1 comments/ 20873 views/ 10 favorites Teresa's Summer Race By: WifeWatchman This story is meant to stand on its own for the SUMMER LOVIN STORY CONTEST 2014, though it uses characters from my ongoing mystery series. Please enjoy it under it's own power... Feedback and constructive criticism is very much appreciated, and I encourage feedback for ideas. This story contains graphic scenes, extreme language, and actions that might be extremely offensive to some people. These scenes, words and actions are used only for the literary purposes of this story. The author does not condone murder, racial or racist language, violence, rape or violence against women, and any depictions of any of these in this story should not be construed as acceptance of the above. Part 1 - Prologue "Oh God, that's good...." moaned Teresa Croyle as the long, thick, ten inch cock slid deep into her stretched, sopping wet cunt. The beautiful blonde was on her knees and shoulders, her cheek pressed into the pillow as the stud steadily pumped his massive meat in and out of her. Todd Burke looked down at the woman that he was fucking. She was over ten years older than him, but her body was magnificent. Toned and firm from exercise and preparation for the race the next day, Teresa's body was a luscious hourglass shape. Her breasts were large but stood proudly on her chest, her hips flared out just perfectly for Todd to grasp as he fucked her dogstyle, her asscheeks were perfect round bubbles that felt terrific when they smacked against his muscular groin and abs. Her thighs were strong tubes, her calves curvy and tapering to thin ankles, which led to shapely, elegant feet that looked hot in high heels. "Oh, fuck me Todd!" Teresa said, the pleasure of being fucked by this handsome stud and his huge cock helping to release the tremendous tensions in her body. As always, when Teresa was being fucked dogstyle by Todd, she allowed herself to think of the hot matings she had enjoyed with Todd's brother, the late Jack Burke, so many years ago. Jack had brought out sexual desires and pleasures that Teresa didn't think she was capable of experiencing, and Todd was the only man who had come close to doing the same... and it was indeed a close second. "God, you are so fucking hot, baby!" Todd gasped, the adulterous pleasure of fucking this woman very intense for him, also. As always, he thought of how he might easily have dated and married Teresa, but she'd made it clear that they were friends only, good fuck-buddies, but no more. Too bad, Todd thought... and of course it was one of many reasons she was once called 'Teresa Cunt'. It was the night of July 3d. The next day was July 4th, and the Town & County would be running its annual summer race. It was a near-Ironman triathlon, a 2-mile swim at the Reservoir lake on the east border of the County, an 80 mile bicycle ride, followed by a full marathon of 26 miles, 385 feet. Oh... it was also a two-person team race, so each person was doing half of the race. Teresa and her friend Cindy Ross were entered to compete in the race, and they'd been training for months. This was the first race of any kind Teresa had entered since she and her sister Alexis had won a running race years before... and just months before Alexis had been killed by that drunk driver... "Oh yes, that's so good, Todd." Teresa purred. "I feel soooo much more relaxed now..." "Anything to help you win the race tomorrow, Beautiful." said Todd, as he plowed her depths with all the sexual intensity and power he could muster... ------------------------------------- "It's such a beautiful view." said Molly, as she looked out the window of The Cabin, my home on the mountain that overlooked the University and it's Town. It was night, and the lights of the Town twinkled as they stretched to the west to seemingly meet the black void that were farms on the other side of the south-flowing River. "I like the view right here." I said, coming up behind the lovely platinum blonde and sliding my arms around her waist, pulling her back into my chest. I nuzzled her neck, working gentle kisses up her jaw and to her ear. She giggled when I gave her earlobe a sucking kiss. "Mmmm, that's nice." Molly cooed. "And by the way, you're looking better than ever, too, Don. You been working out?" "Oh yeah." I said. "Your sister has been dogging me out at the police gym, especially since she started training for the race. I'm glad it's tomorrow... I might not have survived another month of that training." Molly laughed. "Well, Cindy is training your body, and now I'm going to give you some training in... other areas." Molly said as she turned to face me. Our lips met in a deep kiss. "Let's go upstairs." I said. "To bed..." ---------------------------------- "You want a drink?" The voice was State Senator Nathan Allen's. He and his guest were in his office in the State Building on the Town's Courthouse Square. The room was dark; only the lights from outside filtered in. "No, Senator." replied Allen's guest. Allen poured himself a large bourbon. "I hear that the Croyle bitch is going to be back in Town tomorrow." said Allen. "I want to make sure she does not leave the County alive." "Good God, Senator!" said the guest. On the previous Christmas Eve, Nathan Allen's son Dean had been driving drunk, and he had plowed into another car. A mother and her two daughters died, while the father, a man named Phil Kearns, survived. Detective Teresa Croyle had responded to the scene, and had reacted to the deaths by beating the living shit out of Dean Allen. Senator Allen had brought every bit of his political power to bear in destroying Detective Croyle, but he had to work like hell at it. The Iron Crowbar, that pesky Lieutenant that was just too good at solving the toughest crimes, had worked hard to obstruct Senator Allen. Finally, Teresa had been banished from the Town & County Police... she was working with Internal Affairs in Midtown... where Detective Molly Evans also worked. Now Allen was hearing that Croyle was coming back to this County, to enter the Independence Day Town & County Triathlon team race. His hatred was almost mind-blowing as he realized that this could be an opening salvo by the Iron Crowbar to get Croyle back to the local Police Force. Allen was going to make damned sure that didn't happen, and if it meant having Teresa Croyle murdered, then so be it. The guest said "Nathan, you know we can't spare a single man right now. We're trying to get the 'Mad Scientist' into the fold, and we anticipate a clash with Police very soon." 'Mad Scientist' was the guest's code name for a young man named Ned, who was Todd's younger brother and the Iron Crowbar's nephew. Ned was an evil genius with chemicals and drugs, but he was a three-time murderer, and he was recalcitrant about working with anyone else. "Aw hell, you can spare me one man for one day." said Nathan Allen. "The University's bell tower is on University Avenue, the main north-south street between the School and the Town. The last leg of the marathon run will be going north on that road. He shoots Croyle from the bell tower, then makes his escape. There's a tunnel under the bell tower to one of the next buildings; your man can easily escape with none the wiser, and then he can participate in your plans for that kid." "All right, Nathan, all right." the guest said. "But you're going to owe me one hell of a favor if I do this for you." "Sure." Allen said. "Trading favors is what politics is all about, my friend. That, and using political power to fuck women and fuck over our enemies, of course. I'll be sure to remember this... hmmm, looks like I need another drink, sure you don't want one?" "No, Senator." said the guest. "I'll be going now. I'll be in touch." He left as Nathan Allen poured himself another large bourbon and gulped it down. ---------------------------- 4:00am. Teresa woke up, sensing something wasn't normal. Her back was pressed into Todd's muscular chest as they lay like spoons on their sides. She felt an electricity in the air. "Relax, Sister, you're going to do just fine." she heard the voice say. No, that couldn't be... it was her sister Alexis's voice, and she was hearing it as clearly as if Alexis was in the room. "You'll win, I know you will." Alexis's voice said to her. Teresa then saw what seemed to be the outline of her sister, standing by the bed, her long blonde hair behind her. Alexis was in the race tank top and shorts she'd worn in the summer race those years before. "You're going to win, Sis, you're going to win for us." Raising her head, Teresa looked around. The room was lit only by the bedside lamp. That had to be a dream, Teresa thought. It had to be. Teresa turned over, causing Todd to turn onto his back. Teresa bent over, her side pressing into Todd's abs. She began jacking Todd's huge, half-hard cock, and it instantly responded, becoming longer and thicker. Then Teresa began sucking Todd's huge cock, hard and deep, letting her lips slide down over the thick shaft, taking his meaty inches into her throat as she swallowed nearly all of him. "Unnnh... oh.... wha?" Todd gasped sleepily as he began waking up. Realizing what was happening, he relaxed. 'Oh Jesus, that's good." he whispered, letting Teresa suck him and jack the base of his cock with her hand. He did not try to hold back minutes later as he erupted, giving Teresa a pre-race meal of hot salty protein as she swallowed every spurt of his huge load. Part 2 - Independence Day, Race Day 10:00am, July 4th. The weather was beautiful, not too hot. There was an air of excitement as the racers gathered at the north end of Reservoir Lake, through which the County line with Nextdoor County ran north-to-south. The lanes were clearly marked so that swimmers didn't go over the county line; a previous Nextdoor County sheriff had once threatened to shoot any swimmers who crossed that line. That sheriff subsequently lost his next election, but our County still made sure not to encroach the line. "Good morning, partner. Ready to go?" said Cindy Ross as she came up in her skin-tight swimsuit, which showed off her toned body to perfection. Before becoming a police officer, Cindy had been a contestant in those 'Miss Physical America' contests, and had been extremely muscular at the time. She wasn't at that level now, but with her mixed marital arts training, and participating in the gym that she co-owned and ran, she was in fantastic shape. She'd gotten Teresa into peak physical condition also. "Good morning." Teresa said. She looked hot in her own tight swimsuit of police blue that matched Cindy's. "I sure am." "It's going to be great." Cindy said. "Yeah." Teresa said. "So what's up?" Cindy asked. "You look a bit distracted." "I... I had a weird dream last night." Teresa said. "I dreamed my sister Alexis was right there in the room with me, telling me the race was going to be fine." "Oh, I see." said Cindy. "Well, I hope your dream is right, and that we win today. Second place is not an option. Don said a lot is riding on this." "Yes, he told me." Teresa said. The Iron Crowbar had 'suggested' that Teresa and Cindy winning the race might go a long way towards getting Teresa back home to the Town & County Police Force, where she belonged. Trust the Iron Crowbar, Teresa thought. I have seen enough to know that that man sees too much. "Okay, I've got the first leg in the races." Cindy said. "Our baton and shirt number is No. 29, and the baton can be zipped into the pouch of our numbers that are sewn onto the front of our suits here, so hopefully they won't get lost in the lake. If we lose the baton, it's all over." "Yep." Teresa said. "Oh, here comes your sister Molly." Indeed, Molly was coming up to them, wishing them the best for the race. ----------------------------- I was walking amongst the contestants, wearing my light blue uniform shirt with silver Lieutenant bars on the shoulder epaulettes, think black leather belt sash from my right shoulder to my left hip, police blue pants with thick black 'piping' down the sides of the legs, and my blue full-brim Tilley hat with a replica of my badge underneath silver Army Airborne wings, which was not uniform regulation, but no one tried to tell me that. I was sizing up the competition. Many of the participants were just here to have fun and do the course, but a few were out to win. Cindy and Teresa were part of that set, and so were a couple of tall, muscular men in their early 30s. They were the Bradley brothers, and they'd both been Army Rangers. "Good morning, Lieutenant." one of them said to me as I was passing by. I stopped to shake hands. "Rangers lead the way! And thank you for your service, sir." "Airborne all the way!" I replied. "And thank you for yours. So, you guys gonna win? I've got a couple of my police officers that think they can upset you." "We'll see about that." said one of them, giving a handsome smile. These guys were the clear favorites to win, and I knew Cindy and Teresa would have to push hard and dig deep to beat them. I had no idea of the 'unearthly' help my friends would be getting. I greeted the Army ROTC participants, who I thought would also make a strong showing. I looked over the crowds that had gathered to watch. Some very beautiful women in swimsuits and halter tops were here, their large breasts bouncing, showing off their luscious legs by wearing tight jeans shorts, 'Daisy Dukes'. "Hi, Lieutenant!" I heard two female voices say in unison. I turned to see two of my wife's college students, dressed in the skimpiest of clothing. One was a luscious blonde and the other was a brunette, and they were both smoking hot... porn star quality hot. "Where's Dr. Fredricson?" one of them asked, mentioning my wife and their professor's name. "She's helping the Ladies Auxiliary in town. They're on the Courthouse Square, selling all the hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, etc." I said. Laura had suggested that Molly and I watch the race together while she pretended to work for the Ladies Auxiliary... "She better get over here and keep an eye on you, Lieutenant." one of the girls said enticingly. "A lot of women here would love to jump her claim and find out what your other 'iron crowbar' feels like..." "You're a riot, girls." I said, grinning. It was just going to be that kind of day. ---------------------------- The starters gathered in the pack at the north end of the lake as the official held his starting pistol in the air. The loud crack of it firing echoed across the lake, followed by the first set of swimmers racing to the lake and beginning their mile swim. When they got done, the second leg of the teams would swim, then the first team would bicycle over the long course that wound over the mountain range (and near my home), around north and west to nearly the state line, and then back to near Cemetery Hill. The second-teamers would be bussed to the exchange locations. Part 3 - Teresa's Vision Being in a Police SUV definitely helps, as I was able to use otherwise-closed roads to get myself and Molly around to watch the racers. The local radio sports announcer, who normally did high school and Little League games, was broadcasting the race. "And the first leg of swimmers are off." he said as I listened in on headphones. "Ross of the Police Force team is off to the lead, with the Bradley Rangers in second place, following closely. In third place is the Army ROTC team, and in fourth place the Fire Department men's team. After Ross, the next women's team is the Fire Department's girls. There is a separate award section for the ladies, but Croyle and Ross have told me they intend to win the whole thing. Let's see how they fare as the Independence Day Triathlon gets underway!..." ------------------------------- The Assassin moved through the dank tunnel that ran from the Pharmacy School to the Bell Tower building. That passage had connected to the old secret CIA laboratory, but even Dr. Fredricson had not known about it, and the Assassin's associate's had come across the information by accident. He was dressed in all black as he came to a small door. It opened into the staircase of the Bell Tower, and seemed to be part of the wall. The main door that led to the rest of the building was to his left. He sat down on the bottom stairs. He had some time to wait. ------------------------------- The radio announcer intoned "And Ross is first out of the water for the Police team, handing her baton to Croyle. The Bradley Rangers are right behind, I can hardly tell the brothers apart. There goes Croyle into the water as the other teams make their exchanges..." As Teresa swam south, the sun was beginning to move into a place where the light reflected off the water into her eyes. It didn't bother her as she swam, concentrating hard on her swim strokes and plowing through the water. But that shimmering light ahead of her... was that the shape of a swimmer? "Come on, Teresa, swim! Catch up to me, come on!" It was Alexis's voice, as clear as reality. It looked like Alexis was swimming ahead of Teresa, urging her to swim harder. "There you go, that's the pace!" Alexis said as Teresa sped up slightly. "Keep going, Sister! Swim... swimmmm!!!!" "I'm coming Alexis!" Teresa thought to herself, trying to catch up to the shimmering image ahead of her, pushing herself to swim harder. "I'm trying, Alexis, I'm trying...." --------------------------------- "The Police team rounds the turn!" shouted the radio announcer. "The Bradley Ranger is twenty feet behind her, but Croyle is keeping the pace ahead of him..... here she comes down the stretch, swimming smoothly, still ahead..." I said to Molly as we watched "Those Rangers are in good shape, but they left the Army because of previous wounds or injuries. I hope that's enough to keep Cindy and Teresa ahead." "It'll have to be." Molly said. "But Teresa is holding her own. I'm not worried about Cindy... it'll be all about Teresa at the end." I agreed with her. Part 4 - Sexual Preparations Anyone listening carefully outside the door of Teddy Franklin's dorm room would've heard the moans from inside. Todd Burke was sitting in a chair. A gorgeous blonde was riding him, wearing only a t-shirt to help contain her large, bouncing breasts. She was working her tight, sopping wet cunt up and down Todd's huge, hard, ten inch meat. Todd was holding her taut waist, helping her to ride up and down on him. Her arms were around his neck, her hands caressing his thick, black hair, her mouth sucking on his hard tongue as they deeply kissed. He let his hands slide down to caress her shapely feet, which were resting on the tops of his muscular thighs. Todd shared his uncle's foot fetish likes, and the feel of the beautiful college girl's feet on his thighs and in his hands added to his arousal and pleasure. He looked over at the bed. Teddy Franklin was mounted on top of another gorgeous girl, a hot brunette that was the captain of the varsity cheerleading squad. They were both totally naked, and Todd's lighter brown hair contrasted with the deep black of the woman beneath him. Todd watched as Teddy's long, hard, 9-inch penis jackhammered in and out of the brunette beauty's tight cunt. Todd noticed that the brunette was looking over, watching Todd's cock disappear into the blonde's twat as she descended upon it, engulfing it into her womanly depths. The rutting couples lustily mated, the wet slaps of flesh-on-flesh filling the air, the squeaking protests of the bedsprings and the chair's springs adding to the sounds of obscene pleasure that filled the room. Todd stood up, the blonde's pussy still impaled on his cock, and carried her over to the other bed. He deposited her on her back, re-mounted her, and began fucking her in the missionary position, her legs hooked under his powerful arms. Teresa's Summer Race Redux The chronological order of my stories is as follows: Todd & Melina series, Interludes 1-5, Sperm Wars series, Russian Roulette series, Case of the Murdered Lovers series, Case of the Murdered Chessplayer series, The Swap series, Interludes 6-10, The Murdered Football Player Series, Case of the Black Widow series, Teresa's Christmas Story, The Case of the Black Badge series, A Case of Revenge series, Teresa's Summer Race, The Trilogy series, Dark Side Of The Force series, Caught In The Act series, The Phyllis Files 1-2, Case of the Murdered Bride series, The Credit Card Caper series, The Phyllis Files 3, The Hot Wives Investment Club series, Seriously Inconvenienced series, Case of the Paper Trail series, Christmas Mystery Theater, The Porno Set Mystery series, The Medical Murder Mystery series, The Eightfold Fence series, The Phyllis Files 4, Pale Morning Light series, Silverfish series, Cold As Ice series, Secrets of Apple Grove series, Sting of the Scorpion series, Reichenbach series, Case of the Parole Officer series. Teresa's Summer Race Redux, Ch. 01. This story list is now in WifeWatchman's biography! Feedback and constructive criticism is very much appreciated, and I encourage feedback for ideas. This story contains graphic scenes, language and actions that might be extremely offensive to some people. These scenes, words and actions are used only for the literary purposes of this story. The author does not condone murder, racial language, violence, rape or violence against women, and any depictions of any of these in this story should not be construed as acceptance of the above. ***** Part 1 - Prologue Saturday, July 4th. Independence Day. I sat on the deck of The Cabin, drinking my coffee just as the light of dawn was growing over the Town and County in the valley below me. Bowser was sitting next to me, enjoying the 'skritchins' I was giving him more than the view, I would imagine. It was a beautiful morning and promised a beautiful day. And after the week I'd just endured, a relaxing, peaceful day was just what I needed. I chose to let go of all the problems besetting my world: the Consultant of Crime, a.k.a. the 'real Moriarty', a.k.a. the 'Shadow Man'; the SBI investigation into the death of Henry R. Wargrave; KSTD's Priya Ajmani's continuing to be an irritation in her investigations of the Jack Burke tapes as well as the death of the hideously evil Reverend Jonas Oldeeds; and of course the continuing Oldeeds Organization as well as the white supremacist Superior Bloodlines group. Instead, I thought about the good things. Yesterday, Friday July 3d, my wife Laura, her sister (and my ex-wife) Melina, my mother Phyllis, and some other women had a big 'Girls Night Out', which was actually a full day of activities. I was relegated, happily so, to The Cabin. I'd invited Cindy Ross and her fiancée Jenna Stiles to stay in the guest bedroom, and the reason for that was the other guest and her baby son that was also coming up: Molly Evans, Cindy's sister and the mother of that baby, my son Ross. When Molly drove up, I went to the door to admit her. I took little Ross, who seemed to be in a good mood. And then Cindy came up. It was their first time seeing each other since the night at 'The Vision', where Cindy had learned that she was my cousin as well as the daughter of Dr. P. Harvey Eckhart. Molly had been present, and Cindy had not been happy that Molly had known Cindy was an illegitimate 'love child' but had not told Cindy. Molly was obviously nervous about this meeting also. So it was a great relief to both of us when Cindy walked up to Molly and gave her a big, warm hug. Molly returned it for a long moment. "Why don't you two go out onto the deck." I said. "I'll play babysitter with Ross, here. Whaddya say to that, Ross?" "Dog." Ross said, pointing at Bowser in the greatroom. Yep, Bowser is the chick magnet and baby magnet in these here parts, I thought to myself. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Armed with 'adult beverages', Cindy and Molly sat on the deck, overlooking the magnificent view of the Town. Cindy spoke first. "It was a pretty shocking night for me." the extremely fit platinum blonde said. "But I do understand why you didn't say anything beforehand. I thought about it, and what it would've been like if our roles were reversed. If I'd known something like that about you, I don't know what I would've done or said, either." "Yeah." Molly said. "And even though I knew some of it, I didn't know who your biological father was. Mom wouldn't tell me. But... leave it to the Iron Crowbar to not only know, but find a way to tell everyone in just the right way." Cindy smiled. "And I did notice that you said you took up for me when our parents wouldn't come here after Ross was born. What they did really did hurt, and even knowing all this doesn't excuse it." "They are what they are." said Molly, shifting in her seat, her pregnancy just beginning to show. "And they are not going to change. Neither are you. And neither am I, though I learned from Don: treat you as an individual and don't worry about your choices about others." "Yes." Cindy said. "He told me that, too. But I still don't like my orientation not being accepted, and Jenna feels much more strongly about it than I do. I'm a political atheist, I don't really care about all that shit, but Jenna... she's getting more partisan by the day." "Sounds like someone honing her positions for a future run for District Attorney." Molly astutely observed. Cindy's eyebrows shot up at that, but all she said was "Well, at least you're here when she and I are sleeping together in the guest bedroom." Molly smiled. "Well... I'm going to be in the other bedroom, sleeping with a married man who has impregnated me twice. And I don't care who you're fucking; I'm going to be fucking that married man's balls off." "Heh!" said Cindy. "Okay, changing the subject. How are things in Midtown?" Molly frowned. "Not good. My promotion to Lieutenant has been held up, as you know. But worse, the brass is giving Captain Moynahan a hard time. Our team has been investigating three cases. One of them was the murder of that young CIA agent, Mike. Another murder has been traced to a drug pipeline from Southport... that may not be a drug pipeline but other things. And last, a reporter was looking into a group called 'Victory Christian Ministries'. They may have ties to the Oldeeds Organization. The reporter, who is male, was beaten to a pulp, sodomized, and shot. He survived by a miracle and is recovering. We were investigating the assault upon him." Molly continued: "The Assistant Chief shut down all three investigations. Moynahan went to the Chief, who is a personal friend. The Chief told my Captain that he had no choice but to back the Assistant Chief. Then the Assistant Chief threatened Moynahan for going over his, the Assistant Chief's, head. Moynahan is a combat veteran who could give Don a run for his money with a crowbar, and he told the Assistant Chief where he could stick it. I would consider this to be an analogy to you and that jerk Brownlee." "Oh, wow." said Cindy. "Have you told Don all this?" "Absolutely." Molly said. "I was hoping Don could find a loophole that would let him, and you, come down as SBI Reservists and pick up the investigations. Don said he'd try to look into it behind-the-scenes, but didn't have the time to come down and open the cases." Cindy made a laughing sound, which sounded more like a bark that Bowser would make. "That just means Don is looking into it quietly. I know that he's come up upon that 'Victory Christian Ministries' name before. Don't say any more about that out loud, by the way." "Of course. And the SBI is so funny." said Molly. "Director Lewis hates Don, but he hates the City Police even more. He's been openly crowing about Don busting Susan Wexler for two murders, saying the whole City Force is just as corrupt. Then he opens the Wargrave investigation in spite of the City Police and Coroner calling it a suicide." "Yessssss." hissed Cindy. "I am all too well aware of Director Lewis's interest in the Wargrave case. I told his asswipe agents I wouldn't speak to them without legal representation after they all but accused me of killing Wargrave myself. So, did you also tell Don about Captain Moynahan?" "Yep." said Molly. "Don just got that little smile on his face that he gets, and said to not worry about it, that he'd take care of everything." "Ohhhhh... of course!" Cindy gasped as she looked out over the Town. A train was just coming out of the western horizon. "What?" Molly said, peering at her sister. "Uh, nothing." Cindy said. "I just think I know what Don is up to, now. But I better not say anything, especially if I'm right. All I'll say is this: you made an analogy to me and Brownlee. You might be more accurate than you realize..." Part 2 - Starting Line I was parked near the starting line at the north side of Reservoir Lake. The County Independence Day Triathlon would be starting in less than an hour. I was dressed in a light blue shirt with a sewn-in gold TCPD badge on the left over the heart, khaki pants, and sensible brown shoes. And of course my khaki Tilley Hat with the badge and Airborne wings over it. And then... Oh. My. God. My wife Laura was walking up to me. She was wearing a clingy white blouse, a beautiful very blue skirt, flat navy shoes (what, no heels?). But she'd had her raven-black hair done into a series of waves gentle curls, not frazzled but still full. Along with the red lipstick and just the right amount of makeup, she looked stunning. She noticed my look at her, one of falling in love with her all over again, yet again. She smiled shyly as she came up to me. "Oh, wow..." I managed to whisper. "You are just... oh my goodness, I'm speechless. You are so beautiful..." "Aw, thanks." Laura said. "I was hoping you'd like it." "Like it!" I said. "I love it! Now I see what you were doing yesterday." I took her by the hand. "Come with me. I am going to show everyone here that I am the luckiest man in the world with the most beautiful wife in the world." Hand-in-hand we walked towards where the contestants were getting ready for the race. I saw my nephew Todd, who was tall and sticking head-and-shoulders above most of the crowd. His race partner Teddy Franklin was nearby. And attending Todd was Teresa Croyle. She was off-duty today, and she was wearing a tight t-shirt, tennis shoes, and 'Daisy Dukes' denim hot-shorts that showed off her luscious thighs. I suspected I knew what Todd had been doing (to her) last night. "Hi guys!" I said as Laura and I walked up. "Oh wow, Aunt Laura!" exclaimed Todd, his eyes lighting up. "Great hairdo!" "Yeah, wow!" said Teresa. "You look great!" "Thank you." said Laura, smiling prettily. "I thought I'd try something new and see if my husband noticed." "And he did." I said. "I'm about ready to sneak her off somewhere more private." "I wouldn't blame you for that." Todd said mischievously, grinning. Teresa gave what for her was a sarcastic scowl but her eyes gave away her amusement. "Todd, we gotta go check in." said Teddy. "See you guys later." said Todd. "Hey, we got the winning number from last year: Team 29." Teresa grinned at that: she and Cindy had been Team 29, and finished as champions. "You better uphold its tradition of winning." I warned. Todd just grinned and headed off. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * As Laura and I walked towards the spectators area, we met many people we knew, and Laura was getting some seriously approving looks. I put my arm around her waist, drawing her to me as we walked, proud to be her husband and to be with her. "Oh, there's the hottest couple in the County." I heard a familiar voice say. Turning around, I saw Elsie Gringer and her niece, reporterette Bettina Wurtzburg. Elsie was the County gossip columnist and had said those words. Laura and I greeted them. "You look simply stunning, Mrs. Troy." said Elsie. "The fashion world definitely approves." "So does her lucky husband." I said. "And you may quote me on that." The women laughed. Then Bettina said "Can I get a quick interview with you, Commander?" "Sure." I said, in an extremely generous mood. Bettina got out her tape recorder. "I'm at the Triathlon start line with Commander Donald Troy." said Bettina. "Commander, it looks like a great holiday celebration today, the best attendance we've ever had for the race." "Yes," I said. "We have the largest number of entrants in the triathlon, and I don't think I've seen as large a crowd, except for University football games, of course." "Commander, your Police team won the race last year," said Bettina, "but Captain Ross is unable to run this year due to the wounds she sustained last year. How is she taking that?" "Pretty well." I said. "She loves to compete, but she understands the situation, and she's here somewhere cheering for this year's Police team." "What about you, Commander?" Bettina asked with a twinkle in her eye. "You have the Police team, but your nephew is competing for the BOW Enterprises team? Where do your loyalties lie?" I smiled. "We also have the University's ROTC team, and as a former ROTC cadet myself, I'm rooting for them also. I guess I win no matter who wins the race." "The Bradley Rangers are looking to take the gold medal this year after coming close last year." said Bettina. "Are they the team to beat?" "I think they'll be right up there." I said. Just then both Bettina and I noticed a small entourage making its way through the large crowd. I saw the shock of white hair. "Okay, Bettina," I said. "Interview over." I went to rejoin Laura, who'd been giving Elsie Gringer an interview. Hand-in-hand, Laura and I headed towards the group. Sure enough, at the center of the little human solar system was Dr. P. Harvey Eckhart. He was wearing a light blue button-down collared shirt, khaki pants, brown shoes that looked like slippers, and a navy blue jacket. Walking next to him was his daughter. Cindy was wearing a nearly-identical shirt, khaki skirt, and medium-heel slides. The look on Cindy's face was one I did not see nearly enough. "Oh, wow." I said quietly to Laura. "I don't think I've ever seen her looking so happy." "I agree." said Laura. "The perfect antidote to her not being able to run in the race... publicly being with her father." They came up to us, Cindy complimenting Laura and hugging her as I hugged Harvey. He had two bodyguards and several acolytes with him, as always. They greeted me as if I were part of their family, and I greeted them back. "Ah, young Donald." said Eckhart. "And my dear Laura, you are looking wonderful!" He hugged my wife as if she were his daughter, too. "Young Donald is a very lucky man, I daresay." "Don't I know it." I said as Laura slid her arm around my waist. "By the way, Cindy, Todd and Teddy have the Team 29 baton, and I told them to uphold its winning ways." Cindy smiled. "Yeah, they better." Bettina was trying to get an interview with Cindy as the entourage walked along, asking if Cindy missed being in the race. Cindy said "For the record, I'm very happy to just be alive and here to watch with family and friends." She would say no more on the record. Nor off it. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Okay, we're just about to start this race off." said the radio announcer as I listened in, the earpiece barely noticeable. "The Bradley Rangers are looking eager to start. The BOW Enterprises Team, making their first race appearance, are also ready to go. The Police team this year are members of the SWAT Team, Claire Michaels and Hugh Hewitt, and we'll see if they can defend the title won by their colleagues Ross and Croyle in such amazing fashion last year. Everyone knows the story by now: Ross was badly wounded the day after the race, and Croyle declined to run without her partner, showing what a tight band of brothers... and sisters... our Police Force is." No doubt about that, I thought to myself. I heard the gun go off and the splashing of teams as the first legs ran into the water. Teddy Franklin was running the first leg and Todd would be the anchor. Claire Michaels was the first leg for the Police team. The announcer said "And Franklin of the BOW Team is out to the lead. Bradley is in second place, trying to pass Franklin. The Army ROTC team is in third, followed by the Fire Department team and the team from First Baptist Church, competing for the first time. Then follows Michaels of the Police Team, and the Kiwanis Club team..." At that moment a group of people came up to us. Kelly Carnes, County Councilwoman and trophy wife, came up with Pastor Raymond Westboro, also of the Council. Kelly was not exactly my best friend on or off the Council. Several other Baptists were with them. "Ah, Commander, Mrs. Troy." Kelly said, her voice on the edge of a condescending sneer. "Ah, Mrs. Carnes." I said. "The First Baptist team is doing well, according to the radio announcer. I believe your husband is on the team?" "Yes, he is." said Carnes. "But I don't think anyone is going to defeat that hunk nephew of yours." Hearing that, Pastor Westboro quickly said "How are you, Commander? Professor, very nice to see you too. Your new hairstyle is very becoming." "Thank you Pastor." Laura said politely. "Ah, Captain Ross." said Westboro, seeing Cindy come up to us. "So nice to see you again, although I'm sure you'd rather be swimming in the competition right now." "Yes, Pastor," said Cindy, "but I'm very happy and grateful to be alive and simply here to watch with family and friends." "Indeed." said Westboro. "The Lord has watched over you this past year. May He continue to keep you... oh, hello Dr. Eckhart, I didn't realize you were here." Westboro's voice had become considerably less friendly upon sight of Eckhart, the founder and great leader of 'The Vision'. "Ah, Pastor Westboro." said Harvey Eckhart, with the first slight hint of acerbity in his voice that I'd ever heard. "I'm so delighted to see you again. You've done so well, building your church to what, 2000 members?" I realized that was not a compliment. Eckhart had hundreds of thousands of participants in his seminars over the years, and thousands of them loyal to his teachings. "Yes, the Lord had been very favorable to me." said Westboro. "But I am merely His servant on earth, and to any and all of the billions of souls in His keeping." "Of course." said Eckhart, his blue eyes twinkling, reminding me of the woman who had inherited those eyes. "Young Donald, are you aware that Pastor Westboro was a good friend of that friend of your father's, the late Jonas Oldeeds?" "Ah yes, Dr. Eckhart." I said. "I recall inviting Pastor Westboro into the Reverend Oldeeds' RV on that unfortunate day that Oldeeds did not survive." "Yes, a devastating day." said Westboro. I could see he was not pleased that Eckhart had brought that up. To be honest, I didn't care to think about it, either. Just then Teresa came up. "Cindy, we need to go now, before they close the road to even police vehicles." "True." Cindy said. She hugged Eckhart, telling him she'd see him at the finish line. As she and Teresa walked off into the crowd, Kelly Carnes turned to me. "New police uniform your Vice Lieutenant is wearing, Commander?" she snarled. "My hunk nephew likes it." I replied with a grin. "And yes, it would be standard police issue if I had my way on it." Eckhart laughed and even Pastor Westboro smiled at that one. "Laura, we need to go, too." I said. "Everyone, enjoy your day." As we walked towards where my Police SUV was parked, another entourage was making its way towards us. I was hoping to avoid this one. No such luck. Teresa's Summer Race Redux "Ah, Commander Troy." called out State Senator Katherine Woodburn. "No crowbar today?" "Ah, Senator, how are you?" I said. "No, it's such a festive occasion I don't feel the need for it. Though with all the politicians around, maybe I should reconsider... oh, hello Congressman Condor!" Yes, he was with Woodburn in their entourage, followed by staffers and a couple of men that I observed to be bodyguards despite their poor efforts to hide their obvious purpose for being here. "Ah, Commander Troy, Mrs. Troy." Condor said with his too-toothy, forced grin, offering his hand, which I shook politely. "So nice to see you again." "So, Commander," said Woodburn, "has Director Lewis contacted you yet?" "About what?" I replied. "Well, I shouldn't jump his claim and let the secret out, but he intends to ask you to lead the investigation of Henry Wargrave's murder. With your abilities, I'm sure you'll find the killer or killers quickly." "Ah, no, he has not contacted me about that yet, Senator." I said, pretending joviality. "I just hope he won't be disappointed if I find it to indeed be a suicide, and that the killer of Mr. Wargrave... was Mr. Wargrave himself." "I'm sure you'll do your usual excellent job with it." said Condor, attempting to keep things cordial. "If you'll excuse us... Katherine, we need to greet Pastor Westboro and Councilwoman Carnes." They strode past us. "Is she serious?" Laura asked as I opened the passenger side door for her to get into my silver Police SUV. I didn't answer until I got into the driver's seat and closed the door. "I've heard rumors that Lewis wants to ask me to do that." I said. "I'm not sure what he's expecting. Maybe he thinks I'll turn him down and he can make hay with the Press over it." "What will you do?" Laura asked. I smiled... a smile no perp wants to see. "Why, I'll cooperate fully." I said. "I'm sure I'll find all of the clues that show that Mr. Henry Wargrave committed suicide by jumping out his office window." I then said "By the way, I was noticing a lot of people calling you 'Mrs. Troy' today. I wonder why that is." "I don't know," Laura said, "but I like being called Mrs. Troy. And I like being Mrs. Troy." "I like you being Mrs. Troy, too." I said. "And I'm very proud that you're my Mrs. Troy." "Awww." Laura said, loving the compliments. I leaned over and kissed my wife on her luscious lips. Damn! I'm a lucky man! I thought to myself as I admired her beauty and her body as I started up the SUV. Part 3 - The Race "And Parker is out of the water, well ahead of the Bradley Ranger." said the radio announcer. "Todd Burke is now swimming the second leg of the swimming portion of the triathlon, down and up the long length of Reservoir Lake. He's swimming easily and with tremendous speed. There goes the other Bradley Ranger, followed by the ROTC team, with the Fire Department team now in third. The way young Todd Burke is swimming, this race just might be for second place..." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Cindy led Dr. Eckhart into her office at Police Headquarters. "It's not much, but it's mine, all mine." she said as she went around behind her desk, but did not sit down. Eckhart looked around. "It's plenty, my dear." he said. "It's not the size or trappings of the office, but what it represents and your achievements in attaining the keys to the door. I'm very proud of those accomplishments... and you." Cindy smiled, blushing a bit as Eckhart looked at the pictures on the wall: of her in her 'Miss Physical America' competition days, her and Teresa with their medals for winning the Triathlon the previous year, pictures of Ross and Molly, and of Carole and Jim. "Ah, is that your blue crowbar on the wall?" asked Eckhart, seeing that object mounted on the wall, sitting on small spikes driven into a wooden plaque. "Yes sir." Cindy said. "It's the one Don used to beat the hell out of Molotov. He gave it to me when he was promoted and named me to follow him in MCD. Don't say anything yet, but the high school metalworks shop melted down parts of the machine gun that was captured in the raid when I was shot, and they made a new crowbar for me. Teresa, Don, Molly, and his mother are going to give it to me tomorrow, on the one year anniversary of that day. I'm not supposed to know that... but I got wind of it." Eckhart grinned. "Ah, it came to you, did it?" Cindy nodded. Eckhart said "It is amazing what the human mind is capable of, my dear. You have tremendous power that you are only learning to tap into, to use." Cindy peered at her father, realizing how right he was. Eckart said "I do have one small request, my dear. Is it possible for me to see young Donald's office?" "Sure." Cindy said. "It's right down the hall." Exiting her office, she turned left from the anteroom into the hall, then left again at the next door. Going through the darkened anteroom, she tried the lock on the Commander's door, and found it was open. "Ahhhh." Eckhart said as he came into the room, lit only by the sunlight streaming through the window in the back wall. "Cindy, did Donald choose this office?" "Oh yes." Cindy said. "He kept trying to get Chief Griswold to let him move in here. For a long time, the Chief wouldn't let him, but Don worked in here a lot anyway when he wanted solitude. And he'd come in here to rest or prepare for something big, like the time he was going to confront his nephew Ned the final time. The Chief finally gave him the office, and even when he was promoted to Commander, he stayed here rather than move into the office next to the Chief's." "Yes..." whispered Eckhart, looking around. "I can understand that. Donald can feel it. He subconsciously feels the energy of this room. Do you feel it, Cindy? Let your mind feel it, my dear..." Cindy relaxed and let her mental energy flow... and realized what her father was saying. There was something, an undefinable feeling or energy in the room. "Oh yeah." she said. "I think I know what you mean." Eckhart said "And one day, this office will be yours... when young Donald surrenders to the inevitable and becomes Chief of Police." Cindy's eyes widened at that prediction, which she sensed would indeed come true one day. "So, my dear," said Eckhart, "what is that interesting sculpture on the bookcase behind Donald's desk? And that painting he has not yet hung on the wall?" "Ah, the painting showed up in MCD when he was promoted and put in charge of us." Cindy said. "It's a painting of the Trojan Horse and the fall of Troy. And the matchstick and toothpick Trojan Horse appeared on his desk one day, with a message inside it from a criminal. It tickled Don's sarcastic sense of humor." "Oh, it's far more than that, child." Eckhart said, staring at the sculpture. "Whoever sent that is a person of incredibly deep Evil. Don is going to be pressed to the very limit of his powers... it is very fortunate that he has you working with him to destroy this Evil." Cindy considered those words in the silence that followed... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "And Franklin of the BOW team is underway on the cycling portion of the race." said the radio announcer. "Todd Burke opened up a large lead on the Bradley Rangers. Now Bradley races to his cycle and starts off... Franklin is maintaining the lead but not increasing it as the ROTC and Fire Department teams begin their cycling on this grueling course. Hewitt of the Police team is lagging, but finally is coming out of the water now, and Michaels takes the baton and races to her bicycle..." Molly Evans was on the deck of The Cabin. She could see the road far below, and saw the first cyclist riding from her left to right as Teddy Franklin rounded the end of the mountain and headed north towards Town. Phyllis Troy came out on deck. "Has anyone reached the road yet, dear?" "Yes, one cyclist just went past." Molly replied. "How are the kids?" "Ross and Jim are napping, and Carole is playing with Bowser." said Phyllis. "That is the most patient dog I have ever seen, allowing that little girl to put hats and clothes on him like she does." Molly laughed. "He's a sweet dog, and he sure loves the kids." Molly said. "Ross loves him, too. I wish he could see more of Bowser... and Don, and you, and Cindy." "Be patient and keep the faith, my dear." said Phyllis, her voice sounding mysterious. "I have a feeling things are going to work out well." "Did Don say anything?" Molly said hopefully. "I have no idea what he can do, short of moving to Midtown." "No, his home is here." Phyllis said. "He hasn't said anything, but I know my son, and I know he's got something simmering in that red head of his." Molly laughed again. "Oh, there goes another cyclist." Phyllis said. "And a couple more. I'd best be going now. Don wanted me to bring Carole to Headquarters." "Why?" asked Molly, mystified. "I'm not sure." Phyllis said. "But my son always has his reasons, even if they are strange." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura and I parked at Police Headquarters, then went inside for pit stops and to relax for a while before the race heated up and the crowds gathered. We planned to be at the Fairgrounds at the Finish Line. As the door closed behind us, Laura said "It looks like Todd and Teddy will win easily-mmmff!" I had come up behind my wife, pulled her to me as I turned her around, and kissed her hard on those luscious, lipsticked lips. "Mmmmmm!" I said as I broke the kiss. "I've been wanting to do that to you since the moment I saw you this morning." I kissed Laura again, hard. I slid my tongue deep into my wife's mouth, feeling her tongue twine around it and sucking on it. We kissed hotly as my hands explored my wife's sexy body. It did not take long for me to have her blouse off, revealing her large, milk-filled breasts, her distended nipples standing out like spikes and begging for oral attention. I leaned over and took her left nipple into my mouth, feeling and tasting the warm milk as I suckled the firm teat. "Ohhh, yessss..." Laura whispered. "Suck those big titties. Mmmm, that feels so good!" My hands squeezed her breasts as I went from one to the other, sucking them hard. Then I moved up and kissed her mouth again, pulling her hard into me. I felt her hands sliding over my asscheeks, then squeezing them, before moving to open my pants. "Let's get more comfortable." I said, drawing away. I went over to the love seat sofa, which faced sideways and was right in front of the closed blinds and window to the anteroom. Throwing the cushions off, I grabbed the metal handle and pulled, bringing out the hide-away bed. "The sheet's clean, at least." I said as I returned to Laura's embrace. We worked each other out of our clothes. Then I guided my wife to the bed. She eased herself onto it on her back, then spread her legs up and back. My cock throbbed even harder as I looked at the thick black carpet of her pubic bush, the swollen, distended labes and sopping slit of her beautiful cunthole. Nestling between her legs, I began to eat my wife's pussy, tonguing deeply into its tasty lusciousness... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * As Cindy showed Dr. Eckhart the MCD room, two other people came in: Joanne Cummings was giving her boyfriend Seth Warner a tour of the Station, also. "Oh, Dr. Eckhart!" Joanne gushed as Cindy introduced him. "It's such an honor to meet you!" "Likewise, my young friend." said Eckhart. "I have heard good things about you... from your Captain here as well as your friend, the lovely Mrs. Allgood." "Oh, you know Melina?" Joanne said. "She such a great person. Oh, this is my friend Seth." "It's an honor, Doctor." said Seth, shaking Eckhart's hand. "Ah, thank you, young Seth." said Eckhart. "I'm so glad to hear you and your business are doing so well. I believe you have a very promising future, from what I'm hearing." "Thank you, sir." said Seth. "And I do believe..." Eckhart said, his voice gravelly, his eyes twinkling as he gave that sinister-seeming little smile of his, "that you and Miss Cummings here are going to be much more than 'friends' soon. Am I right?" "I certainly won't complain about that." said Seth, taking Joanne's hand in his as she blushed. "You're behind the curve, Father." Cindy said, smiling mischievously. "We've been observing that for quite a while now." Joanne blushed even more. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "UHH!! UHHH!! UHHH!!" I gasped out loud, feeling the huge spurts of hot, ropy jism blasting out of my cock. I was on top of Laura, and was unable to hold back after just a few moments of deeply fucking her. I felt her legs around me, squeezing me, her bare heels driving into the small of my back and my asscrack, keeping me imprisoned in the heat and wetness of her cunt as I filled it with my semen. "Ohhhh..." Laura moaned. It was her clenching cunt squeezing furiously hard on my throbbing, pistoning cock that had set me off to irresistible climax. She pulled my mouth down to hers in a long, deep kiss. "I love you, Don!" she gasped. "I love you too, Laura." I said, trying to catch my breath. "I love you more than anything." I slammed my mouth onto hers again, and our tongues twined. It would be many more long moments before we left the office... Part 4 - Troy Family Values "And Franklin passes the baton off to Burke to complete his leg of the marathon run." said the radio announcer into the ears of the County. "The BOW Team has a considerable lead over the Bradley Rangers. The real race is for third place, as the ROTC Team and the Fire Department Team are close together in the final mile of their first leg of the race. Todd Burke is running easily but swiftly... the Bradley hands off the baton to Bradley, but it's going to take an incredible move for the Rangers to catch up to young Todd Burke..." Most of us were gathered at the Fairgrounds, at the Finish Line. My mother, Laura, Cindy, Teresa, and Dr. Eckhart and his entourage. I scanned the crowds, looking for someone, and finally saw what I wanted, and expected, to see. "I'm going to take Carole for a little walk." I said to Laura, holding my daughter. "I'll be back in time for the finish." "Okay." Laura said. I kissed her mouth then strolled towards Riverside Avenue and towards Town. People were already milling about, lining up to see the end of the race. I saw a woman sitting on a bench not far away, a shawl over her head to partially disguise her face. I went over and sat down next to her. "Hello, Sister Dearest." I said as the woman looked at me in total shock. I was not fooled by the disguise, and had instantly seen that the woman was my sister Elizabeth. "Well, if it isn't my dear baby brother." Elizabeth said. Her voice would have been scornful, but she'd noticed my companion. "Yes," I said, noticing her glance, "this is your niece, Carole. Carole, say hello to your Aunt Elizabeth." "Hel-lo Ant Liss-buth" Carole managed to say, then giggled. "Awww." Elizabeth whispered. I could see the change in my sister's eyes, possibly the best show of emotion I'd ever seen from her. Out loud, Elizabeth said "She's adorable. I'm glad she takes after her mother." "So am I." I said, unperturbed by Elizabeth's backhanded insult. "So you're here to see your son win this race, I perceive. Why not just show up as yourself, instead of hiding behind that disguise." "Sometimes it's good to be not noticed." said Elizabeth. "Some people find being disguised as an old woman is very helpful." Hmmm, was that a message? I wondered to myself as Carole played with the ring on Elizabeth's hand. "No doubt about that." I said in cryptic reply. "Yes, I'm here to see Todd win." Elizabeth said. "I didn't expect to see this cute member of my family, though." She tickled Carole under the chin, drawing a laugh from my daughter. "You have other family that you're not even aware of." I said. "Like this guy behind us. Hello, Uncle Harvey." I'd felt as much as seen Eckhart quietly come up behind us. "Say whaaa...?" Elizabeth gasped as she turned and saw who it was. "Dr. Eckhart is what?" "Hello, my dear." said Eckhart. "As your brother was saying, I am your father's brother, and I'm glad to finally be making your acquaintance." As Elizabeth looked at both of us in shock, I said "Remember the story Grandma told us when you were fourteen and I was six?" "Yeah, but... ohhhhhh..." Elizabeth said, remembering. "So the baby she had... was you, Dr. Eckhart?" "Yes, child." said Eckhart in his gravelly voice. "And I must correct you as I have to correct your younger brother. Do call me 'Uncle Harvey', please." "Uh, sure... Uncle Harvey." Elizabeth said, her face still looking quizzical. "How... how did you figure this out, Don?" "Long, long story." I said. "Longer than your smuggling pipelines to France." "I must be going." said Eckhart. "I am happy to meet you, young Elizabeth, and I hope you will come visit me at 'The Vision' Headquarters one day soon." "Take him up on that." I said to my sister. She just nodded. Eckhart began walking off and Carole called out "Bye bye!" to him. He turned and waved at her with a grin. "Well, I have to be going also," I said, "before someone notices that I'm talking to you... someone like our mother." "Oh, geez." said Elizabeth, disdain showing up prominently on her face. "By the way, does she know about... Dr. Eckhart?" "Oh yes. And none too pleased about it." I said. "Carole, say goodbye to Aunt Elizabeth." "Bye bye, Ant Lissbth." Carole managed to say. Elizabeth smiled and said goodbye to Carole. I strolled back to my group at the Fairgrounds. "Who were you talking to over there?" Cindy asked me. "Oh, you didn't recognize your cousin Elizabeth?" I asked back. As my partner looked at me in total shock, I said "There is one person in this world Elizabeth shows some love for, and that's Carole here, so I went and introduced her. Just don't say anything to Mom about that, she'd have a fit." "Yeah, you got that right." Cindy said. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "And Todd Burke is coming up University Avenue, just a few miles from the finish." said the radio announcer. "He's running easily and effortlessly, well ahead of the rest and seemingly gaining ground with every step..." There was a buzz around the Fairgrounds and people began taking their places, knowing that racers would be coming down Riverside Avenue soon. Police also began firming up their roadblocks and barricades. The first leg racers, having been transported to the Finish Line, also prepared themselves for the arrival of the their race partners. "And here comes Todd Burke!" said the radio announcer. "He looks like the young god Mercury, seemingly gliding down the road on winged shoes. No other racers are even close to him... now he's passing the Police Station..." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Todd was running down the road, keeping a fast but comfortable pace. He was exhausted yet filled with energy, knowing the Finish Line was near. "Come on, brother!" he heard a voice whisper. "Don't let up. Run through the finish, not just to it!" Todd couldn't believe it... it seemed like the sun to his upper right was casting a weird light, almost like a material form... and he recognized it as his brother Jack! No! he thought to himself. This can't be... it has to be a hallucination... like Teresa had last year... Todd ran inexorably on, seeing the people lining the street, seeing all the police in front of Headquarters, seeing the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts that had been volunteers to line the race routes with water stations, now massed to cheer on the racers at the end. There was a woman in a shawl with a crowd of people... was that my mother? Todd thought to himself, realizing it with something more than simple intuition. Teresa's Summer Race Redux "You did it!" Todd heard the voice say as he rounded the turn to the Fairgrounds and the Finish Line. "Now avenge me! Avenge my death!" "Didn't my uncle already do that?" Todd asked his ghostly brother in the silence of his head. "Only part of it." said Jack Burke's voice. "Even he doesn't know all of it. But you will have vengeance for me..." Suddenly the sun blinded Todd as he crossed the finish line. The apparition was gone. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I heard cheers as Todd approached, then saw him round the turn into the Fairgrounds. Indeed, he looked like a young god of mythological times as he ran through the finish line tape, and many women's eyes were sparkling with sexual hunger as they watched him... not the least of which was Teresa Croyle. Todd and Teddy Franklin hugged briefly, then Todd went with the EMTs to be checked upon and re-hydrated... and get a blood sample. All of the racers were being tested for performance-enhancing drugs. Yes, even at an amateur race like this. Such was the effects of the scandal at the University the year before. It would be several minutes until the next racers came in. My family gravitated towards Todd to congratulate him. I looked at him curiously... he wasn't really smiling his normal charming smile. I thought to myself that he looked like he'd seen a ghost. "Yay Todd!" Carole exclaimed, clapping her hands as I shook Todd's hand. Todd's mischievous grin returned as he tickled Carole's belly, making her laugh loudly. Laura and my mom also congratulated Todd and Teddy, then the winning racers disappeared in a sea of people as Carole and I turned to watch the other contestants finish their grueling ordeals. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "And here comes Bradley, with a comfortable lead over the third place Fire Department team, who overcame the ROTC runners in the last phase of the race." the radio announcer was saying. Some moments later I heard him say "And here comes Hewitt of the Police team... he looks exhausted, ladies and gentlemen, he's barely hanging on." Sensing trouble, I went over to the EMTs near the finish line and told them to be ready to administer to Hewitt. Sure enough, when he came down the road to the line, he was gamely running but was staggering to the finish. Gasping for air as he crossed the line, he collapsed to his knees, and EMTs rushed to his aid. They would actually administer a full I.V. to Hugh before they let him out of their sight. I looked over at Claire Michaels, his race partner and what I thought was his girlfriend. To my shock, her features did not show concern... but disgust and contempt. Uh oh, I thought to myself, press the panic button... trouble in paradise. And I had no idea yet just how much trouble... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * At the medal ceremony, Todd was grinning brightly and Teddy somewhat more demurely as the gold medals were draped around their necks. The Bradley Rangers' congratulations of them had been a bit perfunctory; they had been more than disappointed at being silver medalists for the second year in a row, and this time in such destructively convincing fashion that it had to be demoralizing. I congratulated the Fire Department team, as did Sheriff Allgood, for their bronze medal finish. I noticed Bettina Wurtzburg and Priya Ajmani competing to get interviews with Todd and Teddy, followed by the Media trying to get pictures. They'd tried to get the Bradley Rangers to pose with the other teams, but the Bradleys were having none of it and had left the scene. I couldn't really blame them: Rangers were trained to win, and there are no silver medals in war. Hard for them to get out of that mindset, I realized to myself. Then some Media person had wanted Todd and Teddy to pose with last year's race winners. Teresa was affable to it, standing next to Todd. Cindy was much more reluctant, but did her duty for a couple of pictures. It was then that I realized how much Cindy being unable to do this race again was really hurting her inside, despite her resistance to showing it. She was a competitor and a winner in her deepest soul. So I did what any good police partner would do: I walked over to her and handed Carole to her, and said "Carole, tell Cindy how proud your dad is of her." Carole didn't have words for that, so she just hugged Cindy. As she hugged my daughter back, Cindy just looked over at me, her ice blue eyes sparkling just a bit brightly. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "How touching." said State Senator Katherine Woodburn to U.S. Congressman Gary A. Condor. "The Iron Crowbar wins again." "Relax, Katherine." said Condor. "As a politician, you know how these things ebb and flow. We will have our win over him. Just wait until Priya's exposé of the Jack Burke tapes comes out, and her story on the killer of my friend Jonas Oldeeds. Your friend the Iron Crowbar will not be looking so happy then." Thou fool, Katherine thought to herself, and about Condor. Out loud she said "Oh, that will be nothing. We have to go much deeper than that to destroy the Iron Crowbar. And I do have a friend... a friend who is going to do just that." Her smile broadened as she thought of what was coming. Just then the Newton sisters, Julie and Yvonne, came up to them. "Senator, Congressman," Julie said in introduction, "may I introduce my sister Yvonne? She's ADA Paulina Patterson's assistant." "Oh, really?" said Condor, his mind opening the possibilities. Julie was a Police Detective, and her sister worked for an Assistant District Attorney! Could these young women be corrupted into betraying the Iron Crowbar and his allies? he thought to himself. Meanwhile, Condor was pouring on the charm for both of the raven-haired beauties... and they were pretending to be charmed, Katherine noticed with a mixture of amusement and disgust... Part 5 - The Party Sunday, July 5th, 6:00pm. The party at The Cabin was in full force. It was a family celebration of Todd's race win, a post-Independence-Day celebration, and also just a celebration of who was here to celebrate: a year ago this day, Cindy Ross was lying on a gym floor, nearly dead. I'd made damn sure she was off duty today and would not be put on duty; history would not repeat itself, at least on this day. Present were myself, Laura, our kids, Molly, Ross, Cindy, Jenna, Tanya Perlman, her little son Pete, Todd, his baby son Doug, Teresa, Teddy, my mom Phyllis, Daniel and Melina Allgood and their son Daniel, Paulina Patterson, Martin Nash, Sandra Speer, Jack Muscone, Joanne Cummings, Seth Warner, Barry Oliver, Myron Milton, Mary Mahoney Milton, Wes 'Coldiron' Masters, Theo Washington, his brother ADA Franklin Washington, Teddy Parker, Geiger from Vice, Julie Newton, Yvonne Newton, Bettina Wurtzburg (having promised that everything was off the record), her aunt Elsie Gringer... ... and of course, the redoubtable Bowser. I was concerned about Bowser being surrounded by so many people, and he was indeed a bit skittish. He remembered Joanne and let her hold and pet him, and fortunately other people gave him some space. The kids stayed up in the attic room, watched over by several volunteers at intervals, and Bowser mostly stayed up there with them. He watched over Carole, but had the other kids under his 'protection' as well. My mother came up to me as the party got into full swing. "I believe we're going to have a surprise today." she said, her eyes twinkling. "Seth and Joanne?" I asked. My mother grinned; I had observed what she had observed. And about an hour later, Seth gathered everyone into the greatroom. "Everyone, Dynacorp is now part of BOW Enterprises, officially and legally." Seth said. "I'm glad to be part of the winning team, especially that of my partners winning the Triathlon." Some laughter and cheers. Seth then said, "But I am even happier to be part of an even better partnership, one that I intend to last for all eternity." He took Joanne's hand and drew her to his side, then knelt down as a small box was produced from his pocket. He opened it to reveal the sparkling diamond ring, and popped the question... She said 'Yes'. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bowser barked at the door to the attic room. Melina and Tanya were on baby duty, and Melina opened the door and let Bowser out. Bowser tore down the stairs, through the greatroom and along the walkway of the deck to his opening through the fence. He went down his mountain trail. "Oh, he's doing his business." I said as the guests wondered what the dog was doing in the daytime. And then we were distracted by the arrival of a surprise guest on a motorcycle: P. Harvey Eckhart had come... alone. No acolytes, no bodyguards. "Ah, young Donald." he said. "I am very happy to be able to accept your kind invitation." "I'm glad you did." I said as Harvey handed me a case of wines. We went inside, where there was general acclaim at his arrival. Cindy rushed to give her father a hug and escort him into the party, making introductions where necessary. For myself, I noted that my mother and Jack Muscone had disappeared upon Eckhart's arrival... they were now upstairs on baby duty, which allowed Melina and Tanya to come down. Jack and Phyllis were avoiding Eckhart. "Young Donald, you know how it works." said Eckhart as he and Cindy led a progression into the kitchen. "Yes, I do." I said. I took a bottle of wine at random, opened it, and poured three glasses... one for Eckhart, one for Cindy, one for me. We clinked glasses and I said "Salud!". Eckhart drank first. This was a symbolic test to show the wine wasn't poisoned... and it was something Eckhart did very seriously when being given anything to drink. Any security I thought I had paled in comparison to the measures Eckhart took to defeat his many enemies. Eckhart congratulated Seth and Joanne upon their engagement then talked with Daniel and Melina for a good while as Laura and I brought out more food and drinks. Elsie Gringer, now having her social story on Seth and Joanne's engagement, was now upstairs with my mother Phyllis, which meant that the entire County's gossip would be shared and parsed. As I poured wine for the guests, I happened to catch Todd approach Tanya Perlman. After greetings and Tanya congratulating Todd on the race, I was shocked to hear him say "I need to talk to you. I want to know more about the case of my brother Jack's murder." "Why don't you ask your uncle?" Tanya said. "He solved it." "I know, but I want your perspective on it." Todd replied. "I also think you might want to look into something... if Jack Arruzio really acted out of cuckold vengeance, or if there was more to it..." He had Tanya's interest, and they walked off before I could hear more. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * It was getting late, the sun beginning to set over the western horizon. Some of the guests had made their goodbyes, and Todd's BOW group as well as Teresa and Joanne were in the front living room talking mostly about their race. I noticed Eckhart sitting in the metal mesh two-person seat that I normally sat in, Cindy sitting next to him on his left side. Sensing it was the correct thing to do, I went over and sat in the table-side chair to Harvey's right. "Ah, young Donald, yes do come join us." Eckhart said. "I told you last year that I would return this year for a conversation with you. I believe it's time for that conversation now." "Sure." I said. "So, what's up for us this year?" "Danger, my young nephew... danger." Eckhart said. "The two of you are embarking upon the destruction of one of the most powerful webs of Evil that has ever been spun. You must alert at all times, and ready for anything. Especially you, Don... it is going to be a very long and lonely road for you before it is all over." "I'll be with him, every step of the way." Cindy declared. "Ah, my dear," said Eckhart, almost sadly, "you will indeed be working with him... but you cannot share young Donald's ordeal. He must endure it... alone. You will know of what I speak when the time comes." I was already trying to stretch my mind to understand what the threat could possibly be. At that moment, Bowser bounded up onto the deck. He looked at the three of us, and as Eckhart said "Hello, little doggy.", Bowser jumped up into Eckhart's lap. "Ah, such a good dog." Eckhart said, his voice nearly a whisper as he petted Bowser and stroked the dog's back. "And that reminds me... remember this, both of you: your Shadow Man deeply hates dogs." "Oh really?" I whispered, more to myself than the others. "Ah yes, young Donald." Eckhart said, his voice even more gravelly than normal. "That piece of filth Bryan Thatcher... do you think he was acting alone in his experiments upon those dogs and his torture of them?" "I... I never thought about it." I said. And then possibilities began tearing open inside my mind. "Yes, my friends, Thatcher was working for an insidiously evil man." said Eckhart. "What this very dog, who is fortunate to be alive, endured at the hands of that man is unspeakable to me; I cannot even think of those atrocities... they're as bad as what was happening in that Asylum near my Headquarters." I looked at Bowser. "And he will pay for that, Bowser." I promised. "He will pay." Bowser wagged his tail as he met my look into his canine eyes. Part 6 - Epilogue There was one last act of celebration at the party. Teresa and Molly led a large group of remaining guests onto the deck, a paper-wrapped object in her hands. "I know you already know what this is, Cindy." I said as Teresa came up beside her. "And it's a commemoration not of what happened to you or what you endured, but that you overcame it and you're still with us." "Hear hear." said Molly. "And you can use this to keep the bad guys down... and keep the Commander in line." Teresa said with alacrity. Everyone laughed. Cindy unwrapped the gift. It was a new blue crowbar. "Made with the finest machine gun parts from Wargrave's arsenal that was used a year ago," Teresa said, "a certain black crowbar the Commander gave us but won't say where it's from, and the crowbar you used to win the Police Boxing Matches." That black crowbar had been the one Wargrave used ineffectively in his final battle with Cindy before being thrown out the window. "How does it feel, child?" Harvey Eckhart asked his daughter as Cindy took the new blue crowbar and waved it around then tapped it in the palm of her other hand. "How does it feel to you?" "Good." Cindy said, getting her father's meeting. "It feels right. Ju-u-st right. Thanks guys." The party began breaking up. Molly was staying overnight and would return to Midtown in the morning. My mother Phyllis was also staying, spending a few extra hours with her grandson Ross. As Cindy and Jenna left, Cindy and Molly hugged warmly and promised to get together again soon. "Just use that blue crowbar to protect Don." I heard Molly say. "I heard what Dr. Eckhart said to him... Don's going to need you." "And you." Cindy said. "But we'll win... and we'll celebrate." Neither woman had any idea, I thought to myself, of what it was going to take for that celebration to happen. I looked out over the Town, seeing a train coming out of the western horizon, and steeled myself for the battle ahead... Finis. Teresa's Summer Race "Oh God, fuck me!" the blonde demanded, squeezing Todd's hard asscheeks. He was piledriving his meat into the blonde, and she was coming apart at the seems as her orgasm overtook her. A cry from the next bed got Todd's attention: the brunette was also coming as Teddy relentlessly fucked her. The young studs built up to their climaxes as they 'fucked to pop', fucking their women harder and harder, deeper and deeper, the sweat on all their bodies increasing with the painful ecstasy overtaking their loins... "UHHH!!" Teddy cried out as the first spurts of hot, milky semen jetted into the brunette's clutching cunt. Todd had outlasted his buddy, but not by much. The blonde was climaxing, her cunt clamping hard onto his meaty shaft, and Todd just let it go. "Here it comes, baby, OH GOD!" Todd gasped out. Long ropes of thick jism spurted from the depths of his balls and through the long shaft of his cock as if fired from a cannon, coating the depths of the blonde's sweet cunt, half a billion sperm now in a race of their own... to find a waiting egg to fertilize. After their painful pleasure relaxed into a pleasing lassitude, Todd asked "Teddy, what time is it?" Teddy told him. "Okay, we gotta go." Todd said. "Awww, said the blonde as the guys got up and began dressing. The blonde eased onto the bed next to the brunette. "We'll be waiting for you... Just think of what's here and hurry back..." As the guys left, the blonde slid her mouth onto the brunette's in a deep kiss... Part 5 - Dream Cycling "And Ross has maintained the lead in the race as she nears the exchange point," intoned the radio announcer, "where Croyle will take the baton and the bicycle and ride to the point where the marathon race begins. Forty miles of cycling done, forty miles to go. And there's the exchange, the Police team is on its way, and the Bradley Rangers are just coming up now. Oh my goodness! the Fire Department's men's team took a hard spill... he's back up, but he's lost a lot of ground. Looks like he's not a hundred percent, either..." Teresa cycled hard as she climbed the road over the mountain. Cindy had just done this course for 40 miles, returning to the starting point. She looked up and saw The Cabin above her. She was exhausted, and felt like she was flagging... "Come on, Teresa!" yelled the voice. No, it couldn't be... there was Alexis, bicycling ahead of her! She was looking back, urging her sister onward. "Come on, Teresa, catch up to me! Don't let me stay ahead of you! Come on!" Teresa worked it, cycling hard. "I'm coming, Alexis!" she screamed, but the sound was in her mind. "I'm coming... wait for me Alexis! Wait for me!" "No, catch up!" Alexis ordered. "Come on, Sis, you can do it!" ------------------------------- "And as Croyle comes down the mountain road, it looks like she's flagging a bit." said the announcer. "The Bradley Ranger is gaining ground, he's narrowed the gap. Now they're turning onto the flats, and will be riding around the bypass and back to the starting point for the start of the run. There goes Croyle onto the North Road, and there goes the Bradley Rangers... the Army ROTC rider is in third, but is not making up ground, it looks like a two-team race at this point... "Ah, crap." I said, "he's beginning to gain on her." Molly and I watched from a nearby road as Teresa turned onto County Road 5, which would lead south. She'd be riding all the way to County Road 2 on the Southern border, then back over around Cemetery Hill and back to Reservoir Lake for the run. At that point, everyone would be scrambling to get somewhere, as the running route would not return to the lake, but to the Fairgrounds. The finish line was just south of Police Headquarters. But my Police Force was ready, and traffic control was working as smooth as cream right now. ----------------------------- The Assassin climbed the bell tower stairs to the belfry. Being careful not to hit the rope and thus accidentally ring the bell, he lay prone, seeing the perfect overview of the four-lane road, University Avenue. His rifle had a silencer, but he'd have to move quickly to get back down and into the tunnel and escape once Croyle was dead... Part 5 - Running with a Ghost "Ah, my young friend Donald." said a voice behind me. As I turned, I first inescapably noticed the shock of bright white hair. It was Dr. P. Harvey Eckhart, the great leader of the self-help seminar group 'The Vision', headquartered in the county south of mine. Some said 'The Vision' Was a cult. I'd parked my Police SUV at the Fairgrounds next to the finish line. Molly and I were going to wait here. Television sets had been set up here and on the Courthouse Square for people to watch the local coverage of the race. Molly and I tuned in, but at the moment she was using the restroom. "Hello, Harvey," I said, startled. "I'm surprised to see you here. You usually avoid crowds." He was wearing a light blue button-down shirt, khaki pants, brown shoes (which seemed to be the style no matter what other clothes were worn) and a dark blue blazer. He was old enough that warmth was needed, even on a summer day like this. His attire reminded me of how someone else would always dress, but I didn't think about that as I concentrated on Harvey's presence. "Yes, I certainly do, my friend." Eckhart said. "And I'm about to find a less noticeable vantage point. Donald, did you know it's been proven that the beating of a butterfly's wings actually changes the air currents of the entire world?" "I'd heard something of the sort." I said, wondering what Eckhart was getting at. But he did not say more, instead changing the subject: "I just stopped by to tell you to direct all your energies to Miss Croyle... " Eckhart said. "She is going to need our mental and spiritual help today to finish this race properly in first place." "Sure." I said. Almost unconsciously, I let my mental energy flow, reaching out. Suddenly, I felt like I was feeling Teresa's mind, feeling her in physical pain from the race, feeling her trying to hold on mentally... "Yes..." said Eckhart, knowing my thoughts, perhaps feeling them himself. "Yes, concentrate.... yes, its helping..." "So where are they now?" Molly asked, cutting into my reverie. I looked around. P. Harvey Eckhart was gone. "Teresa just finished the cycling in first, but the Rangers made up some ground." I said. "It's going to be close, and I just hope they can hold on. Send good thoughts their way." ----------------------------------- The buses carrying second-leg contestants and their bicycles drove along a closed-off road, then up to the southern point of the Fairgrounds. Cindy had taken the baton and was now running along the southern farm roads. Teresa ate some food and drank energy drinks, getting ready for her leg of the race. The only other people on the bus was the Bradley Ranger and the Army ROTC contestant... the others hadn't arrived yet, and would be taking other buses. The Ladies Auxiliary had done a fantastic job, in conjunction with the Police and Fire Departments, in making this contest a true race of excellence. "Alexis..." she thought... "stay with me, Alexis!" She couldn't see her sister anymore, but she could feel the energy reaching her, flowing out to her. She let her mind go 'inside', mentally preparing herself for the last leg of the race. It was 'do or die' time, and Teresa knew her life and future depended on how she ran the next thirteen-plus miles... ----------------------------------- I listened as the radio announcer intoned "Ross is still ahead, but the Bradley Ranger is right behind, only about 150 yards back. Ross is running steadily ahead, the Bradley Ranger running smoothy behind. The Army ROTC is another 400 yards behind, and there's a pack about half a mile behind him. It looks like it's going to be a two-team finish, maybe three if the young ROTC team can make a move..." ----------------------------------- "GO! GO! GO!" Cindy yelled as she handed the baton to Teresa, who secured it in the pouch of her uniform number. She took off running South, following the prescribed course. She pushed hard, finding the energy to keep going somehow, to get back started after the rest. The sun had moved a quadrant, and was off to her front right as she ran south towards County Road 2. "Don't abandon me now, Alexis!" Teresa yelled silently. "Don't leave me now!" "I'm here, Sis! I'm right here!" Alexis seemed to be running ahead of her, right where the sun was in the sky. "Come on, Teresa, run! RUN!!!!" --------------------------------- "And the last leg is now coming off County Road 2 and on to the Junction Station Highway." said the radio announcer. "The Police Team is still in first place as Croyle reaches the Junction Station Road and keeps going, the Bradley Ranger a hundred yards back, slowly but surely gaining..." Part 6 - In The Crosshairs The Assassin got into place, lying prone, his rifle ready to shoot. He was listening to the radio broadcast in his earpiece. His target was the leader; that would make identification and execution much easier. In the distance, he heard the roar of the crowd that had begun lining University Drive at the turnoff to the Nextdoor County Highway. She was coming. Looking into his sights, he could see the woman in the blue shirt, running vigorously, the "29" of her number plain to see on her chest. Just a bit closer, he thought, keeping the crosshairs on that number... just a bit closer... Suddenly, hands grabbed his ankles and pulled him back! "Wha?" he gasped, but suddenly a man wearing a full black silk mask was at his side, a semiautomatic .22 pistol with silencer now in the Assassin's earhole, while the other man held up his legs, giving the Assassin no chance to fight back. "You get to live if you tell me who hired you to do this." said the masked man with the pistol. "Fuck you." the Assassin said. "Whatever." said the masked man, who then pulled the trigger. Turning the Assassin to one side, the masked man put the barrel of the pistol into the Assassin' mouth and fired again, just to make sure. The Assassin had meant to take a life; his was now extinguished. "Let's go." said the first masked man. "We'll leave him at the bottom of the stairs, then come dispose of him after it gets dark. The masked man peeked out, watching as Teresa Croyle ran by, having no idea of how close her call had been. It was not her day to die. ------------------------------ "And Croyle passes the University Bell Tower, running north, soon she'll be running west and then south to the Fairgrounds and the finish line. The Bradley ranger is now 50 yards behind her, he's got 2 miles to catch up, just two miles! but it looks like he's gaining ground steadily, he's now 40 yards back... ----------------------------- "What the hell!" Nathan Allen exclaimed as he watched the TV from his office. He gulped down his gin and tonic and poured another one. "Son, you want a drink?" "No, Dad, I'm going to be driving back to the City after the race." Dean said. "What's the matter?" "That Croyle bitch, she's... she passed the Tower..." "Don't worry Dad," said Dean, "the Ranger is gaining on her. He'll win." Nathan Allen shut up... not even his son could know what he'd been expecting, what was supposed to happen. How could Croyle still be alive? he thought furiously to himself. What had happened? Part 7 - The Finish "Come on, Teresa!" Alexis yelled as Teresa turned south onto the last leg of the race. Teresa was far beyond having hit the wall; she was on fumes, totally empty, digging deep to find what simply was not there. And the Ranger was gaining on her, he was now just 25 yards back. "Run, Teresa!" Alexis yelled, her voice seeming to come from the sun itself. "Catch up to me!" "Don't leave me, Alexis, don't leave me!" Teresa gasped, working to put one foot in front of the other, her lungs burning. 
"Catch up to me, Sis!" Alexis yelled, "you've got to keep up! Come on! Run, Teresa, run!.... I'll never leave you, sis, but you have to run! You have to win! You have to win for me, for us!" "I'm coming Alexis!" Teresa yelled, feeling new energy pouring into her. This was it, her supreme moment. This was for Alexis, for her memory! for Cindy and the Iron Crowbar and all her friends who'd stood by her in her darkest days! She could not fail, she had to win. "I'm coming Alexis! I'm catching up!" ------------------------------------ "Here they come." I said to Molly as we stood just past the Finish Line and to the right side, seeing the red tape stretching across the two poles. Cindy and the first Bradley Ranger were also past the line, in the area reserved for athletes as they finished. Both looked exhausted; they'd given it their all... now it was up to their teammates. I listened into the radio... ------------------------------------- "Oh my God! Croyle is making a move! Croyle is making a move! shouted the announcer. "She is moving ahead! The Bradley Ranger is not responding! he is unable to match it, he's falling behind! Croyle is running ahead, she is on fire, ladies and gentlemen! Oh my God, this is amazing!... Croyle is running past City Hall now, she's about to reach the Police Station..." I heard a loud roar, and I knew why. Most of the Police Force had chosen to situate themselves at Headquarters to see the end of the race. When Teresa had appeared in first place, running as hard as she could, they had erupted, and they cheered her on as she flew by, driven by an inexorable purpose. ------------------------------------- "Come on, Teresa!" Alexis yelled, "you're almost there, come on!" "Don't leave me, Alexis!" Teresa begged, "don't leave me, I'm coming, I'm coming!" She turned off the road and onto the Fairgrounds path. Cindy screamed out as Teresa ran the last yards and through the red tape, breaking it. Then Teresa collapsed onto the ground, lying prone on her belly, her head resting on her arms, her body convulsing. "Oh the poor dear." Molly said to me. "She's exhausted." "No." I said, very sure. "She's crying." ----------------------------- "Croyle has won the race! Croyle has won the race!" screamed the radio announcer into the ears of the People of the County. "The Police Team has upset the Rangers and the ROTC team! They've done it! Croyle made a move, and the others did not respond! I've never seen anything like that, Ladies and Gentlemen... " His voice softened as he continued "Croyle is lying on the ground. She gave it everything she had and then some. Now her teammate Ross is coming over, they're on their knees, they're hugging. What a great moment, ladies and gentlemen, what a great moment. I have seen enough to know that I have seen too much...." ---------------------------- "I did it, Alexis!" Teresa said silently, sobbing. "I did it, I made it. Don't leave me Alexis!" She looked up. The sun was in her face, and it seemed as if Alexis was standing before her. "I'll always be with you, Sis." Alexis was saying. "You did it, Sis, you did it! Now take care of your new sister, Teresa, she's going to need you...". The image of Alexis left Teresa as the sun was blocked. The shadow was Cindy Ross, her teammate, on her knees in front of her. Cindy helped Teresa to her knees and they hugged, a hug that was more than for just winning a race. "I did it, Alexis. I love you..." Teresa said, out loud for the first time, as Cindy held her up. "You did it, Teresa." Cindy said. "You did it for your sister." "And for you, too." Teresa said. "We did it for us, too..." They stayed like that for a long time, on their knees hugging, not hearing the loud cheers, not hearing the EMTs that were trying to check up on them to make sure they were okay, not seeing or hearing the photographers taking their pictures, the TV cameras trying to invade their space, but being pushed back by EMTs and police officers. It is possible that one Police Lieutenant told his officers to use force if needed to keep the Press at bay. "I think I've lost a sister." said Molly to me. "Naah, maybe gained one." I said. I looked around. Other contestants were just starting to come in, and would continue to for over an hour. But I thought I saw a shock of white hair at the far southern end of the Fairgrounds... or maybe I was just feeling the presence of a very powerful mind... Part 8 - Epilogue Later that afternoon, the Mayor draped gold medals around the necks of Teresa Croyle and Cindy Ross as the winners of the Independence Day Town & County Triathlon. The Bradley Rangers had been good sports and congratulated the winners, though not very happy about their silver medals. I congratulated them anyway, and they admitted that I had one hell of a team on my Police Force. I also congratulated the ROTC team that had come in third and taken the bronze medals. I saw Molly talking to one of the Press photographers, giving him a piece of paper. He took pictures of Cindy and Teresa side by side, holding up their gold medals. Cindy was smiling as happily as I'd ever seen her smile. But while not scowling, Teresa had a strange, almost faraway look in her eyes. Not just exhaustion... ----------------------------------------- Some moments later, my nephew Todd came up to me, in the company of his friend Teddy Franklin. "Hi Uncle Don!" he said brightly. "Good race, huh?" "Sure was." I said. "So where were you, Todd?" "I...." said Todd, that mischievous grin on his young face, "... was watching from a higher... observation post, if you will." "Oh really?" I asked, my eyes cutting to his. "Everything good?" "Yes sir." Todd replied. "It's all good, and we'll make sure it stays that way." "Thanks, Todd." I said. "Why don't you go congratulate the winners? After all, you were fucking one of them last night." "Not much gets by you, does it, Uncle Don?" Todd grinned. He and Teddy walked off towards the winners. "No, not too much." I said to myself. But even I had no idea... It has been mathematically proved that a butterfly beating its wings can change the air currents of the entire world. While no one would ever know to prove it, in about 30 hours from now, the small act of the Assassin being eliminated would have another effect: one less criminal shooting at my police officers in an ambush would be the difference between life and death for Cindy Ross. Not just one teammate had been saved today... but two... -------------------------------------- At Midtown Police Headquarters near the end of July, Teresa was packing her stuff. She'd given her resignation, as she was to be re-employed by the Town & County Police on August 1st. Detective Molly Evans came up to her desk. "Hi." Molly said. "I have a little going away present for you." "Aw, you shouldn't have." said Teresa. "I wasn't here very long." "No, but I'll miss our lunches together, and we'll be sharing a sister." Molly replied. "Go ahead, open it." Teresa unwrapped the present. It was a color photograph of Cindy and Teresa posing with their gold medals after winning the July 4th race. The frame was the same black type and size as that holding the picture that was given to Teresa the Christmas before, of teens Teresa and her sister Alexis holding up their medals for winning that race all those years before. "I gave Cindy one just like it." Teresa said. "I think it'll go very well next to your other one." "Awww, yes it will. Thank you." said Teresa, getting up and hugging Molly. "And Molly... thank you for sharing your sister." "Just take care of her for me. For us. Just take care of her..." said Molly... Finis