Capitol murder

Chapter Ten

“Jessica, it’s me, Jack. I have to talk to you.”

“It’s two in the morning. What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m at the gate. Let me in. I flew all night to get here.”

“You know the rules. We meet when I say we meet.”

“This isn’t about sex. It’s urgent and it concerns your future, your life.”

Koshani was silent for a moment. Then the gate swung open and Carson ran a hand across his face. He was a mess. Ever since his first night with Jessica Koshani, he had been her slave. He craved her the way an addict craves his drug. He was besotted, and he lived for the infrequent times she permitted him to see her, times she rationed out slowly so that the days between became sheer torture. And now this. Everything he’d worked for could crash and burn.

The senator was terrified that Koshani’s house was under surveillance, so he was wearing jeans, a dark jacket, sunglasses, and a baseball cap, and he parked in the shadows so his rental car could not be seen from the gate. The front door opened and he rushed inside. Koshani was wearing a black see-through teddy, and the sight of her near-naked body stopped his breath.

“We’re in trouble,” he blurted out, praying that the CIA had not bugged the mansion.

“Stop,” Koshani commanded, and he obeyed. “We’ll talk upstairs in my bedroom.”

Koshani turned and Carson’s eyes followed her tight, swaying buttocks as she walked up to the second floor. It was difficult for him to think so close to her. Despite the danger, he grew hard.

When they entered the bedroom, Koshani turned and looked at him with contempt.

“Why are you here?” she demanded.

“I shouldn’t be. I’m taking a huge risk,” he babbled.

“Get to the point.”

“Our committee met this afternoon,”

“What committee, Jack? You’re an important man,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You sit on many committees.”

“Intelligence. There’s concern-real concern-about a terrorist plot. One of your companies was mentioned. The FBI suspects it’s being used to launder money for terrorists to finance an operation.”

“Nonsense. What company did they mention?”

“InCo, the import-export company. Jessica, if you’re questioned, you can’t mention me.”

“Who does the FBI suspect the company is aiding?” Koshani asked.

“I… I can’t tell you that. It’s classified. I’d be in big trouble if they found out I came here to warn you. I just wanted to make sure you know you might be questioned so you won’t be surprised and get me in trouble.”

“Why in the world would you think that I’d place your well-being over my own?”

“Look, if it’s money you want…”

Koshani swept her hand around her beautifully appointed bedroom. “Does it look like I need your money?”

“Please, Jessica.”

Koshani studied him the way an entomologist studies a common and uninteresting insect. Then she walked over to a cabinet and took out a DVD, which she inserted in a slot in a DVD player that stood beneath the plasma TV across from her bed. She clicked the remote and a picture appeared.

“This is your last session,” Koshani said. Carson blanched and he felt as if he might throw up.

On the screen, a woman in black latex was holding a leash attached to a dog collar worn by a naked man, who was on all fours. The woman’s identity was concealed because the camera was behind her. United States Senator Jack Carson’s face was clearly visible.

“You are a good boy and you deserve a reward,” the woman in the DVD said. “Do you want a reward?”

“Yes,” Carson said, his voice hoarse with desire.

“Is that the way I have trained you to answer?” the woman asked angrily.

Carson cowered. Then he said, “Yes, mistress,” and kissed the woman’s foot.

Koshani clicked the remote and the picture disappeared.

“How would your wife and children react if this recording appeared on the Internet? How many votes do you think you would get after it was shown?”

Carson’s hands balled into fists and his face flushed with anger. He took a step toward Koshani, then stopped abruptly. He had been so focused on the television that he had not seen her take the Beretta out of the drawer that held the DVD.

“That’s a good boy,” Koshani said in a tone that mocked the words that had been said on the screen. She waved the barrel toward the bed.

“Lie down,” she ordered. Carson knew what would come next. He’d done it often enough during their sex play.

Koshani used sets of velvet-lined handcuffs to fasten the senator’s hands and feet to the four corners of the bed. Then she sat on the bed and caressed Carson’s crotch. His penis was limp.

“Has the fun gone out of sex for you?” she asked with false concern. Carson turned his head so he wouldn’t have to look at her. She slapped him.

“Look at me when I speak to you,” she ordered.

When Carson brought his eyes to hers, there was real fear in them. This was not a game anymore. Koshani jammed the gun barrel under the senator’s chin.

“What is the FBI going to do about InCo?”

“I can’t tell you. I’d be committing treason,” he whined.

“I don’t think you fully appreciate your situation, Senator. You are going to answer my questions with complete honesty or the DVD will be released and you will be disgraced. Then, when your humiliation is complete, your wife will be killed in an extremely violent manner, and your children will be kidnapped and sold as sex slaves.”

Carson stared openmouthed. Then he gagged. When he was through, Koshani got a tissue and dabbed at his mouth.

“You’ve ruined my silk sheets, but the sacrifice was worth it if you’re clear about what will happen if you disobey me. And don’t think you can lie to me, then go to the FBI. I’m a small cog in a big machine. There are people who enjoy violence. They will do what needs to be done to punish you if you go to the authorities. They have copies of the DVD, and they know where your children go to school. Do you understand?”

Carson nodded. Koshani slapped him again.

“Answer me out loud.”

“Yes, I understand,” Carson said, utterly defeated.

“Good. Now tell me what the FBI has planned for InCo.”

“They’re going to serve a subpoena for business records.”

“When?”

“Soon. I don’t know the exact day.”

“What are they looking for?”

“I don’t know specifics. They’ve heard rumors about a major attack in the United States.”

“Where is this attack supposed to take place and when is it supposed to happen?”

“They don’t know.”

Koshani thought for a moment.

“I’m going to send you back to Washington, Jack. You will tell me where the authorities suspect the attack will take place and when they think it will occur. You will also inform me of any actions that are planned against me or anyone else.”

“The FBI may not know where the attack will take place. I don’t know if I can get the information.”

Koshani leaned forward and stared directly into Carson’s eyes. “Pray that you can.”