“The RoseBouquet”

©2004 Ruth Marlene FriesenReuben Overman stroked the upholstery in the stretch limo as the driver took them effortlessly along the underpass at the bridge, along the freeway bridges over the river, and on to other freeways. He sighed wistfully. He wasn’t meant to be a revenue officer. He should be in the place of the sharp business woman to his right.

She was talking about how he was to launder her Internet matrix gains and make it look kosher and above board. Her plan involved a computer program that promised great wealth to those who signed up, and he would have certain hidden roles to play.

Reuben tuned her out. He knew he ought to be paying attention and looking for a way out, but it was his love of nice things - like her limo - that had got him into this trouble in the first place. He wished–

“You’re not listening to me, Reuben!” she interrupted his thoughts. “I thought you were bright, reliable. What are you really?”

“Gutless,” he muttered, gazing out the one-way window.

He heard his grandmother quoting the Bible in his head, “Be sure your sins will find you out!”

Reuben sighed again. If he had not wanted the accouterments of wealth, if he had chosen to follow God, like his best friend, James, had, if he had not started gambling online, then this woman wouldn’t be blackmailing him, and turning him into her own private loophole through the tax laws.

The driver slowed down as they came into the city center streets and traffic was congested. Reuben saw the grassy median strip, and considered opening the door and rolling out, and then running. But when he lightly tested the door handle he discovered it was controlled by a master lock.

The woman in black reached out and dug her long red finger nails into his wrist, “Resign yourself, Reuben. You’re mine and you can learn to like it. Dirk has orders to shoot if you try to escape.” She allowed herself a smug, satisfied smile as she settled back.

[To read the rest of this story go to Limousine]