Chapter 6: Business as Usual

SATURDAY, I was in the studio ready for Adele and Nadia to come in for a sitting. At ten o’clock, Adele arrived. No Nadia.

“Adele, welcome to Attic Allure. Are you okay? I expected you to be with Nadia.”

“Keep your dick in your pants. She isn’t coming,” Adele groused.

“We don’t have to do this. It’s okay,” I said.

“Oh, I want to do it. Of course, I wanted Nadia to do it, too, but Jordan has other plans for her today.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes. When the master calls, he has priority. I know very well that I’m not the queen of the house. I’m happy with it most of the time. But lately, Jordan’s been ... um ... a little more perky than he used to be. I think he got some kind of drug or hormone shot. Anyway, when he gets this way, I’m getting a pussy milkshake later.”

“I uh ... see. I don’t really need to know any more than that. What would you like for a photo today—within the restrictions that we obviously have?”

“I want ... Oh, shit! I want you to talk me into it,” she said. “Talk me into getting naked and going into the darkroom with you to develop sexy photos and doing everything we’ve ever done in a darkroom. Really, Nate. Of all the men I’ve met, I think you and Jordan are the only ones I trust and for all that he likes me to play with Nadia and likes to watch it, he’s really old fashioned about where he puts his dick. Even if I get it hard, he’s going to stick it in Nadia.”

I had to consider what she was saying. I’d known Adele for four years and took the photo that got her to seduce Nadia and make her a slave—no matter what restrictions that included. When I met her, Adele hadn’t wanted me to touch her at all. The last time I’d photographed both her and Nadia, she wanted to be fucked, just like Nadia. But apparently, Jordan wasn’t up to that. Well, it would all start with photos and talking Adele out of her clothes. And I needed to work fairly fast before she bolted out the door.

“Adele, let’s make a couple of adjustments to your makeup. Come into the dressing room with me, dear.” I led her into the dressing room and started working on her makeup, a touch that she was actually ready to relax into. I looked at the rather plain sleeveless top she was wearing and took her to the portrait setting, having her sit up on the stool. “I want to capture something in you that I’ve seen fleeting glimpses of. Inside you there is a beautiful and sweet girl. I want to see that girl come to life. She’s playful and sexy, but also a little shy. Let’s start with that killer smile I know you have waiting inside here,” I said as I tickled the corner of her mouth.

The smile came and when it reached her eyes, I started taking pictures.

Before long, I talked her out of her shirt and put a sexy thin top on her that showed her through the fabric. As I was working with her, I continued touching her, positioning her shoulders, and lifting her chin. She gradually began to relax and lean into my touches rather than shrinking away from them. She’d come to the studio for this, but it still took her a while to accept it.

“Adele, I think you’ve been getting prettier since you started seducing Nadia. Even these luscious breasts seem somehow more attractive. And that’s saying something because they have always been damned nice.”

“It’s all the girlie stuff we do,” Adele sighed. “Nadia is big into spas and having our nails and makeup done. And massages. Oh, my Lord. We have this one masseuse who can electrify every nerve ending in my body, you know?”

I moved a bed into the scene and put up a standard bedroom drop behind it. Then I picked Adele up and carried her to it. She was so comfortable by this time that she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me into her for a kiss that extended for quite a while after I’d laid her down on the bed. I continued to pet her breasts and down her stomach.

“You know I’m going to take your panties now,” I whispered as I continued to kiss and caress her.

“Yes,” she breathed. “Take anything you want. I’m yours.”

“What I want is the most seductive pose you’ve got. I want to see you asking me to take you. Convince me, darling. You know what you want. Show me what it is.”

Adele squirmed on the bed, trying several different positions that I photographed, stopping between them to touch and kiss her. Ultimately, she ended in a layback position with her back arched and her arms outstretched. I took the picture and then lifted her from the bed and carried her to the dressing room where I continued to kiss and love on her.

“Can we go to the darkroom?” she whispered. “It’s a perfect place. I want you there with no clothes on.”

“Let me get that last roll of film out of the camera,” I said. “Get your little ass in the darkroom and I’ll join you in a moment.”

She darted into the darkroom and I got the film from the camera and the two other rolls I’d shot, then joined her. I started by getting the first roll into the developer tank and starting it stirring.

“You’re not naked,” she whispered.

“That’s your job,” I said. “I got you naked. If you want me naked, you’ll need to do it yourself.”

It was a challenge and Adele had to commit to what she wanted in order to continue. She was tentative at first and then almost frantic as she got me out of my clothes while I agitated the tank. When she’d pulled my jeans down, I turned away from her and put the new film strips on the enlarger to make a contact print. Then I got the next roll in the tank. I handed it to Adele.

“You need to keep agitating this while I get the proof exposed and in the developer tray. I’ll be kind of busy getting this processed.”

“But...” Adele had gotten worked up and now was a little flustered that I wasn’t just focused on having sex with her. But as soon as she started turning the crank on the developer tank, I pushed her down in the chair and got between her legs. I started licking at her sweet spot and when she stopped turning the crank, I stopped licking.

“You have to keep agitating the film or I can’t agitate your clit,” I said.

She went back to working the crank. I jumped up and moved the photo from the developer to the stop bath. Then I took the tank from her, flushed it, and got the last roll in it. Once the tank was filled and ready, I handed it to her and she started turning the crank. I didn’t return to her honeypot, even though she sat with her legs spread nearly in the splits. I cut the negs and set them up for a contact print on the enlarger. As soon as that was done, I moved the previous print to the fix bath and paused a moment to caress Adele and give her a kiss. Then I returned to the enlarger and removed the next proof sheet to the developer.

When I took the film tank from Adele she reached for me almost desperately, whining. I rinsed the film, cut it, and put it on the enlarger. Before I turned the light on, I moved the previous print to the stop bath. I turned the enlarger lamp on and moved the first sheet from the fix bath to rinse at the sink.

Adele was on her knees, attempting to hold me in one place with the suction of her mouth on the center of my universe. Unfortunately, I had to turn to the enlarger, move the last proof to the developer and the previous one to the fix bath.

I’d made it all look like it needed my dedicated attention, but as soon as the last sheet was in the developer, I pulled Adele to me and kissed her. She hungrily met my tongue with her own. I kept that going until I needed to switch one print to the stop bath and rinse the second one. Once it was on a drying plate and squeegeed off, I moved the last print to the fix bath. I turned to Adele.

“What is it you really want now?” I asked as I kissed and caressed her, stroking between her legs to be sure she was actually as turned on as she was acting.

“You. I want you, Nate. I didn’t know I could ever want a man. I need you in me.”

I rinsed and plated the last proof sheet and turned back to her, pulling her into my arms and lifting her against me. I turned to press her butt against the sink as I stepped back and tore a condom open. Then I stepped back up to her and she wrapped her legs around me as I pressed into her.

And then I felt her shaking and sobbing against me.

“Adele?”

“I’m coming!” she sobbed. “You’re in my pussy and I’m coming! I didn’t know that was possible!”

I’ve had several women who climaxed while we were fucking but I didn’t think I’d ever had one crying her heart out while she came. It didn’t really slow my own approach to fulfillment. It was good and I just held Adele in my arms as we came down from our orgasms and I slipped out of her.

We chose the print Adele wanted and I made the enlargement. We fooled around a lot during the process, but we were both pretty satisfied by that time. She left to join Jordan and Nadia to see a show that evening, and seemed pretty happy about it all.

Sunday morning, we all went to That Scottish Café for breakfast and had a good time with the Marshes. I think Jordan just wanted to spend more time with Toni. The little girl had him wrapped around her finger as she explained what each of the things on his breakfast plate were and that she was eating big girl scones. They left for Chicago soon after breakfast and we all settled in for another week of everyday life in Stratford. That included two photo sessions with actresses who were pretty excited to get their Attic Allure photos.

The bell rang on the front door Wednesday morning, and two fellows in suits asked Ronda if they could see me. I left the darkroom and came out to find them seated on a couple of chairs in the studio. I dried my hands on a towel and offered to shake with each of them.

“Hello, gentlemen. Welcome to Attic Allure. How can I help you this morning?”

“Mr. Hart, I’m Agent Harris. This is Agent Smith. I know that sounds shady, but it’s really his name,” the first guy said.

The agents held out their wallets with FBI badges inside. Agent Harris was about what you’d expect from an FBI agent. A little taller than me. Blonde hair in a crewcut. Looked solid and definitely had a bulge under his left arm. Smith was a little shorter, stocky, and black. His head was buzzed. Both took off their sunglasses as if it was an afterthought.

“I’m sure you know that we have no authority in Canada and therefore, we have no plans to investigate you. I understand you are going to start alternative service in September.”

“Yes, sir. September first. Is there a problem with that?”

“Not at all. It’s a little unusual,” Harris went on. “You could fight that whole classification and avoid service without running to Canada.”

“I haven’t run to Canada. This is our summer home and I take photos for the Festival. I’ll be back in Chicago before the first.”

“I gathered that from your speech on the Fourth of July. Do you plan to stay in your Chicago apartment at that time?”

“No. Our lease expires the first and the landlord has already sublet the apartment to new tenants who agreed to sign a regular lease on the first. We worked out an arrangement with the landlord to leave the apartment furnished. Patricia handled most of the contact with the landlord. I can call her in if you’d like to speak to her.”

“That won’t be necessary. Do you know where you’ll be living yet?”

“My new boss, Mr. Martin at the State Department, suggested that we could stay in the Chicago area. We’re carrying on a remote search for a house or apartment for our family.”

“You have an agent? Good. So, you’ve been up here all summer?”

“Except for the week of the Fourth, as you apparently already know. I went from the rally in Huntertown to a hotel at O’Hare. Then I flew to LA for six days before I flew back to Chicago. Ronda picked me up at the airport and we came straight here because I had a photoshoot scheduled the next morning.” I paused and tried to make sense of what these people were asking. I figured maybe I had to be investigated before I took the job for the State Department. “I don’t mind answering your questions, but could you tell me what this is all about?”

“If you’d answer one more question, I’ll tell you all about what we’re actually investigating. Are there witnesses outside your family who will attest to you being here in town this past Sunday?”

“We had breakfast with friends at That Scottish Café Sunday morning. Then we just lazed around for the afternoon. I worked in the studio here because I had a client Monday morning.”

“That’s good enough for me.” Agent Harris was the only one of the two men who had spoken so far. Smith just sat there with a notebook. Smith nodded at Harris. “We’re investigating Clyde Warren and believe he might have something more personal in mind before he’s finished with you.”

“Crap! He’s done everything he could to get me drafted or get my deferment in college canceled. He managed to get my best friend drafted and killed in Vietnam. Then he threw around a bunch of accusations during the sheriff’s race in Hunter County this spring. What else is he planning?” I asked.

“Your apartment building in Chicago burned Sunday night,” Smith said. “Two people are dead. Both were living in your former residence.”

“A fire? In a brick apartment building?” I gasped.

“Pretty much gutted the building. I would guess the owner will have it knocked down and something new built if his insurance covers arson,” Smith continued.

“Arson! You think Warren set the fire?”

“We’re trying to track him down, but it seems he jumped bail.”

“I didn’t know he’d been arrested.”

“Your speech on Independence Day made its way to our office and the boss wanted to know why the draft board and this Warren fellow hadn’t been officially investigated. We arrested Warren ten days ago and he was arraigned in Federal District Court on charges of Malfeasance and Abuse of Authority. He was released on bond and immediately disappeared. Have you seen him here in Stratford?”

“No, sir. But you can bet we’ll be watching for him.”

Burned our apartment building? Unbelievable. Just looking at all the props and scenery in the studio, I knew our little home and business could go up in smoke in minutes. It was a frame building, not the bricks of the six-story apartment building. My family wasn’t safe! Maybe my parents and sister weren’t safe either!

“We don’t think he’s coming this way,” Harris said, taking the conversation back as Smith started writing in his notebook again. “But it was considered enough of a possibility that we were sent to coordinate with local and provincial police and to inform you of the possibility.”

“I guess I’m thankful for that. Is there anything we can do?”

“Your cooperation is all we’re asking. I don’t think Warren will follow you to Canada. He must have assumed you were still in the Chicago apartment. Since names have not yet been released regarding the dead and injured, he probably believes he got you. That means he’ll head for South America someplace where we don’t have an extradition treaty. Things are a little shaky on those grounds with Canada because they’ve made no secret about their shielding draft dodgers. The government specifically decided not to pursue extradition of any selective service violators in Canada so we could maintain extradition possibilities of real criminals.”

“They say there are draft dodgers up here, but I’ve never met one. Not that I wasn’t prepared to run if I was drafted into the military. But that isn’t necessary now. It’s just our summer home.”

“Chile or Costa Rica are his most likely destinations. Even Mexico hasn’t signed a treaty yet. The Canadian treaty has been signed, but isn’t actually in effect yet. They consider themselves a kind of sanctuary for political refugees from the US. It makes no difference to me personally. As an employee of the US Government, I’m not allowed to go out and protest. You won’t be either once you sign your papers with the State Department.”

“I’ve been informed. That’s why we did the big rally in July, and no mention was made of where I’d be doing my alternative service.”

“I don’t much agree with your position,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t be out protesting regardless. I am, however, unhappy that the Vietnam crisis was used by this turkey to target men of color. The couple killed in Chicago were Asian. If the final investigation shows what we think, the charges will include those we already had him on, plus violation of the Civil Rights Act, arson, and murder. Once we have him, he’ll never see the light of day again.”

“I’ll look forward to hearing that.”

“We’re headed back to our own jurisdiction now,” Harris said. “Here’s my card. If you see anything suspicious, please give me a call. And here is the card of the local police. They’ve been informed of who we are looking for and of the potential threat against your family. I’m sure they’d respond quickly.”

“Thank you for coming by, Agents. I appreciate the warning.”

I called my parents that evening and told them about the fire and the visit from the agents. They confirmed they’d been on the rotation of people in the area visited by the FBI shortly after my speech in Huntertown, but were shocked that Warren was now wanted for arson as well as his role at the draft board.

As it turned out, they were planning to leave for the airport the next day. Kat and Julie were going to drive them to Chicago from Sage and get them on the plane. Then the two girls were continuing up to Stratford while Mom and Dad went to visit Naomi in Germany. We talked for a while and I asked them to give Naomi my love.

I didn’t really sleep well that night. Every sound in the store or apartment brought me awake and I’d lie there for hours just listening to find out if the sound was repeated. At one point, I thought I smelled smoke and got up to investigate, but lost the scent immediately. I finally made coffee and sat at the kitchen table until Toni got up at her usual six o’clock in the morning. We sat in the living room and read for an hour while I let my wives sleep.

Thursday, I had a photoshoot appointment with Lorraine Vincent and I wasn’t really up for it.

“Lorraine, welcome to Attic Allure,” I greeted the brown-haired beauty.

“Thank you, Nate. I’m looking forward to this. Everyone has recommended the experience,” she said brightly.

“I need to warn you that I’m a little off today. I didn’t sleep last night. If you’d like to reschedule, I understand. I’ll try to do my best with you, but if I start getting absent, I’ll be the one who has to reschedule,” I said.

“Oh, let’s see where it goes. If you aren’t comfortable or I’m not getting what I want out of it, we can postpone until later. But I’m all freshly washed, shaved, and coifed. It would be a shame to waste it.”

I had to laugh at that a little. She was really quite beautiful, as nearly all my models were. She was slender, but had a pretty large bosom she was supporting on her chest. It was going to be an interesting session—especially when she leaned in close to me and whispered, “I can usually pique a guy’s interest when I want to.”

Well, I didn’t doubt that!

She wore a shiny black pantsuit that fit like a second skin. I could see the outline of a bra under the top, but I didn’t think it would be visible in the photo. I pulled a neutral gray backdrop down and set up the stool for a portrait.

She had light brown hair. Her makeup was nicely done and she didn’t attempt to hide the little round beauty spot on her upper lip. It added an element of naturalism to her appearance, which was threatened by the unmoving profile of her breasts. She had a look, in fact, that I felt would be better in Hollywood than on stage.