ROSE

CHAPTER 9

ROSE

I

            The music pumped into the empty club as the lights flashed neon fun for those not present.  Three young women dressed in glittered tops and thong underwear huddled at the bar watching the television, the sound loud enough to be heard over the music.  The woman in the middle with straight, jet black hair that fell onto pale bare shoulders watched the television with intensity as the other two chattered and stammered over and around her. 

            “I can’t believe Frank made us come to work today with all that’s going on in the city.”  A young Asian girl with bright colored tattoos covering almost every inch of her skin said to the black girl opposite her. 

            “It’s a job, get over it.”  The girl in the middle said as she watched the television.  She grabbed the remote control from the bar and increased the volume.

            The violence has shaken city residents and tourists alike, with no explanation or arrests.  City hall has not given an official statement, but sources tell us the Mayor will give a press conference in the next few hours. 

            “Might as well put Metro on the case.”  The girl said with a sneer. 

            “You are so cynical, Rose.”  The Asian girl replied. 

            Rose smiled and ran a painted pale hand through jet black hair, still keeping her eyes upon the television. 

            “Thank you for the compliment, Kat.”  Rose said without turning towards her. 

            Kat tapped Rose on the shoulder to get her attention and pointed towards the main entrance, where three men in suits stood waiting.  Rose hopped off the bar stool, steadied herself upon the thin tall spiked pumps and strode to meet the first arrivals of the afternoon.  The men all wore plain gray identical suits and held black leather briefcases.  A tall thin man wearing a blue sports jacket and tan dress slacks joined Rose at the front to meet the men. 

            “Welcome to ____.”  The thin man said.

            “Hello.”  Rose said and led the men into a private room, sitting in a plush red chair with high arm rests while the three of them remained standing. 

            The man in the middle with curled blonde hair stepped forward and took a seat opposite Rose. 

            “Everything is proceeding as planned.”  The man said to her, placing the briefcase on the table.  He opened it and removed two items:  a cellphone with several cracks on the shiny black surface and a tablet computer, the sides charred and melted. 

            “Has he cooperated?”  Rose asked, taking the phone in her hand. 

            “As of yet, he has not.”  The man responded. 

            “I see.”  She said as she tapped the screen with her fingers, looking through the information. 

            “It may be easier to kill him.”  The man stated as she worked the phone. 

            She shook her head in the negative and shook her finger to accentuate her disagreement with his words. 

            “Who is ‘the girl’?”  She asked, her voice rising in sudden anger.

            “An actress.”  The man answered, sounding nervous. 

            “We shall see.”  Rose said, pressing a button and putting the phone to her ear.  The phone rang three times before going to voicemail.  She ended the call and dialed the number again. 

II

            An old man with thin gray receding hair and red cheeks sat in silence sipping a martini while several people talked at the round table.  The woman to his right, a middle aged woman with blonde curls and wearing glasses, gestured for silence. 

            “We need to show leadership in this crisis, even if we do not understand every nuance of what has happened.  The people of this city look to city hall in times of peril.”  She said with passion.

            “We need to declare a state of emergency and let the feds take control of this situation.  There are rumors that last night was a planned terrorist attack.  We are not equipped to deal with that type of threat.”  A man responded from across the table. 

            “I will not hand over control of the city on the basis of rumors.  Last night’s events, though tragic, were nothing more than the violence sometimes seen in cities all across this great land.  We shall increase the police presence to quell the looting and restore order to the city.  Leadership starts with me.”  She said, tapping her index finger on the table in front of her for emphasis.

            “I understand, Mayor, but who shall address the people?”  The man asked after a few moments.

            People cast glances at one another, as if weighing the options.  The man seemed as if he wanted to say something, but did not speak.  The woman watched the others, her hand swirling the red wine in front of her.  She seemed to be waiting for someone other than herself to say what needed to be done.   

            “I will speak to the people.”  The old man said, rising to his feet.  “This is still my city and the people will expect me to be a visible force in the coming days.” 

            “I am the mayor now.”  The woman said.  “I will speak for the city.  Please schedule the press conference for me.”  

            The old man sighed and sat, returning to his martini.  The rest of the room cleared, leaving the man and woman alone. 

            “This is my time.”  She said to him, placing her hand upon his.  “You will stand by my side as I face the press, won’t you?” 

            “Of course, my love.”  He said and finished his drink.    

III

            Ella reclined on her elbow upon the blanket, watching Mary chase Princess about the dog park, never coming close to catching her and shrieking with delight the entire time.  Ella put a grape in her mouth and chewed with pleasure, closing her eyes for a moment and enjoying the warmth of mid-afternoon.  She felt the phone vibrating in her pocket, but made no motion to answer. 

            Mary collapsed on to the blanket, puffing hard from chasing Princess.  The dog curled into a ball next to Ella after taking a small sip of water. 

            “She doesn’t drink much, does she?”  Ella remarked.

            “No.”  Mary replied.  “Let’s eat something, I’m famished. 

            Mary began removing sandwiches from the basket packed earlier and put one on a plate for each of them.  She placed a bag of chips on the blanket and began eating, all the while watching Ella.  Ella didn’t seem to have much of an appetite and picked at the food rather than eating. 

She poured a glass of water for herself and took small sips as Ella’s phone buzzed again. 

“You promised no cell phone today, remember.” 

            “I know, I haven’t answered it.  It keeps buzzing and buzzing.  Can I please look to see who is calling me so many times?”

            “You called your agent and your mother, so there is no reason to talk to anyone else.  We are safer talking to nobody.”

            Ella sighed and they lapsed into silence, eating grapes and sipping cool water while her phone buzzed again and again. 

            “What if it is Ray?”  Ella said in a low voice. 

            Mary bit her lip, caught in thought and extended her hand.  Ella at once pulled the phone from her pocket and slapped it onto Mary’s palm.  Mary looked through the call history let out a whistle.

            “Ray called you ten times today.”  Mary said her eyes wide with surprise. 

            Ella grabbed the phone and looked for herself, feeling a sense of panic rush over her.  The phone buzzed again and Ella saw his name on the screen.  Without thinking, she clicked the button and put the phone to her ear. 

            “Ray!”  Ella said.

IV

            Rose dialed the number every few minutes and after her latest attempt went to voice mail, she placed the phone back on the table and turned to the blonde haired man, who sat alone across from her.  She walked over to him, placed a plump pale leg under each arm and sat on his lap.  She nestled against his neck and nibbled his ear.

            “We have to dance or my boss will poke his beak into our business.”  She whispered as she began a slow grind upon him, moving herself tight against his body, pressing her breasts against his suit.  “What is your name?” 

            “Call me Jaime.”  He said.  He sat still, his hands on the arm rests instead of touching exposed flesh.  Rose reached over her shoulder and in one motion, pulled the string of her top free, which fell from her chest.  She pressed her full, firm breasts against him, continuing to grind in slow circles on his lap.

            She leaned back, her arms behind his neck, letting him look at her, the glitter on her breasts shining in the glowing light.

            “You can touch me.”  She whispered to him. 

            “Perhaps another time.”  He said, pushing her off him.  He adjusted his suit and walked towards the door.

            “Are you forgetting something?”  She said. 

            Jaime shrugged and took a money clip from his pocket.  He threw a thick wad of bills onto the chair.

            “That should be enough to pay for…your services.”  He said with a sneer. 

            Rose gathered the money in anger and sat in the other chair, grabbing the phone.  She dialed once more, ready to leave a message if necessary. 

            “Ray!”  Rose heard a girl exclaim. 

            “Hello.  This is Rose.  To whom am I speaking?”  Rose said in a slow emotionless tone. 

            She heard a gasp on the other end followed by a long silence.  She could hear heavy breathing and hushed whispers of her name. 

            “I am Ella.”  The girl answered after a long silence. 

            “I’d say I’m happy to talk to you, but I gave up lying for Lent.”  Rose said in the same cold voice.

            “I can’t believe you are real.”  Ella said. 

            Rose laughed and crossed her legs.  She opened the draw in the table and removed a pack of cigarettes.  She lit one and took a deep drag before speaking.

            “I can assure you I am real.  My question for you:  what do you want with my husband?”   

            Silence returned and Rose waited; smoking and tapping her foot against the table. 

            “I love him.”  Ella said. 

            Rose choked on the fumes of her cigarette and struggled for air.  She slapped her chest with her hand, taking a few moments to regain her composure. 

            “You met him a week ago.  You don’t even know him.”  Rose snapped.

            “I do know him.  I feel like I’ve known him all my life.” 

            Rose laughed and smiled, shaking her head at the girl’s innocence. 

            “You do not know the first thing about Ray.”  Rose said. 

            “I know he loves me.”  Ella responded. 

Rose stopped smiling and growled into the phone.  She stamped out her cigarette, stood and began pacing. 

“You’re just a kid and you don’t know shit.  You had best stay out of this or you might get hurt.” 

“You don’t scare me.  You are mad because Ray doesn’t love you anymore.” 

The line went dead and Rose screamed, throwing the phone onto the chair.  She ran from the room and to the bar, grabbing her own phone.  She dialed a number and waiting as the line rang. 

“Yes, Rose?”  A male voice said. 

“I want her dead, Peter.”  Rose screamed.