The Memoires of Cordelia Chan

On the Monday and Tuesday I went into the lot to catch up on paper work and see how Brent and Jena were coping. Brent was in a wheel chair, frothing at not being able to do everything himself. They'd taken on a apprentice mechanic who Brent was supervising, whilst Jena continued to run the shop. Trade was up 50% on the summer and I agreed put Jena on a profit related bonus, rather than sales commission. She asked when I was going to deal with the Triads. I said not until the Summer, when we'd have a year's worth of trading data and evidence. I was however about to instigate the next step to deal with Hui, as I'd just acquired the lease to their old apartment and Mitch was going to find me a model to live in it. She wanted to know why, but I told her the less she knew the better.
When I arrived just after lunch on Tuesday with a bottle of Champagne, Jena wanted to know what the occasion was. I told her I'd just passed my bike test.

Marcus picked me up at 11:00 Wednesday morning, and we headed for the designer stores. He said we were only shopping for general and party wear as we'd be better off buying ski wear when we got to Aspen. I asked him how many parties we'd be likely to be attending. He said four definitely, with a possibility of up to 5 more. And would we be eating in or out. He said probably out. I told him it was going to be an expensive trip. He smiled. "It's only money and you're worth every cent. I haven't felt this alive in years."
It was nearly 4pm before we were in a position to leave for the airport and we only just made our flight. By the time we reached Aspen it was nearly 10pm, and we opted to take a taxi to Marcus's Ski Lodge.
The following morning we went shopping again this time for ski wear and skis. Marcus arranged for everything that we weren't wearing or about to use to be delivered to the lodge and we went and ate lunch.
When he'd said he'd teach me to ski, he'd actually meant he'd hire me a personal tutor to teach me whilst he went off on his own. The guy he hired wasn't a lot older than me, and whilst he was good he suffered with one flaw, he had wandering hands. After trying subtle hints and a couple of not so subtle elbows, I resorted to throwing him. He was impressed that I'd managed to stay on my feet, and kept his hands to himself after that.
Christmas morning Marcus awoke to find a pixie serving him breakfast. He was even more surprised when I kept him there till nearly midday. We then went and had lunch, where the outfit attracted a great deal of attention, before I persuaded him to take me skiing. When we returned to the lodge it didn't take much effort to get him to help me out of it, although I could tell he was tired. We went out for a quite dinner and then returned for an early night when Marcus started flagging noticeably.
Marcus was still tired the following day, and I spent most of the day skiing the nursery slopes on my own, although after lunch I had a crowd of local lads following me. Marcus had recovered by the evening and was able to attend the second party of the holiday.
Most of the rest of the holiday was spent in a similar vein. I'd ski during the day, sometimes accompanied by Marcus, and we'd go out in the evening. We had additional invites to parties on the Mondays following Christmas and New Year, and the Saturday after New Year. I also got an invite to a girls only night out on the Wednesday between Christmas and New Year, which proved to be highly entertaining, although I can't remember exactly how I lost my pants that night.
By the time we returned on the Wednesday I was beginning to feel tired myself and was glad of a night off. Thursday and Friday I went into college to catch up some course work, and Thursday night I went training as usual, although the class was depleted. Even Mcallister wasn't there leaving me in charge.
Saturday I didn't have classes so I went into the lot. Choi and her cousin were there and I noticed for the first time that she was becoming an attractive young lady. There was nothing for me to do so I returned home. I phoned Sumito but got no answer. I tried again several times during the afternoon but got no answer. This meant that I'd have to make way own way to training, which also meant figuring out how to carry my training weapons on a bike.

The ride upstate to the Dojo was the longest I'd undertaken on a bike and my 250 wasn't really up to the job. If I was going to do this regularly I was going to need a bigger bike.
When I arrived at the Dojo Brewster was surprised to see me. " I didn't think you were coming. Mcallister phoned me before New Year to say he wouldn't be able to make it."
The class was well down on the first session with only six of us present. I remembered this time where I'd seen one particular guy. He'd been at the Chicago grading taking his 2^nd Dan. He'd failed. When I got to fight with him I discovered why. He was sloppy in his execution of most moves, I didn't understand how he'd even passed his Dan grading.
The class followed exactly the same format as the first, although with fewer of us it was more intensive. After class Brewster asked if I wished to stay with them or was I going to get a motel room. I said I'd be staying with them if it was okay.
I followed Brewster home and was greeted by the dogs in the usual manner, although I was prepared this time. I put my bag in the bedroom and extracted the gifts I bought in Aspen. When I gave them to Alex he was surprised. I told him it was traditional to bring gifts when staying with friends. He said if I did this every time it could get expensive. He thought for a minute and then said "There is something you could do for me in exchange. Do you always run in the morning?"
I said "Yes. Why?"
"Well I'm not quite as fit as I used to be, and whilst I can walk the dogs they don't really get enough exercise. Could you take them with you?"
"I'm not sure I could control them."
"Just be firm with them and keep them on their leads and you should have no problems. They'll be excitable at first. Use the command heel and pull on the leads sharply if they get out of hand."
I said I'd give it a try. I retired to my bedroom and the dogs followed me taking up their customary positions. I awoke at 7 and dressed. I made my way into the laundry room and took down the dogs leads from the hook. They did indeed get excited and it took me several minutes to get their leads on. When I opened the outside door they pulled me out, and again it took me several minutes to bring them under control. I now knew what to expect when I opened the yard gate, and was able to bring them back under control after a minute or so. As I started jogging up the road they fell in beside me.
It was and interesting run and not without incident, although by the time I got back to the house I was much more confident in controlling the pair of them. I showered, ate breakfast, and then thanked the Brewsters for their hospitality, before setting off on the ride home.

The following two weeks passed in regular fashion. I started the new Tai-Chi class schedule and ordered myself a new bike. I continued to meet Ryan, Charles, and Alexis for lunch, and train as normal most nights of the week. Mitch contacted me, stating he'd found me tenant and that she'd be moving in the following weekend.
Mcallister had booked us rooms at a motel about a mile from the heat venue and we traveled up Friday night. I was surprised Saturday morning to find Ryan, Charles, Alexis, and half a dozen others from the Dojo had shown up to cheer us on. There were 16 leagues of six entrants per league. Each of us would fight each other 3 times, once unarmed, once with Jo, and once with Boken. The top two from each league would then be drawn into four leagues and the top two from each league would go on to the National Championships in July.
Mcallister and I were drawn in separate leagues. We fought two unarmed bouts on the Saturday and three on the Sunday. I won two, drew two and lost one placing me 3^rd in my league and Mcallister won four and drew one placing him top of his.

The only event of significance in the following four weeks was Valentines weekend; the third weekend of the four. I had a bumper Friday delivery from Marcus consisting of roses, chocolates, and perfume. His Valentines card was also unmistakable amongst the half dozen I received. He took me to dinner on the Friday evening and gave me a diamond necklace with matching earrings.
I held classes and trained as usual on the Saturday of the first weekend, attended the second heat of the first round of the Bujinkan championship the following weekend, held classes and trained as usual on the third Saturday, and attended the last heat of the first round of the Bujinkan championship on the fourth weekend.
In both the second heat, fought with Jo, and the third heat, fought with Boken, I won four of my bouts and drew one. This placed me joint first in both heats and raised my position to second in my league overall, qualifying me for the second round. The second round was going to be more extensive and intensive than the first. We each had seven bouts to fight in disciplines, Unarmed, Bo, Tonfa, Nunchka, and Daisho. I was surprised at the last one as I'd suspected it would have been Sai and was the one we'd not been practicing, and the one I hadn't practiced since leaving Sensei Toguwara's.

Of the 11 who'd started training at Sensei Brewsters, five of us had made it to the second round. When only three of the others turned up to training on the following Saturday, it became likely that we may end up fighting one another either in the second round or in the knockout stage as well as in training.
The training session proceded much as previous sessions, except we had fewer weapons to practice, although the Daisho practice was the most enlightening as I was easily the best there. This earned me significant comments from both Brewster and Mcallister, and a request to run the Daisho coaching for the future training sessions. The downside of this was that I wasn't actully being challenged in the discerpline and had to hope I was good enough to do well im my heat.

In other respects things were either "normal" or moving according to plan. Fee's from service agreement sales had been making their way nicely into the bank account of Hu Liang Finance, and from there into the two bank accounts in Hu's name. Francine, the tenant and model Mitch had found for me had started drawing cash from one to use as rent, and I'd furnished the flat with a substantial portion of the money from the other account. Francine had also started frequenting the same bar as Hu used on a regular basis. He'd brought her drinks on several occassions now and her "hard to get act" had him on the hook. If things went according to plan we'd be in a position to shoot the video by Easter. I'd also become a regular at the bank and the vault guards were now more than happy to leave me alone once they'd let me into the vault. The useful thing about the Fremont from my perspective is that once in the vault you could open any box you had the key for and my box was 2 below and 2 to the right of Hu's. All I needed now was a duplicate of Hu's key.
I already knew one way of obtaining the help I needed but using that method would tip my hand. I considered asking the PI I'd originally hired to do the background check on Hu but again that would be directly tracable to me. In the end I posted a note to Majax on his bullitin board requesting a meet. After explaining what I wanted Majax told me to leave it with him and sent me a meassge a couple of days later consisting of a name and phone number. I rang the number from one of the payphones on campus and explained my requirements. I was told it would cost $5000 and given instructions on delivering the money and retrieving the duplicate key.

The first heat of the second round was indeed an eye opener. Whilst I avoided being drawn in the same league as Mcallister, one of the 2^nd Dans from the training group was drawn in the same league as me. I fought four unarmed bouts on the Saturday and three on the Sunday, winning one , drawing one and losing the rest, placing me last in my league. Mccalister was a comfortable second in his.

Several things happened the following week. Jena phoned to tell me my new bike had arrived, and I retrieved the package contiaing the duplicate of Hu's safety deposit box key to find two keys in the envelope. Marcus turned up at my apartment Wednesday night after Tai-Chi, completely disrupting my schedule. I hadn't seen him since Valentines and it showed. I tried to continue working despite his caressing minustrations, but he is very accomplished and after about twenty minutes I was forced to give in to what my body was then telling me it wanted. The problem was, having given in once I wanted more, and ended up with little sleep. When I left for collage, Marcus was sleeping the sleep of the exhausted, although he was gone when I returned in the evening. He called me Friday, and asked me to join him at the Purple Dragon, which I did, spending the night at his apartment. After Wednesday his performance was a little disappointing.

After classes Saturday, I went to the lot to collect the bike and check up on things. Brent was in a seriously bad mood, frustrated at being confined to a wheel chair because of his legs, and seriously angry at Jenna after she had informed him she was going to be shooting a porno movie with Mitch the following week. Jenna on the other hand was nervous and subdued, worrying about this and that, and eventually revealing that what she hadn't told Brent was that she'd put most of their savings into the project and if the movie was a duffer, they'd be back where they were several years ago.
As far as the lot went business was booming. The laundering business was down to about 60% of turnover and falling. They'd got details on 14 bikes and owners, and were in the process of recycling the four bikes that first came in last summer.
As I rode the bike back to the apartment I was taken aback by the performance and handling which was a world apart from that of my old bike. I phoned McCalister and told him I wouldn't be needing a lift, but would see him at the dojo as usual.
The problem with new toys, especially fast new toys, is that the temptation to "see what they can do" is just too great. In addition the universe seems to have this perverse knack of throwing curve balls, just when I think I've got everything on an even kilter. In this instance, it was a pair of CHP motorcycle cops that I didn't see until I noticed the tell-tale flashing lights in the mirrors. At that moment I wished I hadn't such an ingrained sense of right, wrong, honour, justice, and responsibility. Taking my hand off the throttle I coasted the bike into the verge. As I removed my helmet and unzipped my jacket they pulled in behind me and got off. As the first one approached he must have recognised me as he removed his helmet. It was Jacob.
"By rights we should throw the book at you for that, but given we didn't actually have to chase you I think we can cut a deal on this. About half a mile futher on the highway crosses a storm gulley, we should be out of site there or would you prefer the ticket?"
Even as a first offence, given the short time I'd had my license, I knew I'd lose it , if Jacob or his mate wrote the ticket. "I take it this is both of you or nothing."
Jacob nodded. "Seems I dont have much choice."
I zipped my jacket up and put my helmet back on. We rode in tandem the half mile of so until Jacob indicated that I should pull over. As I followed them down the bank I unzipped my jacket. They moved into the storm drain and stopped. At least it was dry. I removed the leathers and my underwear. Jacob immediately moved towards me. "I agreed to let you fuck me not rape me, now sit down and wait until I'm ready."
They both backed off. I squatted down, put my hand between my legs and closed my eyes. After a couple of minutes I stood up and beconned Jacob over, turning around so I could lean on the wall. As I reached between my legs for him I could tell the preporation was going to pay off. He'd barely penetrated before he came. His mate, Bob, lasted a little longer.
As Bob zipped himself up I asked them if they had any tissue. They wanted to know why. "Well what you put in has to come out, and I've got at least another 15 minutes on the bike before I get where I'm going and can clean up."
I then noticed that Jacob had another hard on. "Bob'll get you something from the first aid kit. In the mean time I'm going to top you up. "
If I'd chosen to I could have resisted him with ease, but assaulting or killing these two would just cause more problems. I let he push me against the wall. He wasn't gentle as he went in and I bit my lip against the pain. He wasn't that quick this time either, and Bob had returned by the time he'd finished.
"I suppose you to want to violate me again as well."
I stood there with my legs spread, tears forming in my eyes. Bob turned towards Jacob."What the fuck did you do that to her for? If she reports this you're on your own." He opened the first aid kit and handed me a trauma dressing. As he looked up his eyes were level with my crotch. "You're bleeeding" he said.
"And? Are you going to fuck me again or can I get dressed now?"
"Look this was Jacob's idea. He said you fucked anything in pants at the drop of a hat. Said you even came onto him in your office. I'd love to fuck you again but not after what he's just done to you. If you want to report this then I'll call you an ambulance otherwise get dressed and get the fuck out of here."
In hindsight I should have had him call me a ambulance and reported them, but at the time I felt I'd gotten what I asked for. I took the dressing and put my leathers back on. I could tell from the colour of the blood that I wasn't bleeding from any damage Jacob had done and anyway I'd been wet enough that he'd have been unlikely to have torn me. As I climbed the embankment Jacob was trying to calm Bob down and gloss things over. I left them to it.

By the time I got to the dojo I felt really sore and the bruising was staring to show. I discarded the dressing and replaced it with a proper pad. I suspected that no matter what I did my Gi was going to need washing after the session.
The session passed much as the previous one, with no drop in numbers. McCalister and I retired to the Brester residence, and I borrowed the washing machine to clean my Gi.
As usual I had a pair of excited Akita as I entered the kitchen the following morning, although my control, or their acknowledgement of my authority was improving. My run was uneventful, and by the time I returned the house was up. I showered, breakfasted, thanked the Brewsters for their hospitality and returned to my apartment.