Twisted Linen by C.W. Cook Page B

slides Grace’s chair back from
the table, inviting her to stand. As she does, Baculo takes a deep
sniff of her hair; his eyes flutter in response.
    “Please…it’s right this way,” Baculo says
gesturing toward the door, desperately trying to exhibit a sense of
composure.
    Grace fakes a nod of gratitude and sashays by
him, but internally she cannot help but quiver in disgust at
Baculo’s courting game.
     
     
    * * *

 
     
     
    29
    Revelation
12:1-2

     
    Off Baculo’s dining room, down two steps, is
a spacious terrace with a terracotta tile floor. It’s a dimly lit
place with wrought-iron fixtures, most notably a decorative iron
railing wrapping the perimeter. Baculo leads the way out, stepping
down two short steps, then turning back to extend a hand for Grace.
She tries not to hesitate, but it requires all her fortitude to
place her hand in his. As Grace’s hand touches Baculo’s, her eyes
close briefly and she imagines that it is Simon’s hand she holds. You can do this , she thinks.
    Grace glides down the steps as Baculo waves
his right hand back in a panoramic manner, presenting his
extravagant outdoor retreat. The terrace offers an unobstructed
view of the surrounding hillsides and a breathtaking view of the
stars above. Grace gently retracts her hand and paces across the
terrace, coming to lean over the iron railing, acting as if she is
overwhelmed by the ambiance.
    “My, oh my, what a splendid night,” she
announces.
    The words are hollow, but they offer Grace an
opportunity to evaluate her surroundings. There is no city light
visible and it’s obvious that they are in a very remote location.
In fact, Grace can’t see a single light, not one home can be
identified in the rolling hills that surround them. She turns her
attention to the terrace and estimates it’s fifteen, maybe twenty,
feet off the ground. Either way, it would be a dangerous jump for
her. But Grace also notices an opening in the hand railing, off in
the far corner. She needs a closer look in order to determine where
it leads, but that will require a distraction.
    Grace turns around and leans back against the
railing, striking a pose. The contemporary “Virgin Mary” looks
irresistible in her striking red dress, and Baculo is aroused by
the thought of picking the dress out for her. Grace’s alluring pose
flusters Baculo causing him to senselessly adjust his necktie. The
tactic is effective; Baculo slowly wanders out to the hand railing
to join her.
    “Do you like the view?” he asks in an
undertone.
    “Yes, it’s very peaceful out here,” Grace
responds while her eyes scrutinize the far corner of the
terrace.
    In the corner, the railing opens to
accommodate a spiral staircase descending into the unknown. It’s
not apparent where the stairs lead, and now there are two thugs
observing from the dining room doorway. Grace must be careful to
conceal her intentions of escape, and the thugs need to be removed
from the equation.
    “Are they going to join us?” Grace asks as
she nods at Baculo’s two henchmen.
    The two men are unsure if they are welcome on
the terrace and wait for Baculo’s instructions. This is a fantasy
come true for Baculo: He is sharing a romantic evening on his
terrace with the beautiful mother of David Cohen. After so many
years of anticipation, Grace stands in his presence and he so badly
wants to impress her. Oh, how badly he just wants her.
    “Please,” Baculo berates as he dismisses his
henchmen with a wave of the hand. “Leave us!”
    And just like that, Grace isolates Baculo on
the terrace outside. She smirks at the thugs as they retreat back
inside, imagining that she’s blowing a kiss their way. Her playful
interlude yields a sense of power and confidence, something she
desperately needs right now.
    But it doesn’t last long. Her confidence is
immediately shaken when Baculo moves behind her and places his
hands on her shoulders.
    “I want you to experience something,” Baculo
whispers into her