Heroine: The Husband's Cologne (16 page)

I nearly jumped out of bed as I heard voices.  The spot next to me in the bed was empty and I heard Norman speaking to someone on the phone downstairs.  His story had been so absorbing that like a child being lulled to sleep by a bedtime story, I had dozed off.  With the words of his tale still suspended in my mind, I relaxed again.  I felt that I was safe with him.  Slowly I got out of bed, gathered my clothes together and began dressing.  As I discovered that my panties were missing, I laughed quietly.  He just couldn't help himself.  Then I remembered that I had brought my suitcases with me from my apartment and could get another pair.  Downstairs I heard Norman hang up the phone.

Apparently he had just spoken with Erich, had told him part of what had happened, and demanded an explanation.

“He was in such shock, that he almost started crying.  I had to calm him down over the phone, that's how
extreme his reaction was.  Then he wanted to talk to you, but I told him that you were in no state to speak with him now.”

“What did you tell him?”

“That Horst intended to enslave you in his bordello and was using Tanja to lure you in.  At first he didn't want to believe it, so I had to make it very clear to him.  In the meantime he tried calling Horst, but only got Tanja on the phone.  She confirmed the story, but then told him that they had only asked you to do this because they had been so impressed by you.  Never for a moment did they intend to use violence for you to prostitute yourself.”  As I remained silent, Norman continued:

“Erich is rattled.  He likes Tanja and Horst, but he loves you.  He doesn't want to lose you. 
Juliane: Don't speak to Erich anymore.  He is an old narcissist who is used to getting what he wants.  He is so good at manipulating people, that they thank him even as he steals the very roof over their heads.  Figuratively, you understand.  He's basically a nice man, but he just doesn't realize when the gratification of his desires is at the expense of others.”  The image of Erich which Norman was conjuring up rang true to me. 

“What about the 20,000 Euros?  If I leave everything behind, my college grant goes down the drain and I'll be utterly dependent on Daniel.”  The fact that I was able to think this through lucidly made me realize that I had myself under control.  I felt no trace of fear.

“He's working on that now.  You deserve that money, and Horst should have given it to you by now.”

“That reminds me: Did each of those present pay 1,000 Euros for that night?”  The sum sounded astronomical to
me.

“Listen girl…” As soon as he said that word I flared up in anger.

“It's Juliane, not ' girl,' can you get that through your head?” I hissed. 

Norman flinched, then grinned and corrected himself.

“Listen, Juliane.  I really don't know how much they paid, but if they owe you 20,000 then you can assume that each of them had to shell out at least 5,000, if not 10,000.  For the people who we're dealing with here, that's small change.  They'll spend that much on a pair of shoes if they want.

“That's how they make sure that things stay within a closed circle of friends, and nothing gets out.  The fact that Horst didn't pay you was a big mistake on his part, because now he risks having you go public with this.  You telling me about it
was already a big blow for Erich.  If he should find out that Horst's friends were arrested in front of my house, he's going to go nuts.  Obviously, no one knows about that yet.

“Now it seems as though the pimps have realized that they went a step too far, and they're in retreat.  Well, I’d say for the moment at least.  By the way, you look adorable when you get angry.”

He took me into his arms and kissed me.  I suddenly felt a little dizzy, not from Norman's tenderness, but from the numbers that he had bandied about. 

These filthy rich types were throwing away money like that, and I had done this out of love for Erich?  All of a sudden I felt used and ashamed.  This was begging for revenge. 

I drew away from Norman and told him that I wanted to take a shower.

“I'll join you, that way we can save water.”

As we stood in the shower we kissed and stroked each other.  My hair finally toppled and unraveled, as he placed the shower head so high that even he could fit under it.  For me, it was as if I were standing under a waterfall. 

  
“So what's our program for today?” Norman asked between two sips of his coffee.  It was still early morning and I needed two cups myself to dispel my slumber.

“We have to go to the passport office, isn't that what you said?  Then I have an appointment with the gynecologist.  We have to pick up the flight ticket.  Then I have to officially withdraw from the university.”  This last item hurt.  It was what I was most reluctant to give up. 

“Right.  Then you have to give notice to your landlord.  I'll get a friend to help me move out the rest of the stuff from your apartment in a couple of weeks.  How about your mail?  If I were you I would rent a P.O. Box once you're there and give me written authorization to send it over to you.”

We went on talking like this awhile, writing down what needed to be done, and then we got going.  Norman dropped me off at the gynecologist to whom Erich had referred me.  I was about to give the receptionist my medical insurance card, when she informed me that this was a private practice and they didn’t accept such cards. And as I was already turning to go, she inquired whether the address on the billing form was accurate.  It was Erich's. 

The waiting room was empty and I was immediately asked to go in; it was a first for me.  The doctor was tanned, trim and had extremely slender hands, like those of a woman.  Had his hair not been greying, he would have given a very youthful impression.  I explained to him that I wanted get tested for HIV and hepatitis and the like.  He joked and laughed affably as he entered some information into a database.  Then he told me that I was to have a blood sample taken by his assistant nurse and that she would take care of some other required tests.  He made an appointment for me to come back the following day at lunchtime; the remaining tests would be run then.  Norman would have to drop me off again.

As we sat in the car the following day I saw Norman's gun protruding from his jacket pocket.  This obviously meant that we were still in danger, and I felt myself tense up in my seat.

At the doctor's it was empty again as I entered the next day.  Instantly he came out of his office and greeted me with a warm smile.  But he called me by my first name this time.  Suddenly I had to sit down; I was shaken. 

“It's nice to finally know your name.  On that Saturday night we were never formally introduced.  Things were already too intimate.  I'm so glad to be seeing you again.”  He took me in his arms and kissed me on the cheek.

I gaped at him and shook my head. 

“Don't you remember me?” he asked.  “You screwed me absolutely senseless.  Good Lord, I've never experienced anything like it before.”  He beamed like a schoolboy who's just gotten a good grade.

“No,” I replied. “I really don't remember.  But it's nice to see you again,” I lied.

“Paul.  My name is Paul.  Please come into the next room and I'll examine you.”

In the other room there was an examination chair and some other medical apparatus.

“Are you looking for something?” he asked me as I scanned the room.

“Yes, where is the changing room?”

“It's outside, but I don't think that will be necessary.  It's just the two of us here and we exchanged more than a few glances the other night.”  He winked at me as he said this.  I shrugged, thinking that it in this case it made no difference where I undressed.  As I slipped out of my clothes, I noticed he was observing me.  As I let my panties drop, I saw his expression change. 

“Please take your bra off as well,” he requested.  “Then you can make yourself comfortable on the chair.”

I lay down on the chair and he adjusted the foot rests so that he had easy access to my vagina. Finally he took a seat on his stool and began probing me internally.

“I made sure to heat up the speculum beforehand so that it isn't so unpleasant.”  His fingers now penetrated my vagina, and I felt something warm following them.  His other hand applied a soft ointment, right where I was particularly sensitive.  I felt myself gradually relax. 

“This ointment will help relieve the swelling.  Your vagina is still a little raw and your anal sphincter is also swollen.  But it's not so bad, it'll pass quickly.  But you got a little carried away, it has to be said!

“I was overjoyed when Erich asked me if I would examine you.  He explained that you were afraid you might have been infected with something.  Let me reassure you: All of those present that night were examined thoroughly by me first.  It's in our interests as well, you understand.  We all know each other and want to have good clean fun.” I suddenly felt aroused.

What is the matter with you?  This is a total stranger.  What do you think you're doing, fooling around with him? 
The voice in my head was dead serious, and yet I found myself incapable of wanting this man.

“There you go, relax yourself, and this won't hurt a bit,” I heard him say in a breathy voice.

“That was quite a night we had.  I had been to a few of those events in the past, but we never had someone like you before.”

It almost felt like it had on Saturday night; the sensation of blissfully dissolving was washing over me again.

“Can't you round up a few guys from the street or something,” I giggled.  “I'm so horny I'm about to explode.”  Who exactly was saying these things?

“Your reactions are somewhat exaggerating, what’s the matter with you?” he suddenly interrupted my dreams.

“My God, I've never heard anything like that before. We'll stop for today.  My assistants will soon be coming back from their lunch break and we have to be done by then. But let’s have a coffee in my office, I’ll take my time for you.”

It dawned on me that Norman was waiting outside. He must have been bored to tears by now.  Well, I would take care of him later.  He was the right one for me.  I looked at the doctor and shook my head.

“No, my friend is outside in the car.  I can't keep him waiting.”

“I understand, Horst brought you here,” Paul said nodding sympathetically.  I looked at him aghast.  A bucket of cold water could not have been more sobering. 

“Horst?  No, I have nothing to do with him, you must be joking!”

The look on Paul's face revealed he was totally oblivious to the problem.  But it was clear that he didn't want to
probe the matter any further. 

“Then let's go into the office and discuss your test results,” he said in a factual tone, slipping instantly back into his doctor's role.

I took a seat at one end of the desk, and he opened a medical binder in front of me. 

“My assistant informed me this morning already that everything is in order.  No trace of any infections.  Otherwise, I wouldn't have greeted you so warmly,” he laughed warmly.

“Internally there is also nothing to report.  The minor abrasions will heal by tomorrow.  I applied some cortisone and a painkiller so that you should feel better within a day.  You can resume work tomorrow.” 
What was that supposed to mean?

“If you give me your business license, I can stamp it for you and you won't have any problems with the authorities.”

“Excuse me?  What business license?  And what work are you referring to?  I'm still a student!”  I was insulted.  He looked at me bewildered. 

“You mean you're working without a license? All prostitutes in this country need a license, didn’t Horst tell you that? Prostitution is only legal if you are registered and medically checked regularly. Horst knows that we only accept women that we are certain are...”  I interrupted him instantly, my breath quickening. 

“Are you crazy?  I’m not a prostitute and I don't work for Horst.  What exactly do you want from me?”  I bellowed, glaring at him.  The mere fact that he kept bringing up that pig's name was making me even more furious than if he had called me a hooker. 

“Then whom
do
you work for?  You don't mean to tell me that you did all that on Saturday night at your own risk and without a license?”  His gaping look spoke volumes. 

I was suddenly very calm, and spoke to him in measured tones.

“What happened on Saturday was a one-time favor to Erich.  I had been living with him for a while, and I did that only out of love for him,
not
for money! I am not a whore, can you understand that?”  He fell silent a moment.

“That old rascal is a lucky man.  If only I had known!  Then what exactly was I paying for?”

“You were paying Horst.  That pig conned me and all of you out of that money.  How much did you actually give him?”  His Adam’s apple shifted as he swallowed hard.

“Two thousand.
  Per person.  For my wife and...”  He trailed off in midsentence.  I nodded.

“It's between us.  I promise.  I myself stumbled into something that I deeply regret now.  And I didn't get a cent, by the way.” 

I felt my nerves ease off a little; I was more composed.  Paul heard my last sentence, nodded distractedly and leafed through the folder before him.  Then he frowned and looked at me over his reading glasses.

“Tell me, do you take drugs?  Your blood tests show levels that one usually finds in drug addicts who are on withdrawals.  You are more and more mystifying to me.  Who or what are you exactly?”

I felt queasy.  Immediately I thought of the conversation with Tanja.  What did she say was in the cocktail that Horst had given me?  Heroin, and a few other stimulants to arouse you sexually.  I was appalled.  Blood levels of a drug addict?  Up to now I was convinced that this drug only had had an effect during that night. Was I already hooked on this shit?  The silence in the room weighed me down like lead.  I looked Paul in the eyes and resolved to tell him the whole story.  Five minutes later his tan had turned ashen. 

“Heroin and the other two drugs can be flushed out of the system, provided they are not injected, but orally ingested.  That's how dealers usually begin when they want to make somebody dependent.  What did Tanja say was the other drug that is supposed to excite you sexually?” 
he asked in a faint voice.  I was feeling progressively worse. 

“She didn't say.”

“Can you find out?  It's very important.”  Panic was written all over his face.  A cold shiver crawled up my back, as his panic became mine.  I decided to pull myself together.  I would call Tanja on my mobile phone.  She had to tell me.

“Tanja,
it's Juliane.  I have to speak with you urgently.”  I heard her giggling almost hysterically. 

“Sweetheart, are you coming back to me? 
God how happy that would make me, to live a peaceful life without these sick bastards.”  She was slurring so badly I could hardly make out a word she said.  She was stinking drunk.

“Tanja, Jesus Christ, what's the matter? Did Horst hit you again?” I asked.  She began sobbing convulsively into the phone.  Then silence.  And now I heard her slurring again:

“What do you want from me?  Did you call me just to torture me?” she asked in a harsh voice that made my shudder.  How bad it had to be for her, not having anyone whom she could trust.  I saw Paul's expression, telling me to hurry and get to the point.

“Tanja, please.
  I'm at the doctor's and this is very important.  What was it that Horst put in my drink on Saturday night?  I have to know; this about my own health.”

I heard a throaty laugh through the phone.

“Sure, you're health is important.  But nobody seems to give a shit about my health.  What he gave you was...wait, what was it again?  Respi...something.  Let me get the bottle out of the fridge, I'll read it to you.”

“Well, it says here…”  A loud burp erupted in the middle of her sentence. 

“Alright, let me start again.  It says Respi... Respihydrol.”  Suddenly I heard a loud crack and a scream.  Then Horst's callous voice emerged.

“I'm going to teach you how to behave…” In the background Tanja shrieked and there were sharp sounds that were not hard to identify as someone being hit.  Then the line went dead.  For a long time I sat there rigid in the chair.  I felt powerless like never before in my life.  How could I help Tanja?  Paul cleared his throat.

“Please don't take this the wrong way.  I used to work as a gynecologist in a hospital.  There were hordes of women who had been hit by their pimps.  But they always returned to them.  With Horst and Tanja, I always had the impression that they were reputable, as far as brothel owners can be.  I overheard the screaming on the phone just now.  How mistaken one can be about people sometimes.  But believe me, there is nothing you can do about it.” His voice was stern. 

A young lady knocked at the door and stuck her head in.

“Doctor, your next patient is here, shall I tell her...”

“No, I'm in an emergency meeting here and can't receive her at the moment.  Ask her to wait or to make another appointment,” he snapped at his assistant, who withdrew, visibly taken aback.

“In a private practice like mine, it's almost a mortal sin not to keep an appointment.  My patients are all well-to-do, and expect to be waited on hand and foot,” he said quietly.  I said nothing. 

“Now if you could please tell me what the name of the substance is.  I thought I heard
Respihydrol, is that right?”  I nodded slowly and hoped that Paul wasn't going to fall over right in front of me, he was that pale.