Read Online Requiem for Moses by William X. Kienzle - Free Book Online

of the deal struck between Moe and Jake, whereby Cameron got his revolving stage and Green got his mistress.
    Green carefully assessed his prey before getting to what he considered “the good part.” He investigated her background before making his move. Irish Catholic parents; six siblings, all living. From first grade through high school, Catholic training. Two years of Catholic college.
    Green could relate. At least on paper, this was the way Green had raised his two children. Well, actually, Margie had raised them. But Moe had been an attentive onlooker.
    Fortunately for Green’s purposes, Claire McNern’s parents had all but disowned her when she began her career in show business. If forced to choose—and they had been—her brother and sisters sided with their parents.
    Thus, she would not have to be weaned from hearth and home.
    Green set her up in a quasi-luxurious apartment and sent her to a highly recommended professional dance instructor. He planned everything carefully and, as it turned out, correctly. Although it rubbed wrong his entire being, all he did was give, give, give. He asked for nothing. He dismissed her avowals that, once established, she would repay him for all the considerable investment he had made in her.
    Eventually, and in Green’s mind, inevitably, one pleasant evening when he was paying her one of his frequent visits, she would be wearing a seductive, revelatory, and—to her—sinful negligee.
    Still he held off.
    Instead of forcing himself upon her, he pushed the final button. He detailed a fabricated description of his loveless marriage. It had, he reluctantly admitted, been years since he had enjoyed the physical love of a caring woman.
    She had almost exploded.
    Among the many pleasures of that night, he had discovered that she was a virgin. But not anymore.
    From the very beginning, his plans for Claire had been open-ended. In one scenario, he would have sex with her as early in their relationship as possible. Or he might prolong the suspense, then take her quickly, then drop her. The way things actually transpired, it was almost too good to be true. And to think he had made it up as he went along!
    Now there was no way he would put her out of his life. With his convincing fiction, he had created the perfect woman-on-the-side.
    As for Claire, life evolved into dancing lessons, practice, more practice, exercises, preparing meals for Moe, having sex with Moe, being at Moe’s beck and call.
    She did not mind in the slightest that they never went out together. It would be a while yet before Moe was able to divorce his unloving wife and marry Claire.
    She did not mind seeing newspaper photos of Dr. and Mrs. Moses Green. He was a high-profile celebrity in the fast lane of society. She understood.
    Margie was aware of the affair. It was one of many. She never expected fidelity from her husband.
    Moe was more than satisfied.
    Then, one night, after intercourse, Claire turned on her side so her head was cradled on his shoulder. “I hate to say this, love, but I think something’s wrong.”
    “Oh?”
    “I missed my period.”
    “Just one? That’s not unusual.”
    “It is for me. I’m regular as rain, ‘member? I told you that when we discussed rhythm. It would be so easy for me because I’m so regular. That’s why I’m concerned about missing even one period.”
    “You’re not going to bug me about that rhythm thing again! I told you I have no intention of making love by calendar.”
    Claire propped herself up on one arm. “No, honey, not rhythm. I know how you feel about that. I’m just worried there might be something wrong with me.”
    Green considered the situation. “Well, okay. You got dance class tomorrow morning, right?”
    Claire, brow furrowed, nodded. She really was concerned.
    “Okay,” Green continued. “After you get done, come to my office. We’ll run a couple of tests.”
    “Thanks, honey. That makes me feel a lot better.” And to prove how much better