From Bad to Worse.

Larry

I waltz through the office door, whistling a merry tune. It is such a beautiful day. The sun is shining, birds are singing, and I'm scheduled to meet with three new clients today. Three renowned leaders that'll put my billable hours over the top. The best part of all is I haven't seen the scraggly blackmailer in well over a week. I figure the dozen or so calls I made did a world of good. I tromp across the freshly polished, white linoleum floor with my head held high, feeling great about my life. It was everything I ever dreamed about: a fancy car, a nice house, and a cushiony job. I couldn't ask for more.

I'm headed to my spacious corner office when I notice my secretary at her desk. "Good morning, Kathy. How's the sexiest para-legal in the building doing today?" The little wallflower is filling in while Joanne is on a much-needed vacation. I don't mind the change. No, I figure a little fresh meat will do this playboy some good.

"Fine sir," Her pretty young face turns scarlet red as I continue to check her out. Oh, what a sultry young lady. It's such a shame that she hides her exquisite natural beauty behind those drab clothes. She's wearing an ill-fitting faded olive green turtleneck. Her tea-length skirt flows freely from her waist. She self-consciously adjusts her dark-rimmed glasses when I walk by. It's a shame she hides her beautiful baby blues behind those hideous things.

"We still have a working lunch date today, right?"

Blushing, she lowers her gaze to the floor.

Lifting her head, I look into her soulful eyes and say, "I wish you could see just how beautiful, how sexy you really are."

She blushes again. Pulling her sweater around herself, she says, "I hope I don't disappoint."

I wink. "I'm sure you won't. Do I have any messages?"

"You have three, sir." She hands me the notes.

"Thank you, Kathy." Taking the paper from her trembling fingers, I begin to read.

"Oh, and your wife just called. She sounded distraught. She told me to tell you to call her the moment you get in. She also said that she didn't appreciate you not answering her calls."

"She knows I have court on Thursday." She threatens to divorce me every other week. I send her some money, and she calms down. I don't mind the high payoff, as long as she stays down south with her mama. I figure with her out of the picture. I can live the way I want, fast cars and hot babes every night.

I hadn't planned on settling down. Especially not with her. When Jen announced she was pregnant, my dad gave me an ultimatum. I either marry her or be cut from his will. He went on to say that I need to get a job to support her and the kid. A child I wasn't sure was mine at the time.

"Don't forget about our little lunch date." I wink again.

"I... I won't, sir."

I bet you won't. Smiling, I close the office door. I'm still reading my messages when my boss steps into the room.

"Great win, son," he says, walking towards me.

"Thank you, Mr. Hensley." I smile.

"You know that puts you ahead of the rest."

"I figured it might." I and a few others are fighting for the opportunity to move up in rank.

"Keep up the great work, and you'll make a partner in no time."

"I plan to."

Waltzing towards my bookcase, he scoops up the photo in the middle. "You updated your family pictures, I see."

I took it when I visited last weekend," I lied. I was down in the Keys but not to visit Lilly. No, I spent my three-day weekend with a tall thin, drink of a woman named Barbie. I start to recall the hot, passionate session on the beach and how she left me wanting more. Me, the philanderer, the one who usually has women begging me to stay, has me longing to see her again. I notice a bulge growing in my pants. Guess I'm taking an early lunch today. Once I get him out of the way. I turn my attention back to my boss.

How old is your beautiful daughter now?"

"Lilly just turned six, sir.

"She looks more and more like your beautiful wife every day."

"She has her attitude too."

He chuckles. "How's your family doing?"

"They're fine, sir. Unfortunately, my wife's mama isn't," I lied again. Her mama is fit as an old hag can be, but I told my boss Jen went down there to take care of her sickly mother. My boss is all about family, so I plan to continue this charade until I make a partner. Then I'll tell him I caught my wife with another man.

"Do you have any new clients lined up for us, son?"

"I have three, sir."

"Three, that's great. Well, I'll let you get back to work. Congratulations on your win today."

"Thank you, sir."

Reaching the door, he turns back around."The guys and I are going to the club this weekend, and we'd love for you to join us."

"I wish I could, sir, but I have plans with my daughter. I'm going to take her to her first dance recital."

He smiles."Maybe next time then."

"I look forward to it, sir." He'd no sooner left when my door opens again. I glance up and find the gangly man step through the doorway. The large glass windows vibrate when he slams the door too.

"I warned you what'd happen if you screw up." He tosses a tape recorder on my desk.

A look down at the antique device. I hadn't seen one of them since I left my parent's house decades ago. "What's this?"

"It's a message from your daughter."

I feel the color drain from my face. My heart sinks to my chest. I then recall the frantic messages Jen had left with my secretary. "W...What did you do to my Lilly?"

"It wouldn't have happened if you hadn't done what you did. The blackmailer pushes the button.

My body tenses up, waiting for the recording to begin.