33
Susan was just coming in the door when the phone rang. Probably it was
Dr. Alberts, she thought. Her regular appointment had been this afternoon--the
first appointment since she had gotten him to make love to her. She had debated
about going, and had finally started out for his office, but had backed down.
She had gone shopping instead. Now he was calling to check on her. Was it
concern about her state of mind? she wondered. Or did he want to fuck her again?
And if he did...
Susan closed the door and put her packages down, not hurrying. Maybe the
phone would stop and she wouldn't have to answer it. But the phone kept ringing.
With a sigh, she went to it. "Hello?"
"Good afternoon." It was a voice she did not know, a deep, cultured male
voice. "Is this Mrs. Susan Garson?"
"Yes. That's right."
"How do you do, Mrs. Garson? My name is Arthur Townsend."
"Yes?"
"I--ah--I believe we have a mutual acquaintance. Mr. Jerry Potter."
Jerry! Susan felt weak. She sank into the chair next to the phone.
"What...what do you want?"
"Well, I do hope you won't think me too forward, Mrs. Garson; but I
would very much like to invite you to a little gathering I'm having this evening
at my apartment."
"What? But...but I don't..."
"Just a few friends and colleagues. I'm sure you will enjoy yourself."
"I--I'm afraid I can't, Mr.--"
"Townsend. Arthur Townsend. I do hope you will reconsider, Mrs. Garson.
Jerry assured me that you would be happy to come."
"Jerry?"
"Yes. He suggested I ask you. In fact, he said I should insist."
Susan felt a familiar sensation in the pit of her stomach. She moistened
her lips. "Will--will Jerry be there?"
"I'm afraid not. You see, it's to be rather a formal affair. I don't
think Jerry would quite...fit in."
"Formal?"
"Yes. I suggest you wear an evening gown. Strapless, please. It will
make things easier. You do have such a gown?"
"Well...yes, but--but I--"
"Good. And nothing underneath, please. Nothing at all."
"Oh." Susan swallowed.
"And one more thing, Mrs. Garson. Your hands are to be tied."
"My...my hands?"
"Tied. Behind your back," Townsend said.
Fear and excitment washed over her simultaneously. "You--you
mean...before I come?"
"Yes. I'd like you to arrive here that way. Such a stimulating prospect,
isn't it?"
"But I--I can't...I'd have to get someone to--oh, no..."
"I'm sure you'll find a way, Mrs. Garson. Jerry tells me you are most
obliging."
"No...I can't..."
"I'll send my car to pick you up. It will arrive at eight o'clock."
"But--"
"Please be ready," Townsend said, and hung up.
Susan sat very still. Her mouth was dry and her nipples tingled. I
won't, she told herself. I will not. Go to the apartment of some man she'd never
met, just because Jerry had told him...
What had Jerry told him? That she would respond to his command, that she
would go there half naked. And bound...
Didn't this Townsend, whoever he was, know she had a husband? But Tom
was away on an overnight business trip. Did this man know that?
No way will I do that. Go there with my hands tied...does he think I can
tie them myself? Does he...
Come to his door like a--like a package. Hands tied behind me. A gift
for him. And his guests...
Susan picked up the telephone receiver. Her hands were trembling. She
picked out Bartelli's number. She held her breath till he answered.
"I need you to do me a favor," she said.
