The Seduction of Suki

Suki finished her breakfast and got up to place her plate and coffee mug in the sink. Then she decided to rinse them out and place them in the dishwasher, if only to kill time. She could hear the shower running in the bathroom as her unexplainably creepy protector showered. Hands tucked in her pants pockets, she casually strolled through the apartment, realizing now was the time to do her snooping since the agent was occupied in the bathroom. She wasn’t exactly sure what she was looking for. She simply walked around, eyeing whatever she could see without actually touching anything. Not a single picture of a child. The only two pictures she saw in the living room were one of the agent standing between an older couple she guessed were her parents, and another with a woman around the same age. They had their arms around each other’s shoulders, and in their free hands they held wine glasses, big grins on their faces. The picture appeared to be taken at some kind of party, and Suki could see several people in the background. In the bedroom, the only picture that stood on Agent Hughes’s dresser was a close-up of a beautiful blonde woman with expressive green eyes. She had a fresh, innocent sort of look to her. Suki wondered who it was but knew she couldn’t ask without divulging that she’d been in her bedroom. She heard the shower turn off and quickly left the room. Nothing else had drawn her curiosity in any way. It looked like a typical all-American home. Bored, frustrated, and uncertain, Suki finally settled on the couch with a sigh. She really wished she had a better understanding of just what was going on and how long she would be at the agent’s house, because there was still something she didn’t like about the woman. She heard the bathroom door open, even though she couldn’t quite see it from her angle. Then she heard Agent Hughes go into her bedroom. A few minutes later, she entered the living room as Suki was casually gazing out the window. “Hey!” Suki’s head snapped in the direction of Agent Hughes. “You shouldn’t be doing that. Haven’t we talked about it not being a good idea to let anyone see you? Get away from that window!” “I’m sorry,” Suki said quickly in an apologetic tone. She was surprised by how angry the agent was. “Don’t do it again,” she said sternly. “Yes, ma’am,” Suki said, clearing her throat uncomfortably. Her discomfort showed as she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt while sitting on the couch. It was then that she really noticed the agent’s rather strange attire, which didn’t cover very much of her. She was clad in a sports bra and matching boy shorts, exposing what was a very ordinary body bordering on being a bit plump. But she was taller and not skin and bones like she was, so she didn’t want to piss her off. She probably had a good forty or fifty pounds on her. Trying to lighten the mood, Suki said, “Breakfast was nice. I rinsed my plate and mug and put them in the dishwasher for you.” “Thanks, although you didn’t have to.” Agent Hughes’s expression softened, and she sat down next to her. Taking one of Suki’s hands in hers, she said, “I’m sorry to yell at you, babe.” Suki suddenly felt distinctly uncomfortable and cleared her throat as she slipped her hand out of the agent’s. “It’s okay. I should have known better.” “So now what?” Suki felt uncomfortable sitting so close to the agent. Her deep brown eyes penetrated her like a laser. Suki could smell an earthy perfume as she noted the black choker around her neck with an abstract charm in the center. It was the kind of thing she wouldn’t picture someone her age wearing unless they were trying to be sexy—and that’s exactly what Suki now realized she was aiming for. “What do you mean?” Suki asked. “What comes next, sexy Suki?” the agent said, fluffing her smooth, shiny hair. “I don’t—I don’t know,” Suki stammered. “I really think I should go home now and just take a chance that I’ll be okay.” “Do you now?” Agent Hughes asked, her eyebrows rising a notch. Suki nodded. “I really don’t think Ted will bother me. I’m sure I can take care of myself. I appreciate you looking out for me, but if I just don’t answer the door to anyone I’m not expecting and make sure to be aware of my surroundings until he’s caught, I’m sure I’ll be fine.” “Of course it will be fine,” Agent Hughes said. “Yeah,” Suki said, scooting away even further. She couldn’t move another inch, however, because the armrest of the couch was against her. “Do you know how I know you’ll be fine?” After a nervous chuckle, Suki said, “Probably because I’m a big girl who can take care of herself.” “Wrong, my love.” “H-how then?” Suki asked, trying to keep the tremor out of her voice. “I know you’ll be fine,” Agent Hughes said softly, “because I killed Ted.”