Chapter 27 – Caught

Hastily I threw the keys into their place in the desk drawer and slammed it shut. I had just time to retrieve my tray and restore the smoky glass to its position on top of the paper when the office door was flung open to herald the entrance of one formidable woman. More than ever, I needed to have my wits about me and all the luck in the world if I was to get myself and the intelligence I’d gleaned away in one piece.

“What on earth… what are you doing here?” she vociferated.

Jocasta stood over me menacingly. Arms akimbo, she simmered like a dormant volcano. Improvising wildly, I addressed my interlocutor airily.

“Oh hi! I merely was wondering whether Mr Midas wanted a drink or anything, so I popped in to see. He isn’t here. Do you know where he’s got to? Poor lamb! He works so hard. Perhaps I’ll can catch him in one of the other rooms.” I gave her my best innocent smile.

“You will do no such thing, you impertinent little tramp. I’ll thank you to remember that I provide for any needs that Mr Klondyke may have. You will wait until you are asked. I’ve heard all about your strutting around on his arm tonight. What can he have been thinking? Get back to your duties at once and don’t let me find you in here again.”

I shrugged unconcernedly and pouted. “Okay, I’ll go. I was just trying to be helpful. See! I was making myself useful collecting empty glasses. Are there any others in here?” I glanced around unconcernedly. “No!”

Jocasta glowered as I trotted past her, my tray held high. It occurred to me that it might be politic to for me to get clean away. Perhaps I ought to contrive a way of leaving the employ of the Golden Touch sooner than I’d originally intended.

Acting on impulse, “You know, I think Midas has taken a bit of a shine to me” I remarked confidentially. “It’s quite common for men of a certain age to have a thing for younger women, of course, but I think he’s rather cute!”

The volcano erupted. “How dare you! I warned you about this and I’ve had enough of your insolence. You’re fired” she spluttered. “Get out! Get out and don’t ever come back!”

My face registered alarm, mostly feigned, and I beat a hasty retreat. The outcome was only what could be expected and should work in my favour. I had my exit, a plausible way out.
 
I flounced across the lobby, conscious of Jocasta’s inimical gaze boring holes in my retreating back. Undeterred, I gave the man on the inner door a sunny smile and entered the bar. I tripped across to where Guy was standing and handed him the glass containing the camera with a look which I hoped conveyed urgent meaning. I whispered, “You will find what you need in here and”, slipping him the sheet of paper, “this as well.”

Our eyes met and locked.

“I’m out of here!” I mouthed, turned on my heel and ran from the room. I headed straight to the green room to change out of my gilded trappings and into my street clothes.

As I stood in front of the mirror in the golden figure-hugging outfit, I experienced a pang of reluctance to take the costume off for what was certain to be the last time. Over the last few days, I had gotten used to the thrill of knowing that the glittering image to be seen in the glass was myself.

It gave me butterflies!

I kicked off my shoes and peeled off the dress. Before I removed the matching panties, however, I grabbed my skirt and slipped it on, mindful to avoid standing there in my birthday suit for even a second. Once that was secure around my waist, I reached underneath and wriggled the shimmering underwear off my hips. I had just let the panties slide to the floor when I was interrupted. The door opened and a female figure entered.

I had just known that was going to happen! I felt self-conscious in the extreme in my near naked state, I straightened up and covered my boobs with my hands, in the meantime endeavouring to step out of the panties. Somehow, they clung to me, wrapping themselves around my ankles. Help!

It was fortunate that the person who had broken in on my déshabillé turned out to be none other than Connie, someone I could count as a friend. Even so, to be closeted with even her when wearing only a flimsy skirt was highly disconcerting. Feebly I kicked my feet, in an attempt to disentangle them but to no avail.

“What’s the matter? Why are you getting changed?” she demanded. “Jennifer, tell me what’s wrong!”

“Nothing to be concerned about” I declared. “I’ve just been fired, that’s all. It’s fine.” Looking into her disbelieving gaze, I reassured her.

“Honestly, I’m actually okay with it.”

“You poor thing!” Connie’s voice was full of pity. “Being so brave about it an’ all. Come here!”

Next moment I was enveloped in an intimate hug. I tried to control my natural bodily response, but I couldn’t help but be somewhat aroused. The clothing which the sympathetic girl wore covered little of her own lissom body, while mine hid less of me. This was so embarrassing! The surgical tape which restricted my little member was hard put to it to contain what would have been a full-blown hard-on. I silently offered a prayer that the attractive young innocent hadn’t noticed anything.

“Erm… Thanks… I ought to finish getting changed” I murmured.

The girl herself was suddenly overcome with embarrassment. “Er… right…” She released me and stood staring at my naked chest with a confused smile on her face. “I’d better leave you, then.” Her next attempt at carrying off the situation didn’t help. “Oh! Like I said before, your boobies are amazing! Wish I had half as much…” She laughed awkwardly and turned her back on me.

Unsurprisingly I completed my change of clothes in record time; my own panties, bra and a sleeveless top that complemented the little skirt which had been the sole defender of my modesty moments before. Finally, I slipped on my heels, had a last check in the mirror and then I was ready.

“Okay. I’m decent now!”

Connie turned back and smiled ruefully. “Sorry. Are you really not sad about leaving?”

“Yes, it’s fine. It was great fun at first but isn’t for me. Getting to know you has been the best thing and I’ll miss that, of course. We must keep in touch.”

Another hug followed then the girl left me to get back to her duties. Finally I could get out of there!

At least I reckoned I could, but an unforeseen obstacle halted me in my tracks. On leaving the changing room, Connie had been detained in the corridor by none other than Jocasta herself, and they were deep in conversation. My first impulse had been to march past them with my head in the air, but the mention of my name stopped me in my tracks. I was curious to know what was being said and hung back in the alcove by the green room door.

Immediately it became clear that the younger woman was being cross-questioned and none too gently. “…and how long have you known her? Answer me!”

“I will if you give me a minute.” I was glad to see that Connie was standing her ground. I hated to watch anyone being bullied on my account.

“I only met Jennifer once before she started working here. She came to the equestrian centre where I work part-time. She was inquiring about the terms of our riding arrangements. That was all.”

“Didn’t you think her turning up here too much of a coincidence? It is for my liking. What else did she want?”

“Nothing else, really. Honestly. We only spoke for five minutes. Oh, I guess she did ask about the old ranch.” The girl’s voice faltered. She shook herself as if to get dismiss an unwelcome idea before resuming. “But of course there was nothing I could tell her about that, so that was all we spoke of. Can I go now? There’s so much to do without Jennifer. We’re one down tonight.”

“No. Before you go… tell me about this old ranch Jennifer was interested in.”

“Oh, it’s just an old place that closed years ago. Long before my time. It’s pretty much derelict now...

Though the interrogation continued, their voices receded as the two women made their way down the corridor. From my point of vantage, I could hear no more, but one thing worried me as I peeped out, the expression on Jocasta’s face. It had turned from anger to what can only be termed exultation. What was she so pleased about? It was frustrating. Just when I seemed to be on the point of uncovering something to shed light on the puzzle, there was another twist and the cloud of mystery returned. I would have plenty to think about on my drive home.

After I left the casino for what probably would be the last time, I made the briefest of stops at my lodgings. I settled my tab and picked up my things. I left a note for Connie, promising I’d phone her soon and then I was on the road. At last! I felt an impatience to get home, an impatience that mirrored my desire to see Guy in the morning and learn what he had made of the possible clues I’d presented him with.

I was beginning to see the light.