"Hola, senores," said Dolores after Throckmorton's introduction: "Mucho gusto."
"Para mi, tambien," replied Chet as he and Buck shook her hand.
"Ah!" she smiled: "Se habla espanol?"
"Mui poco," Chet admitted: "Just what I picked up from some of my classmates in Monterey, California, when I was a high school kid."
"Very enlightening, Mr. Northfield," interrupted Throckmorton: "But, let's get down to business, shall we?"
Dolores nodded: "Mui bien! Where shall I begin?"
"How about with this secret society Percy was talking about?" remarked Buck: "He says your father was his chief source of information on them?"
"Si y no. Mi padre was more of a middleman. He merely pointed Senor Throckmorton in the direction of certain records. The existence of which, I had personally unearthed for Papa. But, if this secret society managed to back-track those inquiries to mi padre..."
"...then you might mysteriously disappear, too," Buck finished: "That much, I'm aware of, already. But, if I'm going to intercede with the CIA on your behalf, I have to give them something they can verify. Something that--as callous as it sounds--will make them think it's worth their time and effort, protecting you."
"Por ejemplo?"
"What does this secret society call themselves?"
Before Dolores Gutierrez could reply, the lights went out. Except for one big spotlight that illuminated the night club's resident emcee.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Madames et m'sieurs. For tonight, only, the Club 23 Skiddoo is proud to present...a Charleston contest! In which, our lovely Flapperettes will go out amongst you, and seek out those tables with gold stars. If you are of the male persuasion, sitting at such a table, you shall have the privilege of dancing with that particular Flapperette! Maestro? Begin!"
Immediately, the house lights came back on, momentarily blinding the trio of men sitting with Dolores. Following which, the orchestra began playing "Varsity Rag."
When Chet's vision had once again adjusted to the ambient lighting, he saw that Buck and Throckmorton were being dragged to center stage by four Flapperettes apiece. He then looked at the table top.
Sure enough, at dead center of the tablecloth was a small white card with a gold star on its otherwise blank surface.
"I don't understand. The emcee said..."
"I convinced las chinas that you were spoken for, senor," replied Dolores with a suggestive half-smile. Chet blushed, vainly trying to hide it by turning to watch the two older men reluctantly acquiescing to their dance partners.
As the dance contest proceeded, however, he began to lose sight of Buck and Throckmorton among the other dance teams. A fact that gradually made him more and more anxious until, finally, the contest ended...
...and neither man was in sight!
"Where the frig...? he began to mutter, half-aloud. That is, until he looked to his right, and saw Dolores pointing a gun at him!
A silenced West German H&K pistol, to be precise.
"One false move, senor. And, I shoot to kill!"
tbc
Giantess World
