Mary Jenkins - Innocent in Chicago Volume Two

"Thanks Al, thanks so much, you're a real friend. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She watched him leave and she wanted to cry, but she knew that she would have to face whatever came along. She didn't want to risk losing Frankie, especially now that they had just rediscovered each other again, she couldn't take that.

She finished her drink and sat there for a minute, smoking a cigarette and debating whether or not she would risk calling Harris. It seemed that he always had the answers and what could they possibly prove by a phone call.

She snuffed out her cigarette, put on her coat and walked outside into the chilling air of the Chicago Loop.

The streets were fairly crowded and she couldn't find a taxi so she began walking, trying to decide what she should do. She didn't know what the police could do to her, but Al seemed to know what he was talking about and she didn't want to do anything to jeopardize Frankie. She knew that she shouldn't go to Harris, but it seemed like the only way out. She had to risk a phone call. She walked to the nearest phone booth to call Frankie and tell him that she wouldn't be home until later, but there was no answer. She deposited another dime and dialed Harris' number and let it ring several times. She was about to hang up when he answered the phone.

"Oh hello, darling," he said. "To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?"

"Conrad," she said, her voice trembling, "I've got to talk to you. Something else has come up. Can I come over?"

"Certainly, Cindy," he said, his voice low and sympathetic. "In fact I'm having a few people over this evening and it will be a good chance to show you off. Come right over." And he hung up.

Her legs were trembling as she walked the last few blocks to his apartment. She wasn't sure that she had done the right thing, but she had made the call, she was, going over there, so it was too late now.

When she arrived at his apartment there were several other men already there. She assumed that they were business associates of Conrad's, so she smiled congenially when he introduced her around and then steered her toward the bar.

"What'll it be, my love," he said.

"Better stick to martinis, I've already had several already."

"Hmmmmm, it must have been a rough day. Why don't you bring your drink into the study and tell me what this is all about?"

He led her into the other room, patting her affectionately on the behind as she stepped through the doorway.

She seated herself in an overstuffed leather chair and kicked off her shoes, raising her knees just high enough to afford him a clear view of her long, slim legs and the bulge of soft flesh above her stockings.

"Conrad, I hardly know where to begin, but I saw Al again today, the fellow who first warned me about Flanagan and you. It seems that the police and the newspaper have some incriminating evidence about our relationship, the fact that I have been giving the money you give to me to Frankie and they plan to make a start on the case right there. I've never been in a situation like this before and I'm not sure what I should do or what I should say." Her voice was shaking from nervousness, and becoming slightly thick from the affect of the martinis.

"Well, that does present a new picture, doesn't it," he said, sliding his arm around the back of the chair.

"You know," she continued, "that you are the only other man besides Frankie that I see, but the way the police will make it look won't be good. I'm sure you don't want that kind of exposure."

"You're quite right, my dear," he said, leering down the front of her dress and taking in the full-blown curve of her breasts.

"Al told me that the police plan on getting to Frankie through me and to you through Frankie. You know that I would never rat on Frankie and that he would never say anything about you, but they do have ways of finding out things and I'm scared."

"It isn't the most pleasant situation in the world, I know," he said, speaking softly, "but prostitution is the oldest profession in the world and John Law does frown upon women making their living that way." He laughed weakly, hoping that he could make her feel more at ease, but his own mind was going a million miles a minute. He couldn't afford to be the only one to be known as her paramour, especially since he was paying for it. His image would be shattered, to say nothing of what they could do to him legally if Frankie ever talked to save his own neck.

"I'll see what I can do, sweetheart," he said, trying to console her, but realizing that the alcohol was dulling her senses and perhaps she wasn't hearing a word he was saying.

She got up from her chair and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him firmly on the lips.

"Oh Conrad," she murmured, "I don't know what I'd do without your strength. You always know exactly what to do."

He held her close and she could feel a rising bulge grow beneath his trousers, and her fingers closed lightly around it.

"Tell you what, Cindy," he said, breathing heavily, "will you do me a favor in return?"

"Anything you want… anything at all," she said, swaying against him slightly.

"Well, the men who are outside are very important people to me, close associates, and maybe we could give them a little party tonight?" His voice was tender, but she knew by the way that he said it that she had no choice in the matter at all.

"But that's what the police want to prove I'm doing," she pleaded, pulling away from him slightly.

"I know, darling," he went on, "but this is just a private little party and you know that you're safe here." His voice became more authoritative as he spoke and once again he pulled her close to him, running his hands up and down over the curve of her spine and resting on the full, soft globes of her buttocks.

"If you think it will be all right," she condescended, "but I'll have to call Frankie and tell him I won't be home till later. I couldn't reach him earlier."

"Never mind that," he whispered, "I'll call him for you and tell him you're doing me a special favor… for a special price… and I'm sure he won't mind." He chuckled softly and pinched her soundly on the behind and sent her out into the other room.

The men were all standing around drinking and talking among themselves when she entered the room. Their conversations stopped and all eyes were on her, mentally undressing her.

"Don't let me interrupt… please," she said with a forced seductive smile. "Conrad will be out in just a moment."

One of the men came over to her and grabbed her around the waist. "You're quite young… and so attractive. Where has Conrad been hiding you."

She knew that she would have to be nice to these men, so she raised her eyes to meet his gaze and said, "Well, he's been keeping me all to himself, up to now that is!" There was promise in her voice and the other men were now listening to her conversation as she teased this other man.

Her voice shook with apprehension and she wondered if one of these men might be a police inspector. Conrad did have some of the law on his side and many of the men on the force were "friends" of his, but she tried to block this from her mind.

The man's hand tightened around her waist and he bent to kiss the nape of her neck.

"Well, well," he murmured, "Maybe Conrad will allow us to share the wealth."

He had just finished speaking when Conrad appeared at the door, saying, "Of course, she is such a lovely creature, it does seem a shame to hide her. You don't mind, do you dear?"

She slid away from the man's grasp and walked to the bar.

"No, I don't mind, Conrad," she said quiveringly, "but I do think that I'll have another drink first." She was hoping that she could consume enough liquor so that she would not be fully cognizant of what was about to happen.