Monday evening: Seattle Washington

“Ouch, baby! slow down. You’re hurting me.”

Barnabas sighed. Millie, the waitress he’d met at Red Robin earlier had been talking incessantly ever since he picked her up. He hoped that she’d shut up when they were having sex, but such was not the case.

“Shut up, goddammit! I’m trying to concentrate.”

Millie was naked, positioned on her hands and knees near the edge of the bed.  Barnabas had slid into her from behind and was rhythmically moving in and out of her, slowly at first, then faster, then harder.  He placed his hands on her hips, digging his fingers into her flesh, driving himself into her even harder and faster now. He had worked up a frothy sweat.

“It hurts baby, it hurts. Please stop,” she pleaded.

“Dammit!” he bellowed. “You’ve ruined it.”

Barnabas gave her one last hard thrust of exasperation and pulled himself out of her, slapping her right hip so hard she screamed and fell off the bed onto the floor.  He pulled his boxers up.

“You’re a lousy lay, bitch,” he barked. “Get your clothes and get out of here before I decide to slap more than just your saggy ass.”

Millie’s eyes were wide with fright. She quickly collected her clothes and ran into the bathroom and closed the door.

Barnabas heard a knock.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me,” Henson said.

Barnabas opened the hotel room door, dressed only in his boxers, his torso glistening in sweat.

“It sounds like world war three in here,” Henson said, stepping inside. “Where is she?”

“She’s in the bathroom,” Barnabas replied. “Did you find the woman?”

“Yes. She’s in the safe house,” Henson replied.

“Alive?”

“Alive and well and secured.”

“Will she be a problem?”

“No. She does not understand why I took her. She’s scared shitless.”

Barnabas smiled, “Good. I knew I could count on you.”

He pulled on sweatpants and grabbed a t-shirt and socks.

“I have more good news for you,” Henson said.

“Do you now?”

“The product has arrived—all of it, and on schedule,” Henson said. “I’ve called the buyers. I will make the exchange. This will undoubtedly be the largest drug purchase in history.”

“Better call Guinness then.”

Henson chuckled.

“And the money?” Barnabas continued.

“The client will wire the funds to your offshore account, as planned. You’ll have it in your account Tuesday by one o’clock Pacific Standard Time.”

Barnabas nodded, slipping on his socks and reaching for his Nike’s, “No later than one o’clock. The weapon is being delivered at three. I must transfer funds to my Chinese friends.”

Henson chuckled, “That’s cutting it about as razor thin as possible.”

“It’s how we don’t get caught. You know that.”

Henson nodded, “Everything goes so fast, no one knows what hit them.”

“Precisely,” Barnabas said.

“And it’s all going perfectly,” Henson said.  “What about the little side business we need to take care of... in Montana?”

“Neha Littlebird and Lindsay Vanderbilt? I have made all the arrangements,” Barnabas said.

“You have a good man on it?”

“The best. How about Miss Gucci purse?”

“She’s scared to death,” Henson said, “but being cooperative. I still think it’s a waste of time.”

“Insurance is often a waste of time and money, but it gives me peace of mind,” Barnabas said. “Please continue to hold her until I say otherwise.

Henson nodded, “You’re the boss.”

“You have done well. I have a present for you,” Barnabas continued.

“Yeah, what’s that?”

The bathroom door opened and Millie appeared, fully clothed, showing herself sheepishly.

“I’m leaving now,” she said, timidly.

Barnabas smiled, “No need to go. You remember my friend. He was with me at the restaurant.  He took a liking to you.”

“Hi there,” Henson said, smiling.

“Yeah, I remember him,” Millie acknowledged, suspiciously.

“I’m going out for a run,” Barnabas said. “I’ll be out for about an hour. Why don’t you two get acquainted while I’m out?”

“I don’t think so,” Millie objected, nervously. “I’m going.”

“Nonsense,” Barnabas insisted. “It’s early. My friend here needs a little... companionship. You don’t want to hurt his feelings, do you?”

Millie sobbed, “I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, no. I want to go home, Mister.”

“Not until you show my friend a good time,” Barnabas said, opening the door. “I’ll be back in a while. You two kids have fun.”