Chapter 10

The night of the party, Sue made up her mind that she would not back out. She had wanted to call Jeff to ask him if he really was going to the Copeland party but decided against it. Maybe she was not supposed to know he would be there.

She took a last look in the mirror. She had selected a very low-cut dress, one Arthur had refused to let her wear prior to tonight. If she was going to attend some kind of crazy whore party, why not look the part, she reasoned. Furthermore, to fortify herself, she poured down several stiff drinks as she got herself ready.

The fourth drink almost lifted her from the floor. Giggly laughter erupted from her.

"I'm ready," she said.

Arthur hesitated. For a moment, he seemed strangely uncertain of himself. Then he said, "All right, let's go."

By the time they arrived at the Copeland home, Sue was in a foggy haze. She was not used to drinking. She met people whose names she could not remember. Each time she was introduced to a man, she giggled. She wondered whether she would be able to crawl into bed with a total stranger when the time came.

Even with her heavy load of drinks, she did not like Grant Copeland. He had such lecherous little pig eyes. But he seemed to like her. He even reached out and tweaked one of her titties and Sue was forced to grin although she was cringing inside.

While Grant talked to Sue, Arthur slipped away to talk to Peggy. "Keep her from getting too bombed," he said. "If the old man finds her in bed loaded, it's going to look too much like a put-up job. I'll give you the high-sign when to call Jeff."

She nodded. He patted her shoulder. He was pleased with himself. "After he gets here, give the party a little time to get into high gear. I'm going to duck out right after I signal you. I'll be waiting in the phone booth near the Colonel's house. You have the number, don't you?"

She nodded, her lips pressed tightly together. She did not like what she was doing. She liked even less the fact that she was taking orders from Arthur.

"After tonight, baby, it'll be just you and me, all the way," he gloated. "I'll fix both of them."

For a moment, Peggy hung on the brink of telling him to go to hell, that she wanted no part of his rotten scheme, but a glance at Sue touched the jealousy in her. She said, "Grant will be ready to call the games in about a half hour. I'll make her drinks light ones."

"Good."

Jeff had nothing planned for the evening. He sat in his chair, letting his thoughts ramble about aimlessly. But there was one prominent figure that stood out in his brain-Sue Drake. He could not seem to get her out of his mind. Restlessness had ridden him ever since their first contact. Was he in love with her? If so, what could he do about it. He shot a quick look at Maria. She sat across the room from him, her hands busy with her needlework. Her face was serene. Her world was back in place, neat and orderly.

Then the phone rang.

"Jeff?" a woman's voice asked.

"Yes."

"This is Peggy."

He glanced quickly at Maria. Her attention was still on her sewing. Fortunately, he received numerous phone calls at home-from his men-so he was under no suspicion. Nevertheless, it made him nervous.

"What is it?" he asked coldly.

"Just thought you'd like to know that Sue is here. We're having one of our parties. She's getting pretty drunk. If you think anything about her at all, it might be a good idea if you came over."

Anger shot through him. That bastard, Arthur! "Where's Arthur?" he asked hotly.

"Oh, he's around somewhere. Last I saw of him he was testing the softness of Cissy's legs," she lied. "I think he has her picked out for the night." She giggled a little. "And you know who's feeding Sue drinks, don't you? Grant always was a good host."

Jeff heard music and laughter in the background. He swore to himself. He wanted to say something, but had to guard his words-Maria was good at looking unconcerned while she was listening intently. He had to choose a roundabout course. He said, "What do you mean, he's not on the job. What the hell does he think we're paying him to guard-a damn saloon!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Peggy asked.

"Okay, I'll be right over. Maybe I can straighten him out." He hung up. He began to mutter angrily. "Damn guards. Every time you hire one, he turns out to be either a thief or a drunk. I've got to go down to the project and see if I can get a hold of someone else."

He dashed toward his bedroom. He snatched up fresh clothes. He was struggling into his jacket when he returned to the living room.

"I would think Arthur could handle some of these things," Maria said. "Why is it they always call you?"

"Hell, I don't know," he grumbled. Then he went out, practically running to his car. In a moment, the roar of the motor disappeared down the street as he raced toward the party.

Peggy was keeping a close watch on Sue. She made it a point to sit next to her to keep her from getting involved with one of the men at the party. Also, to keep Grant from pawing at her and frightening her away.

Sue's eyes sparkled with unnatural brightness. She was mushing her words and giggling too much.

"Do you know what kind of party this is?" Peggy asked her.

"Oh, sure," Sue replied with false bravado.

"Aren't you scared?"

"A little."

"Then why don't you leave?"

"I can't." Her eyes kept going about the room as though looking for someone.

"Looking for someone in particular?" Peggy asked. "I can assure you, every man here is good. If he wasn't, Grant wouldn't have him. Nor would I, for that matter."

"Do you know Jeff Marston?" Sue asked.

Peggy nodded. "Yes, I know him."

"Isn't he supposed to be here tonight?"

"I'm not sure. Grant made all the invitations." She looked at Sue carefully. My God, what a lamb, she thought. "Why? Is he the only one you'd be interested in?"

Sue looked at her strangely, as though she had not heard correctly. "I have to prove something," she said. "Have you ever been rejected by a man? Have you ever been told you weren't a woman? That's what Arthur has told me. I'd like to show him how much of a woman I am."

"And you've decided to prove it with Jeff Marston. What happens if he doesn't show up? You might get stuck with my husband. Have you thought of that?"

A perceptible shudder ran through Sue. She smiled tremulously. No, she hadn't thought of being with any man except Jeff. Oh, God, what if Jeff didn't show up!

"My husband is a disgusting pig," Peggy was saying. "He's got it hot for you, as you've probably noticed. He always likes to break in the new ones himself. Being the host, he has his choice, you know. You're it, baby. If you insist on staying, you'd better prepare yourself for every possible sexual experience you've ever dreamed of. He's ... "

Sue's face suddenly brightened. It drew Peggy's attention. Jeff Marston had come into the room. Peggy looked from Sue to Jeff. She's in love with him, Peggy thought. It was written all over her face. Fury suddenly surged inside her-fury against both Jeff and Sue.

Jeff saw them. He went straight across the room. He was on fire with rage.

"Sue, what are you doing here?" he asked heatedly.

She smiled a false smile. "Maybe I should ask you the same thing."

"I came here to get you," he said.

"I came with Arthur, I have to go with Arthur."

"You're going with me!" he snapped.

"I'm staying here," she said stubbornly.

"You little fool!" He glared at her with disgust in his eyes. Was she that drunk? He turned his attention to Peggy. "What did you have to do with this?"

Peggy shrugged. "She wants to play. I don't see where that's any of your business."

Jeff bent over and seized Sue's arm. "Come on, we're getting out of here."

"Arthur told me I was chicken. I've got to show him I'm not." Her head swayed. Her mind told her to be glad that Jeff had arrived, that he would get her out of this mess. Her mind also did some strange reversing in its drunken state. It told her to prove to her husband that she was not afraid, that she was all woman. It ordered her to prove it at any cost.

Peggy smiled. "Have fun, kiddies," she said. She moved away.

Grant Copeland had gone to the center of the room. His voice was booming loudly. "All right, this is going to be the Caveman's Special. All the ladies will go to a bedroom, the men will make their choice in the dark. Okay, ladies, on your way!"

A chorus of laughter and wild squeals filled the room as the women rushed for the stairs that led to the bedrooms.

Grant's eyes fastened on Sue. He was almost drooling.

Jeff did not know whether to haul Sue out of the place bodily or give up and go home. Then he got an idea. He leaned over and whispered to Sue. She frowned, then whispered something back to him.

"Come on, come on," Grant yelled. "Let's get moving."

Sue rose to her feet. "Ta, ta," she giggled, wiggling her fingers under Jeff's nose.

Jeff watched as she disappeared up the stairs. Then he turned and looked at Peggy.

She smiled at him. "You know where to find her. I'd hurry if I were you. Grant has that hungry look tonight and he knows where she is, too."

Jeff was momentarily stunned. He was sure he had seen jealousy burning in Peggy's eyes earlier. Now she was trying to help him. All he could say was, "Thanks."

Peggy smiled, then burst into brief laughter. She hoped he would meet Grant at the bedroom door. She crossed the room to the phone. It was time to call Arthur.

When Jeff reached the top of the stairs, he found the long, dark hallway that led between at least eight doors. He had trouble remembering what room Sue told him she would be in. He yanked one open.

A woman shrieked. "I have someone already." It was not Sue's voice.

"What happens if you get your own wife?" a man called out.

"Tough titty," someone laughed.

"Christ, I wouldn't want to get a hold of her. That old sawmill of hers has seen its best days."

"You can say that again," a low voice said, obviously a man who knew the first man's wife.

Animals, Jeff thought. All of them groping along a dark hallway, hoping to find a new thrill. The women-pigs behind those doors-were no better. He wondered where Arthur was, who he was with. No doubt that hot-pants Cissy had dragged him to a bedroom before the game even started. He pushed two men roughly aside, ignoring their growls, and made his way toward the end of the hall, remembering now that is where Sue said she would be. At the end, he spotted the fat, disgusting figure of Grant Copeland. He had evidently come up the back way. He closed in on him fast.

"Get away from that door, Grant," Jeff ordered.

Grant peered at him. "Oh, it's you, Jeff," he said. "So you've got your eye on those knockers of Sue's, too, eh? Well, sorry, old man, I got here first."

The anger surged up in Jeff and engulfed him. Before he knew what happened, his fist had sunk into the huge belly of his host. It was an explosive punch. Grant doubled over, tried to talk but managed only to gasp.

Jeff rammed his shoulder into Grant's chest and straightened him up. Then he knocked him back against the wall with a violent jolt with the heel of his hand. Grant's teeth clicked with the force of the impact. The fat man slid down alongside the wall. He landed on his seat, his legs sticking out in front of him.

"Jesus, Jeff, you didn't have to get so rough," Grant wheezed. "No woman means that much to me."

Jeff turned the knob and went into the room. He saw the dark silhouette of a woman sitting up in bed. There was the sound of a soft gasp.

"Sue?"

"Jeff?"

"Don't be afraid, Sue. I've come to take you home."

He crossed over to her and sat down on the edge of the bed. He silently gripped her shoulders. A tremor swept through him at the feel of her bare flesh.

"Oh, Jeff, I don't know what came over me."

"Why on earth did you ever come here in the first place?"

"I came because I heard you were going to be here," she said. "At first I was shocked, then I got mad. I just couldn't see why you'd have to get involved in anything like this. I just couldn't believe it."

Things began to clear in Jeff's mind. Someone had set them up, that was clear. Someone wanted them both to be here-and together. His stomach felt suddenly as though a live porcupine had been tossed into it.

"Come on, we've got to get out of here," he said. He took hold of her arm and pulled her to her feet at the same time he stood up himself.

The liquor made her giggle a little. "But, Jeff, we're in a bedroom together, all alone. No one will disturb us ... "

"Sue! You don't understand. We can't stay here. And, good God, we sure can't do what you're thinking. Come on."

She turned and looked down at the thick, expensive bed. There was a momentary look of longing in her eyes. "Seems such a shame," she murmured.

"There's a back stairway. We can go out that way."

They went to the door with Jeff holding onto Sue's arm. She tried to snuggle against him, but he jerked her erect. They went out into the dark hallway, paused for a moment to get their bearings, then started down the steps. Behind them, they could hear the sounds from the rooms, women giggling, men grunting and talking, the pounding of bodies against the groaning beds. Loud music drifted up from downstairs.

Arthur had sped to the phone booth near the Colonel's house, made his call, then raced back to Copeland's. He wanted to be on hand when the Colonel walked in on Jeff and Sue. That was too good a scene to miss.

He parked his car among the many others, got out, and strolled toward the house. He leaned against one of the pillars near the front door and lit a cigarette. It would not be long before the Colonel would come roaring up the street, fuming with rage. He hummed lightly as he waited.

Mistake.

Jeff and Sue slipped silently out the back door and started around to the front where Jeff's car was parked. As they rounded the corner of the house, Jeff's fingers tightened on Sue's arm. He dipped his head toward Arthur.

Sue's hand flew to her mouth. She gasped, but Arthur's humming had drowned it out.

Jeff's brain whirred. His first impulse was to stride up to Arthur and knock the hell out of him. Then his brain told him that was the wrong thing to do. It would gain him nothing. If Arthur had set him up, then why not do the same to him?

"Stay here," Jeff told Sue.

He let go of Sue's arm and walked silently toward the spot where Arthur was standing. Arthur was too self-satisfied to be alert. He was watching casually down the road in the direction from which the Colonel would arrive. He did not see Jeff until Jeff was a short six feet from him.

"Hello, Arthur," Jeff said calmly. "What are you doing out here?"

"I, ah, I was just ... "

"Waiting for someone?" Jeff had already reasoned that if he and Sue had been led into a trap it would be for only one person-the Colonel. No one else would care in the least who he went to bed with except perhaps Maria and he was sure she would never return to the Copeland house under any conditions.

Jeff moved a little closer. With one lightning shot of his right hand, he caught Arthur on the chin. Arthur went down. He was out cold.

Jeff heard Sue whimper as he hoisted Arthur onto his shoulders and started back around the house.

"Why did you do that?" Sue asked.

"He's easier to handle unconscious," Jeff grunted. "Go ahead of me and open the door."

Sue frowned. But she obeyed.

Jeff labored up the rear stairs with his cargo. He went directly to the room that had been set aside for he and Sue. He dumped the unconscious man onto the bed, then quickly began to pull the clothes from him. Sue helped, but did not understand why she was doing it.

When Arthur was completely naked, Jeff looked at him for a moment, then went to the door. "Now I've got to find a playmate for him," he said. He went down the hall and strode boldly into one of the rooms, flipping the light on.

A woman was sprawled on the bed, her feet resting on the floor. A bald, slightly built man was on his knees between her legs. He looked up, his face startled under a glistening wet sheen. The woman, lost in an ecstatic trance, only grunted.

"Sorry, old man, but I've got to borrow her for a while," Jeff said. He went to the side of the bed, took the woman's hand.

The little man looked scared. He rose unsteadily to his feet and started for his clothes. A rather small but stiff little pecker stood away from his body. It sagged quickly.

Jeff had pulled the surprised but drunken woman to a sitting position on the edge of the bed.

"Come on, sweetheart," Jeff said soothingly, "time for some real action down the hall."

"Oooh, really?" she asked, brightening. She looked Jeff up and down. Obviously, she liked what she saw.

Jeff put his hand on his crotch, gripped as though grabbing at a handful of baseballs, and said, "Yeah, baby, this thing needs you." He reached out and pulled her to her feet, then guided her to the door.

Sue was standing in the doorway to the bedroom when Jeff arrived with the naked woman under his guidance. There was a look of anger and bewilderment on her face.

"Where'd you find her?" Sue asked.

"I saved her life," Jeff smiled. "A little man was trying to eat her up."

"What are you going to do with her?"

"Tell her to mind her own business, lover," the woman said, pressing herself against Jeff. "You and I know what we want."

Jeff steered her into the room. "Right over here, baby," he said softly. "This guy has been asking about you. He's really hot for you." He pointed down at Arthur's naked body. Despite what Arthur was otherwise, he was well hung. The woman noticed that feature quickly. But she was puzzled.

"Am I with you or him?" she asked, looking up at Jeff, then quickly back at Arthur's large, but limp cock.

"Both of us," Jeff replied. Behind her back, he made a shooing motion to Sue. "But first, let me get rid of that cold-assed little bitch I was with. Get in bed and work on my friend a while. I'll be right back."

Eager to comply, the drunken woman fell onto the bed and immediately began to toy with Arthur's cock. And before Jeff had even closed the door, she had the flaccid flesh in her mouth and was sucking furiously.

Jeff was pretty sure Arthur would be out for quite a while. He had clouted him a pretty good shot. Anyway, if he came to while that hot broad was working him over, he wouldn't be too anxious to get away.

"Come on, sweetheart," he said to Sue, "let's get out of here and wait for the fireworks."

"I don't understand what's going on," she said.

"You will," he said, smiling.