Orchids to Die For (Jim Morgan Adventure Series) by Catherine Burr, James Halon Page B

looking at the plastered Catherine, she forced herself to say, “It was a pleasure, Catherine. I hope we meet again, soon.”
    Catherine, literally dizzy, tried to be dignified, “And that goes for me, too,” and she looked to Morgan, and said, “I like your friend.” And her upper body wavered as she added, “Let’s go to that beach and go swimming naked.” And then she swung her head around toward Eunice. But, Eunice had already left. She turned back to Morgan and with an inebriated, dead serious look, asked, “Where did she go?”
    * * *
    She, Eunice, went to her room and threw off her seven hundred dollar business outfit. The nightgown Mureatha packed for her was a black lace piece from Victoria Secret’s fun collection. She turned off the lights and went to the window facing out on the city. Naked, not bothering with the skimpy sleepwear, she drew the curtains, climbed in the bed, reached the phone, and called Senator Alberquist.
    “Hello John. I’ve talked to Morgan. He’s being a total ass. He has himself a little blonde alcoholic friend that could keep him off the orchid hunt. I‘ve invited her to go along as his guest.”
    “What do we know about her, Eunice?”
    “She’s a writer, dresses okay... Exhumes sex, and I’ve pegged her as a party alcoholic, her name is Catherine Harris.”
    The Senator was forming a mental picture from Eunice’s rundown on Catherine. The image forming in his head was a haunting face, his own daughter Sophie; “I’ll see what I can get on her for you, Eunice.”
    “By the way, John. Morgan stiffed me for a forty-two hundred dollar dinner. Can you pick that up for me?”
    The Senator was smiling openly, “What in the hell were they dining on, the Texas Longhorn’s mascot?”
    “No. The bimbo did have lobster. But Jimbo pulled a fast one on me when I said I’d treat and ordered a Rothschild.”
    The honorable laugh was as hearty and sincere as any Senator could muster, “Oh Eunice, send me a bill for it, but please head it as an alcoholism research study. I might be asked to account for that steep of a dinner expense.”
    “Thanks John.” Eunice pulled a pillow between her legs, and opened up with her personal feelings to her Senatorial mentor, “I thought I’d bring Morgan back into my personal life, John. I really loved the big galoot. Too bad I’m not a petite blonde with big boobs. Oh well...”
    John was sympathetic with Eunice’s candid confidence; “You’ve known him for a long time, haven’t you?”
    “Yes. Going on six years now. He changed dramatically since he returned from Russia...since Madagascar.”
    The Senator recalled the last time he had talked to his daughter Sophie, “I’m in love, dad. But the guy’s in love with his boss.” And the Senator knew she had been talking about Jim Morgan.
    “There are a lot of nice young Lawyers around here, Eunice. I’d be more than happy to introduce you to them.”
    “Ah... Morgan just has a way... Oh well, John. I’ll let you get some sleep. I should be back in Washington tomorrow.” And she hung up the receiver. She fluffed up the pillow under her head and gave the one between her thighs a physically pleasant squeeze. She fell asleep with a tear running down her cheek.
    The Senator finished his milk and set the glass on its familiar coaster. His last waking thoughts were of his daughter and that, as she called him, rascal Morgan. He made a mental note to get the low-down on Catherine Harris, and then he fell into a deep, soothing sleep.
    * * *
    Morgan called the limo driver to pick them up, “How close can you get us to the beach?” He had asked, with a rare slur engulfing his words. He then ordered coffee to their table, and a picnic basket, to go, with virgin Bloody Marys instead of a customary wine.
    It was midnight when the stretch’s door opened onto a private sandy beach in the North Chicago upper class suburbs. The moon was still full and their driver produced a small blanket from