Requiem for Moses by William X. Kienzle Read Free Book Online Page A

her embarrassment. Would the customers find that sort of reaction a turn-on? Cameron didn’t know; he’d never seen an act like hers on a stage like this.
    One thing was clear: She had a lot to learn. And he knew who her teacher would be.
    Finally, Cameron motioned; the other men retreated, leaving him with Judy. “That was something! Where’d you got a routine like that?”
    “It’s mine. I created it. But I’ve had some training.”
    “You’re gonna knock ’em dead with that act.”
    “Oh,” she said cheerfully, “there’s lots more where that came from. Does this mean I get the job?”
    Cameron laughed heartily. “Yeah, I think it does. We were planning on picking up five new girls. And you’re one through five. For now, go on back to the dressing room. I’ll send somebody in to work out a contract—all the legal stuff, our club’s rules and routines. Then a technician will work with you on lighting. The spot will have to follow you around the stage. With your moves, that ain’t gonna be easy. All this’ll take a while. So how about I take you out for dinner? Whad’ya say?”
    It did consume most of the day. It took the lighting man almost twice the usual time to set up for Judy. She had so many moves that eventually he had to make cue cards for himself.
    At nearly eight that evening, she was waiting outside Cameron’s office. He smiled as he took her arm. He smiled a lot that evening.
    They went to the Whitney, a renovated mansion near Detroit’s cultural center. The Whitney ranked with the finest restaurants in the metropolitan area. Cameron had escorted many extremely attractive women there. He could not remember ever being especially proud of his companion as he was tonight. He wanted to show off Judy to everyone.
    The other diners were dazzled. He could tell.
    They made small talk through the meal. He contributed most. She asked questions.
    Afterward, he drove her home. An apartment house in northwest Detroit. No place special, but Cameron knew that with what she would make, she would surely move up in the world. No limit.
    She asked if he’d like to come in for coffee.
    A latter-day Henry Higgins, he would remake this little lady. He smiled at her naïveté; of course he was coming in.
    The place was comfortably, if sparsely, furnished. There was a bedroom, so there would be no delay wrestling open a sofa bed.
    She went into the kitchen and actually began making coffee. He smiled again.
    He entered the kitchen quietly and stood behind her, thinking how the perfume he would recommend would improve even this beauty.
    It was there in the kitchen he made his first move.
    With both arms wrapped around her from behind, he cupped her breasts with his hands. He was careful not to bruise them in the slightest. From the costume that had barely covered her earlier, he knew her breasts were perfect firm mounds. The Wonder Bra would be redundant.
    She froze.
    “What’s goin’ on here?” he said with a touch of impatience. “You’ve been coming on to me all day long. And you pick now to climb in the freezer!”
    “Sorry, Jake. But let’s take it slow … okay?”
    “Well, pardon me—I thought we were. Okay, make your coffee.” He returned to the living room and sat on the couch. He was not nearly as happy as he had been.
    She brought in the coffee. Plainly, she was skittish and apprehensive.
    She asked about Susan Batson and her chances. Susan was hired, he said sullenly. She asked more questions. He was tired of her questions, tired of answering them. The situation was deteriorating.
    Suddenly, she seemed to reach a decision. She rose and crossed the room to him. She took his hand and wordlessly led him into the bedroom. In a few moves, she removed her clothing and began helping him with his.
    “For a broad who wanted to go slow, you sure are in a hurry.” He wasn’t complaining.
    “Let’s not talk,” she whispered.
    They fell into bed. He attempted foreplay, but she pushed his hand aside