The Seduction of Suki

“Will you please just tell me what’s going on?” Suki demanded, frustration, impatience, and concern in her voice. “It’s Ted,” said Agent Hughes as she quickly pulled away from Suki’s apartment building. “What about him?” “He’s been making threats against you.” Suki’s eyes popped wide open. “Really? Wow. I thought he was harmless, but I guess I was wrong. So where are we going?” “You’re officially being entered into the witness protection program.” “What!? Don’t you think that’s a bit steep? Or am I missing something?” “There’s a lot I can’t tell you right now because it’s privileged information that I’m simply not at liberty to disclose, but the bureau has every reason to believe you could be in danger.” “But why? What the hell did I do to this psycho to piss him off so much?” “Nothing, and it isn’t just you. Apparently, in his twisted mind, Asian girls in their twenties are really the devil in disguise or some crazy shit like that.” “Wait a minute,” Suki said, shaking her head in confusion. “Just how the hell does someone that deranged get a job with the FBI?” “His connections falsified some important documents for him.” “I still don’t get it. What do you mean? Who did this, and how?” “Can’t tell you right now. Once the bastard’s apprehended, you’ll know everything.” “I’m getting more confused by the minute. First he wants to kill me, and now he’s on the run or something?” The agent spoke while keeping her eyes on the road. “We believe he may have already harmed a few women who have been reported missing over the last several years. Once he knew we were onto him, he bolted. We’re not entirely sure just yet why he was interested in working for the FBI, but our guess is that it had something to do with keeping closer tabs on the cases he’s likely involved in.” “Oh, God,” Suki moaned. “We were able to find something in his possessions after a search warrant was carried out earlier today that suggests you’re next on his list.” “Good God,” Suki muttered again. “I can’t believe this. I mean, this is the kind of shit that is supposed to only happen on TV.” “I wish that were true, sweetie. If it were, there would be no such thing as an FBI agent.” “So how long do you think it’ll be before you get him?” “No way to know. As fast as we can, that much is for sure.” “So, where are you taking me? To a hotel?” The agent shook her head. “No. We have safe houses, but all are occupied to full capacity right now.” “I hate to think of where that leaves me,” Suki said. Agent Hughes dropped her serious look and glanced at Suki with a wide smile. “So, you hate to think of coming to my place?” You’ve got to be kidding me,Suki thought to herself. She wasn’t sure what was worse—being on the hit list of some deranged killer or having to stay with this overbearing FBI agent who seemed to like her a little too much for God only knew how long. “Oh, uh, well,” Suki stuttered. “Well, as long as I’m safe, I guess it doesn’t matter where I go.” Agent Hughes giggled with amusement and said, “It doesn’t?” Suki shrugged, unsure of how she was supposed to answer a question like that. “You’ll be fine. My daughter will just love you, too.” Oh, yeah, that’s right. She had a daughter. Maybe that would keep her from acting on any unwanted advances. “I’m sure I’ll like her too, but as soon as I get there, I should probably let my parents and roommate know what’s going on.” “You can only let them know the very basics,” the agent said sternly. “They can never know where you are, and you can’t contact anyone after that—by phone, email, social media—nothing.” “Not even if I don’t say anything about my location?” “No,” was the firm answer. “Absolutely not. It’s very important. This is how the witness protection program works. Until it’s safe to return home, the people in the program live completely off the grid, so to speak. You can’t go out in public, you can’t have friends visit, and you can’t socialize online. We’ll have you choose one person to contact through a proxy I have set up and have them tell others what’s going on.” “What am I supposed to do with myself until this lunatic gets caught?” “That should be the least of your concerns. Staying alive is what comes first and foremost.” Suki took a moment to digest everything she was being told. She had seen movies and read books about people in the witness protection program and had a basic idea of how it worked. She would literally have to disappear. Even if Agent Hughes had no interest in her personally, the thought of not being able to speak to her friends and family for an undetermined amount of time did not sit well with her at all. “Damn,” Suki finally said. “Makes me hope you get the bastard real fast just so I can give him a smack in the face for putting me out like this.” “Oh, don’t say that,” Agent Hughes said playfully. “We’ll make it fun for you.” No chance of that,thought Suki. A moment of silence passed, then Agent Hughes said, “I have plenty of books you can entertain yourself with during the daytime when I’m working, and Tracy is at school. Plus, you could listen to music and watch TV. I know it isn’t much, but it’s something, and as a bonus, if you’d be willing to babysit when needed, I’ll actually pay you for it like it’s a real job.” Suki thought about it for a moment and said, “Well, I do have experience babysitting.” “Ah,” said the agent. “I’m a pretty good housekeeper and cook too, if you want one for however long we have to be forced roommates of sorts.” “Oh, don’t you worry. We ladies will have a ball.” I don’t mind having a ball,Suki thought to herself. Just not with you and not under these crazy circumstances.