Mr. Curtis folded up the piece of paper she had shoved in his pants pocket when they docked. As he shoved it inside the pocket on the inside of his tuxedo jacket, he rolled his eyes. The last time Ms. Fox asked him to meet him someplace on time, SHE was late. There it was again though, on the perfumed slip of paper inside his pocket now. It read, “Meet me by the small cottage past the pool at 8pm. Don’t be late.”
Earlier that day, there was some tension between the pair. As he sipped on his pinot noir, he recalled how they arrived earlier that day….
“So….,” Mr. Curtis started, as he leaned against the cabin’s roof of the boat they still had. but needed to get rid of. For some reason, he was a bit moodier than even his norm. He was slowly peeling a kiwi in his hand with a knife as he spoke. Turning his head to the left to watch the shoreline as they crept closer to it, he continued, “A friend, eh? That you can ditch the boat with?” Ms. Fox had told him that she knew someone to help get rid of the boat. Usually, if he had to work with a partner, them using their own list of contacts to get various jobs done never made him flinch. There was something different to this…. partnership, though. It irked him too. Why the hell did he care? The job was getting done.
They were heading to the Marqué Estate in Saint Luca. The Marqué family was hosting their yearly charity gala, and invitations were not only coveted, but hard to acquire. Especially for a con-artist. Mr. Curtis finally managed to obtain one…. Or one that looked like one. A week ago, he brought up the event, deciding he had to include her in on his plans since they were still working together. He even had a plan worked out in his head to get her in with him. Imagine his surprise though when he brought it up, and she already knew about the gala, let alone, told him not to worry about her getting in. She had smiled at him, and he smiled back, but now the suspicions Mr. Curtis had only multiplied about her, not to mention, it ticked him off that she already knew of the event, and even had a plan to get in, but never mentioned it to him?
Ms. Fox broke his thoughts with her answer. “In this line of work, you have to have connections, right? I’m sure you have some too.” He ignored her own question to him and walked back to the sailboat’s wheel to steer into the docking area.
Once completely docked, he reached for her hand and brought her up to him. They were face to face for a moment, and he was pretty sure he felt her hand pass in and out of his pants pocket. She patted his cheek, bent to pick up her bags, and walked past him, turning her head over her shoulder to say, “I’ll take care of the harbor master and see you tonight.” Leaving her to tend to the boat, Mr. Curtis picked up his bags and headed to the resort and hotel on the beach close by to get ready for the evening. When he had arrived, there was a hushed flurry of detectives at the hotel. While checking in, he overheard two employees walking behind the check-in desk about a murder at the Marqué Estate just hours before they arrived, and how they were still holding the gala.
Mr. Curtis inhaled the ocean air around him at the bar area by the mansion’s pool. Very few people were here. As he lifted his left wrist to check the time, he heard a soft, female voice speak at him. “No company tonight, mister?” A beautiful red head had just put her clutch up on the bar, and sat right next to him as she ordered a dry martini. Leaning back on his left elbow and glancing over, his blue eyes caught her light green ones.
Staring at each other a moment before he spoke up, he swallowed and looked back out at the pool past her. “Ms. Burke….”
She smiled, because he remembered her. “Mr. Curtis…. It’s been a while. I’ve missed seeing you in action.”
His eyes cut back at her. She knew why he was here. Clenching his molars down together, his jaw tightened and he looked her dead in the eyes. “How did you get an invitation?”
She picked up her shoulder some as she turned her head to look at him coyly, “Oh…. You know me. I have my ways.” She turned on the barstool to face him now, and places two fingertips against his shirt, halfway up his chest and walked her fingers upwards. As he fingers moved, she said, “You should instead ask, how your cute little partner got an invitation instead.” Once she made it up to his neck, her fingers skipped to his chin, then to the tip of his nose and she giggled. She’d see his eyes struggle hide his current curiosity in figuring more out about Ms. Fox.
Clearing his throat, he stood up straight and away from her touch. “I suppose you know about the bonds?” He picked up his glass, downing the rest of his wine.
Ms. Burke smiled softly, and turned back to her drink. “Those types were more your thing, Mr. Curtis. I’ve already got what I’ve come here for,” she said, as she ran her fingertips over her, obviously new-to-her, necklace.
He nodded to her, distracted by movements and shadows he saw in the cottage where he was to meet Ms. Fox. Ms. Burke smiled without looking at him, still sipping her martini. “Go on now.” Her voice was laced with wickedness, but he ignored it. Murderer on the loose. The shadows in the cottage distracting him with worry. He quickly left Ms. Burke at the outdoor bar by the pool, and began to walk towards the cottage. He followed a clean-cut brick path to the cottage she referenced.
Arriving at the cottage he heard Ms. Fox’s voice, but he halted in his steps. She didn’t sound to be in any danger, but rather, worried. As he stood there, his eyes icy as Ms. Burke’s words about Ms. Fox and her ability to get an invitation so easily now resounded in his mind. Ms. Fox was acting rather strange this trip, as well. Light, happy, yet concealed. She seemed more comfortable than her usual confidence. It was like she was looking forward to this trip.
Just then the cottage doors opened, and he looked up at her. She was surprised to see him there too. He was early. Mr. Curtis stared at her a moment, his heavier breathing evident with the rise and fall of his chest. He had felt his own pulse quicken as he pulled bits of information together. She smoothed out her skirt and walked closer to him, putting on her gentle smile. Damn her…. His gaze softened right before he heard footsteps. not wanting to be questioned, he grabbed her quickly, and began to dance to the music played through the hidden speakers in the landscaping.
Ms. Fox couldn’t help herself and let out a short giggle. They were silent a moment, as he moved their bodies together to the sounds of a tango. Mr. Curtis’ thoughts were lost in the moment as he looked into her deep blue eyes. His thigh shifting between hers, quickly jutting his foot out and slowly dragging it back up. His hand pressed the small of her back so her torso pushed against his, and her leg wrapped around his. Their hands holding each other let go slowly, and that’s when he noticed how fast his heart was beating now. Her own breathing was ragged, and she stood up to her feet slowly.
“It’s time…..” she said, steadying her footing, and was backing up already. He looked at her as she moved away, his eyes growing a dark blue, weighted with worry. They did have a job to do, but the added stress of a fucking murderer? He even felt a quick stab of pain to his chest as he looked at her. His only reply was a nod. His voice wouldn’t work at the moment. Ms. Fox looked at him, her head tilted, a conflicted look of her own on her face. She walked back up to him quickly, her palm cupping his cheek, and slipped on a brave smile for him. He hesitated, but finally went to raise his hand to her waist, but she stepped back, turned, and hurried off. Swallowing, and collecting himself, he headed off to the mansion again, this time heading for the bonds.
The police who had been guarding this section had stepped away, making it easy for Mr. Curtis to slip under the evidence tape and into the study where the safe had been cracked. He stepped lightly, being careful not to leave his prints anywhere. There were evidence markers on some furniture, but the most disappointing site was the empty, open wall safe.
“Ah… There you are again,” came the velvety voice of Ms. Burke. She moved around the tape and headed towards him.
Mr. Curtis rolled his eyes, not too surprised to see her again. Moreover though, he noticed she was carrying something in her hand. “Ms. Burke.”
She approached boldly, the paper and what looked like a photo in her hand, prominent enough for him to see, and placed her hand to his chest. Mr. Curtis’ arm went around her – he was partially taken back, but he wasn’t going to complain. He opened his mouth to speak but Ms. Burke did so instead as she slid what she carried into the inside pocket of his jacket. “This might interest you.”
Another voice now spoke out from the doorway. “Mr. Curtis?” He turned his head to see Ms. Fox. The mixed emotions on her face was priceless. He looked down at Ms Burke, leaning on him, and Ms. Fox at the doorway, and offered his hand out to Ms. Fox, beckoning her forward.
“What’s going on here?” she asked. Mr. Curtis wasn’t sure, but he thought he detected anger in her voice.
Ms. Burke smiled and pulled away. “When you get a chance.” Those were her last words as she left Fox and Curtis in the room together.
Mr. Curtis turned his attention to his partner in crime, still holding her there against him. He even tightened his grip on her waist for a moment, before eventually letting go so he could try to maintain his composure. However, he began to slowly lean into her, and she didn’t move. Being this close to her, the stress of worrying over her welfare, his confusion about her true identity, and then…., he picked up on her breathing… Her quickened pulse. Evidence…. Around the room, in his jacket, and between them. Evidence, of what he could do to her…. Her body. His jaw tightened, and he moved his head closer to hers. He was so close…. Their lips perhaps only an inch apart.
“Who the fuck are you, Ms. Fox…. And furthermore, what are you doing to me?”
Special thank you to my friend, Ada Harrison. This actually started out as a simple photo idea for photography group, and blew up into a full blown blog for Ryanna and I. We wanted to capture the essence of three Scorpios; each our own interpretation. This is hers! Be sure to check out her artwork on Flickr by clicking here!
POSES:
Photo 1: Glamrus . Mervin 03
Photo 2: an lar [poses] The Sophee Series
Photo 3: [evoLove] Lesson of Tango No6
Photo 4: Glamrus . Hunger
Photo 5: Swirl Poses – Twilight
BRODERICK is wearing:
Hair: Exile::High and Dry
Tux: [ hoorenbeek ] Mesh Townsend Tuxedo
Glasses: Gudshu Glasses – Lauer
RYANNA is wearing: (Click here to check out her blog!)
Dress: Chrysalis – Sharona
Hair: .:EMO-tions:. * JAILY *
Accessories : Lazuri Classic Pearls Bracelet
Glamistry : ERANTHIS Heels
ADA HARRISON is wearing: (SPECIAL thank you to Ada! Click here to check out her Flickr!)
Dress: Hilly Haalan Lienna Evening Dress
Shoes: KC Couture Mina Heel
Hair: Truth Hair Josette (long hair) short hair is discontinued
SET DESIGN:
DaD Design “Double Roman Swimming Pool”
DaD Design “Breezy Cottage” @ Shiny Shabby (June 20th-July 15th)
Noble Creations [NC] Baroque Sitting Place
NOMAD // Brocante // Crystal Chandelier
Scarlet Creative The Arcade Sep 15 – Greenwich Trunk Dar
DRD chesterfield couch single
DRD Secret Sidetable
Evidence Markers
A Gentleman's Game 