The Executioner's Game by Gary Hardwick

stumbled.
    A very pregnant moment passed; then Sharon sighed a little. “He’s way ahead of us, Frank,” said Sharon. “He knows why we asked him here. Don’t you, Luther?” She smiled at her friend.
    Luther had surmised this a long time ago but was hoping that they would lose their nerve. He should have known better of Sharon. She had once shot herself in the side to avoid blowing her cover. She was fearless.
    â€œYou two want to know what the director said to me,” said Luther. “And since we all generally respect an agent’s right to privacy, I assume you have some interest in whatever assignment, if any, the director gave me. If that were the case, sadly, I would have to decline.”
    Sharon just stared at Luther with intensity. It was as if they were reading each other’s minds. Luther stared back, and in that moment something did pass between them, an understanding born of their shared instinct.
    â€œI’m sorry, Luther,” said Sharon. “But we know that the staff has been processing a lot of nationwide intel on local law enforcement, which leads us to believe that there’s something big going on.”
    â€œAnd if it’s big,” said Frank, “you might need help.”
    â€œIt’s cool,” said Luther. He wasn’t angry with them. “I understand. “Well, if that’s all…”
    â€œWait,” said Frank. “The discussion can’t be over.”
    â€œThanks for asking me out, guys,” said Luther. “I’ll be in touch.”
    â€œOkay, Luther,” said Sharon, and the guilt over trying to compromise her friend’s mission was in her voice. Luther hugged her in a forgiving manner, and when he let her go, she looked better.
    Frank was ready to protest. Obviously he’d brought this whole thing about. He had come to the X Club to get information on Luther’s assignment and get Sharon Bane into bed. In his mind one was linked to the other. He’d crack Luther, Sharon would be grateful, and before she knew it, he’d be between her legs. Now he saw both prizes slipping away. He didn’t protest, however. He just remained silent.
    Luther finished his drink and then descended the riser back to the bar and dance floor. He searched for Tomiko, but she was gone. He gave the place the once-over, then left. Tomiko’s party was still chattering at a table, so he figured she had decided to find some other man interesting and go home with him.
    He was a little surprised when he went out to the valet and found her waiting for him.
    â€œYour friends are long-winded,” she said.
    â€œI was headed home,” said Luther. He gave the valet his ticket.
    â€œAre you sure that beautiful girl you were with in there won’t mind?” she asked.
    â€œYou don’t seem like the jealous type,” he said.
    â€œAnd you never answer a question directly.” Tomiko moved closer to him, nestling under his arm. “Maybe you’ll be more talkative tomorrow morning.”
    They didn’t talk much on the way back to Luther’s place. Tomiko rubbed his leg and pulled his hand under her skirt while he drove. It was elegant the way she did it, as if she’d done it before, but not with just anyone.
    They got to his condo and went inside the building under the watchful eye of the guard at the door. Luther very badly wanted to kiss her, but he didn’t really like public displays of affection. Tomiko controlled herself as well, and it only made what was coming more exciting for them both.
    When Luther got to his door, Tomiko pulled him to her and kissed him hard. He gave in for a moment and then moved to find his keys. She pulled his hand to her breast, as if sensing that he was going to do some other silly thing with it.
    Luther was letting go, wanting her body and the lovely, sweet abandon it would bring. Then all his instincts were immediately turned back on.
    The