The Silk Charade

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Glendon S. Haddix of Streetlight Graphics for the awesome ebook cover!

And to K, with love.

Dedication

This novel dedicated to a nameless, nineteen-year-old Marine, whose piercing eyes shall always remain unforgettable. His final daydream in the badlands ... homesick for the taste of his mama’s fried chicken.

Prologue

The noise was deafening, its sound comparable to hundreds of firecrackers, all popping at once. Regrettably, those were real weapons aimed at his soldiers. A sniper from a nearby rooftop just clipped one of his men. The bullet pierced the surface of his neck, a spurt of blood gushed from his punctured artery. Grenades were hurled by a teenager. Lieutenant Carter nailed the kid with his M16; a belly wound, target down, but not in time. The tiny bombs unleashed by the youngster just brought the grim reaper to another Marine.

The lieutenant’s captain, the commander of his company warned them to be relentless. Move forward, onward, seek shelter, more troops will flank our behinds soon.

But not soon enough, the thirty year old captain now lingered near death as a young Marine attended him trying to keep the inevitable from happening. The green Lieutenant Derek S. Carter assumed command when his senior officer became incapacitated. His commander’s words kept churning in his head: Complete the mission. That left him with an impracticable directive, keep the remaining soldiers unharmed until reinforcements arrived. Ambushed on Street Patrol, the situation turned grave, now encircled by an enemy who mingled among civilians for protective cover.

Lieutenant Carter ordered his men to hit the ground. There hunkered down they’d seek refuge from stray blasts that ricocheted off stone and metal. He knew it didn’t matter whether the opponent hit you with a full-scale assault or sporadic gunfire─even shrapnel killed men, nearly everything did in war.

Crouching in a precautious stance the lieutenant summarily probed his enemy through the lens of his M22 field binoculars. Even in the glare of midmorning sun he could see explosives lit as they launched from inside the mosque’s walls. His optics drawn to the blistered fingertips of children obligated under this charade of devoutness. Teenagers skillful and remorseless taught to kill the foreign soldiers who tread upon their soil. He’d unleashed his last rocket minutes before; otherwise he would have taken aim at the mosque.

This battle clarity his commanders spoke of, he searched for it deep within his soul. When would this sage-like calm come to him? All the green lieutenant knew for certain was a heightened sense of death loomed over him and his men. Reconnaissance units failed them. They’d been left alone to mire in this madness. The echo of mortar fire, the influence transmitted through his ear’s membrane. Fallen heroes, he could hear the illusory trumpets playing, his eyes closing for a brief instant. He prayed for a miracle. Lord please guide me through this hell with honor and courage. The lieutenant’s encumbrance, the lives of his men were at stake!

Blood stained sand blew upward from a gust of desert wind. The rumble began at his rear. With that came a sudden rise in the lieutenant’s confidence; a battalion of Marines anchored by a corps of humvees. The infantry... This revelation would save their lives. A wave of gutless insurgents scrambled, diffusing their forces. The miscreants would have been overpowered momentarily. However, this insanity would be back tomorrow, or the next day. The streets of Iraq a war zone, a blood bath for all that partook. The daily onslaught of death was his recurring breakfast.

He awoke as the sun’s harsh light filtered through his bedroom’s shadeless window pane. Not to his sweetheart’s embrace, only to a sweat soaked pillow, the macabre nightmare finally over for him, but not for the soldiers who remained. The lieutenant resigned his commission, after serving out his commitment to the Marine Corps, now focused on reconstructing his life after the war. Lieutenant Derek Carter was no longer a grunt, yet he would still fight the good fight, because the hostiles had moved to the home front and the battle raged on.

His odyssey would continue...

Chapter One:

The Awakening

For the past six months Derek Carter lived with his Aunt Mary and Uncle Antonio Martinella in Naples, Florida. This would be a very temporary living arrangement for him. He’d been their ward since his fourteenth birthday when his parents perished in a car wreck caused by a drunken driver. Over time Derek came to consider his aunt and uncle as his adoptive parents. They’d reared him in Columbus Ohio, the hometown of his late mother and father. Uncle Tony migrated from the Big Apple when his family resettled to the Midwest right after his high school graduation, while his Aunt Mary was raised in Ohio alongside of her younger sister, his mom.

The former Marine lieutenant felt instinctively protective of his family, thus untruthful about his new career since leaving the military. Derek knew they would have tangible misgivings about his choice. This morning he shared the breakfast table with his Uncle Tony.

How’s the classes coming Derek?

Fine, Uncle Tony.

Are you hitting the books hard enough?

I study night and day his words almost cynical.

I know it must be hard, adjusting to civilian life again, his uncle said.

Law School is inspiring, but there is little regimentation relative to what I’m used to, so if you miss a class it’s no big deal. I can even sleep in some mornings; I haven’t been able to do that in years.

Derek still wearing his brown hair cropped short giving the appearance of a hard-line military man, but when you stared too long into his blue eyes, it would always give his open heartedness away, a weakness that would always be his to abide. He knew he was handsome as a poster boy on a fireman’s calendar. Women found him irresistible. Derek’s schooling and military service never gave him much time for romance, so he’d procured his love, or sex, on the run. In twenty-nine years Derek never engaged in a steady relationship.

Your Aunt Mary is so pleased that you’re staying on awhile with us. She needs you around. Uncle Tony said with a raised eyebrow.

No she doesn’t. I’m a pain in her butt. She does my laundry, cleans my room and cooks my meals. It’s ridiculous, he mumbled back to his uncle.

Uncle Tony recently underwent bypass surgery and his Aunt Mary worried about him all the time. That is why Derek still lived with them, to help out if needed, but his aunt could be smothering.

What about girls? Uncle Tony asked Derek.

What about them?

How about dating one?

Aunt Mary’s not planning on fixing me up again? It’s nothing short of the Battle of Attrition for her. And I am made to suffer through one bad date after another!

She is getting pretty desperate. That last one she fixed you up with was a dog, his uncle’s face glum.

Derek studied the older man’s eyes before he responded.

I’ve had dogs with better dispositions than hers. Not to mention that loathsome face. But today when I’m in the shop working alongside Aunt Mary unpacking those endless boxes, a beautiful young woman will walk into our boutique and boom─it will happen.

If not, his uncle said, when you finish work walk over to one of the local bars and I guarantee one of those beautiful young women are gonna boom you.

Soliciting dating advice from Uncle Tony, how preposterous was that? Pick up a woman in a bar? He’d experienced that shallow scenario many times before, though with age he’d tired of insincere, one-nighters. Derek finished his cornflakes, rinsed his bowl and trotted off to the shop to work. Praying his true employer didn’t call demanding his immediate return to Miami.

~ * * * ~

The chime jangled as Katherine Winters stepped inside the door of her family’s store. Her uncle, Miles Winters and wife Annie owned and operated a ladies boutique named Antoinette’s which sat across the street from their competitors, Antonio and Mary Martinella. Katie moved to Naples last year to enjoy the balmy winters and Florida sunshine. Her parents, her Uncle Miles’s late brother and wife were killed in an automobile accident four years ago that involved alcohol. Katie’s childless aunt and uncle adored her. She’d become a staple part of their lives since the accident occurred. When Katie arrived six months ago announcing her move to Naples, she was embraced with deep affection. This morning she came just in time to hear her obsessive uncle complain about the dreaded competition across the street.

Miles, I detest spying on them. I don’t care what they sell! Our reps have promised not to sell them the same lines that we purchase. Everyone knows that we’re across the street from each other and have been for sixteen years.

They always buy similar merchandise Annie. They haven’t any panache, so they keep trying to snatch ours.

That’s absurd. Miles, competition is everywhere. It’s the nature of our business. We bought very well at the Vegas market. The new groups have started coming in and the accessories to match were spectacular. Our seasonal customers are trickling in early because of the snow and they’re raving about our new lines. I’m excited. It’s finally going to be a profitable season for us.

Katie listened to them argue, knowing what lay behind the anger. Her aunt battled breast cancer, a solemn reality for the entire family. On the days she could manage to come into work it made for a pleasant distraction. Her enraged uncle left helpless to do anything for his wife, as he couldn’t halt Annie’s progressing illness.

Still, he argued, I’d like to meander across the street and glimpse inside their display window.

Will you masquerade yourself as someone else? Your gripe against Antonio Martinella is plum stupid!

I’ll send our Katie over, they don’t know her. She will be my spy.

Oh dear, Annie said to her husband of many years as she walked away, addled.

Uncle Miles, what if they recognize me? Katie stared at her obsessed uncle.

How could they, Katie? Have you ever been in their store? No because I expressly forbid you from ever going near their door.

Her eyes now conveying that same look of bewilderment her aunt previously wore. Uncle Miles I don’t want to get involved in your war with the Martinella’s.

Try on a sexy blouse; that will throw them off.

No, she said quite firm.

You’re my sweet girl Katie, he said, coddling her like a child. What you need to do is walk by their front window and come to a sudden stop, as if something in there needs to come home with you. Then you sashay inside that store like you could afford to buy the place!

Katie shook her head implying the word no. That’s when her uncle’s hand gently touched her strawberry blonde waves.

They won’t know you from Adam. He pulled his arm away from her hair and stuck a hundred dollar bill in her hand. Go and buy yourself something pretty. Take mental notes. Try and remember the designer’s names. If it’s a crop pant or walk short, did they buy a long or short jacket with the group? Feel the textures of the fabrics. What are their dominant colors? Are they heavy into leather bags, and what of their jewelry lines? You got it, kiddo?

I love you Uncle Miles, but I’m not an undercover spy. If you want to know what they sell then walk across the street yourself.

He gave her his best scowl, which always made him too compelling to oppose.

She frowned at him before caving in. I’ll do it.

He gave her the when look.

Okay, I’ll do it now. May I use the bathroom first? Or will five more minutes make a difference in your crafty plot to dethrone the competition?!

Outside of her having a pair of aging grandmother’s scattered about the country and without any siblings, the childless couple had become their niece’s closest relation. Katie knew she’d have to walk across that street and spy on the dreaded competition. With sales for the family store on a downward spiral these past few years, it made the silly feud far worse.

While Katie peered into the competitor’s window a mild waft uplifted her mid-length tiered skirt, for just the slightest of moments. There a man continued working inside the display window, changing the mannequin. Katie couldn’t help but notice he was decidedly a very handsome young man. He stood up. He’d been kneeling, enhancing the chiseled form with ankle bracelets. The man didn’t appear to be an effeminate window dresser. Definitely a fine-looking young man stood in the alcove. In her short time spent exploring the dating scene in Naples, Florida, with the average age of most gentleman being sixty-two, this was something to get excited about.

Katie smiled at him. The man responded back with a wave of his hand. They continued staring at each other through the transparent glass. He flirting with her from the other side of the see-through window, enticing her to come in, with a smile so wide, it dazzled her. Wow! Now almost too nervous to walk into the shop, she summoned the courage and did it.

Hi she said with shyness. He smiled back at her, while he flashed his baby blues in her direction. She almost laughed at the absurdity of her situation. Sent on a clandestine mission to uncover the competitors wares and instead she’d come face to face with six-foot two of Handsome Harry. She’d never recall the name of any designer, her uncle would be furious with her!

Anything you were shopping for in particular? The handsome young man asked with his ultra bright teeth smiling away at her.

Yeah, she told herself, a new boyfriend, and did he ever fit the bill!

He came closer to her as he took her hand from her side to shake it. His hand warmed hers, making her tingle inside.

Derek Carter he introduced himself.

Katie, she said in a timid voice, Katie Winters. His eyes roped in on her breasts. She was accustomed to men staring at them because they bordered on the ample side.

That’s a sweet name you have. His eyes lifting upward away from her breasts, and you’re one of the prettiest women I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Well, she took a breath out and proceeded to make an ass of herself, uncomfortable by his flattery. I was searching for a cute little top, for a date next Saturday night. Could you help me find something? What had gotten into her? She hadn’t a date.

Let me think a moment. Ah─if you were my date Saturday night he said with carnal overtones, I’d want to catch more than a peek of you in this.

Katie took the hanger from him, on it hung a skinny black glitter top with a plunging V-neckline, cut way too low.

Try it on for me. I’ll be brutally honest, and let me find some earrings to go with the top, he said while flinging his arms high in the air.

Katie thought the man odd. Was he now pretending to be a sweet-tart?

A few minutes later she’d come out of the dressing room wearing a top two sizes too small for her. Katie’s boobs were scrunched together.

Allow me to do that for you Katie, or was it Kate, or do you prefer Katherine? he said. I prefer Kate, it suits you much better.

Now he’d come a few short inches away from her face, unhooking the silver hoop from her earlobe as he slid the dangling black crystal in its place. Oh yes, now that really works well with the blouse, his smirk bold as he stared at her breasts with his infatuated display of teeth.

Katie now knew what his intentions were all along, to get a closer glimpse of her breasts.

Stunning Derek said.

She responded, unkind, he had it coming: You know it’s a pity there is such a lack of eligible heterosexual young men available to date. It isn’t like I’m prejudice against homosexuals, some of those boys make darling first-rate girlfriends, but it really does lessen the gene pool selection for us single gals, wouldn’t you agree?

He smiled back at her, engaged by the gamesmanship. I have heard you can tell if a man is gay or not, just by his touch.

Derek rested his hand on her shoulder, letting it almost brush across her breast.

Katie couldn’t believe the man’s audacity. But she knew his calculated goal, to make her sweat.

How much is the blouse? she asked with visible panic in her voice, realizing how secluded they were in the back of the shop in front of the dressing room mirror, with this smug pervert breathing down her neck.

He lifted the tag from her sleeve. The price tag says one hundred and fifty dollars and the earrings are eighty-nine. Would that be in today’s budget? His voice laced with cheer.

I’ll think it over her response curt. Katie stormed back into the dressing room removing the seamy top that squelched her breasts. He’d frightened her on purpose, to punish her for the gay crack. Alone, she cursed at him while changing back into her blouse. When she made her exodus from the undersized cubby hole, the brash young man had seated himself behind the counter next to the cash register. There he sat smiling with a mindless grin on his face, seemingly energized over the prospect of more recreational amusement.

What have we decided, Miss Kate?

He appeared so damn smug seated there upon his stool. That stupid smile of his.

I don’t want the earrings she said rather abrupt, or the blouse. Way too tight and suggestive. I wouldn’t want to give my date the wrong impression. And we both know why you wanted me to try on that blouse.

There is nothing wrong with letting a man know that you are a voluptuous woman. He said with utter inappropriateness.

What a pompous ass. Katie was livid. Retaliation would be next on her agenda.

For a homosexual, you speak damned naughty to women! You might want to see somebody about that little problem of yours, then batted her eyelashes at him.

Katie’s arms wriggled as he placed the black crystal earrings in a box then put them in a small glittery pouch. Next he came across the freestanding jewelry case, walking away from the cash register so his foothold left him stationed beside her. The excitable man poked the bag with the earrings through the aperture in her purse.

On the house, he said. It appears we have gotten off on the wrong foot here. Why don’t you rid yourself of your Saturday night loser, and I’ll show you a great time! Derek Carter said incensed.

No thanks she said with contempt, handing him back the hundred dollar bill just to get out of the shop faster.

He accepted it from her hand then daringly jammed it back inside the gap in her open purse.

Katie knew if she’d been a man, there would have been a fray by now. But instead of a full blown brouhaha, with imagination this absolute stranger, reached for her hand holding it ever so delicately in his palm, and kissed it, then with courteousness released her fingers.

She heaved him out of her way daunted, pretending to be unresponsive to his lethal touch.

Still think I’m gay? For your information Miss Kate, my family owns this shop and I’m working here helping my Aunt Mary out. And I am not gay!!!

Stirred and scared, totally confused, she bolted from the shop.

A bloody disaster! Try and remember some of the clothing lines. She was pathetic, letting that idiot affect her this way. Her uncle would be furious with her. Sent on a clandestine mission to spy on the competition and instead she’d become flabbergasted by a stupid, handsome stranger, one that outwitted her at her own game. Now I remembered why I hate dating so much—men like him!

~ * * * ~

Derek watched as Kate Winters entered the boutique across the street convinced she’d cause some sort of disruption over there. That woman should be ostracized by all of civilized society! So how come he tilted halfway, somewhere between outrage and being really turned on? That was one hell of an almost devastating kiss. He wanted more. He wanted desperately to kiss her mouth, to hell with her hand! She will come back, he said aloud rather self-assured.

Chapter Two:

The Brotherhood

William reclined, head back on his easy chair, thumbing through pages of the Sunday edition of the Naples Daily News. His fingers imprinted with a nuisance, black ink. No wonder no one buys the damn paper anymore. He waltzed over to the kitchen sink and

began soaping up his fingers with Dawn dishwashing liquid. How could the Naples Daily afford to construct a new building on the north side of town when the industry was in such financial turmoil? Didn’t seem like a profitable enough venture. And why the hell couldn’t they use an ink that didn’t rub off on your fingers?!

Will you refill my coffee mug while you’re standing up? Frank asked his best friend and former college roommate from Penn State.

William, forever the cynic, responded: Your legs broken?

No, but I’m sure you could arrange that for me.

Smartass.

W, you invited me over for breakfast because you missed my company and because Rick’s in town with his new flame. And we wanted to get better acquainted with her, remember?

You can still get your ass off that chair and pour yourself a cup of coffee. His wife entered the kitchen which opened to the den where the men sat awaiting their breakfast.

Oh Nick, can you please get our guest another cup of coffee.

You invited Frank over, wait on him yourself. She’d secretly winked at Frank.

But William noticed her duplicity, and couldn’t wait to retaliate. I’m being ganged up on.

William, help me make the pancakes. And Frank, go knock on Rick’s door and wake him and his honey up. It’s past nine and we have a busy day ahead.

You’re just going to the beach, which is up the block, William hissed.

Nikki threw her husband a death glare.

Okay little missus. I’ll help make breakfast and lazybones here will wake our guests.

Frank glared back at them. What if there are animal noises coming from their room, heavy breathing and lots of grunting. Frank smiled back at them.

Frank, please don’t be as crude and as impossible as William. He’s about all I can take!

Frank’s expression was quick to change. Just kidding Nikki. I’ll fetch them—pronto.

After breakfast the ladies strolled off to the beach leaving the men to clean up the dishes and spend time alone. William noticed his son wasn’t around, suddenly remembering that Junior had spent the night at his friend’s home. How many beers did I drink that I’d forgotten the whereabouts of my only child? Must be Frank’s fault. He’s the one that brought over all that beer I drank. How his head now ached.

Frank, you got me wasted last night and now I have a hangover.

Yeah, W, like Frank poured it down your throat, Rick said rubbing his temples.

We all drank too much, Frank added. Charlotte had to come here last night to get me. I was too buzzed to drive home. Fortunately, she was kind enough to drive me back over here this morning so I could fetch my car. And she didn’t even bitch at me about being drunk last night."

It’s all your fault Frank! You were only supposed to bring beer, not the Jose. William raised a bitter complaint, he felt like crap, lounging on chairs with his buddies.

Do you want to talk about my Joan, and how hot she is? Rick asked dead serious to his cronies.

Hottest woman you’ve ever slept with, Frank admitted.

No doubt about that, William agreed one hundred percent.

You going to get hitched Rick? Frank asked, his mouth twitching.

Little premature for such speculation, but she is a tigress in bed.

Until you marry them, and live together a couple of years, then you are reduced to begging for it. W. said. Next thing you know, your alluring houseguest transmutes into a wifey.

You and Nick have been sweethearts since high school. Marriage can get stale. You have to try new positions, exotic locals, away from stress and work. Rick stated.

Who educated you on the subject of marriage? Considering that you’ve never been married, and your last relationship went crispy on you. W raised his hands over his head, waving off Rick’s useless pointer.

I read a lot of stuff about relationships, and what a man must do to make them thrive.

You always did read too much nonsense Rick. W tossed the sports section at Rick’s head. It hit him square on the nose, making for an unattractive lampshade.

Frank busted into the conversation. Joan’s a beautiful, intelligent woman. She’s from a good family. I’ve been reading about her brother, he and his wife are geologists; the brother has a motivating website. Their late father left them comfortable; financially I mean. Since Rick’s family consists of poor Nebraskan farmers, and he did just take a second mortgage out to pay for that mausoleum of his to be renovated, I’d say he struck oil! Finding the perfect mate. His eyebrows raised higher, annoying William.

Don’t encourage him Frank. W sipped on his wretched tasting coffee, that his wife made him brew because she didn’t feel like doing it.

I know it’s a new relationship. But, Rick, I really like her spunk. And I can envision your future with a house-full of beautiful children, just like mine.

Don’t get maudlin on me guys, I feel sick enough today. W spoke out. His cell phone rang. He retrieved it from the pit of his jean pocket. It was his son. No Junior, you can’t stay over another night, you know house rules. Better be back home by five, or your mother will have a cow! He clicked off from his boy. "Just a sample gentlemen of what’s to come for you. Now Frank’s already experiencing mayhem with his adopted teenage stepdaughter. She’s better than a feline at trying to sneak out the