Curse of the Black Lotus

By James Gordon

The second book in the Kitty Wu Series
THE BATTLE LINES HAVE BEEN DRAWN!

It is a time of socialism. The capitalistic ideology of the United States has been reduced to footnotes in history. Once the shining light of democracy, America has become a union of cities where the citizens have been reduced to emotionless drones. However, there are those who choose to live outside this world of enslavement. They are called Gypsies.

Now faced with the prospect of war against the republic after the assault and murder of some of her friends, Kitty Wu prepares for the battle of her life when her former benefactor, Mayor Elka Weinhauer, declares war on the Gypsies. As she strips away the layers behind Elka's true plan, will the price for freedom force Kitty to sacrifice more than she is wiling to pay?

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Gordon
• Release date: Dec 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465814562

James Gordon

About the author:James Gordon - author, producer, promoter, composer, artist and entrepreneur. In 2003, he published his groundbreaking fictional work entitled, The Unbegotten, the story of the begotten daughter of God and her trials in dealing with the fate she was destined to face. Since then, Gordon has released and revised four more books in the series entitled, Cataclysm, Sacrifices, Apocrypha and Yesterday's Kingdom. He has also created a literary soundtrack to the book.James Gordon has also released Mandarin Rose, Curse of the Black Lotus, Lady Dragon and Neon, which tell the story of a young prostitute named Kitty fighting to survive in a futuristic socialist America.Nationhood is the powerful novel about a spy named Mbaku Bolo fighting to save his country from a terrorist threat twenty-five years after the Affirmative Action Policy is ruled unconstitutional.Mocha Heat and Palmettos in Moonlight are thrilling suspense romances that deal with lust, love and terrorism. In Mocha Heat, Stacey and Donavan fight to maintain their love thought they are both in separate relationships. When one of them discovers they are involved with a terrorist, more than their relationship is jeopardized.In Palmettos in Moonlight, Francesca Del Clair tries to right the wrongs of her life as she attempts to rid her life of the very people who forced her into a life of terror. When a writer named Braden comes into her life, she finds that her toughest battle isn't against her enemies, but with her heart.Entice Me is a collection of eleven erotic short stories of people indulging in their most exotic fantasies. Filled with amazing sexual encounters, each story will explore a facets of sex and love with gritty, raw stories exclusively made for today's urban market.In 2012, James Gordon collaborated with his son, Kyle, and released their first graphic novel entitled Incursion. Its multicultural cast creates new and interesting heroes fighting to save the world from an extraterrestrial threat.You can learn more about these and other products by going to www.madsquareonlime.com.

Book preview

Prologue

It is a time of socialism. The capitalistic ideology of the United States has been reduced to footnotes in history. Once the shining light of democracy, America has become a union of cities governed by the Republic, the single ruling body of the new nation. A requirement of citizenship is to take dosages of an emotion-numbing medication called Euphorimine. This drug allows the populace to be managed by the Republic’s subliminal messages filtered through various media outlets.

The Republic is absolute and those who choose to oppose its laws live outside the comfortable jurisdiction of the Sterile Cities. They are called Gypsies. They make their living the only way they know how, by relying on their talents and wits and that means living a life many in the Republic would consider reprehensible.

One such person is a prostitute named Kitty Wu. Unlike most of her friends, her life is one of privilege. She drives a nice car, wears the finest clothes and her clients run in the most elite of circles. She is afforded such extravagance by taking care of the needs of her main customer, the Mayor of Portland, Elka Weinhauer, a hermaphrodite whose penchant for Kitty borders on obsessive. Showering her with lavish gifts and giving her immunity from the Republic police, Kitty and her friends are allowed to conduct business inside and outside the city limits, thus establishing a network of operations for the children of the night.

When Elka’s passions for Kitty become abusive, her friend, Brad, decides to give the good mayor a piece of his mind. He attends a press conference Elka was holding for the upcoming Autumn Festival and publicly embarrasses her. In retaliation, Elka declares war on Kitty and all associated with her, starting with Brad. She instructs her Commissioner of Police, Galen Thompson, to find Brad and teach both he and Kitty a lesson. Thompson’s officers apprehend Brad and pummel him to a pulp, but the abuse didn’t stop there. After disposing of Brad, Officers Leon Jefferson and Dan Sammartino spy a young woman named Bethany Davis, a former prostitute that stole money from Jefferson two year ago. They apprehend her and proceed to take her to police headquarters, but Officer Jefferson had other plans for her.

Instructing Sammartino to prepare the paperwork for her arrest, Jefferson takes Bethany away from the precinct and outside of the city. In a secluded area he injects her with a powerful drug called Liquid Ice, then proceeds to rape her and, upon finishing, leaves her for dead.

Meanwhile, Brad is discovered by a prostitute named Jackie who quickly notifies Rick, Brad’s boyfriend, of his whereabouts. Kitty, Rick and Chili Maxwell, one of Kitty’s pimp friends, arrive at the scene just as the ambulance leaves for the hospital. Around that same time, a group of young adults discover an unconscious Bethany and take her to the hospital. Once there, they dump her on the curb and prepare to leave. Fortunately, Susan Monroe, one of the individuals present when she was discovered, stays with Bethany. Chili arrives at the hospital around that same time and hears Susan’s call for help. When Chili approaches, he recognizes Bethany and assists Susan in getting her inside. Upon examination, it is determined that Bethany was suffering from an overdose and the medical staff quickly went into action to save her.

Lance, Kitty’s boyfriend, soon left the hospital. Unbeknownst to everyone, Lance is actually the nephew of Elka Weinhauer. His goal is to capture all the drugs in the city and eliminate all alternatives to the citizens using Euphorimine. So far, he managed to buy most of the drugs on the street. However, Lance’s actions haven’t gone totally unnoticed. He drew suspicion from Chili, especially when he saw the kind of car he was driving. He is very wary of Kitty’s new beau and decides to keep an eye on him.

Chili calls Bethany’s boyfriend, Shine, a local drug dealer and father of her son. He informs him of Bethany’s condition and her location. Shine quickly gathers his son and Bethany’s mom, Cora, and makes his way toward the hospital. Meanwhile, Chili and Susan are beginning to hit it off. Having gone hours without taking Euphorimine, Susan begins to feel things she never did before. Her time with Chili makes Susan see a new side of life, one in which she didn’t have to wear a facade in order to be accepted. Conversely, Chili finds Susan to be a refreshing change to the women he’d been associated with and enjoys being around her. Although they both realize that there were social differences that stood in their way, it seems they were smitten with one another and appreciates each other’s company in the meantime.

The pleasantness soon came to an end when Doctor Stan Kyle, the physician who’d been attending to Bethany, enters the waiting room and announces to the group that Bethany had died. When Shine arrives at the hospital, Chili breaks the news to his friend and attempts to aid Bethany’s family during their time of grief.

As Shine and his family deal with their loss, Chili and Rick meet with Kitty and they all agree that there was only one person responsible for Brad and Bethany’s condition…Elka. They knew that something needed to be done and agree to meet later that night to come up with a plan.

Kitty then receives a phone call from a long time friend and client named Jimmy Daniels. She decides to meet with him in order to get some additional capital before she went against Elka. While there, she confides in Jimmy about Brad’s condition as well as Bethany’s death. Feeling that everything was her fault, she breaks into tears and is surprisingly comforted by Jimmy, who proves to be more interested in Kitty than she realizes. Meanwhile, Elka learns through Lance about Bethany Davis and the circumstances surrounding her admittance to the hospital. He believes that she had symptoms similar to an overdose of Liquid Ice and thus causes his aunt to believe that there might be someone using the drug in a way that could potentially compromise their operation. She sends Thompson out to find more information about Bethany and locate the culprit responsible for this egregious error. And now…

Chapter One: Lovers Converse

After the morning rounds had been made at the hospital, Rick was allowed to see Brad. He sat in a chair next to the bed and they talked about the night’s events. Brad explained that he had gotten a few hours of sleep thanks to the meds the nurses gave him. He’d also informed Rick that members of the Portland Police Department were responsible for his beating.

Throughout the entire conversation Brad had to calm Rick down, even faking a few painful spasms in order to divert his attention from the anger burning in his chest. When the nurse returned, she injected another dose of pain reliever into Brad’s IV.

There. You should be okay in a few minutes, she said.

Thank you, said Brad.

Rick watched as the nurse left the room, then turned and looked at Brad once again, his brow furrowing. He reached down and grabbed his hand, lifting it to his face and pressed Brad’s palm against his cheek.

Brad released a sigh. It’s so nice having you here, he said.

Where else would I be? Rick replied.

Brad nodded. So where did Kitty run off to? he asked.

Supposedly, a client called. She went to make her money, said Rick.

Ever the businesswoman. Was it Jimmy?

Yes, I believe that was the name she mentioned.

Brad nodded again. I like Jimmy. He’s a good guy. If there is one person I thought would have been good for Kitty, it was him.

What about Lance? He seems pretty good.

"You said the key word; seems. I don’t know why, but I never really trusted Lance. He has a sneaky nature about him. Every time something happens, he’s never around, but he conveniently shows up after everything is over."

You know, I have noticed that about him. I, too, have felt a certain discomfort when he’s around, like I shouldn’t let my guard down. I always thought it was me being a little paranoid, but I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who feels that way.

You know, I told Kitty the first night she met him that she needed to be careful. Do you know the story behind how they met?

Nope.

She was supposed to meet with Weinhauer that night.

Hearing her name caused a swell of anger to erupt in Rick, but for the sake of Brad’s well-being he kept his cool. Really?

Yes. She’s got this thing for Kitty and no one else. That’s how we’re able to make a living. Kitty gives her some time and, in exchange, we get to do what we do. Anyway, she’s supposed to hook up with her one night, but Weinhauer had an engagement that suddenly sprang up. Kitty didn’t find out until after she showed up at some spot that she doesn’t normally meet her, a hotel in Hillsboro. Next thing she knows, Lance walks up to her, said he was new in town and wanted to know where some nice hot spots were. Kitty was dressed a little extravagantly that night, per request of Weinhauer.

What was she wearing? asked Rick.

Leather and heels. Need I say more? asked Brad.

Rick snickered.

Anyway, she takes him to a club, they get all cozy and the next thing you know, they’re an item, said Brad, slightly frustrated.

And you don’t think it was some horrible coincidence?

Horrible, yes. Coincidence, no.

So, you think he’s connected to Weinhauer?

I’m not sure. But I’ll tell you what, if he is and he’s behind what happened to me, he’ll wish he’d never met me or Kitty because his ass is toast.

Brad suddenly got a sharp pain in his head, causing him to hold the sides and grimace. Rick began rubbing his back trying to calm him down. Take it easy. You’re still recovering, remember?

Yes, yes, you’re right, said Brad.

Rick fluffed Brad’s pillows and helped him to sit back. He grabbed a cup of water and allowed Brad to take a few sips. Brand turned to look at Rick, who now had a somewhat disturbed expression on his face.

What’s wrong? he asked.

Rick seemed a little reluctant to answer the question.

C’mon, Brad insisted.

One of Chili’s friends was killed last night, said Rick.

Oh my God! Who was it? What happened?

I believe her name was Bethany. The doctor is saying it was a drug overdose, but the rest of the group seems to think it was a homicide.

Brad covered his mouth and sat up slightly.

I knew her. She was such a sweet girl, he said, sorrow and shock thick in his voice.

Yeah. Everyone in the lobby was all cried out by the time I got back.

Homicide?

Yeah. Frankly, everything is a little too coincidental. Both her death and your attack occurred on the same night. Both of you are connected to Kitty. Chili and I believe Weinhauer is behind this. The only reason why I haven’t gone over to her house and choked her to death is because Kitty asked me not to. She wants to come up with a plan that will get the whole group.

Well, I’d have to agree. Weinhauer is a real bad lady. Remember, her goons are the ones who did this to me.

Yeah, and if it’s the last thing I do I’m going to get a piece of that witch. I’m just trying to give Kitty time to come up with something.

If I know her, it’ll be something really big. She can be quite vindictive when she wants to be, said Brad.

Perhaps, replied Rick skeptically. But I think she’s taking this a little too personally. When she left, she seemed extremely conflicted, perhaps because she really didn’t want to go see Jimmy with this much drama going on. However, she needed to clear her head because she’s done nothing but blame herself for all of this. Chili suggested we keep an eye on her, but honestly I don’t know what to do. All of this seems like a lot to contend with and for her to try and come up with a plan on her own seems a little too much on one person’s shoulders.

You think she’ll go after Weinhauer by herself?

Maybe. Thing is, I don’t want Kitty going against Elka on her own. I want some of this action and I’m going to get some.

Well, all I can say is if Kitty makes up her mind to go after Weinhauer on her own, none of you will be able to stop her. Conversely, she’s a smart cookie and I don’t see her pulling a stunt like that. She knows she would be over her head and Weinhauer has the ability to make someone disappear in a heartbeat. Trust me, I nearly had that experience up close and personal.

Do you remember the officers who did this to you? asked Rick.

For one, that fat ass Thompson. I swear, before I leave this world I will have him eating my jockstrap, said Brad.

That’s not something I want to envision, said Rick with a frown.

Chapter Two: Code of Conduct

Roll call. It had been ten minutes since Thompson returned to the police station after his meeting with Elka. He allowed no time to pass in gathering the information surrounding the individuals responsible for the blunder Elka discussed with him. He walked directly to his sergeant, John Reid, and tapped him on his shoulder. On his way there, Thompson came up with a lie in order to get the information he needed…the identity of the individual who used the Liquid Ice last night. That way he wouldn’t arouse suspicions and satisfy Elka’s command.

Good morning, John, he said.

Ah, good morning, Commissioner, John replied.

Listen, do me a favor. Give me the list of all the officers working last night.

Sure thing. Anything wrong?

No, just wanted to find out who I needed to commend on a job well done last evening. I received a call from a grocery store owner in the Wastelands who wanted to commend the officers responsible for breaking up a fight in front of their store.

Fight? I don’t recall there being a report about any fight, especially one in the Wastelands, John said.

Really. Then I guess we really need that report. Perhaps our guys are getting a little sloppy. I don’t want to embarrass any of the men so don’t say anything yet. Just bring me that list as soon as possible, said Thompson.

You got it. I’ll have it to you as soon as I’m through with roll call.

Great. Thanks.

Thompson turned and walked out of the room, but John remained standing in the middle of the floor, his brow furrowed from confusion. Although Thompson didn’t say or do anything suspicious, he couldn’t help feeling that something wasn’t right. Thompson’s request was highly unusual. Each one of the men and women in the department kept logs of every event that took place and each of them knew the consequences for not logging the smallest details. With curiosity flowing through his mind, John walked behind his desk to pull the list from last night. Roll call would wait. He needed to get an idea of what this was about.

Chapter Three: Ugly Roommate

Susan had been sleeping on the couch for about an hour. When her eyes fluttered open, she instantly squinted from the sunlight beaming through the front window. She sat up and stretched, her eyes burning from the lack of sleep. They felt like tiny grains of sand had been thrown into them. She released a squeal as she worked the kinks out of her back. When she got home after her ride from hell with her roommate Jenny, she was too tired to make it to her bed. Instead, she crashed on her couch where she fell fast asleep.

She stood and walked to her room, her bare feet sliding across the carpet. As she passed Jenny’s door, she could hear a lively conversation her roommate was having on the phone with someone. She chuckled and was about to continue on her way when she heard something that made her pause to further eavesdrop on her roommate’s conversation.

Yeah, she was hanging with some Gypsies last night. She came in here this morning all tired. Makes you wonder what she was really doing, said Jenny.

Susan frowned. Jenny was a gossiper and right now it sounded like she was spreading all sorts of news about her to somebody. That was so like her, Susan thought, but this bit of gossip didn’t set well with her.

How should I know? All I can tell you is that he was definitely one of those Eighty-Sixes. I wasn’t with her, Jenny continued.

Susan huffed. The term Eighty-Sixes was a slang term the citizens of the republic called those who were not members of the republic, the throwaway people that weren’t fit to mingle with civilized societies. Her fists clenched and her lips tightened. Susan felt Jenny had no right to be so disrespectful, especially when she didn’t know what had happened or why she was there to begin with.

I heard that one of them died last night from an overdose, Jenny continued.

Susan could listen no more. Jenny’s comments about a horrible tragedy were not only tasteless, but cruel. Susan was there when she and her so-called friends found Bethany lying naked on the ground. She was also there when they announced that she was dead.

She saw the faces and heard the cries from the loved ones Bethany left behind. She held a little boy in her arms who was now motherless and saw the lifeless eyes of the man who’d lost the woman he loved. She heard the disbelieving wails of Bethany’s mother, Cora, and saw the shock etched on Chili’s face when they pronounced her dead. It was a misfortune that wasn’t funny and Jenny’s comments didn’t ease the haunting memories that still floated inside Susan’s head.

She reached for the doorknob and was about to barge in and give Jenny a piece of her mind. Then, as if someone grabbed her hand, she stopped and began easing away from the door. She remembered that she hadn’t taken her dosage of Euphorimine and to burst into the room and tear into Jenny would give her cause to report her for not taking her prescription. It was considered a misdemeanor to not take the meds. She needed to let cooler heads prevail and the only way to do that was to get away from Jenny.

Susan turned and walked to her room, closing the door behind her. She sat on her bed, folding her arms across her chest and lowering her head. She couldn’t think anymore, probably because she was still too tired and overwhelmed from the traumatic night she experienced. She was also mad as hell, realizing that her anger might be a reaction from not taking her dosage. Regardless, the sensation was something she rather enjoyed. She felt alive and filled with a fire that had been missing from her life all this time. It was intoxicating and her juices were flowing in a way that made her sexually excited as well as anxious to see what other sensations she could experience.

Her mind went back to her roommate and how infuriated she felt. Was she angry because she’d made such crass comments about a tragic incident or because she was making fun of people that suffered a loss? Maybe it was because she was gossiping about her or because this anger had always been there, only now without the Euphorimine cruising through her system it was starting to seep out.

Susan couldn’t be sure at this point. What she did know was that Jenny’s comments were wrong and she was going to tell her so the moment she’d gotten more rest. That way she could relay her point clearly and calmly.

She laid her head on her pillows and tried to get comfortable, but something in her front jean pocket made it difficult. She adjusted herself onto her back and slid her hand inside, pulling out the napkin Chili had written his number on. Susan smiled faintly and then placed the napkin on her nightstand. She began thinking about Chili, remembering how nice he was and how she enjoyed his company. She even thought he was kind of cute, remembering the flitter of emotions she felt when he made her laugh.

When they first met, she was put off by the fact that he was a pimp. She’d never known anyone who did what he, Kitty and their friends did for a living. She’d had the impression that people like them were nasty and heartless individuals who did what they did because of some innate touch of evil festering in their minds and souls. The Republic Ministry considered them sinners who were lost in a world of sex, drugs and violence.

Last night she saw, first hand, who these people really were. No longer were they the nameless and the faceless refuse of society, the urban legends to be feared and avoided. They had names and lives, loved ones, feelings and friendships that seemed more meaningful and true than any relationship she’d seen with people in her little circle who supposedly lived righteous lives.

This brought another thought to her mind. She remembered what Chili said about her life, basically telling her that she was living a lie. After hearing Jenny’s comments, Susan began seriously considering his point, seeing just how superficial those who surrounded her really were.

Realizing that this was a subject too deep to contemplate with only one hour of sleep, she decided to put her thoughts on hold until she’d gotten enough rest. Fatigue was beginning to settle upon her once more and she released a huge yawn that felt as if it came from her stomach. She closed her eyes and pulled her bedspread over her. Within moments, Susan was fast asleep and purring like a kitten.

Chapter Four: The Birth of Something Special

Jimmy and I had been holding each other for about ten minutes, but ten minutes can seem like a lifetime when you’re in pain. I’d been crying for most of the time, trying my best to deal with the fact that my friends were suffering because of me. I’d even managed to attack Jimmy, who’d done nothing wrong except be at the wrong place at the wrong time. After I’d seemingly released most of my emotional tension through several bouts of crying, I finally lifted my head, wiped my eyes with the back of my hands and sniffled, trying to regain some of my composure.

I’m sorry you had to see all of that, I said.

There is absolutely no reason to apologize, he replied.

Jimmy stood to his feet and went inside the bathroom. He returned with a folded towel and knelt beside me. He patted my face dry, gently removing my tracks of tears. He brushed my hair from my face with his other hand as I looked at him with bewilderment. I’d never seen this side of him. He was treating me with more kindness and gentleness than he ever showed me before and it was comforting, albeit surreal, seeing this.

I’d always wanted to experience a tender moment like this with him, but felt he could never see me in this way. After all, who could ever love a prostitute, let alone show one kindness. I leaned forward and kissed him tenderly on the mouth. I almost felt unsure whether I should have done that because this kiss held emotional value to it. It was my way of showing my appreciation for what he did.

As our lips parted, Jimmy looked at me with a stare that was hard to describe. It was almost like a bewildered, yet grateful, stare, one that said he wasn’t expecting me to kiss him, but was glad I did. His eyes held compassion in them, showing a deep level of concern. A smile appeared on my lips. I was thankful he stayed