Free The Housewife Assassin's Relationship Survival Guide by Josie Brown

That’s when I know it’s safe to ask, “So, tell me Richard, what’s your last name?”
    “Higginbotham.” The word comes out in a drowsy whisper.
    “Nailed him,” Arnie and Emma yell into my ear at the same time. She adds, “That name was on one of my possible five—” at the same time in which Arnie declares, “The face recognition analysis came through, finally—”
    I close my eyes and shake my head. “One at a time, children, please!”
    “He’s CEO of Catalyst Industries!” Emma’s answer comes out in a rush. “It’s a conglomerate that owns—”
    “—A variety of biotech companies,” Arnie interjects, “including, Human-A-Sphere, a chain of bio-genetic profiling labs; Inject-A-Life, a firm that invents non-invasive surgical procedures; and PharmFarm, the largest agribusiness of genetically enhanced crops.”
    “Any one of those could provide a terrorist organization with the means to cripple a nation.” Jack’s voice is emotionless as he states this simple fact.
    It’s time for some answers from the man in question. “Richard Higginbotham, are you a member of the Quorum?”
    He nods. Whereas that gives visual affirmation, I want to hear it from his lips. “Answer the question out loud,” I prod him.
     “Yes, I am one of the Quorum Thirteen…well, now we are eleven…Um, ten.” By his frown, I can tell he’s surprised to hear himself say this out loud, and to a perfect stranger.
    “And what do your companies do for the Quorum?”
    “Each of them is developing a component for an ethnic bioweapon.”
    “What the hell is that?” Emma asks.
    “The theory is that ethno-bombs can be used to target specific genetic or cultural anomalies recognized in certain ethnic groups,” Arnie explains. “An organic example is how white settlers in the US almost wiped out a tribe of indigenous natives with small pox.” 
    Emma lets loose with a piercing whistle. “I can only imagine how the Quorum plans on using this. Sell it to the highest bidder? Blackmail a government?”
    “Try all of the above,” Jack says.
    “How soon before this project reaches completion?” I ask.
    Richard smiles up at me. “We’re beta-testing now. I’ll be presenting my findings   to my Quorum brethren at our next meeting. If it is chosen for implementation, I’ll be poised to be the Quorum’s next leader.”
    “Where and when is the meeting?”
    “We’ve yet to receive that information.”
     “Who are your fellow Quorum members?”
    He shrugs. “We never meet without masks. Anonymity allows us to contribute freely, without threat of exposure. ”
     “Richard, why are you doing this, even when you know it’s illegal, unethical, and inhumane?” I have to ask, and not just because I’m incredulous at his despicable behavior, but to get it on record.
    He stares at me, as if I’m crazy or something. “For the money, of course! Not just for the fees to our companies, but because of the dividends to thirteen stockholders of Quorum Ltd.” He chuckles. “Well, for the ten who are left.” 
    “Donna, unfortunately you don’t have time to read him the riot act,” Jack says. “So give Sleeping Beauty his wake-up potion and promise you’ll rendezvous with him after his match.”
    “Will do.” I pocket Richard’s phone. Then I mix the SP-117 anecdote into Richard’s champagne flute with a pinky finger and hand it to him. “Here, drink this.”
    He gulps it down.
    When Richard comes to, he’s pleasantly surprised to find me straddling him. As I rise, smoothing the skirt of my dress back into place. “Was it as good for you as it was for me?” 
    To bring him to the right conclusion that we’re both satisfied with our little picnic hank-panky, I guide his hand to the clasps on the front of my bra. 
    He gets the hint, and hooks them into place. “Um….yeah…great!” He smiles, but he shakes his head, confused.  
    After a long kiss, I help him buckle his breeches. He groans ecstatically as