The Fox's Tail

         17 November, at approximately 2045 hours local, Special Agent Ben Peterson arrived outside The Smoking Fox jazz club.

         “I hate this part of the job,” Ben said to himself, walking from his very conspicuous unmarked dark blue Dodge government issued sedan. Checking into a lead from a turned foreign asset who had proven less than reliable was not Ben’s ideal plan for the night but the potential target’s access was too good to pass on the chance to turn, if this guy’s information was legitimate. Either way, Ben had to check it out before he filed it in the crank file. If it was true, this target could provide answers to several high level priority intelligence requests. “Make sure you keep all your receipts Ben; and don’t forget you’re married,” he reminded himself as he walked through the front door.

         The bar was lit dimly but enough to see his way around. The crimson red and forest green walls were accented by rich polished cherry wood panels, molding, tables and a large bar off to the left of the room. In the center of the room at the rear wall was a black baby grand piano stationed on a small platform stage. The lights over the piano were off and it was clearly recorded jazz music being piped in just over the crowd noise. The tables were far enough apart for conversations to be private, some of which were already quite intimate. Ben saw an opening at the bar between a bearded professor type nursing what looked like a brandy and a brunette just receiving a glass of wine that had the color of cranberries. He walked straight for the opening.

         “How about a beer for you my friend?” asked the twenty-something oxford shirt with perfect manicured hair which had too much gel in his hair.

         “After a cup of coffee to warm up first,” Ben replied.

         “One cup of joe coming up. Did you want me to make that an Irish coffee?” the oxford shirt asked.

         “Not this time, but can I get four creams and four sugars with that?” Ben wasn’t really a coffee drinker and sometimes it showed. The oxford shirt pointed at Ben acknowledging the request and turned to get a cup.

         “Wow, you do like it sweet don’t you,” the brunette chided, “and creamy.”

         Trying to look like he didn’t hear her comment, Ben looked straight forward and said under his breath “Hot, sweet and creamy…just like I like my women.”

The brunette managed to swallow her sip of wine before she snickered and told Ben “Well, aren’t you clever.”

         A little embarrassed that she actually heard him and trying not to show it, Ben retorted “You should see me after a couple of drinks.”

         The brunette turned and looked up at Ben and with a hint of sexual banter in her eyes she said “I’d kinda like to see that…oh and I think the bartender’s name is Joe if you can believe that.” Joe was about to pour the coffee when Ben changed his order to bourbon and coke. Joe brought the drink over and told Ben that he had started him a tab. “Most of the people that come here are either eggheads or college kids. You’re a welcomed change,” she confided to Ben.

         “Do you mind if I sit down?” Ben asked the brunette.

         “I think we would should take a table so we can hear better,” she said pointing to an open table up against the wall under a black and white photo of a black man playing a trumpet. As the brunette leaned over to pick up her purse, her blouse opened wide enough for Ben to see the top of her breasts and the curved opening that must have been very pleasurable. As he was trying to see how much her blouse would reveal he almost missed the tiny humming bird tattoo on the outer curve of her left breast. This confirmed that she was target. The brunette knew Ben was checking her out and with her eyes looking at her purse asked “Do you see something you like?”

         Turning a little red, Ben looked at the top of her head and replied “Well if you tilt your head up I think you might have your answer.” It was true that Ben was aroused; there was something very electric about this brunette, something exciting. Maybe it was her voice, maybe she just exuded sexual energy; either way, Ben knew that he had to follow it through now.

         Lifting her head she looked at front of his pants. “Hmm, why yes it does appear that you do like something you’ve seen,” she said laughingly. “My name is Sarah,” she offered as she reached her hand up to him.

         Ben grasped her hand to help her up. “Ben…my name is Ben Stevens.” Ben’s instructors taught him to use his real first name to make sure he always responded to it but told him to always use an alias last name. After she stood up, Ben pointed to the table for Sarah to lead them.

         When they reached the table, Sarah laid her coat over the back of her chair and bent over to place her purse on the floor next to the table making sure Ben had a good look at her bottom. When she was sure she had his full attention she turned and sat in her chair. Ben laughed to himself at her obvious teasing. He smiled a boyish grin and sat in the chair opposite her.

         The tables were only large enough to hold two drinks and a small lamp. Small enough for two people to lean in close for private conversations.

Sarah took a sip of her wine and asked “So Mr. Stevens, what do you do when you’re not busy being so clever?”

         “I’m a reliability engineer with the Department of the Army,” answered Ben.

         “Wow, an engineer! You must be pretty smart. What kind of things do you engineer?” Sarah inquired.

         “Oh no, I’m part of the inspector’s office. We’re about to inspect a project at one of the universities nearby. I can’t really say which project,” Ben dangled the bait. “So Sarah what do you do?”

         “I’m a marketing consultant and an aspiring author, trashy novels I’m afraid to say.” Sarah leaned in placing her elbow on the table and her chin on her wrist. This caused her bosom to beam at Ben who was using every ounce of strength to keep his eyes fixed to her eyes and not look down at the temping fruit. This seemed to please Sarah who gave a devilish smile to Ben. “In fact, I’m currently consulting with the research university on ways to recruit promising foreign students.” She flipped her hair out of her face showing Ben that she was wearing a black silk ribbon around her throat like a collar. Sarah picked up on his eyes and leaned back, tilting her head back so he could get a good look at it and at the nape of her neck. “Oh, don’t you like it? It makes me feel like a wild animal in need of a tamer.” That statement caught Ben off guard and he responded before he could think.

         “So you need a tamer to stick his head in the mouth of the…umm…kitty?”

Sarah laughed loudly and picked up her wine glass, holding the rim of the glass at her lips. Her eyes sharpened as she peered right into him and in a soft yet strong voice said “the kitty is very good at taking the tamer’s head in her mouth.” She took a long slow sip of her wine taunting Ben. Ben realized that she was much better at this than he was but he knew he had no choice now but to try to connect with her and develop a rapport if he had any chance of turning her against her masters.

         Ben’s cheeks went red, “Wow, you’re really an exciting girl.” For some reason, that statement caused a genuine reaction in Sarah. She looked away almost embarrassed.

         “You’re very sweet,” she responded girlishly.

         “You should taste me first,” Ben said before he could stop himself.

         “Oh you are fun!” she replied laughingly as she placed her hand on his hand that was wrapped around his glass. “I am sure you taste very yummy.” She focused her eyes onto his and glanced down at his pants, bit her bottom lip then looked back into his eyes. She noticed that his face was flushed and that even his ears had turned red which made her smile even more.

         Sensing that his body was giving himself away, Ben moved his hand from under hers to be on top and leaned in toward her saying “I am sure you taste as sweet as honey.”

         “You have no idea how sweet I could be to you,” she responded. Looking at their hands she asked “So does this mean you have to be on top?”

         “Not at all,” Ben answered. “I like being on bottom, because it’s the only time when it’s acceptable for me to screw up.”

         “You are so funny,” she laughed. “Well I enjoy being on top,” she said as she moved her hand from under his and placing just her fingertips on his hand.

“Well, that would make it easier for you to lean forward so I could play with your toys,” Ben said half laughing as he gazed at her bosom. “Or you could just shimmy on up and take the seat of honor.” It was clear to Ben that this was way out of his control but that he had to try to get her to fall a little for him if he had any chance of turning her into an asset.

         “Oh baby, you have quite a silver tongue,” she said. Her face was becoming red, but Ben wasn’t sure if it was the wine or the conversation. She took a drink of wine to try to cool her self down. “So Ben dear, how long will you be in town working on that…what did you say the name was?”

         “Thresher, Project Thresher. No one at the university is supposed to know I am coming to check on it. For some reason it was made top priority by the guys in D.C.” Ben confided.

         “Sounds very exciting; Ben I only ask because you are so interesting. I really must see you again and get to know you better…and perhaps see just how talented your tongue is. Tell you what hun, let me blue-tooth my number to you so you can call me tomorrow.” She pulled a phone out of her purse that looked more like a miniature computer. “Hold yours out so I can see it darling.”

         “Oh you mean my phone,” Ben chortled as he pulled out his touch screen internet phone. In two seconds Ben’s phone chimed and Sarah’s name and number appeared on his phone.

         “I love your humor Ben. You are so funny. I really like you. Now I hate to leave but I have an 8:00am meeting with the head of the Physics department, and being that he is from Saudi Arabia originally, he hates dealing with me,” she said laughing. “Too bad he has no choice. Now help me with my coat wont you honey?”

         Ben grabbed her coat as she stood and held it open for her. As she placed her arms into the sleeves, she smiled to herself and glanced back at Ben. As she pulled her arms through the sleeves she stepped back into Ben leaning forward slightly pressing her bottom into Ben’s crotch. She could feel that he was happy to be in her company so she rubbed her bottom slightly to make sure he didn’t forget her. Much to her surprise, Ben dropped his hold on the jacket, moved his hands down to her hips and pulled her bottom in tighter against his crotch. He leaned forward to place his lips near her ear and whispered “Now that’s just cheating.” Sarah laughed out loud and turned to face him.

         “Call me! Please,” she said in a very school girl crush tone and hugged him goodbye, “Until tomorrow Ben Stevens.”

         “Definitely…tomorrow…Sarah,” Ben was barely able to speak out as she worked her way through the tables to the front door. Ben motioned to Joe and held up his glass requesting a refill. Joe help up a thumb and started another bourbon and coke. Ben decided to sit down to give his senses a chance to calm down.

         Sarah stopped at the door and glanced back at Ben who was longingly staring at her. Ben saw her purse her lips in a kiss. She giggled to herself then pushed her way through the door. “Well Ben, you’ve put the bait out there, we’ll see if the bad guys’ message traffic includes the codeword ‘Thresher’. Now just calm down, get your thoughts together and write the report about this meeting. If nothing else you did get her number, and even if they don’t give you a chance to use it the signals guys can see who she’s talking to. What an exciting woman…Ben you’re married, remember you’re married. I hate this part of the job: developing a relationship without it becoming a relationship…Ben, just focus on writing the report.” Ben downed the rest of his drink just as the second glass arrived. He would not be able to walk for another ten minutes anyway…

* * *

         Sarah walked down the sidewalk toward her rented black Toyota Camry. She pulled a different phone from her purse. This one was more discreet, a prepaid phone. She dialed a number as she walked and waited. “It’s done…yes…’Thresher’ is the priority…trust me, Mr. Peterson, or Stevens as he wants to go by…no…he’s all mine…yes I’ll have his nose stuck in the honey pot, and we’ll be able to turn him to work for us. Trust me…I’ll have my report to you in an hour…understood.” She hung up the phone and returned it to her purse.