“I hope I'm not causing a problem for my dad.”

“A problem for your dad?”

“Well, that's what this document...wait a minute. How did you know my name just now? Did he know I was coming?”

“A letter came in the mail mentioning a DNA match. Are you looking for money?”

“No, I figure he probably doesn't have any. I just want to meet him, see if he knew I exist, find out about my mom, see some family photos. That's all.”

“You don't know who your mom is?”

“Not a clue. I was abandoned, grew up in Foster Care.”

“Sorry to hear that. Must have been rough.”

“Yeah, so what about my dad?”

“Can we shoot to kill, boss?”

“Of course. I need to know if you can. Not everyone can kill. Four shootings in Harlem will go mostly unnoticed. The chopper is unmarked and will land in whisper mode. The sound of gunfire in that area will blend right in.”

“Do we get paid?”

“No. This time it's part of your training. This time it's just for fun. Are you up for it?”

“Do we have to go for 1000 yards, or can we go for someone closer, Dad?”

“Shooter's choice. Try that building across the street if you want to. Remember that shooting through glass can affect your trajectory.”

“What about shooting through a wall? The thermal scope is picking up a person, but he or she won't move in front of the window.”

“You might think that brick and stone walls offer decent cover, but masonry tends to shatter when hit with bullets. You're using armor piercing. Go for it.”

“Wind from two o'clock,” her spotter informed her. “Five knots.”

“Remember, squeeze the trigger, Keira.”

“Yeah, yeah. Let me concentrate.” She held her breath and fired.

“He fell over! I got him!” she declared victoriously. “Through a wall, a hundred yards, in the dark!” She clenched her fist, saying “Yes!”

This dinner party is now officially a kink party. Sex games will be played in the parlor, made up by each of us as we proceed. We'll start with watch me get naked, undressing one at a time. Then you will each want to get a nude photo taken to be sent to someone on your contact list, subject line Me Nude. This will be followed by a video of you having sex with the person of our choice.

“go fetch me some liquid drain cleaner and a funnel. We'll pinch her nose and pour it down her throat unless she apologizes and eagerly asks to do you both.”

“Fine, fine. I'm sorry. I'll do whatever you want, anything anybody wants.”

“That's the spirit! Did you all hear that?

It was then that he noticed the bottoms of two high-heeled shoes protruding from underneath the front of the desk.

“One of your housemates?”

“No.” She paused. Did she really want him to know who? It would be the wicked thing to do, so yes. “It's Emma from Accounting. She is a very loyal employee.”

There was a shrill shriek of embarrassment from underneath the desk. Emma's head banged up against the desk drawer. She had been ratted out.

“Good morning, Emma.”

“Good morning, sir,” came the muffled, hollow-sounding response from below.