Counterpoint by John Day

relationship.
    For example, special paper manufactures
for currency, printing equipment for currency, engraving equipment,
for currency, and many other industries. None were directly linked,
and none had any obvious criminal connections, but viewed
collectively, there was a pattern there.
    Max concluded that worldwide, the
senior Directors of the various concerns linked to The Organisation
paid a small, but regular commission to the Duke for their
appointments. This totalled up to significant revenue.
    Other businesses involved with Real
Estate and Construction worked in a similar way.
    Large areas of harbour side property,
overrun with crime and dereliction were bought up and transformed
into luxury homes and marinas for the seriously wealthy.
    Why crime suddenly rose to epidemic
proportions in these areas and died away over night, when bought
up, was never clear to the Authorities, they were just glad it
did.
    Nobody seemed to lose out. The original
landowners were delighted to be rid of it for a fair price, the
Police got credit for tackling the crime, and peace reigned.
Politicians were praised for their foresight and re-elected. The
shopkeepers and traders became wealthy from the money earned from
the rich and did not care too much that their rates were increased
because household rates actually went down!
    After a sumptuous meal and some
dancing, Carla suggested they leave, so they said their goodbyes to
the guests and the Duke.
    The Duke told Carla he wanted a quick
word with Max first, so she walked away towards the entrance doors
and waited.
    The Duke came straight to the point. “I
see a deeper relationship between you and Carla than just
friendship.”
    Max was taken aback and wondered how he
had come to that conclusion; after all neither he or Carla had even
discussed such a thing.
    “I think you are mistaken, Sir,” Max
replied.
    “Not at all, it is written all over
your faces, you can’t take your eyes off each other and everything
you say gives you away. The point is; Carla is a free spirit,
highly intelligent, exceptionally beautiful and half your age.
    No one can dominate her, a normal life
will soon lead to boredom, there would be an insufficient stimulus
to keep her interested, and many young and handsome men will
challenge you for her affections.
    You are special to her now for some
reason, but you should face the facts and protect yourself from a
broken heart!”
    Max’s face showed his rising anger, but
the Duke continued; “I tell you this, not because I fear losing her
love, it is not like that between us, but the intensity of love is
greater with age and so is the pain when it is lost.
    Please just think about what I have
said, I like you and respect you and hope we can treat each other
as friends.”
    Max said nothing as the Duke smiled and
said, “You had better go now, she grows impatient!”
    Carla’s face beamed, and she grabbed
Max’s arm and linked hers in his, pulling him close to her. “What
did he say?” She whispered conspiratorially.
    “Oh, nothing really, just that you’re a
right little handful, you can’t cook, and if I want to stick
around, I’d better get off my fat arse and get a decent job!” She
chuckled, pushed into him, and said, “I knew he would like you and
I hope you will want to stick around.”

Chapter - Max & Carla’s night
of passion.
    Max felt better about the relationship
with Carla, from the way she was behaving. They arrived home in no
time, laughing and giggling they staggered into the lounge. Max
held her bare shoulders gently in his hands; her cool skin was soft
and smooth to the touch. He turned her to face him, and she looked
up. As he leaned in to kiss her, she reached up with her arm round
his neck and pulled him to her. They kissed with an intense passion
that neither wanted to end.
    Still kissing, Max carried her up to
her bedroom.
    In anticipation of what might follow,
his penis rose up like the drawbridge of a castle, under