Evil Bitch Ch. 09

I righted the box and pressed down on the lid then pushed it down along the tracks that ran on either side. When I looked inside and saw the ancient straight razor it was the last thing I expected to find. I pulled out the antique and saw that the ivory handle matched the box perfectly. There was the winged dragon on one side and the ethereal goddess on the other. But it was when I opened it and revealed the unblemished blade with its keen edge that I felt a pang of truth from her story.

I set the box down and heard something slide inside the box. Mary seemed as surprised as I hearing the distinct rattling sound of metal. I folded the razor and set it down and returned my undivided attention to the box.

'Sterling full scan,' I requested silently.

The blue-violet light shot from the watch passing over the outer surface of the box first. Then I aimed the watch at the interior and waited. Moments later a full color hologram of the box appeared and Mary almost fell off the bed she was so shocked.

'Can you break it down into parts,' I asked.

'Of course Master,' Sterling replied.

The hologram 'exploded' into its component parts revealing enough space for a hidden bottom. There wasn't much room so I was intrigued at what it might contain. Perhaps it was a key or coins but there was only one way to find out. I looked at the red felt interior and using the butt end of the razor explored. After a few minutes of prodding I discovered a single notch. I pried it loose to reveal what appeared to me to be a ring in four parts. I tipped them into my palm and Mary leaned close now marveling at them.

"I take it you didn't know about this," I asked Mary.

"No, when my father gave me the box he never mentioned this."

"When did that happen?"

"On his death bed, I was six at the time."

"How long did your father own it?"

"Most of his life," she said. "It has been in our family for over five hundred years."

"All this time and the ring was its hidden treasure?"

"That I do not know Sir," Mary said staring intently at them.

Sterling beat me to the punch and the scanner panned over the ring pieces a few times getting them from all sides. The hologram of the box vanished and was replaced by the four quarters of the black ring. At first glance they appeared identical but the hologram showed characters etched into the tabs and the matching slots. Four characters and four parts, it should be an easy fix. One by one I picked up a piece of dark metal and matched it to its opposite. Once the four parts were touching it was like some sort of magnetic force pulled them together. With a loud 'snickt' the ring was restored. A second scan revealed something amazing. Not only were there no seams but the characters on the interior surface had vanished. Sterling could find no sign that the ring had ever been anything but a single solid piece of dark alloy.

The razor forgotten I stared at the unearthly ring and wondered how the hell it had been done. Not caring if Mary saw or not it was time to find out the mystery behind this piece of jewelry.

"Sterling, perform a full scan on the ring and tell me what it's made of."

"Yes Master," she said her hologram appearing.

Mary fell off the bed at this point staring fearfully at the sudden appearance of the silver eyed woman.

"Who is that," Mary asked. "Can you summon spirits?"

"She is not a spirit, she is a hologram Mary. It is the business that Nick Shaw created."

"Hologram, so she is just a projection," Mary asked and Sterling took great offense to that.

"I am not JUST a projection," she snarled at the prone woman.

"Sterling is a very sophisticated digital construct," I said offering Mary a hand up. "She serves me in many capacities."

"She is very beautiful," Mary said staring openly now.

"Thank you," Sterling replied. "I forgive you for the comment, you didn't know. DAMN!"

"What is it?"

"Whatever this ring is made of keeps absorbing my scans now that it is complete. No matter what wavelength I use it's like it doesn't exist."

"Well let's see how hard it is shall we," I said picking up the razor.

I tapped the rounded metallic end of the razor against the ring. I blinked a few times and looked at Mary who looked right back at me.

"There wasn't any sound," Mary commented.

"No there wasn't," I said. "Sterling?"

"I was unable to receive any vibration or sound from the ring on any audible spectrum."

"Meaning," I asked.

"When you tapped the razor against the ring no sound was created on any frequency from infrasound to the ultrasonic range. It absorbed the vibration just like it absorbed the scans."

I tapped the ring on the end table and again nothing. I looked at the band of gunmetal gray alloy and no sign of wear or imperfection of any kind.

"What the hell is this thing made of?"

"I don't know Master but imagine an airplane with this on its outer skin. It would be completely radar proof as well as immune to heat seeking missiles. That's something we haven't tried yet, we need to toss it into a fire and see what it does."

"There are the ovens in the kitchen," Mary offered.

"Boiling water," I said. "Let's start with that and see what happens before we chuck it into an oven."

"Master is wise I got carried away," Sterling said with a smile.

So there we were waiting for a pot of water to boil. Faye the cook looked at us like we had lost it. She just continued on with preparations for the next day's meals. Finally the distinctive sound of bubbling water could be heard so Mary and I peered into the pot and dropped the ring into it. The effect was immediate and spectacular to watch. There was a wave of force and it flowed from the ring like a ripple from a stone. Where the wave touched the bubbles vanished and the heat rising from the pot simply disappeared. I reached in and Faye called out but the water felt like it had just come out of the tap. I dried off the ring and left the kitchen leaving a very confused cook behind.

While Mary and I walked up to my room I pondered whether or not to put the damn thing on or not. But that thought was derailed as the front door opened and framed in the pale moonlight was my mother, bags in hand. Without conscious thought the ring found its way on my left ring finger as I raced to hug my mom.

"MOM!"

I flew down the stairs and picked her up and swung her around. Mary dodged the bags that went flying from my mom's hands as she hugged me. I set her down but we hugged for a long time. Finally I let go and looked at her and she looked great. Many of the stress lines I had grown used to were gone.

"Damn you look amazing," I told her.

"Thanks, sorry I didn't call your boss said I should surprise you."

"Typical Nick," I said smiling. "Come on in!"

"I hate to intrude," she began but I waved her off.

"Faye, dear lovely Faye... we have another mouth to feed!"

"Don't try and charm me you vagabond you," Faye shouted from the kitchen as she walked up to see what the ruckus was all about. "OH, you must be this fine lad's mother."

"You had it right the first time around," Mom said earning Faye's heart right then and there. "He is a scoundrel and a vagabond, but he's my vagabond."

"Let me fix you something," Faye offered. "You must be starved after your flight, maybe a little nip of something to take the edge off?"

"Anything would be great," Mom said. "I hope this isn't going to be an inconvenience?"

"Are you kidding," I told her. "Mary do you mind finding a room for my mom?"

"No Sir I will put her next door if that is acceptable?"

"That would be great," I said.

Mary retrieved the fallen bags and disappeared upstairs. Faye took my mom by the arm and led her to the kitchen.

"Come on love let's get you off your feet."

Wow this is going to be awesome I thought as I followed the women into the kitchen. Melody heard the disturbance and arrived a few minutes later. Mom and her hugged like old friends and soon it was a welcome home party. So if mom ever questioned her decision to come to London that was soon ancient history.

Revelations:

Mom and I walked out in the garden and I found myself stopping at that singular spot where I had first met Digger. I guess it way my way of honoring his memory for a man I barely knew. Mom's hand on my arm brought me back to the present.

"Sorry, I was just remembering someone I had met when I first got here," I told her.

"I have some things I'd like to get off my chest Jon," Mom said softly.

"I am here for you and when the twins get back they will support you a hundred percent too."

"I know I guess I just have to say it and make it real," she murmured.

"Get it out Mom don't let it eat you up."

"Thanks Jon," she said leaning against me now. "I am leaving your dad. It was just not working out but you know that better than anyone."

"Yeah, I guess grandpa's advice proved the nudge you needed."

"Uh huh," she admitted. "There is something else you need to know since you are here in London."

"What's that?"

"You weren't born in Arkham like you were told," she said softly. "You were born here in London not far from here."

"What? Why would you bring that up now?"

"I was contacted by a lawyer here in London the night I left your father. He wanted me to confirm that you possessed dual citizenship. He never asked why but that he would be in touch with you here."

"I don't see how that has any bearing on anything," I said.

"Yeah that was my thoughts on the matter as well. Shouldn't we get inside you have to get up for work tomorrow?"

"I know but I wanted you to stretch your legs after that long flight."

"I appreciate it but you need to get some rest."

She was right of course so arm in arm we returned to the manor house and to our mutual beds but not before she tucked me in bed. Mom plucked the straight razor and its box from my covers.

"When did you start shaving with one of these?"

"It was a gift," I told her.

"It's gorgeous; your grandpa had one like it before he went mountain man. This one's a real antique... must be a couple of hundred years old at least. You can tell by the blade and the quality of the metal."

"I forgot your knack for all things old," I said.

"Don't knock it; this one could be worth quite a bit. But it being a gift it would be tacky to sell it."

"Could be a family heirloom," I joked and she shook her head in agreement. "Night mom."

"Sleep well and good luck tomorrow."

Umbra woke me promptly at six in the morning. I found that someone, Mom, had already set out my clothes for work. So with a bleary gaze I tapped my bladder, started the water for my shower and tried to desperately ignore how nervous I was. I stepped into the shower and before long felt relatively human. But it was the slight chill and then the hard nipples against my back that told me it was going to be a good morning after all.

"Morning," I said without turning.

"Morning," replied my Mom.

"I was hoping it would be you to scrub my back for me."

"MMMMMMMM I'll scrub your front too if you want."

"I can't be late for work today but damn that is a tempting offer."

"Let me at least shave you today, I set out your lucky razor," she purred as she soaped up my back with her tits.

"I don't have a lucky razor Mom."

"You do now," she said pointing to the antique that Mary had given me.

"No use in letting it just sit in an old box now," I replied.

"That's the spirit," she said. "...rinse and let me do your front."

I turned around letting the spray of water wash away the suds from my back as Mom worked on my front. She didn't miss a spot with her nipples, hands or mouth. She dropped down and took my hardness between her lips and began to lick and suck the tip. Soon enough my fingers were interlaced in her hair and I was fucking her throat in nice long thrusts of my hips.

"God I missed you," I told her as I fucked her face.

I felt her tongue swirl around the shaft and the tip as I let her work her magic on me. Then as I felt my orgasm start at my toes I was thrusting deeper now more insistent.

"I'm getting close... want to swallow this one," I asked and she winked up at me. "Okay here goes."

I watched as every last inch of my cock disappeared down her throat as her cheeks caved in as she applied more suction. Sooner that I thought possible I was panting and moaning and with a sudden gush mom was swallowing and I let her lick me clean. Maybe it was her eagerness or just the fact I had missed her so much but I shot down her throat in record time.

True to her word she lathered me up and shaved my face without mishap. I doubt I would trust anyone else with the job anytime soon. We dried off together and she slipped into her room to dress while I did the same in mine. I was not used to a coat and tie but apparently I looked dashing according to Faye when I arrived for breakfast.

Melody and my mom arrived a few minutes later. My mother dressed nice but casual and Melody had her hair up with glasses looking prim, proper and quite fuckable. There is something naughty about a girl in glasses, add the up do and you have a killer combination. I kept thinking about Melody's offer of a blowjob while under my desk at work. That kept the nerves at bay and then some. After a meal and a short drive we were close to the plant.

"Just remember," Melody leaned in and whispered. "You are in charge and they are more afraid of you than you can ever be of them."

The board room was filled with suits and men of all ages but leaning towards the middle aged. Silver haired gentlemen rose to greet Melody and me. I shook hands with each and every one of them as I made my way to the empty place at the head of the table. Once the formalities were seen to I had them sit while I began my well rehearsed speech. I didn't deviate a single syllable or a carefully placed inflection.

After I had addressed them I looked around the table and noticed that out of the eighteen men seated only four had either a laptop or tablet sitting in front of them. My carefully prepared meeting fell apart at that moment. How the hell can we be manufacturing cutting edge technology when the people running the company weren't even using them? Melody had followed my gaze and picked up on the same issue but shook her head gently warning me, too late.

I walked around to each person that had a laptop or tablet and looked at them. Out of the four only one was using one of ours the other three were competitor's products. Again Melody shook her head but when I looked up the anger was evident to everyone in the room. A collective gasp rose up and I returned to my place at the head of the table.

"Umbra, please make an appearance for the gentlemen here," I said calmly.

My watch lit up and there in her best office dress was my avatar. Most of the men stared openly in shock at her manifestation while the one young guy on the end just smiled. I shook my head sadly and thus began the rant.

"I had the entire meeting planned out down to the last word. I had everything prepared for a smooth transition into this position as General Manger. That was before I saw that most of you gentlemen don't have a clue as to what sort of product we are offering out clientele. All but one of you that is. Umbra here and those other avatars is our chief product that we offer our customers. She is a fully functional artificial intelligence that learns, grows and adapts. Mr. Shaw, our boss, hired me to come here and see that all is well and that our product is in good hands. Now how can I lie to him and say that when in fact all put one of you doesn't even know what our product is? This plant is out to make a profit and its shareholders expect that of us. We cannot make a profit if the people running it are clueless."

That brought a round of murmurs and angry faces from the board. Oh but I wasn't done not by a long shot.

"Umbra when are my sisters and guest expected to arrive?"

"Their flight is due at the end of next week."

"Contact them and see if they can push up their departure it's an emergency."

"Yes Sir."

"What sort of emergency," asked the chief financial officer for the plant.

"This one, you are all fired! Except you on the end you've just been promoted. You stay the rest of you can leave now."

There was a long pause and no one moved so I repeated myself.

"What part of you are fired did you not understand? Get the F..."

"Gentlemen I think it's time you left," Melody stepped in and ushered them out.

After the room had been cleared I looked at the young guy on the end and he was laughing so hard he had to wipe his eyes.

"That was bloody brilliant," he said looking in my direction.

"What's your name," I asked him as I pointed to the chair next to me.

"Hastings Sir, William Hastings Esquire."

"Well William Hastings Esquire you and I need to talk. I just fired the board of directors and any minute now I am going to get a call from my boss. Who can we bring in from the plant to fill their shoes?"

Hastings was listing a group of men and women to fill the vacant positions but we were still several short.

"That'll do for now. Melody, go grab our new recruits and call a locksmith and have all the locks changed today. Oh and if they are driving company cars... yeah you get the idea."

"Sir you are absolutely brilliant. Best thing to happen to this company in a decade or more," Hastings said.

Umbra turned to me and didn't look happy.

"It's Master Nick for you."

"Cell phone or..."

Nick's hologram appeared next to Umbra just before she vanished. He looked like he had just woken up but he was smiling.

"Jon," he said softly.

"Hi Nick couldn't sleep?"

"Not when the former CEO of my London plant calls me up to say that you single handedly fired the entire board of directors."

"Not all of them, I kept one. We are already rebuilding the board as we speak," I said with a wince.

"What happened? Go slow so I don't miss anything," he said as Kat appeared behind him.

"Hey Kat, anyway I gave my introduction speech..." I went nice and slow and left nothing out. "...so I fired the lot of them except Hastings here."

"I can see why you acted the way you did. Cut through the bullshit and got results. How many can you replace today?"

I looked at Hastings and he paused for a moment before jumping in.

"Well Mr. Shaw Sir, I figure with the names I gave Jon here, we should have ten out of seventeen fired."

"That's good enough, don't bother with anymore for the time being," Nick said. "Oh and bump Melody up to the board, that'll make eleven. I'll get you another assistant or you can pick someone out. I support your decision one hundred percent Jon and uh if you need to do something like that in Berlin give me a heads up okay? I am heading back to bed, again great first day old man."

His image disappeared and only then did I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Fuck me... I was sure he was going to fire me next," I said.

"Nah, you did the right thing. Those old farts didn't have a clue. You'll like the people I picked out they are line bosses and supervisors who have been a part of the retooling of the plant from day one."

"Okay Hastings you just became my new best friend. Let's go meet the troops."

I stepped out of the office and the entire workforce was there to greet us with a thorough round of applause. Melody stood off to the side with our nine candidates who gave me the thumbs up. I guess it was time to make my other speech modified for the situation.

"As you may have heard," I began. "We have had a little restructuring in the plant. I had to let a few people go." There were sounds of boohoo and too bad from the crowd. "I am already in the process of filling those positions with the eleven people standing over there." The crowd cheered and Melody looked utterly confused. "Yes that includes you Melody, bosses orders. I am going to tour the entire plant today but in the coming days expect to see me on the floor talking with everyone at some point or another. I know the best people to discuss changes and improvements are the people who do the job every damn day." Another cheer rose from the workers and bosses alike. "I am here to make this place run smoothly and I can only do that with your help. So speak plain and don't be afraid to make an appointment to talk with me. That's what my job is all about. Okay now get your sorry asses back to work we have a plant to run." Another round of applause and off they went smiling and joking to their jobs.