The Lady in Blue
(c) 2005 by Wine Maker

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the 
product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance 
to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is 
entirely coincidental.

A Texas vintner meets a lady in blue at a private club. Sparks fly and tensions 
build as they tease each other, or as his brother would call it, doing the "Do Me" 
dance. Then tragedy strikes close and as they explore their relationship, they 
also find something new as a sexy cop becomes part of the dance. Has a real 
plot and three dimensional characters. It's more than just a wanker.



Chapter One: Erotic mystery in the heart of Houston	2
Chapter Two: The night ends with a bang	7
Chapter Three: The night belongs to the Hawk	18
Chapter Four: The tables are turned	29
Chapter Five: A fight before satisfaction	41
Chapter Six: Flying with the Hawk	54
Chapter Eight: Ted gets enlightened	77
Chapter Nine: Lisa takes charge	92
Chapter Ten: A deal is a deal.	111
Chapter Eleven: On the case	123
Chapter Thirteen: Soaring free.	149
Chapter Fourteen: A big break.	161
Chapter Fifteen: Where no man has gone before.	173
Chapter Sixteen: Fighting back.	185
Chapter Seventeen: The takedown.	200




Chapter One: Erotic mystery in the heart of Houston
 
Ted's point of view
 
I opened the driver's side door and stepped into the street. Glancing back to 
make sure the way was clear, I walked around the car to join my younger 
brother, Stan. Once or twice a week we made the trip into Houston to the club. 
It was a private club upstairs from a restaurant. The owner was particular about 
who he allowed in and his criterion was not always obvious. Some people 
became downright angry at being denied entry; but Carl ran the club for his 
personal pleasure, not for the profit. He wasn't terribly concerned about those 
who got upset. He just saw it as validation for not letting them in to begin with. 
Frankly, I thought the restricted clientele made it more of a draw than if it were 
open to every Tom, Dick and Harry. I laughingly called it my own Diogenes Club. 
 
We went there to unwind from the rigors of managing the family business, 
Stansbury Vineyards. The vine covered terraces in the Texas Hill Country, the old 
work buildings and the presses near Houston have been in my family for almost 
a hundred years. My father, grandfather and great-grandfather all sweated blood 
over those grapes. I was no different. Stan razzed me endlessly about all the 
hard work. It's why I'm thirty-five and single, he said. He could be right. We 
shared the same square face as our father, the same strong jaw line. Looks 
didn't seem to stop him from dating so it must be me.
 
The décor was relaxing and very comfortable with overstuffed leather chairs 
scattered among short tables of rich mahogany. A fireplace in the side wall 
provided an air of intimacy with the scent of burned oak. Many of the patrons 
here smoked cigars or pipes with their brandy, whisky or what have you. While I 
don't smoke, I did like the smell of a good pipe. 
 
Stan sometimes smoked Padron cigars while we relaxed. He told me I should 
enjoy one along with my beer at least once a month. No thanks. It was a very 
nasty habit. I would rather eat dirt. It would be healthier. I wasn't a health nut 
but I was in good shape and I'd like to keep it that way.
 
A number of people have wondered why I drank beer when I went out and not 
wine. To me, it seemed to be a break from work. I tasted wine often as I 
worked, and a few beers now and then let me feel relaxed. It made me feel less 
of a wine snob.
 
Tonight, we found our way up the stairs just after six in the evening. The club 
was only about half full with several regulars seated at the bar who waved at us 
when we walked past. Carl shook his bar rag at us as we settled into place and 
Dina, the waitress, brought a glass of chardonnay for Stan and a Heineken for 
me. She joked with me that Carl had a nice selection of more sophisticated beers 
on hand, but she understood. I just liked the simple and clean taste. Dina was 
Carl's daughter and, if you looked, you could see her mother in her. Not Carl - 
thank God. He was a great guy but he fell out of the ugly tree and he hit every 
single branch on the way to the ground. 
 
Dina patted Stan on the arm and moved off to see to the needs of the other 
patrons. I shot him my patented big brother look. "She likes you,” I said.
 
Stan laughed back. "I like her, too, but think of the family, man! Carl's genes are 
in there somewhere!"
 
I slapped him on the arm. "Oh, stop it! You like Carl and Dina looks just fine."
 
"Ted, I like you, too, but you're still a bit homely." he retorted.
 
I laughed back and we settled into our comfortable routine of drinking slowly. 
We chatted about the people that were there. Captain Jack, Uncle Armand (no 
relation) and Sven the weightlifter were the first on the hit parade. They were all 
real characters and always worth a lot of speculation. 
 
I was so involved in the conversation that I didn't see the woman in blue come 
in. It was like she had just appeared in one of the leather chairs across from us 
with a large, bald black man in a dark suit. It was hard to tell but I thought she 
was about my height. Rather tall for a woman. Long blonde hair cascaded across 
her shoulders, framing a face that was long, slender and pale. A soft pink lipstick 
was better than the red that so many fair skinned women favored. It suited her. 
 
The blue dress fit her svelte frame like a glove and showed her willowy legs to 
fine advantage as she crossed them. She was well built for her frame, her 
cleavage showcased in a daringly low cut front that gave one the hope that 
gravity might pull the clinging fabric just a little lower. She was engrossed in an 
animated conversation with her well dressed companion, laughing from time to 
time. The occasional sip she took of her wine caused delicious ripples in her 
golden hair.
 
"Do you like her?"
 
I startled just a bit at the unexpected voice. I had forgotten Stan.
 
"She's pretty," I admitted. 
 
"Go ask for her number."
 
I turned to stare incredulously and chided him. "She's with her date, Stan! Not 
only is that clichéd, it's just wrong!"
 
Stan smiled and shook his head. "Ted, that's why I date and you don't. You need 
to be a bit more forward," he said. "Women are just as needy as you are. They 
want to have men show an interest in them." Seeing that I remained 
unconvinced, he smirked. "I'll show you what I mean."
 
I looked at him warily, not really sure what he had in mind. He just smiled back 
at me. 
 
"Stan, really, there's no need…" I started.
 
Stan stood abruptly. When I looked back, the woman's date had left the table, 
probably for a trip to the men's room. Stan walked right up to her and she 
smiled at his approach. He bent and spoke softly, pointing back my way. I could 
feel my face turn red. This was so embarrassing. She smiled at me…her eyes 
sparkling as she spoke softly with Stan. I could almost feel the heat of my 
embarrassment in my toes. He nodded and returned to his seat, a smug 
expression on his face, shrouded in a conspiratorial silence. Finally, unable to 
contain myself, I leaned forward. "So, what did she say?"
 
Stan waved his hand nonchalantly. "Nothing important. I'm sure it wouldn't 
interest you."
 
I glared at him. "Stan…," I said dangerously.
 
Stan laughed and held up his hands in self-defense. "Calm down, big brother! I'll 
tell! No need to get violent!"
 
Furtively, he leaned forward. "She said that the man with her is not her date, 
just a friend. I told her you were shy and she thought that was cute. She told me 
to encourage you to. Go ask for her name and phone number yourself, if you're 
interested that is."
 
When I looked back over she raised her wine glass to me and took a sip. Her 
friend walked up behind her and affectionately touched her shoulder as he took 
his seat. They went back to chatting. I could tell I was the subject of 
conversation from the sideways glances that kept coming my way. I flushed 
again and she laughed. 
 
Stan startled me again when he rose to his feet. "Well, Ted, I think I'll call it an 
early night. You stay and have a good evening. Remember, chance favors the 
prepared mind, God helps those that help themselves and a rolling stone gathers 
no moss." He cocked his head and smiled. "I can't think of any more good advice 
so I'll get a cab and you have fun working up your courage."
 
With a wave, he walked out of the club, leaving me to fend for myself. A number 
of unusual sensations filtered through me as I settled back to take a long 
draught of my beer. I was shocked to find it almost empty. I didn't recall having 
drunk so much of it. I waved at Dina for another. She nodded back from across 
the room. 
 
While I waited, I returned my gaze to the woman in blue speculatively. She was 
still engrossed in her conversation with her friend and seemed to have moved 
her attention away from me. That made it so much the better to look her over 
and consider what I should do. Why was I shy around women? I had never really 
given it much thought. Work and family took up a lot of my time. How did I go 
about being more 'forward', as Stan put it? Did I want to be more 'forward'?
 
When I stopped reflecting, I noticed that she had turned in her chair so that her 
skirt had ridden up. Now an expanse of creamy, pale thigh was open to my view. 
I'm sure that my face mirrored my surprise but I had to admit that she looked 
exceptional.
 
At last, I looked back up to her face and saw that she was looking right at me 
with a wry expression. She quirked an eyebrow and seemed to be inquiring if I 
liked what I saw. I felt my face heat once again from being caught ogling a 
complete stranger. She broke into laughter and made the finger gesture of 
'shame, shame' at me. Her friend looked confused and looked my way with a 
similar expression. She leaned over, whispering something to him and he almost 
fell out of his chair chortling.
 
Her friend's laughter got my dander up. I didn't like being laughed at very much 
and I felt foolish. She was using me as her and her friend's evening amusement. 
I took the opportunity of Dina bringing my second beer to shift around so I 
wasn't looking at either of them. Inside, I seethed with indignation. After about 
ten minutes, Dina set down another beer beside my mostly finished one. I 
looked up in surprise.
 
"Compliments of the lady, Ted. She said to tell you they didn't mean to upset 
you. Her friend was not laughing at you; he was laughing at her behavior."
 
I looked back over and the seats were empty. That made me sit up and take 
notice. I looked around but they were nowhere to be seen!
 
Dina continued, "She said they had to leave, but hoped you enjoyed the view. If 
you're interested, she plans to be back Friday night and hopes you'd like to see 
more of her then."
 
Dina started to walk away but turned back, adding, "And Ted, tell Stan that I 
really like him, okay?"
 
With a smile, she moved off, her short skirt swishing back and forth. I sank back 
in my seat a bit trying to get a grasp on the situation. Did I want to see more of 
the woman in blue? Once the outrage wore off, I found myself seriously 
considering coming back on Friday to see what else might be in store. I knew 
Stan would insist I come, the cad. Should I? Was it all just titillation and teasing? 
Or did she really want me to step up?
 
An hour passed before I finally shook myself out of my reverie. I needed to go 
home. I could think more about it as the week passed. Friday was still three days 
away. I rose with a wave to Carl, Dina and Sven and I made my way down the 
stairs and into the dark, muggy heat. Houston summers could be hot, but I 
suspected that the forecast had more than just sweltering temperatures ahead 
for the weekend.



Chapter Two: The night ends with a bang

Ted's point of view

Friday dawned warm and bright. After showering and dressing for a busy day, I 
walked out of the house into the vineyard. The trellises covered in grape vines 
ran in neat rows for acres. The netting we used to keep the birds at bay, 
fluttered slowly in the breeze. I stopped at the first row and drew in a deep 
breath. The smell was sweet and earthy. The vines here in the city of Spring, 
just north of Houston, were much younger than the main vineyard near Bend, 
north of Austin in the Texas Hill country. I had planted and nurtured these vines 
myself. 

My father had turned the private vineyard his father and grandfather cultivated 
near Bend into a commercial enterprise but had never seen the success he 
dreamed of. The laws that hedged the winemaking industry in Texas had made it 
very hard to make a profit and had not really changed since the repeal of 
Prohibition. These laws restricted everything from the hours we could have wine 
tastings to forcing vintners to sell mostly through distributors rather than directly 
to stores or via mail order. If a store sold a bottle of wine for fifteen dollars, they 
had bought it from the distributor for nine. That distributor paid the winemaker 
only five and a half dollars; it cost about four bucks to make, bottle and prepare 
the wine. The way to make a small fortune in winemaking in Texas was to start 
with a large fortune. The laws were changing, though. I wish my father and 
mother had lived to see it. Now we could sell via mail to anywhere in the 
country. The hours were better for tastings and we could advertise more openly 
and effectively. 

The entire time we three kids grew up, my father worked hard to change the 
laws in Texas and draw people in to the winery. Every weekend there were 
concerts, events and free tastings. Stan now handled that. He just has a way 
with people that I could never manage. There were two classes of people for 
Stan: friends and friends he had not yet met. 

Sue was the same as Stan - with a bubbly, outgoing personality. She is the baby 
of the family; five years younger than me and three younger than Stan. I could 
see Mom in her, vibrant and beautiful. She, her husband Leo, and their herd of 
kids lived in the Hill Country running Stansbury's main vineyard. It was larger, by 
far, and as much as I loved it, I loved this field more. 

I tilted my head and looked at the dark grapes on the vine closest to me. They 
were almost ready - full and lush. The small, dark Spanish grapes hung in 
clusters of sweet promise. We would start the picking in a week or so, I decided. 
Then these grapes would be crushed along with grapes from Bend and some 
imported from California to be mixed and fermented into Stansbury wines. The 
rich juice would ferment for eighteen months in barrels, then we would bottle it 
and let it age for another year before it was ready to sell.

I walked back past the house and went to the large adobe building next to it. 
The eighteen inch thick walls made the dim interior into an above ground cave - 
cool even in the heat of summer. The interior walls were lined with barrels and 
casks of wine fermenting in the cool 72 degrees. The lifeblood of this vineyard 
sat here enshrined deep in the smell of rich oak.

The wood felt rough beneath my hand and the heady smell of the wood pulled 
me, as it always did. I drew some wine from one of the casks into a tasting glass 
and put my nose to the opening to breathe in its aroma. The fruity smell of the 
wine filled my senses. I moved the glass and watched the thick liquid roll. A sip 
into my mouth and the complex flavor of the wine reminded me of the lady in 
blue drinking wine in the club. 

The last two days had been a mixture of growing eagerness and apprehension 
for me. Stan had been all for me going back, as I knew he would be. He had 
been a pest these last two days. Every conversation had one destination, one 
ultimate purpose - the mysterious lady in the blue dress and her lush, creamy 
thigh. 

I had to admit that she preyed on my thoughts. I found myself standing and 
thinking about her at the oddest times. I decided that it must have been too long 
since I had dated if a stranger could focus my thoughts this way. What did I 
know about her? Nothing, except she had an exceptional way of drinking wine...

I knew I was going back even before I started my car outside the club that 
night. Not that I would give Stan the satisfaction of telling him my head had 
been turned so quickly. I'd never hear the end of it. 

Pouring the wine that remained into the spitting bucket, I decided that I needed 
to stop thinking about this evening. I had to run back into Houston to meet with 
a state lawmaker and discuss the next big push - the repeal of the law that 
banned winemakers from owning a store that sold wine or selling direct to 
people that did. Others had been instrumental in prior changes that were 
opening new vistas to me and my fellow vintners, but I was going to bust it wide 
open. Texas could be as big a producer as California if the State would just open 
its eyes to the opportunity. The California industry was older and ten times more 
lucrative, but that could be narrowed. It brought 1.2 billion dollars into 
California's coffers and only 130 million here. We could do better.

Walking back into the house, I stepped into a kitchen that, though modern, felt 
as homey as one fifty years old. The makings for a breakfast of eggs, bacon, 
toast and coffee were soon spread out.

The scent of cooking bacon drew Stan out from his bedroom and still in his 
pajamas. He looked half asleep, his hair a crime against humanity. 

"Morning, Ted," he yawned as he sat at the table. "Well, it's the big day. Are you 
going to commit?"

With a shake of my head, I laughed and forked the bacon from the pan, cracked 
a couple of eggs and dumped them into the skillet. 

"You're implacable, Stan. You'd think this was someone you are interested in. 
Speaking of someone - what about Dina? Are you going back to see her tonight? 
I will if you will."

With a boyish grin, he nodded. "You have a deal, big brother. Are you still seeing 
de la Cruz today?"

I set a cup of coffee and his plate in front of him then started prepping my own. 
The smells made my stomach growl. Breakfast was the best meal of the day. 

When I finally sat down and sipped the smooth Columbian coffee, I nodded. 

"Yep. Not that I expect to get a commitment out of him. The distributor's lobby 
has oodles of cash to throw at him to try and keep the stranglehold going. Still, I 
think we can chip away at him though. The numbers are really convincing and 
they will have to come around, sooner or later."

We chatted over the details of the weekend plans. He had a bluegrass band on 
for the weekend tasting. I thought it sounded like another blast. No doubt he 
would draw in hundreds of people on Sunday. Not a million visitors a year, but it 
will do for now. 

As he ambled off to get showered, I cleaned up the kitchen and then got on the 
road. 


The drive into Houston was slow and crowded along the I45 corridor but I had 
talk radio programs to keep me updated on the world's events. The parking 
around Representative Ramon de la Cruz's office was crowded as usual. It took 
three trips around the block to find a place to park.

On the way into the building, I ran into Ken Price, one of the lobbyists for the 
distribution industry. Or perhaps it would be fairer to say he ran into me. He was 
that kind of fellow. I managed to not grimace as he smirked at me.

"Ted Stansbury, what a surprise seeing you here. I was just telling Ramon that I 
hadn't seen you in weeks." Name-dropping bastard.

"Get used to me, Price. I'll be a fly in your ointment for a long time to come. The 
wind of change is in the air. It's time to let the wine industry in Texas grow. 
Maybe you can get a job working for big tobacco."

His smirk slipped. "You need to learn your place, Stansbury," he snarled. "Be 
happy with the bone we gave you. We let you get that law to sell by mail but 
you won't cut us out. We are the industry, not you dirt grubbing grape farmers. 
You should back off before you piss us off. Obstacles to the lobby have a way 
of… being removed."

Before I could respond, he pushed his way past me and out of the building 
lobby. God, but that man is a prick. I had dealt with plenty of decent people as 
distributors but some few could be real asses. I straightened my coat and took 
the elevator up to the third floor. 

I sat in the well-appointed waiting room, chatting with the secretary about the 
weather for about ten minutes before she was buzzed and I was sent in. 

Ramon de la Cruz was a short man but full of energy. He came around the desk 
and shook my hand with barely contained energy. "Ted, I'm always happy to see 
you. Have a seat. How's your family? Can I get you anything?"

I sat down and shook my head. "No, thanks. I'm good. I came by to talk about 
the future of the wine industry here in Texas. The laws that were passed this last 
session were a good start, but we can do better."

We spoke for several minutes about the situation as it existed and, as I 
expected, he was noncommittal. He sympathized but he needed to see more 
information. The spiel about how the system had worked well for Texas for 
almost a hundred years was the same one I had heard before in the offices of 
other representatives. The distributors' lobby greased them well. I did get a 
promise from him to look at the numbers though and an invitation to get back in 
touch with him. That was the best I expected to get from this visit.

After I was done, I went to Spec's Warehouse as my first retail stop of the day 
and looked over the wine selection. This place was a monster and you could get 
just about any kind of wine or sprit here. I talked with the manager about our 
product placement. I did that a lot - trying to get more shelf space for our 
product. Self-promoting and advertising was a lot of my work these days. When I 
took over for my dad, I had thought crafting wines was the biggest part of my 
job - how naïve.

I had lunch at the Back Street Café. As usual, the crab cake and eggs with citrus 
beurre blanc was wonderful. The café was bustling with people, loud with the 
shouts of cooks in the kitchen and the clatter of plates. I found my thoughts 
wandering, thinking of the lady in blue. Eating here with her - sipping wine - 
laughing together. I shook my head. That was way premature. I didn't even 
know her name. I finished lunch and in an hour later, I was back on the road 
home.


The afternoon passed in a blur of people and tasks. There is always more to do 
at the vineyard than there are hands. Somehow, I still managed to find myself 
thinking about her. I was reviewing an analysis on the latest batch of 
fermentation when Stan tapped me on the shoulder, startling me so that I 
jumped in my seat.

"You need to go get showered and dressed. It's almost five and we want to get 
to the club by seven."

I glanced at the clock on the wall and was astonished to see that the day was 
gone. The moment of truth was at hand. With a grin I went to shower. Standing 
in the room in my shorts, I stared at the closet. What to wear? Casual? More 
formal? I finally decided to stick with dress up. Make a good impression.

I picked a dark set of slacks and a crisp white shirt with no tie. Polished black 
shoes and dark socks filled out my wardrobe. I brushed my hair then put a little 
aftershave on. Looking closely, I decided that I looked good enough. I felt 
butterflies in my stomach and laughed at myself. This was like being back in high 
school.

When I came out, Stan was ready. "Damn! You look hot, Bro. Lets go see some 
ladies." Laughing and joking, we drove into the city. Traffic was heavy, heavier 
than that morning, and I found myself leaning forward - urging the cars ahead to 
move faster. It was a bit after seven when we pulled up to the club. We went 
inside through the restaurant and up to the club proper. The place was busy 
when we came in and I found myself looking around for her. She wasn't there.

I felt the crush of disappointment. Stan slapped my shoulder. "It's early, Spud. 
Let's sit down and give her a chance to show up."

As we sat down, Dina came up with a broad smile. "Stan, Ted. Good to see you 
again." She focused in on Stan and he smiled back at her.

"What time do you get off tonight, Dina? Can I interest you in a late dinner?"

Dina lit up. "I'd love to have dinner with you. I'll tell Dad I'm out of here at nine 
and he can just handle this place on his own." She swished off and Stan's eyes 
were glued to her ass. I poked him.

"What color are her eyes?"

Stan blinked at me. "What? She has eyes?"

I poked him again and we laughed. The next half an hour dragged by slowly and 
I found my gaze drawn back to the entrance every few minutes. When she 
stepped in with her friend from earlier in the week, my heart almost stopped. 
She was in another blue dress but this was not the same one. It was short, low 
cut and backless. Her eyes found me in the crowd. She smiled and waved. I 
waved back and closed my mouth before any flies got inside it.

The lady in blue guided her friend to the seats across from us. With a lithe grace, 
she sat down across from me. Up close she was even more striking than before. 
Her eyes were bright blue and alive with excitement. Her figure was stunning, 
trim and curvy in all the right places. That pale skin must burn to a crisp if she 
was in the sun for more than an hour. Her dress rode high up her thighs again. 
As she sat, the curve of her ankles in those sexy high heels drew my eyes. My 
gaze followed her legs upward to her face, at which she smiled and arched her 
eyebrow. 

"I'm glad you came back," she said. Her voice was warm and had a deeper 
character than I would have guessed from her frame. It sounded sexy, just like 
she looked.

"My name is Ted and this is my brother Stan. I'm sorry I was a poor sport the 
other night."

She gestured to her friend. "This is Calvin and I'm Lisa. I wanted to come alone 
but Calvin insisted he check you out before leaving me with a strange man." She 
smiled at him and he laughed. 

"A man has to look out for his friends," he said. 

I nodded and thought it a smart thing to do.

Lisa continued. "I asked around and know more about you now. You own a 
vineyard? I never knew there were any around here." She leaned forward as she 
spoke and the opening of her dress slid lower. My eyes were drawn to her 
cleavage. This time I didn't have to pray for gravity. Her succulent globes were 
not constrained by a bra and deep cleavage filled my gaze. Her chest flushed red 
as I enjoyed the view. After a few seconds, I looked back up. She was blushing 
and smiling. 

Calvin rolled his eyes, and then stood. "I'll go downstairs and round up a dinner 
table. That okay with you?"

It seemed safer to nod since I was not certain I could speak without drooling. He 
chuckled as he made his way out of the club and she sat back.

Before we could speak further, Dina ran over to us. "Stan, Dad cut me loose! He 
said it was about time you asked me out! It's only eight so let's go dancing and 
listen to music!" She drew him to his feet and pulled him toward the door. With a 
wave and a grin, he abandoned me to my fate.

"To be fair, I should tell you about me," Lisa said after we were alone, "I work in 
the District Attorney's Office in Galveston. I've been a prosecutor there for a 
couple of years. I don't usually get out to do things. Calvin has been telling me 
to get out more and Tuesday was the first time I let him drag me out of the 
office before dark."

As Lisa spoke, I watched her cross and uncross her legs. She had a lot of 
nervous energy and every time she moved, that dress rode higher. I forced my 
eyes back to her face. She was blushing again but I could see her nipples had 
hardened to the point of being obvious through the thin fabric of her dress. With 
a deliberate look and a smile, she parted her legs a little.

"I'm glad you decided to come back for a second look, Ted." She glanced 
downward.

When I looked down as well, I saw she was flashing me! The dress had ridden 
up high enough that I could clearly catch a glimpse of her red panties before she 
crossed her legs again. They had a fringe of black lace. I forced my eyes back to 
her face. She was flushed and breathing a bit heavier.

I cleared my throat. "You are well worth a second look," I said with as much 
calm as I could manage. I moved in my seat to try and relieve the uncomfortable 
tightness in my pants. Her eyes looked lower and widened. Then she smiled 
wickedly.

"I've never done anything like this before. I never realized what a turn-on it can 
be. If I'm embarrassing you, I'll stop," she offered.

I shook my head. "I think you have a lot to be proud of. You're beautiful and I'm 
enjoying the view. I've just never played the looking game so openly. As DA, 
aren't you worried about someone seeing you?"

Lisa shook her head. "Oh, I am just an Assistant DA. Anyway, I'm not too 
worried about being seen here in Houston. It's a risk, but I'll just take my 
chances and see what happens. When you were looking the other day, I felt 
something inside that I didn't expect. I never thought of myself as an 
exhibitionist before. You don't mind, do you?"

Lisa once again parted her legs and her eyes urged me to look. The swell of her 
mons was intoxicating and it became even harder to shift around in my seat. 
"No, I don't mind," I managed to get out. When I looked back up, she closed her 
legs and smiled. Her eyes were smokey and dilated. "It excites me, too," I 
added. 

Calvin came back in and Lisa rose gracefully to her feet at his wave. "Let's have 
dinner and get to know each other better. Then we can see what happens."

I had some difficulty getting to my feet and that got a grin from her. Calvin 
wisely kept silent. We made our way down into the restaurant and to a round 
table near the back. The waiter sat us and took our order. 

"Any recommendation on wines," she asked with a grin. 

"Stansbury Vineyards, of course," I answered. Then I steered them toward a 
meat dish that went well with the blanc du bois. When the wine came out, I 
could tell that they both loved it. That's what I liked to see.

"This is really good!" Lisa exclaimed. 

"Thank you. I'm glad you like it. It's our most popular wine for a reason. I'm very 
proud of it."

We settled to sipping wine and I almost jumped out of my chair when I felt what 
could only be her bare foot rubbing my thigh! I stared at her and she sipped her 
wine with a cool smile as Calvin talked about the joys of Cajun cooking, 
completely unaware of what was going on under the table. Her foot slid up and 
began gently massaging my crotch. 

I tried to keep up the conversational thread but I'm pretty sure that I did a lousy 
job. She talked about learning to cook with her mom as a girl and described 
some of the dishes they made together while torturing me slowly. 

The waiter brought our food and Calvin dug in with relish. She ate hers with 
dainty bites punctuated by sips of the wine. 

"This wine goes really well with the meat. It compliments the flavor to a tee." 
Her foot slid away and I almost groaned. "I wonder if it goes with other kinds of 
meat." She cocked her head and raised an eyebrow saucily. 

"Well," I managed to get out with a breath. "It's all a matter of experimentation. 
Sometimes you just have to take a plunge. Try it with the meat and see what 
happens,” I said, grinning at my own daring.

Lisa laughed. "I'll remember that. I think that I will be trying this with other 
dishes soon."

Calvin looked up briefly. Silently, he rolled his eyes and shook his head.

The remainder of the meal went slowly. I found myself falling into a comfortable 
conversation with her and my mind kept playing back to her touch on my body. 
She just smiled and kept her feet to herself. Torturess. After the meal was 
finished and we had sat talking for a bit, she looked over at Calvin. "Calvin, I 
think I'm going to have Ted take me dancing. Can you take my car home with 
you and I'll get you to pick me up in the morning?"

Calvin grinned at her. "Sure. You two go out and have a good time. I'll pick you 
up at what? Seven-thirty?"

Lisa nodded. "Let me visit the ladies room and we can go."

We rose with her and I waved to the waiter. "Put it on my tab and give yourself 
twenty percent." 

With a smile, he nodded.

I walked with them to the restrooms and followed Calvin into the men's room. 
We stood at the urinals and I sighed as I was finally able to release my pinch. He 
looked up at the ceiling as he urinated.

"Ted, you seem like a nice guy and it looks like she likes you but I need to say it. 
Don't hurt her. If she wants to have fun, I'm all for that but she's my friend and I 
want her back in good shape. Okay?"

"No worries," I assured him. "She's in the driver's seat. I'd never hurt her."

"See that you don't and we'll be just fine."

We had just finished washing up when he unexpectedly took my hand and firmly 
shook it. "It's been a great dinner and I'm glad I met you. I hope we see each 
other again soon."

I grinned and pumped his hand. "We'll meet again soon. Come up to Spring 
anytime you like and we'll give you the nickel tour."

Calvin grinned back. "I'd like that. Count on it."

We exited the room and waited for Lisa. She stepped out of the ladies room a 
few minutes later. Pulling her keys out of her purse, she handed them to Calvin. 
"Drive careful, now! No dents!"

Calvin laughed incredulously. "Look who's talking! I'm a safe driver! Who was it 
that rear ended the mayor last month?”

Lisa waved her hand airily, dismissing his teasing.

“Have fun and you can fill me in on all the hot, juicy details tomorrow on the way 
into the office." Calvin smiled at my expected blush.

As he walked away, Lisa opened her purse again. She pulled out something and 
put it into my hand with a sly grin. I looked down and there was a pair of neatly 
folded red panties with black lace - still warm to the touch.

"I hope you don't mind," she purred, gazing into my eyes, "but I decided to get a 
little more comfortable." I grinned and put the soft fabric into my pocket as she 
moved to my side. Her hand slid around my waist. I put my arm around her 
shoulder and we walked out of the restaurant. 

When we arrived at my car, she stopped in surprise. "You drive the same car I 
do - same color, too! How funny!" I opened the passenger door and held it for 
her. She slid in but didn't buckle up. When I climbed behind the wheel, she 
pushed herself across the seat and pulled me closer. "I got so excited in there. I 
can't believe I'm doing this." She drew me into a passionate kiss and melted 
against me as I put my arms around her. 

Lisa's tongue danced in my mouth agilely. Her lips were as sweet as the finest 
wine I have ever tasted. I could feel her breasts pressing against me, straining 
the fabric of her dress, as I let my hands wander up and down her bare back. 
Her skin felt soft and velvety. Her scent was driving me wild with desire. She 
pulled back slightly and pressed my hand against her breast. Her hard nipple dug 
into my palm and the firm softness of her breast filled my hand as I squeezed 
her gently. She let out a soft moan…

Lisa opened her mouth to speak but before she could say anything, the night 
was turned into day and the interior of the car was awash in bright red light. We 
stared uncomprehendingly at the fireball rising from the street ahead of us. The 
sight of a shiny black car rising from the ground in flames was seared into my 
mind. The sky began raining debris and Lisa screamed. 

"Calvin!"


Chapter Three: The night belongs to the Hawk
 
Ted's point of view
 
I sat next to her on the curb, my arm around her shoulders as she sobbed. The 
smell of fire was still strong in the air. Flashing red and blue lights lined the 
street. Police and firefighters surrounded the burned out hulk of her car, their 
radios squawking. The area was cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape the 
same way they had sealed the street with sawhorses. The Harris County Medical 
Examiner's van was parked just short of the burned out car.
 
Other than taking an initial statement, no one had spoken to either of us. The 
uniformed HPD cop standing nearby had indicated that the bomb squad had 
arrived and a homicide detective was on the way. All Lisa could do was nod her 
head and cry. I pulled the blanket that they provided closer around her and 
leaned her against me. She turned and threw her arms around me, burying her 
head against my shoulder. Her tears burned my neck, hot and wet.
 
"Why?" she sobbed. "Why, Ted? Why would someone do this? Oh God!"
 
I brushed my hand across her head. "I don't know." I didn't know what I could 
do but I had to say something. "We'll find out. I promise."
 
As Lisa cried, I heard a low throbbing noise that grew louder. Over her shoulder, 
I saw a big, black Harley Davidson turn the corner and glide to the curb. My eyes 
were drawn to the kick stand as a black boot swung it out and set the bike 
down, the rider shutting it off. As the other boot swung over the bike and the 
rider unsnapped the helmet, I looked up. Long black hair spilled out as a tall, 
striking woman removed her helmet and let the rich mane settle across her 
leather jacket. 
 
The Harley rider strode up to the police and words were exchanged as I watched 
with some confusion. The police had been shunting people away. Who was she? 
I saw a uniformed cop point at us and she headed over with long strides. 
 
Another policeman interrupted the Harley rider's march toward us and I could 
clearly hear what he said. He gestured at the burned out car. "Hawk, the stiff is 
Calvin Samson. We'll have to wait for the coroner to make a firm ID, though. 
He's a crispy critter."
 
I felt Lisa jolt in my arms and then sag. Her crying became almost a wail. I 
wanted to get up and punch that insensitive bastard! 
 
Hawk grabbed his collar, yanking him close. "You keep your damned mouth shut, 
Parker. You do that again and I'll see your sorry ass on parking meter duty. I do 
not need to be called in while off duty and get this kind of shit." She got further 
into his face. "Now get the fuck out of here before I do something you're going 
to regret." She shoved him off and as she turned, I could see the mouth working 
on his enraged face. I'm pretty good at reading lips. He mouthed, "Dyke bitch."
 
As Parker stalked off, I turned my attention to this Hawk. I could see her sizing 
us up as she came closer. Then her pace slowed down and an odd expression 
crossed her face. She cocked her head to one side and I noticed that she 
seemed to be looking at Lisa. A slow grin, not of humor, but of amusement, 
crept onto her face and was quickly wiped away.
 
I looked at Lisa and saw that her knees were spread a little. Her skirt had ridden 
up really high. Remembering her panties in my pocket, I suddenly realized that 
this Hawk was looking at Lisa's sex. Flushing, I pulled part of the blanket across 
Lisa's front. The woman looked at me and shook her head. Then she sped up her 
step and knelt in front of us.
 
"Lisa Davis? Ted Stansbury? I'm Detective Shauna Hawkins. I know this is hard 
but I need to ask you some questions."
 
Hawk's voice was a little husky and deeper than the average woman's. Her eyes 
on Lisa had a surprising compassion. She reached out and put her hand on Lisa's 
knee. Lisa looked up and nodded. "Go ahead."
 
Hawk nodded to her and then at the destroyed car. "You told the patrolman that 
the man in the car was Calvin Samson and that the car was yours. What I need 
to know is why someone might want you or him dead. Can you think of anyone 
with a grudge against either of you?"
 
Lisa nodded. "Where should I start?" she asked with a sad laugh. "Calvin and I 
are - were - Assistant District Attorneys in Galveston County. We've put a lot of 
people in jail and we have a number of cases in progress.” hung her head and I 
held her. “This is so unreal. I can't believe he's dead." 
 
Hawk looked at me with the greenest eyes. "Mister Stansbury, did you see 
anyone odd tonight? Was someone watching you? Someone out at the cars 
when you came out? When Mister Samson got into Miss Davis's car?"
 
I shook my head. "No, I didn't. We - ah, weren't looking at the car."
 
Hawk quirked an eyebrow and then slowly nodded. "I see. You were leaving 
together?"
 
"Yes," I said. "We were going to go dancing. Calvin was going to take her car, 
pick her up tomorrow morning and go to work with her."
 
The detective's eyebrows rose. "On a Saturday? Isn't that a bit unusual?"
 
Lisa shook her head and used the blanket to wipe her eyes. "Not really, no. 
There's always more work to be done than can be done in five days. Calvin and I 
have been working Saturday mornings for over a year together. We have been 
pulling together some pretty big cases lately, with a lot of research."
 
"Were you and he romantically involved? Was Saturday all work and no play?" 
Hawk asked Lisa.
 
Lisa glared at her. "No. We were just friends."
 
I couldn't tell what was going on behind those green eyes that were considering 
Lisa.
 
"Okay. So, you were going dancing with Mister Stansbury and then what? To his 
place or back home?" Hawk pressed.
 
"Back home. I figured we would dance and then be there by midnight or one." 
Lisa responded.
 
Hawk looked at me. "Was Ted going to be spending the night?"
 
Lisa stiffened. "What the hell business is that of yours!" she almost shouted. "I'm 
over twenty-one and I can damned well sleep with whomever I choose!"
 
I could tell that the detective was not put off by that response. She chuckled. 
"Don't get your panties in a twist," she said with a knowing look at me. I could 
feel the lump of fabric in my pocket. "You can sleep with him or anyone else for 
all I care. Hell, as good looking as you are, you should have men and women 
knocking down your door. Have a good time, ‘cause you never know. How long 
have you been going out?"
 
"We saw each other a few days ago but we didn't even speak. Today is really the 
first time we've met,” I said.
 
Hawk's eyebrows rose again. She glanced back at Lisa with mingled amusement 
and respect. "You guys move quick. I like that." 
 
I felt myself heating down to my toes again and Lisa frowned at me. Under the 
blanket, I took her hand and put it on my pocket where her panties bulked. 
 
Her eyes grew wide and she stared at Hawk, her face coloring. Her knees, even 
though out of sight, pulled together convulsively. She opened her mouth but 
nothing came out.
 
Hawk leaned forward and put a finger on Lisa's lips. "Shhhhh. It's no skin off my 
nose and you don't have to worry. I get in too much trouble for my lifestyle to 
cause anyone grief over theirs. I won't tell." She smiled. "Besides, I think Ted 
and I can agree that the view was great, right Ted?"
 
I colored again but nodded. Then, clearing my throat, I tried to bring this 
conversation back into some kind of professional ballpark. "This won't help but I 
have something else that needs to be considered. Lisa drove the same model 
and color car I do."
 
I could see that jarred Hawk. She sat back on her heels, whistling slowly and 
softly. "No shit? Damn, that does make it a little more difficult. Does anyone hate 
you, Ted? Enough to see you dead?"
 
"Yesterday, I would have said no. Hell, I'm still not sure how real it is but I had 
words with a lobbyist for the wine distributors this morning over legislation that 
could put a serious dent in their - and his - pocketbooks. He was plenty pissed." 
I related the details of the encounter as she pulled out a pad and made notes. 
 
"It might be nothing," Hawk agreed. "Then again, maybe not. We'll check him 
out but we'll play it as more likely Lisa here was the target." She looked back at 
Lisa. "I'll get someone in your office to get me a list of people that might have 
you on their hit parade but I do not, I repeat, I do not want you going back into 
that office until it is full of people. That means Monday and don't get there early. 
I'd also rather you didn't go home for a couple of days, just in case. I intend to 
have Galveston PD lend us a hand and search your place just to be sure there 
are no more surprises. Will you let them?"
 
Lisa paled and slowly nodded. "You… You think that someone may have been in 
my house, too?" Her voice was shaky. 
 
Hawk put both hands on her legs, rubbing them through the blanket. "Keep it 
together, lady. You're tough; you have to be to be a prosecutor. I want to keep 
you both safe. I'll be wanting the same permission from him. Any objections if I 
go through your drawers?" She grinned. 
 
Now it was my turn to goggle and Lisa elbowed me. My mouth snapped shut. 
"Sure, if Lisa has no objection to you being in her drawers, why should I?" I 
didn't realize quite how that sounded until the elbow returned twice as hard. A 
look confirmed Lisa was blushing furiously.
 
"Ted!" Lisa exclaimed.
 
Hawk just laughed. "You two are sweet. Well, since I have your permission to 
handle your - things, I'll get that rolling. Lisa, do you have somewhere to go?"
 
Before Lisa could answer, I spoke up. "She can use a spare bedroom in my 
place. We have plenty of room."
 
She looked at me and I could see her thinking about it. 
 
I raised a hand. "No funny business, just a place that is quiet and has some 
privacy. You have my word."
 
Lisa blinked and nodded. "Okay, Ted. I'll try it."
 
I looked at Hawk. "Will you need a more detailed statement?"
 
Hawk nodded. "Yes, but I can come out and get it tomorrow. I have both your 
cell numbers. I'll make arrangements for the Sheriff to look over your house 
when you get there."
 
Turning her attention back to Lisa, Hawk reached under the blanket and took her 
hands into her own and leaned forward. "Honey, I'm really sorry for your friend. 
I promise you, I will nail the bastard that did this. I swear it." The conviction on 
her face was so strong that Lisa broke into tears again and impulsively wrapped 
her arms around Hawk, hugging her close.
 
"Thank you!" she sobbed. 
 
Hawk smoothly slid her arms around Lisa and held her for a moment, putting 
Lisa's blonde head against her dark tresses. Her green eyes swiveled to me to 
take in my reaction and she smiled. Then she let Lisa go. "Take good care of her, 
Ted. I can tell she's special."
 
I slid my arm back around Lisa, somewhat protectively. Was she hitting on Lisa? 
Was I jealous? If it were a man, I would be jealous. If Hawk were a lesbian, was 
it the same as if it were a man hitting on Lisa? I finally just let it go and nodded 
to her. "She'll be safe."
 
A man wearing heavy padding came up and interrupted us at that point. "The 
other car is clean, detective. We can release it." 
 
Hawk nodded. "Thanks, Frank."
 
I helped Lisa to her feet and pulled her close. "Thank you, Detective Hawkins."
 
With a grin, she said, "Call me Hawk. Everyone does." She clapped my shoulder 
in an almost brotherly fashion. "That's what they pay me the big bucks for. Drive 
slowly and safely. Do not go inside the house without the sheriff's deputies. Got 
it?"
 
Hawk leaned in and whispered softly in my ear, away from Lisa. "She'll be a 
wreck for a while, then she'll get mad. Don't fight with her."
 
I nodded and she let go. Turning with Lisa, I left Hawk talking with the man from 
the bomb squad and made our way back to my car. After opening the passenger 
door, I helped Lisa in and buckled her seatbelt. Walking around the car, I looked 
for the best way to get out and saw a uniformed officer by the sawhorses waving 
at me. I waved back and climbed in. My breath caught in my throat as I started 
the car but nothing untoward happened. I relaxed and saw Lisa relax as well. We 
had both been thinking it.
 
Slowly, so as not to hit anyone or anything, I pulled between the vehicles and 
people. The officer moved the sawhorse and I drove past it. As we left the crime 
scene, I could see people crowded on the sidewalk, looking to see what was 
going on. Just a bit further along the street, there were lights, cameras and 
talking heads. Vultures. I stepped on the gas a bit and left it behind. 
 
A quick couple of turns and we were on the interstate heading north. It seemed 
surreal to be doing something so normal after the events of the last few hours. I 
found my thoughts preying on me: what had happened, what a terrible attack 
this had been and how it could have been Lisa or me in that car.
 
I looked over at her and she was huddled in her seat, not looking out. She was 
crying again. Reaching over, I opened the glove box and pulled out a packet of 
tissues. After I closed the glove box and gave them to her, I just put my hand on 
her leg so she could feel my presence as she grieved.
 
Lisa loudly blew her nose. She seemed to shrink deeper into herself and cried. I 
didn't try to stop her. Her hand clutched at mine as she sobbed. 

 
The traffic grew lighter as we escaped the metro area. Soon we were away from 
the lights and noise of the city. When I left the interstate and began to drive the 
smaller roads toward Spring. Her tears had subsided and she only sniffled 
occasionally. 
 
It took a little more than an hour to finally get home and when I pulled into the 
long drive, I could see sheriff's vehicles parked with their lights off. Several 
deputies perked up as we pulled to a stop and turned off the car.
 
Leaning back over to her, I whispered, "Stay here. I'll search the house with 
them and then come back. Okay?"
 
Lisa's makeup was a total loss; her eyes red and weepy. Still, even in her 
anguish, she was beautiful. She tightened her grip on my hand and then 
released it. "Don't be long. Please, be careful."
 
I nodded and climbed out. I could now see there were three cars and three 
deputies.
 
One of them came up and offered his hand. "Mister Stansbury? My name is 
Zoboroski. These are Deputies Willis and Chambers. We've already looked in the 
outbuildings. They all look clear. Willis will stay out here with the lady and we 
three will go look over the inside of your place, okay?"
 
Zoboroski gestured and one of them followed us while the other stayed where he 
was beside the cars. I unlocked the door and the shrill whine of the alarm 
greeted us. Stan must not be home. It suddenly dawned on me that I had no 
idea how Stan meant to get home or when he would get here. 
 
With a shake of my head, I put that out of my mind. He was a big boy and 
would find a way home. I snorted wryly. Or go home with Dina. I stepped to the 
side and the two deputies moved into the house, drawing their guns. 
 
"Sheriff's Department!" Zoboroski called out as they advanced. Together we 
went through every room in the house. It took about fifteen minutes. No masked 
man leapt out on us and nothing looked disturbed. 
 
When we came back out the front door, I looked immediately to see Lisa still in 
my car. She seemed to relax at the sight of us. 
 
Deputy Zoboroski stopped at the edge of the drive. "Why don't you and the lady 
go on inside, Mister Stansbury. We'll wait out here 'til you're in. Turn on your 
alarm, you hear? I'll drive by several times tonight and make sure everything still 
looks good out here." 
 
I went to the passenger side of my car. Lisa was still a bit shaky as I helped her 
out. Without the blanket wrapped around her, she almost glowed palely in the 
overhead lights. I put an arm around her and urged her toward the house. 
"Come on inside. I'll help get you settled in." Then to the deputies, "Thanks, 
boys. I really appreciate it. Come back out some Sunday and look me up." They 
nodded and I felt a pang in my stomach. I had said almost exactly the same 
thing to Calvin and he would never keep that appointment.
 
Once inside, I locked the door behind us and turned on the alarm. "I don't know 
if Stan will be back tonight." I led her through the house but she seemed too 
sluggish and drained to see much of it. I had already decided to put her up 
where she might feel a bit more comfortable so I led her to my sister's room, the 
one she lived in when she was down here, both before and after she married. It 
had her touch all over it, from the color scheme to the extra clothes in the closet. 
She and Lisa were close to the same size so she might find something to change 
into. 
 
"This is my sister's room. She's living up near Bend now, with her husband and 
kids. There is a private bathroom and shower. I bet there is something in one of 
the drawers or closets you can change into. Why don't you take a shower and let 
me make us a light snack. Then you can go to bed."
 
Lisa nodded and went into the room, closing the door behind her. I heard the 
lock engage. With a deep breath, I went back into the kitchen. I started to toast 
some bread, and then made a few grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. 
 
While they were frying in the pan, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the 
folded panties. How far the night had gone, from promising to disastrous. Almost 
unconsciously, I brought the garment to my nose and inhaled the subtle scent of 
her. A hint of her earlier arousal made my heart flutter. With a sigh, I slid it back 
into my pocket. That was out of the question. The very last thing she needed 
right now was me hitting on her. She needed support and space to get her feet 
back under herself.
 
When the sandwiches were done, I set them on plates at the table. Then, I 
pulled one of the bottles of merlot off the rack. That would go well with the 
sandwiches and we both might need something to help us sleep. Wine was 
better than pills. 
 
I had just poured the wine when she stepped into the kitchen, barefooted with 
her hair wrapped in a towel that fell across the shoulders of the robe she wore 
tightly belted at her waist. She looked at the food and sat down slowly.
 
"I don't think I'm hungry, Ted." Lisa' voice sounded washed out.
 
Nodding, I put a glass of wine by her hand and the bottle in the center of the 
table. "Then drink a glass of wine. It will help you sleep." I sat down and sipped 
on my wine, watching her.
 
Lisa took the glass in her trembling hands and I was afraid she was going to 
drop it or spill it. She didn't sip the fine merlot; she drank it in gulps until the 
glass was empty. With a light 'thunk', she set it back on the table and exhaled 
shakily. "I don't usually drink much but I think tonight is an exception." She 
looked over her glass at me. "If I get drunk, just put me in my room, okay?"
 
I got the point and nodded. "Okay." Snagging the bottle, I poured her another 
glass and then nibbled on a sandwich as she sipped this one more slowly. She 
finally picked up a sandwich and tasted it. Once she did, she tore into the plate 
of sandwiches. 
 
In half an hour, the wine was gone, the sandwiches eaten and Lisa was feeling 
considerably less pain. The towel was gone from her head and her hair looked a 
bit wild. Her voice was a little slurred but she had started talking again. She 
talked about Calvin and what a great guy he was; about Austin, where she grew 
up; about her job and how much she loved it. It was like a flood pouring out of 
her. 
 
I filled in her pauses with stories of “growing up grape,” as Stan called it. I didn't 
think she would remember very much tomorrow but it felt good just talking with 
her. 
 
When we were done, I set the glasses in the sink and the bottle in the recycle 
bin. She tried to get up but sat back down heavily and laughed. "I'm drunk!" she 
pronounced.
 
I smiled. "Maybe a little.” I handed her a glass of water and four aspirin. “Take 
this and you'll thank me in the morning.”
 
She drank up and took them.
 
“Let's go get you into bed, Lisa." With my help, she was able to get to my sister's 
room and seated on the bed. 
 
Lisa hesitantly patted the bed beside her. "Do you want to stay?"
 
I nodded but didn't sit down. "I want to stay, but I can't."
 
She looked nonplussed. "Why not?"
 
"Because it wouldn't be right," I said gently. "You're hurting and you've had too 
much to drink. I promised someone I wouldn't hurt you and as much as I want 
to stay, this would be wrong. We can talk about it tomorrow."
 
I did lean forward and kiss her on the forehead. Her hair smelled of apples and 
her breath of wine. She was intoxicating and I had to pull back right then or risk 
not leaving.
 
"I… Ted? Thank you."
 
I nodded and turned down her sheets. Then, I stepped to the door, putting out 
the light. "Goodnight, Lisa. I'll see you in the morning. If you need anything, my 
room is right across the hall." I closed the door with my last sight of her sitting 
there looking at me.

 
Walking slowly I stepped into my room. I leaned back against the door and held 
my shaking hands out in front of me. I wanted her. I wanted to stay but if I did, 
I wouldn't respect myself. 
 
I stripped slowly, putting the clothes in the hamper, the belt and shoes in the 
closet. I set the cell phone on my nightstand and went into my bathroom, 
leaving the room dark behind me. The bright light of the bathroom stabbed at 
my eyes so I turned it off and let the nightlight do its job as my eyes adjusted. 
 
Stepping into the shower, I soaked in the heat. Slowly, I washed the smell of fire 
and death away. I let my mind relax, breathing in and out slowly. By the time I 
was done, I felt tired and drained. 
 
I shut off the water and dried myself, the rough towel feeling good against my 
skin. Brushing my hair and teeth took only a few minutes. I walked back into the 
dark bedroom and with practiced ease, I found the bed. Pulling back the covers, 
I slid between the crisp sheets. Laying back on my pillow, staring up at the 
unseen ceiling in the dark, I focused on my breathing and closed my eyes. 
Strange, I still smelled apples.
 
The movement in the bed startled me almost as much as the warm arm that 
glided across my stomach. The damp hair that pressed against my shoulder was 
the source of the scent of apples.
 
"Shhhhh,” Lisa said sleepily. "I don't want to be alone tonight. Go to sleep."
 
I could feel the soft cotton of a nightgown against me and it only emphasized my 
nudity. Should I get up and dress or just let things ride? As I thought about it, 
her breathing slowed and became more regular. Soon, she was softly snoring. 
Well, that took the choice out of my hands. 
 
The heat of her body aroused me. I lay there with her sleeping form spooned 
against me, her soft breasts pressing against my side, and tried to think of 
anything but her. 
 
I failed.
 
When sleep finally claimed me, I was still thinking of Lisa.




Chapter Four: The tables are turned
 
Lisa's point of view
 
I slowly came to realize that the sense of well-being and comfort came from Ted. 
I was too drowsy to react but I could feel hands caressing me, touching me. 
Firm hands gently squeezed my breasts and pinched my nipples. The heat inside 
me built and I moaned softly. I wanted this, I realized. I welcomed it.
 
Lips kissed my neck and down the curve of my ribs, pausing for a few glorious 
minutes where the hands had been before. I arched my back and gripped the 
sheets in pleasure.
 
Gently, the lips kissed lower, the tongue caressed my belly button at length. I 
groaned. With gentle fingers, my flower was spread. Hot breath blew on my nub, 
shooting sparks up my spine and I tried to push myself onto the lips but they 
pulled back. 
 
Suddenly, a tongue dug into my sex. I almost flew off the bed, arching and 
crying out. With a gentle savagery, I was tortured, bringing me higher and then 
letting me cool only to do it again. Once, twice, three times, I was at the brink 
and then allowed - no, forced - to settle before the lips began tirelessly arousing 
me further. 
 
When I was almost there again, I felt fingers slide into me and the lips locked 
onto my clit, focused on my pleasure. The fingers rubbed that special spot inside 
me and I came explosively. I arched my back and a scream of pleasure erupted 
from my lips.
 
As I caught my breath, I smiled and looked down. Between my thighs, green 
eyes, framed in long black hair, sparkled back at me as Detective Hawkins kissed 
my most intimate place.
 
I sat bolt upright, breathing hard. I was alone in bed, clutching the sheets 
around me, feeling the soft cotton of my nightgown soaked in sweat. It had 
been a dream - only a dream. 
 
 
My mind slowly cleared from the dream and realized I was not in my bedroom. I 
remembered going to sleep with Ted and now I was on his side of the bed, his 
pillows by my face before waking. 
 
The memory about the horrible events of last night and where I was came 
flooding back. I felt a terrible emptiness inside me but it was quickly filled with 
anger. Someone had tried to kill me and had taken my friend away from me. 
 
Throwing the covers back, I sat on the edge of the bed. I let the chilled 
hardwood floor ground my feet and me along with it. The clock on the 
nightstand told me it was after eight in the morning. I never slept that late. I felt 
a spike of guilt at not being up. 
 
I recalled the conversation from last night. I didn't really know Ted, though we 
had talked about a lot of things - I think - but he had been more of a gentleman 
than most men I had dated. I remembered offering myself to him and him 
refusing. I didn't think any man would say no to a woman he wanted. At least, 
not till now.
 
That must be why I dreamed… No, at least not all that dream was because of 
Ted. The thought of making love to Ted excited me. I felt a very strong 
attraction toward him despite the short time we had known one another. If it 
had been reality instead of a dream, I would have been happy to make love to 
him. 
 
On the other hand, I'd never considered myself bisexual but I had to admit a 
strange attraction I felt toward Hawkins. I remembered the momentary thrill 
when I realized she had been looking at me. That she found me attractive. I 
don't know that I would ever make love to a woman but I think I could fantasize 
about her.
 
With a shake of my head, I climbed out of the bed and stepped over to the 
dresser. I nearly shrieked when I saw my hair. I must have gone to sleep with it 
wet because it looked like a flock of gulls had been nesting in it. With all the 
wine last night, I didn't remember clearly but the evidence spoke for itself. 
 
There was a light knock at the door. "Are you decent?" Ted asked.
 
"No," I squealed as I bolted for the bathroom. "Give me a few minutes!" I 
slammed the bathroom door and locked it. There was no way I was letting him 
see me with my hair like this. No way in hell. 
 
I stripped off the nightgown and climbed into the shower. The hot water slowly 
brought me back to life. I saved my hair for last and gave it a good washing. 
Shutting off the water, I dried it as well as possible and wrapped a towel around 
it. When I dried my body, I found it still reactive and sensitive. I smiled wryly.
 
Stepping out of the bathroom, I dropped the towel and looked at myself in the 
mirror. I saw a woman in good shape for her thirty years. Long legs, a generous 
swell of hips, trimmed thatch of blonde pubic hair shaped to entice. I did that for 
Ted, in case I decided to go through with the fantasy that had been plaguing me 
all week. The flat stomach, my larger than average breasts with the small 
nipples. Too large for my chest, I thought. Not as firm as they used to be. 
Finally, a long neck and a slender face that I think still looked good, framed by 
long, blonde hair.
 
I pulled Ted's robe off the hook by the door and slid it over my shoulders, 
belting it tightly. His scent lingered strongly on it. I pulled it up around my neck 
and face to breathe it in. I had it bad. 
 
 
When I came out of his room, the fragrance of something delicious cooking 
enticed me toward the kitchen. I realized I was parched. I needed to get 
something to drink. It felt like I had run a couple of miles - or had sex. I grinned 
but stopped and chided myself. How could I be thinking of sex now? 
 
I could almost feel Calvin standing behind me; his presence was strong within 
me. Like a ghostly voice in my mind, I knew what he would tell me: "That's just 
being stupid, girl!" 
 
I snorted softly. It wouldn't be right to run out and party but it wouldn't be right 
to deny myself, either. I'd just have to figure out a happy medium. I was sure 
Ted must be uncertain of what I wanted now. We'd have to talk it out today. It 
wasn't fair to him to keep him in the dark. After last night and this morning, he 
deserved better than that. It would be a while before I knew what direction to 
move in the investigation of the attack. If Hawkins thought I was going to steer 
clear and not look for my friend's killer, she was sadly mistaken.
 
As for Ted, I had to admit to myself that I wanted him, too. It had been two 
years and a couple of months since I had taken the job down here. It had been 
so busy, that I had never felt like dating. Was I a virgin again after two years of 
celibacy? I laughed silently at myself. Horny bitch. 
 
I walked down the hall and stepped into the kitchen. Ted was flipping a pancake 
on the griddle. He was dressed in jeans and a tee shirt that proclaimed the 
merits of Stansbury Vineyards. Scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, orange juice and 
coffee were set out on the table. He looked over at me and smiled. His eyes, 
brown, not green, sparkled and I couldn't help but feel a shiver inside me.
 
I took a moment to catalog him in my mind. He was about my own 5' 8", fit and 
handsome, in a rugged sort of way. Brown hair and a winning smile capped my 
impression. Stepping close to him, I kissed him softly on the lips, and then I 
drew back, holding him at arms length. 
 
"Thank you for being a gentleman, Ted. I really, really needed that last night. I 
appreciate you not giving in to temptation. Calvin was right when he told me you 
seemed like a class act. I won't forget it."
 
Getting a glass from the drainer, I filled it with tap water and drank deeply 
before putting it in the sink. Then, pulling out a chair, I flipped it around and sat 
straddling the back. I knew it would be very suggestive to him. When his eyes 
caressed my legs, I smiled wider.
 
"No good deed goes unpunished."
 
Ted laughed. It sounded so - normal. Not average, mind you. Normal. Like today 
were any other day, and yesterday was a bad dream. Maybe one day it would 
really feel that way to me. For now, I needed to think about something else.
 
"It was hard to tell you 'no' last night. It took a lot of willpower to be a 
gentleman." He blushed at the memory.
 
That was so sweet. I didn't think a male older than twelve could be embarrassed 
by being attracted to a woman. That was a rare thing these days. It was then 
that I saw the fresh bunch of grapes and thought they looked almost as good as 
Ted. Ted must have noticed because he nodded and said, "Picked fresh this 
morning just for you. I left the alarm off so no one would wake you up till you 
were ready to wake up."
 
"It's not your thoughts that make you gentlemanly," I said firmly, "it's what you 
do about them. You respected me and let me get my bearings. I would have 
made love to you last night, if you had come into my bed. But I would have 
been wondering this morning if it was the right thing to do. When you turned me 
down, you proved to me that this isn't just about sex or physical attraction on 
your part. I thought about it before I slipped into your room last night. I want to 
spend time with you, get to know you better. Does that scare you?"
 
Ted smiled and put the last of the pancakes onto a platter on the table before 
sitting down opposite me. 
 
"Some," Ted admitted. "The few times I have been intimate with someone, it 
ended badly." He shrugged. "I'm not going to say it was their fault or mine. 
Everyone's, probably. I was in college and I'm afraid we all were more self-
absorbed than I like to admit. Then my parents died and I had to work the 
vineyard with my brother and sister. There just weren't enough hours in the 
day." He smiled wryly. "There still aren't. I resisted spending my time away from 
here even a few nights a week until Stan dragged me out by my hair six months 
ago and it's taken me this long to really even talk to a woman."
 
I stood, stared at him, flipped the chair back around and leaned over the edge of 
the table as I sat again. "Are you telling me that you haven't dated since 
college? How long ago was that? Ten years? After I left my old boyfriend, 
Donny, to take the job here I haven't dated either and I thought that two years 
was a long time!"
 
Ted looked up at the ceiling and I could tell he was counting. It had been so 
long that he couldn't remember how much time had passed. God, had it been so 
long that he didn't even remember what she looked like or maybe even her 
name? My eyes grew wider. I was teasing this poor, deprived man and he still 
kept his hands to himself with me in his bed? He wasn't a gentleman, he was a 
saint. Saint Ted, patron of self-control. I gulped and pulled my expression back 
under control before he looked back down.
 
"Eleven. Give or take," Ted said matter-of-factly. "After the first couple of years, 
it's not such a big deal anymore. Like being a monk, I suppose." He started 
piling pancakes and the fixings on a plate as I sat there feeling like an idiot. "Is 
something wrong?" 
 
I closed my mouth with a snap. "I should apologize for teasing you like I have 
been. It seems cruel, now." I pulled a plate over and started filling it with a 
selection of food.
 
"It isn't cruel," he disagreed. "I've enjoyed it. Let me put this into a wine frame 
of reference. When a taster drinks a fine wine, he opens the bottle, and 
examines the cork. He pours the wine into a glass slowly and swirls it to examine 
the body of the wine. He'll then bring the glass to his nose and take in the 
bouquet of the wine. He takes a small sip, holds it on the center of his cupped 
tongue and breathes in through his mouth slowly to draw the taste across his 
tongue to get the whole flavor. Finally, he swallows and savors the aftertaste the 
wine leaves in his mouth. Just drinking it would leave so much out of the 
experience."
 
Ted smiled widely at me. "I think I'm about at the smelling of the wine stage 
with you. I'm looking forward to tasting you."
 
My breath froze in my body at the emotions his description evoked in me. I don't 
know that I had ever been made love to with as much passion as he spoke 
about tasting wine. My heart beat faster within my breast and I felt myself 
melting inside. The connection between us seemed to be getting deeper with 
every second I stared into his eyes. It was like a flame moving between us. Did 
he feel it, too?
 
Before I could delve deeper into that, I heard the slam of a door somewhere in 
the house. It startled me. The sound of shoes on marble and a shout followed.
 
"Ted!"
 
Ted's brother, Stan, came barreling into the room, looking a bit disheveled. He 
caught Ted as he was rising from the chair and slapped a bear hug on him. "I 
heard about the explosion this morning! I thought you were dead!" 
 
As they clutched each other, I felt my eyes mist over. I wasn't sure if it was 
because of the expression of love they had for each other or my own loss. I 
almost missed Dina coming in behind him. She came over and hugged me. "I'm 
so sorry." 
 
I held her for a moment and then let go. "It still seems unreal."
 
Stan released his brother and came over grabbing me into the same kind of bear 
hug he gave Ted, surprising me. "I was so worried about you, too!" His embrace 
shocked me and I stared at Ted over Stan's shoulder. Ted smiled and shook his 
head.
 
"Stan doesn't have any casual acquaintances. He knows your name and he likes 
you so you're a friend."
 
I smiled and hugged Stan back. "Thank you, Stan. That means a lot."
 
Stan released me and stepped back to Dina, slipping his arm around her waist. 
"Oh, food! We haven't eaten." He sat down and wanted to know everything we 
knew, which wasn't much. I talked while Ted served. The heat in the room 
seemed to have cooled but I felt a spark every time Ted spoke. 
 
We ate and talked for about an hour. Then Dina rose from the table. "Thank you 
for breakfast, but Stan and I have to run into the city for a while." 
 
Stan looked confused. "We do?"
 
She nodded firmly. "Yes, we do. Come along, Stan." She pulled the confused 
Stan out of the room and out of the house. I just had to laugh. Ted laughed with 
me.
 
"She's the sharper of the pair, I'm afraid. I'm happy she came into his life." He 
looked down at the table and then back up at me. "And, even with all the pain, 
I'm happy you have come into mine."
 
I reached across the table and held his hand. "Ted, I'm happy to have you with 
me, too. Thank you."
 
After a few minutes, Ted shook himself and rose to his feet. "I'll clean up. Why 
don't you see if some of my sister's things fit you?"
 
"I'll be right back." I let him clean up and returned to my - to his sister's room. 
This time, I really looked it over. Tastefully done, not overly feminine but the 
touch was there. I didn't want to wear another woman's under-things but I could 
at least find some outer clothes to borrow. At that point, I spotted a folded 
garment on the dresser. It looked like - it was - my underwear. Beside it was a 
scrawled note.
 
"Lisa, I think all things being equal, you need these now more than I do. I really 
appreciate you giving them to me like you did and I look forward to trying again. 
Ted."
 
I held the note to my breast and my eyes misted over again. This was more than 
I expected. Taking the robe off, I slid my underwear on and after a few minutes 
found something that fit well enough to wear until I was able to get more 
clothes. I pulled my brush and make-up from my purse and sat down at the 
vanity to make myself presentable. 
 
When I was done, I slipped on my shoes and went back to the kitchen. It was 
clean and Ted was not there. I went back toward the rear of the house and 
found him standing at the window staring out at what looked like a hundred 
rows of grapevines. I stepped behind him, sliding my arms around his stomach 
and putting my head on his shoulder.
 
"I wanted to show you all this last night," he said quietly. "For what seemed like 
hours, I lay there next to you and imagined what we would do today. Every step 
choreographed. Now, I don't know what to do."
 
I squeezed him gently. "I'm sure freeform will be just as good, Ted. You've 
made a good impression. You're not going to upset me by just doing what feels 
right."
 
Ted turned and looked into my eyes. "I still want you, but I want to see what the 
day shows us first. You need some clothes and I want to show you around 
Spring. It's a really nice place. I think you'll like it."
 
I kissed him on the cheek and let go. "Then let's go do that before Detective 
Hawkins calls."
 
 
Ted drove us into Spring and I was amazed. The main street was lined with 
stores that looked like they were from the last century. People thronged up and 
down the street under the shade trees. The romantic atmosphere was a warm 
shock to me. 
 
"Stop," I said suddenly. "I want to walk on the sidewalk."
 
Ted pulled over and parked the car. Together, we stepped out and began 
walking up the street. Every little shop called to me, begging me to come in and 
see what it looked like inside. Ted slipped an arm around my shoulders and I 
snuggled up to him, my arm around his waist. This felt so comfortable. Like we 
had known each other all our lives. It was both frightening and exhilarating. 
 
Ted turned us into a clothing store called Rose Petals. With him at my side, I 
walked and looked at the selection. I was able to find several sets of casual 
clothes that I thought would be good for walking in a vineyard. I went into the 
changing room and came out several times to see how he thought I looked. 
 
Ted's eyes sparkled when he looked at me. I could see his eyes dilate and I 
knew he liked what he saw. I felt all mushy inside again as he watched me. I 
picked a nice skirt/blouse set to round out the outfit and with only a moment's 
hesitation, I pulled my panties back off and folding them neatly slipped them 
into my purse. When I came out, I enjoyed his expression as he looked at my 
legs. I could tell he was remembering last night. 
 
The shopkeeper was busy with a customer up front, so I stepped behind a rack 
of clothes. Ted watched me with a bemused expression. With a quick breath, I 
reached down and slid the front of my skirt up. His eyes widened as he 
swallowed. That sweet flush climbed his neck and colored his face. I could feel 
his eyes caressing my most private place and I was instantly damp. 
 
"I don't think it's fair for Detective Hawkins to have a good look but my date 
miss out. Well, Ted, do you agree with her? Am I worth looking at?"
 
"Yes," he said hoarsely. "I like looking at you, even with clothes on. You're 
beautiful." With a glance up front, he stepped beside me, surprising me by 
reaching out and running his hand softly between my legs. 
 
I felt weak in the knees and had to stifle a moan. The dream this morning 
flashed back into my mind and I sagged against him, letting him touch me. He 
rubbed my labia and ran a finger between them, across my nub. I forgot where 
we were, I wanted him now. Here.
 
"Good morning," A voice said, startling us both from the other side of the clothes 
rack. Both of our heads turned and stared at the female clerk. All we could see 
was her shoulders and head, thank God. "Can I help you folks find anything?"
 
I expected Ted to step back but he held his ground, his finger making it hard for 
me to even think or speak. "No, I think we're finding everything we need." He 
looked at me. "Lisa, do you need anything else? Is what you are finding good?"
 
The woman looked at me. I tried to speak and it took a moment for me to find 
my voice. "I… Yes, I'm finding everything here good." I looked at Ted. "I need 
some other things, but we'll need to go find them somewhere else." I looked 
back at her.
 
All the while, Ted tortured me in front of this total stranger. His expression 
remained smokey and she finally seemed to catch on.
 
"Oh! I'll just let you two lovebirds shop. I'll be up front if you need any help." 
With a smile, she returned to the cash register. 
 
I turned and pulled him into my arms, kissing him deeply as he touched me. He 
stepped back before I fell down and I let my skirt drop. I was breathing heavily 
and debated pulling him back into the dressing room right here and now. I 
almost did when he brought his hand to his lips and licked his fingers.
 
"Now I know something that Hawk doesn't," he said with a smile. "I know that 
you are sweeter than the finest wine." A vision of Hawkins's eyes looking over 
my mons crossed my mind, then the thought of him there, too. I stepped toward 
him but he slid an arm around me and started leading me up front instead of 
letting me lead him away.
 
"Now, now, let's not spoil your appetite with sweets before we finish shopping!" 
That infuriating smile was all over his face and damned if the woman at the 
counter wasn't sharing it.
 
"Get everything you need?” she asked with a wide smile. 
 
"It's a start," Ted answered. 
 
She rang up my purchases and bagged them for me. As we were stepping out 
the door, Ted looked back and paused. "Look over at the back wall.”
 
I turned, looking back past the smiling saleswoman at the back wall. It took me 
a moment to see what he was getting at. There was a security mirror in the 
corner so the cashier could see the entire store. She had been watching Ted play 
with me! Blushing from both embarrassment and excitement, I kissed him again.
 
"God, Ted, lets go home right now."
 
Ted shook his head. "No, I don't think rushing would be right."
 
I groaned. "Ted! I need…"
 
Ted put a finger to my lips. "I know. I want to so badly that I can taste it." He 
smiled. "Literally and figuratively. But, I'm not going to rush this right now. Let's 
get you some comfortable shoes and have some lunch. Then we can drive back 
to the vineyard."
 
The scent of my arousal rose from his hand and I couldn't help myself. I took his 
finger into my mouth and caressed it with my tongue. My flavor exploded onto 
my senses and I shivered against him. 
 
With some effort, I pulled back and put an arm around his waist. A glance back 
as we exited told me that the shopkeeper was watching us, still smiling. "I don't 
need shoes," I husked.
 
He smiled at me. "Of course you do! We'll just go right over here and get some." 
The shop with the shoe on the shingle would have looked inviting on any other 
morning. With a sigh of resignation, I followed him in. The boy at the counter 
looked up and smiled at us.
 
"Can I help you folks?"
 
Ted stopped next to him. "Yes, we need some ladies tennis shoes."
 
The boy pointed. "Aisle 3, all the way back."
 
Ted smiled. "Thanks." 
 
We made our way back and I knew now that both of us were going to be hungry 
when we left here for lunch. I was not going to be outdone by Ted. I found 
several sets of shoes in my size and then sat down on the little bench.
 
"Why don't you try them on me, Ted?" I asked in my most sultry voice. Then I 
opened my legs and let him look at me again. He rapidly discovered it was 
impossible to fit a shoe on me when he wasn't looking at my feet. From this 
angle, I had a nice view of his bulging pants and it made me breathe faster. As 
he fitted the shoe on my foot, I reached down and touched myself. It was not as 
nice as his touch but it would have to do. I rubbed myself and slowly worked a 
finger into my depths as he watched, the shoes forgotten.
 
"The shoes, Ted?" I asked archly. "I don't think they'll work. Try the next set, 
please."
 
When he leaned toward me, I put my other hand on his head and held him back. 
"Oh, no. No dessert until we finish eating lunch. It'll ruin your appetite." It took 
all my willpower to do that. I wanted him so bad. I began toying with my clit, 
masturbating for him. Doing it in public set me on fire and I knew I was not 
going to last very long at all.
 
After two more pairs of shoes, I sped up my fingers and started my rise to the 
crescendo. I never even realized my eyes were closed until Ted pulled my hand 
away from my sex and I opened them in surprise. I tried to use my other hand 
and he trapped both of them.
 
"No. Bad girl. No dessert until we finish lunch."
 
I groaned in need but he was adamant. The shoes on my feet were what I was 
getting, as he didn't give me a choice. He pulled me to my feet and almost 
dragged me up front. I must have looked a real sight as the boy was gawking at 
me.
 
"Here's the box. We'll take these on her feet," Ted said. The boy rang us up and 
before I could catch my breath, we were out the door. He pulled me into a café 
down the street. 
 
Ted asked for directions to the restrooms but stopped me outside the ladies 
room. "Remember, no dessert until after we eat. Okay?" 
 
I nodded spasmodically and he let me go with a kiss. Once inside, I looked at 
the stall longingly but I was not going to cheat. I washed my hands and got 
myself under control. Then I went back where he was waiting with a smile. In a 
few minutes, we were seated.
 
I could have cared less what they served for lunch and if I thought I could have 
gotten away with it, I would have ordered takeout. Ted insisted on a booth seat. 
We ordered drinks and some sandwiches. I just picked the first thing on the 
menu.
 
After the drinks arrived, I sipped my water and planned my next action but Ted 
beat me to it. With a shock, I felt his bare foot rubbing my inner thigh. I moaned 
softly before I caught myself. Then his foot moved in and began toying with me. 
 
Until the food arrived, it was torture. He would rub me and leave me wanting. 
His revenge for last night's dinner was complete. It took all my will to not groan 
when the food arrived and his foot withdrew. 
 
The meal was a blur. I'm surprised I didn't choke, I was eating so fast. I would 
have needed a Heimlich for sure. Ted, on the other hand, ate slowly and his 
eyes just kept watching me. I took a deep breath and slowed down. That lunch 
was the longest forty-five minutes of my life.
 
When we finished, Ted put an arm around my waist and carried my purchases. 
I'm not sure how he got his sock and shoe back on. I wanted to run to the car 
but he held us to a leisurely walk. After what seemed like a couple of years, we 
made it to his car and I flew into my seat and buckled myself in. As he slowly 
strapped himself in, I started laughing.
 
Ted started the car and looked at me. "What is it?"
 
I got control of myself and kissed him deeply. "I just realized I started this by 
wanting to make you desire me and now you've put the shoe on the other foot. 
You're making me want you badly."
 
Ted kissed me one final time, and then pulled onto the road. "It's not a good 
meal unless everyone leaves the table wanting more." As the car turned left at 
the light he winked at me. "So, shall we take the scenic route?"
 
I could only imagine the people on the street staring at the car as my groan of 
anguished desire sailed back to them on the breeze.



Chapter Five: A fight before satisfaction
 
Lisa's point of view
 
On the drive back to the vineyard, Ted seemed to take every back road he knew. 
I tried to watch the scenery and act as though it didn't matter how long it took 
to get back to his house but I was melting in my seat. Never in my life had I 
been so worked up as this morning and I needed release. He wouldn't let me 
touch myself but he did reach over every few minutes and caress me, like he 
was keeping a pot simmering. 
 
My glorious plans to drag him right into the bedroom and have my way with him 
hit a roadblock as soon as we pulled into the driveway. There was a black SUV 
sitting there. Both of us said the same thing explosively at the same time. "Shit!" 
It was good to know that I had him wanting me as badly as I wanted him.
 
Ted brought the car to a halt and climbed out. As he frowned at the vehicle, the 
door to the SUV opened and a man got out. Boy, did he looked pissed. 
 
The man stalked right up to Ted and got in his face as I was getting out of the 
car. "You son of a bitch," he shouted at Ted. "Who the hell do you think you are, 
trying to sic the police on me, asshole? You think I tried to blow you up and got 
the wrong car? Screw you!"
 
Ted stood his ground and didn't flip out. I can't believe Ted kept his cool. This 
guy frightened the hell out of me. I fumbled in my purse while Ted responded.
 
"Back off, Price. I didn't tell them you did it, just that we had words. This is 
private property so get off it before I give in to temptation and throw your sorry 
ass off it."
 
This testosterone fest was getting out of hand. I could tell from the way that 
Price guy was turning red and tensing up. 
 
"Stop it," I said loudly. "Get back in your car and get moving, whoever you are."
 
That focused Price's attention on me. Bad call on my part. He started towards 
me. "Fuck you, cunt! You were just lucky that bomb was on the wrong car, killed 
your fag friend and didn't kill the right guy and you with him! Oh, didn't think it 
would get out?" he sneered. "It's all over the news. Queer killed at club, film at 
11!"
 
Ted grabbed him around the throat from behind as I reeled back in fear and 
shock. He elbowed Ted and twisted loose. Then they started circling and 
exchanging blows. 
 
I pulled myself together and decided it would take too long to call the police so 
instead I pulled out my mace. I stepped in and aimed it right into his face as he 
reacted to me, swinging. The mace went flying and I stumbled back. 
 
Ted caught him with a body blow as they grappled, fists flying. The prick's fist 
exploded against Ted's jaw and he went sprawling. Price stepped up and kicked 
him. 
 
I started screaming and scrambled for the fallen mace. I had to stop him from 
hurting Ted! Mace in hand, I ran back around him and sprayed. He screamed 
and swung blindly at me. The world exploded in stars and the universe landed 
on me like a ton of bricks. I heard more screaming, so I must have been awake. 
 
The screaming cut off after a few moments with the meaty sound of blows. I 
tried to get my bearings and call out for Ted or crawl to him but I couldn't seem 
to gather my rattled wits. With a sudden movement, everything shifted and I 
was looking up at Ted. He looked worried. "Lisa, are you okay?"
 
I shook my head and decided I was going to live but my face hurt. "Owww! That 
prick hit me! Let me up!" I was suddenly furious. Was testosterone contagious? 
 
Ted helped me up. I saw our attacker huddled in a ball on the ground, moaning 
and writhing, his hands covering his face. 
 
Before Ted could stop me, I planted my heel right into the prick's crotch. As he 
screamed, flopped and retched, Ted wrapped his arms around me, pulling me 
back, laughing. "He's down. Let it go. We'll call the Sheriff." 
 
I struggled against him for a moment before I came to my senses. Reluctantly, I 
nodded and stepped back, trembling from the adrenaline rush of what had just 
happened. He pulled his cell phone from his belt and dialed. I could hear him 
speaking as I stalked back and forth. I was trying to get a grip on my fear and 
anger.
 
Right after Ted hung up, I saw a dust plume from a red sedan coming up the 
drive. It couldn't be the Sheriff. It was way too soon. Dina was driving with Stan 
in the passenger seat and a woman in the back. They all piled out when it pulled 
to a stop and took in the scene with surprise. 
 
"What in heaven's name is going on?" Stan asked. Briefly, Ted told him and 
Stan's face contorted in the first angry expression I had seen on him. He stalked 
off towards the back of the house, muttering under his breath. 
 
The woman threw herself into Ted's arms and I stopped, open mouthed in 
surprise. Dina must have seen my expression, because she shook her head and 
pulled me aside. "That's his sister, Sue. We just picked her up at the airport. She 
flew in when Stan called her." She frowned at me. "What happened to you?"
 
I growled, pointing at the prick. "He hit me before Ted took him out." 
 
Dina's eyes narrowed and glittered dangerously. Now it was my turn to hold 
someone back from going after him. 
 
"No. I already kicked him in the nuts. Wait for the police," I said calmly.
 
"Good!" Dina exclaimed.
 
Stan returned with a length of rope. He flipped the prick over and tied his hands 
behind him. "That should hold him."
 
Ted came over to me with his arm around his sister. Up close, I could see some 
family resemblance. She was crying a little. "Lisa, this is my little sister, Sue. Sue, 
this is Lisa. I'm not sure but I think she's my girlfriend."
 
I snorted. "Yes, Ted, I'm your girlfriend." I held out my arms and hugged his 
sister.
 
"I heard what happened," Sue said. "I'm happy Ted and you are okay but I'm so 
sorry about your friend. Do they know who did it? Was it that guy?" She 
gestured at the prick as she let go of me.
 
"Damned if I know," I responded. "He doesn't like Ted very much, so maybe. 
The police will get it out of him."
 
A siren growing louder drew our attention to a sheriff's car as it turned into the 
drive and sped towards us, dust plume behind it. After it came to a stop, a 
deputy jumped out. Not one of those from last night but that made sense - they 
wouldn't be on duty.
 
The deputy looked around, his hand near his gun and then laughed. "Looks like 
things are under control." 
 
Ted gave him a rundown and a second car arrived with an ambulance while they 
were going through the event. The two deputies took the recovering prick, 
cuffed him, removed the rope and handed him off to the paramedics to treat the 
mace. 
 
Price started shouting that we had attacked him and that he was pressing 
charges. The paramedic told him to shut up.
 
One of the deputies, Cavanaugh, took our official statements. I showed him my 
DA's badge and he nodded. "Good enough for me. Sounds like his sleaze ball 
word against a respected property owner and an officer of the court on private 
property. We'll take him in and let the judge deal with him. I wouldn't worry 
about his assault charge sticking, though. I'd like to get some pictures of your 
face, Miss Davis."
 
I nodded and he took several pictures. When he finished, I was starting to ache 
and just wanted to go inside. I wondered if steak really worked for black eyes. 
 
 
Sue put her arm around my shoulders and started leading me inside. "Come on, 
Sugar. Dina is inside fixing some tea. Let's go in and let the men-folk deal with 
taking out the garbage."
 
Not resisting, I let Sue lead me into the cool inside. Dina was bringing a pitcher 
of tea and some glasses with ice into the living room. 
 
"Just sit down and I'll take a look at your face," Sue said.
 
The comfortable leather couch seemed to draw me in as I sat down, exhausted, 
the adrenaline high dropping off abruptly. Dina poured me a glass and I sipped 
the sweetened tea slowly as she sat next to me. The quiet washed over us.
 
A few minutes later, Sue was back with a damp wash cloth, an ice pack and a 
grin. I wasn't sure what she was smiling about. "What's so funny," I asked her as 
she knelt in front of me.
 
Sue's eyes twinkled. "I'm not sure I should say. We've only just met and it might 
be a bit embarrassing." 
 
I was liking her already. "Don't worry about my sense of humor. I can take it, 
Sue."
 
"Okay, Stan told me you stayed here last night. My bed doesn't look slept in. I 
doubt you slept in Stan's room so…"
 
Dina giggled and they both stared at me. 
 
I felt the burn of a good blush and tried to fight it off. "No," I said. "Hold up! We 
slept together but nothing happened." Hmmm. I'd heard that before and didn't 
believe it then either. They weren't buying what I was selling. "Really! He was a 
perfect gentleman."
 
"Sure, okay," said a smiling Dina. "We understand. You just slept in the same 
bed." She leaned forward. "That's all Stan and I did, too." 
 
Sue started laughing. "I can see my brothers have hit the jackpot with you two. 
You're pistols! We're going to get along just fine!" 
 
I gave up. I might as well just accept that they thought we were sleeping 
together. It would be true as soon as I could get Ted alone, anyway. I threw my 
hands up. "Fine, you caught us. We spent all night making passionate love. Ted 
is a sex god!"
 
Sue kept laughing and hugged me. "Oh, God! I am so happy that he found you! 
I was afraid he would stay locked up in this place and waste away. He's a good 
man and he deserves happiness. Thank you!"
 
Sue wrapped the ice pack with the cloth after cleaning my face and I held it over 
my bruised eye. I was going to have a shiner, I bet. That damned asshole. I'd 
have to keep the ice handy and put it on occasionally to lessen the bruising.
 
We all heard a catchy little jingle coming from my purse. I let her go with a smile 
and pulled my cell phone out. Sue sat down in a chair as I answered it.
 
"Davis," I said.
 
"Where are you," an imperious male voice asked. I couldn't help but recognize it. 
It was my older brother, Arthur. He sounded irked, as usual. This day just kept 
getting worse.
 
"Where I am is none of your business," I snapped back. 
 
"Hey, I was just checking, since the news mentioned your close escape. Forgive 
me for doing the family thing."
 
As Arthur droned, the front door opened. Ted and Stan came inside. Ted sat 
next to me on the couch while his brother sat down on the love seat with Dina 
cuddling up to him. Why couldn't I have a brother like Stan? Why is it always 
other people's families that are worth a damn?
 
"You haven't given a crap about me since mother re-wrote the will, Arthur! Try 
again. She's in the home and doesn't even know her own name anymore. Do 
you come and visit? No! So don't try to weasel your way back into my life so 
easily. You burned that bridge when you became a 'freedom fighter,' joined the 
militia, told me to take my government lips and plant them in the State's ass."
 
I hung up the phone and dropped it into my purse. Now I was trembling again. 
Ted put his arm around me and held me close. I couldn't stop shaking and then 
the tears started. Damn it all to hell! I hated crying, but I couldn't shut the 
faucet off. He pulled my head onto his shoulder as I sobbed. I felt his hand 
stroking my hair until I was cried out.
 
"You know, Calvin wasn't like that," I sniffled. "The things that prick said really 
hurt. Calvin was my friend and I loved him!"
 
Ted touched my face softly. "Don't worry about it. Price is an arrogant, 
insensitive prick who doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. It doesn't 
matter what a person's sexual orientation is. What's important is what kind of 
person they are. He was a good man and I know he loved you, too.”
 
That started another rush of tears. When I pulled back from him, I saw the rest 
had withdrawn and left us alone. A box of Kleenex was now sitting in the center 
of the coffee table. I took a tissue and blew my nose. As I was wiping my eyes, 
he just held me. "Are you sure I'm a good catch as a girlfriend, Ted? I seem to 
cry a lot. I might be high maintenance." 
 
Ted kissed my cheek. "I'm sure. And, no, you're not high maintenance. It's been 
a rough couple of days."
 
I smiled through the remaining tears. "Good, because they know we're sleeping 
together."
 
Ted looked at me wide-eyed. "They know what? Who knows what?"
 
"Dina and Sue. Sue especially. She guessed we were having sex so I told her it 
was true."
 
We started laughing and then he kissed me again. And again. Soon we were 
making out on the couch like teenagers. When he came up for air, he looked into 
my eyes from a few inches away, our noses touching. "Well, then, I better let 
you sample the goods so you can giggle away all the right details when Dina 
puts the thumbscrews to you."
 
I looked at him. "Now? Your sister and brother are in the house! They'll know!"
 
"They already know, courtesy of you. You know they're talking about us right 
now."
 
My face flushed. "They probably are."
 
Ted grinned at me. "So, Miss Exhibitionist, shall I make love to you right here on 
the couch?"
 
I blushed furiously and I felt my treacherous pussy start watering at the idea. 
Dammit! The idea excited me but I was not going to make love on the couch! 
Especially with his family hiding under every nook and cranny!
 
"You look unsure," Ted said with a grin. "Let's not push that showoff streak of 
yours too far just yet." He stood up, picking me up in his arms. "It's time to go 
get dessert. I'm starving, Lisa. Are you hungry?"
 
I snaked my arms around his neck and kissed him. "I need you. Right now. If 
that means you making love to me on the couch with your family sitting right 
here and calling out comments, I'll do it."
 
"That's my girl but not this time. Let's get some privacy." He started carrying me 
towards the bedroom. 
 
I stopped him and pointed. "My purse, please."
 
He snagged it without letting me out of his arms, and then he resumed our trip 
back to the bedroom. "Stan, Sue, Dina, I'm going in back with Lisa for a while. 
Answer the phone and keep away the salesmen, okay?" he called out.
 
A trio of laughs came out of the kitchen. "We've got you covered, Bro," Stan 
called back. "Take your time."
 
"Oh, I intend to," Ted said softly, just to me. "I intend to make this perfect. Just 
like you." 
 
 
I watched him as he carried me into his bedroom and kicked the door shut with 
one foot. Laying me gently on the still unmade bed, he untied and removed my 
shoes. We never bought any socks for me, I realized. Then he pulled his own 
shoes off and slid up next to me, kissing me deeply. The feel of his body next to 
mine, his arms caressing my back and the scent of his skin stoked the fire inside 
me.
 
I was about to push him back, to start doing things to him when he began 
kissing my neck and ears. Jolts of pleasure ran through my nerves and I sighed 
happily. The scent of his hair was twisting my insides into knots. The good kind. 
His strong hands began caressing my breasts through my clothes. My nipples we 
so stiff they ached with sensitivity. His gentle squeezing and rubbing made me 
growl with desire. 
 
Ted chuckled at the noise I made and began unbuttoning my blouse with 
maddening slowness. Since I had not worn a bra last night, I didn't have one on 
now. Another lacking we failed to fix in town. As my breasts came into view, I 
could hear his intake of breath. 
 
"Do you like them?"
 
Ted looked into my eyes. "Like the rest of you, they are perfect." 
 
I smiled and started to say something pert but I lost control of my speech 
centers when his tongue began circling my nipple. The shocking dampness of his 
mouth made it tingle with need. My comment became a groan and I ran my 
hands through his hair. Lips and gentle nips with his teeth followed as he slowly 
made the journey from one breast to the other.
 
His hands were not still as he sampled my breasts. They finished unbuttoning my 
blouse and then ran up my body, returning to gently squeeze me. I didn't think I 
could come with just my breasts being stimulated but I was close.
 
When he finally began kissing his way down my stomach, I could feel my 
muscles rippling under his lips. I must have sounded like I was running a 
marathon, my breathing was so hard. I began mauling my breasts, pinching my 
nipples and adding to my pleasure as he made his way lower. He didn't take off 
my skirt but instead lifted it. Then he began kissing, licking and gently biting my 
inner thigh. I moaned in response and thrust my hips at him. The bastard just 
smiled and started kissing his way down my leg, away from my sex. 
 
The muscles in my leg trembled under his onslaught. That wicked tongue 
tortured me and after what seemed like an hour, he was at my foot. He held my 
foot and began licking my toes, taking them one by one into his mouth, teasing 
them. 
 
"God, that feels good. Lick my toes…" I rubbed my other foot along his back as 
he made love to my foot, licking along the arch and across the top.
 
Ted stopped, stood up, and began slowly undressing for me. I watched through 
a haze of arousal as he did a little turn. He bumped and ground his way through 
a striptease. Sexy as hell, his body was tanned and fit, stomach flat. When he 
pulled his pants down, the bulge in his underwear spoke deeply of his desire for 
me. 
 
I went from damp to soaking wet instantly. Forget foreplay. I wanted him now. I 
needed him now. "Ted, make love to me."
 
"I've been a good boy and I want my dessert." He pulled his underwear down. 
His cock stood out, straight and proud. I focused my attention on it lustily. It was 
bit longer than average and thick. I shivered as I imagined it splitting me wide 
open. I slid my hands down and started fingering myself as he watched. I 
expected him to stop me but he just started kissing and licking my other foot. 
 
By the time he had made it to my knee, I was moaning and shaking, getting oh 
so close. He hands snaked their way up and I felt his fingers interlace with mine, 
stopping me again. I groaned and tried the other hand only to have it captured 
as well. 
 
"That's my job, so just lie back and let me do the driving."
 
"You are," I said back, my voice husky with desire. "You're driving me crazy. 
You've tortured me all day…"
 
Ted laughed and kissed my inner thigh. "Like you did at dinner last night?"
 
I nodded jerkily. "Yes, but worse. You keep letting me getting close but won't let 
me come. I need to come. Please, Ted. Please. I'm begging, see? I give up. I'm 
yours. I'll do whatever you want, here or anywhere else, anything, anytime. Just 
stop torturing me! I want you!"
 
"I'll remember that and hold you to it, but I promise never to make you regret 
it." His lips kissed up my thigh and to the shaved area beside my outer lips. I 
heard him breathe in deeply and knew he was sampling my scent. As wet as I 
was, I knew he was getting a lungful of my muskiness. Then he began a 
campaign of kissing and licking everywhere on my crotch except my sex. It sent 
so much sensation along my spine that I arched my back, ground my mons into 
his face and moaned like a slut in heat. He relented and just like in my dream, a 
hot tongue dug between the petals of my flower. He began eating me in earnest. 
I looked down at him, his brown eyes smiling and watching me. This was no 
dream. Fantasies about Hawkins couldn't compare. 
 
I groaned. My hands tore free of his and grasped his head, grinding my crotch 
into his face. Finally! The pent up floodgates tore open and I could hear him 
licking me wetly. I was going to drown him in my nectar. When his lips found my 
clit and began sucking it at the same time he worked two fingers inside me, I 
thought I was going to die from the pleasure. My heart was beating wildly in my 
chest and my nerves were shooting off random signals. I was twitching and 
groaning. My sight seemed to be shrinking into tunnel vision and I could hear a 
scream building in the air. A part of my mind wondered who was screaming 
before I realized it must be me.
 
Suddenly, my orgasm was upon me, massive and as unstoppable as a freight 
train. I knew I was screaming my pleasure loud enough that the neighbors could 
hear me, that his family and Dina could hear me. I didn't care. My feet beat a 
tattoo on the bed as I trembled and my vision danced with stars. Oddly, the 
scent of him from the pillows was overpowering and erotic. It only made me lust 
for him more deeply. 
 
Then I was pushing him weakly away, abruptly too sensitive for him to touch me 
there. My pussy was on fire. I pulled him up on top of me and began kissing him 
furiously. His face was covered in my juices. I licked him across the cheeks and 
lips, suddenly hungry. An odd thought went through my mind as I tasted myself. 
I wondered if Hawkins tasted like me, so sweet and tangy. Again, I felt a stab of 
heat deep in my loins. I almost laughed out loud. Part of me wanted to find out. 
Maybe I was bi-curious after all. 
 
As we caught our breath, my phone went off again. I laughed. "It never fails. 
Well, whoever it is can damned well wait. I have more important things to do." I 
pulled his face to mine. He zeroed back in on my mouth and we kissed like 
young lovers. My phone stopped ringing, then his went off, but we were not at 
all interested in it. 
 
I could feel his manhood rubbing against me as he slowly moved on top of me. I 
didn't want to wait one more second. "Fuck me," I said. "I want to feel you 
inside me now."
 
"I need to get a condom," Ted said as he started to get up. 
 
I pulled him back on top of me. "I'm on the pill and neither of us has had sex in 
a while. We're safe. Just do it."
 
"What do you want inside you?" he whispered back. his voice hot with his own 
desire. 
 
I groaned. "You know what I want. I want you inside me now!"
 
"Tell me," he commanded. "Tell me what you want inside you."
 
"Your cock," I almost screamed. "Fuck me with that big, hard cock of yours!"
 
Ted reached down and began rubbing his smaller head across me. Between my 
lips and across my nub. I groaned and bucked like an animal beneath him. Then 
I felt him pushing inside me, spreading me, and then he stopped. 
 
The feeling of him just inside me made something snap in me. I wrapped my 
arms and legs around him, fighting, struggling to thrust myself up onto him. 
"Fuck me, fuck me, FUCK ME!" I kissed his neck and his scent drove me wild. 
 
Ted slid forward and buried himself in my sopping sex in one slow, agonizingly 
pleasurable thrust. My wail of happiness was, if anything, louder than the one 
before. With slow and deliberate motions, he started pulling out almost all the 
way before filling me with that pole of his. I felt wonderfully full and stuffed. 
 
I began moving in time with his thrusts. When he started kissing my neck as he 
coupled with me, I threw my head back and moaned with each penetration. The 
inside of my mind was a jumble of primitive emotions and sensations. I was lost 
in the moment, nothing else mattered but him. 
 
Ted began thrusting harder and faster. The friction was driving me to places I 
never suspected might exist. I felt more alive than I could remember. We 
struggled to become one. He grasped my hips and stood on his knees, powering 
himself into my depths. 
 
"God, Lisa…"
 
I looked up at him, my chest heaving.
 
"Do it," I egged him on. "Come inside me. I need you to. I want you to. Fuck my 
hot, wet pussy, Ted. Fill me up." I could feel his thrusts bringing me closer to a 
massive orgasm but I didn't think I was going to get there before him. I began 
wildly moving against him and struggled to make my own pleasure. 
 
Ted saw my need and buried himself in me. He held still to cool himself and heat 
me up.
 
"Oh, God! Oh, God!" I reached between us and began madly rubbing my clit. My 
cries continued and got louder as I rose on the crest of an intense orgasm. 
 
Then he started thrusting again and with shocking suddenness, Ted arched his 
back, his face contorted wildly. I felt him swell inside me and begin twitching and 
pulsing. The incredible hot, wet sensation of Ted's come inside me overwhelmed 
my last resistance and I wailed as my orgasm took me away like a tidal wave. 
 
Ted groaned in anguished pleasure as my legs and pussy clamped down on him 
while I writhed madly beneath him. His face a grimace of ecstasy as I couldn't 
stop myself from scratching his back with my nails. 
 
As suddenly as it was upon us, the waves began to recede. He collapsed on me. 
His breathing was loud and fast in my ear. The sensations filled me with a warm 
afterglow. We kissed slowly, tenderly, sensuously. 
 
Ted whispered softly. "I know we only just met and this is wildly too soon to say 
this but I think I'm falling for you." 
 
I felt my insides melt again and my heart seemed to fill my chest. "I know it's 
too soon but I think I'm falling for you, too." I kissed him tenderly and started 
weeping a little with emotion. "It's been a long time." I laughed at myself. "Let's 
not get hung up on words." I gave him another kiss. 
 
"We have a deal, lover."
 
A spike of pleasure ran through me. "Think Mister Grape has another round of 
juice for me?" I asked saucily. 
 
Ted smiled back at me and kissed me deeply. "I bet so."
 
We made love again, slowly and passionately this time. I didn't have any more 
earth shattering orgasms but the two small ones I had made me feel really good 
when Ted finally came in me again. I was so happy. I will admit that I couldn't 
help myself. I screamed my pleasure and egged him on loudly as he climbed 
Mount Everest again. I felt no restraint as I let everyone know what a great lover 
Ted was and how much of a good time I was having.
 
We showered, caressing each other in the soapy water, not hungry for sex but 
for the touch of the other. I saw the long, deep scratches in his back and felt 
shocked. I don't think I've ever scratched up a man like I had Ted. 
 
"Oh, Ted! I've scratched you to pieces! I'm so sorry!"
 
Ted smiled at me and shook his head. "It's okay. I'll take it as a compliment."
 
When we shut the water off, I found something in the medicine cabinet and 
doctored his back. He tried not to wince and that made me feel worse. When I 
was done, he held me. 
 
"You were absolutely terrific. Don't be upset, please. You are far and away the 
best lover I've ever had."
 
My heart fluttered again and I held him for a minute. When we separated, we 
each scrambled back into our scattered clothes. The clock said that almost an 
hour and a half had passed. Now I was thirsty and hungry. A quick check of my 
phone told me that Detective Hawkins had called. So did Ted's. 
 
I grinned at him as we closed the bedroom door behind us. "I think we're going 
to get some ribbing when we get to the kitchen. They just might have heard us," 
I said.
 
Ted smiled back and kissed me. "They heard you. Don't let it embarrass you."
 
I laughed in turn. "Me? You're the one that blushes at the drop of a hat!"
 
We stepped into the kitchen, arm in arm, and the ongoing conversation there 
ceased. Sitting all around the table, they grinned at us. All four of them. Stan, 
Dina, Sue and - Detective Hawkins.



Chapter Six: Flying with the Hawk
 
Hawk's point of view
 
The lovers looked a bit shocked when they came into the kitchen. Judging from 
the volume at which Lisa had been proclaiming her pleasure, their 
embarrassment wasn't because there was an audience; it was because I was 
part of the audience. 
 
With the shiner she was sporting, I would have scowled harshly at Ted if the trio 
had not already given me the gossip. That pissed me off. The fact that Lisa 
kicked him in the nuts made it a lot better. 
 
I had spent a good amount of time getting to know Ted's brother Stan, his sister 
Sue and Stan's girlfriend Dina. They had all seemed pretty embarrassed about 
the noises coming from down the hall, even though I gathered they had been 
joking about it before I showed up. Stan had tried to give me the bum's rush 
when I arrived, telling me they were not available, but then Lisa started having a 
really good - and loud - time. That kind of screaming meant one thing: Ted knew 
what he was doing. Her exclamations made my mouth water. I grinned and told 
Stan I'd wait. After an uncomfortable minute in the kitchen with Stan, Sue and 
Dina, I was joking and talking about the absent lovers right along with them. 
 
Now, as Ted and Lisa stared at me, I grinned back at them. "I tried calling ahead 
to tell you I was almost here, but you were - busy. I hope you don't mind that I 
waited for you."
 
They both blushed nicely but pulled themselves together with admirable 
efficiency. Ted poured Lisa a glass of water and asked, “Quesadillas everyone?” 
 
We all nodded in agreement and Lisa sat down with us at the table while Ted 
started cooking.
 
I could have tortured her more but figured that wouldn't earn me any brownie 
points. "I have some good news and some bad news, Lisa," I said instead. "First 
the good news; your house is clear. No indication that anyone has been there."
 
That perked Lisa right up. "That's good! I can go back home then?"
 
Ted didn't look at all happy about that. Repressing a smile, I shook my head. "I'd 
like to give it a day or two more, which leads me to the bad news. The DA in 
Galveston took off on a fishing trip somewhere and I can't get access to squat. If 
I can pull you away from Ted for a while, I really need to take you down there 
and go through your files. See if anything looks promising, you know? You up for 
a road trip?"
 
Lisa nodded. "Yes, but let me eat something first. I'm famished." At my grin she 
blushed again. She was really pretty. Hell, she was gorgeous, especially wearing 
the afterglow of great sex. I found myself wishing it had been me giving her that 
good time. It had been too long.
 
A 'ding' from the microwave announced the snack was ready. It smelled pretty 
good.
 
"Then eat up. I don't want to see you fall over from hunger,” Ted said as he 
handed out plates with cheesy tortillas stuffed with marinated beef.
 
While Lisa ate, I filled her in on the details that I had been able to glean thus far. 
The bomb squad had recovered more fragments of the bomb than I would have 
thought possible. The full analysis would take some time, but Frank's quick and 
dirty read was that the bomb was wired to the starter and not remotely 
detonated. That meant someone planted it while Lisa and Calvin were inside the 
club. 
 
Lisa took that better than I was afraid she would. A nod and a few tears. "I still 
can't believe someone wants me dead."
 
"Perhaps not. Calvin could have been the target. I'll have to look at that 
possibility, too,” I said.
 
"Why would someone want to kill Calvin?" Lisa asked in a shocked voice.
 
I shrugged. "I've learned that figuring out the why before the who is a chancy 
business at best, Sweetie. Let me find out the who and you'll be able to tell me 
why. Can you access his files?"
 
Lisa shook her head. "No, I don't have the key to his office. You can get them on 
Monday when the DA gets back."
 
Sunday was my normal day off so the impact wouldn't be awful. "It'll work. 
Anyway, the parts from the bomb look homemade, not C-4 or a more 
sophisticated type of bomb. They are working on getting me some details to 
track down but that will likely take till Monday, at the earliest. It looks like a pipe 
bomb by the gas tank."
 
This line of conversation was really making her upset so I laid off any more 
details like that. The anger that replaced it was a lot better in the long run, 
anyway, I thought.
 
Stan and Dina excused themselves to 'go lie down for a while' and that made us 
all grin. Nothing like listening to someone else get laid to work up the old juices. 
Sue also excused herself to take a walk outside. 
 
"That lobbyist, Price, was out here this morning," Ted said. 
 
I nodded as I finished chewing. "I heard. I'll have his ass for breakfast. He just 
moved up my suspect ladder and I'll need to have words with him before he 
posts bail."
 
Lisa stiffened and I put a hand on her knee. "Don't get too worried. He would be 
an idiot to come back out here after posting bail. You did file charges, right?"
 
From their expressions, I could tell they were thinking Price was an idiot. I shook 
my head and laughed but I kept my hand where it was. It was almost like 
gentling a skittish horse to your touch. "You two! I know he's stupid, sexist and 
violent. That won't help him much when I've finished with him. I'll put the fear of 
me into him." I grinned at her. "I think it might be better if the BSB here is not in 
the same room, though. I want him nervous, not pissed."
 
Lisa cocked her head. "BSB?"
 
"Ball stomping bitch,” I said.
 
Ted laughed and Lisa flushed red. He shook his head, still smiling. "I told the 
deputies I wanted to file charges and they took my statement but I suppose I 
should go down there today or tomorrow to make it official."
 
I nodded. "Good idea. I'll help Lisa file assault charges while we are there."
 
Lisa finally stood up. "Are you still on that motorcycle?"
 
At my nod, she started towards the bedrooms. "I'll need to change. Riding in a 
skirt isn't a good idea."
 
I looked at Ted and he looked back. We both obviously were getting the same 
visual. I smiled and he returned it.
 
"She is wonderful," Ted said at last.
 
"I agree. It seems like we have the same taste in women, Ted. We'll have to see 
about double-dating sometime."
 
That broke the ice and we joked back and forth until Lisa came back out, ready 
to ride. 
 
Lisa and Ted kissed so deeply that even I was feeling the heat before they 
separated. The tight pants she wore cupped her ass and made my breath catch 
in my throat. God, she was hot! 
 
 
When they separated at last, Lisa followed me out and we were soon on the 
road heading south. She didn't seem too upset about riding on the back of my 
Harley, her arms around my waist. I almost wish she hadn't changed out of that 
nice skirt and into a pair of pants, but pants were more practical, and I could still 
feel the heat of her against me. The helmet microphones allowed us to speak 
without shouting. Time to test the waters.
 
"So, Lisa, have you always liked showing off?"
 
I felt her tense a little. "What do you mean?"
 
I laughed. "You know what I mean. You, my dear, are an exhibitionist."
 
The silence dragged on long enough that I didn't think Lisa was going to answer 
at all. We were almost to the Harris County lock-up when the answer came. It 
was soft enough that I almost missed it.
 
"Yes…"
 
I chuckled. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, Hun. I wondered about it after you 
gave me that little show Friday, but after this morning, I'm sure. You weren't 
being too public either time, so don't worry about it."
 
"There was another time, too," Lisa said hesitantly and with some 
embarrassment. "Ted and I were in Spring this morning doing some shopping." 
Her voice started strengthening. "I think a sales clerk watched him play with 
me."
 
"And that excites you?"
 
"I know it's not 'right'. I never thought I could be such a slut." She sounded 
down on herself and that just would not do.
 
"Look, sweetie, I'm something of an expert in things sexual, at least before the 
last girlfriend and I broke up a couple of years ago. What you did does not make 
you a slut. You've found something that you like. Now you just need to be 
careful that you don't go too far in public. The thrill of getting seen is not worth 
being arrested. Pick and choose. As for Ted, he seems nice enough, for a guy, 
and I can testify that he apparently makes you feel good - really good. Be happy 
with that as a start." I looked back at her over my shoulder and smiled before 
returning my attention to traffic.
 
We pulled into the Harris County Jail's parking lot and the big bike coasted 
smoothly to a stop among the rice-burning trash in the motorcycle parking area. 
Securing the helmets, we went inside. I signed in and passed over my weapon. 
The deputy gave me a glance and Lisa a lingering look. She smiled back. 
 
After about fifteen minutes, we were allowed into the questioning area. I 
stopped to watch this guy, Price, through the one way glass.
 
Price sat there, leaned back in the chair with his feet on the table, his hands 
interlaced behind his head, eyes closed, dressed in county colors. Cocky bastard, 
acting like it was all some kind of game.
 
"Lisa, you do the DA thing and watch from here. I'll go in and rattle his cage and 
see what falls out."
 
I opened the door quietly and stepped up to the table before it closed or made a 
noise. Gripping the table, I slid it noisily toward him.
 
Price's eyes flew open and he flailed wildly, his chair tipping over backwards. The 
crash of impact was very satisfying.
 
"Ooooo. Sorry about that, Mister Price. Didn't mean to startle you." I pulled my 
chair out and sat, watching him burn as he scrambled to his feet.
 
"This is bullshit! That bastard jumped me and his bitch hurt me bad when I was 
down! I want out of here and I want them locked up right the fuck now!"
 
"If you're injured, I'd be happy to take some pictures of the damage for you," I 
said sweetly. With a microscope, maybe. 
 
Price fidgeted and shook his head. "What are you going to do about those 
menaces?"
 
I smiled my detective's smile and ignored everything he just said. "I'm not here 
about them. My name is Hawkins. I am a homicide detective with Houston PD. I 
have a few questions for you about an incident last night."
 
That rocked Price back and he sat down slowly. "I already had some jack-booted 
thugs grill me at home. Ask them."
 
I leaned back in my chair. "I'm asking you. Where were you Friday evening?"
 
Price puffed up like a sucker fish. "Screw you, bitch. I don't have to justify squat 
for you! I was at home. Alone, just like I told the storm troopers."
 
"Don't dick with me, boy wonder," I snarled. "You can cooperate or I can put you 
under the microscope. Hell, there is no telling what might fall out when I start 
shaking a tree. Do us both a favor and save the bluster for the judge."
 
Price had a hint of actual fear in his demeanor. I could smell it like a shark 
sensing blood in the water. He was hiding something.
 
"Look, just give me one name. Someone that saw you at home and we're done."
 
Price shook his head. "Fuck that. We're done. You think I wasn't home? Then 
you prove it. Until then, I want a lawyer if you have more questions." He sat 
back smugly, his arms crossed on his chest.
 
I smiled the crocodile smile for him. "Fine, but you need to know something, Pez 
Brain. I'm the one that set the uniforms on you, not Stansbury and I'll keep 
turning up like a bad penny till I get to what really happened." I leaned forward, 
my eyes flashing. "If you bother them again, I'll lock your ass up so fast you 
head will spin. Stay away from them. Oh, and keep looking over your shoulder. 
Soon enough, I'll be there."
 
Price was starting another bluster when I left the room. 
 
Lisa was on the ball and let me out without delay. After the door was safely 
closed, she hugged me. "You were terrific!"
 
Oh, this physical contact was making my legs weak. The smell of apples in her 
hair was so sexy. I regretted it when she let me go.
 
"Nah, he didn't confess like on television. I'll have to keep working him. He's got 
something to hide. Now, let's go file some charges,” I said.
 
I led Lisa back out and she soon had a sworn statement signed and in the hands 
of the County. Price would make bail but I hoped for at least one night in jail. I 
picked up my weapon and led her back to my hog.
 
 
Shortly, we were in the saddle and flying down the highway. I pondered whether 
to make a pass at Lisa or not. Men aren't the only ones with little heads that 
think for them. I decided to be straight up, since she seemed to like that way of 
dealing with people. A secret for a secret builds trust.
 
"Lisa, have you ever made love with a woman?"
 
That spawned another spell of silence where I wondered what she was thinking. 
"No. Detective Hawkins…"
 
"Hawk," I interrupted. "I want you to call me Hawk, okay?"
 
I felt Lisa nod. "Hawk, I'm not attracted to women. I… Let's just drop it, okay?"
 
Lisa clammed up and was quiet as we drove through Houston. More than half an 
hour of silence. I sighed. Looked like I screwed the pooch.
 
Just past Texas City, Lisa started giving directions. She sounded happy with Ted, 
maybe it was for the best anyways.
 
The drive into Galveston itself was pleasant and quiet for the next twenty 
minutes. We parked in front of the DA's office. It was one of those historic 
buildings that came with a nice plaque to prove it. The brick veneer gave it 
sturdy and solid appearance. A little reassurance on this island, especially during 
storms, would be nice. After she got off the bike, I retrieved her purse and we 
went inside, using her key. The big glass doors led into a surprisingly roomy 
lobby complete with empty guard post.
 
"No guards on the weekend?" I asked.
 
Lisa shook her head as she hit the elevator call button. "It's not open to the 
public over the weekends. The DA doesn't think we need someone here." 
 
I followed her into the elevator with a certain Aerosmith tune on my mind. I 
firmly told myself to stop it.
 
Lisa's office was on the second floor, in a long hall with closed doors, little name 
plates and a thread-bare government grey carpet. It looked well used. Stacks of 
file folders and a blizzard of post-it notes covered her desk. There were law 
books scattered on the small wooden table, with bookmarks thick along the 
spine. A picture of an older woman in a conservative bathing suit waved from the 
wall next to Lisa's diplomas and awards. Amidst the chaos that was her desk, a 
computer peeked out. God only knew where the keyboard was buried.
 
As Lisa sat down, I looked at the stacks of paper with some dismay. "These are 
all your files? Holy shit, Lisa, how do you ever find anything? We'll be here all 
night." 
 
Lisa smiled. "It's an art. I have everything cross-referenced in a database and a 
pretty good idea of where things are in the piles. The file folders have case 
numbers and reference numbers that I can find fairly easily." She gestured to 
one of the chairs beside the table. It had several heavy books piled up on it. 
"Have a seat and I'll look through the bigger cases. Give me twenty minutes and 
I'll have a short list of the cases that might be interesting for you to look 
through."
 
I moved the books onto the desk and sat down in the old wooden chair. As she 
typed away at the computer, I spent some time watching her and exploring my 
feelings. Her profile was proud and competent, here in her lair. I liked that 
confidence. 
 
I needed to think about what had been said on the ride down here. She had said 
no but was that really 'no, I'm not interested' or was it 'no, I need to think about 
this, so give me some space?' 
 
There were several times over the years that I had seduced straight women into 
my bed and some of them said 'no' but came back later. The only thing to do 
was give Lisa space, not crowd her, and see if she was tossing a coin in her 
head.
 
There was nothing sweeter than introducing a straight woman to the joys that 
only another woman could provide her. Still, this was different. I had never 
seduced a woman that was involved with a man at the time. If I convinced Lisa, 
what about Ted? What if she insisted Ted join us? I had never had sex with a 
man. I'd never really given it any thought. I knew I was a lesbian and that was 
just the way it was. After my first girlfriend, I had never looked back.
 
I was way off on where I needed to focus right now. There was a killer to catch. 
Like Sergeant Nagel told me in the Academy. "Focus on the innermost question 
first. Too broad a line of questioning will lead you to answers that don't actually 
focus on what you want to know. Let the facts lead you on to new questions."
 
"Excuse me?" Lisa asked.
 
I blinked and looked up. Lisa was looking at me and I realized I must have 
spoken aloud. "Sorry, I was just thinking. Go back to what you were doing."
 
With a distracted nod, Lisa returned to her data search. 
 
My train of thought was derailed again when Lisa slapped a stack of a dozen 
folders in front of me minutes later. 
 
"There you go, Hawk," Lisa said cheerfully. "The worst of the worst, these 
people have plenty of reason to hate my guts. Mostly cases that have been 
wrapped up, though."
 
I thought about that and nodded. "It's a good place to start. Let's look through 
these and you can help translate for me."
 
Lisa rolled her chair over. Those tight jeans did not help my concentration. I 
supposed asking her to sit on my lap was right out of the question. 
 
After a deep breath, I flipped open the top folder and we started going through 
them. The list of crimes varied from the usual drug lords to white slave traders 
bringing in women from the former Soviet block. 
 
We talked about the people involved in each case and after four hours, there 
was a decent list of possible suspects written down on a yellow legal pad along 
with detailed notes. Lisa put away the files, shut her computer down. I tore off 
the pages and stuffed them in my jacket and stood up. 
 
"I need to stop at the ladies' room on the way out. Come on, it's down the hall,” 
Lisa said. 
 
I followed her into the ladies' room and took a quick break myself. When I had 
washed my hands, I waited for her in the hall. As I leaned against the wall, I 
heard a muffled voice down the hall. I frowned. We should have been alone. Lisa 
said she and Calvin were the only folks that worked on Saturday. Curiosity has 
always been a problem for me, so with soft steps, I walked down the hall and 
listened at the closed door where the noises were coming from.
 
There was one voice with pauses. I couldn't tell gender for certain. Someone 
talking on the phone, maybe? I looked at the name plaque. Calvin Samson. Shit! 
Someone was in the dead man's office! I put my ear to the door and listened. My 
'spidey sense' went off when the talking abruptly stopped. 
 
I pulled my pistol and opened the door, stepping in and starting the sweep for 
hostiles. The office was dark except for the light coming in through the closed 
blinds. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust. 
 
A moment can sometimes be too long. 


Chapter Seven: Never drink alone
 
Hawk's point of view
 
The gloved hand seemed to come from out of the darkness behind the door, 
slamming my head into the doorframe as it choked me. I fell to my knees, 
sprawling, my head ringing. My gun thudded heavily as it fell into the room and 
onto the carpeted floor. The glove was black leather. Odd how that came 
through but I couldn't seem to see the person. With a second crack of my head 
against the wall, I fell hard to the floor, stunned, as my attacker rushed out. I 
struggled to my feet and stumbled toward my fallen weapon and then out the 
door. I felt something trickle down my face. I wiped it away - blood. The bastard 
had made me bleed. I hated bleeding.
 
The hall was empty when I staggered out. Fuck me! That had to have been the 
killer! Only one way he could have gone. I ran down the hall and when the ladies 
room door opened, I had it covered. Lisa screamed like a B-grade 'Scream 
Queen' when she saw my weapon pointed at her. 
 
"Someone was in Calvin's office. Where are the stairs?" 
 
Lisa pointed down the hall about twenty feet. I heard her running after me as I 
yanked the door open and ran down the stairs. I saw no one in the lobby so I 
ran outside, into the street. Nothing. Shit! I kicked the mail drop box in 
frustration.
 
Lisa came out the door behind me. "Are you okay? You're bleeding!" She pulled 
out a handkerchief and dabbed at my forehead. "You need to go to the 
hospital."
 
I holstered my weapon. “Screw that! He was right here! In Calvin's office! Why?" 
I waved her off and started pacing. "We need to call Galveston PD and let them 
know. They need to take over on this and search his office."
 
I pulled out my cell and dialed 911. In a few minutes I had passed the details 
into the hands of GPD dispatch. The first uniform was here in less than ten 
minutes. The next hour had them asking all the questions I wish I had answers 
to. 
 
Then I heard the most God-awful redneck drawl come from behind me. Just 
what I didn't need. Last year's first runner up for Dick-of-the-year, Detective 
Lieutenant Dick Murphy, Galveston PD. I could tell he was not happy to see me 
on his turf. That's fair. I didn't particularly like him either. 
 
Murphy leaned on the running board of the ambulance where the paramedic was 
treating the gash on my head. "So, Detective Hawkins, I see you still don't 
understand that your big city badge don't mean squat on my fair island. Why 
didn't you have GPD provide an escort for you? We not good enough for you? 
Not smart enough to keep you from getting your head bashed in?"
 
Murphy knew just how to torque me up. “This wasn't supposed to be anything 
more than a visit to look for leads on a homicide in Houston that she and I are 
working on. She had all the authority we needed to be there. If I had any idea 
that someone was here that shouldn't be, I would never have gone in. Then 
again, it's not my job to secure this building, is it?"
 
Murphy shook his head. "I don't care about what you thought." He stuck his face 
into mine. "I know you. You're a hotshot that thinks she knows better than 
everyone else."
 
“I bet you wish you had a dick as big as your ego, don't you, Dick? You don't 
mind if I call you dick, do you, Dick?”
 
Murphy put his hands on his hips. “You talk a lot of shit for a stuck up bitch 
that's in a lot of trouble for working out of jurisdiction. You should let some man 
show you what you're missing. Then, maybe, you wouldn't be such a piece of 
work.”
 
I laughed sarcastically. “Is that your answer to everything? Find a man and all 
my problems are solved? No thanks. Women are safer.”
 
Murphy laughed back in exactly the same tone. “Really? Then why did your last 
girlfriend dump you? Oh, I forgot. She left you for a man. That must be rough, 
having a lover switch to the other team. Do you think you drove her straight?”
 
I felt the rage rise up from deep inside me. The pain, the hurt, the anguish. 
Suddenly, I was trembling and felt tears burning behind my eyes. My gaze 
locked on Murphy's face and I felt my fist clenching. I could see him smile. He 
wanted me to take a swing at him. Well, it had been a year since my last 
suspension. It might be worth it. I came off the gurney but the paramedic held 
me back.
 
"That's enough. Back off."
 
The three of us looked over in surprise. Lisa stood there, her hands on her hips. 
"I have the authority to have her here. It was my decision to bring her with me 
to go through my files." She leaned in on Murphy. "She's told you what 
happened. Twice. I've told you what happened. We're done here. Do you 
understand, Detective? You're finished and we're leaving as soon as the 
paramedics release her. Don't make me have a conversation with Captain 
Gonzales about this. The department has firm rules on sexual harassment. Is 
that clear enough for you?"
 
Murphy looked like he wanted to argue but swallowed and nodded. "Yeah, I 
guess that's clear enough, Miss Davis. I'll go take care of the crime scene." He 
stalked off, pissed as hell. I knew how he felt. I've been there before. All cops 
hate mouthy lawyers; but, God, what a mouth she had on her.
 
The paramedic slapped my shoulder as I looked at Lisa in surprise. "Detective? 
You're done. The bandage will hold that cut for you. If it starts bleeding again or 
if you have any dizziness or blurry vision, go to the nearest hospital. I mean it." I 
nodded at him and hopped down. 
 
Lisa slid an arm around my shoulders and we walked off towards the parking 
area. "Can you drive? Do I need to call a cab?"
 
I shook my head. "No, I can drive. Do I need to take you back to Ted's?"
 
Lisa nodded. "Yes. I called him and he's worried about us."
 
At the bike, I slid my helmet on with a grunt. My head still ached. That pissed 
me off. I really wanted a rematch. Next time I would not go down so easy. The 
bike started with a roar when I kicked it off. As soon as Lisa slid behind me, we 
were out of there and on the road. 
 
"You shouldn't have lied to him,” I said. “That could come back to bite you.”
 
"If I told him you were digging in without him, you would get in trouble. I'll tell a 
white lie to save a friend some grief." Lisa chuckled. "Besides, now I have 
leverage."
 
I smiled. “Why do you need leverage on me?” I sped up and passed around the 
cars a little fast for the speed limit and felt her clutch me tighter.
 
“I'm not going to sit back and wait for someone to tell me who killed Calvin. 
You're going to let me into the investigation.” She sounded smug. 
 
I shook my head and immediately regretted doing so. “Bullshit. I am not going to 
put you in danger. I'll cut you out if I think that is the best for you, even if that 
means you turn me in and I catch hell.”
 
“He's just a case to you. To me, Calvin was my best friend. You need willing help 
down here and you are not winning any friends, if you catch my drift.”
 
I stewed a bit at that but was forced to admit that she had a real point. Winning 
friends and influencing people was not one of my strong points. Reluctantly, I 
nodded. “If I do, it's under my rules and at my discretion.”
 
“What rules and what discretion? I'm going to be involved whether you 'let' me 
or not. I'll take a leave of absence and dig in without you if I have to. You want 
to keep me safe? Then don't force me to work alone. I know how to investigate 
and I can do this with or without you. Tell me if that's what you want.”
 
Shit. I'd catch hell for letting her in or letting her get hurt. She wasn't as tough 
as she wanted me to believe. She had cops to do the real legwork and dig into 
the scum. “Let me think about it.”
 
Lisa was quiet as I drove into Houston. Interesting how the tables had turned. 
Now I had things to think about and didn't want to talk. We each had something 
we wanted that the other didn't want to give into, it seemed. This was making 
my head hurt more.
 
 
I pulled off the freeway and started into the area near the Juice Box, Minute 
Maid Stadium, home of the Houston Astros. I wasn't in shape to make it to 
Ted's.
 
“Where are we going?” Lisa asked. 
 
“My place. I think you will need to call Ted to come and get you. I'm feeling a bit 
wiped out and it's not safe to drive a bike when I don't feel like driving.”
 
“Maybe we should take you to the hospital,” she said. “If you feel that badly, it 
might be best.”
 
“No way. I fucking hate doctors and hospitals are where people die. I'll be fine.” 
I drove past the condos and into the small housing development that had grown 
up near the renovated area. A click of a button and the garage door slid up. I 
drove in and parked next to my car. The little blue Accord was okay but it wasn't 
a Harley. 
 
After Lisa dismounted, I slid off and put my helmet on the seat. I opened the 
door and shut off my alarm. Sliding off my jacket, I hung it by the door on its 
peg. “You want something? A beer?”
 
Lisa had her cell phone out. “Do you think drinking is the right thing to do in 
your condition? It might make things worse.”
 
“Can't make it much worse,” I said with a sour laugh. “The paramedic said there 
was no concussion so you don't need to worry. I'm a big girl.”
 
Lisa shrugged and I pulled a beer out of the fridge for both of us, just in case. 
She was talking to Ted, asking him to come and get us. She prompted me for 
the address and gave him a rough set of directions. It would take him an hour to 
get here on a good day. 
 
When she hung up, I handed her the beer. “I'm sorry that I can't get you 
home… Or rather back to Ted's.” Silly mistake. I really wasn't thinking straight. I 
already had her and Ted as an item in my head. I guess I had already 
surrendered that fight.
 
Lisa walked around my rather spartan living room and examined the shelves. “Do 
you mind if I look around? I find I can tell a lot about people by looking at where 
they live.”
 
I shrugged. “Suit yourself. Not much to see. Does that mean there's not much to 
me?”
 
Lisa laughed. “No, that just makes what is there more important.” She wandered 
slowly, looking at the scattered knick-knacks. She stopped next to the television 
and was looking at the small-framed drawing. I had forgotten it was there. If I 
was prone to embarrassment, that would have made me blush. It was a hand 
drawn rendering of a woman's sex, open and aroused. 
 
“You don't have any pictures but you do have this,” she said, picking it up to 
examine more closely. “That tells me something. It means a great deal to you.” 
She looked over to me. “Did you know that pictures tell us more about ourselves 
than we do? A lack of them tells me that you don't have someone you are close 
to right now.”
 
I took a deep pull of my beer. “That was drawn by Sharon, my last girlfriend. 
She was a great artist.” I laughed bitterly. “Among other things.”
 
Lisa sat down in the chair next to me. “Tell me.”
 
I felt myself closing in. “It's not important. She's gone. She's happily married 
with a little boy.”
 
Her hand clasped mine as she leaned over. “No, it's important. She's still in your 
heart or you wouldn't still have the drawing. Was she the girlfriend that Murphy 
was talking about?”
 
I nodded. Amazing how empty that made me feel, even now. “Yeah. She and I 
were together for three years. Then one day, she wanted to have a family. A real 
family. One with children. A husband, not her lesbian lover. I suppose she had 
been hinting for months and I just didn't hear her.” Did I really sound that bitter? 
I thought I was done with that. I shook my head angrily and again regretted it. 
Pulling my hand from hers, I started into the kitchen and picked up a bottle of 
vodka. If I was going to talk about this, I needed something more potent than 
beer.
 
Lisa gave me a look of reproach, but didn't say anything as I poured myself a 
double. She waited until I was sitting again to continue. “If she hurt you so 
badly, why keep the drawing?”
 
“Because it's all I have left of her.” I swallowed hard and drank the double in a 
gulp. “She left me and it was as sudden as if she had died. I thought she loved 
me. She told me she did. Like an idiot, I believed her. For people like me, there 
is no love.”
 
“Bullshit.”
 
I couldn't help but chuckle at the profanity. “That's my line. Look, Lisa, it's 
different for you. Society doesn't frown on your very existence. As a lesbian, 
everyone hates me. The religious types tell me I'll burn in hell. Women avoid me 
like a leper and men feel threatened by me. They think I want to steal their 
wives. Only among other gay people do I feel like I can talk freely about 
anything.”
 
Her eyes twinkled. “You seem to be talking just fine to me.”
 
“I'm hurting and getting drunk. I'll probably offend you before Ted gets here.” I 
poured another drink.
 
“Is the drawing of you?” Lisa asked.
 
I looked over the glass at her and nodded. “Yeah. My inner portrait. Do you want 
to know what she did to get me ready for it?” I asked with a challenging tone.
 
She blushed and shook her head. “No. What's important is that she made it with 
love. You still love her, don't you?”
 
I shook my head. “No.”
 
“Liar.”
 
The glass shattered against the wall before I even realized I had thrown it. 
“What the fuck gives you the right to come in here and call me a liar?” I shouted, 
standing up and stalking back and forth. “Can you read my mind, know what I 
think and feel? Hell, no!” The tears I held back earlier started to burn again. 
“God dammit.” I stalked into the kitchen and got some paper towels. When I 
turned around, she was right behind me. Her arms wrapped around me and I 
stiffened.
 
“Shhhhh,” she said softly. “I don't want you to hurt. I wish I could take away the 
pain.”
 
I cried and laughed at the same time. “Nothing can take away the pain. Not even 
sleeping with you.”
 
I could see tears in her eyes and she smiled. “No, not even sex can take away 
the pain of losing someone.” She held me close and my throat closed up. I don't 
know how long I cried on her shoulder. I felt like Sharon had just left me that 
morning. All the pain tore at my insides again. 
 
She led me back to the couch and poured herself a drink of vodka. She looked 
me in the eye and tossed it back. Then she just held me. 
 
I cried again until, as suddenly as they came, the tears were gone and I felt 
drained. Emotionally drained. I considered kissing her and I rejected it. I didn't 
need a sympathy fuck, even if I could have lured her into my bed that way. I 
needed to be wanted for my own merits, not given into for sympathy. Even if I 
didn't scare her off. Pushing her back, I wiped my face. 
 
“Why is it all the good girls are straight?” I joked. “I find one and she has a man 
in her life. What is it that men have that I don't, besides a package?”
 
“Is there a serious question buried in that humor-as-a-shield protective coating?” 
Lisa asked, pouring a drink for both of us. 
 
I was already feeling a bit tipsy but I drank it anyway. “You mean there's really 
an answer? Yeah, I want to know. I've never understood why I couldn't give 
Sharon what she wanted. I mean, we could have gone to a fertility clinic or 
something like that. If you know an answer, I want to hear it.”
 
Lisa downed her drink. I could see the alcohol flush on her, too. I think we were 
both a little over the legal limit. Maybe that explained it. I couldn't understand 
why I even started talking about Sharon. Or why we had veered into this deep 
philosophical discussion on the differences between men and women.
 
“I wish I did have a clear cut idea, Hawk. I'd make a mint if I did. I don't know 
Sharon at all and I am just getting to get to know you. I like what I have seen so 
far. You're strong, resourceful and loyal. That's the inside. The outside is pretty 
good, too.”
 
I laughed derisively. “I have no tits or hips. I look like a man, just smaller.”
 
“Bullshit,” she retorted. “You're beautiful and I'm not the only one that says that, 
I'm sure.”
 
“Did Ted say that?” I asked incredulously. 
 
She flushed. “I'm not going to say who said that, just accept for the sake of this 
discussion that someone out there thinks you're beautiful.” She cocked her head. 
“What if it was Ted? Does it make you uncomfortable to have a man find you 
attractive?”
 
I felt my face heating. “I'm a lesbian, how do you think it makes me feel?”
 
“I don't know, that's why I asked. What attracts you to a woman, Hawk? Not her 
body, what's inside her. What traits?”
 
I took a deep breath and forced myself to relax. “Loyalty. Someone who likes me 
for being me. Someone honest. Someone that can love me. And what do you 
look for in a man, Lisa?”
 
She smiled. “Just about the same things. Isn't that an interesting twist? The 
same things you want in a woman are the same things I see in Ted. I bet he 
looks for the same things, too.”
 
“Men and women are not the same. I'll bet you've noticed the differences,” I said 
smartly. 
 
“Oh, I've seen the differences but in the end, people are people. Eliminate the 
physical. People love each other for what is inside, not on the outside,” she said.
 
“Then why don't more women like you want women like me?” I asked. 
Immediately, I regretted asking it. I waved my hands. “Never mind. You didn't 
want to talk about that. I forgot. I'm sorry. Just drop it.”
 
Lisa poured us one final drink and took the bottle back to the kitchen on 
unsteady feet. When she flopped back down, she handed me my glass with a 
shaky hand and we tipped them back. The liquor burned as it went down. The 
warmth from inside was finally beginning to make me feel human again.
 
“Why don't you see things like that in men? I've seen you in their world. Tough, 
confrontational."
 
"Well..." I started.
 
"You asked me earlier if I had ever thought about making love to a woman," Lisa 
continued. "Have you ever thought about what it would feel like to make love to 
a man?” I started to tell her what a stupid idea that was and she just waved me 
to silence. 
 
“No. I want the 'why.' Think about it. I promise to think about your question and 
give you an honest answer but I want the same in return. Deal?”
 
This conversation had taken a turn for the bizarre. How the hell could she ask 
me that? She knew I was a lesbian. It was unnatural but I nodded slowly. “Okay. 
I already know the answer but I'll get a reason for you.”
 
“No!” She shook her head emphatically. “I want you to really think about it. 
Honesty is not a knee-jerk response. It is not the same as rejecting what is not 
familiar.”
 
“Are you trying to set me up with a man?” I asked, not really sure of where this 
conversation was going.
 
She colored. “No.”
 
I leaned forward, a bit unsteadily. If I were sober, I would never have the nerve 
to ask this. I may never have the nerve to ask it again. “What is it like?” I asked 
curiously. “Making love to a man? If you believe Penthouse Forum, it's the best 
thing since sliced bread. What makes it any better than, say, a woman with a 
strap-on?”
 
Lisa reddened deeply. “I don't know, but I doubt there is a whole lot of physical 
difference, except for the tits. It's in the emotional connection. That's what 
makes sex with a man that I like good. I'm sure it's the same with women, too.”
 
“But they come. Isn't that gross?” I shamelessly asked. I had been curious. 
“Especially blowjobs. It can't be as nice as going down on a woman.” She 
became so red, I was sure I had pushed too hard. “Never mind. That's a bit 
personal.”
 
Slowly, she shook her head. “No. Obviously, I don't know about going down on a 
woman, but a blowjob is almost more intimate than sex. Holding it in my hand, 
kissing it. It tastes like him.”
 
“Ted, you mean,” I asked?
 
She shook her head and giggled. “He went down on me but I still haven't gone 
down on him. I want to and I think I will in the morning. I'm sure it'll be great. 
The come can be a bit bitter but it is a part of a man's most inner self. I don't 
think it tastes too bad but it is an acquired taste.” She looked at me more 
closely. “I've tasted myself but I'm curious. Do all women taste differently?”
 
I smiled, surprised. I guess she was going to be thinking about it. “Tasting it on 
your fingers or someone else isn't the same as tasting a woman right from her 
source. It is different for each woman. Some are sweet and tangy, others a bit 
more musky. I know that when I go down a woman, I make her arousal my 
personal project. I guess like you would a blowjob.”
 
She nodded. “It is. I can't describe it.”
 
There was a knock at the door. Both of us started at the noise and then giggled. 
My God, I giggled? What the hell was wrong with me? I must have drunk more 
than I remembered. I staggered to the door and opened it. Ted was standing 
there, looking a bit worried.
 
“Ted! You made great time! Has it been that long? Come in! We were just having 
a drink! Have one with us!” I slurred.
 
I grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. The damn floor was moving and I 
swear I felt the carpet reach out and trip me! I grabbed his other hand for 
balance as he was leaning through the doorway and it must have caught him off 
balance. We both tumbled to the floor. When we landed, I realized that he 
hadn't lost his balance; he was trying to cushion my head. How sweet! His hands 
held my upper body and kept that damn floor from hitting me. I laughed. It was 
so funny.
 
From a few inches away, he smiled at my drunken buffoonery. “I think I better 
help you out to the car.”
 
I frowned. “Why? I can go to bed here.”
 
He shook his head. “No, you're hurt and you'll feel like shit tomorrow. Lisa and I 
talked about it and if you don't want to go to a hospital, you get to go sleep at 
my house and we'll keep an eye on you for the rest of the weekend. I insist.”
 
It was finally seeping into my awareness that he was laying on top of me, his 
hips between my legs. It was almost an intimate embrace. I felt an initial flush of 
revulsion and blinked. Then I forced myself to stop and consider this from 
outside my box. I had never even had a man between my legs. Did I really find it 
revolting or was I just prejudiced?
 
I knew some lesbians, a small percentage, also had some sex with men. I 
vaguely remembered seeing a CDC report that said it was between twenty to 
thirty percent though no one I knew would admit to it. I suppose that was like 
black men getting it on the 'down low'. They didn't think that made them gay or 
bi. Still, I had never considered myself part of that minority. There were 'players' 
and 'lifers'. The 'players' thought they were lesbian. The 'lifers' knew it. I was a 
'lifer.' Wasn't I?
 
The emotional turmoil must have bled through my facial expression, as he set 
my head down and started to get off me. I wrapped my arms and legs around 
him. “Wait. Don't move just yet. Please. Stay still for just a minute.”
 
Ted raised his eyebrows and looked uncertainly over at Lisa. She looked wide-
eyed but didn't say no. 
 
“Just humor me. Lisa and I were talking and I need you to humor me for just a 
minute.”
 
Ted looked at me, his eyes worried but he slowly nodded. 
 
I closed my eyes and held him against me. His aftershave smelled nice, I 
decided. His body was shaped differently than a woman's and it felt - odd. I felt 
him moving against me, and I felt his reaction to me holding him like this. I was 
surprised when I felt a flutter in my stomach. Not one like Lisa caused in my 
belly, but a little one anyway.
 
I remembered what kind of person he was. That's what Lisa said I should think 
about. I imagined him kissing me. Was it like kissing a woman? Probably not. I 
opened my eyes and looked at him. Would I ever know? 
 
“Thank you for caring enough to take me home with you.” I hesitated and just 
decided to do it. I pulled his head down and kissed him. Not passionately, but on 
the lips. He stiffened and I broke the kiss. The taste of his lips was not like 
anything I was familiar with but… 
 
I released him and saw Lisa watching us, flushed. He scrambled to his feet and 
helped me up. “It's okay. I wouldn't have it any other way. We have plenty of 
space.” He sounded relieved.
 
Lisa came to my other side and they helped me gather my things, including a 
bag of clothes. We locked up the house and they helped me out to his car. I had 
an arm around each of their waists and found my emotions confused. His touch 
was not the repugnant thing I had expected. I don't know that I would have ever 
run out looking for a man but I really was going to have to think about this.
 
The ride back to his place was a blur of brief awakenings, hearing snatches of 
conversation. They were talking about Galveston. I wanted to listen in but I kept 
fading out. 
 
The next thing I remember, they were helping me out of the car and into Ted's 
house. I was still very unsteady. Hell, I was drunk. I laughed at myself. I was 
funny!
 
Together, they sat me on the couch. Ted looked at Lisa and she looked back at 
him. 
 
“I'm not sure which of us should get her ready for bed,” he admitted.
 
I started laughing at that. That was really great! He didn't know if it was worse 
for him to take my clothes off because he was a man and liked women or for her 
to because I was a lesbian and liked women! Talk about your 'catch twenty-two'! 
 
“I can take my own clothes off. You can both watch, I don't care.” I tried to take 
off my shoes and they both had to catch me. I just laughed harder.
 
After a whispered conversation, they sat me down and both of them proceeded 
to strip my clothes off and I found myself unable to tell whose hands were 
whose as they took me down to my panties. A vague sensation of arousal passed 
through me but I was too drunk to sort it out. I couldn't even be sure who 
gasped at my nipple rings. Some people were so innocent. When they stood me 
up and slid a cotton nightshirt over my head, I grabbed both of them and 
hugged them. 
 
“You two are so sweet.” I slurred out. In turn, I kissed Lisa and then Ted. They 
didn't recoil but they did lay me back down on the couch and put a blanket over 
me. 
 
“Go to sleep,” Lisa whispered in my ear. 
 
“Goodnight,” Ted whispered from beside her.
 
“G'night,” I mumbled.
 
I started fading back out but remember waking up a couple of times, still hearing 
voices. 
 
 
“She's asleep, Ted,” Lisa was saying. The room was totally dark, so I couldn't see 
her. “I don't know if I could make love in front of someone but this is close and 
safe. Please.”
 
“I don't know, Lisa,” Ted protested. 
 
“Please, Ted.”
 
I wasn't sure if I wanted to be awake for that so it was a relief when I slid back 
out of consciousness. 
 
One of the times I woke up, I could hear them. The lovers. The creak of leather 
as bodies moved against it. The soft sighs of a woman aroused. The scent of 
Lisa was strong in the air and I felt the heat in my stomach ignite. This, I 
understood. Then the soft sounds of bodies slapping together. Ted's groans. Her 
moans. They both morphed together in my head and I slid into slumber as they 
moaned and groaned. 
 
My dream was chaotic, jumbled pieces of light and sound. I was making love to 
Sharon. We writhed together, soft cries filling my senses. Then, she changed 
right before my eyes, becoming Lisa in my arms. I felt my hands caressing her 
body and her kissing me, licking my breasts. Then her kisses rose to my neck 
and my lips. I felt her slide between my legs but she felt wrong. 
 
I opened my eyes, in my dream. Ted kissed me as he lay atop me. I could feel 
his sex rubbing between my legs. It didn't make me hotter but the flame inside 
me didn't go out either. I closed my eyes and kissed him. A soft breath next to 
my ear told me we were not alone. Lisa's hot tongue caressed my ear and the 
dream faded to darkness.


Chapter Eight: Ted gets enlightened
 
Ted's point of view
 
Sunday morning dawned very brightly for me. I woke up laying flat on my back 
with the most wonderful sensations coursing through my body. I could feel the 
hot, wet caress of a mouth sucking my cock. Soft whimpers of pleasure came 
from my waist. Lisa's blonde head was bobbing up and down rhythmically. 
 
She slid her mouth off of me and smiled. “Good morning, sleepy head. I woke up 
hungry.” Lisa licked my tip before taking a deep breath and swallowing most of 
me.
 
My eyes were riveted on her as she pleasured me in such an intimate way. I ran 
my hands through her hair and marveled at how beautiful she was. It was so 
erotic, waking up to find her feasting. I would have to return the favor one 
morning soon. I tried to pull her body around but she wouldn't cooperate.
 
Kissing my little head, she tsked. “I don't think so, lover. I want to focus on you 
and if you slide that tongue of yours inside me, I won't able to think. Lay back 
and enjoy.” She licked up my length from base to crown several times before 
she wrapped her hand around me and took the head into her mouth once more. 
 
There was no way I could take such intense pleasure for long. Her blue eyes 
stayed locked with mine as she drove me absolutely crazy. When I felt the first 
stirrings of my impending orgasm I gripped the sheets.
 
“Lisa, I'm close.” I wanted to give her warning so she could do whatever she felt 
most comfortable with. I knew some women didn't like the taste and hated 
having a man come in their mouths. 
 
Lisa didn't seem to be worried. She redoubled her efforts and was jacking me 
hard as she sucked. The silky smooth sensation of her tongue along my 
underside made me shiver and quake.
 
I felt the momentary pause before orgasm, that moment that seemed to slow 
time, and then the world shrank to one point: the head of my cock. I heard her 
moan as I thrust upward and arched my back. It felt like my insides were being 
pulled through the head of my cock, sucked out by Lisa. My strength seemed to 
desert me all at once. 
 
Lisa smiled at me, licking her lips and my manhood like a cat. Then she slid up 
and kissed me deeply. I tasted myself on her lips but it didn't matter. “You taste 
so good. I didn't realize how much I had missed the taste of my lover.” Her eyes 
took on a seductive look. “More?” she asked in an innocent little voice.
 
She resumed kissing me hard and passionately, then she began rubbing her sex 
on my belly, wet and needy, arousing me to another erection. Without touching 
me with her hands, she slid herself down on me and began riding me for her 
pleasure. 
 
I held her upright and searched for the right level of pressure in pinching her 
nipples and squeezing her breasts. She was lava hot around me and oh, so tight. 
I knew it would be a while for me to come again, if I did, so I just enjoyed her 
arousal.
 
Lisa arched her back and ground herself against me, lost in her own world. It 
was wonderful to watch her make love to me. She began to lose her 
coordination and I knew she was ready. 
 
Gripping her hips, I began thrusting into her from below. The heat and wetness 
seemed to be growing greater as she came. I could feel her internal muscles 
rippling around me when she cried out and collapsed across me. I kissed her 
softly and held her close. 
 
“That was fantastic,” she murmured. “But I need to bring you off again.”
 
I kissed her and shook my head. “No, I'm fine. Three times in twenty-four hours 
can take a lot out of a man. We have plenty of time. Let's shower and see how 
Hawk is doing.”
 
She stretched luxuriously but didn't rise. “Let me catch my breath and cuddle 
first. Hawk can wait a few more minutes. Just hold me, Ted.”
 
I was happy to do that. I held her lithe, warm body on top of me and listened to 
her breathing slow down. The scent of her skin was threatening to start me back 
up again. I don't know that I had ever stayed inside a lover as we relaxed. The 
sensation was indescribable. If Lisa had been a cat, I think she would have been 
purring. “Lisa, you're terrific,” I said. 
 
“Why, thank you! I have to reassert my lead position after yesterday. You almost 
made me crazy and that, sir, is my job!” She poked me on the chest as she 
rolled over onto her side next to me. “I will have my revenge!”
 
I laughed and held her to my chest, kissing her on the forehead. “You will be my 
doom, lover! Mercy!”
 
Lisa's eyes twinkled and she shook her head. “Nope. Accept your fate! Now, 
come and wash my back!” She swayed into the bathroom and I watched her 
sexy body go before I followed her with a smile.
 
 
Thirty minutes later, I left her touching up her makeup and went out into the 
living room. The couch still had a lump under the blankets. The lump snored, 
too. I shook my head. How could that little woman snore like a lumberjack? I 
considered shaking her but decided that might not be the best idea since she 
owned a gun. Even if it was in the pile of her clothes. 
 
“Hawk?” I asked kind of loudly. Not even a lowering of the snore volume. 
“Hawk!”
 
The lump rolled over and groaned. “Ten more minutes, Dad. Just ten more 
minutes,” Hawk mumbled.
 
I smiled and shook my head. “Okay, ten more minutes but you better be up and 
ready to eat in fifteen.” An incomprehensible mumble came from under the 
covers and then Hawk sat bolt upright, staring at me.
 
In the light, she didn't seem nearly as unfeminine as her street clothes made her 
look. I averted my eyes and gave her time to get control of her blanket but I still 
had a good view of her. Her breasts were small but well formed. The nipple rings 
added to her 'attitude.' The glimpse I had of her hips showed some curve and a 
flat stomach. She was slender and more girlish than womanly.
 
“Christ,” she mumbled. “I'm sorry, Ted. You can look,” she said as she wrapped 
the blanket around her again. “I was dreaming I was home again, and my dad 
was waking me up for school.” She looked up at the ceiling and sighed. “What 
the hell is wrong with me?”
 
The question sounded rhetorical so I didn't answer it. “I'll go start breakfast, 
Hawk. Lisa will be out in a few minutes.”
 
“Wait!” she said quickly. “I have a question that sounds stupid, even to me, but 
did - did I make a pass at you? Did anything - happen?” The shock on my face 
must have answered her question because she breathed a deep sigh of relief. 
“Thank god, it was a dream.” She shook her head and winced. “I should have 
known you were more of a gentleman than that, Ted. I'm sorry for even asking. 
Go cook and add some aspirin to the tab, okay? Thank you for taking me into 
your home and making sure I was okay.”
 
I don't know if I would have ever imagined her so vulnerable looking. Galveston 
and last night must have taken a lot out of her. “That's what friends do, Hawk. 
And, no, we didn't have sex. I don't think I'm your type, and I'm with Lisa,” I 
said with a smile. That produced a haunted look that I didn't know how to 
interpret so I headed for the kitchen. “Lisa can let you in and get you to the 
shower. She also has the bag with your fresh clothes. I folded your other clothes 
and put them next to the couch. Your gun is in the stack.”
 
She waved me on. “Go ahead. I'll sit here and wake up first. Lisa might want to 
come to me rather than have me barge in on her. Besides, I need to get my cop 
face back on.”
 
I stopped and half-turned. “Don't. Today you aren't a cop. I want to meet the 
woman behind the mask. She seems like a nice person.” 
 
A look of astonishment greeted my foray into the friend zone. I guess she didn't 
have many friends. I left her to close her mouth and regain her composure. The 
kitchen was quiet and comfortable. No one else was up and that suited me just 
fine. 
 
 
Within minutes, I had the makings for breakfast scattered about and was 
starting to cook. 
 
“Good morning,” Lisa said. Her voice sounded strangely distorted and a little soft 
but I turned to smile at the door. Oddly, she wasn't there. 
 
Then I heard Hawk. “Good morning.” That same odd tone. I finally located the 
voices as coming from the air vent over this end of the kitchen. I had lived here 
alone with Stan for so long that I had forgotten the vents sometimes carried 
voices. I remembered listening in on my mom and dad when I was a kid. That 
brought back a lot of fond memories and a smile.
 
As the morning pleasantries began, I wasn't worried about listening in on them, 
but the conversation quickly turned in a direction I hadn't anticipated. 
 
“I heard you,” Hawk said. “Last night.”
 
There was a moment of hesitation. I could imagine Lisa coloring. “I thought you 
were too far gone to be awake, or to remember. I didn't even think I was loud 
enough to wake you up. I'm sorry.”
 
“I wasn't awake much. Just long enough to realize what was going on. It didn't 
bother me nearly as much as the dreams did later. I - I dreamed about Ted 
having sex with me while you whispered in my ear.”
 
I felt my face flush and yanked my attention back to the eggs before I burned 
them. Sliding the bread into the toaster, I tried to stop listening. This was not 
the kind of conversation I should hear; it was private. Physics had other ideas, 
though. Even with the eggs on, I could still hear them.
 
“Really? Does that make you uncomfortable?” Lisa asked. 
 
Hawk was quiet for a minute. “No, more like confused. I've never thought about 
doing something like that, not even in a dream. Then we talk and my 
subconscious is thinking about it. I don't know if men are my cup of tea, but in 
the dream, I reacted to Ted. Not like making love to a woman, but not like some 
horrible fate either. Not that I am committing to anything, mind you,” Hawk 
cautioned, “but I'm not sure who I am anymore and I don't like that.” 
 
“Hawk, you are the same person you have always been,” Lisa said. “I wasn't 
saying you needed to rush out and sleep with a guy. I just wanted you to think 
about it as hard as I was thinking about what you asked me.”
 
I really shouldn't be listening to this conversation, I decided. A quick look told 
me that breakfast would take five more minutes, and then I could get away from 
that vent. Still, I had to admit that I knew I could call them into the kitchen and 
not have to listen in to the private conversation but, like Hawk, part of me 
wanted to know.
 
“And where has that thinking gotten you?” Hawk asked. “Look, I know you are 
with Ted. I can see how you and he are growing closer but I have to admit that 
I want you. I might even want you enough to consider…”
 
“Hush now,” Lisa said. “I wasn't trying to seduce you into Ted's bed.”
 
I let out my breath. I'm not sure what I would have thought if she were. I began 
scooping the scrambled eggs onto a plate.
 
“After Ted went to sleep last night, I thought about doing it with a woman.” 
There was a pause long enough to make me hold my breath. “Specifically, I 
thought about doing it with you.”
 
“To use your own words, does that make you feel uncomfortable?” Hawk asked.
 
“No. Confused. The same as you. I don't want to admit I want to have sex with 
another woman but I have to. When you look at me, I feel aroused. I dreamed 
about you again last night, but you were there with Ted.” She paused. “You 
know that's how it would have to be, right? I won't sleep around on Ted. I don't 
know what we have yet, but I know running around would break his trust. That 
won't happen.”
 
I felt a flood of relief. I didn't know what I thought about that, but her support 
of us filled me with warmth.
 
"Is sex with a woman really cheating on a man?" Hawk asked. “I'm not pushing 
for that, I just never thought about it like this and I'm curious now.”
 
"I'm no Bill Clinton.” Lisa answered. “Sex is sex and I'm not going to have sex 
with someone outside my relationship. It's just wrong."
 
"Well, I certainly don't want you to compromise your morals.” I could hear the 
smile in her voice.
 
Lisa continued in a rush, as though she wanted to say something before she lost 
her nerve. "I need you to understand. I want to but I can't. Ted seems like he 
supports my fantasies, but I don't want him to think I want someone in place of 
him or that I'm some easy floozy. I'm happy with him and I think he is with me. 
I don't want to change that.”
 
"What about if you convince him?" Hawk asked. "You could ask him to let you 
experiment with me." 
 
"No, I want to be with you but if it ever did happen, it would have to include 
Ted,” Lisa said at last.
 
My breath froze in my chest. What did she just say?
 
“You need to ask him if you can join us, if that is what you want,” Lisa 
continued. “That's the only way it can happen. I think I'm falling for Ted but I 
can't deny my attraction to you, my curiosity of wanting to be with you, but I'm 
not a slut. If Ted doesn't agree to having all three of us together, I'll just have to 
regret not meeting you sooner."
 
“Oh, God.” Hawk moaned. “I want you but I just don't know if I can. Lisa, what 
do I do?”
 
“You do what is right for you, Hawk. You have my answer but I've had more 
time to think about it. You just keep thinking and by the time you are done, I 
think you will know more about yourself than when I asked you. I know that I 
do. Come on, I'll show you to the bedroom and you can shower in the attached 
bathroom and dress in peace.”
 
My mind was whirling over this unexpected revelation. I made plates of food on 
autopilot while my mind was working in overdrive. I don't think men should ever 
hear themselves being discussed by women as an object of sexual desire. I 
wasn't sure if I was supposed to be pleased, annoyed or frightened. 
 
This was complex. Hell, this wasn't just complex. It was convoluted; a Gordian 
knot. I really felt something growing with Lisa. She did with me, too. Enter the 
third party of this possible triangle, Hawk. She was attracted to the same woman 
I was. A bit of a twist on the stereotype, I admitted wryly. Lisa was attracted to 
her as well. I guess I needed to do some thinking about it, like they had been. In 
the end, it might never come to pass. Hawk didn't sound at all enamored with 
the idea of a man in the mix. That, I admitted, might be the best outcome. 
Leaving aside my male fantasy of a threesome, Hawk was a lesbian and sounded 
more than reluctant. That seemed to border on sex with the unwilling. I would 
never do that to someone. 
 
My mind chased itself around in circles for a bit and I decided to just let things 
sit. I could eat myself up over all the possibilities or wait and see what 
developed, then talk with them both, if it did. Option two sounded better. It 
wasn't as if they knew I knew. Satisfied with my plan, I sat down and waited for 
them. 
 
Lisa came in a few minutes later and gave me a kiss. “Good morning! This all 
smells wonderful. Thank you!”
 
“It's my pleasure. How's Hawk doing?”
 
Lisa gestured at the bedroom hall. “She's showering and getting dressed. 
Frankly, she seems a little off balance today so I think we should cut her some 
slack today, okay?”
 
I pursed my lips and nodded. “Good idea.” Pouring her some coffee, I sat and 
sipped with her, small talking. I was curious if she would spill anything but I 
guess that's what comes from dating a lawyer. She gave nothing away about the 
simmering sexual tension in the house.
 
 
Twenty minutes later, Hawk sauntered in dressed in jeans, a Harley shirt and her 
boots. She looked much more together than when I saw her last. “Morning. That 
coffee smells good. Pour me a cup and I'll be human again. Cops live on this 
stuff.”
 
I poured and wagged a finger at her. “Today, you are not a cop. Today, you are 
off and recovering. Time enough tomorrow to get back to work.”
 
Hawk smirked. “Okay, Dad.”
 
Lisa looked over at her with raised eyebrows. “Dad? Are you going to call Ted 
Dad now?” 
 
Hawk colored. I didn't think anything could embarrass her. I just smiled, 
oblivious on the outside. 
 
“I'm not really that old,” I joked. “I just woke her out of a dream about her 
being a teen and getting woke up for school. No big deal.”
 
Lisa smiled. “Ah, I see. We should all dig in. Food seems to bring Stan out so if 
we want anything left for us, we have only a few minutes.”
 
Hawk and I both laughed and started in. I gave Hawk her aspirin to take with 
her food. 
 
“This stuff is great, Ted,” Hawk said as she sipped her coffee. “Beats the hell out 
of the swill they try to pass off as coffee back at the station. Does that bean 
pickin' son of a bitch, Juan Valdez, bring it here on his little donkey?”
 
I just smiled. 
 
 
The three of us spent time taking a detailed tour of the vineyard. Both Lisa, and 
surprisingly Hawk, asked a lot of good questions and really seemed interested in 
what was here and how it all worked. 
 
When the sun was high in the sky and the heat had become oppressive, I 
suggested we go in and get some lunch. 
 
Hawk smiled and shook her head. “Actually, I've heard there are some nice 
stores in Spring that I'd like to see. Some have a really historic view, I hear. Can 
we check them out and then get some lunch there?”
 
I grinned back as Lisa colored nicely. “Sure, I know a great café with 
outstandingly discreet service.”
 
Lisa smacked me on the arm. “Ted!” 
 
I looked at her in mock surprise. “What's the matter, honey?”
 
“Ooooo, men!” We all laughed.
 
 
We drove into Spring and I pulled right up to the Rose Petals store. Lisa turned 
beet red but didn't hesitate getting out and walking in. Hawk and I followed right 
behind her. The same lady clerk was up front and smiled at us. 
 
“Welcome back. I always like to see repeat business! Feel free to look around 
and don't feel awkward about touching the merchandise.”
 
Lisa burst out laughing. “You are so bad! I'm Lisa, this is Ted and our friend 
Hawk.”
 
“Alice Jenks, owner and eye in the sky.” She winked at Lisa. “Don't feel bad, my 
husband, Andy, didn't complain later on, if you know what I mean.”
 
“I think we'll just browse this time,” I said with a grin. “We have company.”
 
Alice grinned. “Please yourselves. I'll be right here.”
 
As Lisa walked in, I looked back at the door and made a locking motion. Alice 
nodded and grinned widely.
 
As I caught up with the ladies, Hawk gave me a look. “Sounds like you have a 
fan. Is this the store?”
 
Lisa nodded, still blushing furiously. 
 
Hawk smiled and stopped. “Then I'll check out the delicates and you two 
browse. Don't mind me and I'll be ready to leave when you are.” She headed for 
the other side of the store and we both giggled. 
 
“I don't know if I could do anything knowing someone was watching,” she 
confided as we moved to the clothes lining the back wall. “That seems way too 
risky.”
 
I thought about how turned on she got when she risked being seen. It was a 
part of her that we were just beginning to understand. I stopped and looked at 
the layout of the place, the lack of other customers. Alice was glancing back at 
the mirror and she smiled when she saw me. Hawk was looking at frilly 
underclothes and not looking this way. “Remember when I told you I would hold 
you to doing some things but I promised you wouldn't regret it?”
 
Lisa's eyes grew huge. “No! Ted, we can't!”
 
“Trust me. Alice knew what we were doing before. Hawk knows what you like. I 
am nervous, too, but there will never be a better or safer place for your first 
time in public.”
 
She looked undecided for a moment, afraid even, but then she nodded. 
 
I put my hands on her waist and pushed her against the wall, dropping to my 
knees in front of her. I kissed the inside of her thigh just under the edge of the 
skirt and then rapidly kissed my way up. Her panties were already damp when I 
got there and were soaked after I used my tongue on her through the thin 
fabric. The soft sound of her whimpering came through the skirt over my head 
just fine. I half expected her to hold my head but she seemed to be gripping the 
wall instead.
 
I pulled the panties to the side and dug my tongue into her flower, savoring the 
sweet flavor. My face was promptly made damp as she ground herself onto me. 
Crossing my fingers, I slid two inside her. A low moan of pleasure came out of 
her lungs.
 
“Ted, Alice is watching us. I can see her in the mirror. She can see you eating 
me.”
 
I pulled back. “Does that excite you? Do you want her to watch me lick you, 
Lisa?”
 
“Oh, God. Yes… I want it.” She sighed.
 
“Then hold up your skirt so she has a good view,” I said before digging back into 
her with my lips. 
 
Lisa didn't hesitate this time. She pulled the skirt up all the way to her chest. I 
watched her face as I kept on and could tell her eyes were locked on Alice, not 
through the mirror but directly over the clothes racks. Her breathing was getting 
ragged really quickly and her nectar was flowing. I guessed it would only be a 
minute before she exploded.
 
“I found these nice…” Hawk said from behind me. “Oh…”
 
I started to pull back but Lisa grabbed my head with one hand. “Finish what you 
started. Let them watch. I want it.”
 
Unable to look around, I mentally shrugged and resumed fingering her and 
running my tongue up her wonderful sex. I wondered what Hawk was thinking 
now.
 
“I think I'll go talk to Alice and let you two have some privacy,” Hawk said. She 
sounded embarrassed.
 
"You can watch, if you want to," Lisa said huskily.
 
"I'm not used to this, so I'll feel better watching from up front. Please, don't be 
disappointed. Maybe next time, after I adjust to the idea. Okay?"
 
I saw Lisa nod, her eyes locked on Hawk. She was really getting into this. I was 
shocked when she started unbuttoning her blouse. It was twice as shocking 
when she pulled her bra up and began massaging herself and pinching her 
nipples. 
 
"It's okay. Go ahead up front and watch," Lisa said.
 
I could see her watching Hawk move away. I could even hear Alice when she 
arrived at the counter.
 
“They do make a sweet couple, don't they?” Alice asked. "I locked the door so 
they could have a good time without interruptions.” 
 
“Lisa?” I asked in a breathless voice. “What do you see? Tell me.”
 
“Alice and Hawk are standing there watching you eat me through the mirror. I 
think they like what they see.” 
 
Her body began shaking and she closed her eyes. I focused my attention on her 
nub and was rewarded with her explosive orgasm. She came for seconds and 
then slid down the wall, pulling herself away from me. 
 
I sat next to her and held her close to me, her clothes in wild disarray and her 
sex on display for all to see. She seemed almost unconscious and was breathing 
heavily. 
 
Lisa slowly came back to herself and slid her knees open, allowing them a better 
view. She turned and kissed me deeply, moaning at the taste of herself on my 
lips. 
 
Lisa climbed to her feet and pulled me up with her. Slowly, she put her clothes 
back into place. 
 
I dusted myself off and hugged her. “Lisa,” I said quietly. “I think you should 
give Hawk and Alice a thank you kiss.”
 
Her eyes flashed to me, and she searched my face, looking to see if I was 
serious. At my nod, we walked up front and she enfolded Hawk into her arms 
and kissed her.
 
Hawk pushed her back in surprise and looked at me. “Ted?”
 
“A thank you kiss from both of us, for not being upset,” I said.
 
With a sigh, she pulled Lisa into her arms and kissed her passionately. Lisa 
molded her body to Hawk's and returned it with her own ardor. 
 
Lisa broke the kiss after a minute and pulled back. “For both of us, thank you, 
Hawk.”
 
Then she hugged Alice, her kiss on the woman's cheek. "Thank you so much!" 
 
Alice hugged her back and kissed Lisa's cheek. "My pleasure, sweetie." She 
looked at me. "You can kiss the other cheek."
 
I grinned, hugged her and kissed Alice's cheek.
 
Hawk looked at me. “Ted, that kind of trust is really special. To let Lisa be 
herself and help her without being hung up on the details of what she wants.” 
She looked at Lisa. “I'm sorry, Hon, but I think Ted needs to thank me himself.” 
 
I wondered what she was talking about until Hawk took me into her arms and 
tilted her head as our lips met. I stiffened, in a couple of ways, as her tongue 
ran across my lips. 
 
She pulled back an inch. “Loosen up, Ted. I don't bite - much. No obligations. 
The rules bent, not broken, for all of us.” She kissed me again, her tongue 
pushing its way into my mouth. 
 
The kiss seemed awkward for a moment and then she melted against me. Her 
eyes were closed and I realized she was tasting Lisa. After a moment of that, I 
returned the favor, and she didn't object to my intrusion. We French kissed for 
just a minute and then she pulled back. “That wasn't so bad,” she said so low 
that I almost missed it. Then she grinned and reached down to grasp me 
through my pants as she stepped back. She released me almost as soon as she 
touched me. "I see junior is okay with the afternoon."
 
Lisa was watching Hawk, well, like a hawk. When Hawk let me loose, Lisa kissed 
her deeply. I could see their tongues dueling and it made me like granite. 
 
Lisa finally pulled back. “I think we need to leave before I do something we are 
not ready for.”
 
“I'm starving," Hawk agreed, grinning. "Let's go eat something.” She grinned 
even harder. “Or at least go eat something else.”
 
Alice shook her head at us. Watching her scan the bra and panties Hawk had 
selected while winking slyly at her was funny. 
 
Hawk refused to let me pay for them. “I wear my own underwear, Ted; not 
someone else's. At least, not unless they are my lovers. You're not looking to 
become my lover, are you, Ted?” She raised an eyebrow and I just shrugged my 
shoulders and smiled. 
 
I did buy a gift card for $250 dollars. Alice grinned at me and said she looked 
forward to us coming back to shop again as she unlocked the door and let us out 
into the street. 
 
Alice stopped Lisa and spoke softly enough to her that I could only barely hear 
her. “When I was younger, my sister was the chaperone on my dates. With the 
ones she really liked, she would sit on the hood at the drive-in and give us space 
to play around without it getting too serious or someone catching us. It taught 
me the value of having someone watching out for you when you are doing 
something risky. I don't want to be pushy but you really need to keep that in 
mind for the future. We all have our secrets that would hurt us if they ever got 
out, me included. Come back and we'll talk more. I bet I could help you with 
finding boundaries.” She grinned.
 
Lisa hugged her. “Thank you so much.” 
 
The trip to the café was one of us falling back into some sense of normalcy. By 
the time we were seated, it almost seemed like an erotic dream. The girls sat 
side by side across from me and chattered about the food options. Lisa admitted 
it was really the first time she had read the menu. 
 
I grinned and made my selection. Then the expected bare foot slid between my 
legs and I had a hard time keeping my game face on. I wasn't going to let Lisa 
know how much that was getting to me. She was returning the favor in spades, 
chattering away with both Hawk and myself as though she was just sitting there. 
So cool and collected. Hawk noticed nothing, her attention focused on Lisa and 
what she was saying. 
 
When the food came, Lisa's foot slithered away and left me very excited. She bit 
into her steak with a moan of culinary pleasure. Hawk smiled at me and cut a 
bite off her own. The conversation was so normal it was almost surreal. 
 
The lunch was very pleasant. Everyone seemed very relaxed. When at last we 
were finished, we all went and washed up. The girls were almost giggly when 
they came out.
 
I walked back to the car with my arm around Lisa with Hawk next to us. The 
drive back to the vineyard was wonderfully relaxed. 
 
 
When we arrived, the weekly Sunday afternoon vineyard party Stan hosted was 
in full swing. The bluegrass band was already playing, and almost a hundred 
people were there, dancing, sitting, tasting wine and hobnobbing. Stan was 
moving through the crowd with practiced ease. A touch, a nod, a word. 
Everyone he passed felt his full attention. I still had no idea how he managed to 
do that.
 
“Hawk, if you want to get a drink, I need to take Lisa for a turn on the dance 
floor.”
 
Hawk smiled. “You kids have fun. I'll get us all something to drink.” She 
sauntered off without a backward glance.
 
“I think she likes you a little, Ted.” Lisa whispered in my ear as we started 
dancing. 
 
“Really? What makes you think that? The kiss was more for you than me.”
 
She smiled enigmatically. “Let's just say I have some insider information that you 
don't.”
 
I was about to ask what that meant when I was tapped on the shoulder. A 
glance back and I smiled.
 
“Representative de la Cruz! You finally made it!” I stopped dancing and wrapped 
my arm around Lisa. The energetic little man shook my hand. “I'd like you to 
meet my girlfriend, Lisa.”
 
“How wonderful to meet you, Lisa!” He stood beside us, his arm around a 
Hispanic woman about his age. “This is my wife, Mary.” We were a little bubble 
in a very busy dance floor; the people didn't precisely bump us but they were 
thick around us.
 
I saw Hawk with three glasses of wine slowly working her way in towards us. 
With some difficulty, I helped open a spot for her to join us. She was smiling but 
she looked worried.
 
“Hi! I'm Hawk. Pleasure. Lisa, I saw someone that looked just like one of your 
cases. That Russian, Viktor Kotov. Can we… Gun!” Her eyes were looking 
between Lisa and me. Dropping the wine, she was pulling her own gun and 
shoving Ramon aside. 
 
I don't know what I was thinking but I shoved Lisa and dove into Hawk, Ramon 
and Mary. A loud bang or a small explosion went off right behind me as we all 
tumbled to the ground. Pain exploded on the right side of my head. The crowd 
went berserk and a stampede away from us made the chaos total. I could hear 
Hawk cursing under me. 
 
By the time she dug herself free there was no hope of seeing anyone. No real 
hope of catching anyone either. Some people were watching, some were milling 
and many were screaming for the fastest exit. Cars were already pulling out of 
the parking lot in droves. Lisa was helping Ramon and Mary to their feet and I 
started to get to my own feet and felt the pain grow worse. I sat back heavily 
and touched the side of my head. It was wet and sticky. I could feel the heat of 
blood flowing down my face and neck. In confusion, I looked at Lisa.
 
Lisa's eyes widened in horror. “Oh, my God! Hawk! Ted's been shot!” 
 
Hawk was back in a second and lay me flat on the ground. “Lay down, hero. 
Let's look at this.” I felt light headed and watched Lisa as she shouted into her 
cell phone while Hawk dug painfully at my hair. I decided this was definitely 
more surreal than lunch as my vision faded to a point and went out.


Chapter Nine: Lisa takes charge
 
Lisa's point of view
 
Surprisingly, to me, the politician refused to leave until Ted was looked after. He 
pulled off his jacket and firmly took charge. "I was a combat medic in the army 
years ago. I haven't forgotten everything. Hmmmm." He moved Ted's hair and 
examined his head. Then, he wiped his hands on his shirt and opened Ted's eyes 
one at a time, giving each eye a quick look.
 
"Good news, it doesn't look bad. It looks like the bullet glanced off and didn't 
penetrate."
 
I hadn't realized I was holding my breath until it sobbed out of me. The tears 
that had been threatening to take over were unleashed. Both Hawk and Mary 
held me, softly speaking words that didn't really register. I could see Sue crying 
uncontrollably while Stan held her just a few feet away.
 
"He might have a concussion. His pupils don't look quite the same size," Ramon 
continued, "but if so, I don't think it's too bad. I'm a little concerned because he 
passed out, but all things considered, Lisa, I think he'll be fine."
 
It took a few minutes for me to get my composure back. I sat there on the 
ground holding Ted's hand while Hawk and Mary comforted me and Ramon held 
a handkerchief on the wound. Ted woke up a few minutes later. Sue came over 
and we kept him talking to keep him awake. He seemed dazed but lucid. 
 
 
The next few hours were chaotic, at best. Sue and I stayed at Ted's side as the 
Sheriff's deputies and paramedics swarmed the scene. When they took him to 
the hospital, I made a very hard choice and told him I would be there as soon as 
I could. Sue went with him, and Stan would have if he could've escaped. 
 
When I caught up with Hawk, she was hip deep with the other police, 
questioning people that were still lingering. She was seated at a small table with 
a man and woman, writing as the woman spoke. "So, you saw a white man 
about five nine or ten run into the parking lot with what looked like a gun. Dark 
hair, slim build, but you never saw his face. He tore out of here in some kind of 
black SUV. That about sum it up, Jo? Earl?" At their nods, Hawk stood up and 
shook hands. "Thank you both. I hope the rest of your vacation is less dramatic."
 
After they left, I stepped up and Hawk smiled at me. "The Bellers have a possible 
lead for us. They seem to have been the only ones in the crowd to see the 
shooter at all. It was a man but they didn't really get enough of a look to help 
with an ID. It could be Price or Kotov, if that was even him I saw."
 
"I'm finished pussy-footing around," I growled. "We need to get this settled 
before one of us gets killed." Hawk nodded.
 
"Then, it's a damned good thing I'm here to get it all figgered out for you," a 
deep baritone voice said from behind me. I turned and found a tall, broad, white 
man in his late forties. He was dressed in western clothing and had a badge 
hanging from his shirt pocket. His upper lip was dominated by a huge, bristling 
walrus-like mustache in the same salt and pepper black as his balding head. 
"Digger Jamison, Texas Rangers. Who's Hawkins?"
 
Hawk looked pretty steamed already just at seeing him. "I'm Hawkins. This is 
related to an investigation I'm running. What can I do for you?"
 
Digger grinned but there was no humor to it. "You can thank me for takin' over 
this case. Since a politico was a possible target in this shooting, the Rangers are 
taking charge of this investigation and the one in Houston, too. You're now my 
contact with HPD, Hawkins. Don't you worry none, I'll make sure you look good, 
not that you don't already." He winked at Hawk.
 
"This is bullshit," Hawk snarled. "De la Cruz wasn't the target. Stansbury or Davis 
were."
 
Digger scowled at Hawk. "Let's not fight, now, y'hear? I've looked over your case 
file and my experience tells me that the two are connected," he said with a 
superior tone.
 
"Of course they're connected. I just told you that, you..." Hawk started hotly.
 
"I think," I said interrupting Hawk smoothly, "that we can agree that they are 
connected. Lisa Davis, Galveston County District Attorney's office." I held out a 
hand and Digger took it.
 
"Ma'am," Digger drawled. "Don't you worry your pretty little head about all this. 
I'll get right down to the bottom of what's goin' on and get the varmint behind 
bars in two shakes of a lamb's tail." 
 
My mouth dropped open. Digger's statement was so outrageous that I didn't 
know what to say. I thought this kind of misogynistic behavior was a thing of the 
past. After all, women could be more than secretaries now. Hawk was silent and 
a glance showed her agape and speechless as well. 
 
Digger filled the void himself. "There, I knew that would set both of you fillies at 
ease. It's already purdy obvious that feller, Price, is likely the killer."
 
"Oh, puh-leeze!" Hawk said, finally catching her voice. "I cannot believe I am 
hearing this! I'm going to call my Captain and get this fixed, Lisa." She stalked 
off without a word more to Digger, but I could hardly blame her. It's not every 
day you meet someone that pushes so many buttons all at once. She was on her 
cell phone before she was five feet away.
 
Digger shook his head. "That happens all the durned time, missy. She'll come 
around when she gets to know me. So, tell me what happened the night your 
friend blew up." He pulled out a well-chewed stub of a pencil and a cheap flip 
notebook. 
 
I considered, really considered, losing it like Hawk but barely held myself in 
check. "Calvin. His name was Calvin and he didn't blow up. My car was bombed. 
Calvin was driving it when my car blew up." I started going over the details again 
and he quickly started asking questions about Ted. What I knew about him and 
who or what I had seen around. Who he knew. About Price. It didn't take more 
than a minute for me to figure out he had already focused in on Price targeting 
Ted, and that he was looking for information shaped to fit his preconceptions 
rather than keeping an open mind. 
 
"Look, Ranger Jamison..." I started.
 
"Just call me Digger, ma'am," he interrupted. "And I'll call you Lisa. There. All 
comfortable like." He patted my hand.
 
I was saved from tearing his head off by Hawk exploding behind me. 
"Goddammit, Captain! That's not right! This is my investigation and he doesn't 
know squat about it or Houston. I tell you, the man is a bloomin' idiot!"
 
I grimaced at that. Even given the short time that I had known her, I already 
knew that tact wasn't very high on Hawk's list of merits when she was angry. I 
couldn't tell what her conversational partner was saying but it was loud enough 
to buzz in the air, even over here. Amazingly, Digger didn't seem upset at being 
called an idiot.
 
"I think she might not know me well enough, jest yet. Give 'er time and she'll be 
seein' me in a better light. She's jest upset that I outrank her," Digger said in a 
sotto voice.
 
Amazing. Simply amazing. What was with this guy?
 
"No, Captain, I'm not too close to this case. I just know I can do a better job 
than some..." More angry buzzing from the phone. "Captain, that's not fair! Let 
me finish the damned case!" She rolled her eyes at the next set of buzzing and 
then she paled. Her mouth opened and shut a few times without words coming 
out. "You can't! You won't!" I saw her eyes light up, even more furious. "Fine. If 
you want it that way, you're the boss." She hung up before any reply was 
possible. 
 
Hawk stalked back up to us, her jaw working as I stared at her. "The bastard 
shit-canned me. I'm on indefinite leave of absence until this case is settled by 
this..." She seemed at a loss for words. 
 
I took her into my arms and held her. "Oh, Hawk. We'll fight this!" She hugged 
me back, but I could tell her heart really wasn't into it.
 
"Don't you let that fret you none, Miss Hawkins. Like I was tellin' Miss Davis, 
here, I already have a good ideer of who the killer is. I have ten bucks that says 
I have him in the hoosegow by Wednesday. Then you're back on the roster," 
Digger said with an over-confidant tone. 
 
Hawk stiffened and shrugged out of my arms before getting right in Digger's 
face. "Did you ask the Captain to yank me, caveman? You don't think women 
can do this job?" Her finger started poking him on the chest. "I can do anything 
you can better for marbles, money or fun every day of the week. Your good ole 
boy drawl doesn't fool me for one goddamned second. You wanted this!"
 
Digger threw up his hands and stepped back as she kept stepping into his 
personal space. "Whoa, purdy thing! I was just bein' friendly-like! I know you 
can do any ole thing you set your purdy little head to! I didn't tell yore Captain 
anythin' like that!"
 
That just pissed her off more. "You ever hear of sexual harassment, genius? 
Women aren't just barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen anymore! You couldn't 
find your ass with both hands, even with the help of air cover, backup - code 
three, and directions in English!"
 
I grabbed her by the shoulders. "Hawk! This isn't helping anything at all!" She 
resisted at first, but relented when I didn't stop pulling. "Digger, this is a bad 
time. I'll see that she gives a statement to the deputies and so will I."
 
If anything, he seemed more amused than upset. "That shore does sound like a 
winner of an ideer. I ken git your numbers from them and call if I have any 
questions." 
 
His amusement didn't help me calm Hawk down. He hadn't taken long to find all 
of her buttons and lean on them hard. She finally turned around and stalked 
ahead of me. I ran to catch up and guided her into the house and onto the 
couch in the living room. 
 
"Sit," I ordered. "I need you thinking and not pissed off. This is not helping Ted, 
or either of us." 
 
She sat, fuming. "Dammit, Lisa, you just don't know what it's like! I don't just 
have a glass ceiling; I have homophobia to fight every day of my life, too. 
Captain Kruger was a great man and it was really bad for me when he was 
promoted and replaced. He never cared about my personal life or my gender. I 
made Detective Sergeant under him and then Lieutenant. Now I have had 
Captain Jordan, a Bible-thumping, homophobic good ole boy, in charge of 
homicide for three months, and he was just waiting for this. He wants me gone 
and, mark my words, he will find a way to make this permanent."
 
I slid my arms around her and she broke down, burying her head in my 
shoulder. Underneath her rock-hard exterior, she had an emotional side. She was 
just afraid to let it out. Afraid to let someone else see her pain. 
 
When she had cried herself out, I gave her some tissues. The box was being 
used so hard this week, I thought I'd better see about getting some more. While 
she wiped her eyes, I leaned forward and put my hands on her leg.
 
"Here's what we are going to do. We are going to get out of here and drive to 
Galveston. We're going to get into Calvin's files and find out who might have 
wanted him dead. I think someone killed Calvin because that was who they were 
after. They must have stalked him and maybe I was just a bonus or something. I 
don't know why they are after us but there must be some loose ends or they 
would have faded out of sight. We're going to hit all the suspects until one of 
them cracks. What we are not going to do is let the good ole boy network sink 
this investigation."
 
My eyes flared with a release of anger that I hadn't realized had been building in 
me for days. "Someone killed my best friend and now has almost killed my 
boyfriend. I am not going to sit back anymore and let Digger, your boss or 
anyone else dick with me. I am going to find the bastard and take him down. Are 
you with me?"
 
Hawk grinned like a shark and wiped away the last of her tears. "Fuck it, if I get 
busted, I hated working for that prick anyway. I put myself through college 
working for a private investigator and had a license before I ever became a cop." 
Then she sobered up. "But what about you, Hon? If they find out we are giving 
them the finger like this, you might get canned, too."
 
I pursed my lips and nodded. "I might be asked to resign but I don't think they 
would push hard enough to disbar me. I can always get work as a lawyer or 
even open my own practice. But cheer up! They might never figure it out. Let's 
cross those bridges if we come to them."
 
Hawk tossed her tissues into the trash and stood up. "We need to go leave a 
statement with the deputies like you promised. Then dick-cheese won't have any 
reason to be haunting us for a while. We need Colombo of the boondocks like I 
need dick."
 
I smiled and raised an eyebrow. "I did see you cop a feel earlier."
 
Hawk flushed and rolled her eyes. "That was more of a rhetorical statement. 
Let's not get bogged down in my sexual identity crisis. Let's get a handle on this 
first."
 
I nodded. "Let's do it. Now, where do we get a car?"
 
"We boost Ted's," she said as we headed back for the door, "if we can't get 
some keys from Stan. Stan. That's an odd name, don't you think? Stan - no, 
Stanley Stansbury. Did his mother hate him? Did they call him Stan-Stan when 
he was a kid? Jeeze, poor bugger."
 
I suppressed my amusement. "Do all cops have to joke when the situation 
sucks?"
 
"Yes," she said without breaking stride. "It's part of the union rules. Speaking of 
which, I should file a complaint with my Association Rep. I doubt it will do any 
good but it's better than just letting him get away with it."
 
"Let me know if you decide to sue him," I said. "I know some great attack 
lawyers," I replied as we were almost to the deputies.
 
"God, I hate lawyers," she muttered and then glanced at me. "With certain 
exceptions."
 
I shook my head. "You just want my body."
 
Hawk snorted. "No shit, Sherlock! Where'd you get your first clue?"
 
 
It took half an hour to give our statements. Actually, it took Hawk half an hour. I 
was done in fifteen minutes. When I was done, I looked around for Stan and I 
found him cleaning up some of the trash and setting chairs into some kind of 
order. 
 
"Stan, any word on Ted?"
 
He set a chair down and slumped into it. "I talked with Sue and the doctor is 
sewing up the cut in his scalp now. X-rays show no fractures, thank God, and 
they think he even got away without a concussion. They'll probably turn him 
loose today sometime." He swallowed heavily. "Lisa, he was almost killed. What 
is going on? Who's doing this and who's really the target? I heard that Hawk was 
off the case. Who'll find the bad guy now?"
 
I pulled a chair next to him and held his hand. "I don't know, but I promise you 
that I'll be all over this until I do know who did this and can take them down." I 
smiled a little. "Ted told me almost the exact same thing when Calvin died. Stan, 
he'll be safe in the hospital for now, under guard. Hopefully, Hawk and I will 
have some answers before he gets out. Speaking of which, I need to borrow a 
car. Can I take Ted's?"
 
Stan nodded, fishing in his pants. "I got the keys from the paramedics. Here." He 
handed them over. "Hawk is still working the case?” he asked belatedly. 
 
"Yes, but keep that close to your vest. We don't want to telegraph that to 
anyone. Let them think we've slunk off like good little girls,” I said.
 
Stan nodded. "No worries. I can do that. I've seen that new guy watching you 
and Hawk. You think he'll follow you?"
 
I frowned. That seemed... What? Out of character? Too intelligent? Both and 
more? "He sounds like a good ole boy to me. What makes you think he would 
want to follow us?"
 
Stan shrugged. "I just think he's interested in the two of you and is taking pains 
to not seem that way. I'm a people-watcher, and what I see doesn't add up, 
really. Don't mistake backwoodsy for stupid. When you two went into the house 
he made a circle around it and then watched the front door. He's definitely 
interested in you two, alright."
 
"Well," I admitted, "I suppose he might try to follow us then. You have a plan?"
 
He smiled the Stan smile. "I'll come up with something. You need a distraction, 
and I'm sure I can provide something worthwhile. Go wait for Hawk and make a 
break for it when you see my signal."
 
I gave him a quick hug and stood up. "Thank you, Stan, and thank you for not 
blaming me for this. I know how easy it would be for you to hate me."
 
Stan shook his head. "You are the best thing that has come into my brother's life 
for a decade, or more. You don't know how badly Sue and I were starting to feel 
about his chances at any happiness. You, Lisa, are an angel from Heaven, and I 
don't blame this on you. I blame the person behind it. Ted told me the night he 
first saw you that you were interesting. He just never realized it was in the old 
Chinese curse sense, too. You know, may you live in interesting times."
 
I impulsively hugged him again. "Thank you for that. Except the Chinese thing. I 
never expected to live in interesting times either." I gave him a peck on the 
cheek and headed back to the pavilion. 
 
Digger was watching me as I walked back. His expression was clearer this time, 
more open and with a smile of good cheer that I was starting to become 
suspicious of. I smiled sweetly and waved back before turning my attention to 
Hawk. She was just finishing giving her statement.
 
She smiled without humor as she walked up to me. "That doofus has been 
watching me. He really doesn't have a clue. How the hell did he ever make the 
cut to be a state trooper, much less a Ranger?" She shook her head. "It really 
does prove that it's who you know, or in his case, maybe it's who you blow." We 
both snickered at that thought.
 
"Maybe. Stan thinks there's more than meets the eye." I moved us to a table 
near the driveway and Ted's car. "He gave me Ted's keys and is going to make 
some kind of distraction while we skate so Digger doesn't follow us."
 
Hawk looked skeptical. "Him? Follow us? Humph, he doesn't have the brains to 
pour piss out of a boot with the instructions printed on the bottom."
 
I shrugged. "Take it as you will. I think we should just accept the distraction and 
when it comes we..."
 
A loud crash from the smaller metal building next to the adobe building housing 
all the barrels of wine startled both of us. Then, the wall closest to us bowed and 
ripped apart as half a dozen barrels thundered through them. It was far enough 
from the pavilion that there was no danger to us but it drew everyone to see 
what was happening. Even Digger was on his feet and running towards the 
building.
 
"That's our cue. Let's roll,” I said.
 
We ran to the car and threw ourselves inside it. I tossed my purse in between us 
on the seat. With a subdued roar, it started. We turned in the drive and zoomed 
out onto the county road. A clean getaway.
 
 
The drive to Galveston was quiet, and when I parked outside the office, I saw a 
police car parked out front and got worried. "Shit. Now there's a guard. What do 
we do?"
 
Hawk motioned forward. "Drive around the block and into the alley. I saw some 
fire escapes last time. I bet not everyone in your office is diligent about locking 
the windows. They never are. The guard will have locked the outside doors and 
be gone down to the lobby. Legal question, counselor. Are we breaking the law 
here or bending it?"
 
I chuckled grimly. "Not that my opinion makes a lot of difference, I bet, but 
probably bending it. I have authority to be in the building and even in the files in 
Calvin's office. By law, you can't break and enter where you have authority to be. 
So, entering the building may get us misdemeanor property damage, if we have 
to break something. Calvin's office is an active crime scene, so there is the 
possibility of tampering with evidence, but that's weak. Real weak, since they will 
have already been through it. My call is we could beat it, but we'd still be 
smoked turkey if we get caught, so let's be real quiet."
 
Hawk exited Ted's car and pulled down the metal ladder with a clatter and 
started climbing. I locked up and climbed behind her. She stopped on the second 
floor and waited for me. "Let's check the windows. If not these, I bet one a little 
further out from the fire escape might be unlocked." She checked the windows, 
but they were all locked. With a sly smile, she put one leg over the rail. "Hold my 
arm. Don't let me go."
 
I stared at her, aghast. "You could fall!" 
 
"I could get run over by a cab, too. Hang on to me, Lisa. Let's get inside and into 
Calvin's office." Hawk stuck her hand out and I took it with some trepidation. 
"Hold on tight." Hawk swung out and suddenly I was pulled against the metal rail 
and it dug into my hips. 
 
I grabbed on with both hands, one grasping Hawk's and the other holding her 
jacket. Her weight was heavy but not beyond my capacity. "Hurry up."
 
Hawk reached out and pushed up on the window next to the fire escape and it 
slid open. "Bingo! I'm going to grab it and when I tell you to, I want you to let 
go," she said with some strain. Hawk grabbed the window sill. "Let go."
 
When I released her hand, she pulled herself into the window. With a wriggle of 
her she slid inside and landed with a thud. The window closed and I heaved a 
huge sigh of relief. 
 
A few minutes later, the window next to me opened and Hawk stuck her head 
out, grinning. "Didn't have to break anything! No sign of a guard up here. He 
must be in the lobby downstairs. Sloppy bastard. I bet Murphy picked him 
personally for this assignment."
 
I awkwardly slid through the window with her help. Then I closed it behind me. 
"What is it with you and Murphy? You and he really seem to have some major 
issues. Who pissed in whose Wheaties?"
 
Hawk paused at the closed door, with her hand on the knob. A slight frown 
crossed her brow. "What is it with you anyways? All this "how does that make 
you feel", touchy-feely stuff? Was your minor in psych? I thought all you 
prosecutors were more hard boiled than that."
 
I raised my hands defensively. "I had some therapy for a few years. I found it 
helps me to actually ask about things I want to know, and sometimes it helps the 
other person to talk about stuff, too. I know, it's personal, and if you don't want 
to talk about it, tell me to mind my own business. I've seen you let your hair 
down when we talk, though. I think it's helped you to open up."
 
Hawk scratched her ear and slowly nodded. "I've thought about things that 
either needed to be thought about or that I've never considered before. Does 
that make you my therapist or my confessor?"
 
"Nope," I said smiling, "it makes me your friend. Come on, let's get in there and 
get done before Murphy comes around to catch us." I led the way out of the 
room and to Calvin's office. The door was closed and the doorway was criss-
crossed with crime scene tape. With a deep breath, I opened the door and slid 
under the tape. "I'm surprised they didn't lock it."
 
I looked around while Hawk slid in behind me and flipped on the light. Then she 
closed the door and started looking the room over without touching anything. 
She was very interested in the area behind the door. 
 
"That fucker was right back here. I wish I had been a little more on the ball and 
we'd have this all done. I'm sorry, Lisa."
 
"It's not over yet, Hawk. We'll catch him. I'll look through his files and you do the 
cop thing,” I said, opening the file cabinets. 
 
The cases were all at least passingly familiar to me, since we talked about the 
ones we didn't work on together. We didn't have a lot of time so I pulled each 
one out of his closed case files that was serious enough, in my mind, to warrant 
payback. I also took all his open case files. A quick trip to the copy room and the 
machine was zipping out copies. 
 
Hawk was on her hands and knees looking under the desk when I came back in. 
She looked back at me and then resumed her search. "There is a lot of crap 
under here. You should speak to the custodial staff. They've been shirking."
 
"I'm sure I don't want to know what's under my desk," I said back. "What do you 
hope to find under there?"
 
"Damned if I know. When I see it, I'll know what it is, though. Like… What have 
we here?" 
 
I watched her ass as she was wriggling back out. Then I rolled my eyes at 
myself. Just what a man would do. God. 
 
Hawk sat on the floor holding a small key ring with two keys on it and a paper 
tag on a string. "A clue, Watson. Park it."
 
Sitting next to her, I examined it. "Do you think the killer dropped it here? 
Should you be touching it? You know, since there might be prints or DNA on it?"
 
"I think I know whose DNA is on it. Calvin's," she said with a grim smile. "It was 
on a small hook and hanging out of sight." The tag said 'Daedalus backup files'. 
It was dated last month and had the initials S. W. P. "The handwriting is the 
same as that in his case files. This was written by Calvin. The question is, what is 
this case?"
 
The name baffled me. We didn't have odd names for the cases. They were 
usually the State of Texas verses someone. "I have no idea. I'd certainly 
remember a name like that. Let me look in the files."
 
We climbed up and started looking through files. Nothing. There wasn't a folder 
with that name in this cabinet. 
 
"Let's look in the computer system and see what pops up,” I said at last, giving 
up the manual search.
 
"The access will be logged, won't it?” she asked. 
 
I nodded. "Yes, but we all have a file of everyone's passwords in case of 
emergency. Not very secure, huh? I'll wake up my computer and access it under 
my account and they still can't be sure who did it, if they even ask later."
 
"God love the cock-eyed bureaucracy. They'll never know who did what. I like it."
 
We trooped to the copy room first. The copies were done and I put all the files 
back together. Fifteen minutes had the copies in a big binder and the original 
files back where they came from. When I closed the door to Calvin's office, it felt 
like I was closing a door on his life and my eyes misted. 
 
Hawk put her arm around my shoulders. "We both seem to be weepy recently. I 
know you miss him but it'll get easier."
 
I sagged against her and just let her strength flow into me. "I'm glad we both 
seem to be strong when the other is feeling down. What would we do if we both 
got all weepy at the same time?"
 
"It's what friends are for, or so Ted tells me," she admitted. "I'm not so familiar 
with it since I haven't really had many friends. I can be a little - abrasive."
 
I laughed, cheered up already. "Abrasive? You? Are we talking about the same 
woman? We're just going through changes in our life, stress. I have Calvin's 
death, Ted and exhibitionism to shake up my world. You have an asshole boss 
and, well, I guess you could call it a sexual identity crisis."
 
Hawk shook her head. "You might say that. I'm a lesbian and you have me 
kissing guys and wondering if I'm for real or just a player. I still don't know what 
I want. No, that's not true. I know what I want. I'm just uncomfortable with how 
much more acceptable the price of doing business is getting."
 
I unlocked my office and sat down at my messy desk, bringing the computer to 
life and starting to search. "I saw you touch him after you kissed. Frankly, I 
never thought you'd kiss him. That surprised the hell out of me. Then groping 
him? You really are considering it, aren't you?"
 
She sighed and nodded. "I'm getting more comfortable with the idea than I like. 
Part of me is more curious than I would have ever believed, Doctor Freud. Do 
you want to hear about what I think about my mother?" Hawk asked. 
 
"Nope. You need to have some secrets." The screen came up with the query box 
and I typed in the name. Nothing for that name in the system.
 
My cell phone rang. "Davis."
 
"Lisa? This is Sue. Ted's cutting himself loose and he refuses to go home with 
me. He's insisting you come and pick him up. The hard-headed idiot said to tell 
you that he won't lie down while you girls do all the work."
 
I smiled. That was Ted. "We'll come and get him. Look for us in an hour or so. 
I'll call before we get there." We said our goodbyes and disconnected. "Hawk, 
we have to pick up Ted. He won't go home with Sue."
 
Hawk shook her head. "You two can be stubborn. I'm surprised you can agree 
who wears the pants." 
 
I grinned toothily. "He does. Men need zippers. It makes them feel empowered." 
 
I locked the computer, pocketed my keys, and we closed the office behind us. 
We exited back down the fire escape. I was very happy to be back in the car and 
driving.
 
 
Hawk looked through the copies as we drove. "The information we are looking 
for may not be in these files. It may be in Calvin's head or house. We'll have to 
search it."
 
"I suppose we will have to start digging into his life. God, I never would have 
dreamed we were going that way,” I said softly.
 
"Here's another thing you may not have thought of," she said. "We know that 
whoever it is, they are not shy about attacking you, even in a public place. We 
need to all disappear from our usual haunts for a while. Leave the bad guys 
wondering where we will turn up next."
 
"What do you have in mind?" I asked. The sky was getting dark so I switched on 
the lights as we were going back through Houston. Damn, it seems like I had 
been back and forth a lot over the last few days.
 
"A no-name motel: get a double, and we check Ted and you in as Mister and 
Missus Smith. You don't mind shacking up for a few days with Ted, do you, 
Lisa?"
 
I laughed. "No, not at all. It actually sounds like a good idea. The question is, do 
you?"
 
"Two beds makes it all safe, girl." Hawk smiled back at me. 
 
The remainder of the drive to the hospital was without incident. I called Sue 
when we were about ten minutes away and she gave us directions to the place, 
including the entrance closest to them. We pulled into the drop off and I went in, 
leaving Hawk to watch the car. 
 
Sue and Ted were inside, Ted in a wheelchair and Sue sitting beside him. He had 
a small bandage on the side of his head. I knelt beside the chair.
 
"Hey, Hero. I was going to come down to visit you, and here you are busting 
out. You're not mad that I went to start clearing this up without you, are you?" I 
swallowed a little.
 
Ted smiled and shook his head. "No. I'm happy you're looking into it. I could 
have walked out. I don't have a concussion. All I have are a few stitches. The 
doctor even said we can…" He looked over at Sue and blushed as she shook her 
head.
 
"Then let's get you out to the car and get moving. Hawk has a plan." I stood up 
and hugged Sue. "I'm so glad he's okay. We're going to duck out of sight for a 
while. We'll have our cell phones. We don't want to put you in any more danger."
 
She looked back at me, wide-eyed. "Why can't the police help us? Protective 
custody or something."
 
"Manpower," I said. "That, and I'm starting to be worried about - other aspects 
of the case. It'll be best for you and Stan if we don't keep you in the target zone. 
Go home, and I'll call you when we're set up. I'll make sure he rests and takes 
his medications. Any complaints about that, Ted?"
 
"No way. Sounds like heaven, if you're there."
 
Sue handed me his medicine and we pushed Ted outside. Hawk smiled as she 
held the back door open. “Your chariot awaits, stud.” Ted didn't look weak as we 
got him in the back. Sue hugged Hawk and we drove out of the parking lot after 
watching Sue get into her car and leave.
 
"What place do you have in mind," I asked as I drove. 
 
"There's this little place I know in south Houston. We can take stock there. Get 
some take-out and start talking over the case files and what moves we need to 
make next," Hawk said as she turned in her seat.
 
"Ted, you mind if I ask you some personal questions? About Lisa and - 
relationships." Hawk sounded like a cop but not as pushy.
 
"If I give the wrong answers, do you have to cuff me?" He grinned at her.
 
"No, Doofus. I just want to know."
 
"Ask away," he said.
 
I could tell she was forming the question and wanted it just right. Interesting. As 
a lawyer, I knew all about asking the questions the right way. That was almost 
as important as asking the right question.
 
"In the store, why did you - you know - help Lisa's exhibitionism? Don't get me 
wrong, I think it was standup of you, but I've been wondering what the driver 
was."
 
Ted's eyebrows rose. "Well, I was thinking about the last time we were there. 
How she enjoyed it and that Alice didn't seem mind. Lisa trusts you and I figured 
you wouldn't get upset with her. I know I was taking a chance but I thought it 
would be something Lisa would like. It had been a long time since I've even had 
a relationship and I've never done anything like that. I guess I wanted to see if I 
could experience the thrill with her that way, too. I have to admit I did enjoy 
doing it in front of someone." 
 
He sighed. "I guess I can't really explain what I was thinking when I decided to 
do it. Her pleasure and safety was top in my mind. If I really thought she didn't 
want to, I would have stopped." He looked at me and I watched him in the 
mirror. "Lisa, you did enjoy it, didn't you?" 
 
"Yes, Ted.” I reassured him, “I enjoyed it. I wanted it, even though I never knew 
that I did before this week. You did the right thing."
 
Ted sighed in relief. "Thank God. I don't want to screw this up."
 
"Ted, we're going to have to have a long talk," Hawk said. "You jumped on me 
to save me back at the vineyard and while that irks me a little, since that's my 
job, that's a huge thing to do and I appreciate it. Just don't do it again and let 
me do my job. I - I've never been good at relationships with men. I tend to not 
trust them, and then I get all abrasive with them, but I've started finding myself 
trusting you more than I have trusted any man in a long time, and I need to be 
up front with you. I can't keep hiding this."
 
Hawk looked over at me and then back at Ted. "There's no easy way to say 
this." She took a deep breath. "Ted, I like Lisa. I like her a lot. I made a pass at 
her." She tensed up.
 
Ted smiled. "I could tell that you were attracted to her. You even mentioned it to 
me in the kitchen. So, what did she say?"
 
Hawk sagged a little at his mild reaction, and I blinked in surprise. They had 
been talking about me?
 
"We talked," Hawk said. "Lisa said that she had been thinking about me, too, but 
that she was your woman. That she wouldn't screw around on you."
 
Ted nodded but said nothing.
 
"We talked about it," Hawk continued. "I'm still not ready to commit one way or 
the other but I want you to know - to tell me yes or no to something. Lisa said if 
I talked to you, asked to join you both, that she would be willing to have sex 
with me if you did, too." Hawk was speaking faster as she went on it and I could 
tell she was really nervous. 
 
"I don't know what I want to do, even after kissing you. I just need you to know 
I will abide by whatever y'all decide," Hawk said, "and if you say no, I'll drop it." 
Hawk sighed and was watching Ted to see how he reacted, with the expression 
of a woman that thinks she just took a real chance.
 
Ted looked at me in the mirror and scratched his chin. "I have to admit, I've 
been thinking a little about you and Lisa after we talked."
 
"Ted," I said. "I don't want you to think I'm unhappy with you. I'm very happy. I 
guess I'm just curious. If you say no, I won't be upset. I'd like us to agree on 
anything like this in our relationship. I won't do anything outside our relationship. 
It has to be both of us or neither of us. Okay?"
 
He leaned forward and kissed the back of my head. "No worries. I agree with 
you, Lisa. If either of us doesn't feel comfortable with something, we don't do it. 
Together, or not at all. Hawk, I appreciate your honesty and trust."
 
The drive was quiet as both Ted and Hawk seemed to be thinking. I asked Hawk 
for directions. She had me leave the freeway and start making all kinds of turns 
while she watched out the rear window. 
 
"What are you doing?" I asked. 
 
"Looking for tails. We're clean. Go this way." 
 
Hawk took us down some more side streets and then into a motor court. She ran 
into the office and came back out with a key. 
 
"Last room left," Hawk said with a shrug. "I have a gay friend that works here 
and he said there is a damn golf tourney in town. The Valareo Texas Open. It 
was supposed to be in San Antonio but they had a huge fire there last month so 
it was moved here, to the same place they play the Shell Open. Who would have 
thought this many people would come to see men in ugly clothes whack balls 
with sticks? Room 237, in the back."
 
I drove back and parked. We went inside. The room was clean enough, not even 
really worn. The one thing that was unexpected was that it only had one king 
sized bed and a couch.
 
"There was no choice. I'll sleep on the couch," Hawk said.
 
Ted protested but she waved him off. "You have a banged up head and a 
girlfriend. One couch, one person. Don't worry about it. Let's settle in and order 
some pizza."
 
Hawk dialed while I sat on the couch and held Ted. "You're not mad, are you? 
Really?"
 
Ted kissed me. "No, sweetheart. I'm not mad."
 
Hawk asked what we wanted on the pizza and it was soon ordered. We took 
turns showering, or at least we let Hawk shower first. When we came out of the 
shower, she was sitting there with the pizza on the table with some two liter 
bottles of soda.
 
Ted asked us about the day's events while we ate. He looked at the keys and we 
talked about some of the cases. A relaxed rhythm was developing among the 
three of us. Hawk was joking with Ted and me. 
 
When the last of the pizza was gone, Ted leaned back and looked at Hawk. "I've 
been thinking about what you said, Hawk."
 
She froze and then took a drink of her soda, her cop face sliding into place. 
"And?"
 
"If you feel comfortable having sex with me and Lisa, I will say yes. I really 
appreciate you both taking my feelings into account. It means a lot to me. You 
think about what you want and let us know. Whatever you decide is fine. And, 
Hawk, I want you to know that you are a hottie. Does that make it easier or 
harder?” he asked with a grin.
 
She smiled wryly. "Puh-leeze. Well, I guess it's in my court. I'll let you both know 
what I decide. Let me sleep on it."
 
I stood up and stretched. "Good idea. It's been a long, scary day and I think Ted 
should hit the sack. Us, too." 
 
Hawk pursed her lips and nodded. "I think you're right. Let's crash."
 
Hawk stripped down to a tee shirt and panties. "It's not like you haven't seen me 
naked." I shrugged and joined her in a tee and panties. Ted stripped to his tee 
and underwear.
 
Over the next half hour, we settled into the bed. Ted whispered in my ear, "I'm 
sorry, but I'm not sure I feel up to getting frisky."
 
I kissed him. "That's okay, I understand. If you wake up tonight and feel like it, 
you can surprise me while I'm asleep. After this morning, I think that would be 
fair."
 
He laughed and we snuggled down to sleep. 
 
Sometime in the night, I woke up with the sensation of someone sliding into bed 
behind me, on the side away from Ted, nearest the bathroom. The room was 
totally dark but I knew it was Hawk.
 
"The couch is crunching my back. There is enough room for all of us. Do you 
mind?"
 
"No," I whispered. "I don't mind at all. Goodnight." I felt her body snuggle in 
behind me and had to quiet the flutter in my stomach. Sleep took a little longer 
to come but I finally slipped back into slumber. 
 
I did wake up briefly as I felt Ted slip out of bed and heard the door to the 
bathroom close. I saw the dim glow of light as I heard him making a midnight 
run. I thought about how crowded the bed was. Hawk wasn't making me 
uncomfortable but they had both been hurt. Good sleep was important for them 
to recover.
 
With a sigh, I grabbed Ted's pillow and moved to the lumpy couch. Hawk was 
right. It was not as comfortable as the bed but I could take it. I tossed Hawk's 
pillow back onto Ted's side of the bed and laid down. I breathed in his scent, 
sighing happily. Sleep took me before he could come back from the bathroom.


Chapter Ten: A deal is a deal.
 
Hawk's point of view
 
I woke to the bright light of morning, and I found myself spooned behind Ted. 
My body was pressed closely against him, and my arm was around his stomach. 
Well, maybe a little lower than his stomach. The strange scent of him didn't fill 
me with the same arousal as Lisa did but it was - unsettling. 
 
I was about to disengage myself when Ted rolled over and slid his arm around 
me, pulling me close. A smile came to his lips, but his eyes remained closed as 
his hands pulled me into an embrace. This was getting awkward. His body was 
warm and solid against me and I began to feel him harden, his cock rubbing my 
own sex through my tee shirt and panties. I opened my mouth to wake him up, 
and he kissed my throat, causing my breath to freeze.
 
A slow burn of arousal began in the pit of my stomach. Not as strongly as if it 
was a woman, but it was still an arousal I couldn't deny. A part of me wanted to 
let him keep going. I could feel my nipples stiffening against him and the 
spreading warmth in my sex. God! This was bad. I was not a player!
 
No, I told myself firmly, this was not the right time to make this kind of decision 
and Lisa was - somewhere else. My mother's advice came shooting back into my 
mind. Not that she intended it for this circumstance, but right now it fit. 'Never 
go shopping when you are hungry,' she always said. I should make this decision 
with my mind, not my pussy. I pushed back on Ted enough to break the kiss. 
"Ted, wake up."
 
His eyes fluttered open and widened in surprise. "Ahhh..." 
 
I fluttered my eyelashes at him. "Is that a salami in your pocket or are you just 
happy to see me?"
 
Ted blushed furiously and slowly disengaged our entangled bodies. "I'm sorry. I 
was having a dream and..."
 
I waved off his explanation. "I understand, don't sweat it. It was actually kind of 
nice in an odd way but, if I decide to ask you both if we can play, it's not 
because I have discovered that men are really my bag. I like women and I do 
not see that changing."
 
Ted nodded. "I was worried that it would be something you might regret later. 
In my mind, you're not a lesbian, bi-sexual or straight. You're Hawk. Whoever 
you decide to have sex with is just you being you."
 
With a wry smile, I pulled him into a kiss that lasted several seconds. I was a bit 
breathless when I broke away. "I'm a bit worked up so I'm going to try and not 
make a decision right now, but I will make it soon. I promise." 
 
When I slid out of bed, I saw Lisa huddled on the couch and shook my head. 
Why did she move to the couch? Did I make her uncomfortable snuggling last 
night? Time to find out. 
 
I walked over to the couch and, with the same sly smile as before, I kissed her 
neck and was rewarded by an arched back and a sigh. 
 
"G'morning, Glory." When her eyes opened and she smiled, I knew everything 
was okay. "I kissed Ted good morning. Look what you've done to me." Then I 
kissed her on the lips. So sweet. It took a lot more willpower to stop than it had 
with Ted, but I forced myself to stand up.
 
Lisa groaned. "That's not playing fair."
 
I tweaked her nose. "Someone told you life was fair?" 
 
The sound of the bathroom door closing got my attention as Ted took advantage 
of my distraction to make a break and steal the bathroom. "Don't take forever! I 
need to pee!" I shouted.
 
His voice floated back through the door. "Then come in and pee. It's not locked." 
The sound of the shower immediately followed.
 
I looked at Lisa and her eyes twinkled at the possibilities. "He's a little cocky this 
morning," She finally said.
 
"More than a little," I muttered. "He was a lot just a few minutes ago."
 
Lisa laughed. "So, he tempted you, did he?"
 
When I reluctantly nodded, she pulled me to her and hugged me. "It's okay. 
Let's get revenge and torture him back. Let's go join him in the shower for a 
good suds up."
 
I closed my eyes. I shouldn't be shopping... I shouldn't be shopping... I looked at 
her again and thought about the choice I had suspected I would make since last 
night.
 
I thought about taking a shower with Lisa and started weighing the cost versus 
the benefits. With a sigh I nodded. "Oh, hell. Let's do it." Crossing my arms, I 
pulled my shirt off over my head. Lisa's eyes were drawn to my breasts and I 
could see her eyes dilating. The little gold rings piercing my nipples glittered in 
the light. They were stiffening again. 
 
"Doesn't that hurt?” she asked, tentatively touching one with her fingertip. 
 
"Not as much as the other ones," I said with a lop-sided grin. "The two 
downstairs, and the one in my tongue, hurt more."
 
Her eyes widened in shock. "Oh, my God! You didn't!"
 
I stuck my tongue out and the small, flat-topped flesh colored stud near the tip 
of my tongue was revealed. "I don't wear the metal ball much anymore and this 
keeps people from making a big deal about it. I can put the ball-stud back in if I 
decide to."
 
She examined it closely, her hand cupping my face. "Every other tongue stud 
I've seen has been further back. Why is yours so close to the tip of your 
tongue?"
 
"Further back is for adding to a man's pleasure during oral sex. Near the tip of 
the tongue is for a woman's pleasure,” I said, enjoying the touch of her.
 
"Ohhh!" She flushed a little. "I guess I never thought it through."
 
Stepping back, I hooked my thumbs through my panties. "Do you want to see 
the rest?" My breathing was speeding up. This was too much like foreplay. 
 
I could see the mixture of desire and restraint warring on her face and threw 
caution to the wind, pulling off my panties. 
 
Lisa's eyes were drawn to the two golden rings on the upper part of both of my 
labia that peeked out of the unruly hair. Not much reason to shave with no sex 
life. I let her eyes devour my sex for a moment and then pulled her to her feet. 
"If we're going to do this, let's do it before I lose my nerve." In a flash, she 
stripped off and pulled me along into the bathroom. 
 
The shower was one of those tubs with a sliding door. As I sat on the can, 
thinking about it, she slid the door open and climbed in with Ted. The murmured 
conversation wasn't audible over the water. Was I really ready for this? Did I 
really want to have sex with Ted? Another sigh.
 
When I was done and slid the shower door open, Ted didn't look too surprised, 
so I figured Lisa must have told him I was coming. Ted had his back to the 
shower and Lisa was standing in front of him, a soapy washcloth in hand, 
washing his chest. I slipped in behind her and closed the door.
 
"I've decided to join you, if that's okay," I said.
 
At their smiles of welcome, I grabbed another cloth and soaped it up, and then I 
started washing Lisa's back. I hadn't been this close to a naked woman since 
Sharon two years ago. My mouth was watering. That was what I needed to do, 
focus on Lisa. 
 
With a murmur, Ted took the washcloth from Lisa and started washing her front. 
She stood there and let us bathe her. God, this was so erotic. Then she slowly 
turned to face me. "Wash my front?” she asked. 
 
I took a deep breath and nodded. "You are a cruel woman, Lisa Davis." 
Freshening the suds, I started at her shoulders and worked my way south. Her 
nipples were stiff and prominent as I washed her breasts. Using one hand, I 
lifted each breast to wash beneath it. Her eyes closed and she relaxed into my 
touch. The slick feel of her woman flesh made me ache with desire, but I held it 
in check and washed lower, cleaning her stomach. 
 
When I got to her legs, I looked to see what she wanted. Her eyes opened and 
examined mine. Then she lifted one foot and set it on the side of the tub 
spreading her legs. Oh, God. Breathing heavily, I ran my hand over the rag 
before stepping right next to her and sliding my fingers between her legs. She 
gasped, but her eyes never left mine as I ran my soapy fingers through her 
folds. When I touched her nub she groaned, her breathing hard and fast. I slid 
two fingers inside her and thought she was going to collapse. Her lips sought 
mine and we kissed passionately. I knew I was doomed now; even with the price 
I would pay, my body had finished making the choice for me. We were going to 
do this. All of us. God help me; I must have lost my mind.
 
Breaking the kiss, I looked at them both. "I've made my choice. I want to make 
love to Lisa. I don't know how I will react to you, Ted, but I'll try. Please, go 
slow." They both hugged me.
 
I dropped the cloth and ran my other hand to her breasts. Lisa's stiff nipples dug 
into my palm as I squeezed her. My eyes were a bit unfocused as I broke our 
embrace. "I need to wash you out before the soap irritates you." I looked over 
her shoulder at Ted, who was watching us and no doubt sporting a monster 
woody. "Ted, help hold her up."
 
Falling slowly to my knees, I picked the rag back up and cleaned her ass. Then I 
handed it to Ted and caught the water spray in my open hands and started 
rinsing her. She had a beautiful pussy. It was trimmed neatly on her mons and 
shaved at her labia, the silky hair the same blonde as her head. Her labia were 
engorged and her perky nub was peaking out at me. So, I wasn't the only one 
that had been worked up.
 
When I opened her and rinsed inside, her legs almost collapsed. "Oh, come on 
Lisa. This is nothing. How are you going to react when I do something like this?" 
Giving in to my lust, I swiped my tongue across her clit and she spasmed like a 
lightning bolt had struck her. Then I ran my tongue from the bottom of her sex 
to the top before pulling back. The taste of her made me exult. I looked up at 
her and grinned. "Or perhaps I should save that for the bed."
 
Her voice husky with need, she growled, "Now who's being cruel? Come up 
here." Then she pulled me up and kissed me passionately again. Our arms 
wrapped around one another. Then Ted's arms wrapped around both of us and 
he kissed Lisa's neck as his hands caressed my back. I focused on her but the 
touch of both of them felt good.
 
Lisa smiled and maneuvered herself around, leaving me between her and Ted. I 
turned to face her as she moved, so Ted was behind me. I could feel his erection 
and tried not to let it bother me. She took the wash cloth from Ted and began 
cleaning me. Her hands shot sparks straight down to my pussy. She smiled that 
sexy smile at me and kissed me as her hand went to my sex. It felt so good that 
I was having trouble standing up. Ted held me up and my thrusting hips were 
rubbing him against my ass.
 
The hot water cascaded off all three of us as we played. Ted's hands came 
between Lisa and me, cupping my breasts. His gentle pinches of my nipples 
excited me and I moaned into Lisa's mouth as our tongues danced. Lisa knelt 
and slid a soapy finger into me. I arched back and into Ted's arms, turning my 
head to kiss him. It started softly but heated up as Lisa plunged a second finger 
inside me. Again, kissing Ted wasn't like a woman, but it was good. I moaned 
when Lisa started rinsing me.
 
Then she was standing again and kissing me with Ted, their mouths dueling with 
each other and mine. "I think this shower can wait," Lisa said. "Let's go back to 
bed and do this right. It's a first for both of us and I want it to be perfect."
 
Ted turned off the water and we all stepped out together. We took turns drying 
each other. Arm in arm, we went back to the bed and lay down. I was getting 
nervous. 
 
Lisa smiled at me. "Ted, I want you to watch me make love to a woman for the 
first time before you join us. Do you mind? I want to bring her in slowly."
 
He laughed. "Let me see, you want to know if I mind watching two beautiful 
women make love? No, you go ahead and I'll watch and join in when you two 
are ready."
 
I smiled gratefully at Ted and pulled Lisa into my arms. "Thank you. I'm a bit 
nervous."
 
"So am I," she admitted, “but I bet you can help with that."
 
As an answer, I kissed her. I lost myself in her sweet lips. When I couldn't wait 
any longer, I ran my lips down her long neck to her breasts. Her soft cries told 
me she liked what I was doing to her. Her nipples were rock hard as I sucked on 
them. She grasped my head and arched her back. I enjoyed the taste of her skin 
and the firmness of her body as my hands caressed her.
 
"Please…" she cried out, her hands pushing me lower.
 
With a chuckle, I began kissing down her stomach and ran my tongue through 
her pubic hair. That made her hips jump with desire. I thought about torturing 
her more, but in the end, I couldn't get past my own hunger. 
 
"Is this what you want?" I asked, planting my next kiss right on her labia. "Tell 
me what you want."
 
She stared at me, her blue eyes wide and hungry. "Yes…" She hissed through 
her teeth. "I want it. Kiss my pussy, Hawk."
 
I gave myself over to my passion and kissed her sex again, opening my mouth. 
As my tongue entered her, she arched her back, moaning. Slowly, tantalizingly, I 
licked the full length of her and then settled in to enjoy this. She tasted 
wonderful, tangy and sweet all at once. I lost myself in her.
 
It was not long at all before I felt the first signs of her impending orgasm. The 
cries, the muscle twitches, the flood of nectar. I worked two fingers inside her 
and sucked her clit into my mouth. Small nips of my teeth and the rough side of 
my tongue brought it fully out from beneath its hood. Then I sucked it in 
earnest. 
 
Lisa's legs wrapped around my head and her hands ground my face into her sex. 
With a sharp cry, she arched her back and came explosively, drenching my face. 
I slowly lapped her juices as she came down from her first bisexual experience. 
 
"Oh, god! Hawk, that was wonderful." She gasped. 
 
I purred and climbed her body, planting kisses all the way. "I'm glad you liked 
it." I looked deeply into her eyes. "Are you ready to make love to me?" At her 
nod, I lay down beside her and let her climb on top of me her damp sex rubbing 
against mine as she straddled me. Looking down, her long blonde hair cascaded 
across my face.
 
"I'm not nervous anymore, Hawk," she confided. Then she kissed me. The taste 
of her juices seemed to make her crazy. She was wild, her tongue digging deeply 
into my mouth. When she abruptly sat back, breathing heavily, her eyes smoked 
at me from under her wild hair. "You are so hot."
 
She slid down between my legs and began kissing my breasts. I know that they 
aren't much but she seemed to like them. “I love these rings. They feel nice on 
my tongue. I could suck your tits for hours but I can't stand it. I have to taste 
you right now.” 
 
As she kissed her way down my stomach, I looked over at Ted. He was lying 
beside us, watching. He slowly stroked his cock. I still wasn't sure, but it was 
time to try. With nervous hands, I pulled his mouth to mine. After a brief kiss, I 
pulled back. "Kiss me and suck my nipples, Ted."
 
Right as he began kissing me in earnest, I felt Lisa's fingers spreading my lips 
and a stream of warm air blowing across my clit. It felt so good. Then she licked 
my clit, just a taste, her first taste of another woman. I would have asked her 
how she liked it, but I didn't need to after she groaned and buried her face 
between my legs, licking and sucking. She was doing things to me that made me 
melt inside. 
 
I kissed Ted with sudden passion, wanting his touch, needing to kiss him. I 
guided his hands to my breasts and arched under his touch. "Suck my nipples, 
Ted. Suck them like Lisa is sucking my clit." She clamped her lips around my clit 
right as Ted began sucking my nipples. I held his head, the dual sensations 
setting a fire inside me.
 
When Lisa slid her fingers inside me, I saw stars. When I came, and I had no 
doubt the neighbors heard me. I thrashed madly around and then collapsed in a 
heap in the bed. Both of them came up and kissed me.
 
"How was it," I asked her breathlessly. "How was your first pussy?"
 
She laughed and kissed me. "I loved it. I'd spend some time describing what I 
feel like, but I want Ted to fuck me while you sit on my face and watch him."
 
Lying back, she spread her legs for Ted and I watched with a mixture of 
fascination and apprehension as he slowly worked himself into her soaked pussy. 
I still wasn't sure I could do that. She sighed and wrapped her legs around his 
waist before looking at me. “Kiss Ted while he fucks me.”
 
The mixture of known and new helped settle my fluttering stomach as I lowered 
my sex onto her face. Her arms wrapped around my hips and pulled me onto her 
tongue. All my apprehension fled as she worked her magic. I found myself 
watching a man fuck a woman up close for the first time as he gripped her waist 
and drove into her with long strokes. Her moans vibrated against my sex and I 
saw that Ted was watching me. 
 
It was still odd, but I was getting used to the idea a little more. "You heard Lisa. 
Kiss me, Ted." I leaned forward to meet him and once again we were kissing 
deeply. I closed my eyes and lost myself in the sex without focusing on my own 
hang-ups.
 
We made love like this for a while. Lisa was raising my heat and Ted had moved 
down to chew on my nipples. I pushed my chest toward him and enjoyed his 
skill. Lisa surprised me with her aggressive approach. She worked a finger into 
my drenched pussy and finger fucked me for a short but wonderful time. Then, 
she once again replaced it with her mouth but I felt the tip of her finger rubbing 
my backdoor. 
 
My moan and hip movement was my acceptance of this new intruder. She slowly 
worked her finger into my ass and that set me on fire. I loved having my ass 
played with and even had some slender toys for just that occasion at home.
 
I groaned in need when Lisa shook under me with her release, leaving me close. 
Then she pushed Ted back and slid out from underneath me. "Take my place, 
Ted. Make Hawk come on that wonderful tongue of yours."
 
As Ted was switching places with her, I found all my nervousness coming back. 
My stomach knotted. This was the first time a man had ever touched me that 
way. Lisa settled on his cock and impaled herself with a sigh. Then she started 
kissing me and my fears retreated back into the recesses of my mind.
 
Ted began eating me. I had crossed the line now and was making love with a 
man. Still, he knew how to eat pussy. In a very short time, I forgot all about the 
details and was grinding myself into his face, sucking on Lisa's breast. I didn't 
care anymore who was making me feel good. God, I couldn't believe I was 
feeling like this.
 
When I came, it was great but not the best of the day. Lisa took that one, hands 
down, but Ted had done what had never been done before. He continued to eat 
me slowly as I came down.
 
Lisa slid off of him and dropped between his legs, wrapping her hand around his 
cock. "I think Ted has been a good boy and deserves a treat. Help me, Hawk." 
She smiled and crooked a finger at me.
 
I felt nervous but squashed my reluctance. "You start and let me work up my 
nerve." Leaning forward, I lay down on Ted, like we were in a sixty-nine and 
watched her take him into her mouth. Ted groaned into my sex as she took him 
into her throat. 
 
She bobbed her head and kept her blue eyes locked on mine as she brought him 
higher. The idea of sucking him both attracted and repelled me, but I found 
myself wanting to do more. 
 
"Coach me," I said. "I want to try."
 
She pulled back a little. "Take him into your hand and feel him, rub him."
 
He felt hot in my hand, soft and hard all at once. I looked into her eyes and 
began licking the head of his cock like an ice cream cone. The taste was different 
but not objectionable. She whispered advice in my ear. With a deep breath I 
sucked his head into my mouth. It was like sucking the head of one of the more 
lifelike of my dildos, but the texture and taste were indescribably different. I was 
making love to a man. Ted groaned and pushed more into my mouth, choking 
me a little. I pulled back.
 
"Not so much!" I gasped.
 
"Use your hand to control how deep he goes," she whispered.
 
I took him back into my mouth and started bobbing my head. He was thrusting 
his hips, fucking my mouth with little thrusts. As he became more active, I found 
myself scraping him with my teeth. Lisa helped me to learn by example. I didn't 
want to hurt him, so I paid close attention and it got better.
 
When she pulled back to watch, I realized I was making love with a man by 
myself and that was strangely exciting. Ted and I sixty-nined with growing 
passion. The taste of him became more intense and I was suddenly afraid he 
was going to come in my mouth. 
 
Lisa was there in a flash. "He's close?" At my nod, she pulled him out of my 
mouth and devoured him, bobbing furiously. Ted was going berserk with his 
tongue and I was surprised when I suddenly found myself totally aroused and 
riding his face for my pleasure. Arching my back and exploding, my reservations 
lost in this moment of total intimacy, I came once more. 
 
Ted heaved beneath me even as I was coming down, his mouth coming free in 
an inarticulate cry. Lisa pulled my hand over and I jacked his cock while she 
sucked on the head. It throbbed in my hand, pulsing in time with Lisa's moans. I 
knew he was coming in her mouth. She never broke eye contact with me as her 
- our - lover spent himself.
 
With a smile, she released him and slid closer, opening her mouth to show me 
his seed. I remembered asking her what it tasted like. Now she was offering me 
the chance to find out for myself. If I wanted to. 
 
Hell, in for a penny, in for a pound. I kissed her and she shared her catch with 
me. It was stronger than I expected, but I could handle that. Salty and a little 
bitter, it was somehow the essence of manhood. When she pulled back, I 
swallowed my share and then with a grin I swooped down to take his still 
twitching cock into my mouth and sucked. A few drops more coated my tongue, 
hot from the source.
 
Lisa pulled me off Ted and kissed him deeply. I sat back, catching my breath and 
wondering what was next. Ted pulled me into his embrace and we kissed just as 
deeply.
 
When he let me slip back a little, we all looked at each other before Ted spoke. 
"If you don't want to go further, I understand and it's okay."
 
That unleashed a welter of emotions inside me, but I firmly shook my head. "A 
deal is a deal. There is no such thing as a free lunch."
 
Lisa reached out and wiped a drop of his come off the corner of my mouth and I 
felt myself blushing at the connection to my most recent meal. We all giggled 
furiously. Lisa hugged us both. "I wouldn't force you to go all the way, Hawk, 
and the decision to take the next step isn't something you have to do. You 
satisfied the deal we made, as far as I'm concerned, but if we do more, I want 
you to do it because it is something you want."
 
We lay there, Ted on his back with Lisa and I on either side of him. I took a deep 
breath and shook my head. "No, I want to go all the way, at least once, but - 
just not yet. Besides, I need to get some condoms because I'm not on the pill. I 
need to absorb this and think about it. Ted, you're a great lover and I suppose 
some part of me must be bisexual because, there at the end, I wanted you, as a 
man to my woman."
 
My words hung in the air before he pulled me into his arms and held me. I 
listened to his heartbeat and drank in his scent as Lisa took up his other arm and 
her face lay next to mine on his chest.
 
"Let's not rush ahead," she agreed with me. "We have time, all the time in the 
world to do this. Besides," she said with a grin, "to be fair about it, you need to 
get a strap-on and make love to me to go all the way."
 
I smiled. "I have just the thing. You'll like it." I pulled myself loose from the pile 
of bodies and sauntered toward the bathroom. "I smell like sex so I need 
another shower. A private one, if we are ever going to get out of here. I'll be 
quick."
 
I made the shower as quick as I could, but my mind was awash with conflicting 
images and emotions. I drank deeply from the stream of water and realized I 
had no toothbrush. I wondered if everyone would smell Ted on my breath all 
day. Cocksucker breath. I shook my head and laughed at the absurdity of the 
situation. 
 
Ted and Lisa went in together as I came out, I suppose reaffirming their 
relationship after our threesome. No fresh clothes either. We had some shopping 
to do, or we need to have someone bring us some clothes, if we intended to stay 
away from the usual haunts.
 
I sat down naked on the bed and ran back over the events of the morning. I had 
rushed into making this decision, but it was not as bad as I had feared. I had 
some level of trust in Ted and even some emotional connection. Not love, no. I 
doubted I could ever feel the settle down kind of love for anyone but another 
woman. Still, I did care about Ted in a confused way. 
 
"I'm going to fuck Ted," I said to the empty room. It sounded unreal, but the 
mixture of fear and desire told me I was not going to weasel out of it. I had 
been made love to with strap-ons. How different could it be?
 
 
I was fully dressed when they finally came out of the bathroom. I also had my 
equilibrium back. "You kids have fun?"
 
They laughed and started dressing. "There is an IHOP right up the road. Let's eat 
breakfast and get cracking,” I said.
 
Ten minutes later, we were heading out. I stopped and gave Lisa one last kiss. 
"Thank you, Lisa," Then I gave Ted a deep kiss. "Thank you, Ted. You made my 
first time wonderful."
 
Turning to the car, I stopped dead in my tracks. The clerk, the one from last 
night who knew me, was standing not ten feet away with a look of pure 
astonishment on his face. Ohmigod! He knew my lesbian friends and he loved to 
gossip!



Chapter Eleven: On the case
 
Ted's point of view
 
Hawk was pretty upset when she saw the guy standing by the car looking like he 
had just seen a two headed goat. She rushed out and grabbed him by the shirt 
and slammed him against the car.
 
"This is not what it looks like," Hawk said.
 
Wide eyed, he nodded. "What do you think it looks like, Hawk? And, um, you 
have a hair stuck in your teeth. It's not blonde, Sugar."
 
Hawk let him go and slapped a hand across her mouth as though that would 
make it go away. Then, she slumped and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. 
"Okay, maybe it is what it looks like, but there is more to it, Javier. If I find out 
you blabbed my business to anyone, there will be consequences. Serious 
consequences. Am I coming across loud and clear?"
 
Javier nodded, wide eyed. "Hey, it's no business of mine if you sleep with a guy. 
I've been telling you that's the ticket for years." He leaned forward and 
whispered conspiratorially. "So, you kissed the cutie. Does that mean you had a 
good time?"
 
Hawk pushed him back against the car. "That's none of your business! Drop it, 
and keep your damned mouth shut about it! I mean it!" She pulled him off the 
car, and he staggered into the parking lot as she released him. Reaching into her 
pocket, she tossed me the keys.
 
I slid behind the wheel and started the car. Lisa climbed in front and Hawk into 
the back seat. As I drove off, I saw Javier talking excitedly into a cell phone, 
jumping up and down like a schoolgirl waving his other arm wildly in the air.
 
"He's going to tell everyone," Hawk said morosely, not even looking back at 
Javier. "He's probably already on the phone. It's going to be all over Houston 
before noon."
 
"Is it that bad?" I asked, turning up the street toward the International House of 
Pancakes we had passed on the way in.
 
Hawk looked up at the mirror and into my eyes. "Well, how would it affect your 
personal life if rumors you were gay started circulating?"
 
"With all the shit that gays and lesbians get, I'm surprised they would care,” Lisa 
said.
 
Hawk laughed without humor. "People are people. It may not be as bad, but 
mark my words, it will not be fun. It's ironic, in a way. Straight people will give 
me shit for being a lesbian and the hardcore lesbian community will smack me 
around for not being lesbian enough. Screw it, let's eat and get working."
 
Lisa was half-turned in her seat and nodded. "Right. I think we should split up 
for now. Ted and I will search Calvin's house and look for what those keys go to. 
You have Kotov to check out." Lisa sounded in control and Hawk didn't even 
argue. 
 
"I'll need wheels so I'll have to chance sneaking into my house," Hawk said. "I'll 
get you to drop me off after we eat. I can slip in the back way, change and be 
gone before anyone knows I'm there."
 
Reluctantly, Lisa agreed.
 
 
We ate quickly, with little conversation. We all had things to think about. Today 
had marked a changing point. Hawk had become a part of my relationship with 
Lisa, at least for a while. I hoped it wasn't a mistake that one, or all, of us would 
regret.
 
During breakfast, Lisa's cell phone rang and she had a brief conversation. When 
she hung up, she smiled wryly at Hawk. "It's you and me, kid, together in the 
same boat. My boss just got back into town and told me to get lost and stay that 
way until the police had a better handle on things. It looks like we both have 
been put out to pasture."
 
"Actually, in your case, that's a good idea," Hawk said, "and at least he may let 
you go back to work when you're done."
 
When we were finished eating, I drove through some back roads, under the 
guidance of Hawk. I had only a vague idea of where we were when she had me 
stop. 
 
"I'm going to keep my cell on until I'm on the road. Sit here and wait. The other 
side of that fence there is my back yard. Come running if I yell." She tossed Lisa 
a set of keys and slipped over the fence with a lot more grace than I would have 
managed. 
 
My cell rang. It was her. "No sign of entry in the back. I'm in, and the alarm was 
still on. I've locked up and rearmed it. Let me change. Hang on."
 
The sound of clothes changing could be heard. "Done, and I have a bag packed. 
I'm starting to run out of clothes. Now, I'm going to get my bike and get going." 
I could hear the sound of alarm buttons being pressed and a door opening. Then 
we heard the rough rumble of a Harley kicking off. "I'll turn the alarm back on 
and let it warm up before I get going. Just a few more minutes."
 
That was a nerve-wracking few minutes, but nothing went wrong. "Door's open 
and I'm out of here. I'll call if I get a good lead. You do the same. Ted, be 
careful and don't let Lisa get in over her head."
 
"I'll try to keep up," I said dryly. "Good luck." I hung up and heard the bike 
accelerating away. Starting the car, I retraced my course back out of the area.
 
"Hit Highway 45 south and let's go to Galveston," Lisa said. "Calvin's house is 
next on the hit parade. These keys seem really important. Daedalus, doesn't that 
have something to do with flying?" 
 
I shrugged. "You have me there. We'll have to look it up."
 
"Ted, thank you for this morning,” Lisa said after a few minutes.
 
I looked over at her and smiled. "As long as it doesn't come between us, I don't 
mind. I can't say I didn't have a good time."
 
She smiled. "I did, too, but if it becomes a problem, then it stops. We are what's 
important and everything else is just play. Deal?"
 
"Deal, Sweetie. I look forward to when we can get some time out on the town, 
just to ourselves, when this crazy stuff is over." 
 
 
I pulled onto 45 and started south. The drive was uneventful, and we talked 
about ourselves, getting to know each other even more. That felt really good. 
The connection I felt for her made me warm inside.
 
We pulled up in front of the two story house Lisa indicated and started looking at 
it from the outside. As I would have expected, there was no one around on a 
Monday morning because most people were at work by now. The house was 
older and the outside was a weathered blue. I didn't see anything that even 
indicated the police had been here. I stepped into the street. "Stay here and I'll 
go see if anyone's home."
 
I opened the gate and walked onto the small porch. It creaked beneath my 
weight. Hopefully, I wouldn't fall through. Several hard knocks on the door 
brought no response from inside, so I waved Lisa up. A quick check confirmed 
that the door was locked.
 
"Locked," I told her. "What now?"
 
She grinned and produced her keys. "I have his spare, just like he had mine." In 
a second she had the door open and we were in. The house was neat and clean 
inside. A thin, dark carpet covered the floor and the living room had sparse, but 
tasteful furniture. Lisa locked the door behind us.
 
"We start on the bottom floor and work our way up to the second. I don't know 
what we are looking for, but it'll take keys. Don't disturb things too much and 
use these." She handed me a couple of thin rubber gloves.
 
"Where did you get those?" I asked curiously. 
 
"I keep some in my purse for when I get called out to a crime scene," she 
replied.
 
I put my pair on and took a moment to wipe off the door we had already 
touched, both inside and out, before locking it again. I started in the living room, 
looking in drawers, under cushions and other places that seemed like a good 
place to hide something. I even looked behind paintings. In thirty minutes, we 
had cleared the first floor and were up to the second. There was a bedroom on 
the right and an office to the left; Lisa zeroed in on the office so I took the 
bedroom. 
 
It was a lot less flamboyant that I would have expected from a gay man. I 
suppose my preconceptions were tripping me up. Tasteful curtains and a 
sensible bed with a dark cover. I went to the dresser and looked through the 
clothes in it. Nothing. The closet was more interesting, but a bit embarrassing. 
Over the racks of suits and other nice clothes, there was a shelf of videos with 
titles like 'Men Who Love Men,' and 'Manly Deep Throat.' I was about to close the 
door when I saw something that didn't look right. All were commercial tapes 
except for one that didn't have a label.
 
I pulled it out and looked for the VCR. If it was a porno, I could put it back. The 
small TV on the dresser had a built in VCR so I turned it on and popped the tape 
in. The picture was a bit grainy, but clear enough to make out the details. It was 
obviously taken from a hand held camcorder. The scene was a parking lot at 
what looked like a grocery store. 
 
Two cars were parked so that the driver's doors were side by side. There was a 
good view of their faces, though neither one of them looked at all familiar to me. 
The cars couldn't have been more different, though; the men either. A sporty red 
coupe with a slick man sporting dark hair in his forties and a beat up, rusty 
Dodge pickup with a gray old man with frizzy hair. The angle wasn't good 
enough to see the license plates. The man in the coupe passed a paper bag to 
the older man, and the older man reached in and pulled out what sure looked 
like a bundle of money. It was too far away to read denominations, but I didn't 
imagine it was a bundle of ones.
 
My eyebrows rose. That looked interesting. I rewound the tape and went into 
the office to check on Lisa. She was sitting at the desk poring over an 
appointment book, to my eye, somewhat unhappily. "Lisa, I found something."
 
She looked up. "I did, too. I found Calvin's appointment book. There's an entry 
marked 'wire payoff funds' and a check mark beside it."
 
I shook my head. "Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. We don't know what it 
means. If it's bad news about Calvin, we'll find out soon enough. If it's not, don't 
beat yourself up over it now. As for the police, maybe they are not as serious as 
Hawk and haven't gotten here yet. We need to get out of here soon." I took her 
hand and pulled her to her feet. "I found a tape that sure looked like an 
exchange of money."
 
When she was in the bedroom, I hit play. "Oh, my god! That's Zed Barclay, the 
Galveston District Attorney! I don't know the other man, but why the hell is 
someone like Barclay giving him bag full of money?" When the scene ended in 
snow on the screen, she popped the tape out and stuffed it in her purse. 
 
I held the appointment book while she was doing that and the bookmark caught 
my attention. An admission ticket for something, date stamped last month. I 
pulled it out and looked at it. Admit one to Seawolf Park. I was familiar with the 
place though I had never been there. Two rusting World War II warships. A 
small surface ship and an attack submarine, were open to the public to help pay 
for the slow restoration. I put it back in place and watched her.
 
We heard the sound of the front door opening. "You take the kitchen," said an 
unknown male voice. "I'll take the living room. When we finish down here, we'll 
go the upstairs."
 
Lisa's eyes were huge and she quietly closed the bedroom door. "It's Murphy! 
He's a cop down here. He hates Hawk and he's none to fond of me after 
yesterday! We need to get out of here before he finds us, but how?"
 
I opened the window and it made a horrible noise that I was sure would bring 
the cops down on us, but they must not have heard it. Amazing. The screen 
came out without too much trouble. A quick look at the roof told me that we 
were on the front of the house and the angle of the roof wasn't too bad. I saw 
what must have been an unmarked police car behind mine on the street.
 
"We'll climb out, but be careful. Let me close the screen back up and we'll look 
for a way down," I said. With a boost, I helped her out and onto the roof. I then 
pulled myself out and closed the window behind me. Thank god, the screen went 
back into place easily. 
 
The window exited onto the roof with one of those little arches. Lisa climbed up 
the roof to the top of the window arch, out of sight. I followed her, holding the 
appointment book we had found between us. Before we could further our plan of 
escape, the window opened back up. We froze, staring at each other. 
 
"What is it?" Murphy asked. 
 
"I thought I heard something," the other man said. "I don't know what it was, 
but it sounded like it was upstairs."
 
"Nothing in the office, here or the attached bathroom. The screen is still on the 
window so it must have been squirrels or something," Murphy said. "Let's get 
back to work."
 
"Yeah…" 
 
The window closed, and we both sagged with relief but kept quiet for a few 
minutes, just in case. When we felt safer, we slid down the roof and I found a 
metal pole, probably from an old TV antenna that was long gone. I handed Lisa 
the book and slid down safely. She dropped the book and her purse before 
sliding awkwardly down. I caught her and we ran for the car. I didn't feel safe 
until we were blocks away with no signs of pursuit.
 
"That was too close," I said. "I somehow don't see them being very forgiving of 
our taking the evidence."
 
"Shit," she said. "We shouldn't have taken it but what the hell were they doing 
waiting so long? They should have looked everything over on Saturday. There 
should never have been anything for us to find. Now we're really committed 
because we can't just turn it in. If my boss is involved, I can't be sure who to 
trust now. Do you think Calvin was running a covert investigation on Zed?"
 
I shrugged. "It's possible and might explain some things. Where next?"
 
"I need time to read through this and decide what we do next." She considered 
while I drove. "While we are down here, do you mind if I check on my mother 
and get some clothes?"
 
I shook my head. "No, I don't mind. Clothes first?" I smiled at her nod. "Good, 
I've been wanting to see how the other half lives."
 
"My place, then. Turn left." She directed me to a small two bedroom house not 
too far from the beach. Following her directions, I drove past it and parked a half 
block away.
 
"Let's both go in, and we can be out in a few minutes," she said as she climbed 
out of the car. "I'll toss a few things in a bag while you watch for trouble."
 
 
Her house was neat and orderly. There was a collection of what looked like 
family pictures on a small table near the door. While she gathered some things, I 
looked them over. Her mother was an older version of her. In the ones with Lisa, 
I would judge Lisa was a late teen. There was also a dark haired boy in the 
family shots. He had a quiet, somber air about him, almost withdrawn. That 
must be Arthur, her black-sheep older brother. Thin and gaunt, his eyes were 
like the tar pits in California, absorbing everything that touched them.
 
I shook my head. All teens seemed like a different species. I took a walking tour 
of the rest of the house. Tasteful furniture and bright colors. Very nice.
 
I hadn't been sure what a single woman's house would look like beforehand but 
this seemed to suit her busy lifestyle without being barren. The walls had a 
series of landscape prints in nice frames. Mountains, forests and waterfalls 
dominated the style, but there was one of a single oak tree in a field, standing 
tall and alone. In my mind, that one suited her best. It was a bit crooked on the 
wall, so I leveled it out.
 
When I looked back over the room, I noticed it was a little like the picture, the 
clean lines of the layout were off by just a little bit. The couch was a little 
forward on one side, and the love seat had one cushion out further than the 
other. It looked like someone had searched the room and had not been very 
careful in putting things back in order.
 
"Lisa! I think the living room was searched. We need to get out of here," I called 
up the stairs.
 
"Same here," she shouted back. "I'm ready." The stairs clattered as she ran back 
down with a small overnight bag over one shoulder. "Let's go and keep an eye 
out for people watching us."
 
I felt like I had a target on my back when we bolted from the house. Was that a 
curtain falling into place across the street? That woman walking the little dog; 
was she watching us a bit too closely? The dry cleaning van up the street was 
it... I shook my head. I was being paranoid. Taking a deep breath, I slowed my 
pace. Lisa slowed down with me and we walked calmly to my car.
 
Once we were moving and I could look into my rearview mirror I started feeling 
better. I breathed a sigh of relief. "It looks like no one is following us. I'll make 
some more odd turns just to be sure, though."
 
When we were both moderately certain we were safe, she gave me directions to 
the nursing home where her mother was staying.
 
In the parking lot, I put my arm around her. "Your mom seemed pretty young in 
the pictures at your house. What happened?"
 
She shook her head. "A stupid car accident about a year and a half ago. The 
doctors say she has recovered from the injuries but she's in coma and won't 
wake up. I tell people that she doesn't know her own name but that's not really 
true. She's just asleep. All they can tell me is that she may wake up any day just 
as normal as she was before, or she may never wake up at all. They really don't 
know. The brain is a huge mystery to the doctors. I come and talk to her every 
day, if I can. This weekend is the longest time without me stopping in, and I feel 
bad about it." She looked at me. "I really think she can hear me."
 
I nodded. "I've heard something like that before. It surely can't hurt. I hope she 
wakes up soon." I held the door open for her.
 
The lobby was filled with older people, sitting in chairs or wheelchairs and 
watching TV or talking to friends or family, and some staff people manning the 
desk or moving among the residents. Two bird cages, a fish tank and a single cat 
were scattered around the room with them.
 
"You mentioned that your mother changed her will and that your brother 
stopped hanging around. Do you mind if I ask what that's all about?"
 
Lisa shook her head. "I don't mind. Arthur has always been a bit of an odd duck. 
Loner in school and at home, too. He got involved in one of those right wing 
groups that thinks the government is illegal and should be overthrown. One of 
the militias, I forget the name. He got arrested several times for damaging city 
or county property with his nut case friends. Mom always bailed him out of jail. 
Then I got my first job as an ADA in Dallas, where we lived, and he freaked out. 
We had this huge knock down, drag out fight and he was pretty wild. He scared 
both of us but my mother stuck to her guns and threw him out. Then she re-
wrote her will so that I was the primary beneficiary of her estate. Daddy left her 
pretty well off so it can pay for the expensive care she gets. It would be hard on 
my own. When Arthur found out he had a screaming cow. For the life of me, I 
can't imagine why he followed us down here. He keeps claiming it's because he's 
family, but I think he hopes that if he waits around, Mom will wake up and 
change her mind."
 
I scratched my chin. "If we weren't already pretty sure Calvin was the first 
target, he'd make a pretty good suspect."
 
Lisa laughed. "Puh-leeze! Arthur plan and execute a plot this complicated? The 
sun will go out first!" She waved to the nurses, leading me down a hall and into 
one of the rooms on the right side. There were two women in the room, both in 
bed. I knew the younger one was Lisa's mother from the pictures but she looked 
so different now. Lying as though asleep, her face was slack. The older woman 
was watching a soap opera on the television with the sound coming out of her 
remote control. The older woman smiled and they exchanged greetings.
 
Lisa pulled up a rolling chair and sat down beside the bed, taking her mother's 
hand into her own. "I'm sorry I didn't come by this weekend, Mother. It's been a 
real bear of a week." She looked up at me. "I want you to meet someone. This is 
Ted Stansbury. He and I have started dating." She smiled at me and then looked 
back at her mother's face. "I only just met him, but he's special. I can tell. I 
think you'll like him."
 
I stepped over to the other side of the bed and put my hand on her mothers 
other hand. "Mrs. Davis, it's a pleasure to meet you. Your daughter is really 
special to me, too, and I'm glad she likes me. I hope you get better soon."
 
Lisa smiled brightly at me. "Can you give us a few minutes alone, Ted? I'd like to 
have some girl talk."
 
Smiling, I nodded and went back into the hall. Closing the door behind me, I 
walked back up the hall toward the lobby. There was a fish tank with some 
tropical fish in the corner so I spent some time watching them swim around.
 
"They are like us humans," a male voice said behind me. I turned and looked at 
the elderly man in the wheelchair beside me. He looked to be in his eighties or 
nineties but his eyes were sharp and clear. "They swim around in circles but 
never seem to notice. We do the same, walking in the same rut and never seeing 
that we are in a glass tank."
 
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Is that such a bad thing? The fish seem pretty 
satisfied with their lives."
 
The man nodded. "And well they should be, but what if someone fails to feed 
them? Their world changes and they are out of control over what happens. Same 
thing for us humans. If our world does something we don't expect, many of us 
just roll over and float to the surface. It's the rare man or woman who can look 
at the world and see beyond the face presented to us. Even more rare to see 
someone do something about it."
 
"That's an interesting theory, sir. What do you see that is going on unnoticed 
around us?" I asked with a little curiosity.
 
"I saw you come in with that young woman a few minutes ago. She comes in 
four or five times a week to visit her mother. Poor woman. I pray for her every 
day. This is the first time I've seen you around, and that strikes me as odd, 
considering that you are the second new visitor that poor woman has had today. 
Is it her birthday?"
 
That got my attention. "No, I don't think it's her birthday. I've just started dating 
her daughter and she wanted to introduce us. Who else was here earlier?"
 
The man shrugged. "I don't know his name, but he was about your age, slim and 
dark haired. Really dark eyes. They were kind of cold. He had a snotty voice and 
was trying to boss the nurse around. He wanted something and he should have 
known better than to harass Nurse Cratchet. The woman is formidable. She set 
him back on his heels, I tell you!"
 
I frowned. That sounded like Arthur. Lisa said he didn't give a crap so why would 
he hang around now? "Did you hear what he wanted, sir?"
 
"Call me Doc. Everyone does. I was a general practitioner before the time of 
HMOs. I tell you, boy, those things are the ruination of our society. Costs go up 
and service goes down, all the while touting how they save money. For who, I 
ask you? Themselves. The government should do something about them."
 
Smiling at his feisty monologue, I asked again. "Did you hear what he wanted, 
Doc? And call me Ted."
 
He held out an aged hand and gave me a handshake that was more vigorous 
than I expected. "I sure enough did, Ted. It didn't make much sense to me but I 
guess I just don't know the whole story. He was looking to get into that poor 
woman's personal belongings to get her keys. Said he had left some things in her 
house, and his sister was being a bitch about letting him have what belonged to 
him. Cratchet wasn't hearing any of that and sent him packing. He made a real 
stink about it. I'd hoped they'd call the cops. Nothing livens up the day like 
having the cops show up and arrest someone."
 
“Does that happen a lot?” I asked with a chuckle.
 
“No,” he replied grumpily. “Not nearly often enough.”
 
I felt my eyebrows rising. "I'll make sure and tell her, Doc. She'll see that he gets 
put in his place. I don't think she will be too friendly toward him either."
 
The old man laughed. "Good! That boy reminded me of someone I hated when I 
was your age. I got over on him though. He stole my girlfriend and left me high 
and dry. He got what was coming when she got pregnant and he had to marry 
her. Both of them are still alive and on each other's nerves every day. Thank god 
I didn't marry that shrew! I'd have been in a mental hospital, or prison, by forty." 
He winked slyly at me. "I pray for them to have a nice long life together, too. 
Every day."
 
I shook my head. "You're something, Doc. Remind me never to get on your bad 
side. I'll leave you to keep an eye on the place and go see if my girl is ready to 
go."
 
He shook my hand and let me leave. As I walked back up the hall, I wondered 
what Arthur had really been doing here and what he wanted from Lisa's mother's 
house. The guy seemed a bit slimy. When I knocked at the door, Lisa opened it. 
"Honey, we need to go."
 
"Okay," she said. "Let me say goodbye." Lisa bent over her mother and kissed 
her cheek. "Mom, I'll be back soon. I love you. Goodbye, Ellen." The older 
woman hugged Lisa and patted her back. When Lisa came back, her eyes had 
tears in them but she wasn't crying.
 
 
I put an arm around her waist and walked out slowly with her. When we got to 
the lobby, I waved at Doc. He grinned and gave me a thumbs up. In the parking 
lot, I was looking at the various cars and people more closely. "Someone else 
came to visit your mom today." I quickly passed on the details as she became 
more alarmed.
 
When I was done, she shook her head. "What in the world does he have to gain? 
All the valuables from her house are in storage, and I have the keys. Hell, I have 
her keys, too. The nursing home doesn't have any of that. What the hell is 
Arthur playing at?"
 
I kept looking around as she talked so I had a lead on the trouble when it 
popped up. "You can ask him yourself. That is him over there, isn't it?"
 
She turned to look with me at the ratty looking brown Ford Pinto with a man that 
fit the description. He was glaring at us from behind the steering wheel, his lank 
dark hair looking unwashed and dirty. "Shit! It is him! What in the..."
 
The car started, not with a roar but more with a wheeze. With a clunk, it started 
out of the parking spot it was backed into and limped toward us. Not the fastest 
in the world but faster than we could run and he gripped the steering wheel with 
white knuckles as his eyes glittered with what seemed like an almost mad 
appearance.
 
I started running with her to the side of the lot and thought we would make it 
until the car suddenly roared and shot ahead right at us, accelerating hard. He 
was going to hit us before we could get to safety!



Chapter Twelve: Anchors aweigh 
 
Ted's point of view
 
I grabbed Lisa and ran toward the parked cars even though I didn't think we 
would make it. The Pinto accelerated hard, the eyes of her brother slitted above 
a snarl. I felt an instinctive need to close my eyes when he slammed on the 
brakes and screeched to a halt just a few feet from us. The rough idle of the car 
didn't last long as it sputtered into silence.
 
We stopped running and panted as we stared at the little bastard. Arthur 
sneered at us as the car door opened with a sharp metallic groan. He was 
wearing what his car suggested he could afford; ratty jeans, a torn western shirt 
and sneakers I would have thrown away years ago. A day's growth of stubble 
finished off his lean face. I didn't really think he looked much like Lisa or her 
mother.
 
"Sorry about that," Arthur said in a completely insincere tone. "The accelerator 
stuck when I tried to pull up and talk with you, Sissy." 
 
He might as well have just waved a red flag in front of Lisa. If steam had started 
pouring out of her ears while her head started spinning, I wouldn't have been a 
bit surprised. 
 
"Goddammit, Arthur!" she shouted as she started toward him, her hands balling 
tightly into fists. She struggled with me when I wrapped my arms around her to 
hold her back. It was like a rerun of the confrontation that she had gone through 
with Price at my house. I made a mental note to myself that she did have a 
sharp temper when riled. 
 
"Let go of me, Ted," Lisa finally said in a low voice. Her tone brooked no 
argument, so I let her go. She stood her ground and glared at her brother. "I'm 
done with this childish bullshit, Arthur. Is it time for me to get a restraining order 
to keep you from being an ass to me and bothering the staff up here? You 
should know better than to think they have mother's stuff here. They certainly 
have no keys for you!"
 
Arthur laughed mockingly back at Lisa. "Like some piece of paper from an 
illegitimate government will keep me from going where I want? Please, save it 
for the poor saps who have been duped by this so-called democracy. I'll go 
where I want, talk with whom I please, and I will have what is mine!"
 
Lisa rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Don't roll out that damned separatist 
crap for me again. If you want to believe it, that's fine. Just leave it at home in 
whatever fleabag rat trap you're sleeping in this week. What are you being 
denied this time?” she asked, her foot tapping impatiently.
 
Arthur leaned forward, the sneer never slipping from his face. "I want my share 
of mother's estate."
 
Lisa laughed in Arthur's face. "Fat chance of that!" Arthur turned red but Lisa 
rolled right over whatever he was going to say. "Let me lay out the facts for you, 
genius. Mother isn't dead! I know that comes as a shock to you, but she's right 
in there. That building you were in a while back. Remember it?"
 
"Save your lawyer crap, Sissy. She is never going to wake up. Mother is as dead 
as if she were in the ground. All she is now is a machine that turns food into shit. 
You should have some mercy on her poor body and let it die." 
 
There was no way in hell I could have caught her this time. Lisa snarled and 
climbed him like a squirrel. She was all over him like white on rice, beating on 
him with her fists. 
 
The cretin flinched and then tried to shove her off, but she just popped him in 
the face. 
 
"Owww!" he cried as he backpedaled. 
 
That gave me the space I needed to grab her again. She struggled hard and 
snarled at him.
 
Arthur held out his hand and looked at the blood on it from his nose. "Bitch, I 
should call the fucking cops on you and your gigolo! This is assault!"
 
Lisa stopped struggling and laughed at him. "What? The big, bold separatist 
needs to call on the authorities he says are illegitimate and illegal? Does anyone 
else see the irony in that? I thought you lived off the land and solved your own 
problems?"
 
That struck the mark. Arthur snarled and took a step forward but stopped when I 
pushed Lisa behind me. "Stay out of this, dickhead. This is between me and my 
bitch sister!"
 
I shook my head. "Not anymore. I'm making this my business. Hit the road 
before I help you hit it my way." I out-weighed the scrawny bastard by thirty 
pounds or so and none of it was fat. I raised an eyebrow in invitation. "Like your 
sister, I solve my own problems. You should take a page from her: solve this one 
yourself and leave."
 
"Fuck you," he snarled even as he backed away from me. "That bitch of a sister 
has been living off Mother's money, so why shouldn't I get my fair share? I will 
get it, one way or another!"
 
"You idiot!" Lisa shouted back at him. "I live off my own money and all Mother's 
does is pay for her care."
 
With the first real menace I had heard yet, he laughed. "You'd like me to believe 
that, wouldn't you? Well, I have news for you, bitch. I do solve my own problems 
and you better reconsider before I solve you."
 
As Arthur got back in the Pinto, the door slammed with a creak, and I pulled Lisa 
behind some of the parked cars. At first, I didn't think his car would start at all, 
but it finally caught and he stomped on the gas, only to have it die again. I 
shook my head and smiled. Arthur slammed his hands against the steering wheel 
and cranked it laboriously back to life. Then, at long last, he wheezed out of the 
parking lot and down the road in a cloud of smoke.
 
"Call this a subtle premonition, but I don't think we're on the invite list to his 
next clam bake,” I said in a sotto voice.
 
"God!" she shouted and slapped the tailgate of the truck next to us with a solid 
thump, setting off its alarm. "That asshole has really done it this time! I will 
swear out a restraining order and toss his skinny ass in jail if he fucks with me 
again!"
 
"I don't think he is all there," I pointed out. "He's not going to lay off. He's going 
to keep pushing your buttons trying to get what he wants. You need to just do 
it."
 
"I know," she growled. "It's just hard. He's still my brother."
 
Sliding my arm around her shoulders, I started walking back toward my car, 
away from the wailing alarm. She slid her arm around me and sighed. 
 
"Why can't I have Stan for a brother? He's such a nice guy," she groused.
 
I laughed. "Because, then you'd be my sister, and that just wouldn't do!"
 
She smiled and shook her head. "You know what I mean. Someone like him. 
Never mind, I'm stuck with Arthur. I only pray he never breeds." She shuddered 
under my arm.
 
When we got to my car and I unlocked it, Lisa noticed something was wrong 
right away. "Shit! The tape and appointment book are gone!"
 
We looked all around the inside of the car, just to be sure, but they were gone. 
The ticket stub from Seawolf Park was between her door and her seat. I looked 
at the passenger side door and could see a tear in the weather-stripping. I'd 
been slim jimmied. 
 
I raised an eyebrow. "Should we call the police?"
 
She laughed without humor. "And tell them what? That someone broke into your 
car and stole some evidence that we stole from a crime scene? That ought to go 
over well. Or tell them someone jimmied your car and took nothing before 
locking it up behind them?"
 
Shrugging, I nodded. "That does make a certain kind of sense. Well, do you 
think it was your brother?"
 
She shook her head. "I doubt it. Why would he want them? Also, he's not that 
neat. He'd just bash in the window, I think. My bet is that someone else was 
watching Calvin's house and followed us, somehow."
 
I shrugged. "If nothing else, it tells us that the information was important. At 
least they don't have the keys you have. If, of course, we ever figure out where 
to look for the locks they open." 
 
We climbed in my car, and I pulled out of the parking lot. Lisa sat there looking 
at the only remaining thing from Calvin's house, the ticket stub, frowning.
 
"Where now? Back to Houston?" I asked.
 
"No," she said slowly. "Head to Broadway and then over to fifty-first street. This 
ticket may be more important than it looks. The keys are labeled S.W.P. and it's 
possible that means Seawolf Park. I don't know why I didn't make that 
connection before."
 
I made the turn onto Broadway. "Because you didn't have time to really look at it 
with all the other information?"
 
Lisa nodded. "That's as good a reason as any." She turned in her seat and 
looked out the back window. "Now I'm paranoid. Let's go past fifty-first and go 
through the McDonald's drive through. A Big Mac and fries are called for, and 
maybe we can tell if we are being shadowed." She pulled her cell phone out of 
her purse. "I promised we would call Hawk if we found anything. It's a little late 
but I need to clue her in."
 
As I drove south, I listened in on her half of the conversation.
 
"Hawk, Lisa. We have some new information."
 
She nodded. 
 
"I'll make it quick and you can call me back when you are free to talk. We found 
a tape at Calvin's and his appointment book. Murphy showed up, but we got out 
without him seeing us. The tape showed the Galveston DA passing cash to 
someone I don't know."
 
Lisa looked over at me and took a deep breath.
 
"Then I got stupid and left them in the car when we stopped to check on my 
mother. Someone jimmied the car and took them."
 
She pulled the phone away from her ear and I could hear the elevated buzzing 
coming from it.
 
"I know! I was stupid! You can join me in tearing myself up for making such an 
amateur mistake. My idiot brother was there but I don't think..." She listened to 
an interruption. "No, he's not that smart. He'd just smash the window. Listen, 
before you go, we have a ticket stub that was in the appointment book. S.W.P. 
on the keys could be Seawolf Park."
 
More buzzing and Lisa shook her head.
 
"No, I'll be careful and look for tails but we need to get there before someone 
has a chance to figure out to look there, if they can, from the other evidence. I 
won't wait, but you can come down when you can, or we'll call after we look 
around."
 
She pulled the phone away from her ear again and winced at the volume. 
Covering the mouthpiece, she smiled wryly at me. "She's not happy that we are 
not waiting but she only has a minute to talk."
 
Putting the phone back to her ear, she interrupted Hawk. "Look, you need to go. 
We'll call if we find anything. Good luck, and be careful." Without waiting for a 
response, she disconnected and sighed. "She is going to chew me out when she 
catches up with me."
 
"Can I watch?" I asked with a grin.
 
She laughed and slugged my arm. "Silly! That's not what I meant! Men!" Then 
she leaned over and kissed my neck in a way that sent shivers down my spine. 
 
"If I didn't need to look for people following us, I'd let you watch me chew you 
out while we drive down the street," she whispered in a sultry voice as she 
nibbled my ear. "Have you ever had a blowjob while driving?"
 
I felt myself stiffening. Little Ted sure was all in favor of that idea but she was 
right. Now was not the time. "No, but you're right. That needs to wait."
 
Lisa reached down and massaged me through my pants, but nodded. "I promise 
to make it up to you as soon as a good opportunity presents itself." Reluctantly, 
she released me and returned her attention to the rear of the car.
 
I saw the McDonalds up ahead and tried thinking of food to relax my hardness. 
Deep breaths. By the time we were in the line at the drive through, it was at 
least a little more comfortable. We both ordered a Big Mac meal. She went for 
the diet drink to my Dr. Pepper. I parked the car so we could watch traffic as we 
ate. 
 
She sat turned in her seat and split her attention between me and traffic outside 
as she ate. Big bites, no dainty nibbles, for this woman. "God, I love their fries! I 
don't care what is in the grease, they taste like heaven!" 
 
I laughed and nodded my agreement. "That they do. It's a good thing I cook in a 
lot, or I would weigh a ton just from them."
 
Lisa waved a finger at me. "Don't you get on my case for eating them, Ted 
Stansbury! This has been a stressful day! Cut me a little slack, will you?"
 
Holding up my hands in surrender, I smiled. "I would never criticize. I love your 
curves."
 
Then I looked out and around. Still nothing or no one that looked like they were 
following us. 
 
"Lisa, did you enjoy this morning?" I asked her while sipping my drink.
 
She nodded. "I did. I hadn't ever been attracted to a woman like I have been to 
Hawk. Not love, just physical attraction and curiosity. I used to think most 
women were bi-curious at some point in their lives. Now, I don't know if that's 
true or just me."
 
She looked at me and licked the salty fry taste off her lips. That made me hard 
again in an instant. 
 
"Don't take this the wrong way, but as great as you are at oral sex, she was... 
She ate me better than I have ever imagined. She knew right where to go and 
what to do."
 
I shook my head and smiled. "That's only to be expected, I guess. She knows 
what feels good. I'll talk with her and let her give me some pointers the next 
time we are both between your legs."
 
Lisa shivered in reaction and I could see her nipples poking out clearly. "God, 
that sounds like heaven. I enjoyed going down on her, but it was nothing like 
sucking your cock, swallowing you into my throat, feeling your come coating my 
tongue. That's the kind of oral sex I love."
 
Then she smiled wickedly. "But enough about me. Did you enjoy Hawk's first 
blowjob? Sliding your tongue into her wet pussy? Going where no man has ever 
gone before?"
 
I laughed and did my best William Shatner imitation. "You're making me feel like 
Captain Kirk. My... God... Spock... This woman is so... Sexy! We'll see if I go 
where no man has gone before next time, if she's decided to take the plunge. 
Actually, I enjoyed it but I don't have the same emotional connection with her as 
I do with you. Our connection makes sex with you deeper, tremendous. With 
Hawk, it's just having fun. I wouldn't do it without you there because you make 
it the experience I want."
 
Lisa set her food down and pulled me into a hug, kissing me. "That is so sweet! 
I..." She clamped her mouth shut and clapped a hand over it. "I almost said it!” 
she said through her fingers.
 
I raised my eyebrows. "Almost said what? Go ahead, I won't get upset."
 
She lowered her hand. "I almost said I love you. I don't really know if it's true, 
yet, but I feel like it's going that way."
 
Kissing her softly, I nodded. "I feel the same way. I don't want to jinx it by 
saying that too early, but I feel the same way. I won't get upset if you do or 
don't say it. Deal?"
 
Lisa kissed me again. "Deal." 
 
When she pulled back to continue eating, I decided we'd better start driving, or 
I'd take her right here in the parking lot. I ate as I drove, turning on fifty-first 
and driving until I crossed the bridge to Pelican Island. 
 
 
The rusting, partly restored, WW II warships came into view as I drove up to the 
park. The surface ship looked in worse shape than the attack submarine. They 
still had a ways to go on her. I paid the attendant and received a ticket much like 
the one that brought us here in the first place. Parking the car, we tossed our 
refuse in the trash can. We would sip on our drinks as we took the tour at our 
own pace.
 
The lot had about half a dozen cars and one RV in it, with a few people fishing at 
the tip of the island. A light crowd in the middle of a workday, I imagined. "What 
first, the sub or the surface ship?"
 
"The sub looks like it has been restored more than the ship. There are more 
areas that people shouldn't be on the ship, so let's start there."
 
I walked up beside the gangplank and looked at the plaque. "Destroyer Escort 
USS Stewart DE-238. Why do Destroyers require escorts?"
 
"They don't," a male voice said from behind us. When we turned, we found an 
older man in casual clothes on the walk below the gangplank. "This class of ship 
was a Destroyer, made specifically for escorting the larger ships and screening 
them from danger. I'm Hal Spencer, part of the staff here. Walk through and 
look her over, and I'll be happy to answer your questions when you're done. Just 
stay clear of the areas marked no access. The ship is still under restoration, and 
those areas can be unsafe." At our nods, he walked off the sidewalk and around 
the side of the ship with a smile and a whistle. 
 
"One question answered," I said as I looked back up at the superstructure of the 
warship. "Shall we go in and work our way up?"
 
Lisa was looking up with me at the antennas and upper platform. She had a 
speculative expression on her face. "No, let's start up there and work our way 
back down. I bet the view from up there is great. It's called a crow's nest, isn't 
it?" 
 
I gestured at the gangplank. "We can ask our friendly staff guy when we finish. 
He would be the expert on all things nautical."
 
The trip up the ladders and between the rusted fittings of unknown purpose told 
me a couple of things. One, this ship smelled of oil and other things manmade. 
Second, it needed some serious applications of paint. It was still interesting. I 
looked for any place that might house something that would take a key. 
 
When we reached the short ladder leading up to the highest watch platform on 
the ship, Lisa gestured for me to lead the way. I clanged up the metal ladder and 
rested my hands on the rail. The standing area was a circle about five feet in 
diameter and the sides were sheet metal covering the area up to waist high. I 
looked around the park from the high perch as Lisa climbed up to join me. 
 
The park was situated on a small island, right at the tip. A ferry transporting cars 
from one side of Galveston Bay to the other was just passing in the water that 
was only the length of the ship away to the front of the Destroyer. I could see 
several people looking at parts of the ship and going into the sub via a small 
ramp leading to its deck, off to our left. Both vessels were buried in the ground 
to what would be the water line. To the far left was a building with the parking 
lot behind the ships. On the other side of the parking lot was the gulf waters on 
the far side of the island. It wasn't very wide here at this end.
 
"The view is really pretty good from up here, isn't it Lisa?" I asked.
 
"I like the view a lot," she replied. Her voice sounded like she was only part way 
up the ladder. When I looked back down, she was actually in the crow's nest but 
was on her knees. Lisa reached up and caressed my legs through my pants. 
 
Looking back around, I could see people going about their business dozens of 
feet away, oblivious to the erotic scene unfolding just above their heads. A 
woman with a couple of kids smiled and waved at me even as Lisa was unzipping 
my pants. Lisa's hand around my stiffening cock felt wonderful. The woman 
below was snapping a picture of me waving at her like an idiot when Lisa 
swallowed me whole. 
 
Well, the shoe was certainly on the other foot now. I was the exhibitionist today 
and Lisa was in control. My adrenaline was pumping in time with my quickening 
heartbeat. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her, but I couldn't stop looking for 
people seeing us either.
 
Seeing her smiling at me with her lips wrapped around the length of my cock 
was the most erotic sight I had ever seen. She pumped my length with her fist 
as she sucked and licked me. Then she pulled me out of her mouth and began 
licking my head.
 
"I did promise you I would make it up to you for teasing you. This way, I get to 
have sex with you right out here in the open, and no one can tell I have that 
wonderful cock of yours down my throat." With a saucy smile, she kissed my 
head and slowly opened her lips and impaled her face onto me. Slowly, inch by 
inch, her lips pulled around me as she swallowed. 
 
I could feel her throat muscles squeezing me as her lips finally kissed the root of 
my cock. Her eyes smiled at me as her tongue worked under the entire length of 
me in an indescribable sensation. 
 
That was more than I could take. I gripped the rail tightly and looked down at 
the deck below as I felt the universe contract around me. My last coherent 
thought was astonishment as I saw a Japanese couple by the bridge taking my 
picture while my cock exploded, and I could feel and hear Lisa swallowing my 
seed as I blasted off like a rocket ship. My knees weakened, but I managed to 
keep from collapsing as she squeezed her lips tightly around me and slowly 
withdrew, forcing the last few drops out and onto her tongue.
 
With a satisfied smile, she tucked me away and zipped my pants. With a soft pat 
on my groin, she stood up and slid an arm around my waist and waved at the 
Japanese couple. That sparked a few more photographs. 
 
"That, my love, is better than Hawk." She stuck her tongue out and I saw the 
thin coating of my own seed on that sweet, pink tongue. An offering.
 
I kissed her deeply, tasting myself. After a moment, I drew back, still in her 
embrace, with my arms holding her tightly. "You taste much better but thank 
you for sharing."
 
Lisa giggled and together we waved at the friendly tourists' last picture before 
we climbed back down. "So, how did you like your day in the spotlight?"
 
"I like being anywhere with you. Together." I replied. "Thank you." I kissed her 
deeply and then we made our way up the walk to the bridge, nodding politely at 
the confused looking tourists.
 
Lisa smiled and bowed to them. "Ted, why don't you go look over the bridge for 
a minute.”
 
As they bowed back to Lisa, I smiled with my own confusion and went into the 
bridge. Unlike the exterior, the instruments here gleamed. I started looking 
around for any place that could hide something. 
 
I was mostly finished looking when Lisa came in and smiled brightly at me. "Find 
anything?" At my shaking head, she nodded. "I wouldn't think it would be in 
plain sight or in a common area. We need to head below decks and get out of 
the tourist area if we are going to find anything."
 
"Are you going to tell me what that was all about?" I asked bemusedly. 
 
"Nope," she saucily replied. "Maybe one day. Come on, champ. Let’s go find the 
goods and get the bastard, whoever he is, nailed."
 
 
The gangway into the interior of the ship smelled even worse than the exterior. I 
could hardly imagine how the sailors could stand it on those long cruises. The 
smell of machines and men long gone commingled into a thin soup that colored 
the inside of the ship in my senses. The gangway went lower than this next deck 
but was closed off by a steel mesh door. A door with a lock.
 
Lisa slipped in front of me and tried the bigger of the keys and the lock clicked 
open. "Bingo! I win the big jackpot! Woo Hoo!" She opened the door and we slid 
inside. Lisa pushed it shut behind us. "Better safe than sorry. Come on."
 
The passage below was dark but work lights were strung along the length of the 
corridor. I found the switch and flipped the lights on. The close fitting corridor 
ran from the front of the ship to the back. Pipes of unknown purpose were above 
our heads. Walking required being careful if I didn't want to bang my head on 
the pipes. 
 
Lisa struck out to follow the pipes to the back of the ship. "Let's start in back and 
work our way forward." Closed hatches led to rooms on the left and right, but 
she ignored them. The hall ended in another closed hatch. We both looked at it 
for a moment before we figured out which way to turn the wheel to unlock it.
 
The door opened with a metallic groan that seemed to echo through what must 
have been the entire ship. It sounded loud enough to wake the dead. Lisa stared 
at me with wide eyes as I held my breath. No other noise seemed to indicate 
anyone had heard it, though.
 
When our hearts slowed down, we slipped through the door and into the room 
beyond. The ceiling soared above our heads and huge engines filled the room.
 
"Wow, the engine room. There must be a million places in here to hide 
something," I said. "Let's split up and look. I'll take the right side and you take 
the left." At her nod, I slid into the shadow of the area to the right and we began 
searching. 
 
After fifteen minutes, I was grimy and greasy. I was also empty-handed. The 
only spot left on this side was a crawlspace at the very back, in a pool of 
darkness. My skin crawled at the thought of sticking my hands or body in there, 
but I sucked it up and reached into the inky blackness. There was something in 
there, something wooden. I felt a handle and pulled it out. A flat wooden box 
with a shiny, brass padlock. 
 
"Lisa! I found it! I'm coming out!" I shouted.
 
The box was not easy to move. It had some real weight to it. With having to 
crawl and pull it at the same time, it took a few minutes for me to get it out and 
into the open. I stretched my aching back and turned to the interior of the room. 
I frowned. Lisa was nowhere to be seen.
 
"Lisa?" I called out again.
 
"Right here," an unknown male voice said as he thrust Lisa out in front of him, a 
pistol pushed into her back. "Don't be stupid," he said with what sounded like an 
educated voice. The man was not unknown to me. Lisa and I had seen him 
taking money from the DA in the tape earlier today. "Open it."
 
"I don't have the key," I said. "How did you get in here?"
 
"Not that it matters," he said with a chuckle that chilled me, "but I picked the 
lock. Give him the key, Miss Davis." He emphasized the order with a sharp jab of 
the pistol to her back.
 
Reluctantly, she pulled the keys from her pocket and tossed them onto the deck 
in front of me. They jingled loudly in the deep silence that surrounded us. 
 
My eyes flitted to the left and right, looking for a weapon of any kind. Nothing. 
With a sigh, picked up the keys and unlocked the padlock.
 
"Why all this? You have us now, at least tell us why before you do whatever 
you're going to do,” I said.
 
"How melodramatic. You don't know me so I don't have to kill you. I'll be taking 
the evidence with me so it would just be your unsupported word. I have the tape 
you were so kind as to leave in your car for me. I'll take that, lock you in and we 
all walk away from this," the old man said. "Open it."
 
"Is that why you killed Calvin?" Lisa asked with a choked voice. "Why you would 
have killed me? Why you almost killed Ted?"
 
The man laughed a menacing, sinister laugh. "Do you think this is some kind of 
mystery story where the villain will tell you all his secrets in some final 
confrontation? Spare me. Accept that your friend needed to die because he knew 
too much and wouldn't back off. I advise you to not make the same mistakes as 
he did. You are much too pretty to die so young. Open the case before I change 
my mind, Mister Stansbury."
 
Lacking options, I pulled the lock off and opened the wooden lid. Inside were 
several items. Three videocassettes, what looked like a bank ledger and a 
computer CD in a case. I looked back at him. "Send her over and I give you the 
stuff."
 
That earned another laugh. "You think you are calling the shots, Mister 
Stansbury? Think again. Slide the contents over here and I will leave you a live 
woman. Do you understand me?"
 
I sighed and pulled out one of the videotapes and casually tossed it into the wall 
behind him. It clattered loudly and made him curse. 
 
"Do you want me to shoot your girlfriend? Don't try that again!" He slid back and 
away from Lisa. "Walk forward, Miss Davis. Go to your friend." 
 
Lisa locked eyes with me and started forward. The man slid back and to the wall. 
He watched us and I waited. His eyes flicked down and he bent to get the tape. 
 
While he was reaching, I slid the computer CD out and onto the floor beside the 
box. A risk but worth it, I thought. When he had the tape and was again looking, 
my hands were on the box and Lisa had stepped between him and the secreted 
evidence. I didn't want to, but I gave up the rest of the evidence. He slid them 
into a small bag over his shoulder. I must have missed it in the dark, against his 
dark clothes.
 
"Show me the inside of the box," he commanded. I tilted it up for him.
 
He picked up the things I had slid out to him and backed toward the door. "I'm 
glad you saw reason. This could have been much more difficult." He opened the 
hatch and backed out. From outside the door, he reached down and picked up 
what looked like a wine bottle filled with some fluid.
 
"Too bad for you that I am not a very honorable fellow, eh?" He smashed it to 
the floor in front of the hatch and I rushed forward a few steps. 
 
The pistol came back up and I threw myself to the side. The gunshot was 
incredibly loud in the closed off, metal room. I covered my head as the round 
bounced through the room. Thank god we weren't hit.
 
He pulled something out of his pocket even as I scrambled to my feet. I heard 
Lisa running to the side behind me. It was a lighter. With a flick that seemed to 
take an hour, he brought the flame to life and it fell in a slow tumble. The smell 
of gasoline was growing very strong. Then the floor ignited in a flash and half 
the room was on fire. 
 
Laughing almost maniacally, the man slammed the hatch and it locked. The 
sound of something metal against the door could be heard, probably jamming 
the hatch. 
 
I turned and Lisa scrambled back with me, snatching up the CD. "What do we 
do?" she screamed. "We're going to burn alive!"
 
Desperately, I looked for an alternate exit but there seemed to be none. There 
was another hatch, but it was padlocked from the inside. There was also a set of 
metal steps that should lead to the deck above, but it was disassembled and 
laying on the floor. A lot of the smoke was being drawn to vents in the roof, but 
the flames and their heat kept advancing.
 
We were trapped.


Chapter Thirteen: Soaring free.
 
Note: Takes place at the same time as chapter eleven.
 
Hawk's point of view
 
I slipped my cell into my jacket and revved my hog. With a roar, I shot out of my 
garage and onto the street in front of my house. Ted and Lisa could find their 
own way out of the neighborhood, I decided, and I took to the street fast. 
 
There was no sign of anyone following me, so I traveled the main streets into 
downtown. Police headquarters was busy, as usual. That might actually work in 
my favor today. I really didn't want to run into Captain Jordan. I was already on 
his shit list and he would have no qualms about giving me the third degree.
 
I waved to various people I knew as I threaded my way to my desk. My old 
wooden chair creaked as I sat and the metal spring squealed in protest at my 
weight. I smiled at the difference between Lisa's desk and mine. No clutter here. 
All the papers were in neat stacks or the in/out boxes. There were no photos, 
either. I preferred being in the field. I logged in to the system and ran a query 
on Kotov. I was surprised to see more than one Kotov in the system. 
 
A few keystrokes and I had all three in summary format. There was Viktor and 
his two sons, Alexi and Uri. I clicked print on all three and shut down my system. 
Time to scram before trouble found me.
 
The place was too cheap to have anything but a shared printer so I had to hope 
someone wasn't printing a novel. When I saw my pages printing right out, I 
smiled. The gods were favoring me. I snatched them up, folded them, and slid 
them in my pocket. A glance at the Captain's door showed it was still closed. 
Perfect.
 
My sense of euphoria lasted all the way to the edge of Detective's row. I walked 
around the corner and almost ran into Jordan. The short, balding, pudgy man did 
things to a suit that likely made more women into lesbians than the rest of 
humanity all rolled together. His already unfriendly face frowned even more than 
his norm.
 
"Hawkins, I thought I told you that you were on leave until further notice. Was I 
less than clear? What are you doing here?" He asked in a voice that reminded 
me of a bad English butler without the accent. His arrogance just bled right 
through. 
 
"Sorry, Chief, I was getting some personal effects from my desk. I'm going home 
right now. It's been a long day and I need to rest up, anyway,” I said in as 
neutral a voice as I could manage. 
 
"I've told you before not to call me Chief. Really, Hawkins, are simple 
instructions beyond you? I imagine that you'll be needing that sleep,” he said 
with an unconscious sneer.
 
I've met a number of deeply religious men, most of whom were not fond of my 
sexual orientation. They, unlike Robert Jordan, could be polite and hate the sin 
without hating the sinner. 
 
Putting my hands on my hips, I nodded. "I certainly will, Captain. A night of 
drunken debauchery and making love to more women than you can count takes 
dedication. There is a special orgy scheduled in my honor at the local lesbian 69 
union hall."
 
"Your attitude reeks, Hawkins. I don't think you are bright enough to know when 
you've been beaten. That little tirade you had on the phone sealed your career. 
You're done. With all the other disciplinary actions in your jacket, I've already 
spoken to the Chief of Detectives," he sneered, "and he is letting me fire you. 
You have brought enough disrepute on this department and I will, frankly, be 
more than glad to see you gone. Come to my office and turn in your badge and 
weapon."
 
I grinned and stepped into his personal space, quietly addressing him. "You talk 
a lot of shit, Captain Jordan, but since it's just me and you, let's cut the crap. 
You hate my kind. You know, the homosexuals, don't you? It's not my attitude 
you hate. It's the fact I get more pussy than you ever will, isn't it?"
 
He reached up and pushed me back. I stumbled in surprise. "Stay away from 
me, you freak!" he hissed. "Don't you dare get in my face." I don't know why 
that enraged him like that, but he was out of control. I could hear the room quiet 
behind me. He was still around the corner and seemed not to notice. A low voice 
that would be lost in the normal rumble of multiple conversations now could be 
heard by the closest of the desks.
 
"All you should be run out of the police department. Your kind will burn in hell. 
Homosexuality is a sin against God and you'll burn. I've been looking for a way 
to be rid of you since the day I took charge of this division. Kruger was a weak-
minded fool to allow you to pollute this place and I will earn credit in Heaven by 
correcting his mistake. Not even counting your unnatural cravings, a woman has 
no place in homicide anyway." He held out his hand. "Your badge and gun. 
You're fired. Come on, give them over."
 
Slowly, burning with anger, I pulled out my badge and pistol. Slowly, I unloaded 
the pistol, but rather than handing them over, I stepped back and held them out, 
making him come to me. He was like a fish, seeing only the bait. With a hungry 
smile, he stepped out of the hall and took them.
 
I looked over the room and most of the detectives were staring at us with 
expressions ranging from shock, anger and satisfaction. I made mental note of 
the various people here. Some of them would talk about it later, I hoped. Then I 
smiled sweetly at my former boss. 
 
"Jordan, I'm actually glad you fired me. This place has been a cesspool under 
you and I know Assistant Chief Kruger will be interested in what you think about 
him, even if he is only working with the DA now. Oh, and I'm sure everyone out 
there has found your views on homosexuality and women in general to be 
fascinating, too."
 
Jordan looked like he was waking up from a dream state. He turned and stared 
at the room in surprise, as though he hadn't even known they were there. 
 
"I'll get someone to escort me out, since I'm a lowly civilian lesbian now. 
Detective Saunders, will you escort me out of here?" I heard the mix of 
bitterness and triumph in my tone. I was both devastated at the loss of my 
badge and exhilarated at the public exposure of my tormentor. I would hurt 
later. For now, I still had work to do. This case was not going to be wrapped up 
by someone else. I would finish it.
 
The petite brunette stood up and walked past the open mouthed Jordan with a 
withering glance. "Sure, Hawk. I need to get out of here and get some fresh air 
anyway." We left Jordan standing there, his mouth working like a beached fish. 
Once we were inside the elevator, she turned to me, angry. We had never been 
friends but I had never been her enemy either. "What the fuck was he thinking? 
He's nuts! Are you gonna fight this?"
 
I pressed the second floor button. "I don't know what I'm going to do, yet. I'm 
going to torpedo that jerk, at the very least. Come on." On the second floor, I 
led her to Internal Affairs. The detective at the front desk frowned sourly as I 
came in. It was the same bozo that had handled my last suspension. What was 
his name? Oh, yeah, Lazlo.
 
"Morning, Lazlo,” I said brightly.
 
"Detective Hawkins, what now? Did you punch out the Mayor?” he asked tiredly.
 
I pulled out the chair and sat down. Saunders sat down next to me. "No," I said. 
"I was fired and I'm here to file a harassment complaint against Jordan before 
Saunders throws me out of the building."
 
His face lit up in surprise and he pulled out a report pad. In all my years of 
trouble, I had never filed a complaint against anyone. That must have made him 
reevaluate the situation.
 
"Tell me what happened,” he said in a newly professional voice.
 
I related the encounter in as much detail as I could recall. With his questions, I 
added details.
 
"Can anyone corroborate your story?" he finally asked. 
 
I looked at Saunders to see how she jumped. 
 
Saunders looked at me and then at Lazlo. Slowly she nodded. "Yeah, me and 
everyone else in homicide. Jordan wasn't very discreet." She rounded on me. "I 
don't like you, Hawk," she said almost defiantly, "but I can't let that pass." She 
returned her attention to Lazlo. "I saw him shove her, too. At least, I saw 
someone shove her and then Jordan stepped into sight."
 
I let my breath out slowly. I hadn't been sure she would back me up. Then I 
named off a dozen other detectives that had seen it happen. 
 
"I'll head up there and get statements as soon as we're done here, Hawkins. 
Your rep won't let this stand. I can't believe he was so stupid as to say that in 
front of so many witnesses," Lazlo said while I signed my statement. He tore off 
a copy and handed it to me.
 
"Jordan was in the hall at first and didn't realize everyone could hear him," I said 
tiredly. "I don't know what I'm going to do. I guess I'll let the rep start 
screaming and let you investigate someone other than me to start with. That 
should be a real change of pace for you, eh?" I forced myself to grin at him. 
 
He held out a hand. "I can't say I've ever been a fan of yours, but I'm sorry to 
see you go like this. You've always been a bit rough around the edges, but you 
got results. I'll handle this and be in contact with you. I suggest you call a good 
lawyer and your rep."
 
I shook it and stood up. "Time for you to toss me out on my ear, Saunders." She 
walked out with me and I stopped in the parking lot. 
 
Saunders fought with herself for a moment and then stuck her hand out. "If you 
need something, call me. We remember our own."
 
That surprised me. I smiled warmly and shook her hand. "Thank you and say 
goodbye to everyone else for me. Don't let that bastard beat you down."
 
She watched me as I started my bike and drove out of the police parking lot for 
what may be the last time. I didn't look back.
 
 
I was filled with a mixture of anger and satisfaction; despair and exhilaration. 
Jordan had hung himself and I could get my job back, if I wanted it. I guess I 
shouldn't be so fast to decide to turn my back but that was my immediate 
impulse. I needed to think and make some calls. One to Kruger, for certain. I 
also needed something to perk me up. Starbucks coffee. 
 
Pulling into the parking lot like a one woman motorcycle gang, I powered into 
the motorcycle parking area and stomped into the shop. "Give me a massive 
espresso, Dave. I need a major hit."
 
"Coming right up, Hawk," he called from behind the counter as I took a seat. 
Business first, I pulled my cell and dialed the rep. "Wally, Hawk. I have a little 
problem."
 
"Who did you hit," he asked tiredly.
 
"Wally, Wally, Wally, you disappoint me. I didn't hit anyone. I was sexually 
harassed." I heard his chair as it thumped back onto the floor on all four legs.
 
"What?!?" he barked. "You're shitting me! Who had the balls to harass you and 
what hospital are they in?" 
 
"Nope, no kidding. Jordan did it in front of a dozen witnesses and then fired me. 
I didn't even break anything." When I calmed him down, I gave him all the 
details and told him I would fax him a copy of the Internal Affairs complaint. By 
the time I had hung up, my coffee was ready.
 
Kruger wasn't in his office, so I left a detailed message for him. I hoped he went 
down there and tied that little creep into a pretzel. 
 
Sipping the hot brew, I pondered this moment. I had seen something like it 
coming for months. Jordan had a reputation and friends in high places. Even 
with witnesses, it would be tough going. Then I shrugged. Screw it. I'd have to 
head back home before I did anything else and get my concealed carry permit 
and backup pistol. That and get my Private Investigator's license. Thank God I 
had kept it current. No way I was going around unarmed right now.
 
First, time to read through the police reports on the family Kotov. I pulled the 
folded papers and read through them slowly. Daddy Kotov spent a less than 
impressive five years in prison for human trafficking. Charges dropped on various 
other counts with no reason listed. Why the hell couldn't someone behind bars 
actually get the time they deserved? No indication of recent criminal activity. 
Yeah, right.
 
The sons were more interesting, in a way. Suspected of being involved with drug 
trafficking and other crimes on a lower level. Not enough to charge them but 
persons of interest. Well, I wasn't really interested in them right now, anyway. 
Daddy Kotov was listed as still running an import/export business so I now had a 
place to start in on him.
 
With a wave to Dave, I threw away my empty cup and slid the papers back into 
my jacket. On the way out the door, I spotted a car across the street with a man 
in it, slumped down. I didn't look at it directly, but it might be a tail. I kicked the 
hog over and turned right on the street. My eyes took in the car as I passed it 
and my suspicions were confirmed. That moron, Digger, had picked me up 
somehow.
 
Well, that was good, in a way. It meant I didn't need to worry about other tails 
on the way to my place. I'd have a police escort. Till I lost him, anyways. I saw 
the car turn out and around to follow me. Amateur. 
 
I drove slow and easy so he wouldn't lose me on the way home. Hitting the 
garage door opener, I drove in and closed it behind me. After shutting the bike 
down, I went in and turned off the alarm. A quick jog to the bedroom and I had 
my spare nine into a shoulder holster and my jacket back on. I pocketed the 
carry permit and my license. 
 
He would be waiting for me outside. I suppose he must have picked me up here 
at my house. At least if he was following me and not Ted and Lisa. I could give 
him a real twist in the streets and lose him pretty quick.
 
I reset the alarm and started up my bike. Revving it hard, I opened the garage 
door I shot out and turned left. Another press of the button started the door 
close but I wasn't waiting for it to finish. 
 
In my rearview mirror, I could see Digger starting to give chase, but he was late 
off the mark and a few blocks behind before he could get up to speed. Too bad I 
knew this neighborhood better than he did and my bike could beat the hell out of 
his car. I lost him in less than a minute, laughing in my helmet.
 
I hit an alternate route back into downtown, so that Digger wouldn't pick me up 
by accident. The older buildings in their grey stone gave way to the newer steel 
and glass buildings that dominated the skyline. 
 
Cutting off an office drone, I slid into a newly vacated parking space. We saluted 
each other with one finger as he drove off. It was oddly an almost friendly 
gesture. Sometimes this city could be strange, indeed.
 
 
After consulting the building directory, I took the elevator to the twenty-second 
floor and found the offices of Kotov Imports and Exports. I should probably be 
more discreet, but time was not in good supply. I wanted to get this wrapped up 
before Lisa or Ted joined Calvin.
 
The outer office was plush and bright. The receptionist was the same; a bottle 
blonde with more breasts than brains. She smiled vapidly at me. "Do you have 
an appointment?" the woman asked with a thick accent. Russian, maybe?
 
"I'm here to talk with Viktor. Is he in? Tell him it's about a police matter." It 
certainly was, even if I wasn't a cop. 
 
The secretary's smile didn't fade, but her brow crinkled. "Do you have an 
appointment?" 
 
I cocked my head to the side and leaned over the desk to get closer to her. "You 
don't have the least idea what I'm saying, do you?" I asked.
 
She nodded brightly. "Do you have…"
 
I cut her off and nodded. "Yes, I have an appointment." 
 
She stood up and swished her way to the inner door and knocked. A muffled 
voice queried her just before she opened the door. 
 
Viktor Kotov's arrest photos didn't do him justice. He was much smoother looking 
in person. His thin frame looked like there might be some muscle under that 
shirt. The touch of grey along his dark hair added an air of distinction to him. He 
spoke with the woman briefly in what sounded like Russian, and then he waved 
me in.
 
"Come in. Sit, sit," he said with almost no accent. "You have an appointment, 
you say? Vodka? I have Stolichnaya. Better than this American crap. I don't 
remember an appointment and I am sure I would remember a woman like you." 
He poured two shot glasses with vodka while he smiled and talked. I took it and 
raised it to him.
 
"No, but I couldn't get my point past your well developed countrywoman, 
Viktor."
 
Viktor laughed. "She takes calls from Russia and has only been here a few 
months. We don't get many visitors here." He raised his glass to me. "To long 
life," he said and tossed it back. I followed suit. It was smooth. He sat down on 
the edge of his desk. "You have more soul than most Americans. Tell me who 
you are and what I can do for you."
 
I set the empty glass down and smiled at Viktor. "The name's Hawk. I'm 
investigating a murder and your name came up."
 
Most people would be bothered some by being connected with a murder, but he 
seemed amused. "I killed no one. I have no need to kill people." He grinned. 
"Besides, you police have already been here to question me. Don't you talk to 
each other?"
 
The flash of anger inside me wasn't really directed at him but I growled anyway. 
"No, we just come around and ask you again. Why should I believe you had 
nothing to do with the murder?"
 
Viktor slid into his seat and propped his feet on the desk, lighting up a cigarette. 
The smoke was pungent and he blew it right at me.
 
"I was at home, alone. Not very helpful, eh?" 
 
"Not really," I grunted. "Going from human smuggling to murder doesn't seem 
like too big a jump for me."
 
He laughed. "You don't back down. I like that. I tell you what, Hawk; I will tell 
you something I didn't tell your rude, ignorant friend." The smile vanished from 
his face and his eyes sparkled. "I want you to find who killed Samson as much as 
you do."
 
That wasn't what I had expected but I kept it off my face. "Why is that, Viktor? 
He put you away for years. I'd think you'd want to see him go down." 
 
"Because he helped me testify for the Federals. I was able to still be with my 
children while they were young. Without him, I would still be looking at many 
years in prison."
 
I leaned back in the chair. "That wasn't in his file on you. Why?"
 
He shrugged. "We can ask him when we meet him again. All I can tell you is that 
I owe him. The other man didn't seem to care. He wanted to berate and harass, 
but you have fire in you. He wouldn't drink with me, so I told him nothing. You 
have soul, Hawk. I think I would like some sparring with you."
 
I shook my head. "I'm not a cop anymore."
 
"I know," he said agreeably.
 
My head snapped up. "You what?"
 
"I heard about it. I saw your picture after I read about the bombing, so I found 
your name and asked questions." He smiled at my surprise. "I have been using 
people to get information, Detective Hawkins. They told me what happened to 
you. That's unfortunate, but I'm glad to see you are still looking. I hear that your 
explosives people have reached some conclusions." He grinned at me. "I don't 
think that buffoon will have the intelligence to use it."
 
"Did he tell you his name was Digger?" I asked, though I was already certain 
what the answer would be. I nodded in response to his affirmative answer. His 
opinion was the same as mine. 
 
I'd have to eliminate Kotov the hard way or find another lead. I stood up and 
walked toward the door. "I better not find out you lied to me or we are going to 
have a real problem, Viktor. If you hear anything, call me. My cell is in the book 
under Shauna Hawkins."
 
He smiled a shark-like smile. "I will. If you need help from some sturdy people 
without too many questions, call me. I have many friends who owe me favors." 
He raised his empty glass. "Good hunting."
 
The woman smiled at me as I left. "Dos Vedanya," she called out cheerfully.
 
"Don't take any wooden nickels," I called back. 
 
The elevator ride let me get my thoughts back into order and make a plan of 
action. I stopped in the lobby, looked up a number on my cell and dialed. When 
it picked up, I smiled.
 
"I figured it wouldn't be too long before you called me," Frank said with a 
chuckle. "You only call when you want something or you want to get rid of 
something that goes boom."
 
"That's right, Frank. I'm a needy bitch. You hear about Jordan yet?"
 
"Who hasn't?" he spat. "That jackass. You are the top homicide cop in the city 
and he wants to dump you. With a crowd, too. Word is everywhere. Kruger has 
been in his office for an hour, I hear. Lots of shouting and arm waving. Internal 
Affairs is sniffing around, too. Man, you like to stir up a hornets nest, don't you? 
I haven't had this much fun since the hogs ate Uncle George."
 
"What did you get out of the bomb?" I asked, my heart beating faster at the 
mention of Kruger. I wasn't going to talk about it, though. If he reversed my 
firing, I would get a call. Hell, I'd get a call from him soon either way.
 
"It's against department policy to give information on an investigation to 
civilians," he said piously. 
 
I shook my head and sighed. "What'll it cost me?"
 
"Bribery, too?” he asked, shocked. "It's good I'm not in my office where other 
law-abiding cops hang out."
 
"Come on, you damned thief. What will pry it loose?" I asked with a smile. "You 
have your price. A bottle of scotch?"
 
"Dinner. Dinner and you tell me all the juicy details."
 
"Done," I agreed. "Give."
 
"The bomb was made out of common components but the trigger was special 
made," Frank said. "The circuit board had a part number on it that linked it to a 
commercial remote detonator used in construction and demolition. One that isn't 
available to the general public." The sound of satisfaction filtered into his voice. 
"One that is tracked by the State. Every company that uses them has to account 
for every single one and there are not many of them. It's a new model. I can 
text message the companies and numbers to you."
 
"How about the results of the canvas? You must have called them already." I 
asked, a bit annoyed. Why the raw information when he could give me the 
details?
 
"The Ranger insisted that we send him the information and he would follow up. 
We were told to hand it over and step back." Frank sounded disgusted.
 
I was flabbergasted. "Is he crazy or stupid?" I demanded. 
 
"Yes," Frank said bluntly.
 
Shaking my head, I just accepted that Digger was really as stupid as I thought. 
Why not use the local resources? That was just plain stupid. "Text me and we'll 
do dinner as soon as this is done. Frank?"
 
"Yeah, Killer?"
 
My voice softened. "Thanks."
 
"It's us versus them, Kid. Chin up and call me if you need anything."
 
 
My step was bouncy as I exited the building. I'd get through this. This was a 
huge break. I slid on the bike and brought it to life. While I warmed it up, I slid 
my helmet on and considered calling Lisa. I decided to wait until I had more 
information.
 
When I got on the street, I automatically scanned for tails and damned if I didn't 
spot Digger back there. That was simply not possible. I had lost him and there 
was no way he picked me up so damned easy! He didn't even know about Kotov. 
My eyes narrowed. That bastard!
 
I took the corner at a roar and began weaving through traffic to blasts of horn 
and shouts of outrage. I grinned and enjoyed it. Let the asshole follow me 
through that. I needed a few minutes without him and I would know one way or 
the other if I was right.
 
Turning onto Main Street, I cut under the Interstate and into the McDonald's 
parking lot. I climbed off and yanked off my helmet angrily. "If that chicken-shit 
bastard did what I think he did, I will get so even!" I muttered to myself as I 
started looking closely at my bike. 
 
It took less than a minute and I had it in my hand. A tracer with adhesive on it 
stuck under my seat. That had to have been planted at my house before I picked 
it up. The fucker had broken into my garage and planted an illegal tracker! There 
was no way he had a warrant for this! What a cheese-eating bastard. 
 
I started cussing and kicked a rock into the side of the building. The two older 
bikers with the Hell's Angels jackets in the drive-through just grinned at each 
other. I opened my mouth to tell them where to stuff it when it came to me that 
I had an opportunity.
 
Jogging over to them, I grinned. "Hey, boys. You got a cig for a girl?"
 
The one closer to me nodded and started digging his pack out. "Sure. Nice bike. 
We don't see many chicks with a big hog like that. You taken? If not, I'll marry 
you."
 
I leaned over and planted the tracer on the license plate and let him have a nice 
look at my tits, laughing. "Yeah, I have this mean bastard that keeps me on a 
leash. You from around here?"
 
He passed over a cigarette and lit me up. Damned things. I puffed it and smiled 
through the smoke. I had to learn how for undercover work.
 
"Naw. We're from Hempstead. We just came in to drop off a pal at the bus 
station." He gestured to the Greyhound station right across the street. "You 
wanna ride back out with us?"
 
I shook my head. "I'd love to but my old man would freak. You boys have fun, 
but keep an eye out. I hear the cops are following bikers this week, looking for 
drugs."
 
"Thanks, Sister," the other man said. "We'll keep an eye out and ditch any that 
try. If your old man gets too tough, you come look us up."
 
I slid between them and gave each a kiss on the cheek. "I'll do that. Ride safe."
 
They pulled up and ordered while I jogged back to my bike, laughing to myself. 
With any luck, Digger would be a while figuring out what I just did to him. Life 
was sometimes cool.
 
In a few minutes, I was gliding through the back streets, just so I didn't run into 
Digger. I felt my phone buzz and pulled over to take a look. It was the list. Less 
than a dozen companies and their numbers right there. Frank was going to get a 
big ol' steak.
 
I pulled off my helmet and sat on the side of the street to start calling them. I 
knew the talk and one of them would have an unaccounted detonator, probably 
already reported to the police. At least, if I was lucky.



Chapter Fourteen: A big break.
 
Note: Takes place at the same time as chapter twelve.
 
Hawk's point of view
 
I caught a lucky break on the fourth call. The secretary at Conrad's Construction 
and Demolition wasn't as discreet as she should have been to nosy people asking 
questions about missing explosives and detonators. She let slip that they had 
already reported the theft to the police. I told her someone would be following 
up on that right away and to have an eye out. Her directions were clear and 
concise. I figured it would take an hour to get there.
 
Being paranoid, I kept an eye out for Ranger Dickhead, but he seemed to be lost 
for the moment. That was good, but it cost me an extra fifteen minutes to be 
sure.
 
The city gave way to empty rural area with surprising suddenness as I crossed 
the Beltway. When I came to the company, the tall chain link fence with barbed 
wire along the top looked suitably tough; it would be hard for someone to simply 
sneak in. A lot of beat up trucks, and other vehicles with less obvious purposes, 
were scattered around a metal building. A smaller building was separated by 
almost half the property. Men in hardhats walked around. They looked pretty 
buff. Some of the lady detectives I knew would be drooling. More than one 
construction worker stopped to watch me as I pulled the hog into the parking 
area.
 
I slid off and shook my hair out of the helmet, leaving it on the bike. A large man 
in a red flannel shirt and a battered orange safety helmet came over. "Hey, can I 
help you?" He held out a beefy hand and smiled at me. "I'm Big Mike."
 
Turning on the charm, I smiled back and took it firmly. "Yes, you sure are. I'm 
Hawk. You might be able to help me. I'm looking into the disappearance of some 
explosive detonators. Your company called the police." Not one lie in that, but 
the line I wanted his thoughts walking was laid out.
 
Mike pulled his hat off and ran his hand through his hair. "Yeah, we did have 
some turn up missing last week. Conrad was out on all the sites looking around 
for it and asking questions. That kind of stuff can get the State, the ATF and the 
Department of Homeland Security pretty interested in a company."
 
"I take it that it never turned up. Will I get the straight deal inside? I'm not here 
to cause trouble for the company, but you know how people will try to put what 
happens in the best light. I need to know the real deal if I'm going to get to the 
bottom of this." I added another hundred watts to my smile. "Can you give me 
an off the record take from the boys in the yard, Mike? It would really help me 
out."
 
Big Mike grinned and nodded. "We can trade for it, Hawk. You let me take you 
out to dinner and I'll give you the word around the yard."
 
I held my hand back out. "Deal."
 
After a pleased shake from Mike, I looked back toward the main building. 
"Conrad is a good guy, both to work for and with. I don't think he would shade it 
too much to the cops. He'd just tell it like it was and take his lumps, but there is 
no real proof that he can be sure of. The boys have an idea but it's just 
suspicion, you know?"
 
I nodded. "Suspicion is fine for now. Tell me what happened and what you boys 
think."
 
He put his hands on his hips. "Well, last week the Friday inventory came up short 
some explosive compound and one wireless detonator. One of the new ones that 
has the increased range. The shift boss, Tony, freaked out. You see, we have to 
sign out explosives and detonators. Only the shift boss is supposed to do that 
and it's inventoried at the start and end of each day so Tony was responsible for 
it. He called Conrad and they tore the place up looking for it. No dice."
 
"Can anyone get into where you keep that stuff?"
 
Mike pointed off at the small building off by itself. "It's locked up out there in the 
explosives shed. The door is locked all the time and only the shift boss, Mavis in 
the office, and Conrad have keys."
 
"So, someone had to come out here during the day and get into that locked 
building in broad daylight?"
 
He nodded. “That's not as off as it might sound. During the day, most of these 
guys are out on various job sites. The only reason this crew is here is because 
we are going out to a new site. In an hour there will only be the office staff. That 
won't get anyone through the doors but it cuts way down on witnesses.”
 
I nodded and pulled a pen out of my jacket. Grabbing his hand, I wrote my 
number on his hand. "You've been a lot of help, Mike. Call me this weekend and 
I'll pay up my end."
 
He went back to the other men and they started hooting. Men. I just smiled and 
shook my head before walking into the main building. The office was clearly 
marked. A harassed looking woman in her forties was manning the phone. "No, I 
can't send a crew out this afternoon, Marty. I can send Carl and some of his boys 
to take a look at it tomorrow morning, so just go have a beer and stop yelling at 
me. I work slower when I get yelled at. Tomorrow." She hung up and smiled 
sourly at me. "Everyone thinks they have priority. What can I do for you?"
 
I scratched my nose and tried not to smile. "We spoke on the phone. I'm here to 
follow up on the explosives theft."
 
"I called Conrad and he said he would help you with it," she said. "Hang on." She 
dialed a number and spoke briefly into the phone. "He'll be right out."
 
True to her word, a balding man in well-worn work coveralls came out from the 
back in less than a minute. He looked to be in his middle fifties. "I'm Conrad. 
Come on back."
 
I followed him into a neat office and took the chair he indicated. "Call me Hawk, 
Conrad. I'm following up on the report of the missing detonator and explosives. 
What can you tell me about it?" 
 
His rendition matched pretty well with Big Mike's, so I was pretty sure it was the 
straight shot. When he was done, I asked, "So, who has keys to that shed, or do 
you think it was broken into another way?"
 
Conrad shook his head. "The office key is missing. Someone came in and took it. 
I have my suspicions and they were in the report."
 
I nodded. "I know," I lied, "but I want to hear it all fresh."
 
"We had a new hire no show today. Allen Carson. He was only with us for a 
couple of days last week, and then he vanished. He hasn't answered his pager, 
and that's the only number I have for him. I went by his place and it's a meat 
market. Makes me real suspicious. Mavis said he was in about lunch on Friday 
and asked for a copy of his W4 form. She went and made him a copy. When all 
the ruckus happened, she couldn't find the key. She's been with me twenty years 
so it must have been him. "
 
"Can I see his employment application and papers?" I asked.
 
He nodded and stood up. "Let me go get them for you."
 
While he was out, my phone rang.
 
"Hawk,” I said when I answered it.
 
It was Lisa. "Hawk, Lisa. We have some new information."
 
"I'm in the middle of something, Lisa. Can you call me back?" I asked.
 
"I'll make it quick," Lisa said, "and you can call me back when you are free to 
talk. We found a tape at Calvin's and his appointment book. Murphy showed up, 
but we got out without him seeing us. The tape showed the Galveston DA 
passing cash to someone I don't know."
 
I heard a deep breath. That couldn't be good.
 
"Then I got stupid and left them in the car when we stopped to check on my 
mother. Someone jimmied the car and took them."
 
"Dammit, Lisa! How could you leave it in your car?" I half shouted.
 
"I know!” she said. "I was stupid! You can join me in tearing me up for making 
such an amateur mistake. My idiot brother was there but I don't think..." 
 
"Did your brother take it, do you think?" I asked.
 
"No, he's not that smart," Lisa responded. "He'd just smash the window. Listen, 
before you go, we have a ticket stub that was in the appointment book. S.W.P. 
on the keys could be Seawolf Park."
 
"Wait for me. We'll all go there together,” I said.
 
"No," Lisa said. "I'll be careful and look for tails, but we need to get there before 
someone has a chance to figure out to look there, if they can, from the other 
evidence. I won't wait, but you can come down when you can, or we'll call after 
we look around."
 
"Argh! Lisa! Don't be stupid! Wait for me and I'll be right down! Going in by 
yourselves is about the most…" 
 
She interrupted me quickly. "Look, you need to go. We'll call if we find anything. 
Good luck, and be careful." 
 
The call disconnected before I could tell her no way. I started to call her back 
and then decided it was a waste of breath. She was stubborn. I would just have 
to trust she would be careful and that Ted would keep an eye on her.
 
Conrad came back in with a folder. "Trouble?” he asked, setting it down on his 
desk in front of me.
 
I opened it and shook my head. "No, my partner is just off doing things that get 
on my nerves. Newbies drive me nuts." 
 
The folder had a standardized job application and copies of his ID. I looked at 
the black and white copy of a drivers license. Thin guy in his thirties. Black hair 
and eyes that seemed to shout at me his guilt. It all looked in order.
 
"I'll need copies of these and a look at the shed, Conrad,” I said, closing the 
folder.
 
In twenty minutes I had them and had been given the grand tour. Conrad was 
right; there was no sign of forced entry. The explosives were stacked neatly in 
shelves and bins and the detonators were in a separate room. I was satisfied 
that the new guy was the thief, and there was a good chance he was also our 
bomber. Conrad and I parted ways with my promise to get to the bottom of this. 
 
The best lead I had now was Conrad's list of references. Mavis had to have 
talked with someone who knew this guy. First, though, I should run his ID. I 
pulled out the phone and started dialing dispatch before I remembered that I 
had been fired. I cursed and then called anyway. 
 
"Get me Steve Lombardi," I said with authority. "Hawkins calling."
 
In a minute, I had him on the line. "Hawk, what can I do for you?" Sounded like 
he hadn't heard the news. No need to ask him to break the rules. Then I thought 
about it and cursed my own honesty. I couldn't lie to a friend, even by omission.
 
"I need a run on an ID, but I have a problem, Steve. Jordan canned me this 
morning. Will you help me out?" 
 
"What?” he asked, shocked. I told him the story and he cussed at Jordan for a 
minute. Then, he came through for me. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him, 
so give it to me."
 
"Thanks, Steve. Allen Carson, license follows." I gave him the information. 
 
"Got it, hang on while I bring it up. Hmmm, the number is valid, but it's not 
connected to Allen Carson. It's to a James Waldeck, age eighty-seven. You have 
a social?" I read it to him. "That's for a Janice Silvers, deceased. Hawk, it sounds 
like your man is using cribbed numbers."
 
I knew it had been too easy. I'd have to go the references. I thanked Steve and 
hung up. The first one was a man named Vern Worthy. The phone was 
answered by a male voice. 
 
"I'm calling to get a reference for Allen Carson,” I said.
 
"Sure," he answered. "I know Allen. Good man. Be happy to give you a good 
reference for him."
 
I let him tell me how great the non-existent Allen was and then let him go with 
my thanks. Then, I called the operator and asked for a reverse lookup on the 
number. Bob's Bar and Grill. I got the address and headed off that way. Time to 
let Vern tell me that again in person. It was on the way to Galveston, and I was 
a bit nervous about leaving Ted and Lisa on their own for too long. Lisa was too 
cocky.
 
 
The parking lot was filled with cars that had seen better decades. Any 
expectations I had for this place were obviously too high. It was a dive. No self-
respecting hooker would be caught here if she had more than two teeth. The 
neon sign outside either wasn't on, or most likely, didn't work. I think the 
exterior was gray, under all that crap, but I wasn't checking too closely.
 
I opened the door and was almost bowled over by the stench. Stale beer, 
unwashed bodies, cigarette smoke and weed. That, and other less savory smells. 
I made a mental note to burn my clothes later. When my eyes adjusted to the 
dim interior, I was able to make out a scattering of people drinking at tables, a 
couple playing pool and one trying to coax something from the jukebox. There 
was only one guy behind the bar and my money was on him being Vern. 
 
Eying the stain on the bar stool, I decided to stand. The bartender was about 
thirty. Dirty brown hair hung past his shoulders in stringy clumps. His face didn't 
speak razor. When he smiled, I considered paying him to stop.
 
"What can I get for you?” he asked while undressing me with his eyes. 
 
"Lysol, straight up." 
 
He blinked, and then he smiled a bit more. "Funny."
 
"You Vern Worthy?" I asked.
 
“Maybe,” he answered with narrowed eyes. “Who want's to know?”
 
“I do,” I said with a smirk. “I'm here to ask you about a reference you gave for 
Allen Carson.”
 
His eyes widened and he bolted toward the back of the bar. I guess he was shy. 
 
I took off after him. This was more like it. Hunter and hunted. Predator and prey. 
A waitress that I would have given a tip to wear a sack over her head stepped 
right out in front of me and went flying as I elbowed her aside. The patrons 
started scrambling and shouting. I snatched one of the pool cues off the wall and 
tossed it at his feet as Vern was approaching the back wall. 
 
The stick tangled his legs, dropping him in an untidy heap with a screech. He 
tried to scramble to his feet but I dropped onto him like a hawk on a cute little 
bunny rabbit. 
 
Driving his face into the floor, I levered his arm behind him. "Hi, Vern. What's 
the rush? Hot date?" His response was muffled by the cheap-assed carpet he 
was eating so I let him back up a bit. I would have talked, myself. No telling 
what was on that carpet. "Tell me about Allen Carson. Make it good, or we'll see 
how well you breathe when I tie you up like a pretzel."
 
"Shit, Bitch, let him loose!" shouted one of the men that had been playing pool.
 
"Back off," I snarled back. "You don't want to get into my business with Junior. 
Go back to your game. Talk, Vern."
 
"I don't know," he groaned. "I don't know no Allen! I swear!"
 
"Wrong answer." I ground his face into the carpet, burying my knee into his 
back.
 
The guy behind me had more balls than common sense. He shoved my shoulder 
hard. "Let him up, Bitch." The bad thing about big balls was they made a great 
target. 
 
I snapped my right elbow back into his conveniently placed crotch. He went 
down hard and I could hear him adding his own share of gross stuff to the 
carpet.
 
"You gave a reference for him. Talk, Vern." I whispered loudly into his ear.
 
His legs started beating against the floor. "I don't know him! I swear! Some dude 
just paid me to give him a good reference. Two hundred bucks!"
 
My right side lit up with pain and I fell over. The other pool player was standing 
there with his cue. Thank god for thick jackets.
 
"You think you're tough, Bitch? Come get some of this." He spun his pool cue 
around like some ninja fighter.
 
I rubbed my side as I climbed back up. "You think that stick makes you tough? 
Let's see." With a quick step forward, I started grabbing pool balls and bouncing 
them off him. The cue clattered to the floor as he tried to duck and cover. His 
sudden screams of pain and flight from the fight cheered me up a lot. Only an 
idiot used a cue when the balls made much better weapons.
 
Looking at the rest of the bar patrons, who were all staring at me, I smiled 
wolfishly. "Nothing to look at. Vern just didn't pay for the transvestite hooker he 
used last week." I can't imagine why no one tried to stop me from leaving.
 
Back out in the parking lot, I took a deep breath, trying to clear the stench from 
my lungs. Still no closer than when I arrived, I took my bike and headed south. 
The pieces were starting to fall into place. I just had to get them into the right 
order.
 
 
In half an hour, I was pulling into the parking lot at Seawolf Park. Ted's car was 
there, next to an RV and a beat up old pickup. I paid my ticket and was pulling 
into the lot when the ship started belching smoke from one of the stacks at the 
rear of the hull. 
 
Not bothering to curse, I leapt off the bike and ran toward the ship. As I was 
climbing on the deck, a ratty looking man came out of the bridge and screeched 
to a halt at the sight of me. People don't stop running from fires unless they are 
afraid of something else more. I was already reaching for my pistol when he 
pulled his and ducked back behind some metal thing whose purpose I didn't 
have time to fathom.
 
"This certainly isn't to your advantage, Detective. Shall we shoot it out while your 
friends burn?" He shouted, his voice more cultured than his appearance.
 
"Drop the weapon," I called back. 
 
"Oh, I don't think so," he chuckled. "Once again, I am one step ahead of you. 
You're more troublesome than I expected, though. I should have taken care of 
you at Samson's office. You do your Master's bidding better than most minions." 
I glimpsed him off to the side and ducked when he fired at me.
 
"Was that you? I didn't think a dried up stick like you had that kind of strength in 
him." I slid forward, toward the bridge, watching for him. When I saw him 
slinking toward the back rail of the ship, I fired at him twice, making him duck.
 
"I left your friends in a burning room and every second counts. Take your time 
thinking about what you really want to do," he suggested with a laugh. 
 
Bastard. He was right. "We'll meet again. Soon. Keep looking over that 
shoulder." 
 
I backed into the door he came out of with his laugh chasing me. The smoke 
was pouring up from a stair leading down into the bowels of the ship. I spotted a 
fire extinguisher on the wall and snagged it, pulling my shirt over my face and 
plunging into the smoke.
 
Settling closer to the floor where the smoke was less punishing, I crawled toward 
the rear of the ship. The hall ended in a hatch with a wheel on it. A metal bar 
was jammed into it. I grabbed it and let go with a yelp. It was hot! Duh, Hawk. 
There was a fire on the other side of the door. Smoke poured into the hall from a 
vent above the door.
 
Whipping off my jacket, I dropped the extinguisher. Then, I wrapped the jacket 
around the metal bar and yanked hard. It didn't move. I pulled harder. With a 
screech, it pulled loose. I used the jacket to force the wheel around and kicked 
the hatch open. 
 
The smoke made me gag and cough. "Lisa! Ted!"
 
"Hawk!" Lisa screamed from inside. They were on the other side of a sheet of 
flame.
 
"Hang on!" I shouted. Grabbing the extinguisher, I yanked the pin and started 
spraying the floor. The flames didn't die easily, but I forced my way toward my 
friends one step at a time. 
 
I started worrying about how much the extinguisher had left. The flames were 
stubborn. With a chug, it started to give out and there were still a few feet of 
flame between us. "Shit!"
 
Ted grabbed Lisa and tossed her across the flames and into my arms. I almost 
went over but staggered back and kept her on her feet. My prized leather jacket 
fell into the flames, along with the spent extinguisher, as I fought to keep us 
clear. I backed us out into the hall. 
 
"Come on, Ted! Jump!" Lisa screamed, clutching her purse to her side.
 
Ted jumped through the flames and rolled into the hall. His pants were on fire 
and I used my shoe to put him out. Then I helped him up.
 
"We need to blow this joint. Now." 
 
Together we escaped the fire, coughing and wheezing. The fresh air was like a 
drug. We sucked it in even as we tumbled down the ramp. Staff was running to 
the ship and a man helped us down the ramp and off onto the grass. 
 
"Is everyone okay," he asked worriedly.
 
I looked at Ted and Lisa, alive and well. "We're just fine,” I said softly.
 
Ted held onto Lisa, letting her start to cry. I felt the same urge but focused on 
the parking lot instead. The old pickup was gone, but now I had a real lead. I 
knew who had jumped me in Calvin's office and knew he was connected to the 
DA here in Galveston. That explained the easy access. No way had that man 
come in through the window. He had a key.
 
The level of smoke pouring from the ship was coming down. The staff was 
getting it under control. Off in the distance, I heard sirens getting closer. I wasn't 
looking forward to explaining this one. 
 
Sitting back down by the lovers, I touched them both. "I told you to be careful," 
I said gruffly. "I don't want to have to..."
 
Lisa threw herself onto me and tried to squeeze the life out of me, crying again. 
"Oh, Hawk! I thought we were going to die!" The side that had been hit with the 
pool cue ached, but I ignored it.
 
I held onto her, but looked at Ted. "Not on my watch. Nobody messes with my 
friends. I saw the man. I wish I had been thinking, because I could have gotten 
his tag numbers."
 
Ted nodded. "They might have a camera that caught that. Parking lot security. 
His coming here might just be his first big mistake. He got all of Calvin's stash 
except for a data CD that Lisa has."
 
"I have good news, too. I got a line on the bomber. I had his info in my jacket, 
but it's toast now." I shook my head in disgust as I thought about my mental 
note in the bar. I hadn't meant it literally. I made another mental note to be 
more careful about my mental notes, and then shook my head again. This 
nonsense wasn't getting me anywhere. "Anyway, he was a young guy, not a 
geezer man. Fake ID, but there is a picture on file at the place where he stole 
the explosives."
 
I looked at the fire engine pulling into the lot. "We know some of the players but 
not the game. We need to keep the police out, for now. Digger tagged my bike 
with an illegal tracker, and that makes me suspicious. I don't know if he's a part 
of this or not, but I'm smelling a rat somewhere. The police investigation has 
been derailed and that sure looks like someone inside, as much as I hate to 
admit it."
 
Ted stood up, pulling Lisa back to him. "We should get moving before someone 
official comes over."
 
I nodded and stood up, but before we could take more and two steps, I saw 
trouble. Murphy driving through the gate.
 
"Shit. Here we go," I muttered.
 
Murphy climbed out of his car with a grunt and headed right for us. I opened my 
mouth to say something, but he cut me off. 
 
"You folks okay?” he asked loudly. "You need paramedics?" Then he dropped his 
voice. "I don't know what's going on here, and I don't want to know. The DA and 
some prick from the Texas Rangers have a hard-on for all three of you and it 
smells really bad. The DA opened warrants for all of you, linking you to the 
bombing. It's total crap, but any cop that sees you won't have a choice but to 
arrest you." He paused a beat. "Good thing for you I never saw you." Murphy 
poked me in the chest. "You owe me, Hawk. You owe me big time. Now, beat it. 
All three of you."
 
He walked off, leaving me totally flabbergasted, to direct the scene.
 
"We need to go. Now," Ted said. 
 
"Yeah," I muttered, "before Jordan shows up to give me a backrub."
 
We took our vehicles and cleared the area before the majority of the uniforms 
arrived. Lisa directed us onto some back streets and then onto the highway. She 
pulled us over into Texas City and to a small house.
 
I climbed off the bike and looked at her, confused.
 
"My mother's house," Lisa said. "We need to clean up, eat and plan our next 
move. Things are coming to a head. Let's park in the back."
 
Ted stepped back to the car. "You girls start without me. I'll hit a Stop and Rob 
for some fresh food and supplies we might need, and then come back. Save me 
some hot water."
 
Lisa opened the back door while I stashed my bike. The house was small, but 
neat. She was waiting for me inside the door, already half-naked.
 
"Strip. We need to wash the clothes," Lisa said.
 
We were both a mess, covered in soot. I stripped and she stuffed our clothes 
into the washer.
 
Lisa took my hand and pulled me against her, wrapping her arms around me. 
She kissed me deeply, stirring a heat inside me. "Go shower," she said softly. 
"And thank you. I'll wait for Ted, so I don't tempt myself."
 
With a sigh, I nodded. I found the shower and let the hot water beat on me. 
God, what a day this had been.



Chapter Fifteen: Where no man has gone before.
 
Lisa's point of view
 
After Hawk went into the bathroom, I sat down on the couch and ran my hands 
over my face. The last few days were taking a toll on me. My world was turned 
upside down and now my boss was somehow involved. There wasn't enough to 
go for a warrant without him pushing it, but he was part of it. I felt like pulling 
my hair out by the roots. I was angry, upset and wanted to break down, but that 
would gain us nothing.
 
Hawk had a lead on the bomber, we had the old man and his link to the DA. If 
we could get something from the disk, we might be able to find out who they 
were. I thought about my boss, that rat bastard, he had to be in it up to his 
neck. He killed Calvin and then had all those sweet words of support for me. The 
schmuck was going to pay. 
 
Calvin had worked so hard, collected all that evidence and we just let them take 
it away from us. It made me so mad. With a growl, I got up and began pacing 
the living room. I had been going about this in the wrong way, like I was just a 
victim, not a prosecutor. I needed to be building a case against these people. 
They had been ahead of us every step of the way because they knew us and we 
didn't know them. That was gonna change. 
 
The back door opened and I heard Ted call out. He came into the living room 
and stopped with a grin. "Do you always stalk around your living room naked? 
You look like a Valkyrie with your face all stormy like that." He set down the 
grocery bags and took me into his arms. 
 
I buried my face in his neck, kissing his skin. He smelled like smoke. "You stink 
about as much as I think I do. Hawk is in the shower. Get these nasty clothes off 
so I can wash them."
 
With a kiss, he held me close for a moment before he started stripping. I 
stepped back and watched him. Sooty, smelly and grungy, I still wanted him, 
and just watching him take off his clothes made me wet. 
 
I took his clothes and stuffed them into the washer, after emptying the pockets. 
Then I started them all over again. A second wash couldn't hurt. Ted was in the 
kitchen, putting up some sandwich materials and drinks when I wandered in. I 
stood in the doorway, watching the way his trim ass moved. When he bent over 
to put the lettuce in the crisper, I thought my heart would stop. He was so damn 
sexy. I was eying the table, trying to judge its load bearing capacity when he 
turned around and caught me gawking.
 
"Well, well. See something you like, little girl?” he asked with a grin. "Hawk is 
still in the shower…"
 
I took him into my arms, rubbing my body against him. "Yeah, I do." I captured 
his face in my hands and crushed his mouth with mine, taking him. 
 
The first inkling I had that Hawk was done with her shower was when her hands 
slid around me and twisted my nipples, shooting lightning bolts through me, 
while she kissed my neck and rubbed her breasts against my back. 
 
"You two go shower," she whispered in my ear. "There will be time to prove 
we're alive when you smell like you weren't in a fire." She pulled back and 
swatted our asses. "Go. Shower now." She gently started pushing us toward the 
bathroom and we, giggling like school kids busted making out, obliged.
 
I climbed into the tub and set the water temperature to something just below 
roasting. Ted climbed in behind me and we lathered each other up. I looked into 
his eyes as he kissed me, and melted inside. "I love you," I said softly. 
 
He held me, the hot water sluicing down us. "I love you, Lisa." 
 
We bathed each other, cleaning the grime and soot away, leaving us smelling 
fresh. The scent of his hair made me squishy inside. My hands began caressing 
him and he squeezed my breasts gently.
 
Suddenly, his hunger took him and he pushed me against the wall of the shower. 
His hands lifted me and in one sharp thrust, that took away my ability to speak, 
he was inside me. He felt molten hot as I wrapped my legs around his waist, 
pulling him deeper inside me. His eyes were wild as he rocked his hips against 
me. 
 
The feel of his slick skin under my hands made me groan with desire. My breath 
caught in my throat as he filled me again and again. Each thrust was as if it were 
the first, fueling my lust and love.
 
The rush of sensation and emotion, made me unable to think. I suddenly felt my 
hunger rise and take over my mind. With a growl, I bit his shoulder. Not hard, 
but I had to taste him. He bucked like an animal beneath me. 
 
"Faster," I moaned in Ted's ear. "Fuck me faster. Make me come. Fill me with 
your come. Oh, god!" A small orgasm exploded between my legs and I writhed 
around him, rooting my sex onto him, lost in the moment.
 
He impaled me and held me close until I could see again. Then he started 
fucking me slowly. Pulling out almost all the way before filling me. The feel of 
the ridge on his cock brushing the entrance to my sex made me moan with every 
thrust. The slap of our bodies mixed with the rush of the water.
 
I watched Ted's face as he made love to me. His eyes unfocused, his mouth 
open and panting. Then he leaned forward and began devouring my neck. I 
flashed hot all over my skin and screamed as he made me his. 
 
I knew he was close by the slow groans that came from him. "I love you," I 
whispered in his ear. "Your cock feels so good inside me. So big, so thick, so hot. 
You make my head spin when you make love to me. Take me. Make me yours."
 
His hands, slippery on my skin, gripped my hips as he powered into me. I used 
my legs around his waist to thrust back down onto him and groaned into his ear 
to urge him on. It didn't take much urging. Ted buried himself inside me and his 
face in my breast. The groan that ripped from him coincided with the swelling of 
his cock and the pulsing as he filled me with his seed.
 
I cradled his head to me and squeezed him gently, sighing in pleasure. His 
footing seemed a bit unsteady, so I slid one foot down to help keep us standing. 
Together, we stood holding each other, him still deep inside me. "Thank you," I 
whispered in his ear.
 
"You never have to thank me," he said back with a smile. "I'm happy to be here 
for you."
 
I smacked him on the arm playfully. "Oh, you!" 
 
He turned the water off and opened the shower curtain as we pulled apart. I 
should clean up again but I might have some more sweating to do before we 
were done, if I was lucky. We dried off and he snagged me up, carrying me in 
his arms back into the master bedroom. 
 
On the bed, lying on her side, her hair tumbling down across her chest was 
Hawk. She grinned at us. "You two sure know how to have a good time." Her 
smile faltered a little. "Do you mind a little company or should I scram?"
 
Ted looked at me. I smiled at her. "You can join us. Same as last time, you tell 
us where your limits are." Ted set me on the edge of the bed and I could see her 
looking at his still erect cock with an interesting mix of lust and dread.
 
I took her hand in mine, drawing her eyes to my face. "You don't have to go any 
further than you want to."
 
She nodded and a slow grin crept across her lips. "But, I'd hate to see Ted waste 
good money."
 
I raised an eyebrow and looked at Ted. "What would he waste money on?" I 
asked.
 
She reached behind her and dropped an unopened box of condoms on the bed 
in front of her. "Look what I found in the grocery bag. Unlubricated condoms!"
 
Ted turned a bit red. "Just in case. No pressure. I just had the chance to get 
them and took it."
 
Hawk laughed. "Were you a boy scout? Always prepared? I'm fine, Ted. I want 
to. Maybe only once, but I want to make love to you." She fell back on the bed 
and opened her arms. "Take me," she cried theatrically.
 
Ted grinned. "I think I can do better than rushing in. This is going to be slow 
and as perfect as Lisa and I can make it. We have some time until our clothes 
are finished, so there's no rush. Let's take our time."
 
"Go get some wine out of the kitchen, Ted. Hawk and I will get things started 
while you get us some drinks. Then, you can watch us make love while you 
recover from the shower." I grinned at him. "You don't mind if I get her warmed 
up for you, do you Ted?"
 
Ted shook his head. "I don't mind at all. You girls have fun and I'll be right 
back." He wandered out, with my eyes drilling holes in his butt. I sighed. Sex 
with Hawk was fun, but he was gorgeous. 
 
"If you think that I'm coming in between you, tell me and it won't hurt my 
feelings," Hawk said quietly. "I can see how much you love each other and I 
don't want to hurt that. You two are important to me."
 
"Hawk," I said gently, "if I think that it's an issue, I'll talk with you about it. Ted 
doesn't feel threatened with this for now, and neither do I. Just like no means 
no, yes means yes. We both want to make love to you, but Ted won't push. 
Don't worry about it. Just have a good time. And, let's take it slowly. I want 
some more of Ted, too,” I said with a toothy grin.
 
To emphasize my point, I touched her breast with my fingers, rubbing along her 
nipple with my nail gently. The deep inhalation told me that she liked my touch. 
Using only my fingertips, I traced the curve of her breast, the flat skin of her 
abdomen. 
 
Her fingers began tracing the same path along my body. With a sigh, Hawk 
leaned across and our lips touched. Soft, sensual, she kissed me. The taste of 
her exploding as she slipped her tongue inside my mouth. Our tongues dueled, 
our kisses becoming more heated and our hands pulling each of us to the other. 
Her stiff nipples set off an ache of need in my belly, and I felt my own nipples 
harden in response.
 
Hawk rolled on top of me and broke our kiss. "Let me show you something new, 
lover. I think you'll like it. A lot." She slid her leg between my thighs and slowly 
rubbed it along my damp sex. I sighed and let her settle down on my leg. Her 
sex was drenched. When she groaned, I realized we were fucking each other. 
She was masturbating herself on my leg as I was getting off on hers. 
 
With hungry hands, I pulled her down to me and kissed her passionately. We 
writhed together, kissing, as I grabbed her ass and held her as we thrust 
together. I heard the 'pop' of a wine cork but ignored it. The sound of wine 
being poured into glasses sent a shiver up my spine. 
 
Rolling Hawk over onto her back, I stared down at her, my hair a wild halo 
around my face. An innocent frame to a devilish arousal. "I want to taste you 
again, Hawk. I want to slip my tongue deep inside your hot, sweet pussy. Since 
you're feeling so adventurous, I want to feel you suck Ted's come out of me, one 
drop at a time."
 
Hawk groaned underneath me and nodded, her eyes wide with lust. "Yes," she 
moaned. "Do it. Make me suck Ted's come from your hot pussy. Oh, god!"
 
I swooped down, locking my lips around her nipple and she bucked beneath me, 
a scream of pleasure bursting from her lips. The metallic feel of the nipple ring 
made me shiver with excitement. 
 
"Ohhhhhhhh! Yes!" Hawk screamed. 
 
Nipping lightly with my teeth, I searched for the ragged edge of Hawk's line 
between pleasure and pain, not being afraid to use my teeth to twist the rings 
just a little. My hands squeezed her breasts as I feasted on them, sucking, biting, 
licking. I could feel the heat of Ted's eyes all over me but I wasn't going to look. 
Just knowing we were being watched made my pussy flood.
 
I slowly kissed my way down to Hawk's belly button, running my tongue along 
and inside it. Hawk's hands tangled in my hair, trying to push me lower. I 
resisted, digging in. This was going to be at my pace. I was going to make her 
beg for me to make love to her.
 
When I finally kissed lower, she moaned and called out for me. "Yes! Oh, yes. 
Make love to me, Lisa."
 
I grinned and decided to do the same evil that Ted had done to me. I skipped 
her slippery sex and started kissing down her leg. She screamed with desire and 
pulled my hair, almost painfully, trying to bring my tongue to her needy sex. I 
wasn't playing that game. I untangled her hands from my hair and kissed her 
inner thigh. 
 
"I'm running this show, Hawk. Last time you were calling the shots. Now, I will 
do this my way and you will like it!" I whispered, my voice husky with desire, at 
Hawk.
 
Hawk gripped the sheets and groaned. "Ted, come here and help me!"
 
"No!" I called out, flashing a stern look at Ted, who was sitting in the chair by 
the vanity. "You don't get help. You're mine, for now. I'll make you scream my 
name when I am ready." I looked back up at her face. I was crouched, like a 
hunting tigress. I was almost shocked by how aggressive I was being and how 
passive Hawk was. I almost expected her to flip me over and ride me but she 
submitted to me. She was stronger than me and could push the issue but she 
just writhed under me. The scent of her arousal sent sparks through me.
 
Getting back to my seduction, I returned to kissing her leg, tasting her skin. I 
took my time, running my tongue along her flesh. I kept my eyes on her face, 
watching the waves of pleasure wash over her. I waited for her next move, I 
expected it. When she reached for her own sex, I snaked my hands up and 
captured them shy of their goal. "Bad girl! No touching yourself unless I tell you 
to. Keep your hands above your waist. You may touch your breasts."
 
Her groan of need flushed me with heat. I wondered if Ted would play along 
with this kind of thing later. I smiled and kissed my way lower, running my lips 
along her ankle. I spent a good five minutes torturing her foot, sucking her toes 
like Ted had done mine.
 
When I started back up, her breathing sped up. She was twisting her nipples so 
hard I was afraid that she might hurt herself. The musky scent of her 
womanhood was intense and overpowering. It took a lot of willpower not to 
taste her and still get within an inch of her mound before switching legs and 
starting back down. 
 
Her screams of anguished desire filled me with lust. By the time I came back up, 
she could have worn a hole in the mattress from all the writhing. So, this was 
how it was for Ted, holding me on the razor's edge, tortured with need and 
pleasure. Waiting, knowing that when I finally touched her, she would explode. I 
shared a long, hot look with my boyfriend as I teased Hawk. I was surprised he 
wasn't touching himself, yet. Though he was as hard as a rock, he was keeping 
his hands away, sipping on some wine. He raised the glass in toast to me. 
 
Returning my focus to Hawk, I repeated the slow descent to her foot and took 
my time. Even when she started pleading with me. "Please, I give up, Lisa." She 
called out to me. "Don't leave me like this!"
 
I laughed and shook my head. "An extra minute for begging. Wait for it!" I 
purred back. Another lusty groan met my delay.
 
By the time I was back above her knee, she was twitching with need. I made my 
way to her dripping pussy. I had heard the phrase before but always thought it 
was hype. Hawk proved to me that it could be true. The lips of her sex were 
dotted with nectar and she quivered like a plucked guitar string.
 
She arched her back and wailed softly when I blew a warm stream of air across 
her flower. My god, I don't know that I had ever seen someone so aroused. I 
was going to have to ask Ted if I was so far gone when he did this to me.
 
"Now, you may touch below your waist," I husked to Hawk. Her hands were like 
striking vipers, grabbing my head and burying my face into her sex. The taste of 
her exploded into my mouth and I heard her scream before her thighs clamped 
to my head. It took all my strength, but I forced her legs apart so I could 
breathe. Using my fingers, I spread her lips and dug my tongue as deeply inside 
her as I could. The ridges of her sex trembled as I licked her deeply, feeling her 
lower piercings rub along my face.
 
I licked her clit and she crushed my lips to her. When I locked my lips around her 
clit and sucked hard, she arched as taunt as a bowstring. Then she wailed her 
pleasure. I sucked her pussy until she bucked me partway off her. Then, I got 
the shock of my life. She clamped her legs around my head and I saw a squirt of 
nectar shoot out of her. I know it was pussy juice because it squirted right into 
my mouth. The next one just sprayed droplets of her sexy juice all over my face. 
That's something else I had heard of but never imagined seeing. Female 
ejaculation. I must have made her come like a dragon. I slowly lapped her sex as 
she came down from her high, toying with the rings in her labia. Finally, she 
collapsed in a loose heap, spent.
 
With a silly grin all over my face, I began kissing up her heaving body. When I 
got to her face, her eyes were unfocused. Hawk did react to my kisses, though. 
She moaned as she licked my face, tasting herself. 
 
"You shot come all over my face and into my mouth," I whispered to her. "I 
guess that means I did a good job, huh?"
 
"Oh, god," Hawk moaned. "That was an A+ if I ever felt one."
 
"Caught your breath?" I asked her. At her nod, I climbed up and straddled her 
face. "Suck my pussy," I told her, planting my sex on her lips. "Suck Ted's come 
out of my pussy," I commanded.
 
Hawk didn't play around like I had; she dug right in and started eating me. When 
she tasted Ted's come, she groaned. I squeezed my muscles and forced some 
into her mouth. Hawk went nuts, sucking, licking and biting me gently. She was 
a great pussy eater. Better than Ted, I had to admit. I'd have to give him more 
time to practice or get Hawk to give him some pointers.
 
Hawk began sliding her fingers inside me and licking them when she pulled them 
out. I locked eyes with Ted and motioned him over. He set the glass down and 
climbed onto the bed. I kissed him and about sucked his tongue down my throat. 
His hands pinched my nipples and he began kissing my neck. My eyes unfocused 
and I ground my sex into Hawk's face. 
 
I forced him back and leaned forward to capture his cock in my mouth. The salty 
taste of him revved me right up. I bobbed my head and moaned, which only set 
off Hawk. From the motion of her arm, I could tell she was playing with herself, 
so I wasn't too surprised when she came again. 
 
Pulling my mouth back, I rode her as she writhed. I looked deeply into Ted's 
eyes as I came with a shiver. He held me close while I came back down, 
listening to Hawk coo and moan into my sex. I rolled off of her and onto my 
side, trying to catch my breath.
 
"Ready to take the plunge, Hawk?" I asked when we could both breathe. "Are 
you ready for Ted to fuck you? Do you still want it?"
 
Hawk's hair was in wild disarray. She looked like a goddess of sex. I wrapped my 
hand around Ted's cock and he was like iron. Hawk looked at my hand, 
swallowed and nodded. 
 
"I'm ready, but I need you to guide him and be here with me," Hawk said. Her 
breathing was a bit fast but she looked like she was ready. 
 
"I'll be right here. If you need me, call me and I'll be here. If you want to stop, 
tell Ted and he'll back off." I assured Hawk.
 
I found the box and pulled out a foil package. With a grin, I tore it open with my 
teeth and fit the condom on the tip of Ted's cock. Then I used my lips to push it 
up and unroll it, taking him all the way in and settling the condom around the 
base of his cock. I could see Ted's eyes cross when I massaged him with my 
throat. Pulling back, I used my hand to jack him a few times.
 
"Assume the position, mister." I whispered to him. Ted was funny, caught 
between eagerness and not wanting to be seen as too eager. I kept my hand on 
him as he knelt between Hawk's spread thighs. 
 
I looked into her eyes, wanting to be sure. At her hesitant nod, I ran the head of 
Ted's rubber sheathed cock along her sex. She jumped a bit so I stopped.
 
"No," Hawk said. "Just go ahead. I'm only nervous."
 
With a nod, I positioned Ted right at her entrance and pulled him forward a bit. 
Slowly, an inch at a time, Ted sank his length into Hawk. She closed her eyes 
and sighed as he settled on top of her.
 
"It feels weird, emotionally, but not bad," Hawk told Ted. "Kiss me. Kiss me 
while you fuck me.” And with that, she wrapped her hand in his hair and pulled 
him into a kiss.
 
I sat back and then slid off the bed entirely. I wanted a glass of wine and I 
wanted Hawk to have her first time with a man alone. Well, not really alone, but 
not where sex with a woman would cloud the issue. I picked up a glass and 
poured my wine while they made love on the bed.
 
Sitting down in the chair, I crossed my legs and watched Ted move, resisting the 
urge to touch myself. He was slow and gentle. Letting Hawk have the benefit of 
his experience. I could see that Hawk was undulating under him, holding him, 
kissing him. They made love this way for fifteen or twenty minutes. I could tell 
that Ted was really having to focus on not coming first. 
 
Hawk finally arched her body into his and groaned into his mouth. Her legs 
wrapped around him and he pistoned into her with short, sharp thrusts. She 
pushed Ted back, breaking their kiss to urge him on.
 
"Do it," she hissed. "Fuck me. You know you've wanted to fuck me since you first 
met me. You want to make me come on your cock, don't you? Do it!"
 
Ted lost control. He grabbed Hawk's hips and started powering his cock into her. 
She writhed and thrust back onto him as he impaled her. "Does my cock feel 
good, Hawk? I'm going to make you come. I'm going to make you come and 
then let you feel a man shoot his load inside you for the first time."
 
They both writhed and seemed to be trying to fuck the other to orgasm first. 
From my point of view, it was a tie. I sipped my wine and watched Ted arch and 
bury himself in Hawk. She screamed his name and rubbed her sex onto him and 
then went wild, writhing and moaning. The two of them came down slowly, 
holding each other, kissing each other. I decided that was my signal to rejoin 
them.
 
I set the wine glass down and slid into bed with them, holding them both. I 
kissed Ted and then Hawk. "So," I whispered to them, "you guys have a good 
time?" Ted smiled that just-fucked-silly-man-smile at me and nodded. Hawk 
kissed me.
 
"Mmmmm, yeah," Hawk said. "That was fun." She looked at Ted. "I don't know if 
it will ever replace making love to a woman, but you're damn good, Ted. I came 
harder than I thought I would. I could feel you pulsing inside me. God what a 
feeling. Thank you."
 
I pushed Ted back and unrolled the condom from his cock. "My turn," I said with 
a smile. Turning the condom inside out, I sucked the flavor of both of them into 
my mouth and sighed.
 
Hawk slid out from beneath Ted and settled him onto his back. Then, she 
grinned at me and settled onto his face. "Go ahead, Ted. Give me head while 
Lisa fucks you."
 
Dropping the used condom, I straddled my lover and sank onto him. I didn't 
think he would come again so soon, but I knew I would. I pulled Hawk to me 
and kissed her deeply while Ted pleased both of us at the same time. Her eyes 
betrayed how aroused that made her.
 
"Did you enjoy watching?" Hawk asked me. "Enjoy watching your lover fuck me? 
Take my virginity? Be my first?"
 
I giggled and held her. "Yes. Did you enjoy me taking charge? Telling you what 
to do?" 
 
Hawk moaned and nodded. "I learned something about myself I didn't know, 
Lisa. I kinda liked that." Hawk started rubbing her sex on Ted's face faster and 
faster. I slipped lower and sucked on her nipples until she exploded.
 
When she fell back, I leaned forward and kissed Ted, loving the feeling as his 
arms enfolded me. "You sexy man," I murmured to him. "I'm going to fuck you 
silly. Can you come again for me?"
 
He shook his head. "I don't think so. You just have a good time, Baby."
 
I closed my eyes and sank onto him in time with his thrusts into me. I sighed 
and moaned as he made me feel fabulous. The sensation of our sex slicked 
bodies moving together made my heart soar. Actually, it had to have been the 
fact it was him. He made it extraordinary. 
 
The gentle touch of hair along my lower back startled me. I looked back and 
Hawk was behind me. She grinned. "Don't worry," she said softly. "I think I can 
help you out some more." Hawk urged us to slide to the edge of the bed.
 
I didn't know what she had in mind, but at this point, I would give just about 
anything a try. Hawk began by kissing my lower back, sending shivers up my 
spine. Her hands caressed my body as she gentled me to her touch. When she 
bent low and began licking where Ted and I joined, I groaned. Her tongue split 
attention between my labia and Ted's cock and balls. She was pushing both of us 
and I might get another load from Ted, after all.
 
When she left there to lick a little higher, I lost it. Hawk kissed my ass and I 
went nuts. I remembered her talking about that little strap-on she wanted to 
fuck me in the ass with and just went berserk on Ted.
 
"God, Ted. She's kissing my ass, licking my ass," I whispered. Her hands held me 
where she wanted while that long tongue of hers pleasured me. "Ohmigod, Ted. 
She…" I shuddered and my vision went double for a moment. When I could see 
again, I continued. "She told me she had this little dildo that she could show me 
what anal sex felt like. Should I let her, or do you want to be my first?"
 
Ted was going berserk underneath me. I thought I would be getting that last 
orgasm out of him, after all. Then, I felt it. Hawk slid a finger slowly into my ass 
and I exploded. I arched my back, wailed to high heaven and came right there. 
As I collapsed on top of him, I felt Ted slip out of me. 
 
Hawk didn't miss the chance. She grabbed Ted and sucked him into her mouth, 
sucking and bobbing her head. I slid off Ted, watching dazed as Hawk showed 
me how well she remembered her lessons. Ted grabbed her head and I could tell 
from her expression when he came. Hawk swallowed and then began licking him 
all over his cock while he came down from cloud nine.
 
I held onto him and let Hawk snuggle from the other side. She kissed me softly. 
"I still like women more, but I wouldn't kick you out of bed, Ted. Thank you for 
making my first time fabulous. Both of you."
 
"Does that mean you liked it enough to try again?" Ted asked with a grin.
 
Hawk blushed. "Maybe. I wouldn't rule it out," she muttered. "Don't let it go to 
your head, Hero," she added with a slap to his chest. "Lisa with a strap-on will 
still be just fine."
 
I laughed and held them both. "I think we need more wine, and I need to put 
the clothes into the dryer."
 
"Already done," Ted said. "I slipped them into the dryer a bit ago. Let's get some 
wine and shower up again. We smell like sex." We all laughed. 
 
 
An hour later, we were all showered and sitting, dressed, at the kitchen table 
eating sandwiches and drinking wine. I drank what seemed like a gallon of 
water, too. Wild sex really took it out of me.
 
Hawk laid a hand on each of ours. "I was afraid that if I waited, I might never 
get the chance to make love to both of you and I really wanted to. You're both 
real friends. Thank you."
 
I smiled. "Friends with benefits? I seem to have read a sexy story by that name."
 
She shook her head and smiled. "Sort of. But now it's time to get all our 
information on the table, see what's on that disk and get these bastards. 
Ready?"
 
I nodded. "Ready."


Chapter Sixteen: Fighting back.
 
Lisa's point of view
 
After we finished eating and putting the house back in order, we stepped out the 
back door. Hawk took one of my mom's light jackets to cover her shoulder 
holster.
 
"I think we need to stick together," Hawk said. "They know who we are and 
have shown no hesitation at trying to kill us - publicly. Now we have your boss 
after us, too, Lisa. We have two threads to pull on. Him and the mysterious 
bomber. Since we know him, I think we should start there. The guy that stole 
the bomb equipment will fall if we can flip the rest."
 
"But, Hawk, he's at work," I protested. "We'll never get to him right now and 
what about the disk?"
 
"I didn't see a computer around here, so we'll have to look at it when we can 
find one we can use. Is your boss married?" Hawk asked.
 
I shook my head. "He was, but his wife passed away a few years back. No kids. 
He's a fairly young guy for that position. He's in his forties."
 
"Then let's go make ourselves useful and dig up some dirt on him. He's not 
afraid to break the law to get us, so we'll have to break it to get him. We need to 
get into his house," Hawk said firmly.
 
I shook my head. "He lives in a secure community. So, we'd have to get past the 
front desk. Anything we find will be inadmissible in court, so how can that help 
us?"
 
"We'll figure out a way to do that later," Hawk said confidently. "First, we need a 
distraction. Let me look the place over and see what I can come up with. He's 
the only member of the conspiracy that we've identified, so let's take the fight to 
him." Then she grinned. "Yah know, information turned over to the authorities 
by an anonymous source is admissible, so we'll get it and turn it over to 
someone we can trust with no lead back to us."
 
I nodded reluctantly. "Okay, I suppose you're right. It's still so hard to believe. 
Like a bad dream, you know. In any case, since they're looking for you, we need 
to leave the bike here. The police may pick you out by it. We shouldn't take 
Ted's car either for the same reason. Mom's car is in the garage, so we'll switch 
Ted's for it."
 
“I thought you said she wrecked it,” Ted said.
 
I nodded. “She did. I guess I should have said it's Dad's old car. It's a sweet 
ride. I give it a spin every once in a while just to make sure it keeps working. 
Come on.”
 
Hawk scowled, but nodded. "Fine. I don't have my jacket anyway." 
 
When I opened the garage, Ted whistled at the bright cherry red, vintage '68 
Mustang. “Yeah, we'll be inconspicuous in that. It doesn't have dual-exhaust 
glass-packs does it?” he asked, almost drooling.
 
I smiled. “No, silly! Dad wanted it pristine and didn't go for the noise factor in his 
muscle car,” I chided. “He always said this was his walk on the wild side. He told 
me to watch out for Mom, because all the guys would come sniffing around his 
baby and seduce Mom to get close to it. He was such a card.” 
 
Hawk laughed and nodded. “If I can't ride my hog, this will do.” 
 
 
After swapping the cars, and putting Hawk's bike into the garage, we drove back 
into Galveston and ducked off the main lanes as quickly as we could. Best to 
take as few chances as possible when avoiding the police. I drove to the building 
- a high-rise of secure condos. No external fire escapes here and no access to 
the first floor except through the main entrance.
 
"He lives on the fifth floor, condo 502," I said. "That means getting past the front 
desk. The doorman will see us as soon as we come in and he's not in the habit 
of letting people in without the go ahead of the residents."
 
Hawk climbed out of the car, giving the building a good look. Then she smiled. 
"There's our ticket in. Come on."
 
Hawk jogged across the parking lot to a car that had just pulled up. A little old 
lady climbed out stiffly and was digging at the grocery bags in the back seat. 
"Ma'am, let us help you carry those in," Hawk said.
 
The woman peered suspiciously at Hawk. "I really shouldn't let strangers help 
me into my apartment."
 
I pulled out my District Attorney's ID and badge. "I'm an officer of the court, 
ma'am. Does that help?"
 
The old woman nodded and smiled. "Yes, it does. Ya'll are so sweet. You know, 
you have to be so careful these days, especially as you get on in years. It's good 
to see nice young people again."
 
"We're happy to help you, ma'am," Ted assured her. "Let us carry these up for 
you and then we can go visit our friends."
 
As a group, we carried the woman's groceries in. The uniformed guard at the 
desk chatted with her as she walked past. Her name was Mrs. Lanier. He didn't 
give us a second look. 
 
Her condo was on the third floor. It was nice and neat. Very orderly, with 
pictures and flowers everywhere. We set her bags on the table and politely 
declined her offer of tea with thanks.
 
Hawk grinned smugly on the elevator ride up. "It's about time we had some luck 
swing our way. Remind me to send her some flowers."
 
The fifth floor looked exactly like the third, pale walls and light blue carpet. Hawk 
stopped at Zed's door and knocked. I about came out of my skin.
 
"What are you doing?" I hissed. "There could be someone in there!"
 
Hawk nodded. "Wouldn't you rather know if someone's home before you broke 
in?"
 
It's hard to argue with that logic. When no one answered, Hawk slid what looked 
like a small kit of screwdrivers from a hidden pouch on her shoulder holster. She 
opened the kit and I saw an assortment of oddly shaped hooks and picks. She 
knelt and inserted two into the lock.
 
"Lock picks? Where did you learn to pick locks?" Ted whispered. "Isn't that kind 
of an odd skill for a cop?"
 
"Oh," Hawk said airily, "someone owed me a favor and gave me some lessons. 
You never know when you might need to go through a locked door."
 
"Uh, huh," I muttered. "What if there’s an alarm inside?"
 
Hawk looked up from where she was working. "Then we have four minutes to 
search before we scram. I doubt there will be, though. This is a secure 
community." 
 
Thirty seconds of work and the lock clicked. "Who’s your Daddy?" Hawk 
exclaimed. She opened the door and there was no alarm. "Told you! Now, don't 
touch anything and leave things where they are. We don't want him knowing we 
were here."
 
"Wipe the doorknob down," I said, digging the last three pairs of gloves out from 
my purse, "and put these on."
 
"Ooooo!" Hawk squealed. "Now we're talking! We could have another career 
ahead of us!" 
 
We all put on gloves and split up. Ted took the front room, I took the bedroom, 
and Hawk took the office.
 
This condo was decorated much more lavishly than Mrs. Lanier's. Zed had to 
have sunk some serious money into this place for such cushy digs. The living 
room furniture was a light cream leather over a deep-pile white carpet. Tasteful 
art decorated the walls and nooks. He was doing pretty well for himself.
 
The bedroom was done in dark blue. A neatly made king sized bed anchored the 
room. The closet was filled with expensive suits - a lot of them. Also, a fair 
amount of hunting gear and camouflage outfits. 
 
The dresser had more clothes and no major revelations. The bookcase was a 
treasure trove, though. On top was a group picture of about a dozen men and 
one woman, all in camouflage gear with rifles. Automatic rifles. I looked closely 
and spotted Zed. I also spotted the man that had tried to kill us. 
 
The bookshelf was stuffed with books. Catchy titles like Defrauding America, Lost 
Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty, Liberty Under Siege, The Waco 
Whitewash, It Did Happen Here: Recollections of Political Repression in America, 
Microwave Harassment & Mind-Control Experimentation, Votescam: the Stealing 
of America, America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull 
& Bones, Conspirators' Hierarchy: The Committee of Three Hundred, Secret 
Team : The CIA and Its Allies in Control of the United States and the World, 
Secrets of the Temple: How the Federal Reserve Runs the Country, The Militia in 
20th Century America: A Symposium, Safeguarding Liberty: The Constitution and 
Citizens Militias, A Call for Revolution and The Citizen's Guide to Fighting 
Government. There were plenty more in that theme. 
 
My stomach did a slow roll. Jesus, Zed was a separatist. How could I have 
missed it? Did he know Arthur? My blood ran cold. Was my brother part of this? 
Oh, shit!
 
I took the picture and went into the office. Hawk was sitting at the desk, rifling 
through the drawers, looking at papers.
 
"I found the link," I said. "They're members of a militia."
 
Hawk took the picture, pulled it close and stared at it. "Shit! I don't believe this! 
That's Jordan!" She looked up at my face, paling. "Just how fucking deep does 
this go? Why him? Hell, this guy is a county judge and this woman on the left is 
the Harris County Auditor. Shit! How the fuck do we unravel this? It's like a 
takeover from within!"
 
I wasn't sure I wanted to know, but I had to ask. "Hawk, is the bomber in this 
picture?"
 
Hawk looked closely and shook her head. "No. No one that young. These folks 
are all forty or over. Why?"
 
I sat on the edge of the desk with a sigh. "Because my idiot brother is into the 
same crap and I'm praying it wasn't him. I should have shown you his picture at 
Mom's house, but I didn't think about it."
 
Her eyes narrowed. "So, killing Calvin was the primary objective and you were 
just a bonus? That seems a little - I don't know - convenient."
 
"He'd be the perfect recruit for this," I muttered. "The bastard doesn't give a 
rat's ass for anyone but himself and his cause. Killing me would also give him the 
money he thinks my mother has. I wouldn't be at all surprised if she was next on 
his kill list. That could have been him with the gun at the vineyard, too."
 
"We need to find out who the old man is," Hawk said. "He's the leader. We don't 
have any proof of anything illegal with these people, yet, but we have some 
leads to go on. Help me look through the desk and let's get some dirt on them."
 
Ted came in after about ten more minutes. "Nothing out there that makes me 
suspicious. How're we doing in here?"
 
"The papers are just normal business crap. No computer, though there's a cable 
for one here. I'd bet there's a laptop around somewhere," Hawk said. "He 
may've cleaned up because we're close and he's worried. We can't get to the DA, 
but I bet we can turn up your brother, if he's part of this."
 
“Arthur? You think he's part of this?” Ted asked. "He called your cell phone, so 
that gives us a number for him," Ted said. "Why don't we make him come to us? 
We've been dancing to their tune. Let's get one of them to do a jig for us."
 
Hawk thought about that and slowly nodded. "That's not bad, but what's to keep 
him from bringing friends? Or just not coming?"
 
I rubbed my temples with my fingertips. "It would have to appeal to his greed," I 
said. "He won't want to share. I'll tell him that I'm tired of fighting and want to 
pay him off. I don't think he'd bring someone who might take money from him."
 
"Where would be a good place to catch him and what'll we do when we have 
him?" Ted asked.
 
Hawk shrugged. "Sweat the truth out of him. Get names and what they're doing, 
that kind of stuff. If he won't talk, or doesn't know, I'll just have to improvise, 
but I bet I can squeeze the juicy details he has from him. As for a place, why not 
your mother's, Lisa? It's a place he'll be familiar with and won't feel scared to 
come to."
 
I nodded. "That's fine, but we really should check out the disk first. It may save 
us all the headache."
 
Hawk stood up. "I know a place that's out of the way. The owner has a 
computer we can use." She sighed. "That, and I'd rather take my lumps now 
rather than later."
 
"What does that mean?" Ted asked.
 
"The Cat's Paw is a lesbian bar in the Montrose area," Hawk said. "I know the 
owner and she'll let me use her computer. The trick will be getting in and out 
without me getting into a fist fight with one of the regular's, if they've already 
heard the rumors. I don't think some of them will appreciate my diversity, if you 
know what I mean."
 
"You know what? Fuck them," I said, hugging her. "If they're so narrow-minded, 
I'll kick their ass. Let's get out of here. Take the picture or leave it?"
 
Hawk frowned. "I'd rather not let him know we were here, but we should take it. 
He may not notice it's missing for quite a bit."
 
We made one last walkthrough to be sure we left nothing out of place and left 
with Hawk locking the door behind us. The guard didn't even look up as we 
walked out. 
 
 
Having made a clean getaway, we drove back into Houston to the Montrose 
area. It's the haven of the artistic types and the gay and lesbian community. A 
good number of buildings had murals and wall art. Very trendy, I'm sure. There 
was one wall in particular that caught my eye. The classic gay men's bar scene 
with all the fixings. Even a few woodies in the pants and one 'gentleman' in a 
leather vest and chaps clutching his.
 
The Cat's Paw looked like any other club on the outside. We parked and walked 
in. The sun was still over the yardarm, but there were already some regulars 
there. The place looked normal enough with small tables scattered all around the 
floor and bar almost in the middle. The jukebox was back by the restrooms. The 
music playing had a fast beat and I recognized it from the radio but did not know 
its name or the artist.
 
The bartender's blonde hair was cut short and spiky. A nice ear stud and some 
kind of tattoo on her left arm running under the sleeve of her tee shirt with the 
bar's logo completed her look. I expected only women, but there was one gay 
male couple, two hetero couples, and what I suspected were a scattering of 
cross-dressers.
 
The barkeep waved and smiled. "Hawk! A bit early for you, isn't it?"
 
Hawk walked up to the bar and smiled. "Charlie! I'm here on business. Mind if I 
use the computer for a few minutes? It's important."
 
She nodded and pointed back towards the bathrooms. "You know the way. 
Who're your friends?"
 
Hawk pulled Ted and me forward. "This is Ted and Lisa. Good people. Guys, this 
is Charlie."
 
Charlie smiled at us. "Pleasure. Welcome to the Kitty." 
 
The office in back was cluttered and the desk was messy. I felt right at home. 
Charlie's wasn't quite as messy as mine, but it was close. The framed pictures on 
the wall were all of patrons having a good time. 
 
Hawk parked herself in the chair and leaned forward with a creak of wood. The 
computer wasn't new, but it served its purpose. No need to have a high-end 
computer for basic accounting, I suppose. Hawk slid the disk in and began 
accessing the contents. 
 
"Looks like bank records," Hawk muttered. "Monthly statements for some 
offshore accounts. Balances run to the millions. Big deposits, all in the last year. 
The accounts are numbered, so that's no help in getting names, but a forensic 
accountant can probably trace them back to the owners. This is really damning 
evidence. Enough to kill for." Hawk smiled. "It won't be quick, but this will 
probably unravel the plot and those involved. This is more important than the 
tape they took. You two really brought home the bacon."
 
Ted leaned over the desk. "Who can we trust giving it to?"
 
"Kruger," Hawk said without hesitation. "They don't come straighter than him. 
With the implication that asshole Jordan is involved, he'll make sure this gets 
done right. All we need to do is get the information into his hands. We'll make 
copies, of course, and then drop the other into the mail drop at his house. He'll 
have it in his hands when he gets in tonight."
 
Hawk typed up a brief note and printed it. Straight and to the point. Samson 
bombing. She then snagged a blank CD from the spindle and burned a copy, 
wiping it clean before putting it into a case. She made a color copy of the photo 
and slid it and the CD into a manila envelope. The originals, she put in the back 
of one of the drawers of the filing cabinet in another manila envelope she 
marked with her name. 
 
"Let’s go drop this off before we give Junior a call,” Hawk said.
 
Ted held up his hand. "Why are we doing that, if your man can crack this?"
 
"Because," I said, "you never count on one line of investigation."
 
"And," Hawk added, "that scum is still after us. They won't take a vacation just 
because we have the bank statements under investigation. We'll see if we can 
roll your brother in front of witnesses. Every piece of the pie we can get our 
hands on will make the case stronger. Arthur may or may not have done the 
deed, either way I want the bastards behind it. That, and I can't just sit back and 
let someone else do my job."
 
"I'm not sure…" Ted started, before a woman in a faded leather jacket burst in. 
She had short black hair and her dark eyes were flashing with anger.
 
"You did not! Tell me that it's bullshit, Hawk!" she shouted.
 
Hawk closed her eyes and sighed. "Why does life have to be so hard?"
 
"Oh, my god! You did! What the fuck got into your head? You were happy, 
satisfied.” The woman's eyes narrowed. "Is this him?"
 
"Kate, let it be," Hawk said wearily. "I'm still me, and it's not his fault I just 
wanted to see what all the screaming was about."
 
Kate rounded back to Hawk. "You're not the same. Before, you were real, now 
you're just a player. How could you betray us and take something disgusting like 
him into bed?" She gestured at Ted.
 
That riled me up. "Hold on, sister. That's my man and you better back off before 
this gets ugly."
 
"I can say whatever the fuck I want. You must not be much of a woman if you 
can't make up your mind between this pig and a breeder like Hawk," she 
sneered.
 
Hawk's eyes flashed. "You bitch," she said, shoving Kate back. "I don't give a 
rat's ass what your narrow mind thinks, but if you insult my friends I'll kick your 
fat ass. You better get going before I bust up your face so bad not even your 
dildo can stand you."
 
"Ladies," Charlie yelled as she rushed in and grabbed Kate by the collar before 
the snarling woman could charge Hawk. "I will not have this in my bar. If you 
want to fight, take it outside."
 
Kate fumed, but backed off. "This ain't over," she growled and pushed her way 
past Charlie.
 
Charlie shook her head and looked at Hawk. "What in the blue blazes was that all 
about? She came in, talked to Jean for a second and came right back here to 
fight. Did you hit on her woman?"
 
Hawk laughed a bit hollowly. "I might be forgiven for that. No, I can't believe 
you haven't heard yet. I had sex with a man and liked it."
 
Charlie gave Ted a calculating glance. "Really? Well, if you had a good time, I'm 
happy for you."
 
Hawk opened her mouth, but nothing came out. 
 
Charlie shook her head and laughed. "You're such an innocent about some 
things. Look, Hawk, most people don't really care who you sleep with. Ever since 
you started coming here, you've been with the hardcore lesbians like Kate. As far 
as she and her little clique are concerned, you're a traitor."
 
Hawk nodded. "Most of the people I know will feel that way."
 
"Bullshit," Charlie said. "That's total bullshit. Most of us would be happy with 
anything that made you happy." She put a hand on Hawk's shoulder. "When 
Sharon left, we all felt your pain. But, Sweetie, the signs were there that you 
were growing apart."
 
Hawk yanked her shoulder back. "What the hell does that have to do with this," 
she growled, her voice a mixture of pain and confusion.
 
"Because, Dear, I see her sometimes. She's still my friend. Most of us don't 
reject her for wanting a man. I saw it coming. The hints, the drawing back from 
you. Being with a man doesn't make you a pariah any more than it did her."
 
"Dammit, Charlie, if you saw it happening why didn't you tell me?" Now there 
was fury in Hawk's voice.
 
"You were like Kate, Hawk, living in a black and white world. Us versus Them. 
Our community is filled with shades of gray, just like your friends' hetero world. 
Humans are complex. Leaving you hurt Sharon, too, but she had to do what was 
right for her. She still regrets that she hurt you; wishes she hadn't lost you as a 
friend. I think you should call her and go out for coffee someday. The bottom 
line is that probably three in ten of us have occasionally crossed over. I have. It 
doesn't mean I'm not a lesbian."
 
"You?" Hawk asked, her voice choked. "I had no idea. Aren't you afraid of that 
getting out?"
 
"No. Some people know, but Kate and her friends don't, yet. Sooner or later 
they'll find out. So what? The people whose opinions matter already know and 
accept me regardless, and they will for you, too. Don't let Kate be our 
spokeswoman. Welcome to the real world." Charlie hugged Hawk.
 
"This is all happening so fast, Charlie. This isn't what I expected and things are 
looking a little tilted right now," Hawk said. "We have some stuff we need to do. 
I left an envelope in the file cabinet with my name on it. If something happens 
to me, take it to the press. Don't mention it to people otherwise. Someone's 
already been killed for it."
 
Charlie let Hawk go. "I'll take care of it. Ya'll be careful. I'm sorry that I didn't 
have time to meet your new friends properly. Bring them back soon, Hawk."
 
I pulled Ted along and we smiled at Charlie in passing. "We'll be back soon. I 
promise."
 
Charlie escorted us back out into the main bar area. It looked like Kate had 
stomped off. At least, she wasn't there to make another scene. As we made it 
back to the parking lot, I thought about the Cat's Paw. It wasn't at all what I'd 
expected. Then again, I'd had no idea what I expected before we got there.
 
 
Ted drove and Hawk directed him. Kruger's place looked normal enough. Hawk 
climbed out and ran to the front door, dropping the envelope through the slot. 
When she was back, we started toward Galveston again. It felt like we had been 
making this trip over and over.
 
"Won't his wife find it first?" I asked Hawk.
 
"He's divorced," Hawk replied. "Years ago. She took the kids and moved to 
Michigan. She's a good person, I suppose, but cop work is hard on a family. Shit 
happens."
 
I nodded my understanding. Being a prosecutor had some of the same problems. 
I wondered if that had anything to do with the trouble Hawk had with Sharon, 
but I didn't say anything.
 
"Now, how will we do this? Just call him and tell him to come over?" I asked.
 
"We're taking a chance here," Hawk said. "If he comes with backup, we could 
end up in a world of hurt. I think it might be best if I stay there and wait for him 
alone." She held up a hand to quell my objection. "Let me finish. You're not 
armed, have no weapons training and no tactical training. I don't want your 
blood on my hands if something goes wrong. I'm trained for this. Let me take 
him down alone and if he comes with company, I'll bail out the back door." 
 
"No," I said stubbornly. "They might spot us on the street. If we have to bail, we 
all bail together. With me there, I might be able to talk Arthur into giving up the 
names easier. Get used to it, boys and girls, I'm part of this and I'm going."
 
With a sigh, Hawk relented. Ted didn't say anything.
 
It was after dark when we parked in the alley behind my mom's. The house was 
dark and empty looking. Hawk checked every room just to be sure it was empty. 
 
"We'll want to pull the shades down," Hawk directed. "Ted, I want you looking 
out the back in case we have company. Lisa, I want you with me. Call him."
 
I pulled my out cell phone and used the call log to call him back. 
 
"Yeah? What?" Arthur asked after a few rings.
 
"Arthur, I've been thinking and Mom wouldn't want us fighting like this,” I said 
tiredly.
 
"Really?" He sounded surprised. "After this morning, that's a very surprising 
change of heart. Why?" He also sounded suspicious.
 
"Fine, you're right," I countered, changing tactics. "I'm just tired of fighting with 
you and having you threaten me and Mom. I want to pay you to go away. Leave 
the area and never come back." Yeah, like that ever had a chance of happening.
 
The oily guile in his voice almost made me laugh. "I think we can do business, 
Sissy. How much are we talking about?"
 
"One hundred thousand dollars," I said firmly. "Non-negotiable. Take it or leave 
it."
 
"Done," he exulted. "Where do I meet you?"
 
"Mother's house. In one hour."
 
"Keep that punk of your's away. I won't deal with him there threatening me."
 
"Fine. Don't be late." I hung up the phone and sighed. "Please, tell me that I'm 
not that gullible."
 
We sat in the house, looking out the blinds and waiting. I saw his ratty car pull 
up in front of the house, just short of an hour after I had called. He made good 
time in that rat trap. He climbed out, alone, and strutted to the door, ignoring 
the buzzer and banging on the door with his fist. 
 
I opened the door and he stalked past me into the living room. "I'm glad you 
finally came to see this my way, Sissy. This never had to be so hard."
 
"Arthur, you don't know the meaning of the word,” Hawk said, stepping out of 
the kitchen with her pistol out. "Against the wall. Assume the position."
 
Arthur stiffened. "Crap." He looked to have some familiarity with the position. 
Hawk cuffed him and then patted him down, pulling a pistol from his belt, under 
his shirt. 
 
"What have we here? I wonder if this could be the weapon that someone tried to 
kill Ted with at the vineyard? Or was it Lisa you were after?" She purred in his 
ear before propelling him into the easy chair. "We've never been introduced. I'm 
Hawk. I've heard so much about you, Arthur, that I feel like I already know you."
 
"Fuck you, dyke cop bitch," he said and spit in her face.
 
Hawk wiped her face with her sleeve. "I see my reputation precedes me. Let me 
help you get this into the proper perspective." She planted her knee in his crotch 
and leaned in hard. His groan of anguish twisted me inside. I hated him, but he 
was my brother.
 
"Look here, Sport. I'm a bad-assed dyke cop bitch and you're mine, all mine. 
Don't fucking tease the Doberman when it's got you by the balls." Hawk ground 
her knee in harder. "I already know most of the story, but if you want to ever 
have kids, you'll tell me what I want to know without all this macho crap. 
Understand?"
 
She pulled back away from him, sliding her pistol back into her holster. "Ted, go 
watch the back. Lisa, the front. I don't want any surprises while Junior and I 
chat."
 
I peeked out. Still clear. Ted disappeared into the kitchen.
 
"Fuck you," he shouted, clearly frightened. "I don't know what you're talking 
about."
 
"Let me remind you," Hawk said conversationally. "You got work at a 
construction company under a false name and stole the explosives used to blow 
up your sister's car and her friend. The police lab is onto that and you left a copy 
of your fake ID with your picture, Doofus."
 
Arthur paled. "Ahhh…"
 
"So," Hawk interrupted, "the question now is, how hard do you want to fall? The 
others will leave you for the sharks just to save their own skin. We already know 
the identities of some of your friends and where they're getting the cash. We're 
just nailing down some details now. Cooperate and maybe you won't get murder 
one. I can talk to them and see about something less if you give up the names 
and details I don't know."
 
"I can't!” he said, sweating. "They can get inside and kill me."
 
"Then you go down hard and they'll kill you anyway, or you can tell me what I 
want and we talk about witness protection. You're going in either way, so just 
give me the name of the old dude and we'll call that the start of negotiations. 
He's your leader, right?"
 
Arthur slumped and gave up. "Yeah. Shit. Bill Tanner." He half-turned and glared 
at me. "Why didn't you have the grace to just get into your car and die with 
Samson, you slut. I could have killed you and him and got everything," he 
snarled.
 
Hawk grabbed his shirt and lifted him to his feet. "Focus, Arthur." She propelled 
him into the kitchen and I followed. "We go out the back and get into the car. 
Me in back with Junior, since we've gotten so close."
 
Ted opened the door and Hawk man-handled Arthur outside. Looking around, 
Ted and I followed. We were almost halfway to the car when a man stood up 
behind it. I recognized him from the picture we had taken from Zed's apartment. 
Jordan, Hawk's ex-boss.
 
"Hold it right there," Jordan said. "You're all under arrest. Put the weapon down 
and step away from that man."
 
Hawk laughed. "I don't think so, Jordan. We already know you're in this mess up 
to your eyeballs. I never thought to wonder why you called me for the bombing 
so late. You should have been gone but you waited for it. You wanted me to pull 
it so if I got close, you could burn me. Too bad I'm going to burn you first."
 
"Oh, I don't think so," Jordan sneered. He raised his pistol and fired even as 
Hawk threw herself back and into us. Ted and I went down under her sudden 
impact. Several shots rang out and Arthur jerked before falling like a puppet with 
its strings cut. "Oops. No witness." He ducked back behind the car.
 
“Arthur,” I cried out as he fell. Ted grabbed me, keeping me from rushing to 
him.
 
"Crawl to the front of the house and make a break for it," Hawk shouted, firing 
her pistol from the ground while I stared at my dead brother. “Lisa, go!”
 
I stared at her, dumbfounded that I had just watched my brother murdered. Ted 
grabbed me and I scampered toward the front of the house on my hands and 
knees with Ted right beside me. We stopped at the side of the house and I had 
to look back. I was so worried about Hawk.
 
Hawk was still lying on the ground aiming carefully. I didn't see Jordan, so I had 
no idea what she'd shoot at. I startled when Hawk fired. A scream from the 
other side of the car told me she hit the bozo. He fell into the alley holding one 
hand on his foot. 
 
"Give it up, Jordan! Throw down your weapon!" she called out triumphantly.
 
"Fuck you," he snarled, bringing the pistol up.
 
Hawk fired first. Jordan crumpled, the gun falling from his fingers. 
 
I leapt to my feet and grabbed Ted, starting back toward Hawk. A hand clamped 
over my mouth roughly and someone held me with an iron grip around my waist 
as I struggled. Two other shadows grabbed Ted.
 
"Now, aren't we resourceful?" Tanner whispered in my ear. He started dragging 
me back from the house and one man remained and started firing into the 
backyard at Hawk. I struggled, but I couldn't get free. I had a whirling view of a 
dark van before Ted and I were thrown into the back and the door slammed. 
Ted wasn't moving. I tried to find a door handle but there wasn't one on the 
inside. The front was screened off and I saw Tanner get into the passenger side.
 
"Drive." He commanded the man beside him. As the van pulled away, my heart 
sank. My brother was dead, we had been kidnapped, Ted was hurt again and 
Hawk was in deadly danger!



Chapter Seventeen: The takedown.
 
Hawk's point of view
 
Jordan had just gone down when I heard a shot behind me and a slug exploded 
into the ground beside my head. I rolled madly to my left as more shots rang 
out. Arthur didn't seem smart enough to have fooled us, so the bad guys must 
have tailed him. Too bad they weren't as stupid as Arthur.
 
When the firing paused, I stopped rolling and fired once toward the corner of the 
house. It had no noticeable effect. So I waited, keeping an eye on both sides of 
the house in case the shooter tried to sneak around. Inside, I was worried about 
Ted and Lisa. Did they get away? Was someone holding them at gunpoint now, 
or worse?
 
I gathered myself to charge the corner when I heard a shout on the other side of 
the house. “Police! Drop your weapon! Drop it! Do it! Now!” Then I heard a shot. 
It sounded like a different gun than the one that had been firing at me. Then 
there was the sound of someone running. I aimed and waited.
 
“I'm coming around the house. Don't shoot,” the voice that had identified itself 
as police said. After Jordan, I wasn't sure I was buying. 
 
“Slow and easy,” I shouted back. “Keep that weapon pointed away.”
 
When the man came around the house, I couldn't help myself. “Shit. Why did it 
have to be you, Digger?”
 
Sure enough, there he was. Funky mustache, hat, and all. His pistol was pointed 
straight up. “So, are you gonna shoot me or listen to what I've got to say?” 
Digger asked. “And you'd better hurry up and decide, because they have your 
friends.”
 
I jumped up and ran over to him. “Let's go.” When I rounded the house, I saw 
another crumpled form, a man, lying near the bushes. This was going to be 
tough to explain. In the distance, I could hear a siren wailing, getting closer.
 
Digger led the way to his car and jumped in. I slid into the passenger seat and 
we took off even while I was belting in. He consulted a handheld device and 
drove. “You okay, Hawk? Not shot are you?”
 
“Where did that hokey accent go? Why shouldn't I just pop you one right in the 
mouth?” I asked with some heat.
 
“Well, I kin a get 'er back iffin that's what you want,” he said with a grin. “Or I 
can just cut the crap and fill you in. Your call.”
 
“I bet you think you're clever, Asshole. Give me the details,” I said with 
resignation.
 
“There's good news and bad news. The good news is that you've been cleared in 
my investigation. Not the shooting, but the real investigation.” 
 
“Real investigation? What real investigation? Do you think my investigation isn't 
real?” I managed through clenched teeth. “Let's not even discuss that someone's 
been trying to kill my friends and me, too. Or did you miss that part?”
 
“Now, now…” Digger started. 
 
“Don't placate me, Dick Cheese! Why are you really here?” I demanded.
 
“Police have been suspected of 'losing' drug money in vice and homicide,” he 
said, “both in Houston and Galveston. Not just from the cities, either, but from 
both counties as well. I suspected someone in the DA's office was involved in 
both places, too. When the shooting took place at the vineyard, I didn't know if 
you were part of it or not, so I had to keep you in the dark.”
 
Digger swerved out onto the main street and upped the acceleration. He slapped 
a bubble light on the roof and we took off.
 
“Why the hokey accent and being an asshole?” I asked. 
 
“The accent was to make everyone disregard me as in inbred defective that 
wasn't a threat. The asshole is natural,” he added with a grin. “Ask anyone that 
works with the Rangers. I called in the shooting back there and told them 
officers were in pursuit of kidnapping suspects. I was watching when it all went 
to shit and came in as fast as I could.”
 
“You were watching? Shit. Well, maybe that might help me some. Captain Jordan 
was one of them. He's dead back there,” I added. “The Galveston DA is part of 
it, and some guy named Bill Tanner. Older white guy.”
 
He nodded. “I'll run the name and see if any likely bolt holes pop out. I tagged 
the van with a tracer before I knew what they were going to do. Looks like they 
are fifteen miles or so up road.”
 
“What the fuck is with that, anyway. You broke into my house and planted one 
on my bike,” I said with a suspicious look.
 
“Look in the glove box.”
 
I opened it and looked inside. Under the Twinkies there were several folded 
pieces of paper. I pulled them out and gave them the once-over. A warrant for 
my house and vehicles, and the same for Ted and Lisa. All signed by a judge out 
of Dallas. It included wire taps and vehicle traces.
 
“What the hell? What probable cause could you possibly have on us! This is 
bullshit!” I shouted, waving the warrants around. 
 
He glanced over at me. “You really need to see someone about those anger 
management issues. Police corruption, prosecuting attorneys on the make, 
county funds disappearing in both Harris and Galveston Counties. You all made 
yourselves valid subjects for a warrant. You'd have done the same, so don't 
bullshit me. You do what you have to do to bring down the bad guys.”
 
He picked up the microphone for his radio and called dispatch. “Dispatch, 2431. I 
need a records check on a Tanner Tom-Adam-Nora-Nora-Edward-Robert, first of 
Bill or William, license unknown, DOB unknown. I want connections to any 
separatist or militia outfits. Also, run plates on a van, gray, tag number Boy-24-
John-3-Tom. I also need any addresses in this area.”
 
“2431, standby,” the woman on the other end said.
 
“Now,” Digger commented as he sped onto the interstate, “that tracer on the 
van isn't quite legal, but we'll just keep that to ourselves, okay?”
 
“What's the plan, then? They have Ted and Lisa. They have more than a few 
members and are anxious to use violence. If you can't admit to tracing them, 
you can't call for backup.”
 
“Easy as pie,” he said. “We track them and scope the place out. If it's on the 
property list, we go from there. If not, I'll improvise. I'm real good at 
improvisation, Little Lady.”
 
“Don't call me that or I'll pound you.”
 
He grinned as he swerved around a semi. “After you sent me tracking the Hells 
Angels, I think you deserved a little payback. I thought they were going to chase 
me all the way back to Houston. That wasn't very nice.”
 
“Fuck you,” I said genially. 
 
“Not with a stolen dick,” he sneered conversationally. 
 
The drive led us north of the metro area and toward a northern rural zone. While 
we drove, I filled him in on what we had learned. Dispatch called Digger back 
with a listing of properties connected to Tanner, William, associated with a 
splinter group of an organization called the Republic of Texas - a militia group 
seeking the independence of Texas from the United States. One of the properties 
was just ahead of us in the direction we were traveling. 
 
Digger cut the siren and lights and went quiet. “They might spot us in the rear 
view mirror, so we go silent. I'd rather we take them before they get into their 
hole. They probably have weapons and all kinds of crap in there. If they beat us, 
we can wait for backup and smoke them out or go right in.”
 
I felt a chill run down my spine. “If we let them hole up, they'll keep the 
hostages and likely kill them. If they make it in, we go in fast with backup on the 
way.”
 
He nodded. “I'd do the same. You should reload. I have a spare piece under the 
seat and some shotguns in the trunk. I have a vest but only one. You take it.”
 
I laughed at him. “I'd fit inside it like a supermodel in a barrel. Keep it.” I took 
the spare piece and slid it into my belt. Then, I swapped out the partially used 
magazine for a fully loaded one. 
 
We took an exit that led off into the boonies towards Tanner's property. There 
was no sign of the van, but that didn't mean squat with all the twists and turns 
the road was taking. Five miles or so, I thought. “Punch it. We need to be right 
on their ass when they get there. With any luck, we won't have any more - 
company. Let's not let them get a lever on us.”
 
He nodded and kicked it. We flew around curves like an Indianapolis 500 driver. 
“The turn off to get to the place should be less than half a mile in front of us.”
 
We popped over the last hill and saw the van make the turn onto a dirt road. “Do 
it! Run up their ass and I'll call for backup.”
 
I grabbed his microphone and started calling in the location and details. I used 
his call number to keep the questions to a minimum. They told us to hold for 
backup and I just shook my head. Right. Like that was gonna happen.
 
When we slammed into the dirt road, I thought the axle was going to rip off. The 
trees and shrubs were seriously overgrown and a pall of dust obscured the 
uneven ground. That didn't seem to bother Digger. He just powered into it and 
bounced along the road. 
 
The bright flash of brake lights in front of us gave a bit of warning just as Digger 
screeched to a halt and rolled out. Through the haze of dirt, I could see two men 
yank open the back doors of the van. One of them pulled Lisa out and started 
dragging her back towards a cinderblock building that reminded me of a fortress. 
No way he was going in there with her.
 
“Take the other one! I'm on Lisa,” I shouted to Digger and ran across the road. 
The shouts and then gunshots behind me were his problem now. I had at least 
one hostile to take out and a friend to save.
 
When he was about ten feet from the door with the struggling Lisa, I shot the 
door. “Freeze! Let her go!”
 
The old man whirled around and slapped a large military-style knife to Lisa's 
throat. “Well, Lieutenant Hawkins, once more we meet with your friends 
between you and me. Put the weapon down or I slit her throat.”
 
I didn't budge one inch, my pistol sight framing his face just beside Lisa's 
terrified eyes. I forced the fear in my gut back down. Lisa's terrified face ate at 
me. “Give it up, Tanner. We have you, and your associates, dead bang guilty. 
There are other police enroute here, and you won't get away. We know all about 
the money. Drop the knife and make it easier on yourself. Zed is already in 
custody,” I lied.
 
Tanner smiled nastily. “Unlikely. You seem to be under the mistaken impression 
that you're in control here. One flip of my wrist and your little friend bleeds out. 
Drop the gun,” he said, his eyes hard and just a little crazy.
 
“If you kill her, you die here and now. If I let you take her in there, she's as 
good as dead, too,” I said firmly, trying to quell the sick rolling my stomach was 
doing. “You have two ways out if this. Giving up or in a body bag. Your choice.”
 
“I don't recognize your authority,” he sneered. “This is my state and I'm the duly 
elected President of the Republic of Texas. You are committing treason and the 
penalty for that is death. Put down that pistol and I'll commute that sentence to 
life in prison.”
 
Yeah. A whack job.
 
“Is that your final answer?” I asked, sounding a bit like Regis.
 
“Do you think you can take me out without me killing this pretty young woman? 
Those are your options. Kill me and her, or let me go with her. Decide,” he said.
 
“Okay. You win. I'm putting down my…” My weapon bucked in my hand as I 
fired. His throat exploded in red. He dropped like a puppet with his strings cut as 
Lisa screamed and ran to me, her face and body splattered with his blood. I held 
her and watched him blink, listening to the choking noises he made. His spine 
was blown out and he was dying without being able to move. Lisa clutched me, 
weeping in shock. I held her close and whispered in her ear that it was over. She 
was okay. My own eyes misted. I had been sick with worry that she would be 
hurt or killed. I felt almost like throwing up with all the worry that had been 
bottled up inside me. I felt so much relief that they were both safe that it made 
me feel weak.
 
I turned when I heard a noise behind us and saw Digger looking on. “The other 
bad guy is down. I've called for an ambulance for Stansbury, just as a 
precaution. He's awake and asking for Lisa.”
 
“It's over, Lisa,” I said quietly, holding her close. I let Digger take the crying Lisa 
into his arms and approached Tanner. I kicked the knife away from his nerveless 
fingers more out of habit than concern. His eyes glazed over and death took 
Calvin's murderer. I looked at the house and could see the door was locked with 
a padlock on the outside. No one inside. 
 
“Let's go back to Ted and wait for the medics,” I said. “This one's done.” We 
walked back to van, leaving Tanner in a pool of his own blood. Lisa sat there, 
stroking Ted's face, crying until the EMTs arrived just after our backup. Digger 
recovered his tracker and I looked the other way. He had come through, and I 
wasn't going to quibble. Lisa went with Ted to the hospital, hovering over him. I 
went with a sheriff after my statement was taken and joined them for a little 
while before they took me off for questioning. 
 
 
The next five days were long and a bit confusing. The records inside the camp 
house served up quite a number of people in various governmental posts and 
police agencies. There was also a large cache of weapons that the government 
frowned on people, outside of the military, having in their possession. That didn’t 
even begin to cover the grilling they gave me. Even with a witness, shooting a 
cop, your own former boss no less, can really get the police all spun up. They 
had me in interrogation for twelve plus hours a day, chewing on me. It was a 
painful change to be grilled instead of grilling. In the end, they accepted what 
Digger and I had told them.
 
When the dust settled, some of the birds flew the coop, but most of them were 
taken down without incident. Lisa's boss, Zed, was one of the latter. I hear he 
looked mighty shocked when Murphy took him into custody. Good.
 
Ted was admitted to the hospital for observation and released the next day. Lisa 
and I stayed with him overnight. The doctors assured us that he would be fine 
and just needed some rest. He had a nice bump on his head. Lisa and I talked 
into the night about everything under the sun. Ted was one lucky son-of-a-bitch. 
 
The next morning, I went in to see Vice Chief Kruger at his request. I wondered 
why I was meeting him in homicide rather than in his office. I knew I'd be able 
to tell what was going to happen by the way the detective's bull pen reacted to 
me as the uniform escorted me through and into Jordan's old office. When they 
looked away from me and pretended I wasn't even there, it chilled me to the 
bone. It couldn't be good.
 
Kruger was in the chair behind the desk and motioned me in when the officer 
knocked on the door. “Come in, Hawk. You can go, officer. Thank you. Close the 
door behind you.”
 
I stepped in nervously. From the blank look in his eyes, I was in a lot of trouble. 
He motioned to the chair and I sat down stiffly.
 
“I've been going over the complaints filed by everyone from some guy in a bar 
outside of town to the Texas City Police Department. The guy in the bar 
complained about your ladylike manners and Texas City is mighty pissed at you 
for leaving dead bodies all over the place. We won't even talk about the folks at 
Seawolf Park.” He closed a folder and laid his hand on top of it.
 
He let me stew for a few moments. “I can't believe you let things get so out of 
hand, Hawk,” he finally said with a shake of his head. 
 
My mouth was a dry as cotton. “I… I accept full responsibility for it, Chief. It was 
a goat fuck and I blew it.”
 
“I called in a boat load of favors to smooth the waters over this,” he said after 
another long stare. “A lot of favors. I'm going to expect better from you in the 
future or I'll fire you myself.”
 
My heart leapt into my throat. Did he just say….
 
Kruger opened the desk drawer and pulled out my shield and weapon and slid 
them across the desk, smiling. “Your department rep went to the mat for you 
with the review board. They overturned your firing based on so many reasons 
that I couldn't begin to go into. I want a full report of all this crap on my desk by 
eighteen hundred hours, Lieutenant Hawkins, and then you are on paid leave for 
a minimum of three weeks while the investigation wraps up. Get out of town. I’ll 
call you when you can come back.” 
 
“Yes, sir! Your desk?” I asked with a bit of confusion. “Shouldn't that be to 
Jordan's replacement?”
 
“The mayor has decided that I will do him more good back in charge of 
homicide.” Then he fixed me with a glare. “If you ever let things get so out of 
whack and don't tell me, I'll kick your lesbian ass all the way uptown. Do you 
hear me, Hawk?”
 
“Hell, yes!”
 
“Get out of my sight!” he growled with a smile.
 
I didn't ask twice. The detectives in the bull pen hooted and hollered when I 
came back out and I was mobbed by detectives all they way back to my desk. I 
think I was in shock, really. 
 
Between everyone stopping in to wish me well, I managed to get it all written up 
and shot a copy off to Kruger. Then beat feet and got out of there. Part of me 
wanted to stay, but I knew Kruger wasn't kidding about the vacation. I'd go out 
to the vineyard and see what they were going to do in the interim.
 
Ted and Lisa were sitting outside on the porch, sipping on some tea when I 
arrived.
 
“Hawk!” Lisa cried as she ran out to hug me. “We just heard you got your job 
back! I'm so happy for you!”
 
I held her and smiled. “Yeah. I'm still all jelly inside thinking about it. How's 
Studly doing and what about your job?”
 
She grinned at me. “Grouchy and I'm still employed. I figure that I'm going to 
give him a few days to recover and then drag him off to get some relaxation 
away from all the media.” She frowned a little. “And get away from the process 
servers that damned bastard Price is trying to sic on us. He's suing us!” 
 
I gave Ted a kiss and sat down at the table. “Screw him. You'll hand him his ass. 
I'll have to come up with something to do, too. Kruger told me to take two 
weeks off before I could come back in. Maybe I'll go down to Mexico.”
 
She looked at Ted and quirked an eyebrow. “We're making a trip to Las Vegas in 
three days. Can we invite her, Ted?”
 
He smiled. “Sure. I think it'd be fun.”
 
“Are you sure? You two should have some time alone,” I said, torn.
 
“We don't have to hang out all the time. Let's take a week and go see Vegas,” 
Ted said.
 
I nodded my head and smiled. That sounded like just what I needed. A vacation 
away from all the stress of Houston to get to know my two new friends as 
closely as they’d let me. 
 
“Let’s do it.”
 
With those three words, my life was about to change forever.
 
 
The End