. You will learn to love it too. I'll even let you fall sleep on it, with my pussy in your face."

"It sounds like a very interesting chair."

"It's part of my overall plan to keep you here, with me, for a very long time."

"Why didn't you say so?"

"Why didn't you ask me?"

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

Dycke and Payne ran out the front exit of the Boeing 787, as soon as the front door opened. It was a total breach of protocol as their agents chased after them. Other agents formed blocking positions in front of them to bring them to a halt. They were not going to be allowed outside the Schneider Industries terminal, before a secure area was set up for them.

When Tim finally caught up to them, he yelled, "What the fuck are you two thinking? You told me there something special waiting for you at home, but is one minute more or less worth your lives? Look at all the precautions we took getting you to Denver? It doesn't take a genius to figure out you have to come back here. Give us a few minutes to set up a security screen, and then we are on our way. The next time you do something like this, you are on your back. I know you're very good Dycke, but trust me I am better."

"Do you want to try me one day Tim?"

"Time, place, and camera's boss. Everyone loves to see their boss on his ass."

Tim listened to his ear piece, and acknowledged into his sleeve.

"We are ready to leave Sir."

As they were walking towards the exit, Dycke said, "I will increase your salary by $10,000 a year, if you beat me."

"Easiest money I've ever made."

"Do you want to know what you have to do if you lose?"

"Go ahead."

"You have to run the 'Palm Beach Marathon' with me. The heat will blister your feet, and after you lose the first match, if you beat me there, you can still have the 10 grand."

"No problem, but what happens if I decide to do both, and beat you in both?"

"You don't run anything that length."

"If you say so boss."

"Where do you run? You're never part of my team, when I train; or when I go to the events."

"Most of the events you go to are run on flat ground. Like your 'Palm Beach Marathon' the highest grade you have to climb is over a railroad crossing. Everything else is as flat as a pancake. I get on my treadmill, with its GPS system. I put in Boston, Denver, Portland, or any other mountainous terrain area, and run my marathons that way. I also set my apartment to the temperature of the day. Sometimes I can't get it as cold as it is, but my apartment is cold, or hot, as it is in Miami."

Dycke said, "Many years ago, I beat my best friend in a marathon by preparing for it the same way. It will be fun Tim."

"I'll make sure we have an ambulance downstairs for you, sir."

"Pride goeth before the fall."

"With no disrespect intended sir, you are approximately 160 pounds, and deskbound most of the day. You may get in an hour or so of exercise every day.

I weigh in at 210 pounds. I am your personal body man. What do you think I do while you are in the office?"

"Sit in the ready room?"

"I won't even honor that by hitting you. I am in the gym exercising with the other agents, who are assigned to the gym for those hours. All your agents have schedules. Three are at each entrance, there are six agents monitoring the internal and external videos, and there are two-person teams assigned a segment of four floors they must check every 15 minutes using a magnetic card. We also have patrols doing the parking lots on a continuing basis. That still leaves 20 agents available, if anyone from upper management has to leave the building on an unscheduled matter. What did you think they are doing?

"I had not thought about it Tim?"

"They get out of their suits, put on their athletic gear, and train. Some lift weights, others use the heavy bag, most check their judo or jujitsu skills, others run. We have a worksheet that keeps track of everyone's physical fitness qualifications: how many repetitions was they able to do with 100 pounds on the bar. How many pull-ups, sit-ups, crunches, and every other exercise that's on the sheet? Everyone has to reach a minimum fitness level by the end of the month. No agent stays in one place all day. Every agent shifts position multiple times every day. No one gets bored that way."

"Tim, when my businesses were much smaller, I used to know all that stuff. Now, I don't know what I'd do without Fiona."

"You two do put on a good act boss."

"I have to get her some help. I have to break up the Western Hemisphere. I have to prepare for the time she wants to retire. She still young, I want her to retire, while she still able to enjoy her money."

"Very few business owners think like you do. When they have an employee like her, they want to squeeze every ounce of life out of them before they see them go."

"I try to treat my people like friends, and not just like employees. It makes relationships between management and labor less fractious, and the bargaining much easier."

"Boss, we are nearly at your home. If your hand touches the handle that opens the car door, I will break it."

"As I said Tim, it makes management and labor bargaining less fractious."

"You didn't tell me what happens when I beat you in both matches?"

"Are you getting greedy Tim?"

"It's not like you can't afford boss."

"If you beat me in both matches, which will not happen, I will increase your salary by $30,000 a year."

"Why didn't I think of this sooner. My 401(k) would have been overflowing with cash."

"You haven't won anything yet, Tim."

"Your money is already in my bank account sir."

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

As Dycke helped Payne from the SUV, she immediately asked the agent at the front door if their parents had arrived.

"Yes ma'am, they are in your apartment waiting for you."

Payne ran for the elevators.

Dycke looked at Tim. "Are you going to yell at her, the way you yelled at me?"

His reply was pure and simple. "Do you think I'm out of my mind?"

"Pussy!"

"Guilty as charged."

Payne was standing inside the elevator tapping her foot vigorously.

"Did you two enjoy your stroll in the garden?"

"Yes dear, we did."

Thankfully the elevator rose to the 28th floor without stopping. Otherwise, Payne would have killed any person, who stopped the elevator to get on. She walked into their apartment, and into the arms of her mother.

"Where is it mom, where is it?"

"It's on the dining room table dear, but be careful. Every time I went to touch it, I got zapped by an electrical current. It wasn't a little zap either. It made me step back quite a bit, before I was able to recover."

Piker said, "It was Doctor Luck's way of telling your mother that this package was not for her. You know how hard it is for your mother to see something wrapped up so nicely, and cannot believe it isn't for her."

"Pike shut up."

Chad Schneider said, "Piker, the best thing for us to do is to stand back, and not say a word. This way they can't yell at us, but I can't promise we won't be bruised."

"I agree."

The wives said in duet, "Shut up."

"Told you so."

After what her mother told her, Payne approached the book carefully. She reached out her hands, and then pulled them back.

Dycke pushed her aside, and pulled the book towards him. He opened it to the first page, and there, lying between her mother's breasts, was his newly born grandbaby, still covered in the gunk of delivery.

The smile on Zoey's face was angelic.

After gazing at the picture for a few moments, Dycke turned to the second page, and there was their grandbaby in an incubator.

"Dad get me a magnifying glass from my desk, please."

Payne asked, "What's the matter Dycke?"

"The name is down here in the left lower corner. I know we have a granddaughter, because the ridge of the card is pink. I would like to find out what they named her? I'll bet you a dollar I know what it is. She played with that doll, until it fell apart."

"She wouldn't dare name that baby Arielle; would she?"

"She wouldn't jump off the balcony either; would she?"

"Here son, this is the largest one I could find."

"Thanks dad."

Dycke lowered his head, and the magnifying glass to get a closer look at the writing on the card.

Exasperated, he said, "Oh no!" He moved his head from side to side and handed Payne the glass.

She asked, "Is it?"

Dycke took out a handkerchief, and began to wipe the tears from his eyes. As soon as Payne's eyes were focused downward, he pointed to the two dads to get into position to catch her.

They were there not a moment too soon, as Payne's knees gave way, and she began to weep.

Alletta Temple asked, "What did Zoey name the baby?"

"Your daughter will tell you when she's able mom."

After sitting in a chair for several moments, and drinking water when she was able, Payne answered her mother's question.

"Zoey named my granddaughter for me. My grandbabies name is Payne Elizabeth. Why couldn't Zoey buy a butcher knife and cut my heart, liver, and spine out in one stroke, instead of making me feel like a bitch for the last year we were together. For 17 long years, she was a bitch to everyone who came near her. When she came home from school, she would turn her 'bitchiness' up as high as humanly possible, just for me. Then, out of the mouth of Doctor Even Luck come the words, 'Put Her On Birth Control Pills.'

We did, and the child I would have gladly put into an industrial trash compactor, taken to a recycling facility, and watched as it burned and became electricity for the neighborhood, became the most delightful child anyone could ever ask for. Then, to show him how grateful we were for his help in changing her into this wonderful young woman, and changing our home lives for the better, we bring her with us to his Idaho Springs home, where his wonderful 16-year-old son, Gordon, opens the door, and uses the exact words Dycke said to me the day we first met.

"My God, You Are Beautiful."

We knew we were in trouble from that second on. I should have prepared myself better, but I didn't. I should have known it was coming, but I blinded myself with hope that couldn't overcome it. The only reason I survived is because Dycke does what Dycke always does; he puts me before everything else. He won't let anything happen to me because he loves me so much.

He got me a really tall basketball player to help with the problems that were so far over my head I couldn't handle them myself.

Now, my daughter does this to me. I am going to get even with that bitch. Dycke, you better finish that second spaceship in record time. I am going to be the only passenger on the 'GOOD LUCK 2'. I am going to search the universe for my daughter, and granddaughter, using the charts they left for us to follow. When I find her, I'm going to give her a piece of my mind for the way she treated me for the first 17 years of her life. I'll also get to meet my namesake. I am going to bring her home with me. I'll let my daughter live with that for 17 years. I will promise to bring her baby girl back to her, after she passes her driving test. Put your ass in gear Mister Schneider, otherwise you're not getting a piece of mine until then."

"Chad, not one of us has said a word, yet the three of us are up 'Shits Creek', with no paddle in sight. I've never figured out how that happens, or why, but we are in big trouble?"

"It's really very simple Pike; we haven't died yet, and even though we are all very rich, they can't get to our insurance money."

"You can get angry, and threaten me all you want Payne; I still am going to see what is on page 3. Then, if you are very nice to me tonight, I may start working on the spacecraft tomorrow."

Payne kissed him. "Thank you my love."

"You're welcome, bitch."

He pulled the book towards him, and gently turned to page 3. There was Payne Elizabeth Luck staring straight into the camera lens. You could see her tiny face, with huge green eyes, heart shaped lips, and drool running down her chin to the blanket below her. She just looked edible.

While the grandmother, and great-grandmothers were oohing and aahing over the pictures, the grandfathers were using the latest in high technology gear, plus their extra height and reach to record this event for posterity. There were a total of 17 pictures in the book, and it took the better part of an hour to look at them all, and go over them once again. However, there were 100 pages in the book, with an inscription on each page saying, "Your next picture goes here."

Payne didn't know if it was just the way the book was made, or if it was a promise of things to come. She wanted to talk to Dycke about it, but she had to use the facilities first.

After washing her hands, she went to open the bathroom door, but the handle came off in her hand.

It was the middle of the day, but the bathroom was dark.

She turned on the lights, but nothing happened.

"Do not be frightened Payne, it's Even. I only have a few moments to speak with you. You must go back to your psychiatrist. If you don't, your relationship with Dycke will decline again, and you don't want that to happen."

You have stopped praying, and you are not going to church any longer. Did you stop believing in God?"

"I have been so up and down, since Zoey left me; I don't know what I believe anymore."

"Grown children leave their parents every day. They go off to distant lands to be with their spouse. What makes you so special that Zoey had to stay by your side? You have two sons who live close by, and visit you often. Isn't that enough for any parent? They were both good young boys, and have grown up to be successful young men. They have always been very respectful of you and Dycke. Is there something else wrong; are you unhappy with your lot in life, Payne?"

"How could anyone in my position be unhappy Even. We give half our income away every year to charitable causes. I hope I guide the money to the foundations, who do the most-good for the most people in need.

I get to fly my airplane anytime I want. Sometimes I do it just to clear my head, or I fly people to their destinations. I am definitely satisfied with my lot in life. My mind is screwed up, and I don't know why. I love my husband, and he loves me more than he loves himself. I don't think there's another man on this planet, who feels about his wife the way Dycke feels about me. I can't imagine why I feel depressed. I know Zoey is happy, and I am happy for her, but in my heart of hearts, I miss her desperately. I will see Doctor Russell immediately. Please tell me what I have to do to get more of those wonderful pictures Even? I will do anything to see more of my daughter, and granddaughter."

"Where do you think those pictures came from Payne? Your daughter, her daughter, and my son are alive, and well. They are traveling through space having a wonderful adventure. You must get yourself well, not only psychologically, but in the eyes of your God, also. Until you do both, your life will never be full or happy. You will never be complete, even with one of my dearest friends as your spouse. Not one more picture will find its way into the Book my God has allowed me to gift you. There are so many more pictures that could be in the Book, but your mind and soul are not prepared to receive them. Can you remember the happiest day of your life, or would you like me to tell you what it was?"

"It was the day I married Dycke."

"That was the fourth happiest day of your life. The happiest day was when you opened your eyes after Doctor Sage Wolf removed the bandages from your face, and you saw how God made you before the accident. Do you know what you forgot to do that day? You forgot to thank God for making you who you were; who you were supposed to be from the very beginning. You were meant to suffer all those years. It was to make you strong, and to appreciate your family and the friends who did not abandon you. Your brains were always there. Your drive, and ambition were always there. Your God given soul was always with you. Only your beauty was missing, and that was due to the accident.

By the Grace of God, the skill of your surgeons, and a young man who loved you beyond all others, and was determined to get you well, your beauty was restored.

I believe now is the time for you to prepare your mind for my dear friend, and prepare your soul for your God. She watches you, as she watches all her children every day. Pray to Her, and She will help you.

Tell Cynthia to be more appreciative of Steve. He is tired of the abuse she constantly gives him. He is thinking of taking one of two roads very soon. He will either take a mistress, or file for divorce on the grounds of spousal abuse. He will call you and Dycke as witnesses, and both of you will have to tell the truth. She will lose custody of the child, and her life afterwards will be very short.

If you would do me the honor of throwing water on my dear friend's face, which as you will soon see, he will richly deserve, it will be fun for the both of us.

Goodbye Payne, and remember to pray earnestly to your God every day."

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

There was loud banging, on the bathroom door, and three men were laughing outside it.

Dycke yelled, "Payne, I taught you how to get out of a bathroom in a situation like this 29 years ago. Don't you remember; use your wee little finger and press in on the wee little latch..."

The lights in the bathroom came on, and Payne could see what she was doing once more. She filled a glass with hot water, and placed it on the vanity. She put the handle inside the opening assembly, and was ready to depressed it.

"Dycke would you explain that to me one more time, please. I can't seem to get it right?"

The men laughed again. Dycke started explaining how to open the door to her again. As soon as he was really into his monologue, Payne opened the bathroom door, and threw the water in his face. She put the glass down, and pushed him with all her might.

Dycke lost his balance, and fell to the floor.

As she walked by him, she yelled, "The water was a gift from Even."

He was about to yell at her, when the water on his face turned to ice.

Dycke growled. "Dammit, even dead you still have..."

His throat closed, his lips went dry, and he couldn't finish his sentence. He got up walked into the bathroom and got a drink of water. The bathroom door closed unassisted, the handle fell off. The lights went out and the room went dark.

Dycke looked around and didn't see anyone. He searched the floor for the handle, and finally found it. He forced it into the mechanism, only succeeding in knocking the other half off.

He heard Payne yell, "Come on guys, dinner is ready."

A few minutes later Payne knocked on the bathroom door.

"Are you okay Dycke?"

"My stomach is acting up; I should be out in a minute."

"You sure you're not stuck in there like I was?"