Point of Beginning

Point of Beginning

Jim Ardoin

Published by Jim Ardoin at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 Jim Ardoin

ISBN 1-4392-0884-0

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Chapter 1

Stefan Stiles stepped briskly through the exit door of a suburban Denver big box home improvement center and pushed his shopping cart, which he had filled to overflowing with gardening supplies, onto the massive parking lot. The weather was nearly perfect for an early spring morning along the Front Range. The sun was bright, the sky was clear and the air was distinct, cool and crisp as it filled his nostrils. Visible in the distance to the west were the massive peaks of the Rocky Mountains still covered in their heavy blanket of deep winter snow.

Stefan planned to take full advantage of the favorable weather to complete the annual spring cleanup around his home and to begin the summer conditioning of his yard. Before leaving the house an hour earlier, he dressed appropriately for yard work wearing a pair of Levi shorts and an old tattered Polo tee. With his four-year-old daughter Michaela safely secured in the child seat at the back of the cart, Stefan walked rapidly toward his vehicle, which he had parked about a dozen spaces down one of the lanes, far enough away from other vehicles to avoid dreadful and disfiguring door dings. As he glanced over his purchases taking one last mental inventory, his mind was already spreading fertilizer on his soon to be well-manicured lawn.

It was the first workday after a long three-day weekend and the throng of weekend warriors was long departed from the center. Most of them were by now working in their cramped cubicles only dreaming they could live the unfettered life of leisure Stefan enjoyed every day. As he looked casually around the parking lot Stefan observed that there were very few other vehicles and only one parked anywhere near his.

Soon, his quick pace brought Stefan within a few yards of his car. Instinctively, he slowed the cart, reached deep into his pocket and retrieved his heavy bundle of keys. Before he could depress any of the buttons on the small black remote, a shadowy figure appeared suddenly out of the corner of his eye.

With his mind already deeply engaged in the intricate planning of his upcoming outdoor activities, he barely noticed, and it certainly did not register, that the driver’s door to a plain black sedan that he had passed only seconds before had opened and a young woman appeared. Immediately she closed the door to her vehicle then made several deliberate steps in Stefan’s direction. The young woman was clutching a large black purse and as she neared Stefan and Michaela, she prepared to speak.

Suddenly, Michaela noticed the young woman approaching, turned her head to gaze in the woman’s direction, perked up with a smile and started to laugh. Stefan looked at his daughter quizzically because he was at a loss to explain her sudden and more importantly positive mood change. Normally, his daughter was stoic and somber like her mother.

Mr. Stiles, the young woman said cheerfully as she approached. Unaware of the woman’s approach, Stefan still fumbled to find the handle on car’s remote. Michaela now openly laughed at the woman. Her vocal exuberance combined with frustration over the remote consumed Stefan’s complete attention and these distractions prevented him from noticing that the approaching stranger was reaching into her purse as she drew dangerously close to Stefan and Michaela.

I realize that you are in a hurry to load your purchases into your vehicle, but please spare a few minutes of your time so that we can talk about an important matter, she insisted in a non-threatening tone as she pulled an official looking badge from her purse and flashed it hurriedly in Stefan’s direction.

As the young woman moved within Stefan’s invisible safety perimeter and before he saw the badge, he abruptly changed direction, grabbed the cart and began to establish a little distance between himself and this potential, and as of yet unidentified threat. Most of all, he was fearful that she would pull a weapon from her purse.

Upon seeing the woman’s official looking badge glisten in the blinding midday sun, Stefan stopped his retreat, took a deep breath then addressed the interloper in a firm yet demanding tone. I do not recognize you young lady nor have I ever seen you before, he complained tersely. What could you possibly want with me?

Stefan exhaled heavily as he raised his hand to block the burning rays of the sun from his eyes. In doing so, for the first time he could see the young woman’s face very clearly. After a quick onceover, Stefan estimated that young woman was about his age, probably thirtyish, and she wore a broad clean smile across her attractive well-sculptured face. Make it quick, he demanded brusquely. I have a full day of activities planned and I have no interest in wasting a single minute as you plead your case for a meager contribution for your favorite charity.

The roughness in Stefan’s tone did not deter the young woman from her mission. In a smooth uninterrupted motion, she returned her badge to her purse then stepped a little closer to Stefan and in a soft non-confrontational tone continued. Let me assure you Mr. Stiles that I’m not here today pimping for any local charity. My purpose is simple; I would like to ask you a few questions which if you cooperate will require no more than a few minutes of your valuable time.

The woman then broke eye contact with Stefan as she looked directly at Michaela. Ever so gently, she reached out to stroke Michaela’s little hand. After several seconds, she then held it tenderly in her hand. As she rubbed the back of Michaela’s hand with her thumb, she smiled softly then confidently continued her conversation with Stefan. Michaela showed no fear of the young woman but rather opened her eyes wide, smiled and giggled slightly. Michaela’s lack of fear surprised Stefan. Normally, Michaela was terrified of strangers. Your daughter is such a little darling. How old is she if I might ask?

By this time, the woman’s brazen move to touch Michaela was the last straw and Stefan’s survival instincts seized control of his actions. Without thinking, he had allowed this complete stranger to draw far too close to the two of them while he daydreamed incessantly about his meaningless yard. Without any further hesitation, he held out his right hand like a traffic cop then moved his head from side to side certain that he was signaling to the woman a lack of interest in whatever she had to say.

Please leave, he grumbled. There is nothing further for us to discuss. Confident that this young woman had received his signals; Stefan resumed walking the few remaining yards to his vehicle, turning away from the woman and breaking eye contact with her. His actions also caused the woman to break physical contact with Michaela.

A casual brush-off by Stefan was not nearly sufficient to deter the young woman on this beautiful day. Without any vacillation, she immediately followed Stefan to his car matching his long strides step for step. It is critical that I have a word with you Mr. Stiles, she proclaimed with vigor. Please stop. I’m only asking for a few moments of your time. That’s all it will require for you to hear me out, she demanded.

To this point Stefan had paid little attention to this rather attractive woman with neatly coiffed brunette hair. Now that she demanded Stefan’s undivided attention, he stopped adjacent to his car and spent a few seconds checking her out in more detail, port to starboard. After a more thorough inspection, Stefan observed that her medium length hair stopped about six inches below her shoulders. Her fashion was understated and plain, as she was dressed in a basic off-the-rack black pants suit and wore a pair of ordinary black flats. Under her jacket, the petite woman wore a white oxford cloth blouse with far too many of the upper front buttons open for her to be a true professional. Her décolletage effortlessly revealed protruding breasts, which her petite push-up bra was working overtime to contain, as the delicate lace fringe outlining the top of her bra was abundantly visible while it strained immeasurably to perform its challenging task.

It was natural for Stefan to assume that she was either collecting for a local charity or asking for a monetary handout using an official looking badge to gain the trust of her pigeons for the con she was operating. Flowing hair and expansive cleavage also seemed to be a significant and vital aspect of her grift.

Stefan learned years earlier that the preferred method for handling flim flam artists was to ignore them and most importantly not allow them the opportunity to get their foot in the door. Time was the greatest ally to any descent con artist. The more time they could hold the attention of their marks, the more likely the con would be fruitful. After a taking the final steps to the rear of his vehicle, he realized that the woman continued following him stride for stride.

Increased concern over the woman’s intrusive behavior as well as uneasiness for his personal safety caused Stefan to stop and place himself physically between the stranger and his daughter. He cleared his throat then addressed the woman in a cold hard tone. I’m sorry Miss … but I didn’t catch your name. Out of an abundance of caution, he then stepped back an additional few feet and continued. What you want from me today? Whatever it is, let me assure you that I cannot help you. Stefan looked deep into the woman’s eyes. Don’t back me into a corner! he warned vociferously. Please respect my wishes and leave immediately.

The young woman flashed a minimal smile and lowered her eyes slightly, sensing the possibility that contrary to his claims, Stefan might be willing to a limited extent to let her argue her case because of her continued persistence. She never intended to allow Stefan to wave her off with a few coarse words. Although her outward appearance was soft and disarming, her temperament was tough, gritty and uncompromising. Mr. Stiles my name is Lisa Coffee, Agent Lisa Coffee, she responded with great authority and confidence as she once again pulled her shiny badge from her purse and flashed it in front of Stefan for a millisecond.

Her carefully chosen words caused Stefan to pause ever so briefly; just enough time that he could back peddle his brain sufficiently to recall a few of the critical details of their limited conversation thus far. Then something she said a few seconds before clicked in his head. Mr. Stiles? he demanded in a huff. Agent Coffee, you have been calling me by my name. How do you know who I am? he insisted as he stared at her with a scowl, scanning closely for any outward indication of her intentions.

Coffee promptly sensed that Stefan was uncomfortable with the situation. Sooner rather than later, she needed to gain the upper hand in the conversation before he could completely disengage and bolt. It also appeared to her that he was rapidly approaching a breaking point and if she did not calm him down a few notches, he might become physical. Stefan had asked the open question at hand so she was confident that he would wait patiently for her reply. After a shallow breath, she nodded almost imperceptibly that she had indeed called him by name then moved cautiously to return her badge to her purse.

Before she could finish placing the badge inside her purse, Stefan grabbed her left arm just above the wrist and in a calm yet firm tone demanded, May I see your badge again, and this time for more than an a goddamn instant.

Slowly and forcibly, he pulled her arm toward his body then twisted it until the badge was clearly visible, all the time staring into her deep blue eyes. Pain soon became noticeable on her delicate face as his tight hold on her small wrist was beginning to hurt Agent Coffee. Stefan would not loosen his vice-like grip and soon he observed that she was wincing noticeably although she said nothing nor did she complain in the least. Her physical toughness intrigued him as he focused his eyes directly into her brilliant sapphire eyes for a couple of additional seconds, maybe five seconds at the most. Then for only a moment Stefan broke eye contact with her so he could hurriedly scan the navy blue printing on the highly polished, gold-colored badge. This indicates that you work for some governmental group called the Federal Security Commission.

The pain from Stefan’s crushing grip had become unbearable for Agent Coffee so she reached around with her right hand to pry Stefan’s his now white-knuckled fingers from around her left arm. You’re hurting me dammit, she complained vigorously as she rubbed her arm to relieve the pain. This was the first open display of emotion by Agent Coffee.

Bright red marks were now evident on her arm at the spot where Stefan’s fingers squeezed deeply into her pale white flesh. With her arm free from Stefan’s grip she quickly returned the badge to her purse then rubbed the area once more to dissipate the pain. A small smile appeared on Stefan’s face, signaling modest pleasure that his actions had noticeably ruffled Agent Coffee’s well practiced hard-as-steel exterior.

Upon seeing the smile on Stefan’s face, Coffee complained, Does it make you happy Mr. Stiles that you hurt my arm?

The remark caused Stefan’s face to brighten slightly but he did not respond to her complaint. I have never heard of the Federal Security Commission, Stefan disclosed with a suspicious chuckle. With the challenge issued, he squinted to get a good look at Agent Coffee’s reaction to his assertion. You spy types are all the same with your coldly impersonal bedside manner. You have obviously confused me with someone else so take off, he told Coffee while he pointed in the direction of her car. Get the fuck out of here!

Confident that the encounter was merely a case of mistaken identity, Stefan turned away from Agent Coffee and continued with his routine, which she had so cavalierly interrupted. Standing near his vehicle, he opened its trunk and began to transfer his purchases from the shopping cart into the carpet-lined cargo area. When he finished, he reached for the truck lid and pulled it down. Before he fully closed the trunk, in the reflection of the rear window he observed that Agent Coffee had not departed. To his dismay, he noted that Coffee had taken several additional steps in his direction and was once again standing far too close to him and more importantly too close to Michaela.

Stefan released the trunk lid, turned and braced himself for another barrage from this unwelcome intruder. Okay Agent Coffee, why are you still here? Stefan demanded growing angrier with each passing second at Coffee’s steadfast refusal to leave. Personal safety was rapidly moving up the criticality list in Stefan’s thinking. I told you that I never heard of the Federal Security Commission and even if you are legitimate which I totally doubt, we still have nothing to discuss.

Without any delay, Coffee brazenly moved within inches of Stefan so that other store patrons in the parking lot would not hear their conversation as they passed with their purchases. It was clear to Stefan that this woman was not responding to his firm yet still gentle prodding to leave him alone. Once again, he turned away from her and once again, she refused to depart, all the time remaining uncomfortably close to Stefan and Michaela.

Courtesy and decorum aside, Stefan had his fill of Agent Coffee. Without a single word of warning, he extended his right arm in the direction of her upper body and straight-armed Coffee to stop her forward progress. Not realizing his poor aim, he had shoved the open palm of his left hand directly into her right breast. A look of surprise burst upon Coffee’s face in response to Stefan’s blatant move.

Instantly, Stefan realized the inappropriate placement of his hand against her body so he quickly adjusted the position of his hand from her soft right breast to the hard bony center of her bare chest. With his hand placed appropriately, Stefan pushed firmly against her flesh in a desperate attempt to get her to move back a reasonable distance. His actions caused Coffee to retreat a few half steps, no more.

Not only was Lisa Coffee a beautiful woman but she was definitely strong personality who demanded complete attention. Without any complaint over Stefan’s roughhouse treatment, she got back into his face, cleared her throat, leaned slightly into him and spoke softly. I’m not the least bit surprised that you have not heard of the FSC. Our Government secretly created this agency in the flurry of legislation immediately after the horrific events of September 11th. Besides, we strive to keep a low profile to purposely shield our activities from the prying eyes of the national press, she recited in an overtly well-practiced rhythm. I came here today to ask you some questions about your wife Angie Stiles. I trust that you now understand that I have a legitimate and official explanation for this meeting.

Low profile, Stefan chuckled. You are dressed in a dark polyester pants suit and drive a dark vehicle that sticks out like a sore thumb. Just how inconspicuous are you trying to be Agent Coffee? The only thing you could do to make yourself any more conspicuous would be to wear a fucking sign.

Coffee did not respond to Stefan’s off-color and less than flattering comments. Without realizing it, Stefan had fallen head first into her well-laid trap. Her intention from the moment she stepped from her vehicle was to get Stefan to stop what he was doing and engaged in substantive conversation with her. With engagement, dialogue would follow and with enough interaction, she could close the sale. Coffee was intentionally sporting excessive cleavage with the specific goal to stop any man dead in his tracks. Thus far, all of her planning and determination was starting to pay handsome dividends. The door had been opened, albeit slightly, and it was time to step inside and plead her case. Any delay could prove disastrous.

Don’t assume that the mere asking of questions about my wife provides any legitimacy to this encounter whatsoever. Stefan bristled and cocked his head to the right. My wife, you want information about my wife? Stefan stammered in surprise. Why on earth would you be asking me about Angie? We’ve paid our taxes and I am certain that she has not violated any laws. Stefan shook his head from side to side, stepped a few feet away from Agent Coffee and sucked in several deep breaths. Pointing his index finger at her face he continued, I don’t understand why you are here, and frankly I don’t give a damn. Worst of all, you show up in a parking lot and start asking me questions about my wife while I am standing in the hot sun. I’m …

Coffee interrupted Stefan as she motioned for him to move close to her and keep his voice down. To Stefan’s dismay, Agent Coffee once more stepped to the shopping cart then reached over and again touched Michaela, this time tenderly on her head. In response to the attention, Michaela again became excited as she continued to smile and laugh all the while maintaining eye contact directly with Coffee. When Coffee turned to speak to Stefan, he observed that after she released Michaela’s hand, she placed her hand on the handle of the cart. Stefan watched to his chagrin that almost immediately Michaela leaned forward and rested her cheek on the top of Coffee’s small slender hand.

Stay away from my daughter! Stefan loudly protested. With his right hand, he reached out and forcibly grabbed at Agent Coffee thrusting his long muscular fingers deep into the front of her open blouse wrapping them around the front band of her bra. With his hand appropriately placed within Agent Coffee’s clothing, he squeezed tightly and with all of his strength pulled firmly to ensure he had a solid uncompromising grip on her bra. The sheer energy he exerted by his actions caused one of her breasts to suddenly slip out of its restrictive confinement.

The force of his action pressed his fist against her soft supple flesh causing it to close in around his fingers as he pulled Coffee away from Michaela. With a vice-like grip on her bra, Stefan was in complete and total control of Agent Coffee. Her ragdoll body had little choice but to follow his lead. He spun her around the rear of the vehicle and when Stefan was confident that he had separated Coffee from Michaela, he shoved her against the side of his vehicle then released his hold. As he did, the snap at the front of Coffee’s bra broke, and as the elastic in Coffee’s bra contracted, it forced open her blouse completely exposing both of her breasts. Immediately Stefan realized that Coffee’s breasts were significantly smaller than he had originally assumed no doubt the result of a professionally choreographed illusion created by a well-padded push-up bra.

Stay away from us, Stefan screamed in her face, spit pouring from his mouth.

Customers exiting the store were attracted to the ruckus created by Stefan and Coffee. Several store patrons stopped and gawked, watching intently as the two openly sparred while standing between their cars. To Stefan’s surprise, Coffee remained calm and restrained no matter how animated he became. Fearing that someone would use their cell phone to call the police, Stefan decided to refrain from further physical contact with Agent Coffee.

Stefan pulled the shopping cart containing his daughter Michaela away from Coffee fearing that she may try to snatch the small child and run. For the first time since exiting the store, Stefan seemed in control of the situation. Seeing that his actions had finally put Coffee in her place, he reached for the lid of the trunk then closed it with a thud. Safety and personal security were Stefan’s constant companions and he was not about to let some stranger no matter how attractive place him or his daughter at risk.

With his business complete at the rear of his vehicle, Stefan turned and watched as Agent Coffee struggled to straighten her clothing, which had been twisted and distorted around her well-proportioned yet petite frame. Most of all she fought to reinsert her breasts into her broken bra and button her blouse.

For a few seconds Stefan glanced away from Coffee as he moved to place Michaela in her car seat. When he finished and closed the door, Agent Coffee was back in Stefan’s space continuing in her attempt to reengage in conversation. Mr. Stiles your wife Angie is in grave danger. To make matters worse, I firmly believe that she does not realize the seriousness her present situation, Coffee revealed as she struggled incessantly to adjust and realign her bra in an unsuccessful attempt to recover from her disheveled condition. I have come here today to solicit your assistance in bringing Angie home to the States and safely to you and your daughter. The longer we wait, the more likely it is that something unthinkable will happen to her.

Keeping his mouth closed, Stefan allowed his prolonged silence do his talking for a couple of minutes. He passed his left hand over his mouth and his eyes darted from side to side as he racked his brain for any hint as to his next move. His mind raced to form coherent questions, but nothing of any structure coagulated in his consciousness. At the same time, an exit strategy did not appear immediately available.

With no clear move apparent, Stefan decided to simply continue with the conversation in an effort to convince Coffee that she had clearly made a mistake since he was not who she sought. Angie is a freelance security software specialist, Stefan stated emphatically. She works under contract for a small private company headquartered in Colorado Springs which provides computer security services to companies worldwide.

Coffee sighed slightly pleased that Stefan was now talking to her, yet she remained stoic, which sent clear signals to Stefan that his pathetic denials were of no importance to her. Suddenly, Coffee again reached into her purse, which initiated alarm bells in Stefan’s head. Fearing for the worse, Stefan reached out and forcible pushed against her upper shoulders with his open palms, which in short order caused Coffee to lose her balance, stumble then fall backwards. As she fell, she lost her footing sending her purse to the ground, its contents spilling out indiscriminately on the black surface of the parking lot. Stefan wanted her away from him.

In horror, Stefan watched as Coffee continued to stumble and as she fell toward the hard asphalt parking lot, she struck the jagged corner of the shopping cart, which snagged her pants as she fell. Stefan heard the fabric of her pants rip as she tumbled to the ground hitting her head hard on the hot surface. Stefan reached out but was helpless to stop her fall. Leaning back against the side of his vehicle, he watched as her head bounce a couple of times on the hard surface like a ripe melon. A long tear in the left leg of her pants revealed a sizable portion of her leg starting near her waist and extending well below her knee. As Coffee’s torso settled onto the pavement, her leg turned which caused the fabric of her pants to fall away exposing a pair of sheer lace panties.

Within a few seconds, Stefan realized that Agent Coffee was not moving. In a near panic, he knelt by the young woman and placed his hand against her neck to check for a pulse. He breathed a sigh of relief as he felt a strong flow of blood in her carotid artery, but she was out cold. Gently Stefan lifted Coffee off the surface of the parking lot then quickly moved her to the front passenger seat of his vehicle. With extreme tenderness, he carefully placed Coffee in the seat, reclined it slightly then retrieved a bottle of cold water from the backseat. By now, Michaela had started to cry and seemed to reach out to Coffee.

When the cold water touched her lips, Coffee sprang to life with a jolt. She drew in a deep breath as she looked around in utter confusion. Instinctively, she realized that something had happened. In horror, she reached down to her thigh, touched her pants and realized that there was a significant tear. As she grabbed the torn fabric, she looked down at her pant leg to assess the extent of the damage. Lifting her head further, she saw that panties were exposed. Struggling to sit up, she reached out and pushed Stefan away, which caused the bottle of water to fall to the ground. Realizing that he overreacted to the situation Stefan sighed heavily. He stepped back amazed at the young woman’s composure.

I’m not here to harm you, she insisted as she struggled to exit the vehicle. I need to cover myself.

Stefan attempted to render assistance, but Coffee again pushed him away. Thinking quickly, he stepped away from Coffee for a few seconds to retrieve a towel from the backseat of his vehicle. As he handed it to her, she jerked it out of his hands and covered her nakedness.

What the fuck is this all about Agent Coffee? Stefan demanded. Why are you following me and asking questions about my wife?

Our Government is concerned …

Stefan openly scoffed at her attempt to claim governmental concern. I’ve already told you that Angie is a security software consultant nothing more. In her job, she develops antivirus, access control and security programs for her customers. Her demanding schedule requires that she be on the road ninety-eight percent of the time, mostly outside the continental United States. Let me assure you that her employer does not perform any work for our Government.

Mr. Stiles are you absolutely certain of what your wife does for a living and where she travels on her assignments? Have you spoken to her recently? Coffee demanded as she stood and brushed dirt from the parking lot from her clothes. My sources have confirmed to me that she has been in this line of work since before the two of you met.

Agent Coffee’s intimate knowledge of Angie’s past surprised Stefan and her badgering was starting to wear him down. Confusion was taking control over his thinking and his breathing was becoming shallower with each desperate breath.

What do you want from me? Stefan nearly screamed. Angie does not discuss any details of her job with me.

With Stefan’s sudden willingness to engage in a conversation about Angie, Coffee sensed the time was right to play her hold cards. You have to believe me when I tell you that I’m here to help you, Coffee insisted. It’s not a cliché. She reached over and patted Stefan on his hand. But I can’t do anything if you don’t tell me everything about Angie’s work. It is absolutely critical for you to tell me the truth, not just the lies Angie has told you over the years.

Under persistent pressure from Coffee, Stefan relented and revealed critical information about Angie’s work. "She goes out on the road for months and never tells me where she is. Whenever she is on the road, I cannot contact her even by cell phone. If what she represented to me before