The Alpha For Her

“May I ask you a question?”

“Absolutely.”

“Among your clothes and…things, did you find anything, um, new?”

Candy let out a long silvery peel of laughter.

“I was absolutely astonished,” she said. “I have a La Perla, peony, demi-cup bra with matching Brazilian lace panties. And they fit like a dream.”

“You tried them on?”

“Darling, I’m wearing them now. They’ve been washed, don’t you know.”

“Why?” Jennifer asked. “Do you think that they, that Mr. Dryzek, is just being extra nice, going above and beyond the generic swag bag, or do you think that he might have other ideas?”

“Well,” Candy replied, “I had that same thought. And, I think that if we were to put the same question to Billy, that might be some indication. Of course, I am at a loss as to what sort of delicates might appeal to a man.”

“Viagra?” Jennifer suggested.

The air rang again with Candy’s laughter.

“You’re a wit,” she said. “Anyhow, for the moment, I am choosing to believe that the extras that we have received are nothing more than tokens of welcome.”

“La Perla starts at four-hundred-dollars.”

“I know,” Candy said, her face turning to a small frown. “Still, time will tell–”

But even as she spoke the air was filled with a growing, roaring, thumbing sound from above. They looked up to see the flash of a sleek helicopter zoom overhead. It went beyond the north wing of the house, but the sound remained a few minutes, then slowly wound to a stop. The patio was quiet a few moments, and then people began to murmur.

“Is that him,” Billie said softly, coming up to Jennifer’s side. “Is that Mr. Dryzek?”

“One would think,” Candy said. “Grand entrance and all.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” a voice called. It was Lois, still in her suit and still looking so crisp. “If I may have your attention, I’m afraid that I have a bit of bad news. Mr. Dryzek has arrived, but business matters need his attention this evening. He sends his regrets, and looks forward to seeing you all in the morning.”

“Business matters,” Candy said softly. “Is that what they’re calling it?”

Jennifer shot her a look.

“But,” Lois continued, “the bad news is that the rain that we’ve had here over the past few days has caused several mudslides in the hills around us.”

A buzz ran through the crowd.

“Are we…trapped?” someone called.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Lois said. “We have plenty of food and supplies, and should an emergency arise, Mr. Dryzek’s helicopter is at our disposal.”

Still, there was concern all about.

“Can the mudslides hit us here?” someone else called out.

“No,” Lois said. “The hills around this valley are lush with vegetation. We are quite safe.”

“Safe as Ten Little Indians,” Candy said.

“Then little – what?” Jennifer asked.

“It’s an Agatha Christie murder mystery,” Billie said. “Except here, there’s twenty-four of us. Plus staff. Plus the helicopter driver.”

“Still,” Candy said, “it’s a delicious thought. I do wonder where Vera is.”