Poe

32: Poe

Fiona spent most of her week in meetings and being interviewed by law enforcement and various division heads of the company regarding her knowledge and observations of Mr. Stout in the last several years. For many of the meetings Jane sat quietly in the background taking mental notes on the office personnel and carefully watching Fiona as the week took an emotional and physical toll. It pained Jane to see Fiona subjected to the fallout of the scandal but there was nothing she could do to help.

Most nights Jane escorted Fee back to her condo and sat with her while she ate and then stayed with her until she fell asleep. Fiona loved Jane's proximity and the freedom Jane gave her to share in each other's bodies over the week. With every taste and every touch the women spiraled deeper into the heartbreaking relationship.

----

Saturday evening Fiona sat across from Mr. Poe, they were joined by Jane and Mr. Bartlett interim Senior Director for Micropath Charities, previously an accounting VP.

"Thank you so much for making the time Ms. Donovan." Mr. Poe was quite striking, dark hair and eyes, warm skin. His gaze was sharp and confident. His accent was on the heavy side.

"Of course Mr. Poe, we are so happy that you are interested in our charitable work." Fiona smiled graciously and Jane noticed Agent Poe responded to her beauty and presence.

Mr. Poe nodded, "Your company has accomplished great things both in the lab and in global communities Ms. Donovan. We are a small but growing company and we'd like to build a relationship with Micropath."

"I see. I think you should know Mr. Poe that the Micropath Global Charities functions completely autonomously from our corporate side. Your generosity, while needed and deeply appreciated, will not secure leverage with my father." Jane smiled to herself as she watched Fiona handle Agent Poe. "I'm happy to give you a tour of our offices here, but I'm not sure how visiting the labs impacts your decision."

Agent Poe smiled graciously and with ease, "I understand." he paused as if struggling with the language barrier.

Jane addressed Fiona, "May I assist Ms. Donovan?" Fee nodded and smiled. Jane turned to Agent Poe and smiled,"Pois não?" The familiar phrase for "May I help you?"

Agent Poe grinned with thanks,"Com certeza! (Of Course)." The agents carried a quick conversation in which Agent Poe suggested Agent Baker help move the conversation in the correct direction.

"Ms. Donovan Brazilians have a saying "As aparências enganam," it means "appearances are deceiving." I believe Mr. Poe, in light of recent events, would like to see for himself what kind of company Micropath is, beyond the website and surface guided tour. He is happy to meet any security clearances you request. Perhaps a guided tour without his staff, just for him?"

Fiona nodded, understanding, but not necessarily happy. She turned to Mr. Poe with a smile that was easing and heart stopping at the same time, "Of course, Mr. Poe. I understand. I'll have our company work out the security and itinerary and forward it to you immediately. We are so thankful for your interest in helping others and your willingness to be flexible during your visit."

Jane watched Agent Poe's reaction and was amused as his eyes flashed and he was slightly disarmed by Fee's charm.

"If you can wait until mid-week my father might be able to join us."

"That would be lovely Ms. Donovan, but I'm afraid I must return to Brazil Tuesday night. Perhaps some other time."

----

"You did well tonight, Fee." Jane watched her from across the kitchen island. "I think Mr. Poe is smitten with you." Jane smiled playfully and moved over to Fee's barstool, positioning herself between her legs.

"Thank you." Fiona returned the playful smile, "I'm not really that interested in whether or not he's smitten with me, but I think you know that." She closed the distance between them and kissed Jane slowly and deeply eliciting a soft whimper from her.

"Fee," Jane's voice was tense with desire, "I want you to scream my name all night long."

Fee was startled by the comment and pulled away looking into Jane's eyes, searching and yearning. With her heart aching she replied, "Jane, I wish I could. But you won't let me." Fee shifted away slowly and the air cooled between them. She hopped down from the barstool and kissed Jane softly on the lips. "I can't give you what you won't let me."

Jane stood frozen, heartache and regret washed through her. She wanted to respond, she wanted to tell Fee but the words wouldn't form. Instead she watched her walk away and ready herself for bed. Just before she reached her bedroom door Jane called to her. "Fee, goodnight. I will be back for you." Fiona smiled sadly and disappeared.

----

Jane and Fiona sat in the limousine driving to Mr. Poe's hotel. Fiona had missed Jane over the past couple of days. She saw her everyday, but since their broken moment in the kitchen they had both been cautious with their feelings and distanced themselves. She sat watching Jane process the paperwork for the day.

Jane was intently reviewing the itinerary for Agent Poe's visit. He would spend a couple hours in the morning touring the labs and then finish up at the offices. A senior lab director, Dr. Hanover, would lead the visitation and a two-man security team was assigned to the group which included just Fiona, Jane, and Mr. Poe. She glanced up to see Fee staring at her. "Fiona, would you like to ask me a question?"

Fee smiled softly. "Yes, please." She paused, watching Jane's eyes and face closely, "Do you trust me Jane?"

"Implicitly."

Jane's immediate response surprised Fiona. She followed up with a more challenging question, "Do you trust yourself?"

At this Jane hesitated slightly before she responded. "In matters of security, no question. In matters of professionalism, I'm not sure anymore. In matters of a personal nature, no."

Fiona nodded and smiled sadly. She wasn't hearing anything she didn't already know. She looked out the window considering Jane's answer. "I understand."

The car slowed and within moments Mr. Poe had joined them smiling and ready for the day the two women let their conversation hang in the air.

----

The small group went through security checks, turned in cell phones, and received ID badges before moving through the labs. The large building was rectangular and nondescript with 15 floors above ground and 5 below. As they moved through the facility Agent Poe asked surface questions to keep Dr. Hanover and Fiona busy answering questions. Jane noticed Agent Poe's sharp eyes taking in every person, cataloging faces, watching body language. He was identifying as many possible targets as he could. "Dr. Hanover, where do most of your technicians come from?"

"Much of our staff come from university level positions. We court them away from academia to research and development. In some cases we have former military scientists."

"Could you take us through and show us your biohazard emergency systems and protocol?"

"Of course, this way."

As they continued to move through Jane was carefully developing a mental map of the labs, the work done there, and the numbers of staff. She paid very close attention to the unmarked and unmentioned labs and doors.

"Dr. Hanover, what are in the subfloors?"

"There are 3 floors of additional lab space and 2 floors of utilities and backup generators, servers, and fire suppression systems."

As the tour came to an end Jane shared a quick side conversation with Agent Poe as if they were discussing the surrounding area and it's location to the city. He suggested at that time that he could use some time watch to see who was coming up from the sublevels in the elevator to the lobby.

The group moved back through security and into the lobby. Just as they were moving toward the front doors Jane turned to Fiona, "Ms. Donovan, if you'll excuse me for one moment?" Jane shifted her eyes to the bathroom.

"Of course Jane."

As Agent Poe stood there continuing to exchange pleasantries he positioned himself to see the elevator and stairwell that accessed the subfloors. With her cell phone now in hand Jane sent William a text.

"trip warning lights only, in subfloors 1-5, no alarm"

Jane waited 2 minutes and exited to find the group staring in awe as the dozens of people now flooding into the lobby from the lower floors. "Ms. Donovan, are you alright?" Jane drew Fiona's attention.

Fee was calm but Jane could see shock and embarrassment flash in her eyes. "I'm fine, I'm not sure what's going on."

Jane looked over at Agent Poe, his sharp eyes cataloging. "I'll find out Ms. Donovan." Jane walked over to the security desk and carried on a superficial conversation with them for 10 minutes allowing Agent Poe plenty of observation time. She returned to the group and smiled lightly, "It seems that there was a slight drop in pressure in one of the utility lines, so they evacuated the sublevels as a precaution. There you go Mr. Poe, a live demonstration of Micropath safety protocol."

He exchanged a quick glance with Jane and turned to Fiona smiling,"Very impressive Ms. Donovan, shall we continue?"

"Absolutely." Fee led Mr. Poe out to the waiting car.

The remainder of the day went smoothly. At the offices Mr. Poe continued to memorize the faces of possible targets. In New York in less than a week he would be operating in the "dark" making assessments and eliminating threats without hesitation.