The Girls Club (13 page)

Karen tossed the food into the trash, “Listen ‘ere missus, if you want to go back to the battle of the bulge with your gimpy arm I’m ready to take you on. I shop for the essentials, underwear and work clothes. Where I come from swimwear is strictly for people who’ve got the bloody time to go away on holiday to warmer climes.”

They ended up having to wash their hair.  Too many scrambled eggs to go unnoticed.  Rochelle’s elbow had gone a rather dazzling shade of blue.  She looked much happier though and she didn’t seem to want to talk about last night, Demi, or body parts.

On a selfish note she realised the cops would never be darkening her door about it.  Her entire involvement had been on the night she’d disappeared.  Worst luck, but it did mean that Demi would never be the one to tell them she’d been the one to administer the butt to the face that had broken her nose.

Perhaps.

“Well, here in Lalaland there is one beach that’s my absolute favourite, Santa Monica Beach. There’s food, an amusement park, rides. You’ll love it!”

“Lalaland? I’m glad I didn’t just
think
you were all crazy”

They spent a quiet afternoon in the sun.  Karen not used to such harsh sunlight was constantly applying sunscreen.  Rochelle looked out at the sea and looked a little forlorn again.  Karen missed it entirely.  She had been wondering about what tomorrow at work would bring.  Miss Steiger knew much but said nothing.  More over she’d allowed Karen to see one of the elite.  How was this going to affect the rest of her time here?  There was power between those legs.

“Hey”

“What?”

“Come down to the front and walk in the water. Then we better head back, its getting late”

Karen’s mobile chirruped, “I’ll be there in a sec”

Rochelle set off down to the sea.

The mobile told her it was ‘The Boss’ on the phone. 

Just keep telling yourself its not dread you feel and we can continue kidding ourselves about what we’re into here.

Setting her tone to be as light as possible she answered, “Hiya”

“Hi. I’ve been trying to call Rochelle to make sure she’s ok. She’s had a tough week. She’s not answering her cell”

And you just wondered if I was knee deep in whatever crap you guys are up to?

Love your friends.  Remember?
“She’s fine. She’s brought me to the beach. We’re coming back soon”

“Good. I got my report, I’m in!”

“That’s great Sarah. I’m happy for you.”, as an after thought she added, “You know where I am if you wanna celebrate”

“Oh you” she was giggling.

Karen could play lecherous, heaven knows it wouldn’t be the first time.  She had come to a decision though.  She had met some nasty people in the Chain, but she had met a couple of very genuine and lovely people to be cherished on the Chain.  She would remain in for their sake.  A protector of sorts.  This was her purpose.  Being part of a secret club only held so much appeal now.  Karen was a fiercely loyal person who had drifted for so long now that she worried she’d never stop.

This.  Here.  This is where I stop.  No longer craving people to need me as much as I need them.  Here.

“Well I guess I’ll see you girls tomorrow then. Give Rochelle my best”

“See ya Miss Steiger” she flipped the mobile lid before an answer came.  Sounded just like she was fishing really, she probably knew damn well where Rochelle was, it might not be inconceivable that she knew Rochelle had been taken by the police to answer questions.  She would ask her if she saw any female cops with a numbers on their hands.

But not now.  Trotting down to the surf she couldn’t remember a time or place where she’d felt so warm.  Not even going to Spain had felt as warm as this.  God bless air conditioning though.

“Hey!” she kicked water at Rosh and ran off down the beach in her absurd purple shorts. 

“…wait, cow!”

From twenty feet further down the beach Karen taunted her, waving her purple ass about in ever widening circles.  Rochelle was nearly crying and she fell to her knees.

In the weeks and months ahead Karen would think dearly of this moment. 

Chapter 6

Karen had read as much as she needed to about Demi in the papers.  It was horrid and grotesque.  No wonder Rochelle had lost her grip about it. Karen’s surmising that she wouldn’t get lifted by the police proved out.  No-one was interested in what she’d done which just proved to Karen that wherever Demi had gone when Sarah and her meat heads had picked her up it had been the
last
place she had ever been. Anyone at Prestons would have been ‘in the know’ about the ‘Rochelle rivalry’ but wouldn’t have mentioned the Chain.  They would have mentioned bad blood and perhaps a cat like quality to their behaviour towards each other to the cops.  That’s how Rochelle had been ended up being taken in for questioning.

Karen on a subconscious level made her peace with what was going on.  She would put herself between Rochelle and whatever bad shit that might happen.  Sky too for that matter.  Aside from that she had started to train.  It had been years, but the body never forgot.  A little judo, (she had been a brown belt 3
rd
Dan at one point), and some boxing.  All the while telling herself it wasn’t a bad thing she was getting some exercise, not telling herself that really, it was a case of being ready for anything. 

Fights.  Grudge matches.  Groups of meat heads.

Karen had asked Rochelle why she had left the Chain, it was like she had become frightened of what the Chain could bring to her door.  Karen had talked to her long and hard about it.  If more people like Rochelle were at the top then maybe they could change the way people behaved.  Hell.  Karen felt like a governor herself on a campaign trail.  She couldn’t make Rochelle reconsider though.

Vote for me and I’ll put two women in every bed.  PMS will be permissible for sick leave, if your date is a ‘she bitch’ with ice chips in her eyes, well, she will be cast from the Chain without the flutter of a well primped eyelash!

The Chain had been brought about to make it safe for certain ladies to gain the intimacy they desired without fear of retribution and risk of reputation.  The people at the top though had their own agendas. 

Miss Steiger meanwhile had been car shopping.  Purchased herself a damn fine new Porsche.  She was going places.  The number ten would have to scrap to keep a top ten spot or face being found out.  But from what Karen had seen on the lists, the ladies name never appeared at number 11 or lower.  And she felt it never would.  Protection forever.  Who was at the top?  Was it dictated by sexual prowess as it had been made out to her, or power itself?  Was power sexy?

Crazy Brit eh?  Crazy damn Yanks more like!

Karen had another match set up  Problem was it was with someone called Kelsey Carmicheal and she worked at Prestons.  Smart and rugged by all accounts, no one had mentioned anything untoward.  Karen was just worried about the ‘Demi’ connection.  Things had been going rather quietly along of late and that was just fine.

Quit the Chain.

It wasn’t unusual for her to have these thoughts.  She reminded herself of her oath.  To the Chain, to her friends.  To herself more importantly.

In the bar she was sat between Sky and Rochelle.  This was her usual company.  Minnie had become a little distant of late and Sky had made progress towards seeing herself as someone worth more.  Now that Minnie held little power over her they had seen less of her.

They each had a beer and were shredding the labels.  Sky had been with Kelsey Carmicheal and was giving Karen the run down.

“She likes to bite”

Rosh wrinkled her face, “I’m glad I never bothered with her…oh”

“Fan-bloody-tastic. Any normal people on this friggin Chain?”

They each whacked an arm when she said that, “Hey!” in unison.

Karen laughed.  “Bitches”

“When then?” Rochelle asked.

“This weekend I guess.”

“Poor baby” Sky sang.

“I ‘spose one of you guys could buy me another consolation beer”

They both made a
per-shaw
noise that meant it was actually time to go home.

“Bloody light weights”

Karen had a sensible little car now, they each took it turns bringing the other two in, she felt less like a mooch this way.  It was nice.  The three of them.  It wasn’t sordid or underhanded.  They were good friends that could rely on each other in a pinch.  When Karen drove it was Annie Lennox all the way home.  She prided herself on being the Brit-pop educator to the American masses.  Playing it at ear crunching levels on the freeway.  Sometimes this brought amused glances from other drivers, sometimes grimaces of distaste.

It was November.  Karen remembered what November used to feel like.  Could feel it still when she rang her mum to ask her how things were and she explained that the banging sound she could hear was hail stones pounding against the windows. 

Her mum felt light years away.  She had always been self-sufficient though.  Ever chirpy during the calls she made at least once a week.  She had her dogs and her soap operas.  Easily pleased but always ready for a good grouch.  Karen let her.  Whether it be about her younger sib or the milkman waking her up.  It was much like it had been back home. 

Here is the shovel of shit.  Eat it.

Occasionally she asked the question that all mothers are wont to ask at times, a
re you seeing anyone? 
She thought her dear mums hair might just drop out if she’d told her just how many people she had been seeing of late.  Guilt was best saved for people who believed in reincarnation, they could leave to the next life what she was trying to get done in this one.  She told her mum no, no sense telling her about someone then having to fabricate that person, tell tales about them, what they liked, what they didn’t.  Whether they had a penis or not.  The answer was always,
nah mum.

She tried to send home amusing little things she found at times.  Novelties from the beach, all three of them had gone to Venice beach one weekend, she’d found it to be like Blackpool, gags, novelties and cheesy fun.  She had sent home quite a few items from there.  She was sure it did her mum good to have little pieces of new things in her life.  Karen had turned the tables during the last call and asked her mum if
she
had been seeing anyone.

“Don’t be bloody stupid!” had been the answer.  But Karen thought she heard something in her voice that said she was fibbing a little.  Her usual answer was much the same as her own,
nah. 
She was glad if it was true. 

Her PC alerted her that she had new mail.  From
[email protected]
.

It read:

Greetings Karen,

I look forward to seeing you this coming weekend.  Please follow directions given and pick me up at 8 on Saturday.

I’ll leave the other arrangements up to you.

K

The amount of times she had to Google and find somewhere to go and or some place to eat.  The ‘Circle Bar’ sounded promising.  Not too far out, Miss Carmicheal was out that way anyway.  If they were in a cab she supposed they could have a chat,
or a nibble.

She shivered.  Biting. 

Take care of business for me…

In fairness she had never partaken of anything rough.  What’s to say it was going to be bad.  Maybe the girls were just teasing her a little.

Bitches.

She went round to the canteen to have her break.  It was fine enough having a quiet little corner to work in but sometimes she wanted to see the mill and thrust of people.  Sipping her tea, (God bless Sky, she had found where to buy Tetleys), she was reading a murder mystery mag.

Carolyn of the crocodile day glow smile came over and sat across from her.  Karen raised her game and smiled at her, “Hiya”

“Hello Karen” she stirred her coffee.  Carolyn must never had gotten past the 80’s, her polyester jacket had shoulder pads big enough to rival those of a football player.  It made her seem all the more scary. 

“Plans for this weekend?”

Yeah, thought I’d eat a few neighbourhood kids, you?

“I’ve got a date with Kelsey Carmicheal”

“Ahhh. The biter”

…?

“So I hear. Is she really that bad?” against her better judgement now she had been engaged in conversation by the receptionist.  Surely they couldn’t all be in on the joke.

“Well put it this way dearie, I had to use an ice pack afterwards” her smile widened.

“For real?”

You putting me on, you creepy apple toting mother fucker?

“Afraid so sweetie. My best advice would be to bite her back as hard she bites you.  It’s the only way to dampen her down a little”

Well I’ll be snowed!

“Thanks Care”

Carolyn smiled at this, Karen had never used her short name before.

“You’re welcome” she stood up, perhaps deciding to leave whilst on good terms.

You’re evil with that woman.

She’s fucking evil full stop.

Well.  She just might have helped you over a hurdle there.

Yeah.  I guess.

It was Friday afternoon.  That invariably meant at some point Sky was going to point her head round the corner and smile her most wicked smile.  When Sky got that Friday feeling she got horny.  It did Karen some good to know it had weaned her off Minnie, she had turned out to be bad for Sky.  She and Sky had talked about open doors and keeping things nice and easy.  To Sky’s credit she was in for what it was and nothing more.  Sky was a hot one.  Karen thought Minnie was a dunce for letting her get away and thought it had been to her own benefit.

She pretended to compile notes and waited for the afternoons games to begin.

Her desk buzzer went, “Twat!” she muttered and pressed the key.

“Karen, come through please.”

Fuck shit.

Well, she had been lucky for the past few Fridays, she couldn’t expect every Friday to have her afternoon free.  Just as she was turning the corner Sky was there and they bumped into each other, Sky grabbed her boob.

“Listen, I gotta see Miss Steiger. Wait for me?”

“Sure. Can I read your emails?” this was Sky’s thing, reading everyone’s mail.

“Sure” and she slapped her ass.  Sky made a stung noise and Karen hoped this wasn’t going to be the ding in her day.  It had been a peaceful month.

Tap, tap.

“Come in”

Karen opened the big wooden door, Charlotte Toulouse, one of the Vice Presidents was also there sat at the desk, Karen had seen her and passed ‘hellos’ with her at times.  She’d never been asked to see them both though at the same time.

“Karen, come sit down” the smile on Sarah’s face was too big for Karen’s liking.

“Hiya Karen”

“Hello ladies” she said gruffly. 

“You’ve got a hot date this weekend with a young lady from Prestons. Miss Smythe’s PA no less, now that Demi has gone.”

“Yeah”

Demi’s replacement?

Charlotte looked at her very sombrely, “We need you to do something for us”

There’s that sinking
feeling
.  Instead of being in the back office and reaching for the Sky.

“Sure. What?”

Sarah and Charlotte looked at each other and smiled cheesy lawyer smiles.

“Miss Smythe has a very prestigious client list. Its almost as closely guarded as the Chain. We would really, I mean
really
love to know who’s on her books”

Karen just carried on looking at Sarah.  Charlotte crossed her legs and shifted forward in her chair.

“It would mean a great deal to us. It would finally put Prestons in our rear view mirror.”

Karen still maintained a neutral look.  What they were asking for was tantamount to spying, a little corporate espionage.

Better start saying something.  The natives look restless.

“You want me to get you that information from Kelsey”

They smiled at her,
they look like their pet chimp just learned how to spell.