AZOTUSLAND chapter thirty one

Jim had done a good job. Unlike so many adventures where split second timing was needed and there was some suspense, Helen had settled in and was on her third drink. The brie on toast with garlic and preserves was very good and they were actually having a good time.

They ordered another plate and more drinks and Jim laughed as Helen told him about her last seminar in Mendocino. It was ten minutes after the agreed time with Maug by his watch so he just settled and and decided to flirt a bit.

At that time Maugham was stymied. The young couple on the beach had set down a blanket and had disappeared somewhat under it.

Maugham grinned at one point. "I know that move" he thought. Then he frowned with the blanket came back and he saw that it was she who had done it.

"Damn...I need to get home."

He thought about Martine. He alabaster skin and dark eyebrows and how her hair fell heavy, dark and silky down her back. She felt like home and he loved to hear her hot breath in his ear as he drove her. She had the most amazing eyes.

He was smitten. It made him feel, well, vulnerable in a new way.

When the girl made her next move he bolted to the tree line which was less well-lighted up and he waited.

"Geez.." he thought to himself as she rose up over the boy and took her shirt off with nothing underneath. He groaned loudly and she came down on his mouth with abandon...then trailed her tongue down his torso and started to pull open his jeans.

Maugham thought about it. How did a young girl this age know exactly what to do?

She pulled him out and mouthed him slow and smooth for about a minute in the lightly lit beach. The boy shuddered like a man-boy possessed.

Maugham gave him a minute at best. 20 seconds later he exploded and as he did Maugham streaked for the beach, scooped up the paddle not fifteen feet from their heads and pushed the Dagger into the water and disappeared into the light surf.

*********

Jim was laughing and he settled up at the bar and left a nice tip for Janice and he and Helen hit the parking lot.

"You know," she said. "You could come back to my place and I'll give you a back-rub."

He thought about Maugham at her computer and it sobered him a bit.

"Another night Helen," he said. "But this has been great. And I will pencil you in for the Fall when I get back. I love you idea."

She gave him a hug and a wanton kiss. And he smiled and simply said "thank you...I owe you one."

She looked puzzled but she let him get her to her BMW and then they both left.

********

Maugham hit the beach but there was no Manfred or Jeep to be seen.

He stashed the Dagger in some deep bushes, stripped down to nothing and opened his sling pack and extracted a cell phone, a long-sleeved shirt and some light sweats and made the call.

Jim was on his way home when it came.

"Come get my ass" Maugham said angry.

"Where are you."

"Beach"

"Manfred?"

"Who the fuck knows bro."

"Okay..I'll be there in ten."

Jim put a call into to Manfred but there was no answer.

"What you find?"

"Nothing. You?

"Same."

The black Mustang brooded down 101 then turned down the road to Tiburon and Belvedere.

Jim was pretty happy, Maugham was wet but warmed by the dark suit, Manfred was who knows where. The Azotus Cafe was empty, silent and dark, at least for another 6 hours.