Industrial Espionage

[Why]

Katherine Harris

Katherine opened her mouth to speak (Not that she knew what she was going to say) When her handbag started vibrating. Stopped then started again.... "Errrr excuse me..." Katherine mumbled and reached into her bag, drawing out the vibriating moblie phone.

Hans smiled and scuffed the pavement with his left shoe, as she answered the call.

"Katherine?" (It was Mrs Appleshot)

"Yes..."

"Been trying to reach you all evening." Katherine pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at it; 4 missed calls.

"Errr... been busy," Katherine said and looked at Hans and for some reason blushed.

"I assumed as much, but this is important I need to warn you."

"Warn me?" Katherine repeated looking across at a now frowning Hans.

"Yes... R.J's attack dog is in town, Dirk Mason. Watch your back young woman, this project is too important; for Little’s Lingerie, you, me and the women of the world. We need a comfortable bra at an affordable price on the market." (Katherine was stunned, she never thought of Mrs Appleshot as a bit of a women's Lib supporter)" Katherine take care and look out for strange men trying to pick you up. Dirk is a dick" With this Mrs Appleshot hung up.

"Problems?" Hans asked "All not well with the bra, I mean bras...."

 

[Tibxo]

Dirk Mason aka 'Hans Drucker'

Dirk doesn't have to eavesdrop on Katherine's telephone conversation. He knows that Chang is near by with extremely sophisticated surveillance equipment which will tape the conversation for him to listen to later on.

"Problems?" He asks when she puts her phone back in her bag "All not well with the bra, I mean bras?"...

 

[Why]

Katherine Harris.

"No, no problems. Just my boss wanting to make sure I have things in hand" Katherine answered.

"I see..." Hans said and took Katherine's arm in his and began to escort her back towards where she had left her car.

She gave a small smile. No it was not possible. Dirk was.... the same height and build as Hans least from what she had been told. He didn't have blonde hair, though he could have dyed it. I can't see the roots. Dirk does not have bright blue eyes either. Katherine stole a look at Hans as the walked under a street light. One of his blue eyes seemed to have slipped sideways. contacts?

Was it possible? Could this man be Dirk Mason?

No, it was not possible... He was too nice.

They had reached her car...

"Well?" Hans said and slipped Katherine's hand into his and raised it to his lips. "Thank you for a very interesting afternoon and evening."

"I.... errr...." Damn Katherine's thoughts rambled on, that's it; if he were Dirk Mason, he would be trying to get in my knickers or my bra... The bra I am still wearing it? If he is Dirk Mason could he have noticed it? He is a world expert on bras and their contents( a slight huff accompanied this thought)

If he was Dirk Mason he would be pushing to get a look or? Stop it. He is just a nice man. This is all Mrs Appleshot's doing. I don't believe it the first time a man in my age range finds me worth a second glance it could turn out to be the enemy Need to find out, confirm if he is a stranger in a strange land or Dirk the fink. If he is... then two can play that game... Just hope he isn't.... sigh.....

Katherine her hand still held in Hans' eventually said.. "would you like another cup of coffee or...." She looked at the car then at Hans.

 

[Tibxo]

Dirk Mason aka 'Hans Drucker'

(OOC: Jeez! Has it been that long since I last posted? I'm sorry, Why. Busy at work.)

To say he is tempted by her invitation is an understatement. Katherine Harris is, even by his own standards, a very attractive woman and his strong libido would like nothing more than to spend a night with her, and subject her to his manly passions.

But he has work to do.

"Danke for der kind offer, Katherine." He says most charmingly. "But I haf to decline. Unfortunately, I am hafing to get up early tomorrow morning."

"Oh!" Does she look disappointed? "I understand." She tells him.

Her smile almost makes Dirk change his mind.

"Ja. Some seminar that I haf to attend to but otherwise..." His voice trails off as he turns and starts to walk away.

He then stops and turns back to her.

"Erm. Look. I don't normally do this but....." He pauses for a moment, "but would you be interested in going out with me tomorrow night?"...

 

[Why]

Katherine Harris

Katherine sat at her desk the next day going over the events of the previous day in her mind.

A smile lit up her eyes and now and then she chuckled, worrying her assistant, Claire.

The evening had ended on a wistful note. An address and mobile phone number exchanged, a handshake where both hands had been reluctant to let go. For a moment Katherine had hoped that Hans was going to kiss her, but he didn't. Just vanished into the night.

The doubtful thoughts raised by Mrs Appleshot's phone call still lingered. This was heightened as the afternoon wore on. The documents Katherine mailed to herself arrived and were now on the desk between her and Mrs Appleshot along with the prototype bra, (Katherine sadly back in her own) the first of the production run in devil red and black and the mock ups of the packaging.

"We managed to switch production lines three times, so none of the girls know the whole process from start to finish." Katherine said.

"There is a buzz in the factory" Mrs Appleshot replied picking up the devil red and black bra and peering at the side seams.

"Always is when the new lines are coming in."

Mrs Appleshot nodded then said. "Take a look at these," She pulled out a file from her desk.

"Another alteration from the designer?" Katherine felt a shudder run up her spine.

"No, Dirk Mason." Mrs Appleshot said as she flicked the file open and pawed through the photos and bio.

Katherine's eyes widened, strained and felt as if they were going to pop. He looked so like Hans... was it possible. Damn, oh damn.

She picked up a photo and looked hard at it. It could be; it so could be. She tried not to sniff all her day dreams were deflating fast. Then her eyes narrowed. If Hans was Dirk, then how did he and what was he up too. Stupid she cursed herself, he is up to finding out about the bra.

Well two could play at that game, if Hans was Dirk, but she had to be sure. She began to look through the pictures. Dirk with a long-legged blonde on his arm. Dirk in a clench with a raven haired eastern beauty. Dirk in a... "What is that?" Katherine asked pointing to a close up of flesh.

"Birthmark." Mrs Appleshot replied.

"There?"

"Yes...”

Katherine turned her head. That's it! One way to be sure. Part of her really hoped Dirk wasn't Hans. But if he did have a birthmark there, then...

All she needed to do was get a close look at the area. That meant she would have to pull out all the stops that evening.

"Can I take the red one, to compare?" Katherine asked.

"Good idea; also have a look at the matching thong while you are at it." Mrs Appleshot answered.

 

[Tibxo]

Dirk Mason

The beautiful masseuse reluctantly pulls her lips away from Dirk's as he opens the door.

"Thank you for attending to me at such notice." He says with charm. "Unfortunately I have pressing business or I would have asked you to stay longer."

"Anytime, Dirk." The woman breathes. "Just phone me day or night."

Dirk blows her a kiss as he closes the door behind her.

"Well, Chang. Were you successful last night?" He says as he turns and sees his faithful servant standing behind him.

"I did get into hew apawtment awright, Mistew Mason. Howevew, thewe wasn't much thewe except for these."

Chang hands Dirk an A4 sized vanilla envelope which he opens. In it are pictures of Katherine Harris 'performing' with a great dane.

"Kinky." He comments before the placing the pictures back inside the envelope. "Was there anything else?"

Chang shakes his head.

"Regwettably no. She is most clean for a westewn woman." The china man says.

"A pity." Comments Dirk.

"A humble suggestion, siw. Can you not blackmail girl with pictuwes? She would have to agwee if she wants to keep job."

Dirk doesn't even gives his faithful batman's suggestion serious consideration.

"I prefer more enjoyable methods to ensure a woman's co-operation. No, I will stick to our original plan. I have a date with the Miss Harris tonight. We are going up town to watch a play."

"Ah so! Most entewtaining."

The rest of the day, Dirk spends researching his intended victim...

 

[Why]

Katherine Harris.

Katherine was sucking on an orange and looking for her hair straighteners, she was sure she had left them on the floor by the wall plug. No they were on the dressing table.

Strange?

Then there was that missing picture off the sideboard. The one she hid behind the others. But kept out, just in case her maiden aunt Fanny came round. Fanny bred great danes. Aunt Fanny's Cruft's winning dog Laddie, Edward, Great, Lord, Oscar, Vangard, Eswhile, Roland, Or "Leg Lover" for short

The dog was a pest. Katherine wondered if there was a piece of furniture or a human leg that had survived the creature's company and remained a "virgin".

Still she had best finish getting ready. She stripped off her robe and inspected herself. Not bad she thought. The red bra did wonders and she would put up with the inching in of the thong. Now for a decent garter belt. She hadn't a matching red one, but she had a good black one.

She went to her undies draw and frowned. Things were folded differently. Katherine was puzzled, she swore that she had folded her panties not rolled them.

Still, she needed to look her best to night.

Part of her wanted not to find any trace of a birthmark on Han's ................................. But deep down she knew it was so possible, so possible Hans was Dirk and after her bra!

She sighed and slipped into her "little black dress" Which was very little and fitted where it touched.

She was ready..... for anything.

 

[Tibxo]

Dirk Mason aka 'Hans Drucker'

Dirk, wearing a white shirt with matching jacket and trousers, stands patiently at the door after ringing the bell.

The door finally opens and Katherine steps out wearing a small black number which leaves little to imagination. In a rare moment, Dirk is lost for words at the sight of the lovely woman standing before him.

"How do I look?" She asks, posing before him.

Beautiful!

"Beautiful." He replies.

"You don't look too bad yourself." Katherine grins back. "Now how are we getting into town? My car or train?"

"I took der liberty of hiring some transport. Fruend of mein suggested it." He points to a horse and carriage standing by the curb.

From the corner of his eye, he sees look at it in disbelief.

"Hans...you shouldn't have done. This must have cost you a fortune."

It did but I am not paying the bill!

"Not really. I haf nice commission from my last sale and besides, it isn't far."

Offering his arm, he takes her to the carriage.

"First to der restuarant and then, onto der play." He tells her as they get underway. "You know, I haf always vanted to see 'Grease the Musical'."...

 

[Why]

Katherine Harris.

Katherine's eyes widened and she struggled not to let her mouth drop open. He had said she was beautiful and......

A horse and carriage!!!

Hans helped her mount and settle down on the well padded leather seats. The Chinese driver covered both their knees with a thick rug and gave Katherine a grin.

She frowned and felt as if the driver actually knew the colour and type of undies she had in her draw. Silly she thought and settled back to enjoy the ride.

The evening was slightly chill, so she used this as an excuse to cuddle close to Hans, if that was truely his name. Katherine was not normally a sexually agressive type, but tonight she intended to play the "vamp" to find out if Hans had that birthmark that would make him Dirk.

She slid her hand, under the thick rug and laid it on Han's thigh, feeling the muscles tense under her touch.

"So you like musicals then, I am not a great fan, but I love the power of a lively performance." Katherine said as the carriage clattered to a stop at a set of traffic lights.

A young woman crossing the road began to wave and the look on her face was not friendly and it was no one Katherine knew. She looked at Hans' who was trying hard to look anywhere but at the approaching young woman.

 

[Tibxo]

Dirk Mason aka 'Hans Drucker'

"Excuse me, governor." Says the young woman as she approaches the carriage. "I wonder if you can help me."

(Tib Note: The girl's accent is the typical Dick van Dyke's which you often hear the English use in this type of stories).

Damn! Thinks Dirk as he tries to ignore - but to no avail unfortunately.

"Hans. Shouldn't we better help this young woman?" Asks Katherine.

"Mein apologise, Katherine."

Resignedly, he looks at the woman.

"What is der matter, young lady?" He says politely.

"Coo! What a weird accent yer got." She giggles. "Anyway, it's my little brother. His pet cat is caught up in a tree and he can't get him down."

"Vell? Can you just vait until it come down?"

"Oh please, governor. He is so upset so he is." She pleads.

Glancing at Katherine, he gets out of the cab.

"Just give me a few minutes, Katherine and I vill be back."

Leaving his date in the carriage, he follows the woman down one of the dimly lit side streets.

As soon as they round a corner and are no longer in site of the carriage, the woman launches herself at him.

"Oh Dirk, darling. I soooo missed you." She cries as she covers his face and mouth in kisses.

"For God's sake, Gloria." Protests Dirk as he gently pushes the passionate woman off him. "What are you doing here?"

"I was out with some mates and saw you and Lady Muck an' thought ' Here up, what is Dirk upta?' Is it another one of your little scams?"

Dirk and Gloria Smudget have an interesting 'relationship'. Not for the first time he has got her to help out with one of his 'scams'. The payment being some money and a night of passion.

"You could say that, Gloria." He says as he brushes down his jacket.

"Need any help?" She asks eagerly. He has always liked her enthusiasm.

"Not this time." He smiles. "Anyway, I had better get back before my companion gets suspicious. I will give you a call when I need you next."

***********************

Back in the carriage, they continue on with their journey.

That was a close one, Dirk. That could have been one of your little conquests and then you would have been in bother.

They reach the restuarant without any more mishap...

 

[Why]

Katherine Harris.

Katherine's right brow went up. That girl's accent was so not "real" talk about a come on.

Hans or was is Dirk's return (Katherine was beginning to have more doubts) was quick, too quick for any one get a cat out of a tree except by shaking it out. Her mind was working in all directions, could the bad "cockney" girl be his accomplice?

There was also the matter of the bright red lipstick, that most certainly not his shade.

As they entered the very expensive, spot the celeb, eating house Katherine pulled out her hankie and said " Here let me tidy you up a bit." she licked the corner and dabbed it on the lipstick smudge on Han's face.

"Oh, she vas, most pleased."

"I bet..." Katherine growled under her breath. "You are such a gent Hans. Do you want a drink first, is there anything you see you want in the bra, I mean the bar?"

That was not Katherine's first slip of the night, some how every "b" word started to come out bra The worst was singing "your the bra that I want" on the way back. This time warm and snug in the back of a black taxi cab.

Katherine's knee was pressed to Han's as was her thigh and the bra was showing off her cleavage to maximum effect. Yet she still was not sure if this was Hans (oh how much she hoped it was) or Dirk... she needed to get a look at that birthmark if it existed.

 

[Tibxo]

Dirk Mason aka 'Hans Drucker'

(OOC: Sorry for the delay in posting, Why.)

Dirk looks at her quizzically as Katherine leans forward.

She is certainly is acting strange tonight. He thinks to himself as he finds he is being forced to look at her cleverage. Well, maybe 'forced' is too strong a word.

And how many times has she thrown in the word 'bra'?

"We are here, mate." Announces the taxi driver as the cab comes to a standstill almost to his regret. Despite the real reason why he is out with Katherine tonight, he had been enjoying the feel of her body against his.

Getting out, Dirk hands the man some pound notes and the taxi cab is on its way.

"I vant to danke you for der lovely evening ve had tonight, Katherine." Says Dirk as he walks her to the front door. Standing facing her, he sees her face in the pale moonlight and suddenly realises how beautiful she is and for a moment, time seems to freeze as he looks deeply into her eyes.

"Danke very much." He says, shakenly, remembering his role as he politely takes her hand and kisses the knuckles, accompanied by the traditional German salute, before turning to leave...

 

[Why]

Katherine Harris.

He was leaving.

Stupid, she should say something, she had, had a lovely evening. Hans or Dirk, whoever had been charming funny... Everything she...No must not think like that she told herself, he could be the enemy.

But...

Katherine's hand went out and touched him lightly on the shoulder as he began to move away.

Hans stopped his head turned and he looked at her. His eyebrow went up in a questioning way. Katherine struggled to speak.

"Coffee? I mean...I don't usually ask, but, well..." I am blabbering Katherine thought. But I would love just to sit, to talk to... Yes that as well.

Perhaps I am not attractive.

For some reason all though of getting Hans the suspected Dirk into bed to see if he had that birth mark had fled from her mind. Katherine wanted to get him into bed because she wanted to know what it would be like to be with him.

Hans still hadn't said anything, she removed her hand and brought it to her mouth nibbling her fingers and saying "Sorry, silly idea...please forget it and thank you for the lovely evening." She bit her lip and cursed the whole "bra" industry for putting her in front of a man that she found so attractive, yet made her doubt who he was and what he was

 

[Tibxo]

Dirk Mason aka 'Hans Drucker'

He looks at her nervousness and forces himself not to grin.

"Oh no, it is not a silly idea." He says, hesitantly. "It is just zat I haf to get up early tomorrow. Ozerwise, I vould be honoured to haf coffee with you."

"Oh." She says with obvious relief before smiling up at him.

He returns the smile. In truth, he would like nothing more than to take this woman to bed and fuck her to an inch of her life. But business first. Also there is the matter of her slightly strange behaviour.

"Until some ozzer time." He says, again taking and kissing her hand before turning and walking away.

He had started down the pavement when he turns to stop. Katherine is still at the door step, obviously watching him.

"Yes?" She says as she comes towards. He cannot help but see the hope in her eyes.

"Katherine. I vos vundering." as the two of them draw near.

"Yes?" She says again.

"I vunder if you could me with my English." Again, he has to force back a grin as he sees her disappointment. "It is that I am scheduled to make a talk next veek and I am most concerned zat my English is not good enough." He pauses for a moment, pretending to be embarrassed. "I just vunder if you could help me."...

 

[Why]

Katherine Harris

Han’s refusal hit Katherine like a blow to the stomach. She was winded. Over done it fool… she thought, you can’t even tempt a man into bed with you. Forget about whom he might be, you are a failure. It had been a lovely evening and for a while Katherine had forgotten the reason why she was dressed to the nines and trying to winkle Hans, suspected Dirk, into her home.

Katherine sighed and watched him walk away. He stopped under a street light and Katherine came down the steps.

"Katherine. I vos vundering." Hans said as she joined him under the hazy orange light.

"Yes?"

"I vunder if you could me with my English." Again, he has to force back a grin as he sees her disappointment. "It is that I am scheduled to make a talk next veek and I am most concerned zat my English is not good enough." He pauses for a moment, pretending to be embarrassed. "I just vunder if you could help me."...

Katherine’s mouth opened then closed and she smiled; a sad reflective smile. “Of course I would be glad to help a friend. What do you have in mind? Should we arrange to meet again to discuss it… or…” Katherine’s eyes went back to her door. no, don’t mention it, he has refused once.

 

[Tibxo]

Dirk Mason aka 'Hans Drucker'

"Vood the day after tomorrow be too soon?" Dirk says knowing that he has things to do in the meantime. "I am bizy in der daytime but vill be free in der evening - if dat is agreeable?"

By the look on her face, he already knows that she will agree.

The Mason charm never fails!...