The Seduction of Suki

“You okay?” Agent Hughes looked up toward the door. A concerned-looking colleague of hers gazed at her questioningly. “Yeah, I’m fine. Didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m just a little short on shut-eye.” Her colleague, a crime scene photographer, rolled her eyes and nodded knowingly. “I get you on that one. I have my own share of insomnia from time to time.” “What can I do for you?” Hughes said, determined to change the subject. The agent asked her about some files, and when her colleague left, Hughes went back to brooding about Suki. Young, horny, and unable to attract many women because of her job, she was getting frustrated. It just wasn’t fair—but she wasn’t about to change careers either. She loved the power, authority, and control her job gave her. She didn’t try to verify anything, but somehow she doubted Suki and her roommate had been planning a quiet evening alone with a movie. She also didn’t buy that Suki truly believed she would get back with her boyfriend. In her line of work, one learned to spot a liar—even the most casual and harmless of lies. Suki wasn’t planning a fun night with her roommate at all, and she and her ex were going to remain exes. Hughes mulled over different ideas in her mind about how she could possibly change Suki’s mind and capture her interest. Taking out the ex would be pointless, since she felt confident they wouldn’t get back together. The problem was that Suki said she didn’t think she would be ready for another relationship—and that much Hughes did believe. That was probably the only personal thing Suki had said that was true. She had always heard that one could make someone dislike them, but they couldn’t make them love them. Could she at least make Suki want to have sex with her? She knew the answer was likely no, but she wasn’t ready to give up yet. She had to think of something. There had to be some way to win her over. And then an idea came to her. It was a very bold and daring plan, but once she began formulating it in her mind, there seemed to be no stopping her. She was instantly excited by the idea, and as much as she tried to talk herself out of thinking, planning, and working out a way to carry it out, she just wouldn’t listen to that inner, sensible voice. The problem was how to pull off the plan without anyone else finding out. That would be tricky. It needed to be done outside of work. She hadn’t been staking out Suki’s apartment enough to know the roommate’s schedule. She needed to catch Suki alone at home. It wasn’t something she could pull off at work. Besides, if she did it at Suki’s place, she could at least have the girl take some clothes and personal items. If she did it at work, she would have to risk going to her place to get them or going shopping for them. The last thing Hughes wanted, if she became brave enough to attempt her crazy idea, was to be spotted by anyone she knew buying things they wouldn’t expect her to buy. Especially since she bought everything on credit. She almost never used cash anymore unless she had to. She didn’t understand why anyone still did either. A cashless society only made sense these days, with virtually everything done electronically. “Don’t be in such a rush,” she told herself. “You of all people know that if you rush into things too quickly, that’s how you fuck up. Take your time and do this right.” The first step was getting Suki alone inside her apartment. That would be easy. She could think of a reasonable enough excuse to go over to her place when she knew she would be home. What she needed to do there would be trickier—but not impossible. Luck was with her when she went to the break room soon afterward and found Suki just as she was about to leave with a Styrofoam cup in hand. The girl almost seemed in a hurry. “Hi there,” Agent Hughes said in a cheery voice before Suki could exit the room. Suki gasped, startled. “Sorry to scare you like that.” “Oh, it’s okay,” she said. Was that a flicker of disappointment Hughes caught in her eyes? “Another hot one out there today,” Hughes said. “Yeah, that’s for sure.” “Where you headed?” “Got a little more work today than usual, so I thought I’d bring my tea back to my workstation.” “Isn’t that risky?” Suki’s brows knotted. “Risky?” “Like… couldn’t you accidentally spill it all over the computer or something?” “Oh, well, I suppose. But I’m really careful in that sense.” Hughes soaked in Suki’s appearance. This time, she wore similar jeans but with a bright green blouse covered in yellow smiley faces. “Cute top,” she said. “Thanks,” Suki said almost shyly. “Want a ride home today?” As expected, Suki declined. “I know it’s hot out there, but I don’t want to bother you. I also don’t know what time I’ll finish today. Like I said, heavy workload.” “That’s no problem. You’re no bother. Just give me a call if you need me. If you’ve got your cell on you, I can put my number in for you.” “No thanks. I mean, that’s very generous of you, but I don’t have my phone on me. I left it on my desk this time because I wasn’t planning on hanging out here today. Just came to get my tea, is all.” Suki took a step forward, and Hughes stepped out of her way. The girl seemed in a hurry, and Hughes wasn’t sure if it was to get away from her or because she really had a lot to do. She’d give it a few days, then carry out Step One of her plan. She was tired of being alone. If a woman wouldn’t come to her, she would simply help herself to one. She smiled inwardly as she got some chips out of the vending machine in the break room, pleased with herself for choosing the profession she had chosen.