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Maxine's New Life Ch. 01

By: carniegirl



"Max, I'm going for a coffee want me to bring you one?" Ed Martin, aka the bondsman, asked as he walked toward the door of our small office.

"No thanks Ed," I replied. "The coffee from my Mr. Coffee is fine with me. I'm not really a big fan of designer coffee. Too many years of bad coffee." I replied.

"Yeah, you haven't been out long enough to develop a taste for the finer things in life." 

Finer things in life I wasn't sure about, but I hadn't been out of the Air Force very long, that was true. I had done most of my twenty two years in the Air Police. During that time I had done everything from ride in a patrol car patrolling the base housing area, to guarding convoys in Afghanistan. It had been a long and eventful 22 years. Unfortunately I got frozen in rank at master sergeant. I had been told by my last commanding officer, that I would never rise above my rank at the time. According to him, I was not a team player That being the case, I pulled the plug at 22 years. 

That little conversation came while I was recovering from a piece of shrapnel in my belly. Compared to most of the wounds from that stupid war, it wasn't even worth mentioning. If it had not been for the conversation with Captain Hartman, I wouldn't have bothered.

By the way don't let anyone tell you that you are safe in an armored Humvee. My life was probably saved more by the shortage of explosives in Afghanistan, than by the kevlar. Fortunately the IED wasn't as big as it might have been the year before. The Vee was a total loss, but thankfully I wasn't.

I had planned to retire at thirty and do very little, if anything afterward. When I went out at 22years, I had to look for something to fill my time and to supplement my pension. I was fortunate. If I could stand the long lines, I had free medical coverage from the VA. I probably would go with the co-pay and use the private coverage available to me. 

I found myself back in Aster because I had this old high school friend named Jennifer. She had gone on to the state university and become a lawyer. Jen and I had stayed in touch over the years. Mostly it had been Christmas cards and a wedding invitation every few years. There had been 22 Christmas cards and five wedding invitations to be exact. Two of the invitations were mine and three were hers. Her third marriage was still intact, while my second husband had been killed in Iraq. It was only a couple of weeks after the end of combat operations there. Somebody forgot to tell the rag heads to stop sending rockets into the American compounds.

Even then I was still a reasonably attractive 41 year old woman, even so I didn't date much. All my old friends were far away and I hadn't made many new ones. The only unattached man I knew well was Ed, and he was about seventy. Even though we shared an office Ed and I didn't really work together. 

My friend, the lawyer, convinced me to open a process server business. She hooked me up with all her lawyer friends. Jen also helped me place advertisements in the most well read lawyer rags. I had been at it about six months and business was picking up slowly. I didn't spend much time in the office, so the desk space in Ed's little converted filling station was more than enough for me. 

Other than sleeping, I didn't spend much time at home either. The one room garage apartment was also enough space for me. The small space was located over Jen's two car garage. Her current husband didn't seem to mind me living there. They certainly didn't need my paltry rent, so it had to be the fact that I don't close my blinds when I dress. There was only one window in the apartment and it faced the house. I can only be seen from the upstairs windows of the main house. Jen's husband never mentioned seeing me naked, but he always had a wolfish look when we passed in the hallway. I didn't mind that he probably saw me, Hell, I didn't mind that Jen might have seen me as well. It has been a lot of years since I was shy about such things.

I lost my virginity when I was fifteen. I lost it to a grown man, who managed the mall's video arcade. He was cute, and I liked to hang out there after school, and on weekends. He showed me the right amount of attention, and he said the right things. I was young and full of raging hormones, so it was a natural thing that happened. I wasn't legal, I knew it even then, but neither of us cared.

After a few months he moved on to a new teenager, so I moved on to boys my own age. Twenty five years ago oral sex wasn't so common, so it was mostly hugging, kissing, and hand jobs until I graduated high school. 

Upon graduation I signed up for the Air Force, just to get away from home. I was probably smart enough for college, but I came from a fatherless home. My mom was divorced and working her butt off to keep me and my brother fed. There was just no money for college. Twenty years ago there were far fewer college loans available. Probably a good thing, since I didn't start my adult life in debt, like so many kids do these days.

I found myself at forty one living on a tiny pension, in a tiny apartment, trying to get a tiny business started. It was going to be a struggle for a while, but I honestly didn't mind. It was more fun to live without stuff. In the end you don't own stuff, it owns you.

I drive a stupid minivan only because Jen had one she wanted to sell. It proved to be a good decision, even if it had been an accidental one. Most days I run around town in jeans and tee shirts. I dress younger than I probably should, but people don't seem to mind. At least if they have a problem with it, they keep it to themselves.

The minivan allowed me to carry a dress and fancy shoes. Now and then I needed to dress up a little. It had only happened a couple of times, but there are places I can't get into wearing jeans. They keep me out of the country club, even if I do have my boobs hanging out. Since I never had kids I can wear a thin bra without having them at my knees. It seemed that sometimes people just wanted me to pretend to be ladylike. Hey I can pretend with the best of them.

"At Your Service," I said into the phone after I stopped it ringing.

"Hey Max, it's me Milton Price," said the metallic voice.

"Hello Mr Price," I replied. Price was a lawyer I had gladly added to my slowly growing client list.

"Got a tricky one for you. By the way call me Milt or Milton at least."

"Sorry Mr. Price, too many years in the military."

"Oh okay, anyway the husband wants to be sure his wife doesn't grab everything, so we are freezing the bank accounts. I want her served first, then I want you to call me immediately so we can freeze the assets right after." 

"You know that is going to cost extra. I have never made a notification like that before. How about ten bucks added to the bill for the call."

"You are a hard hearted money hungry lady, but I like that about you. Sure I'm just going to pass it on to him anyway."

"Good I'll swing by for the paper after lunch, unless you want to pay the emergency service price?"

"How much more is that?"

"Instead of the twenty five it is double to fifty then there is the ten return notice expedite fee." I just made up the term 'expedited notice fee' on the spot.. "Think fast, and be flexible airman", I remembered that advice from my time on the line.

"So sixty bucks and you will do it now?" 

"Yes, just hand me the check, and the address to serve it, when you hand me the papers."

Except for the rush it was a typical transaction. I waited for Ed to come back, before I left for the office of Price and Sloan Attorneys at law. When I walked into the door of the office, I found myself in a room that could have been in a hundred year old building. It was actually in a building no more than five years old. Lawyers liked to look as though they had been in business for generations it seemed.

"Can I help you?" the receptionist asked.

I didn't comment on the young woman's grammar. Instead I replied, "I'm Maxine Stone, from At Your Service. You should have a document for me to serve."

"Yes Ms Stone, Mr Price said you would be right over. In your case that meant right over. Some people take hours to get here." 

She was a chatty little thing. She was certainly cute enough. She was definitely young and I expected firm bodied as well. Any other time I might have chated a few moments with her, but at that moment I was in the work mode. Over the years I had learned to separate my private life from my work life. I expect that is really what bugged my bosses over the years. In the military not many people seem to manage that consistently.

She did smile sweetly as she handed me the large brown envelope. I looked inside to be sure that the check was with the folded blue wrapped papers. The envelope contained the legal paper I needed to hand to the lady named on the attached index card. I also needed to ask her to sign the fake form on my clipboard. If she refused, I simply made a note of it. I also took a quick shot with my digital camera whenever it was possible. It helped, if I ever had to go to court. The camera I used was a poor quality thing about the size of a credit card case. It could shoot inside without flash, which was a big plus, otherwise it was just a small low quality digital camera.

"Thank you," I said as I turned to leave the office.

The fact that I found the receptionist cute might have bothered me once upon a time. Those days were long gone. I was always reading in women's magazines that all women were probably biologically bisexual, but chose to suppress the inclination. I just choose not to do that anymore.

After a few weeks into my first enlistment I found that I could enjoy both men and women, pretty much on the same level, . Men and women were segregated in the early part of my career, so any surplus sexual feelings had to be taken care of in a different way. Lots and lots of masturbation went on in those first weeks. All the women in my training flight were young and healthy, so it was pretty normal. 

The girl/girl hookups began with the few women who were pure lesbians finding each other. From there it spread to those of us who had been experimenting with open masturbation. That kind of worked it's way into girl/girl sex. Yes, I was right there trying it all. I was young and not all that moral, so it was no real problem for me to justify it. I don't think I ever considered myself homosexual, just open minded. 

I'm not sure my commanding officers would have felt the same. That's why don't ask, don't tell worked. We could all pretend, just like I did when I wore a dress and high heels to get into the country club lounge after six pm. I pretended to be a hi class, high maintenance lady instead of the no class, wrong side of the tracks, bisexual bitch that I really am. Hey I know what I am and it works just fine for me.

Enough of my miserable life, I thought as I climbed into the minivan for the drive to Crestview Estates. Crestview was one of those over priced, over decorated, housing developments. Of the fifty houses probably only two were occupied by real Aster residence. All the rest of the home owners drove from the larger city next door each night just to sleep in the country. Why the hell they bothered was beyond me. Crestview and the more heavily populated, cheaper but still similar developments around it were driving the cost of everything higher. I knew that only because Jen and her Husband were one of the few Aster families living in an only slightly downscale Crestview type development. In that one maybe five percent of the residents were really from Aster. The rest of them even called Tryon for their plumbers. The thought of doing anything or using any service from Aster was dreadfully pedestrian. 

It was no wonder the Aster kids hated the Crestview kids. Oh the Crestview residents loved the Aster schools, even with the open animosity of the locals. They got to send their kids to school in a system with much less crime than the schools in Tryon. The got better schools without paying high taxes or private school tuition. What was not to like about that.

A very few of the businesses in Aster did business with the Crestview types. Judging from the address on the card inside my folder, divorce lawyers seemed to be among them. The drive to Crestview only took a few minutes but it was really a world away. The grass seemed greener in the yards of the million dollar houses. Crestview was the highest level of prosperity, but the lower level subdivisions got lumped in with Crestview. Ones like the development where Jen and her husband lived. I was headed for Crestview proper that morning.

The house looked like a small stone castle. There were round stone parts that looked like mini watch towers. They looked as though there should be archers standing by to fight off the locals. It was all just an illusion though, the stone walls were most likely made from fiberglass panels. I knew it was no castle because there was no moat. What is a castle without a moat?

I took my brown envelope with the folded sheath of papers, wrapped in the blue cover sheet, inside to the front door. I knocked on the wooden storm door with what had to be the most expensive door knocker made. It was heavy and could have been gold for all I knew. I banged it softly at firs, but after a few minutes of waiting in the sun, I banged hell out of it. Still no one came to the door.

I opened the outer door to put a card with my phone number and a message inside. The message was that I urgently needed to speak with the occupant. I even checked the index card and then wrote Mrs. Porter, in the blank space. It wasn't very personal, but it had worked once. When the huge wooden storm door opened, I noted that the house door had been splintered. Someone had kicked the hell out of that big assed door.

Since I had been a cop, even if it was a military cop, I used my knuckles to push on the door. I had no interest in leaving my finger prints on it. The door opened so I shouted, "Mrs. Porter, its Maxine Stone are you home. I need to speak with you." I was afraid that something bad had happened to Mrs Porter, but I sure as hell didn't plan to enter that house without more reason than I had at that moment.

Instead of going inside, I backed into the yard where I dialed 911 on my cell phone.. "911 What is your emergency?" the female voice asked.

"I found a door kicked in when I tried to get in touch with the resident at 200 Crestview Circle. I think you need to send the police or sheriff out. I think someone has broken in."

"Are there any injured people inside?" the operator asked.

"I have no idea, I don't want to walk into a house with the door kicked in. Do you want me to go look around?"

"No stay where you are, I have the sheriff's deputies on the way. Stay on the line please."

"Not a problem, I'll be in the front yard so tell them not to ride in with guns blazing."

"We don't do that kind of thing, and they do know yo u are the woman who called it in."

"Good," I replied. It actually was a load off my mind. I had no desire to deal with an injured person, or something worse. It took only a few minutes before I heard the first siren. I tried to keep an open mind while I waited. The best case scenario would be a missing plasma TV. 

"What happened?" the teenage deputy asked.

"I was going to leave a card in the door, when I noticed that it was splintered. I pushed it open and called for the homeowner. When I didn't get an answer, I decided to call 911."

"Okay, you stay right here while I look around."

"Works for me," I replied. I didn't even smile at the kid with a gun. He had no idea that I was more familiar with a firearm than he would most likely ever be. Since I did like younger men now and then, I tried to play nice.

When he came out, he was a little green around the gills. "What did you find?" I asked.

He took a deep breath, held up his hand for me to shut up, then he keyed his radio. "221 to dispatch. You need to send the homicide detective, an ambulance, and 721 out here." 

"Was it a middle-age woman?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied quietly.

"Most likely Mrs Porter," I suggested. "I was here to serve papers on her. She and her husband seem to be going through a divorce."

"You need to stay till the detectives arrive," he suggested.

"Okay, do you mind if I wait in the van. This is a little upsetting."

"Okay, Just don't leave." I nodded.

Just as soon as I was in the van, I called the number on the index card for Eddie Price. "Price and Sloan how my I direct your call?"

"This is Maxine Stone. I need to talk to Milton Price. It is important." Even though I said it was important it took several minutes for Price to answer."

"Maxine did you serve the papers?"

"No, but I'm not refunding your money. This call is worth every penny. Mrs Porter may have been murdered." I went on to tell him the whole story almost second by second.

"Stay were you are and try to find out all you can. I'm going to get Porter in here and see what is what."

"When you talk to him, remember somebody kicked in the door. He probably wouldn't have done that, if he did the deed. After all he does still have a key, I assume."

"Good point Maxine I'll keep that in mind, when I talk to the cops. I am pretty sure we will be having a chat."

"Me too, since I had to tell them about the divorce. I didn't tell them about the frozen assets yet. I don't have any privilege, so I will probably have to tell them that I have no idea what kind of papers I am serving."

"That will help. If they ask for them, try to call me before you turn them over. I might be able to invoke privilege."

"I can try."

I put the phone away, then studied the scene outside the house. There were two marked sheriff's cars, two unmarked cars and an ambulance crew standing by. It was obvious that someone inside the house was very dead. The ambulance crew had not been allowed inside so there was no hope for the victim. 

Since the detectives were still inside, they were obviously trying to figure something out. I waited until the crime scene van drove up before I attempted to enter the house. When I got stopped at the door, I explained, "I need to go back to work. So are you finished with me."

"Stay here, I'll ask someone if you can go." the kid cop suggested.

When he turned his back I followed him deeper into the house. I got a glimpse inside the living room door before anyone noticed me. There was a woman on the floor. The absence of any blood convinced me that she had probably been strangled. Just about anything else would leave blood. Even poisoning would most likely leave a puddle of vomit. My guess was strangulation. 

"Hey, get that woman the hell out of my crime scene," one of the detectives, who happened to be a woman, shouted at the kid cop. 

"Hey, can I go back to work?"

"Leave your number with the patrolman and you can go anywhere you want, Just as long as you don't want to leave this county."

While we had our one sentence conversation, I took in as much of the crime scene as I could. She didn't look like she had put up much of a fight, at least her clothes weren't torn and I didn't see any of her clothes laying around her, so I assumed that it was a straight up murder. Nothing screamed sexual assault, but then only a good thorough autopsy could tell for sure. Still that little bit of information was better than nothing. There was also the absence of blood, which suggested strangulation. 

I drove back to the office but on the way I got calls so I served two more court papers.. I picked them up and delivered them without anything out of the ordinary taking place. I drove toward the office at the end of the day to leave the records box. I didn't want to leave one of the few things of my dad had left behind, when he left mom in the van overnight. I kept my records in his old metal fishing tackle box. Mom said he had used it in the early years of their marriage. I felt like it and my record of deliveries would be better protected in Ed's office.


Maxine's New Life Ch. 01



"Max, how far off are you?" Ed asked in an elevated voice.

"I'm five minutes out and headed to the office," I replied into the cell phone.

"Can you swing by Jake's clinic. He has had an incident."

"Sure Max, you gonna' bail me out," I said it as I put the pedal to the floor. Max wouldn't have called me, if it was something he could handle himself. It was a short drive to Jake's Aster Clinic. The clinic smelled of strong disinfectant I noticed as I entered the front door. 

"Hi I'm Maxine Stone, Jake's father asked me to stop bye." The receptionist at the Aster Clinic was not young or chatty. She didn't even speak to me. She announced my presence into the intercom, then motioned me to the single door leading into the clinic proper.

A woman in green surgical scrubs opened the door for me. She didn't look friendly, but she did look terrified. I noted the contrast between her and the receptionist. The receptionist had been icy, but this woman was clearly afraid. She didn't speak. She just led me back into the bowels of clinic.

I found Jake's son sitting at his desk staring at a bottle of Jack Daniels Black Label "So what's up Jake."

"I should have called the cops instead of calling dad first."

"Why is that Jake, because he sent a woman?" I said it intentionally. I wanted him on the defense.

"Nothing like that, It just seems to be who I should call."

"Tell me what happened, then we can decide what to do. Cops might be the best thing or maybe not."

"Okay, some thugs burst into the clinic. They held us at gunpoint demanding money and drugs. I told them we don't keep drugs here, so they demanded that I write them a scrip. They said that they would be back every week for a new one. They also said that the clinic had a new landlord and the rent to stay in business was a thousand a week."

"Did they tell you when they would be back?"

"Friday," he replied.

"Well you can call the cops and they will do what they can to find the guys. My guess is that they are from Tryon. When they go across jurisdictions. it is harder to get anything done. Or I can hang out here Friday and give them a surprise. Of course your dad can find out who it was, and I can scare pure hell out of them. It's really up to you."

"I think I'll call the cops. No offense Ms Stone."

"None taken Doc," I said that as I stood to leave.

"Could I pay you to come hang out of Friday, just in case."

"Call the local police tell them what happened, and see if they want to do that. If not get in touch with me."

"Fair enough," he replied. "Do I owe you for stopping by?"

"No, I'm going to take it off my rent." I smiled as I walked from his office.

"So?" Ed asked as I carried my dad's tackle box to the safe room. The safe room was a concrete block room with double walls and a very secure steel door. Ed used it to store his files and I used it to store my dad's tackle box and my small weapons collection.

"I'm sure he told you someone decided to sell him an insurance policy. One that only covers protection from the guys who sold it."

"Yeah, but it was also armed robbery, since they stole the prescription at gunpoint."

"That's how I see it. He decided to call the cops."

"They won't do shit." Ed said scornfully.

"I don't know how good your cops are. I haven't dealt with them."

"Best he can hope for is that they park an empty squad car in the parking lot. To seem not to fucking be, that's their motto." He said it angrily.

"I told him I would standby on Friday, if the cops wouldn't."

"Good, if he has any sense he will let you.

"You might want to tell him that. All he saw was a small woman with even smaller boobs. That image doesn't inspire much confidence with most men."

"Yeah well none of them know you, or they wouldn't feel that way."

"So if the cops won't give him real protection, tell him he can trust me."

"You know he don't make a lot of money at that clinic?" The clinic was for mostly medicade and medicare patients. Private pay, or Private insurance patients tended to prefer appointments and waiting rooms with a better aroma. "If it comes down to it, we can work something out. You do know what I mean."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Let's hope it don't come down to it." I replied.

After the conversation with Ed, I took a chance that Price might still be in the office. "Mr. Price," I said into the phone. "I thought I would fill you in on what little I know." I went on to tell him everything I knew and even what I guessed. I also told him to get the police reports if he wanted to know for sure. I explained that I was just guessing.

"So what do you think?" he asked when I finished.

"I am sort of working for your client and I think he did it. That should tell you something."

"Yeah it does, but he has an alibi."

"Me and the police would expect no less. I hope his bank accounts have one as well. It looks a lot like murder for hire. If he didn't do it, someone who knew her did, or had it done. I would bet my ass on that. Not that my ass is of much value."

I took myself to dinner that night since it was Friday. It was the height of my week. I had always splurged when alone on a Friday night. I had stopped by the piano bar in the restaurant where I had dinner, so I was late getting home. If the guy I was drinking with hadn't had a wife at home, I might not have come home at all. I sorta drew the line there. Okay I had slipped over it a few times, but I always promised myself not to do it again. I even managed to keep my promise that night.

At home I lay in bed and wondered how sex would have been with the barroom cowboy. I wondered, if he might be the one to force me to go straight. Probably not, but he might have been the one to get me off tonight, I thought. Since that was not to be, I reached into the night stand for my vibrator. I had been tweaking and rotating my nipples while I replayed the evening in my mind. I had reached a point were more was needed, so I applied the vibrator to my clit. 

I almost instantly felt the warm slippery feeling as my body lubricated itself. I was preparing myself for the invasion of a cock. Long or short thick or thin my body didn't care at that moment. It didn't even care if the cock was plastic. or whether it was on a belt worn by a woman. My body just screamed for something to fill the emptiness.

I wouldn't have denied myself even if I had the willpower to do so. I quickly slipped the vibrator inside and moved it in and out of my slippery, swollen opening. My body was on the edge of an orgasm, when the knock on my door sounded. I came hard to the demanding sound. I couldn't stop even when I heard Jen's husband speak.

"Are you alright Max?"

It took some time before I could answer him. "I'm fine Bob. Sorry if I was too noisy." I have been told many times that I sounded like an animal rutting. 

"Do you have someone in there?"

"No," I said that pulling on a ratty old robe and moving to the door.

"Why not," he said with a laugh.

I opened the door. "I found out he was married. Like I told you before, I don't fuck married men."

"Or married woman I hope?" he added.

"Not them either," I replied.

"Well if you are okay, I'll let you get some sleep."

Sundays are always a drag for me. That one was no different. I stayed in bed or in front of my small color TV all day. I ate delivery pizza for lunch and left overs for dinner,

Monday I had only one service. The man who got served was a used car dealer. He had ducked service when the sheriff tried earlier. I guess he thought he was going to sell me a car. His wife's attorney had given me one of his cards, so when I showed it to the salesman, who had pounced on me like a hungry lion, he reluctantly called his boss.

"I got your name from a friend," I suggested.

"Really, which friend do we have in common?" he asked.

"Your soon to be ex-wife," I replied as I handed him the court order advising him that she was freezing the family and business assets until there was a hearing. I called his ex wife's attorney from my car to verify the service. I made an extra ten bucks doing that. It seems once I mentioned the immediate notification everybody wanted it.

I spent the rest of the day watching old TV shows on my laptop at Ed's office. My little desk space was in the old storeroom just outside of the secure room which held Ed's records and my valuables.

"Max, my son just spoke with the detectives. It is their opinion that the thugs won't come back. They did offer to send a car by every hour or so. They said they couldn't spare an officer to sit around there all day."

"Yeah, they hear a lot of big talk from little thugs," I admitted.

"Would you go to the clinic Friday and keep an eye on him.?"

"Sure, if we can work out something on my rent."

And that's how I came to be sitting in the rear hallway of the clinic armed to the teeth when they came. First of all they opened the locked door meant for staff only. It had a combination lock and they came right in. Someone had provided them with that combination.

They weren't expecting me, but I had been more or less expecting them. I got the .30 caliber semiautomatic carbine up before they could get the handguns trained on me. I didn't bother warning them, I simply shot the one in front twice in the chest. He pretty much body blocked the second one as he tried to raise his pistol. I shot him in the face from about 12 feet. The thirty cal. slug made a god awful mess of his face. As he was going down the third one closed the door behind himself as he ran. I had to step over the two dead men as I pushed through the door using the fire bar to bypass the lock.

I caught thug three as he was trying to open the car door. I hit him with a set of tazer wires from about five feet. He did the St. Vida's dance for a couple of seconds, then went down in a heap. 

Only then did I use my cell phone to call 911. "Yes," I replied to the operator. "There has been a shooting at the Aster Medical Clinic on Spruce Street."

"Anyone injured."

"Three men have been injured."

"Wait right there," the operator demanded.

"Got nowhere else to go, so I'll be here."

About five minutes till the cops get here, I thought. I turned my attention to the tazered man on the concrete of the parking lot. I kicked him in the ribs. "Wake up sleeping beauty. You are the lucky one. Your friends won't be waking up at all. You with me?"

He moaned. "Now tell your friends back home that you met the devil, and she's a woman. Also tell them the clinic and the rest of this town buys their protection from me. One more stranger comes to town, and I will hunt you all down and kill you. I will also kill your wives, your kids, your mommy,your daddy, and your fucking dog. You do believe me don't you?" I asked it with my foot on his throat. He nodded just as the cops drove into the parking lot.

They did their cop thing, which included questioning me, along with everyone else in the clinic. Since there was already a report on file, concerning the men laying pools of there own blood on the hallway floor, I was pretty sure it would be written up as a justified shooting. They hauled thug three off to jail before I was turned over to the homicide detectives. The detectives did their dance before they cut me loose. I was a little nervous about what might happen next, but I didn't dare show it. As the final insult the cops took my rifle and tazer into evidence. I still had the DA to deal with. Then I had to tell Jake that someone in the clinic had given the thugs the combination to the rear door. 

Since the receptionist was the only one not shaken after the thugs first visit, my money was on her. If she had been nicer to me, I might not have been so sure, but I just had a feeling she was the traitor. It wasn't my problem, so after I told Ed's son that he had a trader, I moved on. It was up to him to ferret her out.

As for the DA, he could rubber stamp the justified shooting, or call for a grand jury investigation. Either way I could do nothing to influence him, so I decided to just wait it out.

I was too shook up after the shoot out to take myself to dinner that night. I managed to pick up some Chinese takeout on the way home. I am not a gourmet by any means. Simple fried rice with sweet and sour pork was my idea of Chinese food.

Jen's husband Bob came knocking on my door around 8 PM. "Jen and I heard on the news about the shootout. Are you okay? I'm sorry that was stupid of course you aren't okay."

"Bob, I'm okay." I said trying to smile.

"Well, we are having drinks. Jen demanded that I come get you."

"I'm fine, but I can always use a drink."

We actually had a lot of drinks. I don't remember which of them suggest strip poker, but we were all pretty drunk at the time. I agreed without hesitation. I still have a pretty good body for an old broad. Belly dancer tummy and all.

The night ended with one hell of a good night kiss from Bob then one from Jen. I left because we were all drunk. It is a lousy idea to let sex come between friends. Especially the kind of sex Bob obviously had in mind.

I hid in my room all day Saturday and again Sunday. Most of the time I refused to answer my phone. I knew who all might be calling and I didn't want to speak to any of them. Then after 6 PM on Sunday I finally answered a call. I explained how I felt to Jen. Then she told me how she felt, then how Bob felt. None of us felt quite the same, so in the end we decided to do nothing for a while and just see what happened.

Even though I knew that small town cops moved slowly, I was still surprised that it took until the next Monday before I heard that they had called Milton Price's client in for questioning in his wifes death. According to Milt it had been a pretty aggressive interview. He asked that I stop by his office before lunch on Monday.

"So how about you getting an independent verification of Al's alibi?" Price asked as soon as I stepped into his phony antique office.

"You might want someone else Mr. Price. I am still being questioned about that shoot out at the clinic. People are going to recognize me. My face is all over the news."

"Yeah I know. That's why I want you. The cops and a jury will believe you, when you tell them my client was at the gym, when his wife died. Not to mention people will answer when you ask questions."

"If he was, and I don't know that he was, they might believe me. Especially if I get a walk from the cops, and that news makes as big a splash in the media. It would be news, 'The woman who killed two gang bangers is exonerated'. However, I still won't know that he didn't just pay some junkie to do it."

"I'll tell you what Stone, we will pay you to do an independent investigation. Your only restriction will be that you don't volunteer anything. You just tell the truth, when asked. You can't lie to the cops or to me. If I ask you, or the cops ask you, just tell them whatever you learn.

"I want to be paid in advance. $250 a day and none of that prorated shit. If I work one minute, I get paid for the full day."

"Fair enough." Price wrote me a check for five hundred dollars. "Now go talk to the people at the gym and tell me what else you need."

"I want all his financial records up to date as of today. I mean banks, brokerage, anything from which money can be withdrawn. Warn your client, I can find all of his accounts, so don't bother trying to hide them. If he has a secret, it is better to fire me, than lie to me."

"Fair enough," Price said as he handed me the check, "This card," he added handing me an index card with an address. "Has the address of the Gym where Al was working out."

"Will they talk to me?"

"I'll have Al call them right now."

I left his office right away and headed for Tryon. I made it out of town before my cell phone rang. Since I always wear a jacket with pockets, the cell phone was easy to reach, even as I drove.

"At Your Service, Stone," I said into the phone.

"Stone, this is Detective Sergeant Blevins."

"What can I do for you?"

"Nothing really, I'm calling to give you a heads up. Your third thug is out on bail. Your friend Ed posted his bail and we cut him loose."

"I'm sure it was just business," I said knowing I was going to have a talk with Ed about that one.

"Who knows, but watch yourself. He might want to get rid of the only witness."

"Did you find out what his gang affiliations are?"

"Best we can tell he doesn't have any. He and his two dead cousins seemed to have been working alone."

"Really, well I will be damned. Dress like a banger and talk like and banger and everyone is afraid of you, I suppose that would work."

"It seems to have worked pretty well. We found drugs and money in his place."

"Well, I'll keep an eye out for him. I'm not sure he wants to find me though."

"Me either, you seemed to have scared the shit out of him." He paused a few seconds then went on. "I did some checking on you. If you need anything let me know, but stay out of trouble."

I had a pretty good idea what he knew. There was very little about me that couldn't be learned from a quick records check. "Who me? I never get into trouble. Speaking of trouble is the DA going to file on me,"

"Not a chance, the press has made you a hero," he replied. "By the way if you stop by the Cop Out some night, I'll buy you a drink."

"What the hell is the Cop Out?"

"It's an old beer bar downtown. You'll be able to find it, just go to the courthouse on main street then drive north two blocks."

"I'll stop bye one night." I promised.

"Good, well bad guys wait for no man, I got things to do," Blevins said.

"Me too, by the way are you working on that killing over in Crestview last week?"

"No, that is the Sheriff," he replied.

"You know anyone over there I can talk to?"

"Try Brenda Williams, she a tough old bird, but she might help you, if you smile sweetly at her." I could hear the insinuation in his voice. I had heard it often enough. Not only did I swing both ways, but for some reason both teams thought I played for them exclusively. I guess people saw what they wanted to see.

"Oh hell, I can do that no problem," I replied with a smile in my voice.

"I bet you can. You strike me as the kind of woman who knows how to get things done."

"I like to think so. Okay I'm getting into traffic, I'll catch you at the bar." With that I turned my attention to the GPS. The gym turned out to be a storefront that could have been a five and dime in the sixties. It had been converted to a brightly lit gym. It just wasn't right to see a gym without a boxing ring. Not only that, it just didn't smell like a gym. Way too many brands of fancy perfume and cologne stank the place up.

The manager was also a personal trainer. He really was a cutie, but I really didn't relate to cute boys all that well. 

"I'm the manager, you wanted to see me?" he asked.

"You should have gotten a call from Al Porter or maybe Milton Stone his lawyer."

"Yeah Al called. He said to show you anything you wanted to see."

"Let's do this the easy way. Are you satisfied that Al Porter was in your gym at 10AM that Friday."

"I'd testify to it," he replied.

"That's not what I asked you. So tell me how do you know for sure."

"I saw him."

"How do you know what time it was."

"I just know."

"That won't do. Did he do anything to make the time stand out in your mind."

"Just that he doesn't usually come in before lunch. He is usually in around two."

"Okay, so it was unusual for him to be in at that time of day. So did he seek you out or did you just notice him."

"He stopped by the office when he first came in to ask about some running shoes. We special order that kind of thing."

"So you would say that coming to your office made sure that you would notice him. Did he mention the time or anything like that."




Maxine's New Life Ch. 01



"He said he came in early because he had a meeting after lunch."

"So he made sure you would remember the time." I didn't say it but he was acting very much like a man setting up his alibi. That made him suspect number one in my mind and probably the sheriff's detectives as well. The money trail was going to be the thing that nailed his ass.

I dialed Price from my cell phone before I started the van. "Price please, this is Maxine Stone."

"Yes ma'am Ms Stone. By the way I saw you on TV. Did you really shoot those two men."

The bubbly little thing sounded like a groupie. "Yes I had to shoot them. But I need to talk to your boss about something else." I said it to remind her that I was making a business call, and not just hunting ass.

"Oh course hold please." She sounded like I had hurt her feelings. Rejection is a bitch, I thought. Especially if you are cute and bubbly. I might be the first one to say no, even if I hadn't really said no to anything. She didn't exactly come on to me. "Wishful thinking I mumbled to myself."

"Okay Max, what do you have?"

"He did it. He was doing the, man setting up an alibi, dance. You should suggest he plead out the first chance he gets."

"Can you prove he did it. If not, he will probably think he is smarter than the cops."

"Of course he thinks that. No, I can't prove it just a gut feeling at the moment. Do you want to waste more money?"

"Hell Max it's his money, go for it."

"Okay, I'll let you know, if I can find it. Have your assistant get a list of all his financial dealings." What I didn't tell him, was that his client wouldn't give up the real information, but I had an idea how I could find it.

When I got back to the office, I had a long talk with Ed. Since I had solved his son's problem, Ed was willing to share a source with me. His source was inside one of the major credit reporting companies. Nobody realizes how much power those people have. You can't buy a piece of gum with a credit, or even debit card, that they don't know about. If you have a bank account in Sri Lanka they know it.

I got the real list of Al's accounts. It was just a matter of matching it up with the accounts from Price. Once I had the list, if there were any discrepancies it meant Al was a murderer. Al provided the list that afternoon and I matched the lists. Al had a brokerage account he didn't bother to list. 

"Mr. Price, tell Al to make a deal. There is a brokerage account in his name from which he withdrew 5k two weeks ago. Your client is guilty as sin. If he gives up the shooter he can probably avoid riding the needle home."

"Thanks Max, it's nice to know. I'll do what I can for him. You won't be telling anyone else about this will you."

"Only if someone knows enough to ask me directly. If they do, I won't lie and you knew that going in."

"Yes, it was our agreement."

Things got boring after that. Nothing at all happened other than I delivered court orders to mostly rich people. I hadn't been laid since I left New Jersey. While waiting for the papers to get processed for my discharge, I met a trucker from Alabama, I met him in a bar just a few miles from the base. Instead of drinking on base or near it, I chose to ride along with another female NCO to a club out on the turnpike.

There I met the somewhat younger man. He was cute and well educated for a truck driver. Jobs were hard to come by for a country boy, he explained. We hit it off well enough for me to windup in the sleeper of his truck. I can only describe the sex as cramped.

He was good enough to touch all the right places and to do a lot of kissing and other things with his mouth. In the end I had a beautiful orgasm. It was more the result of too long celibate I expect, than anything he did. Still I remembered it fondly.

Since I arrived in Aster, I hadn't had all that many offers. I had met plenty of people who I would have slept with, both men and women, but it just hadn't worked out. I am attractive enough, but I just hadn't made the connection that screamed, screw me. My body had finally gotten to the point where it had stopped aching for the touch of another human being. As often happens that is when I met the one who made me melt.

It all started with my trip to the Cop Out club. I was there just to hang out. I hadn't told Blevins that I was going to visit, because he just didn't do it for me. Still I wanted to get away from Jen and her husband for an evening. The Cop Out seemed as good a place to do so as any other. I have never really been inside a cop bar. I had seen a few on TV but the real thing is never like TV. The Cop Out was no exception.

It was a well lit diner, more than a bar. No one met me at the door to ask for my ID, so being a cop wasn't necessary for admission. The bar was far too low for a beer bar. If I didn't want to sit at a table for four, which I didn't, then it was sit on a low bar stool. I hated that thing, it made me feel like a child, but I sat down. I ordered a Bud. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it came in a long neck glass bottle. I shook my head at the offer of a glass.

It was 9PM when I made it to the Cop Out, so people were using the postage stamp dance floor. I watched and listened to the music from the jukebox. Mostly it was playing 1960 rock music. Nostalgic to people older than me. To me it was just old folks music. Still there were lots of people. No cops in uniform but women in scrubs, men in jeans, and even a sprinkling of paramedics in uniform. I supposed that the nurses and me were the only none government employees in the place. I guessed that it would be safe to date any of the men or women in the Cop Out, since they probably wouldn't put up with any real deadbeats or thugs.

A paramedic with the Tryon EMS was the first to ask me to dance. I gladly danced with the man. The man was probably thirty pounds overweight but I didn't mind. He was thin enough for me to feel his erection laying against my stomach. The feel of it and the knowledge that I was the cause made my knees weak. If women had a penis, mine would have been erect as well.

"Come sit with us," he suggested after the dance." As he spoke he looked over to a table of Men and Women. Most of them were in Ems uniforms. There were exactly half a dozen of them, four men and two women.

"What the hell, why not?" I followed him to the table.

"These are my friends," he said just before he reeled off a handful of names which I promptly forgot. I did remember that he said his name was Tim.

"I'm Maxine," I said.

"My God, you are that Maxine, I remember you from TV last week." One of the women said gushing at me.

"I knew I should not have done that stupid interview," I suggested.

"Oh hell, it was a great story, very inspiring," the second woman suggested.

"No, what you guys do is inspiring," I suggested trying to move things along.

"Regardless, I am so happy to meet you. Wait till I tell my dad. He is your biggest fan," the younger of the two females said. She saw my reaction and added, "That didn't come out like I meant it."

"Not to worry, I know how old I'm getting." I said it with a huge laugh. I wanted them to know that I was a good sport.

"The paper said you were wounded in Afghanistan is that true?" Tim asked.

"Let's talk about you guys," I suggested. "What's it like being a paramedic?"

"The hours are long and the pay stinks, but otherwise it is great," the younger woman replied. She was trying to make up for her earlier comment.

"I think that's true of most real jobs," I replied. "Only bank presidents and the like have good hours and great pay."

"So Max are you having a good time?" a voice behind me asked.

I looked back and there was Sgt Blevins. "Well Blevins, I'm trying not to stand out like a sore thumb. I mean everyone here works for the city or county. I think I might be the only civilian here."

"Nah, we let nurses in and now I guess we let PI's in as well."

"I'm no PI. More like a low rent PS."

"What is a PS?" the young paramedic chick asked.

"Process server, I probably have the worst job of anyone in here."

"Oh I doubt that," a woman at the next table demanded. Since she was in green scrubs, I didn't argue.

"So sit down Blevins. I think these guys will let a cop join us."

"Sure detective have a seat," One of the guys said.

"Tell me Max, were you planning to kill those gang bangers all along?" Blevins asked. I knew it wasn't the time or place for the question, but I also know he hoped to get an honest answer.

"No not at all," I answered.

"Then how the hell did you get that rifle up before they shot you with those pistols. It takes longer to raise a rifle than a pistol."

"I was ready for them, not because I wanted to kill them, but because I didn't want them to kill me. They came through the door like old ladies and I went hot the minute the door knob turned."

"I see," Blevins replied. The others just stared silently.

"It's the same thing I told you at the police station, why do you seem surprised."

"I'm surprised because its the same thing you told me then. Most folks add or forget something in the retelling."

"Ah yes the old revision of the story trick. Sorry, I just told the truth both times."

"Or you are telling the same rehearsed story again."

"Or that," I said with a smile. We both knew it didn't matter he wasn't going to break me and mine was the only version of what happened before the thugs opened the door. After that people started to die or run, so mine was still the only version that counted.

"How do you feel about killing two men?" Blevins asked.

"Not as bad as I would have felt, if they had killed me." It sounded good but the truth is I replayed the day over and over in my mind. I knew it would go away eventually all the others had. Yes I had been in fire fights before and people had died.

The medics kept drinking while Blevins and I circled each other. "Hell let's dance," Blevins finally suggested.

Just like the paramedic Blevins got an erection. I decided that the Cop Out was great for my self esteem. Unlike the younger paramedic Blevins didn't turn me on. I think before the night was up, I danced with all the guys at our table and three or four more. I love to dance, and I do know how to move my body, even if it isn't perfect.

From nine till midnight I had exactly four beers, so I was the most sober one at the table. I was feeling high but it was not the alcohol. I was high on the sexual charge in the air. At that moment I would have slept with any of about ten men in the place. All the dancing and the penis on the belly had me hot for a man. Hell I was hot for almost any man.

It looked as thought I was headed home alone again as i walked to the parking lot. A hand suddenly came to rest on my shoulder. "Why don't you come home with me?" a young man in green scrubs asked.

"Who the hell are you?" I asked.

"Andrew Pace, I'm an intern at County General. I have been watching you all night and I love what I see."

"Andrew, I'm forty two years old and you are what twenty five?"

"Yes and I have a big dick and a lot of stamina. I haven't had much to drink, so I can get it up easily and often."

"Gee that is romantic," I replied sounding snippy I'm sure. I definitely didn't need him checking out my heart rate.

"Do you need romance?"

"Sometimes," I replied

"Tonight?"

"No." was my reply in a much softer voice.

Andrew lived in a small studio apartment across from the hospital. Once the door was closed he kissed me with his tongue in my mouth and his fingers buried in the cleft of my ass. I could tell he was trying to get his finger inside my anus. Thankfully my clothes prevented it.

I didn't just allow his deep kiss I fought to get even closer. I tried to force his hard penis inside me through my clothes. I was gasping for air between bouts of choking on his tongue. My mind was not capable of thought. I had reverted to primitive brain functions. Those functions screamed reproduce, so I gave in to them.

I pulled on his shirt trying to get it off. He got the idea and pulled on my top. Mine was knit which was a little more difficult than his much too large green scrub top. I decided to help him with my top. It finally came off even though in my excitement I was as clumsy as he had been.

If my bra had been anything less than industrial strength it would have ripped. Since it was more functional than sexy, it took all my concentration to get the hook and eyes latches open. Once my smallish breasts were free he lifted them and bent his head so that he could reach my hard nipples. I felt the pressure of his sucking mouth and I went crazy. I tilted my head back and made a sound more shrill than a moan but it was still a sound unintelligible. It might have been closer to a howl than anything else.

I needed his cock in me and I wasn't even able to beg for it. I was too far gone to do anything more than follow his lead. I had to trust him, even though he was barely half my age. 

When he pulled back slightly I knew what I had to do. I hooked my fingers over the elastic waist band of his scrub bottoms. I knelt pulling them down as I went. I was on my knees with his cock at the same level as my chin. It was fully erect and just about average sized maybe a little smaller, but it was an ample amount for what I needed. I opened my mouth and sucked it inside. I held it in one spot and nursed on it, as he had done for my nipples. I didn't move on his cock at all, I just ran my tongue under it and sucked gently on the head. I could feel him stiffen even more, but I did not increase or change my movements in the least.

When he began to push at my face with his hips, I released his cock then rose to kiss him again. I was mad with desire. He pushed me against the dinning room table, then turned me around to face it. I bent over the table not just because he was insistent, but because I needed his cock inside me.

I felt his cock work it's way inside me. I opened as he pushed in as deep as he could. I could feel his ball sack against my vulva as he tried to force even more inside me. He held himself perfectly still for a few seconds then began to pump me. He moved slowly at first then increased his speed. He was pistoning inside me when I came. The need had been great but the release wasn't nearly as much as I had expected. I came but it was not with a great intensity I seemed to just slip into it. Even so I felt my own lubricant pour from me.

Suddenly he withdrew from me then pushed is rock hard cock against my anus. I tried to object but I couldn't find my voice. His cock tore its way inside me. I hadn't been at all prepared for the pain it caused. He showed me no mercy as he drove deep inside me. My insides seem to be on fire as the pain spread. He was deep inside me when he stopped and whispered in my ear. "Clit, rub your clit."

I did as he insisted and felt the world disappear into my sensory overload. I knew he came in me only after I calmed down and felt it leak out. I'm not sure whether I had an orgasm or a convulsion. It was a crazy moment, that I knew for sure. I was exhausted and in pain at the same time. I had no idea what my body was feeling. I thought I might want to kill the intern, but I wasn't sure. In all my 42 years I had never felt anything like it.

My legs were wobbly as I staggered to the sofa. I almost collapsed onto it but he stopped me. "Wait, you are bleeding." The son of a bitch was worried about me getting his semen and my blood on his sofa. What a prick, I thought. However, I did let him spread a towel on the sofa before I sat down. I was too exhausted to leave at that moment.

We didn't speak for several minutes. I managed to stand and make my way to the bathroom, I sat on the toilet and tried to empty my bowels. Nothing happened, except I felt a burning sensation in my anus again. When I returned from the bathroom, I found my clothes, dressed, and left without even saying goodbye. All the way home I cursed Andrew and then myself for what had happened. 42 and I had taken it up the ass for the first time. Even worse a punk kid had been the one to do it. "I am a stupid bitch," I said aloud as I pulled into the driveway of Jen's house. 

The next morning I rationalized the pain in my butt was the culmination of six months of things going wrong. Finding myself in a small town, with s small pension and a smaller business, then the shootout all set me up to fall. Add to that the fact that I hadn't found anyone in my day to day life worth screwing, and what you got was a woman ready to lay down for anyone after a drink or two. It was a miracle I hadn't run into a Ted Bundy type.

By afternoon I felt better about my lapse in judgment. Still I had to admit that Andrew had been exceptional. Well all except for the painful ending. I went into the office at lunch. I answered a few calls between trips to the bathroom to try to move my bowels. It seems that taking it up the ass is uncomfortable in many ways.

It was almost a week before all the uncomfortable side effects faded completely. After that it was another few days before I found the courage to return to the Cop Out. I again sat at the bar. The man who asked me to dance was someone I not previously met. It seemed that getting an erection was common with men. I enjoyed feeling his as much as any of the others. 

After that dance ended I found myself seated at a table with two other men. I'm not sure what they had in mind but they weren't happy when I left at midnight. "I turn into a pumpkin at midnight," I said as I stood to leave.

Life had again become boring. I went to work and straight home for several nights then I went back to the club. Even I realized that I was hoping to see Andrew. I admitted it to myself but I wouldn't to anyone else. I had no luck searching for Andrew so I just gave up after only few nights. I began to stop in the club for a little dancing and even flirting but I never forgot Andrew.

It was a few weeks after I was cleared in the shootout thing, when the call came. "Maxine Stone?" the voice on my cell phone asked.

"Yes I'm Maxine Stone."

"Ms Stone I read about you in the paper, I wonder if I could get you to deliver a package for me?"

"I'm not UPS," I replied shortly. I had been getting some strange calls since the newspaper and TV did bits on me. Local news was surely hard to come by, if they made such a big deal out of it.

"It isn't the kind of package that I would trust to just anyone. Would you please come talk to me it is very important."

"Alright, where are you?"

"The Sedgefield Club. I'm staying in their guest house. Ask at the desk for James Sidmore. Please come right away, it is very important."

"I can be there in about an hour. I need to make a stop along the way." 

What I didn't tell him was that the stop was at my gun collection in the safe room in Ed's office. From the collection I removed my .38 five shot concealed hammer pistol. It was not a pretty thing, but it also did not get hung in my clothes when I drew it from the holster at the small of my back. The pistol was small enough for good concealment. 

After the shoot out the sheriff insisted that I purchase a carry permit. As far as I was concerned it was an imposition on my rights, but since I was likely to get checked after the incident, I bought it. Since I was completely legal, I found that I carried the pistol a lot less often. But I really didn't like the idea of walking into a strange room, to meet a strange man.

Sedgefield is the oldest country club in Tryon. It dates back to pre-depression days. Somewhere along the line a few rooms for out of town guests were added. To be have been allowed to check into one of those room, he had to really be somebody. So from the start I assumed James Sidmore was somebody. A quick check on the computer before I left the office confirmed my assumption. James Sidmore, was something of a wall street whiz. He was far past the Whiz Kid tittle and his bank account showed it. Since he lived in New York, I had no idea what he was doing in Tryon.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 02



"I see you have lost 18 pounds. How are you feeling?" Jake asked.

"Hell of a diet you have there Doc," I croaked.

"Well the voice is a little better, and you are getting even more feisty, if that is possible."

"I'm sick of soft eggs, jello pudding, and all kinds of soup. I still like ice cream though." Even the small amount of talking I had done since entering Jake's clinic, severely strained my voice.

"I'm sure you have been experimenting with other foods. You don't strike me as the type to follow orders all that well."

"Fresh bread, with peanut butter and jelly is about as solid a food as I've manged to get down. Even then I have to remove the crust"

"Give it time Max, your esophagus needs to heal. Once the inflammation and swelling go away it will be as good as new."

"I don't want to hear any jokes about a new profession giving blow jobs," I said with a smile. It always made doctors feel better, if the patient could smile. I have no idea what that said about modern medicine, but it was true.

"Max I know you had some emotional trauma as well as physical trauma, have you been seeing anyone?"

"Hell no I'm in no condition to date yet. I sound like frog and I'm not sure I could manage a blowjob just yet. Although semen is probably on the soft food list."

"I meant like a therapist," Jake replied without any indication that he had a sense of humor at all.

"Break out that bottle of Jack Daniels you keep in your desk, and I'll talk to you. It would probably do as much good."

Jake buried his head in my file for a few more minutes, then began to read off facts as if I didn't know them. "5ft 5inches 127pounds that's just about perfect for your body mass."

"Then why do I still have the belly dancer's pot?" I asked.

"Max you are over forty, that small belly comes with the territory. You are lucky that there isn't forty more pounds in your rear."

"I know. I used to eat all the wrong things and drink beer. God those were the days," I said wistfully.

"That's about as bad as it gets. Switch to black coffee and rice cakes to keep your weight down."

"I don't think I can do rice cakes right now," I replied in my raspy voice.

"Yeah, but it won't be long."

"When is the voice going to get back to normal."

"Your voice should get some better soon."

"Some better? You mean I'm never going to sing opera again."

"I didn't know you sang opera?" he said thoughtfully.

"I don't, but I always hoped I would someday."

"Well, I'm glad to see you kept your sense of humor." He looked at the stack of papers again and then added. "Tell you what Max, go by Krispy Kreme and get one donut on the way home. You can even get one of those fancy coffees with a lot of milk. Let the coffee cool down before you drink it. Eat it all slowly and in small bites. See how that goes down."

"So do I have to go see that eye ear nose and throat quack again."

"Come on Max Dr. Edwards did a hell of a job repairing your esophagus."

"Yeah all I had to do was let him continue the throat fucking I got from Pedro."

"A small tube with a couple of drops of super glue is not the same as what that asshole did to you."

"Yeah but I still didn't like the flashlight he stuck down my throat."

"At least it wasn't a lantern," Jake said finally smiling. "Get out of here and make an appointment for a month from now. If the voice doesn't get better go back and see Edwards." 

I had been out of the hospital two weeks and back to work for a week. I felt like crap on the soft food diet. I wanted red meat, but they wouldn't let me shove it down my throat yet. It wasn't like I wanted to swallow an Italian sausage without chewing. I just wanted a McDonald's hamburger. I had no reserve energy at all. It was a good thing I was a process server not an athlete. 

I was ready to open the door on the minivan when my cell phone started playing that stupid song it always played for incoming calls. The song was so annoying that I just had to answer the phone quickly to shut it up. "At your service, Stone," I got it out without sounding too much like a cancer survivor.

"Max it Franklin Wilson's office calling, could you stop by the office this afternoon."

"Shirley, why are you being so formal? Of course I'll swing by."

"They are recording our calls for some reason."

"Probably to be sure you aren't using the office phone for you phone sex business."

"I only use the cell phone for that," she said with a hardy laugh.

"Can you give me a hint what Frankie wants with me."

"Some papers to serve I think."

"Okay Shirley, I'm leaving the doctor's office. I can come by in about twenty minutes, is that okay?"

"Boss won't be here, but I can give you information I expect. If it isn't alright, I'll call you back,"

"Fair enough, I'm off to have a Krispy Kreme donut."

"God, get the new triple dark chocolate, it is to die for." Shirley suggested.

I had the triple dark chocolate filled donut, with a chocolate frosty. Might as well OD on chocolate, I thought. It was wonderful as I knew it would be. I never met a donut I didn't like, As for chocolate, there should be no need to explain how chocolate effects women.

"Here you go," Shirley said, as she handed me the thick Manila envelope.

"It's a good thing I don't charge by the pound," I suggested.

"This one isn't a court order. It's some kind of corporate filing. Something to do with product liability."

"You are kidding they don't make anything around here." It was common knowledge that all manufacturing was done in third world countries, or in China or Russia.

"That's what I thought as well, but we did a product liability research on some kind of new battery technology." Shirley stopped while I watched her mind working. "I did not tell yo u that. This is all hush, hush."

"Who me, I have no idea what it is I'm lugging around today." I smiled as I accepted my check for fifty dollars. It wasn't much, but it was my fee for the local delivery of documents for lawyers.

I drove with the envelope on the passenger seat of the van. The GPS unit kept me on tract even though I would have known the way even without the directions. It could have just said, deliver to the old recapping plant on battleground avenue. There were so few industrial building left in Astor that everyone knew exactly where each was located. Not so much from there use at that time, but from back in the day when we still made things there.

After all the twists and turns that's where I found myself. When I knocked on the office door, a buzzer sounded after which the door opened to my push. I found myself in a waiting room with enough room for about four people. After a minute or two a tall thin man entered.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"I hope so, I'm looking for the owner or manger of Simple Energy." I said evenly.

"I'm Jed Hyatt, I"m the plant manager. I'm also a partner."

"I have some documents from Franklin Wilson's office, can you sign for them?"

"Let me get Edward," he suggested. Jed disappeared into the what seemed to be the small office section of the building. A few minutes later a second man came through the inside door. 

"I'll take that," he said reaching for the envelope. 

Instead I handed him my dollar store clipboard. "Sign on the line with the X please." I was very insistent. Once he signed, I handed over the stack of papers. "So what are you guys going to make here?" I asked.

"It's not ready to discuss yet," he said flatly. Obviously he had his mind made up, so I just nodded, then turned back to the van. Once outside I got just a little curious, so I took a couple of pictures of the building and the trucks parked around it. I half expected Edward to rush out and try to take my camera. instead nothing happened. Maybe I had been hoping that he would, Since it was anti climatic I just left.

Taking the shots of the start up factory bothered me. I just couldn't figure out what I was thinking. I gained nothing from it, and I had risked a confrontation that could have led to a damaged relationship with a client. It was a no win situation. All I could figure was that I was just plain bored. I was obviously just out looking for some shit to get into. I promised myself that I would think more before acting. I knew even as I made it, that it was a hollow promise.

On the drive back to the office I realized that I truly was bored. I also realized that being bored was worse, for me at least, than being terrified. I needed to find something interesting to do. In a town the size of Aster or even the larger Tryon next door, there just weren't that many things a middle-aged woman could get into.

Nothing came into the office for me to be involved with that afternoon so I watched tv shows on my computer. It was a habit I picked up while avoiding some rather nasty characters from south of the border. Since that was behind me, I watched at my desk in Ed's office, but it was still a good way to pass the time.

"At your service, Stone," I said into the cell phone.

"Max, what the hell were you doing out there?" Franklin Wilson asked.

"I delivered your papers and got a signature the same as always," I replied. I was waiting for the other shoe, since I expected the call was about the photos I shot. It seemed to have been some kind of hush, hush project.

"My clients are a little paranoid and when you went out and began shooting pictures of their plant they we got really nervous."

"I don't know what got into me. I guess it was something to do with a new industry coming to town. I was curious I guess."

"What you did wasn't illegal or unethical even. I guess it was just ill advised."

"Well. I'll try to think a little longer next time before I do anything more than deliver the papers." It was like the fancy dress I carried around in my van. Just part of the show now and then. Being contrite was the same, just part of the show. Franklin probably knew it wasn't real.

I went home after work. I had been staying with my friend Jen and her husband, so I was extremely glad to be going to my own home after work. I stopped by one of those super grocery stores on the way home for a premade pasta salad. They make it fresh, so it wasn't too awful. The store's take out window was on my way home. If I called ahead from the office, even the pizza, which I could no longer eat, would have been waiting by the time I got to the store. The pasta salad was a walk in item so I parked.

Later that night I debated going to the Cop Out for a drink, but decided that I wasn't ready for that crowd just yet. So instead, I watched television on the television for a change. I had a satellite subscription TV service. It was the smallest plan and was useless. I threatened to cancel every time I wrote the check.

I got bored with TV about ten. I got bored with TV most night even earlier. So being bored, I began to research Simple Energy and the men who owned it. I found that a lot had changed in the state since I was in high school. 

For on thing the state ran a think tank at the State Capitol Center. The State Capitol Center was an industrial park developed to nurture new ideas. It was a place with low rents and lower taxes for startup companies. Simple Energy had been one of those. Jed Hyatt and Edward Doser were engineering students at the State's University specializing in such things. They had an idea and spent their last two years consumed with it.

The state had made their educations possible, so when graduation came they accepted even more grant money to work on the state's project. The problem came when the idea behind Simple Energy came to fruition. The state wanted to turn it over to someone like GE to manufacture, but Ed and Jed wanted to be the new Bill Gates. Ed and Jed moved to Aster and began assembling their plant. 

Now a lot of this was reading between the lines, but I'm pretty good at reading between the lines. The part that was even more supposition was exactly what Simple Energy was and how it was made. Since the state owned a chunk of the process, some of it was in the patent office records. Some of it was to be found in the trade rags, if you knew where to look. I was also pretty good at media research.

Simple Energy was a radically new way to store electrical energy. The storage battery as we know it does not store energy it manufactures it using a chemical process. Charging a battery reverses the effects of creating electricity so that the materials can make more electricity. Okay that's the storage batteries for dummies explanation.

The scientific rags stated flatly that the Simple Energy process was something radically new. Not the device really but all the things that made the device work. They were radically new because they were simple to manufacture and almost never wore out. Best of all they did not require cheap labor to create or assemble. 

In the words of the simplest explanation, the simple energy device is nothing more than a giant storage capacitor. Think of it like the tank on your car, only this tank you fill with cheap electricity. There is a gate at the opening of the capacitor which can be opened in degrees. A throttle if you will. If you have an electronic device the gate is set to allow a steady stream of amps to pass through so that the device is always at the same operating level. 

However if the device is on an electric motor, the gate can be varied to allow for different levels of power and speed. The storage device is the motor controller so that component of your machine is unnecessary. All that is fine and isn't really all that new. What was really new was that the storage device was made completely of paper. The unit was made from thousands of paper plates sandwiched together.

The plates were printed on a simple printing press. The genius was in the ink formula and the construction of the finished stack of plates. One man could run all the machines to make the plates from his climate controlled office. Add a dozen more to haul the chemicals around and mix them and you had the complete work force to make millions and millions of dollars worth of Simple Energy Super Capacitors. After I pieced all the pieces in place, I knew why they were so anal about the pictures I shot.

There had not been a lot of financing required for Ted and Ed's great adventure, but what had been needed was supplied by family members of the two boy geniuses. It was a tight beautiful business plan everyone said. The state share of the business was on a buy back since it was a secured loan, not a real ownership share.

Aster had been chosen for several reasons, not the least of which was that Edward's family had connections to the town. His grandparents still lived in Aster's farm community. His grandfather still sold vegetables at the farmer's market on Wednesday. During the winter his wife sold fresh bread, so they could always be found in the parking lot of the community center on Wednesday mornings. I expected that it had become their social event of the week or at least one of them.

When Edward had the chance to sell out to the Chinese, he decided to build his own plant instead. So Aster had a chance to become The new meca for portable electronics. That was at least the hope of the locals. If the power source worked as predicted, then all kinds of plants would pop up near it, or so the popular thinking went. I suppose with all that at stake there was reason for the geeks to be concerned.

I did all the research to satisfy my curiosity. Yes, I would have bought stock in the company had there been any available. I own stock in several local area companies. I'm no big investor but I like to own a little stock in the businesses I do business with. 

For the few months I pretty much forgot about the two geeks living across town. My main interest was in trying to get my voice back to normal. Not to mention return to my normal diet. Even after the months passed I still sounded like Glynis Johns on a bad microphone. Okay, for those of you who are younger than me even, Glynis was an actress who had a very raspy voice. On her it was sexy, on me it was Kermit the frog with a frog in his throat. I couldn't do the bass voice necessary to make that croaking sound sexy.

By that time I was eating almost anything I wanted though. I just tried not to want anything with sharp edges. I could have done well chewed things like hamburger after the first couple of weeks. It was things that had sharp edges like hard breads and the like that scared the hell out of me.

When I got word from the eye ear nose and throat man that my voice would only get a little better, I resigned myself to never singing opera, but I might be able to do gospel. Since I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket with a lid on it, I didn't really mind the singing thing. It was the volume or lack there of that pissed me off. My voice was practically a whisper and everyone thought that it must hurt me to have a conversation. It did indeed cause me pain, but it was emotional pain not physical.

I was still pretty upset about the lack of a good screaming voice, when I got the call from Frank Wilson. Usually it is Shirley his assistant who calls. That morning Frank himself was on the line. "Max, I'm calling about the owners of Smart Energy again."

"Good God Frank, I haven't been back out there since and I haven't done anything with the images I shot out there. What the hell is their problem now?"

"I explained about who yo u where and that they had nothing to worry about so that is not the issue here. After I told them about you, they did some research themselves. Seems there is a lot of information about you on the net."

"Franklin there is a lot of information about everyone on the net."

"Yeah, well anyway they want to hire you to do a security checkup."

"A what?"

"I know it's pretty stupid but they want to know how vulnerable they are."

"Frankly have them call Wachenhut or somebody. I don't know anything at all about building security."

"Okay Max, but would you have lunch with them."

"You are kidding?'

"Max it's a free meal and I'll have them pay you for a delivery so it won't be a loss."

"When and where?" I asked with a sigh.

"I'll get back with you," he replied then hung up.

It was almost noon when Franklin Wilson called again. "Come on down the Banker's Club. We will be there waiting."

"What the hell are two punk kids and you doing at the Banker's club?" I asked. "I thought you had to have been a millionaire before the first world war to be a member of that club." 

"No Max, you just have to be worth more than 99% of the other people in town."

"So which one of you is worth that much?"

"Not me, their membership is based on the value of their contribution to the community. In other words the existing members plan to get a lot richer, when all the other industries move into the industrial park. That is the park they are going to build for the Simple Energy spinoffs."

"Ah well, I suppose I need to dress for the event?"

"Well you will never get in wearing jeans, or with your boobs hanging out." Franklin informed me.

"Can't we just meet at McDonalds?" I asked.

"Come on Max, it's your chance to have lunch at the Banker's,"

"Big fuckin' deal," I replied. Okay secretly, I admitted to myself that it was indeed a big deal. The dress and shoes I had in the car were not those of a Banker, but they might be those of a banker's hooker. Since I was not going to spend a month's income on a power suit, it was the Banker's hooker for me.

I was more than a little uncomfortable in the skimpy dress, and high heels. I hoped no one noticed but of course they did. At least it felt as though everyone was staring at me. And not staring in a good way. I had been careful to be at least twenty minutes late so that I wouldn't have to wait for the others.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 02



"There you are, we were beginning to worry," Franklin said. "Ted and Ed you remember Max?" They both stood then nodded that they indeed did.

The waiter seated me, then left me at the table. Since there were silverware, a plate, and a glass of ice tea, I assumed the three of them had placed at least part of our dinner order.

There was some small talk first, it was supposed to set me at ease. It was also meant to impress me with the fact that they had done their homework. They let me know that they felt I was someone they could trust. They seemed to trust me even though at 5'6" and 125 pounds, I was not an imposing figure. Some of those 20 pounds I had lost were in muscle mass. In other words I might be down to my proper body weight, but I was about twenty pounds below my fighting weight. Even so they seemed to trust me.

Ed started the real conversation over some clam and pasta dish. I know it was supposed to be a big deal to eat at the Banker's club, but I would have traded the experience for a double cheese burger from McDonalds. If it had been the charred T bone, which required a special oversized plate, I might have felt different, but the pasta and clams just didn't impress me. My guess is the fancy pasta was for me since they most likely knew I was supposed to stay away from really hot or tough food. Probably thought I would be afraid to try the T bone. They had a lot to learn.

"So tell me, if you wanted to steel our work, how would you do it?"

"I really haven't given it any thought, but it wouldn't be hard."

"If it wouldn't be hard, how would you do it?" Ted added.

"First of all, you are living in a very dangerous world. A world filled with really bad guys who can get some really good things from some really bad governments."

"I know that means something, but I don't have a clue what it is," Ed suggested.

"Just one quick scenario. I grab you and hold you for ransom. The drop is for the formula and all the required information to make it work. I find a geek to tell me it what you give me is real and I make the payoff quick enough so that you can't fake anything. After I have it, I kill you."

"How do you plan to get away with that?"

"I hadn't planned anything, remember. Off the top of my head I would have gone to the Chinese or the Israelies in advance. I would give them the formula they would give me a few million dollars US and drop my ass in the middle of nowhere. You they would drop in a hole somewhere."

Franklin was impressed. Ed and Ted looked over their shoulder. They would never feel completely safe again. "Holy shit, you are one cold bitch," Ted suggested.

"Hey you asked me? Ignorance is not bliss, if it gets you killed. If I were you I'd give Blackwater, or whatever they are calling themselves these days, a call." 

"Are you armed?" Franklin asked.

"Do you have a hundred dollar bill on you?" I asked in return. He nodded. "That's your answer a good workman never leaves his tools at home." I finished my chocolate moose then said, "Gentlemen, it has been a real experience. but I have work to do." I didn't really, but I was bored.

"Max would you be interested in setting up a security force for us?" Ed asked.

"Not in the least, call Blackwater."

"Then how about hanging out with us till we get a security operation in place?"

"No thanks, I really have all the things on my plate I can handle right now." I didn't have near enough to do, but I didn't want to work for anyone else either.

"Please Maxine we have a meeting with GE on Wednesday in New York. How about you come along as our bodyguard." Ed asked that.

"If you come along they will just think we are studs not paranoid." Ted said that with a sarcastic look at Ed.

"Oh hell I always wanted to be a groupie for nerds," I said it smiling. "Five hundred a day and I drive us up there and back."

"I'm not sure about that?" Ed suggested.

"Those are my requirements, take it or leave it."

"Well, I think we need the protection, so I say take it." Ted demanded.

"Alright, I guess we drive to New York."

"Have the GE rep call me," I handed Ed my card. "Well if that is all gentlemen, I'll be going now." I was standing when I said, "Tuesday morning at 7am, we leave your plant. Be ready."

"Hey you work for us," Ed said still trying to take control.

"Ed, Tuesday morning at 7AM. I am leaving the parking lot of your plant. I will be headed for New York with you in tow, or I will be headed home. I could care less which." I did smile sweetly. If I was going to be responsible for their lives, they were not going to make it impossible for me to keep them alive.

During the time running up till Tuesday morning, I had contact with Ted, Ed, and Lois Mathews from GE. Lois gave me the hotel name and made the reservations for us. It was her opinion that I was Ted and Ed den mother or social secretary. I didn't give a damn what she thought. Actually she was kind of sweet, so I looked forward to meeting her. 

Ted called on Monday. I reserved a large Ford van for the trip. I made sure it has everything,. I thought that just maybe Ed won't be a pain in the ass all the way to New York, if he has enough toys. I hope you don't mind driving the larger van."

"Well the biggest thing I have driven up till now was an eighteen wheeler, with a second trailer tagging behind. I think I can manage the custom van." I took a breath while I waited to see if he would make any comment. When he didn't I went on." I'll pick it up tonight."

"Hertz at the airport has it ready anytime," Ted informed me. "You don't really think we are in any danger do you?"

"Honestly, I don't know. From what Franklin tells me, your little invention is going to make some serious players very nervous. What they will do is anyone's guess. Then there are the political implications. A lot of countries have the world oil economy as their only political card. Without that, they are going to be eating sand."

"Well let's hope it isn't that much of a threat to the status quo," Ted's voice said through the phone.

"Well if you are having buyers remorse, I can still stay home. I'm sure you can still get flight reservations."

"Hell no, I'm looking forward to the company and Ed is still paranoid."

"Well I think you need to have a press conference to make it clear to everyone that if you are killed, the project goes on just with different people getting the profits. Some public trust of some kind would make you bullet proof from the people wanting to bury the technology. You still have plenty to worry about but at least that political sword would be blunted. They are the most dangerous. A guy who wants the formula for himself isn't likely to put a bomb under your car.

I cleaned up my house before I picked up the van. The van I picked up from Ryder Truck Rental was a fucking yacht on wheels. The damn thing had every toy imaginable. The Ted and Ed's excellent adventure was going to be arriving in style. From my point of view the blacked out windows were the best feature. Well of course the 360 degree tv camera was a good thing as well. I could only imagine where the van came from. It surely wasn't used often in either Tryon or Aster.

I packed the legal Mossberg riot shotgun, the Glock 10 mm, and wore the .38 concealed hammer wheel gun. All in all I had quite a bit of fire power there. I also tossed in a cardboard box of non lethal weapons. Everything from tazers to pepper gas bombs went into the box, which found it's way into the rear of the van. The smallest item in the van when I pulled into the old recapping yard, was the bag containing my clothes. I had packed only a good pair of slacks and a nice sweater for the meeting, and a clean blouse for the drive home. There were spare panties and a bra stuffed into a side pocket on the bag.

I could have learned a lot from the number of bags the two men brought. Ted the more dirty hands type of the geeks, had a half duffel bag packed pretty tight. He might have enough clothes but they were all going to be wrinkled. Ed on the other hand brought one hanging bag and a small soft side suit case. He was going to be the fashion whore of the crowd.

We were quite the crew that morning. Me in my faded levi's and over sized sweater, Ted in his tight jeans and wrinkled cowboy work shirt, and of course Ed in his European designer jeans and fancy Italian sweater. Ed wanted to not look pretentious but he failed miserably.

I wore driving sunglasses that were not fashionable but were at least Polaroid, while Ted wore thick sunglasses, which no doubt doubled as shatterproof lenses, and Ed wore Something from the designer shot in the Tryon Mall no doubt. 

Each of us brought a laptop computer and cell phone. Their cell phones did everything no doubt while mine made and received phone calls. My laptop had nothing of value on it, while theirs held state secrets no doubt. Well at least Ed's would have secrets, Ted's probably had some game with a thousand levels.

At 7:15am we left the parking lot behind. I threaded my way through the city streets until I reached the federally sponsored highway. The six lane road was located a few miles from Aster. Once on the wide ribbon of pavement I pointed the van more or less north. I settled into what I hoped would be a boring ten to twelve hour drive. 

Since I planned to be at the fancy hotel in Flushing New York by bedtime, the Ted and Ed show should be in good shape for the after lunch meetings on Wednesday. That is assuming everything went as planned. I was less worried about the drive than any other part of the trip. I was armed to the teeth and driving a civilian version of the Bradley fighting vehicle.

For the next twelve hours I drove while my charges worked or played with their toys. They spoke now and then, more to each other than to me. With the exception of Ed's comments to me. Those were not to be confused with conversation. "Hey what are we going to do for lunch?"

"I'm going to stop for gas soon, we can pull into a fast food joint for lunch."

"Oh come on Max, I know you aren't used to nice things but force yourself this once," Ed suggested.

"Ed it is much harder to grab someone from a busy Mickey D's dining room, than the quiet hallway of a fancy restaurant while you head off to pee. How about we play the odds for a couple of days and save the posturing for someone who cares." Ted giggled like a school girl.

That's pretty much how the drive went, Ed bitching, me explaining, and Ted giggling. At one of the gas stops we bought a cooler and filled it with cokes. I allowed it, even though it meant random pee breaks. 

Even the bypasses around major cities were a nightmare. Somehow we managed to pull through the check in area of the Flushing New York Hilton just before 10 PM. I had put my foot down on the accelerator and on the number and length of stops. By driving with a purpose, as they called it in the Air Force, we had made good time. Check in was simple since GE had made all the arrangements. 

The suite was exactly what I had demanded. There was a sitting room and kitchenette with a bedroom for each of the boys on either side. I planned to do my napping on the sofa in the entrance room. I made coffee while they prepared for bed.

"So where are you going to sleep?" Ted asked.

"I won't be sleeping but I will be out here in the main room. Unless they have a helicopter any threat will come through those doors. If it comes through those doors, it is going to come through me."

"I can make you a better offer," Ted suggested.

"I'm sure you can and I might take you up on it some other time. You know the old thing about work and play?" I asked.

"You mean don't screw the boss?" he suggested.

"Never shit where you eat," I corrected.

"God you are crude," Ed said from behind me.

"Yeah, my mom would not be happy with me these days." I smiled. "Now you two need your sleep. You have to go out and make the world safe for big business tomorrow." 

"You make the world safe, we will just try to cut back on some of the rape of resources."

"Sounds fair," I suggested.

I rigged my burglar alarm first thing. If you plan to stay awake and watch the door, all you need is something to get your attention in case it wanders. In my case it was a half dozen kitty bells tied to a thin wire. twhich was rigged to either hang from the door knob, or from a thumb tack in the door. It all depended on what the door hardware looked like. In the case of the Hilton, it was a thumbtack. The door handle was a lever not a knob.

I watched TV on the computer, I read on the computer, and I drank gallons of coffee warmed in the microwave. When you have a good plan, things almost always go well. When you don't have a plan, is when they go all to hell. The night passed quietly. Partly because I had a plan, and partly because a snatch is best done without a swat type assault in a public place. In other words the worst was yet to come, if it came at all.

The 'boys,' as I thought of them, slept until 9AM. I could hardly wait to turn them over to the GE security people, so that I could get some real sleep. Before the GE security chief came, we went to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. I had to admit the restaurant was far superior to the breakfast I usually had. The eggs were cooked right at the table, so they were as fresh as if I had made them myself, plus they tasted a whole lot better. 

Back in the room, I received the call. "Ms. Stone, this is Rachel at GE. Our Mr. Roberts will be there in about half an hour. He will escort your party to our convention center." Something about the call set off bells in my head.

"Why isn't Lois calling? I asked.

"Lois is in the plant. We had an incident last night. That's why the change in plans."

"What kind of incident?" I asked.

"That isn't relevant," she said in a tone that wasn't quite right either.

"Young lady, everything is relevant to me. Now either tell me what this incident was or I'm taking my party to the nearest police station and you can pick them up there."

"Someone broke into the production office at the plant and went through the files. Nothing was taken but we are assuming that copies were made. Rachael is out there inventorying the files to see what if anything is missing."

"Alright, so as a precaution you are moving the meeting to the convention center?"

"Yes, our convention center is free standing and very secure." She sounded just a little too rehearsed for my liking. Ted thought that Ed was paranoid. I was about to show him paranoid. I agreed to everything, then hung up the phone.

"Get your asses ready to go this minute. Do not waste one fucking second," I almost shouted.

"What the fuck?" Ted asked. There was urgency in his voice.

"If Ed is right to be paranoid, they are in the hotel. We need to make it very difficult for them to find us for the next twenty minutes."

I picked up the phone. "Room Service. I would like a pot of fresh coffee and a tray of danish. I would like it right away." Then I called the desk. "Could have have a maid come up I have spilled something in my bed and need it changed immediately." 

I picked up the phone and then dialed an outside line. I dailed the number I had for the GE contact I had. "Lois Snow," the voice came from the phone. "Lois someone just called to tell me a Mr. Roberts was on the way to collect my party. I am assuming that wasn't you."

"No it wasn't. Should I call the police?"

"And an ambulance," I suggested dropping the phone. "You two get in the bathroom. You can get in the tubs but I'd bet they are fiberglass and useless." There was a knock on the door. "Do it now," I whispered.

I was willing to bet all our lives, that the bad guys still believed their con was going to work. I just didn't believe that the bad guys were planning a full assault on the Hilton. I looked out to see the man in a well cut suit. It wasn't too expensive looking, nor did it look too much like a cheap gangster suit.

Timing was going to be everything. "You must be Roberts?" I asked as I opened the door.

"Yes I am," he replied.

"Would you mind showing me some ID?" I smiled to convince him it was just a formality. It wasn't, it was a stall. I already knew the ID was fake. He was about to reach under his coat to bring out either his ID or a pistol when the coffee and danish arrived. 

I could see the look of confusion on his face as I signed for the tray. I also managed to trip the waiter so that the coffee pot spilled onto both me and Roberts. "Oh my god, I am so sorry." I said that as I used one of the cloth napkins to blot coffee from Roberts suit. He pushed me away before I could find his pistol's location. My mind was still racing. 

"Housekeeping," the female Hispanic voice from the hallway said.

"In here please, we just spilled coffee. Your timing couldn't be better." I was running around manic as hell. I was trying my best to keep the confusion going until the cops arrived. Everything was getting calm when it was obvious that Roberts had caught on. He was about to turn away when I slipped the hammerless .38 against his spine.

"I don't want to blow your spine out in front of all these witnesses, but I can and probably get away with it. You and I both know you are not from GE. Now let the little drama play out as it should." The patrolmen were at the door within minutes. I put the .38 in the pocket of my jeans before I approached them.

"You need to make sure the Mr. Roberts there doesn't leave. He is most likely armed. The younger of the patrolmen immediately pulled his weapon. They not only found Roberts' nasty little automatic, the found my .38. To add to the confusion the real GE security manager who knew everyone in the Police Department showed up.

It was a cluster fuck for the next half hour. I personally enjoyed the Flushing Police Keystone Cop act, but Ted and Ed didn't care for it. By the time they made it to their meeting there were in no mood to deal with GE. I didn't give a crap one way or the other. 

The meeting went on even though nothing was decided. While they cried, complained, and negotiated, I slept on the sofa. I got a good three hour nap while they jockeyed for negotiating position's. I didn't give a crap how the day ended. I hated that I was going to lose my weapons. It is a bad idea to take weapons into New York state. If they had been heirloom guns, I would have demanded a hearing and probably won. But I planned to just bill Ted and Ed for the replacement cost. I had to stop on the way home that night to purchase a shotgun at a Walmart store in Maryland. We planned to stop for the night in Virginia and I didn't want to sleep naked. Driving from New Yord to Maryland unarmed had been nerve racking enough, since I never considered either tazers or pepper gas as weapons.

"Damn this trip cost us a lot of money to have nothing of any real value come of it," Ed complained as we neared Aster the next afternoon.

"Nothing of any value? Why you little shit, I might have saved your formula, if not you life. I just hope you try to avoid payment of my invoice for those weapons. I would love to get your ass on the stand in Aster. Jennifer can always ask where you were while the 125 pound woman was holding off Mr. Roberts, possibly of the Gambini family." Ed was properly cowered. I just loved playing the little chick card.

"Roberts is a reputable private investigator. He was hired to arrange a meeting for a brokerage firm. A firm that wanted to hand us a million dollars," Ted said giggling.

"That's his story now. They picked up his secretary, who couldn't wait to roll over on his ass. How do you think we got off so easy?"

"Because GE threw their weight around?" Ted suggested with a giggle. His girlie giggle was getting old quick.

"That too," I admitted. Even with all the drama I got my expense and fee settlement from the boys immediately. I submitted an appraisal for the Mossburg Shotgun, and the two pistols. Replacing them wasn't going to be a problem, I was glad that I left all the antique weapons in Ed, the bondsman's, safe room.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 02



The Ted and Ed excellent adventure, did give me a lot of confidence. I had eaten real food the whole trip. I had stayed awake and active so I felt I had regained a lot of my strength. All in all it had been a worthwhile trip. I even felt good enough to plan a trip to the Cop Out.

By Friday I had caught up with my document serves and was looking forward to a night out. I planned to go to the Cop Out dance a little, flirt a little, and maybe get laid. I didn't plan on any highly gymnastic sex, but some nice old lady type fucking might be in order.



Maxine's New Life Ch. 03



"Max, this is Jen, how are you?" The metallic sounding voice came from the phone. 

"I'm fine Jen, I spoke to you yesterday. Not much happens in a day."

"Max, with you god only knows what can happen in a day."

"No matter what you say, you are not calling to check on my health. Even if you were t,here is nothing new to report. You already knew that I am eating real food again. If you were wondering about my sex life, it has been very empty since my little adventure with extreme deep throat."

"I called because I have a job offer for you." Jen finally admitted.

"What kind of job?" I asked.

"It's a secret, at least for now. I need you to meet me, the client and his son for lunch."

"As long as it's not the Banker's Club." I suggested.

"What's wrong with the Banker's Club?"

"Oh are you a member now?"

"No, I haven't been invited, but if they ever invite me, I will step all over you to accept." There was laughter in her voice.

"You social climbing bitch," I said with a laugh.

"Okay not the Banker's how about the Carolina Grill."

"You have to be kidding. That place has nothing in common with a real grill."

"They have grilled food," Jen said trying to defend her choice.

"Stir fried vegetable on the grill, does not a grill make," I said laughing at her again.

"To fucking bad," she said pretending to be angry. "I have already made the date with the clients so you better be there at 1PM today."

"Jen, that's two hours from now. What would you do if I had an appointment."

"I would be shocked. You never make appointments. You are one of those pull it out of your ass types."

"And that's a bad thing?" i asked.

"It is for those of us who have to plan our breakfast menu a week in advance."

"So what's it about?"

"No way I'm going to give you a heads up on this one. This time you have to hear it from the horse's mouth."

"Well I hope the horse brushed it's teeth." I laughed again. "Okay Jen, but you or your client is paying."

"Of course," she said.

I stopped on the way to lunch to make a delivery. The guy worked in a bank so I did it as quietly as possible. He accepted it and even thanked me. Some people have class and some threaten violence on me. People can really react badly to news from a lawyer. Mostly it's the divorce cases that really set people on fire.

Maybe because of the banker's reaction or the fact that I always enjoy seeing Jen, but it was a fight not to lick her face. It's hard but I always resist. Well almost always, there was the threesome with she and her husband, but that was just to prove I could. Sometimes I think someone is giving me male hormones without me knowing. 

The Carolina Grill was one of those knockoffs of a real grill. It had the chrome exterior that made it look like a 1950's giant thermos bottle. The parking lot wasn't filled with real cars. Instead it was filled with modern plastic, gas saving junk. I knew right then, that I was going to find that GTO I wanted. When I found it, I was going to buy it no matter what Jen and her crowd said.

I saw Jen and two men sitting in a both. The booth was meant for six but there were only the three of them occupying it. I made my way down the single aisle between the booths and the counter. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long?" I said it to them all, but I was looking at Jen.

"Not at all, Max this is Martin Southerland and his son Ted."

"Ms Stone I have heard a great deal about you." The older man said.

"Well Mr. Southerland please believe anything that flatters me and ignore the other."

"Call me Marty," he said. "and it was all flattering."

"Thank you Marty. Jen said you wanted to hire me, but she was very mysterious about what you needed done."

"You cut right to it don't you, Ms Stone?" Ted Southerland suggested.

"You appear to be men who value you own time, so I'm sure you don't mind that I value mine." I really didn't value it all that much, but I was sure they valued theirs. I might as well get the bad new over with before I wasted their money on my lunch.

"Do you know who my dad is?" Ted asked.

"No, but I will when you tell me, and I'm sure you are going to." 

Marty Southerland chuckled. Then said, "I like her." The remark was aimed at Jen.

"I'm glad Marty, So who are you?"

"Just a retired farmer. I was a farmer from the age of ten right up two years ago."

"You look to be in really good condition, why did you give it up?" I knew it might be rude if he were sick, but I was curious.

"Oh Tobacco farming isn't politically correct, and Ted is going to run for the senate."

"Ah," was all I said. Politically correct is bullshit in my opinion. So what are you planning that I can help with?" It was obvious he had something in mind.

"He wants to ride a bicycle from Wilmington on th east coast to some nice beach in California." Ted said a little snippy I thought.

"So where do I fit in?" I asked.

"I didn't think you would fit in, when my son and Jennifer demanded that I at least meet with you. Now I think maybe you would fit in after all."

"Fit in where?" I asked.

"Driving along behind dad to pick up the pieces when he kills himself," Ted say almost angrily.

"It would make Ted happy for some reason to get my body home quickly," Marty said it playfully. "Hell it might be worth a few thousand votes."

"No offense Marty, but that is a long ride and will take a long time. I honestly can't spare that much time."

"Max, they aren't telling you everything. The bicycles are motorized and Marty plans to do at least a hundred miles a day. He also plans to quit if it gets too difficult."

"That's still a minimum of thirty days. I just can't spare that kind of time."

"Yes you can Max," Jen said.

"At least she recognizes that it is a stupid idea," Ted said. He really should not have done that.

"Not at all, I think it is a great idea and something I would like to do before I die. It's just that now is a bad time. Also riding along behind in a van is my idea of a shit job."

'Then by God I'll build you a bike and you can ride along as part of the adventure."

"That would defeat the purpose dad." Ted was beginning to piss me off.

"Oh hell Ted, I could call the paramedics on my cell phone or your dad can call them on his, if I'm the one who goes down. As for breakdowns, I have a feeling your dad has a buck or two. I that is that case we can call someone to come out and drive us to the auto rental place and just drive home."

"Actually Max, I have a list of bike builders all along the way. If it is something that isn't too urgent, they can help me repair the bike and we will just keep on going."

"See Max, you are getting caught up in this," Jen said. 

"If I go, there are rules?" I demanded.

"Like what?" Marty asked.

"You call your son every night. If some redneck does an easy rider on our asses I want someone to come looking for us. That's just the first one off the top of my head, there will be others I assure you."

"Done," Marty said. "What else?"

"Get one of those fancy phones that does everything, and be sure it does gps. I don't want to take a wrong turn and wind up in deliveranceville."

"Oh do you play the banjo?" Marty ask with a wicked smile. 

"No and I don't squeal like a pig either."

"Too bad," Marty said with a wicked smile.

"Okay you two, we should talk about money," Jen said.

"Give her whatever she wants," Marty said.

"Two K a week and Pappa Bear picks up all the expenses."

"No way," Marty said. "That ain't near enough. At least 12k for the trip. If it's one day or a month then 3k a week if it goes over a month.

"Before we get too wrapped up in this when do you want to leave?"

"Weather is optimal in a month. Will that give you time to make some arrangements for your business."

"I h ave an idea. I'll make some calls and we can set a firm date." I suggested.

During the rest of lunch Marty described his bike to me. He promised to build me one just like it. It sounded like a good solid plan to me, so I felt even less concerned about the trip. Marty and Ted left first. I could sense Jen wanted to talk about something.

"So what's the real story on those two?" 

"Marty was my first real client. That was almost twenty years ago."

"So back then he was a tobacco farmer?"

"Yeah the biggest farmer in at least five countries. Max that was back when Tobacco make millionaires."

"And Marty was one of them?"

"And a hell of a man as well. If you ever tell this I will kill you," she said.

"You were lovers?" I asked it laughing.

"Not really, Marty and his wife were swingers. Not something that was common around here. He introduced me and Bob to it."

"I guess your first orgy is like your first love," I laughed.

"It wasn't an orgy. At least not exactly, we kind of swapped for a while then it was a group thing."

"I see how long has Helen been gone?" I asked it watching Jennifer's face for a reaction.

"Three years, how did you know?"

"This is the kind of trip and man looking for an ending takes. That's usually when they are alone."

"You really are a smart bitch aren't you?"

"Happens when see too much too soon," I replied.

"I want you to go, to make damn sure he comes back."

"Back or back to you?" I asked

"We aren't lovers," she said.

"No, but you love him," I replied.

"Yes, I won't deny it." 

"Well help me get this thing set up and I'll bring him back."

"What can I do?"

"Something will come to me," I said it with a wicked smile.

"I thought that was a one time thing?" she said smiling.

"It was a one time thing with Bob." I agreed.

"You know I'm not bi," she said seriously.

"Do I really, it's not exactly what I remember." The booth's table was narrow to squeeze the maximum number of booths into the minimum amount of space available. It was close enough so that I could reach under the table and put my hand on her leg.

"Please don't do that."

"You don't like it?" I asked confused.

"Don't do it, because I do like it," she said seriously.

"Fair enough, just so you know Jen, anytime anyplace," I said.

"I already knew," she said it with a sweet little smile.

My first chore, when I got back to the office, was to call Blevins on his cell. "What trouble are you into now max?" he asked as a greeting.

"Do I have to be in trouble to call a friend?"

"No, but you always seem to be. So what's up?"

"Jen roped me into a job just now. It's going to take me away from the office for anywhere from a week to two months. I was wondering if you still had contacts out at the community college."

"You know Max, we look the other way on some of the shit you pull because so far mostly it's the bad guys who get hurt. We would frown on a college kid getting killed because of something you did."

"You know Sarah wasn't involved she was just collateral damage." I hated how cold that sounded.

"Yeah, that's why you aren't completely iced down there." Down there was the Cop Out Club.

"Yeah I realize that I'm not the belle of the ball," I replied.

"Hell Max, you never were. Those nurses always hated you cause you have more balls than they do. That young intern, they all wanted to fuck him, they were just afraid of what he might say. Everyone but you knew he liked to brag. He was kind of the Warren Beatty of Aster. Only he was the one who built his own reputation. Then when Sarah got killed, they thought that they had legitimate reason to jump your case. The cops put them straight. They might not like you, but I expect they will be nice regardless. Now if you get some kid killed, they mostly likely will not be cutting you any more slack. You will be Typhoid Mary."

"Blevins the office is not involved in anything. I will make sure whoever I hire can't be mistaken for me. How is that?"

"Then I guess you have done all you can to keep him or her out of the line of fire. So what is this job that is going to take you so long that you need to hire a replacement?"

"I'm going to babysit Marty Southland on a motor bike trip cross country."

"Holy shit, can you get him to take me as well?"

"I don't think so. You might have a better ass, but I got better boobs. Besides he don't want it to look like he needs a body guard."

"Let me tell you something little girl, before Marty got married a hundred years ago, he would kick anybody ass in this town then drive to Tryon to find more. Helen calmed his ass down right away. First time he came home drunk, she walked out of the house and didn't come back till the next day. When she came home she was drunk and obviously been out partying. Clothes a mess and the like. 'I'm gonna Divorce you?" Marty said to her. 'Which half of the farm you gonna give me?' she asked. He looks at her and says, 'Then I'll just kill you.' Old Helen pulled out a box opener. You know one of those they used on the farm to cut cloth wrappers back then. It was a heavy bladed sumbitch not this razor blade shit they use now. Anyhow she sliced his arm real good. 'If you gonna kills somebody you stupid ass just do it, don't warn them first.' Marty went to the hospital and told the cop who broke me in the story. Then he said, 'I cut my arm working on the farm. If you say any different I'll call you the biggest liar in this state.'"

"That's quite a story Blevins one that should be told over a cold beer."

"My old partner swore it was true. He said if we ever get a call there, you handle Marty, I'm keeping my eye on Helen." 

I laughed. "They always said we are the most dangerous sex. So you gonna tell me who to call out there."

"Let me make a call for you. If there is anyone who fits your needs, I'll have someone call you."

"If I don't hear soon, I'll have to start looking at an off duty fireman. I hate to do that."

"I know they will steal your business right out from under you. Happens all the time with the smoke sniffers."

"So they say," I agreed. I knew a college kid, with an eye on being a cop, had no desire to serve court papers or civil summons. It was way beneath a cop to do such bullshit work. For a summer job it might interest someone though.

"Ms Stone, my name is Lucas Simpson. They told me at school that you were looking for an apprentice?" It was a question not a statement. The kid standing in front of my desk was maybe twenty. I had a feeling he was probably 19. I was already sorry I had talked Blevins into sending me students. If this kid got hurt, I would be really upset. Blevins had also warned me that the cops would frown on another innocent body at my door.

"So do you have time to work these deliveries into your schedule?" I asked still wishing I hadn't put out the call.

"Sure piece of cake. The instructor told me no matter what I was not to play cop out there. Just hand them the paper and get them to sign if possible."

"Sounds like she knows the drill," I suggested.

"Mrs Edwards said she had talked to you and promised you that I would not get myself killed while you were gone."

I talked to the kid for an hour trying to find some reason not to hire him. Since I couldn't find one I said, "Okay Lucas I will give you a try before I leave. Once I am gone call Ed or my friend Jen, if you need advice. If there is a problem turn the papers back in unserved rather than take a chance on getting hurt. You got that?"

"Yes Ma'am I understand."

After a couple of days with the kid riding along I knew he would do just fine. I also knew that he was doing it for the money. He had no desire to make a career of it. He seemed to be a sweet kid, who knows, I thought. He just might get a real bonus when I get back. I giggle inwardly at the thought. Man could I do a lot for labor relations with that attitude.

It was two weeks after the lunch meeting when I next met Marty and Ted Southland again. I drove out to the shop Southland used to build his bike and mine. When I drove up, I realized that the bikes were on display for me. They were standard high quality steel bikes. Not the kind the spandex crowd would ride. The bikes Marty used as blanks were real bikes built to last a generation. He had bought then from maybe the last bike maker doing his manufacturing in the United States. Every thing about the bikes screamed big and clunky. 

That is were the made in the usa ended. The motors were Honda 4 cycle and mounted on the side of a bike like a tumor. Marty had added his own braces to the unit, so that it was even more secure than the support given by the drive kit offered.. "Damn Marty that is a sweet looking ride," I said. I said it because I knew he was waiting for a compliment. I also did it because I just knew that it would piss Teddy boy off.

"Climb on the blue one and give it a try," he insisted. 

"It has been a while so don't expect too much."

"Then wear this," he said tossing a lightweight motorcycle helmet at me. I put it on with a smile.

That damn bike was the most fun I had since I don't remember when. It was like riding in a sports car only ten time better. I was a dangerous and wonderfully freeing. "Shit Marty," I said when I swung my leg over the bike frame to dismount. "That mother fucker is a blast."

Marty broke in a belly laugh, while Ted cringed. "Damn right it is. That's why I want to take this trip. That and to show the world that these things don't have to be just toys."

"Okay back down to earth. I want to see a detailed plan before I leave on that thing." 

"I got the plan but I didn't make it, Jennifer did. She refused to allow you to make the trip without an agreement. Said it was to protect me from lawsuits, but I think it is to protect you. Anyway I read it and I approve. I have already posted the notices on the bicycle forums, so everyone knows we are doing it."

"I'll read this over and let you know what I think."

"You rode the bike, I don't think there is anything that would stop you now," Marty laughed again.

At home after work I read the plan. Jennifer thought of everything. At least she thought of more than I would have. I knew it was no more than a guideline but it was a good one. After the first hour on the road we would be doing whatever the road dictated. There was no way to plan out a trip like that one.

The trip was planned to start on the Monday at noon, two weeks from my shop visit. I used the time to get things done around the office and to ride the bike a few hours before I left on the trip. The bike was easy to start and easy to ride. It was, all in all,a lot of fun. 

I had a couple of only barely satisfactory sexual experiences, since my experience with the Mendez brothers. I decided I would give it one more try, Thinking that it might be a month or more before I had another sexual adventure. I tried to stay away from the Cop Out, when I was on the prowl. It was one thing to have it just happen, it was quite another to be the predator. 

I went to a bar close to the university. Even thought it was a college bar the patrons were older, usually professors and administrator types. Probably because the prices there made even me cringe. I chose the last Saturday night before the beginning of our trip for the possible last fling. I mean hell I was taking off cross country on a bicycle going thirty miles an hour for god sake.

I was looking for something sexual, but I had no preconceived plans. My only plan was a night to remember, at least for a few days. "Well hello there," the bartender said. "I haven't seen you here in a long time. What can I get you?"

"A glass of white wine. What ever comes in the gallon bottle you pour from," I suggested.

"Ah our world famous Pinot Noir." He said it with a conspirators smile.

"One step above cooking wine," I said after tasting it.

"Actually that is the cooking wine," With that he moved down the bar to service other customers.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 03



"You are Max Stone aren't you?" The woman standing behind me whispered.

"Yes Ma'am," I said in my new raspy voice.

"I have read so much about you. My friend and I would love to buy a drink."

She turned and nodded toward a take with a much younger man looking toward us uncomfortably. "I do like your style," I admitted.

"Then join us and the next one is on him."

"And you don't even have to buy his drinks, my god you are a marvel." I stood as I said it. 

I got a good look at the woman as I followed her to the table. She was at least three inches taller than me that would make her 5'9" at least. She was also the owner of either a well maintained body or a very good foundation garment. She looked fit. Even if she wasn't fit she at least was close to it. Her breasts were much larger than my 36b. She had to be at least 38D if not more. If she had a flaw it was her very fine hair. All the styling and moose in the world wouldn't ever make that attractive. She was past due for a wig. I should know I was resisting the urge to buy one myself.

I was about to be seated when the woman turned to me and spoke. "Where are my manners, I'm Madelyn Curry and this is my son Jeffery." I suppose the confusion was written all over my face because she went on. "It's alright Max, Jeffery is twenty he is of legal age to drink."

I sat down with my wine glass, took a gulp then in my usual direct manner asked, "So are you pimping for Jeffery or is he pimping for you?"

"That's what I would have expected from you Max. Direct, no class at all but very direct. Let's say Jeffery and I share a symbiotic relationship. Do I need to explain what symbiosis means?"

"Not in general, but as the night progresses you might need to explain how it applies to you and your son," I admitted. "Just so I know who I'm kissing."

"God I love this woman," she said to Jeff, who only nodded. The kid had not said a single word to me. "So tell me, did a man really try to strangle you with his cock? The papers didn't give that detail, but the rumor is all over."

"Actually that's how I got the rasping sound I use as a voice these days."

"God that makes it even more sexy. I love the way you sound when you speak. Tell me Max do you moan with a rasp as well?"

"I have no idea, I don't listen."

"Well I'll tell you later. Won't I?" she asked.

"I looked down as I said, "Yes."

"Look at me when you speak to me Max and you know how to address me."

"Yes Ma'am," I said looking her in the eye.

"So Jeffery, what do you think of Max?"

"I think she is quite wonderful Mother."

"Now Max tell us, do you still like to use that pretty mouth of yours?"

"Yes Ma'am," I replied. I was playing a part but somehow it was more than a game.

"Good girl," she said. She waited for a reply from me. When I didn't speak she prodded me. "What do you say when someone compliments you?"

"Thank you Ma'am." I knew my part quite well. I had been involved with female superiors during my 22 years in blue. There was a sexual tension anytime I dealt with a sexually dominant personality. I had not been looking for that kind of encounter but I was certainly open to it.

Her tone changed completely as we discussed my everyday life. Her tone was that of a friend and confidant, with just a hint of superiority. Still not at all unpleasant or dominating in nature. The son Jeffery spoke almost exclusively to his mother. He never asked me anything. He did comment on what I said, but only now and then. Even when he did it was with single words exclusively.

After an hour and one more glass of wine, Madelyn asked, "Are you ready to leave Max?"

"Yes Ma'am," I replied.

"Would you like Jeffery to drive your car or do you wish to follow us?"

"I think I will follow," I replied. I wanted that one last chance to run like hell.

"Very well, you aren't going to disappoint us are you?"

"No Ma'am," I replied dutifully. "Just for the record, Jeffery and I are not in an incestuous relationship. He helps me and I reward him, that's all."

"Very well," I replied. I still didn't have the nuts and bolts of the relationship but I would in a few hours I knew.

The two of them shared a small federal style brick house. On the ground floor was a large living room, a smaller dining room, a parlor, a combination kitchen breakfast room rounded out the first floor. Well I imagined that there was also a powder room even though I didn't see it upon entering.

Madelyn went into the parlor to sit on the one large chair. There was one smaller chair in the corner by the living room. Those were the only two chairs in the parlor. I almost sat in the smaller chair. "No dear that is Jeffrey's chair. There are glasses in the cabinet by by the sink and wine in the refrigerator would you bring us a glass."

I almost told her to go fuck herself, but I figured why not I wouldn't mind a glass myself. I got the glasses all poured and even found a serving tray. I was getting into the Holly Homemaker role, when I walked back into the parlor. I served the two of them, then put the tray on a small table in yet another corner of the room. I was standing there like an idiot looking for a place to sit when Madelyn motioned for me to move to her. When I stood beside her chair she whispered quietly "Kneel." Again I almost told her to fuck off, but it was only slightly more demanding than others had been to me previously. In for a penny in for a pound, I thought as I lowered myself to my knees. Madelyn nodded her approval. The sexual tension in the room was like a fourth entity. I knew in broad strokes what was going to happen, but not the details or the sequence.

"Jeffery do you find Maxine pleasing?" she asked her son as if I wasn't in the room.

"Yes mother, she seems to be very attractive and she has good manners," he replied.

"Do you have good manners Maxine?" she asked.

"I hope so Ma'am," I replied.

"And are you attractive?"

"I like to think so," I replied.

"Remove your top and show us your breast so that we might judge for ourselves," she demanded.

My hand actually shook as I removed my blouse. The bra hooks were a nightmare, but I managed to finally free my breasts.

"Not very large are they Jeffery?" Madelyn asked.

"Not as large as yours mother, but they don't sag very much." he answered.

"True on both counts son. I think she will do in that department." Madelyn sipped at her wine before adding. "Now girl take off you skirt."

I have to admit the sexual tension was at a point as high as I had ever felt. My mind had stopped any reasonable thought. I was just moving on instinct and somehow that instinct was to obey the demanding woman. I unbuttoned then unzipped my skirt and let it fall to the floor. I stood there in a pair of snowy white bikini panties.

"Jeffery do you think she has pubic hair or not?" Madelyn asked her son.

"I think no mother," he replied smiling.

"Show us Maxine," she demanded.

I slipped the panties off revealing my thin pubic hair. It was not attractive but also not distracting from the total appeal of my body. At least that is what I thought all the years I refused to shave it off.

"That's just nasty Jeffery," Madelyn commented. "Jeffery you know what to do."

I stood shivering with anticipation as Jeffery left the room. Madeline smiled at me with that superior but benevolent smile I had seen on others before her. It never bothered me when I was naked but it really pissed me off, when it wasn't in a sexual situation. Just goes to show how inconsistent my thinking really was.

When Jeffery returned, he was rolling a mall tea cart. On the tea cart was what might have been some oriental ceremonial tea setup. Instead it appeared to be an antique water pitcher and basin set. Something one would find on an antique dry sink in some old fashion movie set. The cart also held an old fashioned shaving mug and brush set. I decided right there that if he came out with straight razor there would be a hell of a fight. I need not have worried, what he had under the towel was an old Gillette safety razor from the forties. 

I watches as he poured steaming water into the basin, then dipped the brush into the basin. From the basin the wet brush went into the shaving mug. Jeffery could have been a pharmacist or a master chef as he worked the soap into a lather. When he had the brush filled with the soapy lather he looked up to his mother who nodded.

I stood perfectly still as he rubbed my pubic hair first with a hot wet cloth, then with the brush filled with soap suds. I stood like a stone statue while he used the razor on my softened pubic hair. I felt much different after he fished slowly shaving off my pubic hair. No I didn't feel like a little girl, I felt a heightened sensitivity there. The rough towel he used to dry me brought an involuntary gasp from my slackened mouth.

Madelyn motioned me over. She bent to inspect Jeffery's work closely before she gave him an approving nod. I stood shivering while Jeffery rolled the cart from the room. It was obvious to me that they had done the ritual often, but I didn't care it was still thrilling.

"Now that you are presentable you may kneel before Jeffery and accept his magic cock." Madelyn watched as I moved to sand in front of Jeffery. I slid to my knees easily as I looked into his eyes. I could feel her eyes on me as I unzipped her sons pants, then struggled to free his cock. It was obvious that shaving my pubic hair had done a number on him as well as me. It was a struggle to free the firm cock from his pants. Once it was free I could tell that it was just a little larger than most of the men I had slept with. It wasn't enormous by any means but it was a very respectable size. The most notable thing was that his cock was uncircumcised. The foreskin covered the head of it. I was forced to wrap my hand around his cock behind the head and push back to expose the head. It was a wonderful visual sensation to see the head suddenly appear. My heart pounded as I bent to kiss the exposed head of his cock. I pushed my lips down on his cock forcing the foreskin to remain open. the head of his cock was naked to the inside of my warm, wet mouth. I tell he was loving it by the shivers running through his body. 

I began to nurse on the head of his cock. I used my tongue to flatten it against the roof of my mouth while I sucked gently but demandingly on the head of his cock. I could feel him trying to control his urge to stroke my mouth. Remembering the pain of the Mendez cock in my throat, I tried to control his urge to press deep. Finally he overwhelmed my mouth muscle and drove into my throat. I felt him fuck at my mouth and throat only a few strokes before he stiffened and plunged deep into my throat one last time. I could feel him shudder as he emptied his sperm into my throat. It was past my gag reflex so I didn't feel panic as he did. 

Just as soon as I felt him end his forced plunge, I pulled away so that I could breath. His was the first cock in my throat since the rape. It had terrified me for an instant, then it just felt good to know what I had done to him. I had forced him to lose control for me. He thought he was in control, but I knew better. I kept my eyes closed enjoying the sensations for a few seconds. When I looked up Jeffery was slumped in his chair.

"Come here girl," Madelyn demanded almost angrily. 

When I turned I saw Madelyn with her legs spread and her eyes glazed. I crawled between her spread legs. I managed to get her panties off as she tried to force my mouth down on her pussy. When her pussy was finally naked, I allowed her to pull me to it. I licked and sucked on her lips and generally spread her sons lubricant along with my saliva over her vulva. 

When I felt she was tense enough, I moved to suck on her clit. I licked it up and down for a long time then side to side. I knew while I was doing it that she was having many small seizures. Finally I felt her trying to force my face inside her. I knew then that she was ready for the one mind blowing orgasm. The one that would go on and on. Nobody can sense that feeling unless you have been on the other end of it as well. It's why men could never provide the same level of oral stimulation as a women. When she came Madelyn squirted lubricant from her body just like a man. It was just as satisfying to make her cum as it had been to make her son cum.

I felt Jeffery's hand raise my hips as he slipped his hard cock inside me. I felt it bully it's way deep into my body. My passage rippled as he moved in and out of me. I was on fire and knew I would not last long. Madelyn was moving while her son fucked me. She managed to get her top open and pull me to her breast. I was sucking on Madelyn's soft saggy boob while her son fucked me with a very hard cock. I was in heaven I wanted to cum but I also didn't want the feeling to end.

It did go on for a long time then I began to cum. At first it was just a huge explosion of sensations but then my body took over where my mind left off. My body just spasmed over and over. I continued to cum until Jeffery tensed and shot a load deep inside me. Even after he removed his cock my muscles continued to constrict. I lay in the floor like a snake wriggling. 

"God she is a hot fuck," Jeffery told his mother. I didn't see his smile but I knew he had one.

"Next time cum in her mouth not her throat, you know I love to taste your cum." Madelyn said.

"I'm sorry mother. She was just so damn good, I couldn't help myself."

"Don't worry son she will be back. After the fucking you gave her the slut won't be able to stay away."

When I came to my sense they had gone to bed leaving me laying on the parlor floor. I knew my part in the play was over, so I dressed and moved toward the door. As a final gesture of defiance I slipped upstairs and opened the door to Madelyn's bedroom. I heard the breathing so I knew where to look. The two of them were naked cuddling under the covers. 

She had her back to Jeffery and he had his arms around her. They looked peaceful so I closed the door quietly and left. I had no intention of ever returning to that house, but then the road to hell is paved with those good intentions. 

I spent Sunday recovering from the night before. I was hungover but it wasn't from alcohol. I was in a sex induced haze most of the day. I ate soft foods because it hurt deep in my chest when I swallowed. It wasn't a sharp pain and I wasn't spitting up blood so I wasn't really worried.

Everything was as ready for my trip as I could make it when I went to bed Sunday night.



Maxine's New Life Ch. 04



8 AM Monday morning found me in the jump seat of Marty's Ford pickup truck. Ted was driving the truck toward the Atlantic Ocean. Marty sat beside him in the front seat of the truck which was loaded down with motorized bicycles and trailers for our trip. I sat, quietly sipping coffee, while they argued. I wasn't all that concerned, since all families argue. I knew that my best play was to just stay quiet and try to nap while they discussed, whatever it was they planned to fight about as we headed east...

It was almost four hours to the minute when we pulled into the parking lot of the Wrightsville Beach fishing pier. The two of them unloaded the bicycles and trailers, while I removed the small plastic trash bags with our personal items from the truck's interior.

Marty had done his research. The purpose of the plastic trash bags was to keep our few extra clothes dry; the clothes were just in case of rain. The plastic credit cards would take care of clean clothes along the way. Even there, Marty had done his research. He had purchased and loaded three prepaid Visa cards. He would be carrying the card with the most money. I would be carrying a card with a lesser amount, and a third was to be hidden on his bike just for emergencies. The idea was that if something happened to him, I could use my card to get home. His card would be paying for the expenses of the trip, but if stolen, nothing much would be lost. In his opinion it wasn't much, but in my opinion ten grand was a lot of money.

In addition to three pairs of clean panties and a very lightweight jogging suit, I carried my hammerless .38. I also carried a small plastic bag with additional cartridges. Other than those few items, it was a toothbrush and deodorant that filled my bag,

Into the trailer's plastic milk carton bed, I placed the plastic bag. Ted put in the filled gallon gas can and a quart of oil. Both Marty and I carried the extra gas and oil, along with a tire and two tubes. The tire pump was placed into Marty's trailer, while I carried a case of peanut butter crackers and a large water bottle.

Other than those items, everything was hung on the bike. The cell phone Marty planned to use was one of those fancy things. It allowed him to connect to the Internet, as well as to the cell network. Even more important, the cell phone had an excellent GPS.

After the bicycles were packed and ready for the trip, Marty turned to me and handed me a plastic bag from Victoria Secret's. "Put this on, Max. I want a picture of you on the bike with the ocean in the background. It's for the bike forum."

Inside the bag, I found a shockingly small bikini. Not only that, it was shockingly red as well. "You have to be kidding?"

"Oh, come on, it will look great on you."

"This thing is way too small for me."

"No, it isn't. Jennifer gave me your sizes. Just give it a try. Put your jeans and top on over it. When we find a spot, you can pose for me." I glanced at Ted who did not look at all happy. I almost told him not to worry, that I didn't want his inheritance, but I then realized that I wouldn't mind having the few million in Marty's estate.

I went into the public bathroom at the land end of the pier. When I came out, I looked the same to those who had seen me go in. I knew that I wasn't the same at all. I was wearing the tiny red bikini under the moderately tight jeans and baggy sweat shirt, which had the sleeves chopped off, so it was super comfortable...

"Well, let's get this show on the road," Marty said, smiling at me.

"Dad, I want you to know this is probably the dumbest thing you have ever done."

"It's not too late, Ted, I can send Max home with the truck. You and I can make this trip." Marty knew it was a waste of time, but he was obviously determined to offer his kid one more chance to man up."

"I have way too much going on to just take a month off." Ted tried to sound regretful, but it just wasn't working for him.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Ted, but Maxine and I are going to be leaving now. I want to get on down the road before we stop for the evening." Marty and Ted parted with an awkward hug. Marty and I left Wrightsville Beach after a quick stop for a cell phone photo of me in my red bikini sitting on the bike that Marty built. That was the high point of the afternoon. We rode south for eighty miles. The idea was to avoid riding the underpowered bikes through the mountains, so we headed along the coastal highway.

Four hours later, I found myself following Marty into a mom and pop motel outside of Myrtle Beach, SC. The tourist season hadn't ended by that time, so we could only book one room. The owner and Marty came to an understanding quickly. It was based on Marty's willingness to pay for the overnight storage of our bikes in the motel's utility room.

Marty did consult with me before he agreed to accept just the one room. "The room does have two beds, but if you prefer your own room, we can keep going."

"Marty, if you wanted to rape me, there were lots of lonely pieces of road between Wrightsville and here. Besides a bodyguard is more effective if they are in the same room."

"Okay then, we will stay here tonight and get an early start in the morning."

"Fair enough," I replied.

While I took a shower, Marty went onto the Internet and uploaded the picture, as well as his account of the day, to the motorbike forum. It was still very much daylight when I came from the shower. "So, Max, what do you want to do for dinner?"

"Let's ask someone to recommend a seafood restaurant. I would like some shrimp. Since we have seagulls circling the parking lot, seafood of some kind, seems to be called for."

"That sounds perfectly reasonable," Marty said.

We rode the bikes to the restaurant about five miles from the motel. It was a decent meal, nothing special; but then it's hard to screw up a batch of deep fried fresh shrimp. After dinner, I had an idea I shared with Marty. Since it was a simple idea which would not take u p any real space in the bikes trailer, he agreed.

What I had wanted to do was to find a heating element. One of those rods I could drop into a cup of coffee. Once plugged into the wall it got really hot. Hot enough to reheat coffee. We couldn't find that at the dollar store near the motel, but we did find a small electric coffee pot. We just removed all the inside hardware. It left us with just a heating element at the bottom of the pot.

I explained to Marty that I would clean it in the mornings. I could pack things inside the pot before I put it into the trailer, so that the increase in required space would be negligible. Once he agreed, we stopped at a convenience store near the motel. I filled up four very large plastic cups with coffee. There was no way I would survive the trip without coffee. Marty seemed to feel pretty much the same way.

Marty stayed on the Internet most of the evening. I watched TV and drank coffee until almost 10 PM. I was surprised to find how tired I was. I went to bed, leaving Marty still banging around the Internet. I fell asleep before Marty came to bed. I guess he technically went to bed, since he used the second bed.



Maxine's New Life Ch. 07



lit7 21-25

21 Sunday morning coming down all over me

I opened my eyes, then immediately closed them again. I tried to process how I felt and where the hell I was. My mind did not want to work at all. I tried to force it to be rational, but nothing happened. I just lay there in stupor. The first thing I realized was that it was not my bed. It was far too large, soft, and smelled too good to be mine.

Then I got this feeling that I wasn't alone. Maybe it was the odd perfume, or after shave, it was hard to tell the difference, that gave it away. Maybe it's the breathing that wasn't coming from me, or maybe it was the feel of skin pressed against my naked ass. That Sunday morning it was definitely skin. Since I didn't feel a penis, or boobs, he or she had to be sleeping turned away from me.

I don't really mind being held, and I don't mind not being held, what I mind is not knowing who is holding or not holding me. Before I made an ass of myself, I tried to remember what had happened the night before. I remember Jen's stupid party, and I remember the Cop Out. I even remember the invitation by Anya. So odds were good that I was in the fancy bed and breakfast downtown. Did that mean Anya was beside me, or did she sell me into slavery after she got me drunk.

I decided I just had to know, so I turned to the person sharing the bed with me. The person was not Anya or anyone else I knew. I had gotten drunk and gone to bed with a stranger. Very nice, at least odds were the person wasn't a sexual sadist, since it was a middle-aged woman like me. Well, she wasn't exactly like me. She would have been gorgeous, if she were about thirty pounds thinner. I do not mean model gorgeous, I mean movie star gorgeous. Blood hair, full lips, big boobs, complete with big brown nipples, and wider hips than any model. I know all this because she rolled toward me when I rolled to her. She appeared to still be sleeping.

I tried to slip from the bed, but she awoke. "Wellm good morning, how do you feel?" she asked, in a warm husky voice.

"I would be a lot better, if I knew where I was and how I got here."

The woman had a beautiful laugh, as well as a beautiful body. "You are at the Hazelwood Inn. As to how you got here, that was arranged by our mutual friend, Anya."

"I must have been terribly drunk not to remember anything." I said.

"To be honest, you were pretty out of it, but I also gave you something to help you sleep. Sometimes it causes temporary amnesia. It will only last a few hours, then you will probably remember more than you want."

"Oh, why more than I want to remember?"

"The tea I made for you also dampens inhibitions. That is not why I gave it to you. I gave it to you because Anya said you needed to rest and clear your mind."

"So I did make an ass of myself?"

"Not as far as I am concerned, but you might think so when your memory returns."

I reassessed how I felt and I had to admit that I felt perfectly fine physically. I wasn't tired or hung over. Except for the gap in my memory, I felt the best I had in weeks. I took a good look at her, she was naked and I was in her bed. I didn't know her, but I knew me.

"Did we have sex?" I wasn't smiling.

"Yes Dear, but I assure you that it was your idea."

"Oh, I don't doubt that for a moment. You are sexy as hell, I can imagine anyone, man or woman, who wouldn't want to have sex with you. I would like to know how it happened though."

"Don't worry, I promise you will remember in a few hours. I would really rather you remember it, than for me to tell you."

"Okay, but was Anya part of it, or was it just me and you."

"You will remember it all I promise, but for now, Anya left you here with me for safekeeping."

"Okay, but did she know what would happen?"

"She knows me from her work and you by reputation. That's what she told me anyway."

"She isn't bi?"

"She probably is, but I'm not sure she knows it yet."

"She just goes around rescuing drunks and playing matchmaker?"

"Something like that," the woman admitted. She gave me a long meaningful look then pulled the sheet back. "Oh one thing I have to tell you, Anya made me promise to tell her all about your tattoo."

"Was that the charge for her moonlight gig as a pimp?" I asked.

"Well to be honest, even drunk out of your mind, you would have been worth whatever she wanted."

"Believe it or not, I have heard that before."

"Oh I believe it, now show me your tattoo and then come back to bed."

I turned so that she could see the flag on my back just above my ass. "Ah a butt stamp, very nice. Now come to bed." It wasn't a demand, but it was a little more firm than a suggestion.

"Don't you have to do the breakfast part of the bed and breakfast?"

"I have a couple who run the inn day to day. I'm more the strategy person."

"Family money?"

"How did you know?"

"This place might make enough to pay its own way and to pay the couple, but I doubt that you can pay a mortgage and have enough left for yourself."

"Let's say my mom and dad weren't thrilled to have a daughter who had girlfriends instead of boyfriends. They agreed to give me my inheritance early, if I promised to stay away."

"Damn, too bad my family was poor. I stayed away for nothing," I said, as I slipped into bed with her. I tried to live up to my abandonment the night before.

I kissed her while running my rough hands over her smooth skin. I kissed and licked her neck while my hands wandered over her body. She moved, telling me without words when she was ready for the next caress. Her body was gently vibrating when she pulled my face to her breasts. I licked her nipples and gently sucked them into my mouth. First one, then the other, found its way into my warm wet mouth.

I had a finger buried inside her warm wet cavern and my mouth filled with her right nipple, when she said, "You are every bit as good sober. Just as Anya promised, you are quite the whore." Now you would think that would turn me off, but I really wasn't turned on, so there was no mood to break. What I did wonder was how Anya knew I was a good little whore. I didn't think too many women knew that. Sure a couple of her cop buddies had heard the stories about me and the intern no doubt. That wasn't something to recommend me to the bed and breakfast lady.

When she was ready, she put a hand on each side of my head and pushed me down her body. I did as she demanded. I found her clit in my mouth, even while two of my fingers were still inside her. When she came, it was with a moan and gasp that was a little frightening. That gasp was similar to the sound some people make when they pass into the next world. I hoped that I hadn't given her a heart attack.

"Oh God, you are the best lover I have had since I left Boston," she said.

"Thanks," I stood up and started to dress.

"Don't you want me to make you cum."

"No thanks, I'm not really a morning person."

"Then why?"

"I pay my debts," I said, with a smile. "By the way, what's your name?"

"Oh shit, I never did introduce myself. I'm Margie and I know you are Maxine."

"Yes, that's me. Well, Margie, I have to be going. I have things to do today, even though it is Sunday."

Margie pouted, then said, "You can come back here anytime you like. I will give you the same special rate." She giggled like a schoolgirl.

When I arrived home, it was to find the place just as I had left it, a total mess. No one had magically come in to clean the mess. I swept, mopped, and dusted before I sat down to enjoy my pity party. I relived the last couple of days and saw how out of control my personal life was becoming. Okay, it was my sex life that was out of control. It seemed as though I had forgotten how to say no. When I was in the military, I knew what kind of trouble I would be in if my escapades became common knowledge. I was a lot more circumspect back then. I also knew when to say no thanks. I seemed to have forgotten more than just how to keep things quiet.

I was enjoying the sex at the moment it happened alright, but I was paying for it with some kind of regret almost instantly. It was hard for me to lay any of the guilt off on anyone else. I went into each of the situations, if not knowing exactly what would happen, at least knowing what would most likely happen, None of those predictions would have been for a good outcome. Nonetheless, I plowed right ahead with the foolishness and the expected happened. Pity party on a dreary Sunday afternoon,

My latest little adventure was very worrisome, indeed. See, I understood Margie. She was a bored little rich girl looking for a distraction in the small town in which she found herself trapped. I could almost believe that she didn't drug me to get laid. She drugged me so that I could get a good night's sleep, sure she did. I could understand and almost forgive myself for doing it. I was drunk. Right, that's a real good excuse and one I didn't use often or anything ... Okay, if we weren't a 100% rational, then were at least half assed rational.

All that said, my real concern was Anya and maybe even Blevins. Anya was a cop and she set me up. 'Sure drink all you want, Max, and I'll see that you are safe.' Now if Anya had been in that bed, I wouldn't be a bit worried. If that was the case, her motive would have been simple lust. I could understand that easily. Since she wasn't there, and Margie said Anya wasn't doing women at all, why the hell had she delivered me up to Margie. Was it to control or gain influence with Margie, or to use me for some kind of weird plan of her own. Then the question became, 'What did Blevins know?' It all just ran round and round in my head. I was thinking I should contact Anya and just fucking ask her. The next thought was always it might just all quietly go away.

There was another question that kept going round and round in my head. Who was Anya, and what exactly did she know? What made her think that I was willing to go along with her plans, whatever they really were?

One other thing that concerned me was Margie's acceptance of my characterization of Anya as a pimp. Her comfort with it seemed a little strange. I would have expected her to contradict me. She seemed to accept that I would do exactly as she wanted without question. It seemed to me that Anya might have promised her just that. Okay, maybe the drunken drugged Maxine wasn't an issue. The problem for me was that the Sunday morning Maxine still wasn't any concern to Margie. I mean she fully expected me to do her bidding, no matter what it was. Why was that, I asked myself? I tried to read them and their motives all afternoon. I finally gave up. I just washed the fuzz that passed for my hair and went to bed early.



22 forgive yourself

Sunday turned into Monday and I was grateful. I opened a new book when I woke alone on Monday. Not only did I heal fast, I also was able to deal honestly with painful things, then forgive myself, and move on. That's what I did before I got out of bed on Monday morning, forgive myself.

Bits and pieces of Saturday night came back to me as I showered. I had a memory, true or false I couldn't swear to, of Anya leading me to her car. "Now, Maxine please be nice to this lady. There is more at stake than you know. I know you are pretty plastered, but be nice to her if you want to be my friend." I had no idea what she had meant. I might have known at the time, but it was part of that purple fog.

I was drying myself when I remember Margie saying to Anya, "She isn't young, is she?"

"No," replied Anya. "I have it on good authority that she is very enthusiastic. You said you didn't want any trouble. The young ones are nothing but trouble."

"True, well it's the thought that counts anyway," Margie said.

I was pretty shaky and had no idea why. It was possible that Anya had drugged me at the Cop Out. It was just as likely that I drank way too much without any help from anyone. The details of the sex came back while I drove to the office. I hadn't been too worried about the sex itself, since I didn't have an bruises or lash marks. I also didn't have any memories of biting heads off chickens, so by the time I got to the Hardee's drive thru window, I felt pretty good about Saturday night. I still didn't know whether there was anything I needed to forgive Anya for, but time would tell.

"Take your order, please?" the clown said to me. Okay, it wasn't really a clown head at the drive thru, but it is a common humor point we can all share.

"Two sausage biscuits," I replied. The drive from Hardee's to the office was much shorter, than the time it took the girl to put two pre-made biscuits into a paper bag. When I opened the car door, this huge black and tan dog came from some bushes. I had no idea where the dog slept or where she went the rest of the day. I knew only that she had been waiting for me every morning since my return home from the road trip. The first morning she gave me a, 'Why don't you feed me you fat bitch' look. That first morning I gave her my sausage biscuit. Since then, I had been buying her one of her own. Every morning she would finish the biscuit and be gone before Ed arrived.

"Hey, Max, do you sleep here or something," Lucas asked, as he entered the office with a paper cup filled with coffee.

"No, I don't sleep here. As a matter of fact, I usually don't sleep well anywhere."

"So how was your weekend?" he asked.

"It was just fine. How was yours?"

"Fine, but I'm not the one who had a date with someone half their age."

"It's a good thing. If you did that would make you a pedophile and just begging for a vacation at central prison."

"You know what I mean. Did you have fun at the college bar?"

"Sure it was fine, but if you want details you are going to have to find what's his name."

"Hey, you two, you are in early," Ed commented, when he arrived.

"I'm not early and Lucas is just on time for a change." I laughed, since we had agreed that there would be no office hours, so he couldn't have been late.

"So who you gonna chase down this week?" Ed asked.

"I have no idea. I do know that we are going to be serving papers, since the new court term starts this week."

"Oh hear ye, hear ye." Ed said.

Everyone seemed to be in a good mood for a Monday morning. I had no idea what hat gotten into them. I did know who had gotten into me. "Yeah, something like that," I replied.

"I am going to suggest that you fill out the papers and get a license, then run an advertisement in some of the legal rags." Ed said.

"I already run ads there," I replied.

"Do it for skip trace, that's what we call it. Bring em' in dead or alive, but that's a little dangerous."

"Write up what I should say, meanwhile I'll see if Blevins and Jen will reference me for a license."

"How about me?" Lucas asked.

"You come in as an intern," I said. "I do know a little about how it all worked," I said, in answer to the questioning looks from them both.

"Okay, then you two better get to work. I'm going to call my friends in Tryon."

"Ed, you don't have any friends," I suggested.

"No, but I'm on speaking terms with my peers, who all happen to hate the thug."

"Well, Lucas would appreciate all you can do for him," I said smiling.

"By the way did Skeeter show up this morning?" Ed asked. I had mentioned her and Ed was a big time dog lover. He had been an avid hunter when young enough to tramp through the forests.

"She did indeed," I replied.

"How come I have never seen her," Ed asked.

"If you get your lazy ass here ahead of me you would. I don't think she cares who feeds her."

'You might be surprised about that. Dogs can be picky, I don't know about feral ones thought. You still don't know where she sleeps?"

"I have no idea, nor do I know where she spends the rest of her days. I hope she has a family, but she doesn't appear to have anyone."

"Then damn it, let's get her some help." Lucas said, as if he had a clue about anything.

"Sure, let's call the animal control officers. They can hunt her down, capture her, and put her in a shelter cage, where an adult dog has about as much chance of adoption, as I do of getting married again. It's also about the same chance as you being killed by a suicide bomber in downtown Aster, or Ed getting laid." I was on a roll.

"Then there is hope," Ed said, smiling.

"Then we give her till the end of the month, then one of us adopts her." Lucas said, very defensively. "Come here and look."

Lucas, boy wonder, had rigged a security camera over the front door to the office. He had the video of me driving up, Skeeter walking into the picture, then taking her breakfast and disappearing.

"She is a big one, even if she is skinny. Did either of you notice a collar?" Ed asked.

"I couldn't tell from the video," Lucas suggested.

"She doesn't have a collar. Look, let's give it a while. She seems to be doing okay. Sure she is a little skinny but I'm working on that."

"Come on, Max, one sausage biscuit a day isn't enough for her," Lucas said.

"If she wasn't finding more food, Son, she would be here all the time." Ed said, as he walked back to his desk. I nodded my agreement.

For the next two hours, I sat around trying not to talk about my personal life. I got two calls for service. The papers wouldn't be ready for pickup until the afternoon, so it was more trying to avoid talking.

Then out of the blue, Helen walked into the office. Yes, Helen the lady who cooked for Jennifer's Party.

"Well hello, Helen, what can we do for you," Ed asked. It was his office after all.

"I need to see Maxine, if that's okay, Mr. Martin."

"Of course it is, Helen," I said, as I stood. "Would like to go somewhere a little quieter?"

"That would be good," Helen said, avoiding my eyes. She was guilty about something; I hoped she hadn't drugged me Saturday night as well. If she had, it would be like. 'Murder On The Orient Express'. Who doped Max? Why everyone doped Max, of course.

Once we were in the safe room, where we stored papers and my firearms collection, I asked, 

"What can I do for you, Helen."

"Maxine, I feel real bad that I lied to you."

"About what?" I asked. I could not imagine anything of consequence which Helen could have lied about.

"You asked if I had heard from Sue and I said 'not since she left town.' That isn't exactly true."

"Oh do you know where she is and how she is doing?" I asked, a little tentative about the whole thing.

"Not really, but I got a letter four years after she left home. She said she was in trouble. When I read that, I just shut down. I read the rest of it, but I just didn't care. She had broken my heart so many times."

"What kind of trouble was she in?" I concentrated on what I could help with. I was lousy at personal relationships.

"Something about checks and stuff, I didn't really understand. The gist of it was she was going to prison. She wanted me to contact her because she had a baby. She wanted me to take the baby while she was in prison."

"I see." I didn't really. It was just that any question I asked was going to sound like an accusation.

"I didn't answer her. So I never heard from her again."

"Would you mind if I asked why you didn't respond. The child was your grandchild, after all."

"She also was the daughter of some black thug. Sue said her daughter was half black and only a thug would refuse to take care of his child. Plus Sue had to be involved with some sleazy people to be going to prison."

"Well, those are all valid points and I can't say what I would have done. The question is now, what would you like me to do?" I knew that I was going to regret having asked, but what else could I have done.

"I want you to find my daughter and my granddaughter," she said, hopefully.

"Helen, I doubt seriously that I can. It's been twenty years."




Maxine's New Life Ch. 07



"I know it is asking a lot of you. I know that the odds are against you, but I want someone to try and I want it to be someone I trust. I trust you, Maxine."

"I am very glad that you feel you can trust me, Helen, but it is going to take time away from my business and I frankly just can't afford it." I was searching desperately for some excuse to make it all go away.

"Oh, I knew that I would have to pay you. My catering business has grown over the years. I am not rich, but I can afford to pay you."

I just didn't want to do it at all. "Since the odds are so long, how about this? You pay Lucas for his computer records search. If he can find them, then you can pay me what it is worth to you for me to get them home."

"Maxine, I know you are going to find them. This was just meant to be, I know it."

"I hope you are right, but please don't get your hopes up."

"I trust you to do the right thing," she said.

I have no idea why, but at that moment I thought of Skeeter. "Helen, when you cater, do you have food left over now and then?"

"My refrigerator is always full of food, I take it to the shelter or throw it out."

"What time do you wake up in the mornings?" I asked.

"Good Lord, Maxine, I'm always up by 6 AM, why?"

"Because I have a deal for you, I also have a friend who needs you." What I didn't say was that Helen might just need Skeeter more. Maybe not, but at least Skeeter could get few better meals than Hardee's sausage biscuits. "Helen, you come here with your leftover food in the mornings at 8 AM and I will fill you in as to where we stand. Any morning you aren't here at eight with food, there will be no briefing. I made sure Helen understood before I said goodbye. I also got a copy of the letter from Sue.

Helen had agreed to stop by the office the next morning, and unknown to her, she would be providing Skeeter a free meal. It would save me a buck, but more importantly, it would put one more human in Skeeter's life. I had no expectation that Helen would want to take her home, but every little bit would help socialize Skeeter again.

Once our deal was struck, I handed the letter to Lucas. "Find this woman and her child?" I ordered.

"How?" he asked.

"You are the computer whiz, get to whizzing," I demanded.

I served papers and Lucas ran down Sue Atkinson and her daughter, Topaz. Yes, against all odds, he found Sue. Topaz got lost in the foster care system, but we had a place to start. Thanks to the freedom of information act.



23 the good news bad news game

I had not slept well the night before, too many things buzzing around inside my head. There was still the Anya thing back there rattling around, and it certainly needed to be settled. There, too, was there the license application, and of course, the good news, bad news conversation that was about to take place with Helen Atkinson.

I pulled my minivan into the parking lot of Ed's place. I had expected to wait at least a few minutes for Helen, but her catering van was parked alone in the lot. I shut down my minivan and opened the door. When I stepped down from the van, Skeeter crept cautiously from the shrubs. She was obviously hungrier than she was afraid of the strange van. I considered it a mixed signal.

"Helen, come meet your new customer." I said over my shoulder, while I kept eye contact with Skeeter.

Skeeter seemed to be sending me messages with her eyes. Mostly it was just one word 'WELL?'

"Bring the food, Helen," I demanded, "And move slowly, please."

"Do you think he likes ham?" she asked.

"Skeeter is a she, and look at her. I think she would even eat liver." I said.

"Are you kidding? She would love my chicken livers in red wine sauce. Everyone loves them, even people who hate liver," Helen said, defensively. "Now what do I do, she is drooling."

"You speak softly and move slowly forward. Get as close as you can, but when she starts to back away, put the plate on the ground and back away."

She got within a few feet of Skeeter before the animal looked panicky. Once she did, Helen sensed it and put the plate on the ground. Helen backed to where I stood and said. "Poor thing, what's happened to her."

"I have no idea, she just showed up here. She is only here at this time of the morning. She will eat, then be gone till tomorrow. Maybe she lived near here and her family just moved away, or something like that. I think she started out life with a family. It's just a feeling, I have no proof. Something has happened to make her afraid of people. She is a big dog; you can see how people might be afraid of her."

I watched Helen looking at Skeeter and I just knew the time was right to tell her the bad new. "Helen, there is no good time or way to tell you this, so I just have to do it. Sue died in prison two years into her four year sentence. She might have been paroled the same year, but she didn't make it long enough."

Helen began to sob. I moved to hug her while she sobbed gently. Then the strangest thing happened. The dog I couldn't bribe to come near me, moved to rub her nasty fur against Helen's leg. Helen's hand fell onto the dog's neck. Skeeter tensed, then relaxed.

"What about my granddaughter?" Helen asked.

"She went into the foster care system and got lost. Kids from that system don't always do well and she would be over twenty now. Lucas is going to check some more public records today. Then we'll make a new plan."

Helen seemed to get a hold on herself with the news that there was some hope. Hope her granddaughter, Topaz, might be traceable. She stopped crying and moved toward her van. She was defeated for sure. Skeeter moved to the bushes with almost the same gait. My own eyes teared up. If I had been a more human person, I would have been balling.

I decided then that even if it took ten years, I would find that little girl. Even though she wasn't little any more, she was still lost. I was going to make it my mission in life to at least give her the chance her mother didn't have. The chance to come home again and spit in Thomas Wolfe's eye.

Just as soon as he came into the office, Lucas viewed the tapes from the night before. It was his morning routine. When he saw Helen, Skeeter, and me, he said, "This place never ceases to amaze me. Getting chosen to work with you was the most awesome stroke of luck."

"Wait till you get to the downside, Lucas. Find the daughter, I don't give a shit if you have to rob graves, just find that kid. Speaking of graves, find where Sue is buried. I mean the exact plot where she is buried, not just the name of some potter's field. One more thing, if you ever say awesome again in my presence, you are fired."

"Yes, Boss," he said.

"And get that license application ready for me to file. I'll sign the damn thing, but you get all the forms I need printed off. I bought you that fancy printer, now I want to see it working."

It was true. Since my first week back, Lucas kept tell me how much better his life would be if only he had a first rate printer for his computer. Neither Ed nor I had any interest in printing things. If we needed something printed, I just copied it to a thumb drive then carried it to an office supply house to have it printed. It was inconvenient, but we didn't do much printing so it was okay with me. Lucas assured me that if he had a laser printer, things would be different. It was true that I didn't drive to the Office Depot as often, otherwise nothing much had changed.

Jennifer hadn't been sure that I needed a license for either of my endeavors, but if I did it would be the license from the private protection agency. It was a catch all for every private security business. The requirements were ten years of law enforcement experience and two qualified references. There was a college education trade off for experience, but I had to pass on that one. I reached out to Blevins and Jennifer for the references, so I was on my way. In the meantime, Jennifer said to keep on doing what I was doing. She promised that she would handle any fallout.

It was after lunch when Lucas said, "Dead end on Topaz for now."

"So what do you have?"

"She was in and out of different family situations until she finally landed in a group home. That kind of home is a halfway house for young offenders after they have been taken over by the courts. She has a Juvenile record for sure."

"I don't give a shit about her Juvenile record. Is she in the system as an adult? She is old enough now to be in the open records section."

"No, whatever it was happened six years ago, didn't happen again. She didn't re-offend as far as I can tell."

"So where is she?"

"After the group home, she went to live with one last more family."

"So?" I asked.

"They list them in the records by a code number. I don't have a clue who it is?"

"Get me the code and let's see if I can make a trade." The need of a trade gave me the excuse I needed to go back to the Cop Out Club. It was my chance to find out what kind of relationship I had with Detective Anya. I realized at that moment that I was whoring for some pimp whose name I didn't know. Dear God, have I sunk low enough yet or do you have more depth for me in the slime.

The day passed with not much more happening except I did take Lucas on a couple of summons deliveries. I showed him a couple of tricks that made it easier to hand off the papers without a fuss. I first had to convince him that it was just a job, nothing personal. There was no glory in being macho or a wise ass. It was all just GB, general business, not a life changing experience.

I slipped on my little vest with the words 'Lightning Courier' embroidered over my right breast and the fake ID penned over my left one. Then I parked my van with the signs and I went into the small retail store owned by our mooch. "I have a delivery for Mr. Evers," I said to the teenage chick behind the cash register. I smiled at her. I hoped it was professional, but it might have had a hint of a flirt there.

"Mr. Evers, you have a package," she said, absently. She was bored. Lucas was not dressed in his fake delivery uniform, so that he could just observe without being noticed.

"Mr. Evers, I have a registered delivery for you, Sir. Would you sign here?" I pushed the clipboard to him.

"Who is it from?"

"Sorry Sir, they don't give the drivers that information."

"Then I'm not signing."

"That's fine, Sir. You can have it anyway and I'll just make a note of it." I handed him the brown envelope. "Have a nice day."

I considered the delivery a success because I made it to the door before I heard his enraged voice scream, "BITCH." I wasn't sure, if he meant me, or his soon to be ex-wife. Either way, it was too late for either of us to care what he thought.

"See, Lucas, there is no need to be confrontational. The delivery gag will get him out, even if he still refuses to sign for the package. All you have to do at that point is to put it within his reach and say, "It's yours like it or not." Nine times out of ten they will pick it up. You do have to get it into his hand or onto his person. If you have the balls, you can reach over and slip it into his pocket.

"I got you," Lucas said with a smile.

On the way home from the office, I stopped by the Super Duper Wal-Mart for dinner. I bypassed the deli, because I ate too much when I ate from it. Instead, I went to the frozen food lockers. I picked up a couple of dinners. One spaghetti and one hamburger steak; both came with fancier names, of course.

I also picked up a couple of their house brand cola drinks in the diet version. Those at least didn't taste like nuclear waste. After I paid the bill, I drove home, making sure I wasn't followed. It was a habit I had developed in my days dealing with the 5th Street Rollers and the bad ass brothers.

When I got home, I removed my jacket, then quickly realized that it was chilly in the house without my jacket. I used a small piece of toilet paper and a match to light the oil heater. I put my heavy pullover sweater on while it did its thing. I held off heating the frozen dinner until the room was warmer. I didn't think I would like eating in the cold ... While I waited I reheated the leftover morning coffee in the microwave. Even several hours old coffee was better than no coffee.

Since I was planning to visit the Cop Out, I decided that I would take a shower in the tiny motor home style bathroom. Two showers in one day meant even more dirty clothes. I hated trips to the Laundromat, but they couldn't be avoided. I had bought a full box of underwear and bras from Wal-Mart, but even so, I eventually got to the end. The shower was another chore I would hold off on till the room got warm.

I made the hard decision to have spaghetti for dinner. The frozen dinner went into the microwave for 12 minutes. While it heated, I rounded up the jar of dried peppers, the jar of garlic powder, and of course, the bag of grated cheese. I figured I had to eat that crap from the frozen good case, but it didn't have to taste like it came from there.



24 An old lady 8

Even after the wait for the heat to come up, the shower left me with a slight chill. I was still naked when I walked to one of my few purchases. I had bought one of those old fashioned full mirrors with legs when I first moved into the cabin. I removed the towel and put it on a nearby chair. I took a good look at my body.

"Not too bad for an old slut," I said, with a smile. My boobs never were big, so they didn't shrink much when I lost weight. They did begin to sag even more. The sag meant that next time I bought bras; I would have to buy stronger ones. Those little strips of elastic didn't do much to shape them these days.

My tummy was almost flat. I had left on the road trip with a belly dancer's tummy, and even that was gone by the time I got to California. I did enough pedaling on that damn bike to tighten up most of the muscles in my body. If it weren't for the fuzzy hair, and my really skinny legs, I would be killer. As it was, I was probably an eight. Okay, old bitch eight, but still an eight.

I dressed for the Cop Out. I put on a push up bra and bikini panties. Both were white, since I was sure no one was going to see them. Even so, I wanted clean underwear just in case. On the outside I wore jeans and a top with a scoop neckline.

I walked through the door of the Cop Out at exactly 9 PM. The place was pretty empty, even for a weeknight. Jerry sat at the bar, but Blevins was nowhere to be seen. "So, Jerry. I missed you Saturday night. Did you have a date?"

"No date, I hear I should have been here though. They say you were really blasted, so drunk that new Detective Bostic put you in a cab."

"Yeah, they tell me that too. Speaking of Anya, where is she tonight?"

"She and Blevins are working a bootleg bust. They are probably down in booking by now."

"Bootlegging huh, I guess there just aren't enough murders here to keep them both busy?" It was a question.

"Not many at all since the gangs have been keeping their heads down."

"That won't last," I replied.

"We all know it. It's just a matter of time before it starts up again."

"Jerry, what's the deal on that Anya chick anyway?"

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean, one day she is just here and as a detective yet."

"She isn't just here, Max. She was undercover for a long time. When the gangs went down, she came out."

"Oh crap, did all that bullshit ruin a UC investigation?"

"Yeah pretty much, but back to your questions, she came here from up north somewhere. Came on the force as a detective, and because she was a fresh face, she went UC."

"Well now it makes more sense," I said aloud, but I still wondered what she had in mind for me.

"Yeah, but man she is one cold bitch. No offense, Max, you are one bad ass chick and cool as hell, but Bostic is just ice water cold."

It was an interesting thought. I'd still want to make my own judgment as to how much passion, if any, she brought to the bed. Jerry and I had two more beers, which we drank very slowly, before Blevins and Anya came in. I got the sense of a big time chill between them. I had a feeling they were never going to gel as a team.

"Well, hey there, Max," Blevins said.

"Hey, both of you."

"Yes, hello, Maxine," Anya added. I gave her a hard look, but I nodded anyway.

"So, Max, how was your head Sunday morning? You really tied one on Saturday night." Blevins looked at me closely at me for the answer.

"Not great, but I did survive," I replied.

It was another 30 minutes before Blevins went to the bathroom. While he was gone, I whispered to Anya, "We need to talk."

"What about?" she asked, cautiously.

"Rape is a subject that always interested me," I replied.

She nodded and led me to a table away from the others. "You know that wasn't rape."

"Do I really, you had me drugged and sexually abused. I think, I could make a pretty good case for rape. Judging from the way Blevins looks at you, he would probably be happy to pursue it."

"You have no proof, Anya said quietly, but she was also looking all around.

"Want me to go down and swear out a complaint against Margie. If they search her place before you can warn her, they likely will find what she used to get my cooperation. Then when she goes into the jackpot, she will roll you up and you know it."

"What the fuck do you want?"

"First of all, what's your game?"

"Look, Margie came on to me. I know she likes girls and I don't go that way. I have heard that you do and you looked like you wanted to get drunk. So it seemed like an easy match up."

"But why are you procuring girls for Margie?"

"Margie is a CI for me. She hears everything that goes on in town. That place she runs has connections that transcend social classes. As you seem to have figured out, she doesn't need money. What she needs is a lot of sex from discrete women."

"So you procure them for her?"

"You are the only one. I hope you agree to go back now and then. Margie has been very cooperative since your visit. She gave us the bootlegger we busted tonight."

"And you won't tell Blevins who the CI is? That explains his lack of enthusiasm," I said.

"So what's it going to be?" Anya asked. "What's the price for your cooperation?"

"Tell me why you looked so surprised that I came to have this talk with you?"

"I was told that you were the sexual slave type, someone who would go along with anything. I never expected to have a problem with you."

"Well, I'm not sure what they call it, but I go along with most anything. But I get something from it and I didn't with Margie. It wasn't because she wasn't willing; it was just that by then I didn't want what she was pushing."

"I see, so what do you want to make this stay under wraps."

I slipped her the paper with the family code on it. "I don't care how you do it, but I need the name that goes with this family from the Charlestown Social Services office. It's some kind of special foster family."

"I'll make some calls tomorrow, but don't get your hopes up. They code these guys for a reason, even if they don't tell people why that is."

"If I were you, Bostic, I would make this happen." I smiled, then went to talk to Blevins. I intended to stay on everyone's good side. I ducked any questions about Bostic and me. If she has a story, let her tell it.

The next morning at 8 AM, I found Skeeter already having her breakfast. Helen was leaning against her van with a coffee cup in her hand, and a smile on her face just watching. I pulled up on the side of her van away from Skeeter, so as not to frighten her.

"Good morning, I quietly said to Helen. You want to come in for some hot coffee. It won't take but a minute to make some."

"No thanks, I have some really good thermos bottles. I can give you a cup though, if you like?"




Maxine's New Life Ch. 07



"Sure, why not, I never turn down free coffee. By the way what's our girl having for breakfast?"

"Miss Skeeter is having Pork Barbecue with carrots. I have been checking on line, did you know that carrots are good for dogs."

"I'm sure she appreciates it."

"I think she does. She looks sad, but better when she sees me, I think."

"I'm sure of it." The two of us stood in the parking lot while Skeeter fished her meal. She was getting better food and more of it from Helen. She didn't show any weight gain in just two days, but he looked more energetic. Okay maybe it was wishful thinking, but it's how I felt.

"What have you learned about Topaz?" Helen asked. She was very direct.

"Lucas has been running records checks everywhere. She seems to have disappeared a couple of years ago. I have a lead on her, but I'm not at all sure it will pan out, and it's not something I can talk about yet.

Skeeter finished her meal and stood looking at us. She had always slunk away before. I was grinning from ear to ear, so much so that Helen asked me, "Why the big grin."

"Skeeter didn't leave right after she finished eating. She is staying to socialize with us."

"Well, let's see about that," Helen said, as she knelt in the filthy parking lot. Helen wasn't wearing ten dollar jeans like me, she was wearing name brand cotton twill pants. Probably thirty bucks a pop and she was about to ruin them. "Come here, girl," she almost whispered to Skeeter. 

"Come on, Baby, I just want to touch you. I promise I won't hurt you, or try to grab you. I just want to touch you."

Skeeter came within a couple of feet of Helen, then she hung her head and sadly walked away. Helen looked up at me with tears in her eyes. "Maybe tomorrow," she said.

"Yes, maybe tomorrow," I agreed.

"Don't give up on Topaz," Helen said, as she turned to her van, "And I won't give up on Skeeter."

"Fair enough," I whispered to myself, as I unlocked the office door.

I had the coffee made and was drinking my first cup when Lucas arrived, He walked to the computer to watch the tapes from the night before. He seemed fascinated again by Helen and Skeeter. "I guess I can forget about taking Skeeter home with me. I can't possibly feed her that well."

"None of us can." We both knew the outcome for Skeeter was bright. The two of them just had to figure it out.

"Now, Lucas, I want you to find out what kind of kids go into the foster homes with coded files."

"How do I do that?"

"Just call the director of human services office in Charlestown. Tell him or her that you are doing research for a story to be written by, say Ann Coulter for her on line news site and you need to know why the child services department is hiding the identity of county employees. You know make a big deal of it."

"I can try but, I'm not going to be nearly as good a liar as you."

"Why thank you, Lucas, that is the nicest thing you ever said to me," I broke into laughter. "Make the call, while they are still dopey. Get them before they have their coffee break."

"Will that help?" he asked.

"I don't know, but it sure as hell can't hurt. Get all the juju you can on your side, no matter how small it is."

Twenty minutes later, he was standing in front of my desk with a big grin. "I lied and I think they believed it. Anyway, they told me that they weren't trying to hide anything. It was just a bookkeeping practice. It made it easier for the computer to keep track of the payments that the state make to the foster parents. That I had gotten hold of the pay code, but that it could easily be interpreted by the payroll department.

I said great, if I give them a number, they can give me the name? Her answer was payroll can't, but if you call Children's Services they can. I tried one last time and got nowhere with her.

"So what were you so proud of?" I asked.

"They bought into my lie."

"I probably shouldn't feel proud of you, but I do," I said.

"Thanks, Boss," he said, with another grin. "So now what?"

"Now we let it cook a bit. I have someone else working on it from a different angle. If that doesn't get it, we think of something else. What we don't do is give up on Topaz."



25 Russians and Waffles

It was well after lunch before Anya got back with me.‭ ‬She stopped by instead of calling.‭ ‬We drove to the small downtown park in the town square for our show and tell.‭ ‬I could see the Hazelwood B&B from the bench where we sat.‭ ‬I knew that I was in for more than the name of the couple.‭ "‬So, let's have it, Detective Bostic," I said, finally tiring of the suspense.

‎"‏Okay, I called around and found out that your code belongs to the house parent couple of a safe house for teens in foster care, who also need protection.‭ ‬I can't find out a lot more, because it's the US Marshal's shit.‭ ‬They don't like to share and they do have their reasons.‭"

‎"You can reach out to the Deputy Marshal in charge of her case.‎ ‏Find out what you can. ‏I represent the grandmother of a girl named Topaz.‭ ‬Topaz was in regular foster care for several years then went to that coded foster care safe house.‭ ‬That means she had something to do with a criminal case.‭ ‬They don't disappear foster kids without a reason, I'm sure of that.‭"

‎"You are asking a lot.‎" ‏Anya said.

‎‎"‏I gave you a lot, " ‬I replied.

‎"‏You know you can only play that card so many times‭?"

‎"Then what, ‎it becomes easier to kill me?"

‎"Could be," ‏Anya said seriously.

‎‎"‏Before I made that kind of decision, ‬I would ask around about how difficult that is to actually accomplish.‭"

‎"Well then, I am a cop," ‏she said, with a smile.

‎‎"‏Ah, thinking of planting some blow on me?" ‬I laughed.

‎"‏That would be one monumental mistake, as well.‭ ‬Aster is a small town and I know a lot of people here.‭ ‬But if you think that is your best move go for it.‭"‬ I looked toward the Hazelwood as I spoke, ‭ "‬You might need me again, you know.‭"

‎"Margie was very impressed with you," ‏Anya said seriously.

‎‎"‏You haven't finished paying for the last time yet."‬ I stood to walk to the van.‭ ‬"Now you let me know what's what.‭ ‬Hell, ‭you might just want to send that Marshal person to see me."

‎It was too early for my after lunch coffee break, ‬so I returned to the office.‭ ‬I poured a cup from the Mister Coffee, then looked for Lucas.‭ "‬Hey Ed, ‭where the hell is Lucas?"

‎"Why the boy has a date.‎ ‏He took a long lunch hour."

‎"I ought to tie a can to his ass, ‎" ‏I replied, a little miffed.

‎‎"‏He will be back in a few minutes. ‬Why don't you try doing your own research‭? ‬Maybe you will appreciate him more, ‭" ‬Ed suggested.

‎"‏Oh my, Ed, you are getting awfully snippy with me.‭ ‬Are you and the kid having an affair‭?"

‎"You really are a cunt," ‏Ed said laughing.

‎‎"‏Now, where in hell did you hear a word like that?"

‎"I have been hanging around you too much, ‎" ‏he said. "‏By the way, ‭if you find someone who is interested in taking Skeeter off the street, ‬I know a dog guy who can bring her back, ‭I'm sure."

‎"I'll keep that in mind.‎ ‏Just in case I ever find anyone." ‏I said smiling.

I pulled up the newspaper files for The Daily News.‭ ‬That was the name of the paper in the town in which the last open foster home for Topaz was located‭ ‬... ‭ ‬I set up an inquiry for the months before the transfer and going all the way back to her release date from Juvenile Hall.

In the small town, there were only a few high profile trials.‭ ‬Only one with any federal connections, ‭ ‬and the Grand Jury sat right around the time Topaz got transferred.‭ ‬The case was pretty hush, hush, but it centered around a fire department captain accused of manufacturing and distributing child pornography.‭ ‬I knew, ‭just as sure as I sat in that fake leather chair, that Topaz had been a victim in that case. ‬She must have agreed to testify.‭ ‬I suppose the feds agreed to disappear her in exchange.

I couldn't see the threat to Topaz at first, but it became obvious as I read the updates on the case.‭ ‬One of the stills shot on the scene showed a man I didn't recognize, ‭but the newspaper identified him as the third in command of a Russian crime syndicate. ‬I did a quick extrapolation and came up with this scenario.

Topaz was an actress in the movie.‭ ‬She would have been a little old for kiddie porn, but still she was probably young and fresh.‭ ‬Since she had been in Juvenile detention, she wouldn't be hard to recruit for the film.

She agreed to testify to stay out of prison.‭ ‬She was young enough and clean enough to be believable.‭ ‬After her testimony convicted the Russian, they needed to keep her on ice for the appeals.‭ ‬Then if they were planning to flip the Russian, ‭which without a doubt they were, they really needed Topaz, ‬and the Russian's bosses really needed her to go away.‭ ‬No Topaz, no pressure on the third in line to roll, ‭ so it was in everyone's interest to see that she disappeared.

‎If the Marshal verified my guesses, ‬then I would back off and let Helen know that Topaz was safe.‭ ‬I maybe could arrange a periodic update for the grandmother.‭ ‬If the Marshal chose not to cooperate, I had a few more strings to pull.

‎"‏Max, ‭it's Anya. ‬Can you meet me at the Waffle House out by the highway at‭ ‬6 PM‭?"

‎"Sure, ‏what have you got for me?"

‎"Just be there, ‎" ‏she snapped and then the line was dead.

‎‎"‏Touchy, touchy, " ‬I said aloud.

‎""‏What's up, Max‭?" ‬Lucas asked as he stood in front of my desk.

‎"‏Nothing is up.‭ ‬So how was your date‭?"

‎"It was just fine," ‏Lucas said that with a strange look on his face.

‎I was tempted to pressure him for details, but the job came first. "‬Come on kid, ‭we need to make a delivery or three." That is exactly what we did until almost ‬5 PM.‭ ‬I headed back to the office at five.‭ ‬We didn't arrive until‭ ‬5:30‭ ‬so, I was in a rush to drop Lucas and then get out to the Waffle House by the highway.

I found Detective Bostic sitting with a man in a suit.‭ ‬Suits aren't unheard of in a waffle house at six in the evening, but they certainly are not the norm either.‭ ‬I took a look around as I always did when I entered a public place.‭ ‬Another holdover from the bad old days.‭ ‬There were a lot of people around, but they all looked pretty harmless.‭ ‬Of course, I would look harmless as well.

‎"‏Good evening, Anya, ‭" ‬I said as I seated myself in the booth beside the man in the suit.‭ "‬Hi, I'm Maxine Stone, ‭who are you?" ‬I asked.

‎"‏Bill," He said, ‭"‬Deputy Marshal Bill Mayer.‭"

‎"Nice to meet you Bill," ‏I said.

‎‎"‏I hope it will be nice to have met you. ‬Tell me about your interest in Topaz Atkinson‭?"

‎"Are you married, Bill‎?"

‎"No why‎?"

‎"If you ever do get married, ‎ ‏you might want to work on your foreplay. ‏You are a young man, ‭what no more than thirty. ‬There is still time for you to learn.‭"

‎"What the hell are you talking about‎?"

‎"She is an ass, ‎‏I warned you, " ‏Anya inserted.

‎"‏Yes, ‭Anya here does know me, ‬not in the biblical sense of course.‭ ‬Well not personally anyway.‭"

‎"I'm lost and that doesn't happen often, ‎but if this is going to be word games, ‏I have somewhere else to be.‭"

‎"That's got to be a sixties rock song, ‏but okay. ‏I am of friend of Topaz's mother.‭ ‬I am also a friend of her grandmother, ‭who is still living. ‬I promised her grandmother that I would find her daughter and granddaughter.‭ ‬I found her daughter in a cemetery ‭outside the state prison in Coopersville. ‬ Now I want to know where Topaz is.‭"

‎"You should know that I'm not going to tell you that," ‏he said.

‎‎"‏Of course not, tell me why I shouldn't file for a writ of habeas corpus tomorrow."

‎"You do what you have to do, ‎" ‏he said.

‎‎"‏Fine, we will do this the hard way."‬ I stood to leave.‭ "‬I would have preferred to keep Topaz safe.‭ ‬You know, ‭ just have you tell me it was about the Russian mob in America, assure me that she is safe and send me an update on her status now and then. ‬Maybe with a digital photo now and then, that I can share with granny, would have been nice.

‎"‏But instead, we can bring her out of hiding to appear in an open courtroom.‭ ‬Where God only knows how many people will have contact with her.‭ ‬But hey, like you said, ‭I'll just do what I have to do to make sure she is safe. ‬She wouldn't be the first dead body stuck in a window for a bluff, now would she‭?" ‬That last was my own bluff, ‭but it had happened.

‎‎"‏Like you said, she is a real piece of work," ‬he said to Anya.‭ "‬How much do you know‭?"

‎"I know she wasn't always such a great kid.‎ ‏She knew some really nasty people. ‏Ones who make even me look like a prom queen.‭"

‎"To say the least," ‏Bill added.

‎‎"‏When she did her stint in Juvie, she met a girl named Toy Rufkin. ‬Toy was‭ ‬16‭ ‬and Topaz was‭ ‬14.‭ ‬The older girl befriended Topaz.‭ ‬As you can guess, there was a price for her protection.‭ ‬When Topaz got out, she went to a foster home.‭ ‬It was one of those halfway house kind of things.‭ ‬All the girls there were Juvie grads.‭ ‬It was a breeding ground for criminal activity.

‎"‏Topaz was involved in all kinds of petty things.‭ ‬When Toy got out, ‭she got in touch with Topaz. ‬Topaz could get out of the house easily enough, ‭so Toy recruited her for the kiddie porn. ‬Topaz was older, ‭but she is skinny as a snake. ‬They dressed her up in really little girl outfits.‭ ‬You can guess the rest.‭"

‎"Yeah, I can," ‏I replied, with my stomach turning. ‏Yeah for a few seconds, even I didn't like my client very much.

‎"‏That Fire Captain was supposed to keep the cops away.‭ ‬I mean who would suspect a Fire Captain with a daughter Topaz's real age.‭" ‬ He stopped talking when the waitress brought more coffee.

‎"‏His own daughter was his undoing.‭ ‬Like all sixteen year olds, ‭she was curious and a computer genius. ‬She found the stills made at the shoot on his computer.‭ ‬He pissed her off over some minor little thing one day shortly after, ‭so she told her mother about them. ‬That started the ball rolling.‭"

‎"I can imagine there was hell to pay around his house," ‏I added that just so I wouldn't feel like a high school student getting a lecture.

‎‎"‏Yeah, when it unraveled, Topaz was glad to tell the whole thing. ‬Part of the whole thing was about the Russian who liked to screw the little girls.‭ ‬We had his picture and she verified the ID we made from it.‭ ‬She was our face in court for the victims.‭ ‬We had others, who were snow white, ‭but Topaz was the injured puppy we presented to the jury."

‎He stopped again while a couple passed us on the way to pay their bill. "‬We got the Russian a quarter century in the federal prison in Atlanta.‭ ‬So far we have kept him out of the general population, ‭but he goes in just as soon as his appeals are over. ‬His choice then will be give up the true masters of the universe, ‭or become some guy named Bubba's bitch."

‎"So until the appeal is done, ‎and he rolls on his Masters. ‏Topaz is in hiding as Jane Doe‭?" ‬ It was my guess.

‎"‏Exactly," he took a long drink from his coffee cup then added.‭ "‬And Ms Stone, ‭ ‬if the Russians think you can lead them to the girl, ‭they will not hesitate to torture and kill you."

‎"Thanks for the warning.‎ ‏Bill, ‏if I were you, I would sleep real light at night.‭ ‬You can lead them to her.‭"

‎"No, I can't.‎ ‏There are a lot of cutouts up the chain to that little girl."

‎"About the updates‎?""

‎"I'll see about getting you on the status update list, ‎‏but Max, ‏if that list gets compromised, ‭you will be in really big time shit."

‎"Yeah, ‎I figured that. ‏It's why I'm not pushing for granny to be on it instead of me.‭"

‎"Well when do I get the sanitized version of her current status ‎‏so that I can pass it along?"

‎Bill handed me his business card. "‬Send me an e-mail there.‭ ‬I'll send it back heavily redacted, of course.‭"

‎"Wouldn't have it any other way.‎"

As you might have guessed from the formatting this is a serial story which has over 250 chapters. They are updated daily on my blog. I plan to catch up Lit and then post once a week here to keep it up to date. That is going to take a while. Contact me for more information. 



Maxine's New Life Ch. 08



26 Skeeter gets a home

I drove straight home from the Waffle House.‭ ‬It was too early for dinner, so I loaded the laundry into the minivan.‭ ‬I drove to one of the two self service Laundromats in our little town.‭ ‬When I arrived, I lugged the two cloth bags into the chrome and glass fronted building filled with washers and dryers.

As I walked by I noticed what appeared to be a mother and daughter folding clothes.‭ ‬I don't speak Spanish, so I have no idea what they were saying, but I could read the English lettering on the homemade sign.‭ ‬WILL DO YOUR LAUNDRY...

I do not know a soul who likes to sit in a Laundromat for almost two hours ‭while reading old golfing magazines. "‬Excuse me, ‭what do you charge?"

‎"What do you have‎?" ‏the young woman asked. ‏I could tell that her mother spoke no English, ‭because she looked at the younger woman even though I was the one speaking.

‎‎"‏I have a load of white clothes and a load of colored clothes. ‬I use a liquid bleach on the white and a dry bleach on the colored clothes.‭ ‬I have the detergent as well as both kinds of bleach.‭"

‎"Fifteen dollars which includes the cost of the machines.‎"

‎"How long will it take‎?"

‎"You come back in two hours to pick up your clothes.‎"

‎I was in such a hurry to close the deal that I almost dropped my purse getting the money out. ‬After I paid her, I drove to the Wal-Mart store to buy the few groceries I kept on hand.‭ ‬I kept them just in case I got the urge to cook.‭ ‬After Wal-Mart I gave some serious thought to Helen and Topaz, ‭while I drove to the office to send that email to the Marshal.

‎I figured the best way to handle the situation was to just print the attachments from Bill the Marshal. ‬I could just pass them along without any editing.‭ ‬My only concern was to keep Helen's name off any documents flying back and forth between us.

I got my grocery shopping done, ‭my e-mail sent, and still had time for a look around the dollar store. ‬I bought a plastic box to store cans of soup on my metal shelves.‭ ‬In other words, other than finding the Mexican ladies to do my laundry, it was a typically boring evening.

After I recovered my clothes, I drove home.‭ ‬Once inside the house, I planned to stay right there until the next morning.‭ ‬Even though I never bothered to buy a TV, ‭I watched TV shows on the Net. ‬It took a little searching, but it was possible.

I heated the steak dinner while I caught up on the world news.‭ ‬It looked as though Bush's plan to introduce democracy into the Middle East just might work.‭ ‬Of course, it would have its birth in blood, ‭but most governments good and bad were born in blood.

‎After my dose of world news, I ran down the local news by tapping into the local TV station's website. ‬The steak dinner wasn't bad, when served with the world news.‭ ‬Neither left a good taste in my mouth, ‭but neither made me want to throw up either.

‎I settled in with a drink. ‬I just lacked the desire to go out for a drink with the boys.‭ ‬Instead I found the dusty bottle of Canadian Club Liquor.‭ ‬Since all I had in the house was diet soda, I made the drink with that to cut the taste of raw liquor. 

While I sipped the drink, I dropped into a several adult chat rooms.‭ ‬Men always complained about the number of women who weren't really women.‭ ‬Since I am who I am, I didn't mind at all.‭ ‬I always had a grand time chatting with the other occupants of the sex chats.

When another chatter got too pushy, I just moved on.‭ ‬At my age, I was supposed to have children, so I spent a lot of time explaining that even though I had been married, I didn't have kids.‭ ‬It wasn't often, but now and then, a real conversation broke out.‭ ‬On those occasions someone usually asked if I missed not having kids.‭ ‬I never could find a satisfactory answer to that.

I always considered sex chats interactive pornography and did what most people do to porn.‭ ‬Yes, I masturbated while chatting.‭ ‬I would try to do all the things I claimed that I was doing.‭ ‬There just didn't seem like much sense in not playing along since no one could see me.

On line masturbation was mostly about illusion and mental imagery.‭ ‬It was much easier to have a man shove his nonexistent ten inch penis up my butt there, than to have a man in real life shove his real ten inch penis up my butt.‭ ‬It also hurt a lot less on line.

I have to admit a finger to simulate a man or even woman's tongue on my vulva or clit, just wasn't the same, but it still wasn't bad.‭ ‬Especially if the mental image was strong enough.‭ ‬It was also exciting to relive some of the things I had done, through chat.‭ ‬I told one guy about the rocky horror show experience and I think he came before I finished the story, because he disappeared suddenly.

It was about midnight when I finally found the man who could do it for me.‭ ‬He managed to project a strong sense of being in control even through the ether.‭ ‬The orgasm I had was almost as satisfying as the ones I had in real life.‭ ‬It took me several minutes to recover.‭ ‬I think he liked that I was still around after.‭ ‬He demanded my phone number so I blew him off in the end.‭ ‬The net is about being anonymous to me.‭ ‬It is about not having to deal with baggage, ‭mine or the guy I am chatting with. ‬If I wanted someone real, ‭I would have gone to the Cop Out Club.

‎I fell onto my small bed and easily slipped into the arms of Morpheus. ‬I should have slept peacefully all night, since I had an orgasm.‭ ‬I usually didn't even turn over after one of those, ‭but the terror came to visit. ‬Now and then I relive events in dreams.‭ ‬Dreams that cause me to wet the bed.‭ ‬Cold sweats that soak the sheets are a price one pays for surviving I suppose.

That night, I was standing behind the driver of a Humvee with my hands gripping a M249‭ ‬machine gun.‭ ‬I never planned to use it, since we weren't even going through Indian country.‭ ‬It was just a drive in the country, so they said.‭ ‬My Hummer was running escort for a dry stores convoy from the air field to the forward detachments.‭ ‬None of them were outside the supposed secure area.‭ ‬I wondered who decided what the fuck the definition of secure was on any given day.

The first truck in the three truck convoy took the charge of a radio detonated IED.‭ ‬Then rocket grenades started to come in.‭ ‬I tried to do some damage with the SAW, but I didn't even get one complete belt off before the RPG blew my hummer over.‭ ‬I got tossed clear but not without a piece of metal in my belly.‭ ‬I awoke in the bed with wet sheets.

I prefer my sheets wet for a different reason.‭ ‬Terror, as well as good sex, literally stinks up the room.‭ ‬I knew there was no sense trying to return to sleep so I didn't.‭ ‬Instead I got out of bed and went over to the kitchen area of my one room cabin.‭ ‬I found the bottle of Benadryl inside a plastic storage box, sitting atop a metal shelf.‭ ‬I took one of the capsules washed down with a swallow of fake orange drink right from the bottle.‭ ‬I kept a bottle of it in the fridge just for that purpose.‭ ‬I took a lot of aspirin and other over the counter meds.‭ ‬I tried to be my own doctor, since I didn't really like the real ones.‭ ‬Even Ed's son was a pain in the ass in my opinion.‭ ‬The Benadryl helped me get back to sleep.

I woke up the next morning groggy from the interruption to my sleep.‭ ‬Not to mention the booze and pills.‭ ‬Unlike a true drunk or junkie, I couldn't deal with hangovers, so I drank in moderation, usually.

I made the coffee while I searched the Internet news sites.‭ ‬The world seemed to be about the same as it had been when I went to bed the night before.‭ ‬I made a mental note that I needed to go to Wal-Mart to shop for things, not just odds and ends.‭ ‬The last year, during what passed for winter where I lived, I had been at Jen's house.‭ ‬It was always warm in Jen's house.‭ ‬I had a feeling that the cabin was going to be a lot like the barracks in New Jersey.‭ ‬I did a four year stint there during the‭ ‬90‭s. ‬It was cold as hell in the winters there.‭ ‬Coming off a walking tour on the flight line to a drafty barracks was miserable.‭ ‬I was pretty sure the cabin would be drafty when the wind blew cold.‭ ‬I noticed the air movement even though it wasn't really cold just yet.

All those thoughts and probably the nightmare earlier were avoidance mechanisms.‭ ‬I didn't want to face up to telling Helen that she was not going to see her granddaughter for a long time, maybe never.‭ ‬The status updates on her life would be of little comfort to her.‭ ‬They would be cold and impersonal.‭ ‬They were meant only to let the bureaucracy know that Topaz was still alive and needed to be included in the budget next year.‭ ‬I had an idea, but I wanted some time to pass before I sprang it on good ole Bill.

When I arrived in the parking lot of Ed's office, Helen was there with Skeeter eating at her feet.‭ ‬Skeeter was still a bag of bones, but her eyes were bright.‭ ‬She didn't have the same stance as she had before Helen came into her life.‭ ‬I think she realized that she had met a human, who not only wasn't trying to run her away, but actually wanted her to stay.‭ ‬I say that because she didn't rush off when she finished her Chicken Salad and potatoes in cheese sauce.

‎"‏Damn, Helen, Skeeter eats better than me.‭"

‎"She needs it more than you or me," ‏she said smiling. ‏She reached down to pet Skeeter, but the dog took a step back.‭ ‬However she did not leave, she held her ground.‭ ‬I found that a huge move in the right direction.

After a moment, Helen asked, ‭ "‬What's the news on Topaz‭?"

‎"It really isn't good," ‏I replied.

‎‎"‏After you told me Susan had died and Topaz had gone into the state foster care system, I have not been expecting good news. ‬Is she alive‭?"

‎"That is the good news.‎ ‏She is alive and being cared for. ‏The bad news is I don't know exactly where or any of the details.‭ ‬The worst news is we won't know for a while maybe years.‭"

‎"That is bad news.‎" ‏Helen's eyes, turned glassy.

‎I spent the next ten minutes explaining it all. ‬I even explained the danger to Topaz if we pursued it further at that time.‭ ‬In the end she understood.‭ "‬Helen, this is a long shot at best, but would you like me to try to get a message to her‭?"

‎"I will have to think about that.‎ ‏I don't know what I could say to her after the way I have failed her."

‎"That's up to you, Helen.‎ ‏I can't tell you what to do."

‎Helen looked down at Skeeter with tears in her eyes. "‬What's going to happen to our baby now‭?"

‎"I guess it's back to whatever she did before you came into her life.‎"

‎"Maxine, ‎ ‏I don't have a place to keep her. ‏My house is small.‭ ‬The yard is big but there is no fence.‭"

‎"I understand, Helen.‎ ‏I guess just come visit when you can. ‏I promised Ed and Lucas that at the end of the month, we would try to find her a home somehow.‭"

‎"I want to take her, Maxine, ‎ ‏but I just don't know how I could do it. ‏I don't think she would be a good house dog.‭ ‬She needs to be outside.‭ ‬Even worse, she is still not good with people.‭"

‎"Helen, ‎I can't tell you what to do. ‏The decision, no matter what has to be yours.‭"

‎"If I can find someone to fence in a place for her, ‎‏I want to take her home with me."

‎"Okay, ‎‏I'll tell you what. ‏I am sure Ed knows a fence builder.‭ ‬If I get you a fence up in your yard, you will take care of Skeeter‭?" ‬ I looked her hard in the eye.

‎"‏You know I will," she said earnestly.

‎"‏Alright, I'll have someone pick her up tomorrow morning and clean her up.‭ ‬She might need to stay with him a few days to learn to trust people, but she will be fine, I promise.‭"

‎"I trust you, Maxine.‎"

‎Shortly after she left, Ed showed up. ‬I explained things to him.‭ ‬He called his dog friend first.‭ ‬The dog friend agreed to be at the office at‭ ‬8 AM the next day to have Helen help him load Skeeter.‭ ‬It was going to be traumatic, so I planned to be on hand.

The fence builder came to the office so that we could all talk to him.‭ "‬So, Steve, you know what we want‭?"

‎"You want a large dog run built in the woman's yard.‎" ‏he said.

‎‎"‏So how much, and when you give me the quote, remember I'm the one who shows up first thing to bail you out."‬ Ed gave him the stern grandfather's look.

‎"‏Ed.‭ ‬I took down some gates at the old textile mill on hwy‭ ‬24.‭ ‬Those gates are‭ ‬6‭' ‬high and twenty feet long.‭ ‬There will be a minimum of work to erect them, but I do have to haul them out on the big trailer.‭"

‎"Steve, ‎just give us a price," ‏I demanded.

‎"‏Five hundred bucks for a forty by twenty dog run with walk gate included.‭"

‎I had no idea if it was a good price or not. ‬Ed looked at me then said, "Steve, you know that stuff is going to rust away in your storage yard.‭ ‬So let's get real.‭ ‬You are talking about you and your kid spending half a day on the job site.‭ ‬Half that is a fair price.‭"

‎"Ed, ‎‏I can't do it, " ‏he replied.

‎"‏Have it your way five hundred it is, but call A1‭ ‬bonding next time you get picked up.‭"

‎"Ed, you know my wife said if I called him again, she would leave me.‎ ‏The son of a bitch tried to work out a sex for bail trade with her."

‎"Hey, ‎you do what you gotta do, " ‏Ed said.

‎"‏Okay, $300, ‭" ‬Steve said.

‎"‏Deal, ‭" ‬Ed agreed.

It was one of the few times in my life that everything worked out for the best after all.

27

The dog man, whose name was Jack, picked up Skeeter, while Helen and I tried to keep her calm. Jack brought a thick plastic case with no sharp edges to transport the dog. Helen had words with him right from the start.

"What exactly are you going to do to her?" she demanded.

"Well Ma'am, the first thing I'm going to do is to teach her how to be a dog again. I got a run about fifty feet square. Inside that run I have a pack of bird dogs that I train. They all live together and they all get along with each other and me and my kids. I have lots of strangers that wander through the kennel. She will get a lot of exposure to people who love dogs."

He looked at Helen for second then he said, "I'm going to teach her what she needs to know to be a good companion for you. How to sit and come when you call her. Those things are important to keep her safe. I'm going to teach her how to walk on a leash and how to be a good citizen."

"You aren't one of those trainers, who is rough with his dogs are you?" she asked. She obviously was still not convinced.

"No Ma'am, we train with rewards not punishment. Anytime you want you can come watch." Helen nodded her head. I was sure that she would be keeping an eye on Jack. He might be sorry that he agreed to help Ed.

Neither Helen, nor Skeeter met me in the mornings after that. After Jack took Skeeter things returned to normal around the office. Lucas was no longer chasing shadows, and I was no longer trying to play humanitarian of the year.

About two weeks later I was bored silly. I was actually glad when I got a call from Anya, "How would you like to do me a favor?"

"You mean, since I have gone two weeks without threatening or demanding anything, you think you can trust me?"

"Something like that," she replied.

"You can't trust me, but what's the favor?" I asked

"Margie is arranging a big party for Saturday Night,"

"What has that to do with me?" I asked.

"She wants to invite you, but she knew she should check with your pimp first." I could hear the smile in her voice.

"I'm going to do my hair Saturday," I replied.

"Do it earlier in the day. It won't take five minutes to do your hair anyway."

"That was just plain mean," I said pretending to be hurt.

"Look bitch, can I count on you or not?" She paused a moment then continued. "So how was that for a pimp holler?"

"Not very convincing," I replied smiling.

"It would be to anyone else. I have big old hairy men back up, when I talk like that to them."

"Yeah, they back up to get a running start to kick your ass," I said smiling again. It was a shame she couldn't see me.

"Well it does work sometimes." she insisted.

"Yeah, if Jerry and Blevins are behind you," I commented. "Seriously why do you need me for a party?"

"It's a girlie party and we don't have a girlie informant."

"Margie is throwing a gay bash, and you want me to infiltrate it. Real nice Bostic." I snapped.

"Maxine, they laid in a lot of Russian Vodka. I thought in light of your granny client, you might want to know what that's all about."

"Why would they come here for a party?" I asked.

"Margie," Bostic answered.

"I guess Margie and the B&B would have some appeal. She is from money, the place is pretty far off everyone's radar."

"Gonna be kind of like that mob convention in the New York mountains back in the fifties. They took their convention there because nobody was supposed to notice, but they had an informer there as well. The FBI took photos of them all. It was a bonanza of information."

"But you said it was a girlie party?" I commented.

"Yeah, that part we haven't worked out yet."

"Maybe it's just a bunch of horny Russians, who want to see a girlie show?" 

"Not according to Margie, she says they want lesbian and bi women available and that they would prefer they not be pros."

"And of course, you thought of me. You have no idea how proud that makes me."

"Yeah, I figured you could get into it. You can thank me after the party." Anya said.

"Send me the details, and I'll give it some serious thought."

"We aren't quite sure what the details are. I mean we know the time and place but not what is expected of you. For that you need to talk to Margie. She said she would tell you, but no one else."

"Well that's not a good thing," I admitted.

"It get's worse. You can't wear a wire and you will have no back up. If it goes wrong, you could really get hurt."

"And you expect me to do this?"

"Yes, I do."

"Why?" I asked it almost ready to say hell no.

"Because you love this shit. I heard how they brought down that gang and the two wet back killers. You were dead in the middle of it. You didn't have to do any of that. You just plain love this shit. Me, you, and even Blevins are alike in that way, if no other. It ain't win or lose it's just being in the fucking game. It's the 'Put me in coach, I'm ready to play,syndrome.'"

"Have Margie call me." I didn't even try to deny it. I hated that she knew me that well in just a few encounters with me. Those, and the stories that went around was all she needed. I wonder what she thought about Sarah taking that bullet meant for me. That seemed to be a big deal, even if I didn't understand why.

Since it was almost a full week until the party, I went back to work on my own shit. I sent Lucas to pick up the court papers, we could get before lunch. We had two from the day before and two new onces he could get before lunch. 

I drove by Jack's Kennel and farm, while I waited for Lucas to call. I noticed Helen's van in his drive, so I didn't bother to stop. I knew damn well that she was keeping Jack honest. If Skeeter wasn't improving, she would have been on the phone with me. "Max," it would go, "Bring your shotgun and get over to the kennel, we need to kill that bastard." 

If you think I'm kidding let me tell you how I see it. Helen was falling apart from the bottled up guilt about her daughter and grand daughter. She desperately wanted to make it right. Since there was no way to help either of them, she transfered all that need to Skeeter. She was going to be one protective mom, even if it was to a street mutt named Skeeter.

"Boss, I got all the papers. You want me to stop by and get some food. We can meet at the lake for lunch."

"Sure why not, this time you can choose lunch. Bring me two diet sodas and I don't care what you bring to eat." I was pretty much on the wrong side of town, but I knew I would still be at the lake before Lucas, unless he just plain got lucky at a drive thru for lunch.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 08



I had been sitting on the terrace of the clubhouse at the city marina for fifteen minutes, when Lucas walked through the door. In his hand he held a large white bag with no lettering on it. Actually that is a good sign, when it is take out. I hoped that it was from something that didn't cook fifty items at the same time.

"So what did you bring me?" I asked.

"I brought Barbecue from Crystal's." He put the large white bag on top of the plastic picnic table, then removed three canned diet cokes from his jacket pockets. The jacket was one of those high school jock jackets.

"I always wondered Lucas, why exactly did you get that letter. That jacket always makes me curious."

"Track," he said.

"Well that will come in handy, when you go on the police department."

"Yeah, thats what Detective Blevins says."

"Crystal makes the best chopped barbecue sandwich in the state," he said as he chewed.

"State hell, in the country. At least the best pork sandwich. They make the best barbecue beef sandwiches in Texas." I enjoyed the sandwich a while longer, then asked. So where are we off too this afternoon?"

"Two in Aster and two in Tryon," he said.

"Do any of them look hinky?" I asked.

"Maggie over in Tryon warned me about Lewis Stiles. Mr. Styles is scheduled for a criminal trial in a few weeks. She said he might not want to show up for a property settlement hearing in his divorce case She thinks he might be trying to leverage it for legal services."

"Let's do Mr Stiles last then. Remember. we are not cops just delivery people."

"Yeah, but we don't take crap from anyone, right?"

"Wrong, we will take their verbal abuse, we just don't hold nobody's ass whuppin." It was a saying I picked up on a VIP babysitting detail in D.C. Between tours in the middle east they liked to show off their female Iraq veterans. Yeah it was bullshit.

After lunch I let Lucas drive the van and do the services. He looked more like a delivery boy than I did. Okay not really, but the delivery person had to drive. Lucas liked to drive whereas I was tired of driving. 

The second delivery went sideways. The woman who was home with a sick kid, just absolutely lost it. She began calling Lucas about every kind of son of a bitch I had ever heard. I listened for about a minute before I decided to help him. If it had been a man raising hell, I would have let Lucas take care of it the best he could. I really didn't want to get sued, so I left the van.

"Ma'am I'm just doing my job. You can take the paper or throw it in the trash, but either way you have been served."

Just as I expected she rushed Lucas as he tried to walk away. She took about three steps out of her front door before I said, "Lady stop right there. Now the kid is a gentleman, and he would never strike a lady, so that's why I'm along. I have no qualms at all about knocking you on your ass."

"Who the fuck are you?" she asked.

"I'm the bitch that is going to loosen a couple of your teeth, if you try to strike either of us." She took a real good look before she turned to walk into the house. I almost shouted after her not to forget her court order, but I decided to just let it go. She knew where the paper was and would no doubt pick it up after we left.

"Would you really have hit her?"

"Does a dog lick it's ass?" I asked.

Lucas started to laugh. "I would like to have seen that cat fight. She was four or five inches taller and weighed at least fifty pounds more than you."

"She might be bigger but I'm faster," I said laughing.

Stiles was a pussy cat. As we drove away, I said, "Just goes to show you. Sometimes it's the ones nobody expects, that bite you on the ass. It's how Ted Bundy lasted so long. He just wasn't the type to be a serial killer. At least that's what everyone said for a long time."

"What size dress do you wear?" It was Margie's voice on my cell phone.

"Why?" I asked.

"Just tell me, you need something for Saturday night."

"Size 8"

"There will be a dress delivered to your office tomorrow, try it on. If it fits, keep it, if not send it back, and get the next size up or down. Maxine, it's supposed to be tight."



I spent that evening at the Cop Out, well from 9PM until about 11PM anyway. Blevins never showed, nor did Anya. Jerry was there along with some EMTs for the Country Ambulance and Rescue Squad. I danced with all of them at one time or another, I think. 

I left for home at 11:15. I know because someone asked why I was leaving so early. "I am leaving early, because I needed my beauty sleep," I explained.

"Do you really think that will help?" One of the female EMT's asked.

"Hell, it's like the pistol that the cops carry. It might not always help, but it sure as hell can't hurt." Everyone laughed.

"Is that why you carry a gun?" the same EMT chick asked.

"No, I carry it for ballast. I lost so much weight this year, I'm afraid I'll blow away." I resisted the urge to suggest that she try it. She had to be at least fifty pounds overweight. "So good night one and all." Since the shoot out in front of the club, no one offered to walk me to my car. I didn't mind at all.

I fell asleep that night wondering what kind of dress Margie was going to send. Something tight she warned me. So I would probably have to go buy new underwear for the big party. God, I hadn't bought fancy undies in years. When I broke down and did that, the bras cost much more than my usual outfits If I had to buy a lacy, half cup, padded, push up bra, I might have to take out a loan. Even with those thoughts rolling around my head, I managed to finally fall asleep.

I woke in the middle of the night as usual for a bathroom run. The cabin was extremely warm, so I turned the heater down before I returned to bed. I must have got it at the height of it's cycle because the next morning the cabin was too chilly for a shower. I could have hung out and waited for the one large room to warm up, but I wanted to get moving. I didn't even make coffee, I just pulled on some heavy clothes and packed my ass out to the van. I did check to make sure the temperature inside the cabin was above freezing. It was by a few degrees, so I didn't increase the setting on the oil stove.

I stopped bye the closest fast food joint for coffee and a biscuit. "I miss skeeter damn it," I said aloud as I drove into the office parking lot. I opened the door and staggered to my desk. The Hardee's bag held not only my biscuit but two large cups of black coffee. I would drink both of them before the Mr. Coffee finished brewing. The coffee wasn't as good as what I made, but it wasn't bad either.

I looked at the calendar program on my computer only because the icon was flashing. I found the reminder about an appointment with my bookkeeper. I had a standing 10AM meeting with her on the last working day of every month. I carried in my checkbook, and she told me how broke I was. 

Actually my finances were not too bad. Ed didn't charge me any rent because of the thing with his son. I had the rent on the cabin and my utilities there. plus what I spent on food and entertainment. That was substantially less than my retirement check, so the office money was extra. It was a good thing, since almost all of the income after expenses went to Lucas. It was expensive to have an employee.

I was expecting it to get a little better, since I had picked up a little computer tracing work. Lucas had proven to be a great researcher with the old ones and zeros machine. The traces were for an insurance group with agents all over hell. Their home office was in Tryon, so it was a good gig for us. Lucas hated it of course. I explained that it would pay his salary, so he was willing to go along. I expected that if we didn't also do the process services at least twice a week, and the occasional pick up of bail skips, he would have revolted.

I hadn't expected the dress to arrive before 10 AM, so I wasn't too disappointed when I left for my bookkeepers office without it. Nothing is very far away in a town the size of Aster, which made the drive to Thelma's bookkeeping service about five minutes.

"Maxine how you doing girl?" The 250 pound woman with the blond wig asked.

"I have been worse Thelma. How you doing?"

"Dieting again and I just fucking hate it." She said it while making sure no one was around to hear her choice of words. I was sure that she used that kind of language with only a very few clients.

"I know that," I said in agreement. "So did I have enough money to pay my bills this month."

"Yes with a couple of hundred left over even. You ought to think about an investment plan. Your money is getting lazy in the bank, but not fat for sure."

"Yeah, but if you want to see the stock market fall like a rock, just let me invest in it. I tried once and lost my ass off."

"Ah so that's why you are so skinny."

"No, I'm skinny because of a ruptured esophagus. If you tried deep throating a giant zucchini, you would probably wind up in the hospital on clear soup and Jello for a month. Then I promise you would lose some serious pounds." I laughed at the thought. 

"Then I'd have to ride cross country on a bike for a couple of months, day in and day out, to get your body in shape," she added. "I think I'll stick to fucking salads."

"Yeah that does seem a lot simpler," I agreed.

"I got the checks for you to sign right here. Max, you know you need to get rid of Lucas. You can't really afford him."

"Sure I can. I just can't afford him, if I want to eat three times a day."

"Exactly," she said with a laugh.

I had Lucas's paycheck when I got back to the office. He got a draw every week but once a month there was a settlement check. If he created more income than his draw, I gave him a bonus check. It was usually a couple of hundred bucks. Since we picked up Ed's skip during the current month his check was over five hundred. 

" So how's the traces going?" I asked when I returned.

"Slow, I am going to hate this part of the job, boss," he suggested. 

I put the check on his desk, "Do you hate it less now?" I asked.

"I can stand it, but let's not get too much of this kind of work."

"We use the PaPa Stone business model here Lucas, 'Cull Not, Want Not'."

"I keep hearing these little snippets of wisdom about your family, so what did they do."

"You don't know?" Ed asked from across the room.

"No one ever told me. I mean I know most of them are successful, but I have no idea what they do."

"It don't matter Lucas, I come from the stunted branch of the family tree," I said. "So moving right along, did a package come for me?"

"No, what are you expecting?" Ed asked.

"To be honest Ed, I have no idea."

We all awaited the package eagerly. I think Ed wanted to see what it was that had me acting mysteriously. Since Lucas and I had served papers the day before, we stayed in the office. He did his research and I answered the phones. 

One of the calls that came in was from a entertainment promoter. He was setting up a concert at the City Stage venue. He wanted to know what I would charge to be a body guard for his singer. There were some benefits to having been involved in a high profile case or two. It didn't hurt that I was a woman and wouldn't appear to be a bodyguard at all. Some of the people who needed a bodyguard, didn't want to appear to need one. That was less true with singers than macho movie stars. I gave him my standard price then hung up. I didn't expect to ever hear from him again.

The dress finally came a little after 2PM. Fifteen minutes late I was on the phone to Margie. I took the cell phone into the parking lot far away from everyone before I called. "Are you out of your fucking mind?" I asked.

"Well hello Max, I have been expecting your call. And no, I'm not out of my fucking mind."

"I am not going to wear that dress," I informed her.

"If you want to come to the party, you will wear the dress. It's as simple as that."

"Margie , let me explain. I know you don't care that I can't wear a bra with that halter top. I know you don't care that I can't wear panties with that slit up the side, but honey I do care." I ended almost in a shout. There was definitely a stern ending to my comment.

"Now listen Max, I know you, that doesn't bother you. If it really does, I'll fix you a nice cup of tea."

"Keep your fucking tea away from me. If for no other reason than my tan line, I wouldn't wear that thing."

"Don't worry I knew that when I picked it out for you. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, but trust me they are going to love you even if you showed up in a potato sack. You my dear have presence."

"Presence my ass, if I show up in that I'm going to have goose bumps on my goose bumps," I informed her.

"Don't forget to shave the cutesy little cunt of yours," she said as she hung up on me.

"I should call Anya and tell her to fuck off, I thought. I would have, if I hadn't been so damned turned on. My body was betraying me again damn it.

"So are you going to model it for us?" Ed asked.

"Ed you might not work for me, but I can still kick your ass." Then I turned to Lucas, "As for you, don't open your mouth." I said to Lucas.

"I was just going to say you are going to look so hot in that dress."

"I knew I shouldn't have opened it here."

I thought about how that dress might look on me and I couldn't wait to try it on. I left for the day way earlier than I should have. Both Ed and Lucas knew why.

When I got home, the first thing I did was to turn the heat up. I knew I would be chilled in that dress, if I didn't. I didn't want to start out with a bad feeling about it, so I waited for the cabin to warm up before I tried it on. I drank two cups of coffee while I waited. I couldn't believe it. I was as excited as a school girl over a stupid dress. Okay, the dress wasn't stupid, but I didn't get all giddy over clothes.

When I tried the dress on, I realized that Margie had spent some real money on that dress. It fit like a custom made designer piece. Not that I had ever tried on a designer dress. It fit like I imaged a designer dress would fit.

I do not have large breasts so the halter top could have been baggy but it wasn't it lay flat against my chest with small bumps where my boobs were. The fabric was so clingy that even my not erect nipples showed clearly. 

The dress was mid calf length with s slit that went up to my waist. I mean all the way up to my waist. I was never going to be able to wear panties of any kind. People would not be able to see the crack of my ass or the swell of my labia, but it was going to be a damn close call.

Still I had to admit that, if I could do something about the tan line, that dress would be a first round knockout. In the rather disgusting words of Margie, yes I would need to shave my cunt for sure.



I tried to force myself out of bed on Friday. It was raining, as if God was trying to douse the fires of Hell. I half expected to find leaks in the roof of the cabin. Instead I heard the drumbeat of the heavy rain on the metal roof. I had been told that most roofs leaked around thing like chimneys and dormers. Well the cabin had none of those. The vent for the oil stove was through the wall. The metal pipe made a 90 degree turn up and past the roof. It was strapped to the side of the roof, so that the wind wouldn't blow it to the ground.

As I lay there in my almost warm cave listening to the rain, I reminded myself yet again that I needed a radio. It would have been nice to listen to some romantic music and masturbate. I laughed at myself for my childish bullshit. I was a day away from some really kinky shit and I was thinking about romantic masturbation. "Too weird," I said aloud as I shook my head.

"I need one of those Mr Coffee machines with a timer," I said aloud. Then I though, I'm talking to myself, I need to watch that shit. If I do that in public, they just might lock me up, Then I thought, hell why not talk to myself, there is no one I know as interesting as me. At that thought I laughed out loud. Delusions of grandeur as well as senility, off to the funny farm with you girl.

Even as I had the thoughts concerning my weakening mind, my hand moved to the waist band of my panties. My mind switched from rational mode to masturbation mode. In my masturbation mode I thought more like Margie than Maxine. 

My finger caressed my clit as I remembered the feel of Joey's dick inside my pussy. I remember resting my ass on his pubic bone as I rocked on his dick in front of god and everybody else in that theater. I could imagine them staring, as my fingers slipping inside my pussy lips. I rubbed in and out as I remember the feel of his dick pushing deep inside my birth canal. Right up to the edge of my womb. His dick scratched an itch. One I couldn't reach with my fingers. I screamed silently at myself, why didn't you buy a dildo for this? You stupid bitch. 

I moved my hand back to my clit and massaged it vigorously. After a few strokes I felt my tension level climb almost to the orgasmic level. Just as I peaked, I slipped my fingers into my pussy and worked them feverishly. It took only a moment until I broke through into an orgasm. 

I lay in bed for what seemed like a long time but probably wasn't. At first my body shook and spasmed, then is just vibrated, then I was just warm and mellow. I probably would have laid in bed for an hour longer and napped, if the phone hadn't played that stupid song. 

When I traded my burn phone for a real cell phone, the damn thing played some modern day rock song. It was supposed to be a regular no frills phone, but it had all this shit I never used. I kept meaning to have Lucas change it to a ringing sound but in the meantime I got an instrumental version of something that sounded sorta like music.

"Hello," I said quietly into the phone. I was in no mood for confrontation.

"Max, it's Helen. I'm in the parking lot of your office. Are you on you way down?"

"To be honest Helen," I wasn't going to be honest at all. "I'm having trouble getting started this morning, but I can be there in twenty minutes." If I don't shower I thought, but I really do need a shower.

"I can come back in an hour, if that would be better?"

"Actually, it would be better."

"Okay, I'll run home and fix you all breakfast."

"Before I could stop her, not that I planned to, she hung up the phone."

I literally dragged myself out of my warm bed and into the chilly shower. One thing about my oil stove, when I called for heat the damn thing put out heat right away. When I finished my shower, I went to the stove while still wet. I dried myself and put on my clothes, while hovering over it. Most women wouldn't be able to live like this, I thought, but most women hadn't lived in a tent with 9 other women either. I had hovered over many an oil burner, while trying to stay warm during a chilly night in the sandbox.

I left the reasonably warm, dry cabin with wet hair. I didn't think it would matter since it was still raining like water pouring from a garden hose with no nozzle. I managed to get to the office and have the coffee on before Helen arrived. I even managed to beat Lucas and Ed in. They must have both stayed home and jacked off as well. In Ed's case that might have been a miracle, right up there with water into wine.

When Helen arrived, she was carrying three large brown paper bags. They looked like school lunches. "What are you doing Helen, sending us back to school?" I asked it laughing.

"It was Jack's idea. I am making brown paper bag breakfasts and taking them to the job sites around town. I have even been invited to stop outside some of the businesses so their employees can run out. Everything in the bag can be microwaved, or is almost as good cold." She sorted through them and came up with one that had a red star stamped on it. "This one is yours Maxine."




Maxine's New Life Ch. 08



"Is it different," I asked.

"It's my deluxe for special clients," she answered.

"Oh, I'm special?" Damn I am having a good day, I thought.

"Of course you are. You found my grand daughter and you brought love into my life."

"Skeeter?" 

"Skeeter, Jack and his family. That's why I wanted to see you. Jack has asked me out on a date. I came to ask you what I should do."

"Okay honey here is my advice. Screw his eyes out." We both broke into laughter.

"Hell that was my plan all along," she said. "Max that wasn't the questions. I have been through menopause. I don't produce lubricants like I did before. I wanted to ask you what I should do."

"K Y is a middle aged woman's best friend," I said.

"I know that honey, what I wanted to know is when do I apply it, so I don't spoil the mood for him."

"Sweetie I don't think incoming rocket fire could spoil a man's mood. However, if you are worried, go to the ladies room after dinner, if it's to be on the way home. If you are going to do it in your house, go to the bathroom after things get hot and heavy. Men are used to us going to the bathroom at strange times." I thought about Helen's situation for a minute. You do know that it might be uncomfortable the first few times?"

"Yes I know, I'm probably going to be very tight at first."

"Yes and the bones might have to move. The ligament's elasticity might be compromised and could really be a problem for a while."

"Okay, I won't stop just because it hurts a little. I'll just take some pills first for pain. God knows there are enough around the house for my aches and pains of old age."

"Helen have you ever giving head?" I was rushing trying to get it all said, before the guys showed up for work.

"No, will I have to do that?"

"You might not have to, but men do love it. It isn't hard. and it isn't disgusting at all."

"This is embarrassing," Helen said.

"Do you want me to shut up?" I had a feeling it was why she really came to see me.

"No, how will I know when it is time to do it?"

"Wait for him to put pressure on you to move your head toward his penis. When he does that, it is decision time. If you aren't going to ruin it for yourself go ahead and try. Trust me you will get better the more you do it. Even better he won't know that you have never done it before, unless you choose to tell him. If you do tell him, then he can help you learn what to do."

"I think I will tell him. It might be exciting for him to know he is the first," she said very wisely I thought.

"I think that's an excellent idea."

"Now how is Skeeter doing?" I asked.

"She is wonderful Maxine. I swear she is the most loving animal on the planet. Jack has worked wonders for her, but you are the one I have to thank for it all."

"No Helen, you saved her," I said.

Just then Ed arrived ending any further sex discussion. Helen handed him a bag as he walked by her. It looked as though Helen were on her own Saturday night, just as much as I was going to be. I was assuming that her big night would be Saturday as well.

"Well Helen, how are you doing hon?" Ed asked as he tried her bag-o breakfast.

"I'm just fine Mr. Martin how are you?"

"About as good as an old man can be. So is Skeeter home yet, or still in boarding school?"

"She is still with Jack's family, but she will be home Sunday. I know she is going to miss them, but probably not the food there. Jack is not a gourmet cook you know."

"I'm sure he is nowhere near the cook you are. By the way this sandwich from the bag is wonderful," he said between bites. "Max, you should take some lessons from Helen."

Helen and I both smiled, since I had been giving her a lesson in a sense. "I might just work out a trade," I said. 

"Well I have work to do. I have 200 lunches to get ready and then make a plan for a wedding reception." Helen left after thanking me yet again. I wasn't sure what it was for that time, but I was gracious for a change.

When Lucas finally came in he was soaked. "What happened to you?" I asked.

"I stopped to help a lady whose care was broke down."

"Did you get it working?" I asked.

"No, but I did call a wrecker for her. I waited with her so she wouldn't be alone in that neighborhood."

"What neighborhood do we have in Aster that isn't safe at 8AM?"

"Okay, I stayed because I wanted to."

"I certainly hope she was grateful." Ed said grinning.

"Probably not yet Ed. I know I can't be really grateful in a cold pouring rain." I laughed and was quickly joined by Ed. Not only did he find the remark humorous, but the look on Lucas's face was classic.

"It wasn't like that," Lucas said in his own defense.

"Lucas love. it is always about that. If men aren't actually spreading their seed, they are trying to find ways to spread it."

"Amen sister," Ed agreed. "We can do some really foolish things in the pursuit of what we pretend is love."

"Yeah, like stand in the pouring rain to keep a damsel in distress company. And Lucas honey, don't think she didn't know what you were doing."

Just about that time his phone rang. He took his phone and went into the vault room to take the call. Ed and I both smiled knowingly. There was no doubt that it was the Damsel in distress.

"Young love. you got to love it," I said.

"Hell, I would just like to remember it," Ed said with a laugh.

It was a day filled with crazy sexually oriented shit. From the rain keeping me in bed to masturbate right up until the 5PM call from Joey.it was sheer madness. Oh yeah, it seemed that Joey had changed his mind and wanted a second try at me. On that note my work day ended, but not my Friday. It just kept on getting worse.

After work I decided it was time that I paid skeeter a visit. What could happen to me visiting Skeeter? I thought. I pulled into the driveway leading to the parking lot just outside the kennel where Skeeter was staying. The parking lot wasn't really a parking lot at all. It was just an open raw dirt space, which could hold two cars, Since there were no other cars in the space, I decided that it was safe to stop.

Skeeter came to the gate when my van pulled up. I was glad that she remembered the sound of my van. I was even happier that she remembered me. Her tail wagged and she looked thrilled to see me. "No wonder Helen thinks you are the most loving girl in the world," I said to her. "You are so happy to see an old friend, aren't you baby."

"Hi," a female voice behind me said.

I turned to see a teenage girl standing behind me. "Hello, I'm Maxine Stone, don't worry I didn't come to steal your dogs. On second thought you better watch me, I just might take this old girl after all."

"I know who you are Ms. Stone." the girl said.

"Really, how do you know me?" I was curious. I was only looking for information at the moment.

"Every girl in town knows who you are."

"Dear God, then tell me I'm not some kind of role model."

"Just to some of us, mostly the ones who don't plant to get married the day after graduation."

"Well there is nothing wrong with getting married. It does seem to work a little better, if you wait. Of course it didn't in my case." Being the town tramp and a role model didn't seem as though they should go together, but it was a very small town. Not only that teenage girls are weird, I speak from experience.

"Yes I know, would you mind if I asked you some questions. The kids at school are dying to know about you and my dad won't talk about you at all."

"Well, I don't know your dad, except that he is helping to save my friend there."

"Yeah, he is helping you and his new girlfriend."

"Is there anything wrong with the new girlfriend?" I asked

"No she just seems really uptight that's all."

"Well she probably is nervous around you hon. You do seem a little in your face intimidating."

"Do I intimidate you?" she asked with a warm smile.

I had to stop and think about that. She didn't intimidate me, but I had to admit that she did arouse feelings in me. I didn't want to analyze them too closely. After all she was probably around 16 years old. Way to young to be causing the warm feeling in my abdomen. 

"No you don't intimidate me, but I can see how you might some people."

"I'm glad I don't intimidate you," she said softly. That was scary but I ignored it.

"So what did you want to ask?"

"The rumor is that you are bisexual."

"That isn't a question," I replied.

"So are you?" she asked. 

I decided I should try to slip it. "I have been married multiple times," was my reply.

"Is that way they didn't work?" She had me cornered. It was the old do you still beat your husband question.

"No, I'm a one man woman. Well at least one at a time."

"One man and how many women?" she asked.

"A relationship is a relationship and it's one at a time for me." Okay it wasn't true but I wasn't about to fill her head with my bad lifestyle choices.

"Have you ever considered a younger lover?"

"Not under the legal age of consent," I replied to shut her down.

"You should think about it," she suggested just as the pickup drove in behind my van.

"Julie, have you finished your homework?" Jack asked pointedly as he walked up.

"I just wanted to make sure Maxine wasn't some dognapper," she informed him.

"Okay, but get back to the homework now. I'll handle this." After she left he said to me, "I hope you aren't filling her head with nonsense."

"Me to," I said ignoring his innuendo. "I just came to check on Skeeter and I guess that is your daughter, who came out to make sure I wasn't going to liberate her." 

"Yes that's Julie, my youngest. She is confused right now."

"Jack that is something you need to discuss with her not me," I said it to make damn sure he wasn't planning to tell me any family secrets. I just didn't want to be involved. I left quickly so as not to get into a discussion about lifestyles. Poor Skeeter didn't get near the amount of attention I had planned for her.

I stopped at a turnoff on the way home. It overlooked the same lake used as the marina. I loved to stare at water, while I tried to clear my head. It had been a terribly hormonal day for me. I had experiences ranging from my own fingers in me, right up to teenage girls coming on to me. That was not even counting the sex lives of everyone around me suddenly getting mixed up with mine.

It was after seven by the time I finished feeling bad about my failing to resolve anything at all. Instead of going home in the mood that I found myself in, I decided to stop for Chinese food. When I was a child, the restaurant building had been a finance company . I know because my mom went there every Saturday to pay on my school clothes loan. I always had mixed feelings about eating there. I might not have eaten there at all, had it not been the only Chinese restaurant in town.

I removed the clip on holster with the small hammerless .38 revolver. I seldom carried the pistol when not actually working. Usually at the best of times, when you realize you need a firearm, it is too late to use it. That was how the saying went anyway. It wasn't a true statement at all. It was usually too late for the first victim. If you weren't the first victim, you had a shot, so to speak.

I didn't think I would need the pistol, so I locked it in the van's console. I was seated at a postage stamp sized table reserved for a party of one. I didn't like eating alone. I noticed that so early in the evening there were others alone as well. That being the case I didn't feel too badly.

I heard the commotion before I saw the cause of it. There were two young black men with pistols playing gangster. They held the pistols sideways like they had seen in the movies. I would have laughed, except that they looked really nervous. It was a recipe for disaster, guns plus kids, plus drugs, equals deadly accidents. Still, it did piss me off.

They took the register and should have left. Instead one stood at the entrance to the dining room, while the other one went table to table demanding the customer's wallets. Since I didn't have a weapon, I was ready to pony up my wallet. Hell, I didn't have that much money anyway.

Before he got to me the kid stopped at a table with a man about sixty and said, "Give me your wallet old man."

The old man looked up at him slowly and said, "No."

"What do you mean no?" The kid asked.

"Just no," the old man repeated.

"Hurry up Marvin," the kid blocking the entrance said.

"Give me your fucking wallet," Marvin said putting the pistol to the old man's head.

The old man must have been running on adrenaline, because he move faster than I could follow. He pushed the gun away and at the same time pulled the kid forward. He gave the kid a vicious head butt. He had to know that the kid at the entrance would do something.

He would have, if I hadn't thrown my tea cup at him. After the tea cup landed on his face, he turned his pistol toward the new threat. That was a mistake. The older man was on him like a fucking bear. I saw him move toward the kid at the entrance so I moved to Marvin and picked up his pistol.

I was tempted to let the old man just kick the crap out of the kid. I should have, but instead I pulled the groggy Marvin to his fee. I pointed Marvin's pistol at the two men rolling around on the floor. "Hey guys am I going to have to shoot both of you just to get the right one?" Both of them stopped to look at me. The old man rolled away but he came up with the second pistol. 

"Here," I said handing him Marvin's piece as well. "My egg drop is getting cold." Actually I needed to sit down. My knees where threatening to give way.

"What happened?" the patrolman asked. He asked me because I knew him from the Cop Out.

"That old man is either a hero, or a complete idiot." I said.

"So which is it?" he asked.

"Damned, if I know," I replied.

"Who the fuck are you?" I asked when I got a chance.

"Archer, Reverend Archer, I'm the pastor at the First Galilee Holiness Church."

"Well Preacher, you are a piece of work."

He smiled then said, "Even a preacher had to be something else first." Then he turned to Detective Anya Bostic who had arrived. 

"Can't you stay out of trouble for a minute," she asked me after she finished with Reverend Archer."

"Hey it wasn't me this time. I was just having dinner."

"We need to talk," she said quietly. "I'll call you tomorrow. Get your ass home before you get in more trouble."

"Good advice, you have no idea what a crazy day it has been."

30

I stopped at WalMart on the way home from the Chinese dinner fiasco. I remembered to buy a radio, before I stopped by the subway sandwich shop inside the store. I bought a huge steak sandwich on the way out. 

When I got home, I ate the sandwich while I watched a TV show from two days before, I watched it on my computer. I debated going to the Cop Out, but decided bed alone was more appealing. The Adrenaline had stopped racing so sleep was at least possible. 

The next time I opened my eyes there was sunlight coming through the small high windows of my cabin. I had no idea why the convict/owner had set all his windows with the sills at four and a half feet from the floor. They were only two and a half feet high so they ran almost to the bottom of the roof in the front. Since the roof slanted downward from front to rear, the back roof beams were on top of the windows. It didn't look near as strange as it sounded. It was a cabin after all not a family house. The windows had a single pane of glass and opened by swinging out and down. I had seen that configuration before, but just couldn't place it. I'm sure it was an old movie.

The cabin seemed to be warm from inside the bed, but in fact it still had the night's chill. When I got myself out of bed, I turned the heater up a notch. I put the coffee maker to work on a fresh pot, while I heated yesterday's stale coffee in the microwave. I turned on my new radio, while I contemplated breakfast.

I had the party in the back of my mind, so it was hard to concentrate on anything else. I was hungry enough so that my empty stomach broke through the sexual anticipation long enough to force me from my lethargy. I decided that it would be a Maxine's microwave version of the Egg McMuffin for breakfast.. 

I had one frozen sausage patty left from a six pack I had bought some time before. I put it in a cereal bowl with a paper napkin on top, then into the Microwave for a minute. When it dinged, I removed the sausage patty from the bowl, then broke and egg into the same bowl. I scrambled it up a little, added some Texas Pete, then shoved it back into the Microwave for thirty seconds. When it was done, I heated an English muffin that was probably a month old. The combination of everything and a slice of sandwich style American cheese was my breakfast. It wasn't as good as a Helen bag breakfast, but it wasn't awful either.

The radio was kind of nice, once I found a decent music station. One that played oldies of course. I also found a talk radio station, one with conservative leanings. Then I found one with liberal leanings as well. Both views interested me, since both had some right thinking views as well as some kooks.

For instance, I am pro choice on abortion, but only because I am anti government intervention in my life. I don't want them telling me, I have to join a union, but I also don't them telling me what to do with my body. To me, my thinking is not inconsistent. If I let them regulate part of your life, then I have to let them regulate any part my own life as well.

I was having a grand old time calling both talk radio commentators idiots, when the phone rang. Actually it still didn't ring, it played that stupid music. "Hello," I said shortly into the thing.

"My aren't you in a mood," the male voice said.

"I'm in a fine mood, who are you?" I wasn't in the mood for a sales call.

"It's Reverend Archer, I was calling to invite you to church tomorrow. I didn't get a chance to say thank you for the tea cup toss," he said with a smile in his voice.

"If I come to your church Rev, will you tell me who you really are?" I asked

"I have no idea who I really am Maxine, but I will tell you who I have been."

"Then give me the address, and I'll give it some serious thought."

"It's on the English Trail out in West End. Do you know it?"

"I know where West End is, and I have a Tom Tom, I can find it."

"It's a little more difficult than that. The church is a store front mission, inside a former Union Hall. There is a sign in the window, but no sign on the outside of the building. It is a new mission."

"I promise if you give me a street address I'll find it, if I decide to show up."

"812 English Trail," he said. "I'll be expecting you. And Maxine bring your check book. Once you see the good work we are doing, you will want to make a contribution."

"I doubt that. Charity begins at home for me."

"Well come anyway," he said, just as the phone went dead.

Now that would be an interesting contradiction, a night of complete debauchery and then church the next day. I almost laughed, but it didn't seem all that funny after all.

"Maxine?" the next caller asked.

"Yes," I recognized the voice as Detective Bostic. "What can i do for you Anya?"

"We need to talk. This has gone on long enough without a plan. I am going to force a meeting with Marge. Will you be around for a while?"

"I have no plans for today. It's not like a need a trip to have my hair done." I still had only an inch of hair on my head. At least it was enough so that I didn't look skeletal any more. I just looked like a leather butch Dyke. Maybe that was my sudden appeal to all the women and even girls in town.

"I'll get back with you after I set it up with Marge," she said hanging up without a goodbye. She was the second person in a row to do that. People just didn't feel the need to be courteous with me for some reason.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 09



Yes, I was suicidal on Sunday. But then I always am after that kind of Saturday night. By Monday I was myself again. The only difference was that I had done some good with my ill gotten gains, so I felt a lot better about myself, a lot sooner than usual.

I also had lost the death wish by the time I woke up on Monday. Since I no longer wanted to meet with Ivan in the middle of the night, I checked my security system. The wide angle camera I had installed on the post at the entrance to my drive was still working. I hadn't used it for months. It didn't do the job I really needed, but it was still working. I knew that my motion sensor flood lights, the ones hidden in the trees surrounding the cabin, worked as well. I knew it because they lit the small yard like daylight, whenever I came home at night.

I decided that it was time, at the very least, to install a gate at the entrance to my place. I also wanted to put more security camera in place. I had seen the boy wonder's security camera system at the office. He could check them from his laptop anywhere he happened to be. I wanted to be able to check the whole compound, before I went through the non existent gate. If Ivan came, I wanted a chance to at least do some serious damage.

Once I got to the office, I set Lucas the task of adding a gate and cameras. "I do not want the gate to be a bank vault, just something to keep the average guy out. If they come at it with a blow torch, let them in, but let me know they are there. However if a guy comes to pick me up for a date, I want it to look like a cattle gate."

"Nobody is going to pick you up for a date, because you better not be telling anyone where you live," Ed said from across the room.

Also that Monday shortly after noon I finally realized that I didn't get my answer about the Reverend's past. Lucas had the security plan drawn up by 1PM, so I put him on the Reverend's trail. I had given the man a thousand dollars, now I wanted to know exactly who it was that profited from my mouth and ass.

"You might not like this Boss," Lucas said. ten minutes later.

"Why not Luke?" I asked.

"Because he doesn't exist," Lucas said to me.

"Sure he does, I was at his church yesterday," I knew what he meant, but my reaction was that of a normal person, not some kind of jaded bitch.

"Jason Archer just appeared here last year. He set up that ministry, but his ordainment must be from the back of penthouse or something akin to it."

Shit, I have been conned, I thought. "So what's his scam?"

"I can't find one. He isn't putting money in the bank anywhere. His income from the church will barely cover his expenses. He actually seems to be dead broke."

"Well, let me do some checking," I suggested.

Lucas went back our real work. He got ready to serve papers, while I put in a call to Anya Bostic. "I need some information," I suggested to her.

"Me first," she demanded.

"My ass Bostic, you don't have the high ground here. I'm not some terrified CI. We trade or you go fuck yourself."

"I'm a cop," she said. "You can't talk to me like that. I'll come over and jack your ass up." she insisted.

"Well then you might want to expect a visit from internal affairs about ten minutes later." I hung up on her. 

Two minutes later the phone rang. "You can't prove anything," she said.

"Want to listen to my amateur recordings? They aren't RCA quality, but you can recognize the voices."

"You recorded me?"

"I might have been born yesterday bitch, but it was early in the morning."

"Alright, what do you want to know?" she asked

"I want the full background on Reverend Jason Archer. I want to know what his scam is."

"That could take a while."

"Nothing I learned Saturday night requires immediate action," I suggested. We left it at that.

Lucas had taken the time to get the work for the afternoon scheduled. We served papers most of the afternoon. After we finished all the court orders we we traveled to the house of one Tyrone Marshall. We didn't want to see Tyrone. We wanted to see Tyrone's girl friend. Tyrone's girlfriend was a fellow named Everette. Everette aka Eve was known to write checks without any money in the bank. Most of the time he/she caught the kite before it fell to the ground. He/she had missed a few kites three months before. She was out on bail thanks to a bondsman in Tryon. He called us earlier that Monday morning with the information download.

"Tyrone Marshall, my name is Maxine Stone. I'm looking for your friend Everette Thomas." I really should have done the delivery scam but I doubted that it would work. Mostly because I felt like a confrontation. I could never have pulled off the subdued delivery person that day.

"I ain't seen him," was the reply from Tyrone.

"Then you won't mind, if I come in and look around?"

"You got a warrant?"

"I don't need a warrant hon," I said handing him a copy of the supreme court ruling. The one that authorized a bond agents to break and enter to take a fleeing fugitive into custody.

"Eve ain't here," he said.

"Tyrone, you seem like a nice enough guy. Everette has been declared a fugitive by the court. Aiding a fugitive is a criminal offense. You could well be doing his time, if you are indeed hiding him. So do you want to rethink that?" I gave him a couple of minutes to think. "Will your boss hold your job for a month, while you are at the farm?"

"Come on in," he finally said.

I put the plastic wire tie on Eve's hands. Since Everette was dressed as a woman, Lucas and I called him Eve. It just made things easier.

It was after seven when we got through getting Everette into the county lockup. Like using the bathroom, we had to get the paper work done before we were finished with the job. I hadn't had dinner, so I was short tempered by the time we got to the parking lot.

"Maxine," the loud voice behind me shouted.

I turned to see Bostic headed my way. "What you got for me?"

"The reason you and Lucas couldn't find Archer is that his name isn't Archer. His real name is Jacob Ashford."

I was a little surprised, but not much really shocked me even in those days. "So why the name change." I expected the worst and I got it.

"How about a voluntary manslaughter beef."

"You mean he is on the run?" I didn't want to think I had put the cops onto his ass.

"Not from us. He is on parole. Went into the system at 18 for killing another gangbanger. It seems he found God in the joint. Everybody thought it was a gag to make parole, but on him it took."

"So why manslaughter and not murder?"

"He acted more or less in self defense, but he did have a gun, so they plead it down. He got ten to twenty and did 12 years."

"So how long has he been out?"

"Three years and before you ask, he hasn't been in any trouble. He changed his name last year when he opened the mission and church. As for his parole officer's opinion, he is the perfect client. The parole officer says he has a drug abuse outreach program as well as the mission."

"Sounds to me like he is the one in a thousand who really is rehabilitated."

"Yeah but no telling how he would react to red meat."

"What?" I asked.

"He has become a grass eater now, but what would the predator do, if someone were to drag red meat in front of him."

"Good point, but the drug intervention program sounds like he has already come in contact with temptation."

"Who knows, what I'm saying is be careful." She paused to let that sink in. Then she asked, "So what about Saturday night."

"How much do you really know about Marge, and don't bullshit me Bostic."

"Her main income is from those parties. I don't want to know the details to be honest."

"I personally don't care what your involvement with her is, but watch yourself. Most people in the south would care. She is going down one of these days be careful you aren't with her at the time."

"Thanks for the advice, but that isn't an answer."

"They were Russians. Three couples, but only one body guard. That tells me they are all in bed together, so to speak. Also the bodyguard was more to protect their privacy than their asses. I think they are more or less legit, but into some sensitive shit. If they were big time mobsters, there would have been ten bodyguards not one."

"Marge tells me the one they had wasn't very good," Bostic suggested.

"Why because some hooker took his gun away? Don't underestimate your working girl," I said. I still hadn't decided where Bostic fit in the world. She might be good, bad, or most likely somewhere in between. My ace in the hole was that Blevins still hated her.

"So you don't think they are criminals?"

"Oh, I'm sure they are, I just don't think they are big time criminals. At least not mobster type criminals."

"What did she want?" Lucas asked, when I was safely back in the van.

"Just to tell me who our Reverend Archer used to be."

"You gonna' tell me?"

"Maybe later, right now I'm going to drop you at the office, and then I'm going home."

"Okay, but be very careful. Something has you spooked and I can't get the new security up for a week at least.

"Not to worry Luke, it is probably all a waste of time and money." In the parking lot while Lucas removed his paperwork from the van, I checked my messages. I had turned the phone off in the jail. 

Voice mail said, "This is Jen, you really need to call me to set up an appointment."

I punched the button to speed dial Jen at home. "What is it you want? More sex already?" I asked it with a grin in my voice.

"Always, but no it's business this time. Besides Bob has been a lot better, since you showed him how to do it."

"See, I am good for something," I suggested.

"Oh hell Maxine, you are good for a lot of things. One of them is making money without trying."

"Oh how so?"

"Marty wants to settle for 75 big ones. It's a good deal for you both. I recommend that you take it."

"Are you sure this is ethical. You representing us both."

"Oh no hon, I'm Marty's legal whore. You will have to get someone else, if you want a lawyer. But if you do that, you will be giving them 30% for nothing. I did not tell you that."

"Get it ready for me to sign," I suggested. "By the way, when do the shops start springing up?"

"Oh Marty sold a franchise deal to the custom bicycle shops everywhere. He has a group of builders already working on those things."

"If anyone can make it work, it's our boy Marty," I agreed.

"Yeah, I think he is going to sell them through Walmart once the big factory is going. He already has s deal with the Chinese supplier."

"The man is a dynamo," I suggested. "And not too shabby in bed."

"True on both of those statements," Jen replied. "So call tomorrow and set up a time with the receptionist to come in and sign your rights away. I think there will be an offer on the table from Marty as well."

"Our time has gone," I said.

"No it's business. You two are still an Internet phenomena. Marty manages to keep the hype going. Every time you do something in real life, he gets it posted to one of the fake news sites he has up there."

"Jen, I don't even want to know about that. I promise I will call your cute little receptionist."

"You keep your hands off the hired help. Bye hon." she was laughing when she hung up on me.

Tuesday morning found me carefully leaving my cabin in the woods after a quick shower. Yes I had time for coffee, a cup at the tool bench and a cup in big ole plastic Delta coffee cup. You know the delta cup is shaped like a Mercury space capsule. It's the only kind of cup I can walk across the room with. Well the only kind I can walk with while expecting to have all the coffee remain in the cup. It is also the kind of cup, which allows me to drive, drink, and still arrive without coffee stains.

All that to say I left really early in the morning on Tuesday. I had to take my trash to the county dumpster on the way to work. I found that some critter had gone through it again. What ever it was had to be pretty hungry, since I seldom threw away anything but empty boxes. I had to spend time cleaning the yard when I really wanted to get to work. 

I wanted to do some research on the Reverend, since I finally knew his real name. I wanted to get that done before Lucas or Ed arrived. I made my deposit at the county dumpster site, then a pickup at Hardee's drive thru before I got to the office. I didn't have as much time as I expected, but I did manage to pull up the old, old newspaper articles. Some of the old articles made it into the digital files of the Tryon paper and some didn't. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to it.

It was pretty much as Anya had said. At eighteen the young Jacob came from a single parent home. He and his mother lived in the one housing project in Aster. The Rollers were a middle class gang with it's roots in skateboards and weed. The Dog Soldiers' roots were in poverty. 

Like Anya said, Jacob had a .22 pistol. When the Roller kid hassled him for being in the park, they had heated words. The pistol in Jacob's pocket gave him false courage. As the saying goes, the Roller pulled a knife in the middle of a fun fight and died for it. Jacob was young and stupid so he went to prison. Whether he found God. or just a Jim Baker type scam, remained to be seen.

I finished my coffee, my biscuit, and my research before Ed arrived. "Mornin' Miss Maxine, where is Luke?" he asked. I wondered how long it would take for Lucas to become Luke. It had taken a while for sure, but at least half the time we thought of him as luke.

"I have no idea, he is probably out pricing gates. It's too early to be out buying cameras," I had to laugh as I spoke. Ed and I had no idea what was needed to make a video surveillance system. It was all duck quacks to me, when Lucas tried to explain it. He always made the futile attempt to make us understand what he was doing.

"You going to let him in on where you live?" Ed asked.

"Hell, I'm going to let him live there too." I said grinning. "Or at least pretend to live there while the men install his toys."

"That's a good plan, I hate when you make me go out there. The kid can do it from now on."

"That was what I thought. If I get lucky, I want have to screw him for the help either."

"You mean, I could have gotten laid if I had gone about it right?"

"Hell Ed, that would be like screwing my dad. You still might get laid." I said with a laugh. 

Sure enough, when Lucas came in at 10AM, he was filled with the description of the gate to be installed at the end of my drive. As I said earlier it was all duck quacking to me. I did get it that I had a two button garage door opener. One button disabled the horn, which blew if the gate was opened without the opener, and the other started the motor that pulled the gate from the driveway. If I needed for some reason to open the gate without the opener, there was a crank that would go under my car seat. It was likely to get crowded in the van, since first thing Monday morning, I had moved my vest from the secure store room to the van. Once I figured out how to hide it, I planed to move one of the shotguns to the van as well. I knew that I was a little paranoid, but I had been taught for years that the Russians could not be trusted. Lately I had heard how vicious the Russian Mob could be. Even though I didn't think the visitors at Marge's were Mobsters, they were still likely to be fringe players.

"So when does the castle gate go up?" I asked.

"They can get started on it Wednesday morning, if I give them the go ahead and a deposit."

"You didn't tell them who it is for did you?"

"Of course not, I know you are trying to stay off the radar."

"Good, I want you to go to my place and be there when they install the gate. As far as they are to know, you are the resident. If they check the tax records, Eds client will come up. I don't want my name mentioned at all."

"I understood that from the start Boss." Luke said seriously.

"Good, this is going to mean that now and then you will have to go out and let people into the place. Are you up for that?"

"Sure we can work things out,"

"The convict and I share a dislike of strangers. He had it set so very few things required an outsider to enter the compound. I have even less exposure. All the utilities are in his mother's name. When she gets a bill, she calls to tell me. I just go by the utility office and pay it in cash. The fuel oil supplier goes into the compound once before the coldest weather and once in January. The cabin is small and reasonably draft free, so i use about three hundred gallons of fuel a years. Roughly one hundred and fifty gallons each time the man shows up. I dumped around five hundred dollar each time." 

"I figure if I get the truck out before the gate goes in. it will save Luke having to out there one time at least." I said that just before I made the call. 

The delivery company's receptionist assured me that her driver would make the delivery that same afternoon. As usual he would leave the bill in the door. The bill would have the owner's name on it. It was his account, I was just keeping his credit good for him. I explained about the locked gate. I gave her the cell phone registered in the company name as a contact after the gate went in.

My appointment with Jen was already set. She knew I could work it into my schedule so they just set it and informed me of the time. Wednesday at 3PM. I made a note after speaking with the cute receptionist, but knew that I would probably lose the note. I still used a ball point pen and paper to make notes to myself. My cell phone had a memo pad but I never used it. I didn't even want to know how.

Luke and I took to the road before lunch, so I bought giant burgers with lots of crap on them for us both. We weren't in Aster at the time, so Luke found a park on the GPS. We sat in the van to avoid the chilly wind. Even with the chill in the air the sun streaming through all that glass, made it quite comfortable.

"Boss are you interested in that preacher?" he asked.

"Yes, Luke. I'm not sure exactly what my interest is though."

"Yeah, well when you get interested in someone, it usually lasts about a week. So I won't be planning any religious awakenings from you."

"Let's get these papers delivered and get back to Aster. I'm supposed to stop by to see Ed's Son."

"Ah Ed's son the Doc? So how are you doing?"

"Luke you see me every day. Hon you would know if there was anything wrong with me. You might even know it before I do."

The paper deliveries were quite easy as they usually were. We always got a little lip, but since I had the signs installed, the standard answer was, "Ma'am we are just a delivery service. You need to take that up with your lawyer or your ex husband or business partner."

We did have to chase one man down. He knew someone was looking for him, so He wasn't where he was supposed to be. We found him at his son's soccer game at school. I hated to make the delivery there, but he made it impossible not to do it.

"You are almost as big a bitch as my ex-wife," he informed me.

"Thanks," I replied walking away. 

He put his hand on arm as I turned to leave. "I'm not finished," he said.

I showed him the stun gun. "Yes you are," I informed him as I walked away. Luke watched him to make sure he remained calm.

"Well we almost got away without anyone acting pissy."

"Those are rare and wonderful days. Now get me back to the office, so I can drop you and get over to see the doc."

Ed's son Jeff and I did our little dance, and he pronounced me cured. He had done very little, but since I had insurance I let him play doctor. Besides he was cute, so I didn't mind him touching and poking me a little.

I dreaded my next stop, but I had promised myself that I would confront Marge. I didn't see any advantage in putting it off. Since the office work was all done or at least being finished by Luke, I drove to the Hazelwood.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 09



"We need to talk," I said to Marge when i met her in the lobby. "Do you want to do it here, or go to your office?"

"I'd rather do it in my bed, but the office will do. Come with me." Once we were in her office she said, "We do indeed need to talk. My client is most upset with you."

"Oh really. well let me tell you something you stupid cow. I can either save your ass, or set you up for a couple of federal charges that will get you about thirty years in prison. I don't think it will be camp cupcake either."

"What the hell are you talking about?'

""Let's take it in order. First of all, when I met Julie, I recognized her. She is the 15 year old daughter of a friend. That makes you the madam of a minor. Then when I want to bring this to your attention, the Russian thug pushes me back into the room. He is holding me prisoner and you are bound to know it. That my dear is kidnapping." She tried to object. "Shut the fuck up and just listen. Then the Russian bitch, who is one of your clients drugs all of us, to make us more compliant. Now Julie begs me not to make a fuss, because she likes this shit. By the way that don't make it okay. So she tries to blackmail me by telling me you recorded all the events of Saturday night."

"Now Margie love, that is prostitution, pimping a minor, false imprisonment, drugs, and best of all child pornography for the tapes of the 15 year old being used sexually by adults. Now do you want to play ball and hope this all goes away, or do you want me to call the cops. When I say cops, I do not mean Anya Bostic."

Margie was no longer defiant. She looked at me for a few minutes then asked, "What do you want?"

"First of all, I don't have a problem with prostitution so lets just forget that. You are going to get rid of Julie. You will tell her in no uncertain terms that she is never to set foot in the Hazelwood again. You are to give her some motherly advice to get help.

You well stop drugging or allowing others to drug your girls. If they want drugs, they can find them without your help. You will call your Russian friends and explain, if they come looking for me, I have a dead man's switch on all this information. If I die, or I just think I am going to die, I will trip the switch and the US attorney will have the information. When you go down Marge, you will roll on them for a deal and that they can't afford. If they feel the need to kill me, they will kill you as well . You might want to put it in the wind, if they won't listen to reason."

"Let me get this straight, I get rid of Julie and get the Russians off your ass, and it's finished?"

"Yes, that's pretty much it."

"Well I can promise you both of those will be done by sundown today. The Russians don't want any trouble. If you give me your word that the gun will never show up again, they will be satisfied."

"The gun goes into my gun vault. It only shows, if they come after me." It was then that I knew. The gun could be traced to some crime in the United States. Since I didn't feel any obligation to do the cop's job, I intended to keep my word.

She seemed satisfied. "So Julie is lost to me, how about you?"

"Are you insane?" I asked sarcastically.

"No Maxine, you loved it. You are always welcome to come play again."

"Get fucked," I said turning to the door.

"God I hope so," she said quietly.

I planned to continue with the security at the compound. I didn't trust Marge much, and the Russians not at all.

When the receptionist led me into the conference room, I found my friend Jennifer at the head of the table. On one side sat Marty dressed in a suit. I couldn't remember ever seeing a picture of him in a suit, let alone seeing him in person dressed that way. Beside him sat a younger man in a golf type shirt and a young woman in a sweater. Jen of course was dressed in her power suit. I was by far the worse dressed one in the room in my jeans and old sweater. 

"Hello everyone," I said as I walked to the vacant side of the long table and seated myself.

"Hello Maxine," Jennifer said quietly.

"Yes Hello Maxine," Marty added. The other two just nodded. Marty tried to go on, "Max. let me just say." At that point I raised my hand.

"Marty, I really don't want to hear it. I just came to get the money. I wouldn't believe anything you said anyway."

"Give her the check Jennifer. Maybe after she sees this is no trick, she will listen."

Jennifer handed me a check for $75,000. "Nice," Was all I said as I put the check in my purse. I even signed the receipt that was attached to the check without comment.

"Now will you listen to me?" Marty asked.

"I will listen, but it isn't likely I will be interested in what you have to say."

"Just keep an open mind," Marty said. I nodded.

"You know I got involved with the Internet to setup my bike business." I nodded again. You also know I used your images to help promote the franchise." Before I could comment, he added. "Without your permission." I nodded again.

"I have lately been using reprints of local articles long with your images for the same purpose. In fact you have quite a following on the net."

"I didn't ask for it," I replied.

"I know, but it is there all the same. After a while I noticed how cheap it was to publish stuff on the Internet. Then I found out how profitable it could be. Much more profitable than the bike business."

"How nice for you, but what has this got to do with me?"

"I want to set up an Internet TV type station. Some of those cable stations run really low budget shows. I think I can do the same thing and make a ton of money."

"Like I said before, what has this got to do with me."

"I want to do a fifteen minute reality show about you every day."

"So that's what this is really about. You agreed to the settlement, so you could pitch this nonsense to me. I am not one bit interested in making you even more money."

"But are you interested in making money yourself. I promise , I will pay you well."

"I just don't need the money. At least not for a while," I said pointedly touching my purse.

"Why not at least talk to your people and see how they feel about it."

"What people?" I asked.

"Why we would have to pay the people who did an appearance on the show. Your young assistant, Ed Martin, Detective Blevins, anyone else with whom you interact. It's a chance to put some money in the economy around here."

"Marty you and I both know this isn't a big humanitarian gesture. You are all about making money. You are even more about making the profits as large as possible."

"Max you are ten times more interesting than that stupid guy with the long hair who picks up bail jumpers."

"That is a very small part of the business. Mostly I do nothing interesting at all. And when I do, I sure as hell don't want it on the Internet. So thanks Marty, but no thanks."

"Okay but think about it. In the meantime would you let these two follow you around for a few days. I promise no cameras hidden or otherwise."

"Why the hell would I do that?"

"For a thousand dollars," Marty said.

"I just told you I don't need your money that much."

"Okay how about a thousand to your preacher friend's mission. I'm sure he could use it."

"That's pretty low even for you."

"I know, but I learned from the best, you."

"Two days, and the Reverend Archer never knows where the money comes from." I demanded.

"Done," Marty agreed.

"How did you know about Archer anyway?"

"I have my ways, you should know that."

"Oh I remember, your money can buy almost anything and anyone. My guess is one of my people got duped by one of your people."

"I wouldn't be at all surprised, if that weren't the case."

"Okay for a grand to the mission, your people can follow behind me and do whatever they want but they can not bug me period."

"Fair enough," the young man replied.

"At the end of day two Jennifer better come up with a check. Your producers can not follow me home ever."

"Yes, we know you don't allow anyone to know where you live. We can respect that." the young woman agreed. "But if you go out after work, we expect to be notified."

"Fair enough."

"Also there are some things they can not be a party to. You know how that is Marty." 

"Yes, just tell them to stay in the car and they will, but Max I expect you to act in good faith."

"I always do what I promise, you should know that."

"Then will you give me your word that you will cooperate as much as possible?"

"You have it," I replied.

"Good, I am going to have to ask you to let the two of them ride with you. They don't have a car."

"Rent one Marty, or loan them one of yours."

"Just let them ride around with you. You have room in the van." 

"Not really, but we can give it a try."

"Lucas do me a favor, call around and find the Reverend," I said that into the cell phone after we were in the van.

"I'll call you back in a few minutes." Luke said.

"While we are waiting how about we chat?" the woman asked.

"I don't chat. If you have something you wish to know, just ask," I suggested.

"Marty said you were direct," the man said.

"I seriously doubt that is how he put it," I replied.

The woman smiled then asked, "So you were born here?"

"Of course, why else would anyone come to this hole?"

"Good point, there doesn't seem to be a lot going on."

"There isn't," I admitted. "I'm going to swing by the office, I just got an idea for something you can do.". 

I kept it until we got to the office. There was something I wanted to do with the twins, Mopsy and Flopsy, tagging along. The young dude being Mopsy and the chick being Flopsy. In her case it was a good name. She was over weight and they did flop around.

"I was just about to call you," Luke said. "I tracked the Reverend down to an old service station. Even though you didn't ask, I checked and found out who owns the building. It's owned by an old guy who lives out in that area. He fixed cars and sold gas there for years. The EPA shut him down because his tanks leaked. The Feds did a super fund cleanup, but left him broke and with no way to replace the tanks. So the holes got filled in, just like this place. His old station just wasn't five blocks from the country jail, so it had no rent value."

"So what is the Rev doing out there." My heart sank, I was afraid was something Illegal to do with his church as a cover.

"I have no idea, but he doesn't seem to be hiding it. The chick who answered the phone, gave it up right away. Here is the address," He said handing me a bit of paper.

"It's out in the same area as the church. Cherry Lane is a block or so from the church." I said that more to myself that to Luke.

"Luke do you have a paper that you can serve?"

"Yeah, I got one for that flower show out at the new Cross Roads Shopping Center between here and Tryon."

"While I'm gone, take Mopsy and Flopsy over there and go serve it. Let them figure out how they can observe you serving the paper without actually being involved. You are their kind of guy, not me. Be sure they do not get involved, not even by watching outside the van. There is no way they can fit into the delivery scam. We are not going redneck, just so they have some cute TV shot."

"I got you boss, but you tell them. I'm too close to their age for them to listen to me."

"Actually you are younger, but you are also right. I'll explain it to them inwords even they can understand."

I walked across the room to the guest area where they were seated on the old sofa Staring at their big ass phones. "Okay you two here is what is going to happen, I am going to send you off with my partner Lucas. He is our tech guy, so you can all figure out how to observe his service without being seen or heard. Note that the operative word was observe. If you get involved in anyway, the deal is off. If you fuck this up, I will get a restraining order to keep you a thousand feet away from us. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Ma'am, I thought you would be easier to work with." Flopsy said.

"You thought wrong. Your presence would just wind the mooch up, and we don't work that way. You want confrontation for you drams, but we want calm for our work. That's why we are going to be boring as hell on a day to day basis."

Luke was standing beside me, so I turned to him and said. "For today wear the Jumper radio, let them monitor you from the van. They can hear everything and with a little imagination they can fill in the blanks. If they want to figure out a hidden camera, you can help them work out a plan if possible. Luke remember your job is not to help these yahoos, it's to serve that paper."

I turned to leave. "By the way," I said over my shoulder. "I'm taking your car, give me the key. You three take the van, it already has the monitoring equipment installed."

"Right," Luke said. "By the way I'll leave your new gate control over the sun visor. Red button is for the alarm, do it first. Green is to open the gate. They are not marked. Close the gate with the same button and to reset the alarm, push the red button again."

"Okay, I'll work it out."

"It's designed to look like a car alarm thing, you can put it on your key chain even,"

"Enough about the stupid alarm, I need to be somewhere, and you need to serve the paper, so that Mopsy and Flopy can see how boring this job is."

I left the office parking lot in his five year old Korean bottom of the line car. I was surprised to find that it wasn't a clunker, but rather a pretty nice little car. The drive to the shop took only a few minutes. As i said before, the town was small enough so that if it took more than fifteen minutes to get there. You were somewhere else, when you got there.

When I arrived at the old service station, I was amazed to see a long row of bicycles out front. Not the kind Marty made, his were all chrome and shiny paint. The bikes outside the Rev's shop were dull and pitted but there were plenty of them.

"Now I know your scam, You are stealing junk bikes?" I said when I entered the shop. Reverend Archer was in the show with a younger man working on a bicycle.

"Yes, you found me out. They said you were sharp and I should stay away from you, if I had anything to hide."

"Now you know that's not why they told you to stay away from me. They are afraid that with my loose morals I will lead you astray."

"Actually you are correct. Ever your own friends say that."

"If they didn't tell the truth, they wouldn't be my friends." I replied with a smile.

"Ah, but are you fun? That is the real question," he asked.

"I have been told that I'm fun, but they also say I'm dangerous." I laughed as I said it. "So what's with the bikes?" I needed to change the subject. It was too soon to be flirting with a preacher.

"The gentleman in the office, allows us to use his shop to repair bicycles. Edward is the real mechanic. I stop by when I can to help out."

"So what do you charge for those out front?"

"We charge nothing at all. If the customer can make a donation, we accept it, If not, a smile and a promise to go to church on Sunday is payment enough."

"Why bicycles?"

"Haven't you noticed the price of gasoline. It is expensive and it is volatile The people in my congregation can not afford cars, but they still need to get to the store or to work. These are not the answer for everyone but for some they are the answer."

"So where do they come from?" I asked.

"There is are several people in my congregation who pick up salvage. If they find a bike they bring it to me. I insist that they allow me to pay them the scrap value of the bike. Usually a dollar since it is just for the metal."

"What about Edward, how does he survive?" Yes I was skeptical. 

"Edward once had a drug issue, these days he is clean. At the moment he wants no more than a bed and to eat twice a day. That isn't much to ask, so God provides it for him. In exchange he works in the bike shop."

"It all sounds too good to be true. How does your ministry support itself. I am sure the mission's collection can't pay for it."

"Actually this week it could," he said with a knowing smile.

"Then last week, how did you pay for your ministry?"

"You truly are a skeptic. That's okay one should look beyond the painted face of the beautiful woman. Come back tomorrow morning and we will take a short tour."

"I have a couple of people tagging along behind me for a couple of days. It's embarrassing but would you mind if I brought them along?"

"Not at all, maybe they will get involved, as I hope you will."

"I would say that the odds of them wanting to be involved are greater than me. I'm not the charitable type."

"Oh but Maxine, I think you are. Regardless meet me here tomorrow and 9AM and you can get a tour of my empire. It will probably take much less than an hour."

"Fair enough, but there is one thing you should know before I take the tour. You might not want to do it after you find out. I know about your past."

"The important thing is not that you know, but that you know it is the past." He said that with a knowing smile. He was smart enough to know that, if it truly bothered me, I wouldn't be standing there at all.

chapter 36

8PM found me in my van on my way from my cabin in the woods to pick up Mopsy and Flopsy at their motel. Thank God it wasn't the Hazelwood. The video twins were staying at an old time mom and pop 16 unit tourist cabin motel. Someone had decided to restore it to it's 1930's lack of glory days. The bathhouse, which had been the only sanitary facilities originally, had been traded for tiny individual bathrooms stuck on the rear of the cabins like so many tumors.

Marty had decided that if he and I could share a motel room for almost two months, Mopsy and Flopsy could do it for two days. I stopped for them on my way to the Cop Out. I had decided to go along with the gag. In doing so, there should be no difficulty collecting the money for the mission.

In the spirit of cooperation, I decided to take them to the Cop Out Club. "Now listen you two. I am going to take you to a cop bar, but you are not cops and neither am I. We are guest, so behave like it. No prying into their lives or so help me I will shoot you myself."

"Okay, we get it Max. We are here to observe, not interact." It was Flopsy, who really did seem to get it.

"Good," I said as I parked the van on the street a block away from the Cop Out.

"Max," one of the paramedics shouted over the too loud jukebox. "Where you been girl?"

"Recovering from Saturday night," I replied. He thought it was a joke, which was fine with me. Mopsy and Flopsy wandered off to sit alone and observe. "You seen Blevins?"

"Not tonight, but he will be around later I'm sure. The man has no home."

"Hey, you seem to be here too much as well," I said smiling.

"I know this is my life, just like Blevins."

I sat at the lunch counter bar to drink a beer, while I waited for one of my cop buddies to come in. Several minutes later, I noticed Flopsy on the dance floor. She wasn't very talented but, with those big ole boobies moving to the music nobody seemed to mind. I had to admit there was some appeal there for the guys.

"Well hello," Blevins said from behind me.

"You slipped in on me. So where is your partner?"

"Which one the official one or my running buddy Jerry?"

"Either one?" I asked.

"Anya, the bitch, is doing paperwork and probably won't come over at all. If she knew you were here, I'm sure she would rush over." 

"I doubt that," I replied. "How about Jerry?"

"Jerry is still broke up about Sarah. He is moody as hell. I never know what he is likely to do next. Come on let's get a table."

"Sounds good to me."

It took all of ten minutes for the table for six to fill up. Blevins was a magnet for some reason. I had never known him to leave with anyone, but people were just drawn to him for some reason. One of the only slightly overweight, and only slightly butch EMTs sat down beside me. We all drank and laughed at the ordinary people. 




Maxine's New Life Ch. 09



Now and then I looked up to see the twins checking things out. I have no idea whether they were having any fun or not, but I know Flopsy danced several times.

When neither Anya or Jerry showed up by the time I finished my second beer, I decided it was time to go home. "Well guys, it's time for me to call it a night while my carriage is still a carriage."

"Stay and dance with me at least once," the slightly butch EMT suggested.

"I will dance with you once, if you promise I can lead," I said it loud enough to be heard by everyone at the table.

"Fair enough, but if you dance good enough, I might get you a job."

"Oh as a dancer?"

"Sure, you ever been to the Island over in Tryon?"

"Never heard of it," I admitted.

"They have pole dancers there and the manager is a friend of mine. If you are a good dancer I can get you a job. You have the body for it."

"You mean a chick with hardly any boobs is a popular dancer?" I was still speaking loud. Everyone was laughing with me.

"Sure, there is something to be said for having the body of a teenage boy."

"Afraid all these middle aged wrinkles would ruin the illusion," I admitted.

"Let's dance, so I can see if you are worth the effort."

"Let's do it. I guess since I look the most like him, I'll be Fred and you be Ginger."

"Sounds good to me," she said as I led her to the dance floor. The music was reasonably fast so we danced without touching. Then something slow and sensuous came on the jukebox and I moved slowly to it.

"Yeah, you will do just fine," she said giggling.

"Not really hon, I'm a terrible dancer. It won't do you any good to pretend otherwise."

"Then what will do me good?" she asked.

"Well I prefer lovers who don't need to ask what to do next. But for now it's time for me to leave. Night sweetie." I didn't remember her name. I wasn't even sure that I ever heard it.

The twins joined me outside the club. "You certain do know how to have fun," Flopsy commented.

"Oh, I thought you were having all the fun."

"You don't blame me do you. I got a lot more attention here, than I ever did in Boston."

"Are you two from Boston?"

"We used to work for the PBS station there until they got their funding cut. Private donations dried up with the recession and then the damn republicans cut our funding. So now we are working for peanuts trying to get our own production company started."

"Sorry to hear that but if you think you sob story is going to melt my black republican heart, forget it." I realized she was trying to increase her chances of getting the job by convincing me how much she needed it.

"What would melt your heart, an evening with Bobby?"

I looked over at the younger man. "Hardly," I replied.

"Then how about an evening with me?"

"Sorry not my type?"

"Marty said everyone was your type." Mopsy said it from his seat beside me.

"Now that wasn't the most diplomatic thing to say. It might be true that I subscribe to the cull not want not theory of love, but even so you two just don't do it for me. sorry."

"After leaving them at the tourist court, I drove home. I tried the new gate thing and found that it worked just fine. I had to stop to close the gate after I passed. I also had to reset the alarm. It was going to be a pain for sure, but I knew I needed to do it for a while at least.

I was in the house with the radio on checking my email when the phone rang. "At your service," I said into the phone.

"I wish," was the answer which came over the phone.

"What can I do for you sir?" I replied.

"I need to postpone our meeting from 9AM until 10AM. I forgot I had another thing at 9."

"Not a problem Reverend Archer, I'll see you then."

"Yes, I can hardly wait." He sounded as though he had been drinking, but I decided that it was none of my business. Instead of commenting I just pushed the off button. I wondered if the preacher was flirting with me, or just playing me to see how much more money I would give up.

It was almost midnigh,t when I slipped into bed. I was tired and needed to sleep but my mind would not shut down. My mind was stuck in gear thinking about the next day and the things I had planned for it. 

Somehow thoughts of the preacher filled my mind, not the mundane things on my schedule. I wondered about the Preacher and his life. From growing up in the housing project, to getting involved with street gangs. It had to have been some kind of self protection thing. Or maybe the need for family. They say it can be either, or both, that motivates a kid to begin banging. 

I could only imagine him as a teenage boy going into the justice system for murder. The fear while awaiting trial. Then to have been dropped into the general population of an adult prison must have been a nightmare. 

There was no doubt in my mind that at 18, he learned to suck cock, before he learned to eat pussy. Yes, my mind had slipped into gutter speak. I was also massaging the loose flesh between my legs as I imagined his life in prison. I knew without a doubt that I would soon feel the loose flesh begin to tighten and get puffy. Followed shortly by hot and slippery liquid running from the bottom of my pussy and working its way into the cleft of my ass.

While I massaged my pussy lips, I visualized the teenage boy on his knees accepting a bigger, stronger, most likely older man's cock. Opening his mouth to it in terror. "Take it, or take an ass beating every day till you do it willingly." The words ran though my mind as I shivered and gasped for breath.

Fucking him in the ass would be easy compared to having him suck cock for the first time. It was almost impossible to force that. Not absolutely impossible, but very difficult. It almost always involved a beating the first time, if on an unwilling partner. It wasn't something you could just ram in and pump away. The one receiving the cock had to cooperate to make it an enjoyable experience. Sometimes the first time wasn't enjoyable at all, but it was something that usually just had to be endured. After the first time like most things it got easer and the receiver of the cock got better at making love to it. Being the receiver of a cock in the mouth or up the ass had to be hard for a proud young man.

I became more aroused as I imagined Archer becoming a top only. Fucking other younger, weaker prisoners while doing nothing for them in return. He was certainly big enough. He had obviously worked out in prison. He probably continued on the outside. He could easily have found him a prison bitch somewhere along the line. He might have learned to enjoy cock inside him, but I just couldn't quite see that.

I had began rubbing my clit in a hard circular motion as I imagined his cock in my unwilling mouth. I didn't love cock sucking, but I didn't refuse anymore either. What I did love was the attention, and the wanting my lover to be so lost in the feelings enough to be forceful. Maybe not to the point of rape, but to the point of making it clear that it just might come to that, if need be.

I did not like taking it up the ass at all, but I knew that I would for the Preacher. I was certainly no virgin there either, but I would be very tight. I was sure that the intern had some real pain the next day from forcing it in me, more or less dry. He had to have hurt him almost as much as it did me.

When I thought of the preacher forcing his cock in my ass, I came. I came from the massaging of my clit, but it was the image of his cock in my ass which filled my mind at the time. 

I managed to fall asleep shortly after i stopped trembling.

Chapter 37

The weather had developed a serious chill overnight. The cabin had an inside chill as well. After my early morning pee I turned the heater up a couple of notches, then crawled back into bed. I would have thought from the chill that it was 3AM, had the sun not been shining through the high windows. It was obviously time to winterize the place. I knew that I would need to take a look at the window screens to see what could be done there. I was hoping that I could take then down, wrap them with plastic like a sandwich, then put them back in place. That seemed like a good do it yourself project. Especially since there was a tall alum step ladder behind the cabin. With that thought at the forefront of my brain, I slipped back into the arms of Morpheus.

An hour later, when I next awoke, the cabin was warmer, so I promptly forgot the winterizing project. Instead. I concentrated on reheating the day old coffee in the microwave, washing my ass, and then loading my dirty clothes into the van. I did it all and in that order.

When I left the compound, I almost forgot to stop and open the gate. "I should probably not come home drunk, until I make a new habit of stopping to open the gate," I said aloud, 

I found my Latina mother and daughter couple at the Laundromat. I struck the bargain, then dropped off my laundry. The next stop was Hardee's drive thru. I thought about the video team, then had to force myself to buy coffee and biscuits for them. Being from the Boston PBS station, I had no idea what kind of crazy eating habits they had acquired. But the special that morning was Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuits. I got three, and three large coffees. It all came to just under ten bucks. 

"They damn well better be ready to go," I said to myself. I knew I had to stop talking to myself or I was going to be in trouble one day.

I knocked on the door then said, "You guys ready?" I heard movement inside so I was pretty sure that I didn't live in Cabot's Cove. A place where every stranger got killed, to satisfy Jessica Fletcher's need for a mystery to solve.

Mopsy opened the door, but he didn't look good. "It's 8AM tell me you are ready to go," I demanded.

"We are, just give Gwen a chance to finish doing her makeup," he said.

"Flopsy, put the makeup down and get your ass out here, or explain to Marty why I left you in the bathroom. I'm going to be out front in the van for two minutes, then I'm leaving whether you guys are there or not." That got her ass moving. Some people just needed to be motivated.

At the office the three of us sat eating our biscuits while I flipped through the 'New Work' clipboard. It was the only real place where orders were stored. Luke entered them into the computer, but I didn't put much faith in them not ending up lost in space somewhere.

"What are we doing today," Mopsy asked.

"Hell, I have no idea. What do you want to do. Oh I know, you want to sit back and observe how boring this place is." It was too bad that I actually had things that needed to be done. There were already four stops on Luke's pick up schedule for court documents. We had raised our fee almost double, so we had to give good service for it. 

"Damn Boss, it is getting cold out there," Luke said as he entered the office.

"Well the coffee is made, and the office is warm, not much more I can do. Believe it or not I don't have a direct line to God."

"I thought all you Jews had a direct line to him," Ed commented as he walked through the office. He walked in just in time to catch the last comment.

"Ed, I'm not Jewish."

"You could have fooled me. George Washington has a beard on your money, since you have had it around so long. Go out and buy the boy a decent coat."

"How about he buy some thermal underwear for himself, and then he can wear the all season coat I already bought him?" I asked, but it was really a suggestion. I had bought the coats the day after we decided to pick up bond jumpers. We needed pockets, so jackets seemed the best thing to wear over the vests.

"I'll buy the damn coat, just tell me what you want me to buy," Luke suggested.

"See Ed, that's why he is employee of the year."

"That and he is your only employee," Ed replied.

"That too," I admitted. "Luke find something you like and I'll take a look at it. Please remember we have to be able to move in it, as well as hide all the junk we need to carry."

"So Boss, what we gonna' do this morning?" he asked.

"I have a tour of the Reverend Archer's vast holding at ten. I want you to pick up the papers and start with the services. I also noticed that we are supposed to get a file from Jessup Bail Company from Charlestown?"

"Yeah they are going to email us the file and the pickup order from the court. I can print it out, so we don't have to drive over there for it." he noticed my look. "I know you don't like to work from copies, but it's a two hour drive each way."

"We do this until we get burned on one. Then, if we aren't in jail or bankrupt, we will go back to having them mailed it to us."

"You mean snail mail."

"Yeah overnight mail, you probably don't remember it. It's what we used back in the day. You know before you came, last year." I said sarcastically. Actually I would admit to anyone that Luke made a world of difference in the business. I was going to miss him, when he went back to school in January

"So I guess I'll go pick up the papers and get started. Can I use the van?" 

"Of course, the delivery scam won't work with your Korean toy," I suggested.

"You need to buy another vehicle," Edd said. I gave him a stern look. "Just saying."

"Luke it's up to you, would you rather have a company car, or the per mile payment?"

"Boss, I can drive my car no problem, but I am racking up a lot of miles," he said.

"Okay, I'll look for something that will do us the most good." I had Marty's settlement money so it was no skin off my ass.

"You want a pickup truck?" Ed asked.

"I don't know, why Ed?" I asked.

"Because Michael Kelly got sentenced yesterday. He put up a two year old Japanese pickup for the bond note. It is going to be really old by the time he gets out. I can give him a call and you can take a look."

"The bank probably owns it," I suggested.

"They will for sure, but you might still have time to drop a hundred bucks on him and pay off the note with the bank."

"If he bought it new, it will probably be worth less than the payoff of the note." I suggested. I think I will pick up one of those off lease things. I'm thinking PT Cruiser with the rear seat pulled out."

"Max, you are an idiot." Ed said with a laugh.

"Trade keys with me," I demanded of Luke.

"Do you want me to take one of our guests?" Luke asked with a grin.

"Sure, which one do you want?" Luke just smiled. "Okay take Flopsy."

"Let's go Gwen, we have miles to go before we sleep," he said.

"But not together," I added. Luke just grinned. It looked as though I might have been a bad influence on the boy.

"Well Mopsy, that puts you with me, but relax we aren't going anywhere for an half hour."

I was reading the morning news on line when my cell phone rang. "At your service." I said.

"Max it's me Anya. It's probably nothing, but I just got a call from the guy who runs Hazelwood for Marge. He can't find her."

"What?" I asked incredulously. "When did he see her last."

"When he left the Inn at midnight, she was in her office. She was nowhere to be found this morning. Like I said, it's probably nothing, but watch your back till we find her."

"I got to make a call get off the phone."

I dialed Luke's cell phone number. There was no answer, even after ten rings. More than enough time for him to get to it no matter where it was. "Ed, lock this place down tight."

Ed had the switch to activate his electric locks on both front and rear door. I went to the storage vault for my serious weapons. I picked up the civilian version of the AK47. and the trench length 12 gauge. 

"Here you go Ed, Christmas is early." I said it as I handed him the Trench length Winchester pump gun. It was the shotgun that I swore came from Alcatraz. 

"You know, I hate when you do this," he said.

"Ed, I have never done this before."

"Okay, I'm going to hate it from now on. So what's happening?"

"Nothing I hope, I have to go find Luke and the van. Nobody comes in the office until I get back and you don't leave. Ed this is serious shit, do not leave this office."

I had a bad feeling about it all. The Russians might have decided to play rough. Just then my cell rang. "At Your Service." I said.

"I love your American TV. I love the game shows. So bitch, lets make a deal."

"So what's behind curtain one?" I asked in what was probably a weak shaky voice.

"An old lady, a kid, and a fat cow." he answered.

"And what is it you want?"

"My pistol and of course you."

"Not much of a deal there. I give you want you want and we all die. Seems like a really one sided trade."

"How about I just come in and take it?"

"How are you fixed for body bags.? Cause you are going to need some, if you try that."

"I think we have the advantage. I have your friends."

"When it comes to my life or death, I have no more friends than you do. I figure they are already dead anyway. So step out in the open and walk over here."

"You are a cold bitch,"

"Boss it's me Luke. Gwen and me and some old lady are here. Fuck these guys," he said trying to be brave. His voice was trembling.

"Want to hear me shoot him?"

"That's up to you. Do you want to hear the sirens of the cops pulling up and the gungoing to the FBI. Plus, they most likely know who you are already. I bet your boss is pissed that you didn't toss that gun after the job."

"I am going to enjoy killing you. It might take days." he stopped talking then asked, "Where do you want to meet?"

"My guess is that you are in that black Buick parked across the street. So bring the hostages to where you are. Send them across and when they are inside, I'll throw the pistol out."

"Now that is a bad deal for me. If I do that, you get the hostages and then keep the pistol anyway."

"You tried to have it all, so I had to try as well."

"So where is the middle ground, as you people say."

"The middle ground is that we do it in public. You drive away right now, and I bring the pistol and meet you in the parking lot of the courthouse. They have lots of video cameras to keep us both honest. You hand over the hostages and I hand over an envelope with the pistol inside."

"When?"

"Just as soon as we can all get there."

"Not the courthouse, but the rest of the plan will work. The big bank with the large American flag. We can do it in their parking lot."

"All right Wells Fargo it is." It was as good a deal as I could make.

I punched a number into my cell phone. "Where are you? You have to be kidding me. Walk across the street and look for a blue Hyundai to pull up to the curb."

"Mopsy, you come with me. Ed lock this place down for sure."

I loaded the kid down with hardware, then we headed for the drop. I punched the re-dial when i was a block from the bank. "I'm here. come to the car."

You guessed it, the Reverend came from the downtown consignment store across the street from where I parked. He was moving quickly as he got into the car beside me. Mopsy handed him the civilian AK47. "This might get messy," I said.

"Max I am trust you, but if I have to go back to the joint, I'm going to kill you."

"Sounds fair. If you have a chance to kill me, I'm going to be surprised." I took a deep breath then went on. "I don't have time to explain just go with it." 

They had no idea what my car looked like, so I hoped they didn't see the Reverend get into it. Once in the bank's parking lot, I got out of the car and walked toward the black Buick. I stopped in plain sight of the overhead camera while still several feet from the car. I was pretty sure the Reverend had the Ak trained on the car.

"Where is my envelop?" a different Russian asked as he approached me

"Where is Ivan. He wasn't much of a body guard, but he was cute." I was faking the bravado. I was terrified.

"Where is my envelop?" he asked angrily.

Yes I was terrified, but I was also successful in my fight to control my voice. "In the car where are my people?"




Maxine's New Life Ch. 10



Lit 10-

Chapter 41

In the parking lot of the Senior Towers Gus said, "So you coming up or not?"

"Gus, I am flattered, but I just met you," I answered.

"If you can't trust an old Marine, who can you trust?" he asked with a charming smile.

"Okay, but I reserve the right to leave at any time." 

"Fair enough. At least you can relax nobody will have any idea where to look for you." he said.

"Well this van stands out like a Siamese cat at a dog show," I commented.

"Ah but there are over two hundred units here. I doubt that even the bad boys from the east will kill everyone in every apartment just for you."

"Good point," I admitted.

"Yes none of us is as important as we think we are. We are also not as unique as we are told as children."

"I do suppose that is true. Alright Gunny let's have a picnic."

In the utilitarian, but very clean lobby, I had noted the sign that welcomed me to the Evergreen Towers. The ride up on the elevator was surprising in that it smelled of pine cleaner not urine. I had been inside Government housing projects before and found them atrocious. I had never been inside a Senior's Tower though. I knew they existed in almost every town of any real size in the whole country.

"I have got to tell you Gus this is the cleanest Government housing I have ever seen."

"That's because we run the place, not the housing authority. We have a homeowner's type association, and they make the rules. They have committees that oversee everything. Yeah the government boys can veto anything, it is still their rice bowl, but they don't bother as long as there are no complaints. Some of us are ex military, but most came from places that weren't real safe or clean. Everyone appreciates that there are no thugs in the lobby here."

"So what is the police response time to trouble?" I asked knowing that it was the key to public housing crime.

"Longer than our security staff."

"Oh really?"

"Some retired guys can still swing a Louisville Slugger. Most of the security guys say, they don't mind spending a few nights in lockup, if it keep their friends safe. Besides for the most part even thugs have grandmas."

"Not a lot worth stealing, and not much call for crack in here I would think?"

"Exactly, worst thing here are the resident drunks and we help them to their rooms and take their car keys."

"Sounds like a place I wouldn't mind living." 

"You most likely have too much money in the bank. You pretty much have to have nothing to live here."

"Careful there Gunny, you are going to lose points for not being rich."

"Max, I figure if you wanted rich, you wouldn't be eating at the Dog House. You are not going to find rich men hanging out in there."

"Okay, you do have a point."

When the Gunny opened the door, I thought I was back in the Air Force. His apartment looked a lot like my room in the NCO barracks. He had somehow gotten hold of a military issue bunk. It was complete with steel pipe frame and open wire springs. The mattress on top did look a lot thicker than anyone I ever had in a barracks situation. He even had a throw and big ass pillow that made it look like a sofa, sorta. The difference was that at the head and foot of the bed, instead of being Air Force gray, the pipes were painted gold. The throw over the mattress was a blanket looking affair with the Marine Corp symbol in the center. 

There was a small desk, with an equally small desktop style computer on the top. The computer shared the space with various desk type items. A coffee cup with the marine emblem embossed on it and filled with pens and pencils graced one corner. There was the graduation picture of a young woman at the rear corner.

The coffee table was nothing more than a wooden type footlocker. It was the type found at the foot of every bunk in a typical barracks. The Gunny had done a pretty good job of reproducing a typical NCO's room, but with a lot more class. There were nice full length drapes on the windows and a very clean looking chrome lap on the desk. The combination bedroom and living room of the studio apartment was small enough that it really didn't need any other furniture.

An opening on the right side of the room led to a very small kitchen and tiny dining area. The kitchen counter boasted the smallest microwave oven I had ever seen, and of course a generic Mr. Coffee pot 

On the left side of the living room another opening lead into a storage area, with a small compact bathroom at one end. The two rooms on the left were the same size as the kitchen and dining room, so there was plenty of storage. Some of it in drawers and some in hanging bars. The Gunny didn't have it filled by any means, but he did have what seemed like enough cloths for an average man. At least it seemed that way to me. Of course someone like Jen could never fit her clothes into the space.

"Nice place you have Gunny, Do you have a coke in the little refrig or is it all beer."

"I gave up drinking the same night I gave up driving," he said almost sadly. It was more matter of fact I suppose, but it good have been a sad expression for him. "But to answer your question, I have coke."

I took the caned coke and my bad of dogs to his tiny dining table. I was just about to plop my ass down when he spoke.

"Oh I can do better than that, he said. He pulled the string on the full length drapes at the end of the living room. I had expected a window behind the drapes, but instead there was a door that led onto a tiny balcony. It was just large enough for a small but comfortable deacon's bench. The coke cans had to sit on the concrete floor of the balcony, but there was an interesting view of main street to make it worthwhile. We ate hot dogs and watched the cars go by.

"You know Max, I have heard a lot about you over this last year. You seem to have blown into this town like a tornado."

"Gunny, it's a very small town. Trust me in the scheme of things, I'm nothing. It't like you said, none of us is unique."

"You have a good memory. I am going to have to watch what I say." I just smiled at his remark.

"Got any family left here?" he asked.

"A cousin or two I think," I replied. "None of them have gotten in touch with me, and I haven't gone looking for them."

"Yeah, I grew up here myself. I'm sure I have some family somewhere but I don't know. Like you I was gone a long time."

"Who is the girl on the desk?"

"You don't miss much do you?"

"I try not to," I replied.

"She is my daughter, it's an old picture."

"So how old is she?"

"We probably shouldn't discuss ages, but she is over forty."

"Yeah, I probably shouldn't have asked that." I was smiling broadly to let him know that I didn't care.

The dogs had been gone several minutes when he asked, "How about that shower? You do have the aroma of hospital disinfectant." he admitted.

It took me about ten seconds to decide. I handed him the key to my van. There is a cloth laundry bag in the back. How about you getting it, while I shower." And that's what happened.

There is nothing like a brush with one's own mortality to convince a person to do something bold. If for no other reason, than to prove that they are still alive. In my case it was walking from the shower into the living room of the Gunny's apartment naked. I didn't even carry the towel to try for fake modesty. Hell why bother, we both knew why I was really in his senior citizen apartment.

"Did you take your little blue pill?" I asked as I stood in the center of the room posing for him.

"Mostly I don't need it, but next time I'll take it because it is easier on you that way." he said grinning.

"Hell don't worry about being easy on me."

Rather than answer he pushed down on my shoulders. I knew what that meant without having to even think about it. I dropped to my knees and worked his simi hard penis from his trousers. I kissed the head of his penis and felt his body quiver. Rather than take his penis into my mouth, I ran my tongue along the shaft from his balls to the head and then sucked on the head just a second, before starting the same move over again. 

His knees where weak, when he put his hands on my head and forced my mouth over his cock. Even though his cock was deep in my mouth I sucked on it while massaging the under side with my tongue as best I could. His cock was still not rock hard, but he was trying to fuck my mouth anyway. I released the pressure so that he could pump my mouth, even with his only moderately hard cock.

"I can tell that you love sucking daddy's dick," he said and shuddered hard. I didn't answer but I sucked harder on is dick. I was begging for his cum wordlessly with my mouth, but nothing happened. I didn't mind, since I loved just sucking on him. "Tell me Chris, tell me that you love sucking my dick," he demanded.

I pulled away and said, "Yes I love sucking Daddy's dick," then I quickly stuffed his almost hard cock into my mouth and sucked deeply. 

"You don't know how long I have wanted to see you on your knees sucking my dick. I have dreamed of this moment." He was growing in my mouth as he spoke.

I knew he wanted to cum and I wanted him to cum. I pushed down hard until I could swallow his dick. I felt it deep in my throat. I couldn't speak, but I did look up and beg with my eyes. He suddenly pulled back and came in my mouth. It wasn't much of a load, but it was enough to make him fall back onto his sofa/bed.

"Damn girl," was all he could say. He shook and I moved even closer between his legs and rested my head in his lap. I knew his penis might be too sensitive for me to touch at that moment. I was pretty sure that he was finished for the night.

It took him at least fifteen minutes to recover. I hadn't expected that he would. He didn't actually recover enough to get an erection, but he did recover enough to get amorous. For one thing he kissed me for the first time. 

He also guided me to his bed. He undressed himself, then slipped onto the narrow bed with me. I felt his hands moving over me as he kissed me, He kissed and caressed me until my body screamed for relief. Finally he touched my clit and I exploded into an orgasm. I expected him to stop shortly after but he did not. He continued to stroke me and massage my clit until I exploded yet again. After that one I couldn't stop, nor could I stop him from massaging me. It just seemed to go on forever.

When I could stand it no longer I said, "Please stop, I can't stand this I will do anything just stop please."

"Tell me you love your daddy," he demanded.

"God yes I love you Daddy," I whined. He stopped shortly after I said it. He held me even tighter and I drifted off to sleep. I have no idea what he did.

chapter 42

An unfamiliar noise woke me. It took a few seconds for me to realize that I wasn't home. The noise was Gus's door rattling. I reached for my pistol, then quickly realized that I might be headed into a gun fight, with only a stun gun to stick in someone's face It was not a reassuring feeling. Even in my groggy state, I knew that it might be the end of Maxine Stone. I didn't mind dying. Hell, I didn't even mind dying naked, actually I kind of liked that image. I just wished that I had tightened up the left over tummy first. I was not going to leave a beautiful corpse, and that was the big regret..

"So you are awake," Gus observed as he entered. "Good, I would hate to wake you. You were sleeping so peacefully."

"The key in the door woke me. Some sounds just override everything else."

"Yeah, the racking of a shotgun and the sound of an AK47 popping, come to mind for me."

"Yeah, anything off my routine does it for me. Even a small sound can starts the adrenalin pumping." I had to smile. Gus might be the only one in town, who really understood combat stress as well as me.

"Well, this time it is just the old man baring gifts." He put the two bags on his small kitchen counter. "So it's time to get up."

That's when I remembered that I was naked and all my clean clothes were in the laundry bag by the door. Naked, when you are trying to get laid is one thing. Naked on a Sunday morning, with the sun streaming through the windows, is quite another. Still, I wasn't going to ask him to look away. I'm not that hypocritical, or modest. I slipped from his bed, walked as calmly as possible to retrieve the cloth bag, then went into the small bathroom for a quick shower.

After the shower I found that the surprise was Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee. "I would usually make my own coffee, but frankly their's is better." Gus admitted. "And I am trying to impress you."

"I drink way too much coffee, so I am not much of a judge.," I admitted. However, I do like McDonalds' coffee." I took a sip and then proclaimed. "This stuff is excellent."

"I thought you would like it. One of my few vices, since I lost my driver's license, is the jelly donuts from KK. It is just across the street and half a block north."

"I missed the hell out of their donuts, for weeks after I came home for a visit, then had to leave. I hear they are all over the place now, but once upon a time, they were hard as hell to find."

"Yeah, I remember it that way." he agreed.

I bit into the jelly donut then said, "God that is heaven and five pounds on my ass."

"Enjoy your donut Max, you can handle the five pounds, no sweat." Gus grew thoughtful for a few minutes then said, "I hope I didn't freak you out last night. You just remind me so much of my daughter Chris."

"Not at all Gu, most of good sex, and it was that, is more about imagination. At least it seems to be that way for me these days." 

"I'm glad that I didn't freak you out."

I suddenly got that urge to rescue a stray animal again. "So tell me Gus, how do you get around without a car?"

"To be honest I miss the car a lot less than I expected. This place is in the downtown, but it is a different downtown from the one I remember."

"Yeah me too," I agreed.

"I can't remember their being a grocery store downtown before. I mean yeah there were little markets here and there, but not a supermarket. Now there is one of those Food Lion things two blocks over. There are a couple of walk in clinics attached to the hospital three blocks up. Just about everything I need I can walk to. As for the things I just want, like a real meal now and then, I have a fancy bicycle chained up outside. It don't look like much, I stripped it down to just the frame so the kids wouldn't want to steal it. 

Fortunately I can still pedal it around town, if I really want to go somewhere badly enough. My daughter Chris comes by, if I need to go anywhere far away like the VA hospital. She is the caretaker of my finances as well. She got me this place. I expect that it was mostly, so that I wouldn't be a burden on her. I didn't see her much over the years, but I did support her as much as I could. She is old enough to realize how things are now and even how they were back then.

"Yeah, I understand about my family now. I didn't always get it, but I think you kinda grow into it."

"Exactly," Gus said.

"Yeah, well Gunny, I have finished my donut, and I think you are finished with me. It's time for me to be heading home."

"I am never going to be finished with you. Here take this," he demanded while handing me a piece of paper roughly the size of a business card. There was a cell phone number hand written on it.

"Call me. If you don't max, I do have your number. Of course your office is only three blocks away, I will come see you if you don't call. The threat of that embarrassment should be enough to force you to call."

"I would not be at all embarrassed, but I will call, I promise." I had made that promise several times lately and never done it. but the Gunny might be the exception, I thought. 

I drove home slowly, when I made the two turns that got me to my long driveway, I made sure no one was following. I found the cattle gate locked and undisturbed, so I pushed the buttons to get me inside.

I spend the remainder of the daylight hours trying to find a way to occupy myself. I tried watching TV on line. It worked for an hour's worth of TV, which took two hours to watch on line. I kept pausing it to do other things. I had come to enjoy TV that way.

I tried to nap, but that was a waste of my time. I couldn't shut my mind down. In my heart I knew that I had murdered that Russian thug. I didn't feel as much remorse as I should have and that worried me. I wondered if I had really gotten that cold and callous.

It was a relief when the phone rang. Another hour alone with only my thoughts and I would probably have either found God, or eaten my gun. Either would be pretty extreme for me, I admit.

"Hello," I said into the phone. It was Sunday and the office was closed. Even sleazy process servers deserve a day off. 

"Have you seen the TV news today?" Luke asked me excitedly.

"No why?"

"We are on the national news," he informed me.

"So you are telling me that nothing happened in the outside world, so they came here to cover our little gunfight?"

"Gwen and Mike must have gotten it picked up by the networks. Those two can do anything, when it comes to TV. Mike said that they were master manipulators of the airwaves."

"So very modest of him, so do we come off as rednecks, with civil war muskets," I was used to how the Yankees saw us down south. I tried not to let it bother me. and to actually use it against them when I could.

"They somehow got hold of a lot of background on us all. You come off as a female Dirty Harry, and I'm not sure, but I might be Barney Fife, since I don't get to carry a gun."

"Of course, comic relief," I suggested.

"The funny thing is they don't name the Reverend Archer as the second good guy shooter. They just say fire also came from a small blue Hyundai."

"That is curious," I agreed. "Well all that is interesting Luke, but it has nothing to do with what I need. I need those damn cameras in place and working. So what's up with that?"

"The cameras are here. I just have to get them installed and working. It is going to be a 'do it myself' job, since you don't want anyone in the compound."

"Then do it tomorrow, before you come in to work. Take the whole day to work on it, if you need to." I laughed. Then added seriously, "I need those to be working just as soon as possible."

"I know Boss. I promise, I will have them working before the end of day tomorrow."

"Fair enough," I said. "So did your mother enjoy seeing you on the big time news?"

"She loved it, even though I wasn't the hero, she was telling all her friends to watch. She is just sure it will be on all day long."

"If it is, then it really is a slow news day."

"With Gwen and Mike pushing it, the story just might have legs, as we say in the business." Thank god he laughed when he said it.

"If you get to talking like Mopsy and Flopsy, start interviewing for a job in TV, cause you are going to be unemployed." I did laugh to lighten it some. I just wanted him to know I didn't need him thinking about image, rather than what might be behind the next door.

I found the news story on line. The video was located at the big time news channel's website. It was one of those bits which were short on facts and long on drama. It looked to me as though the news was more about the drama than the facts in almost every story lately.

I puttered around the house until I just couldn't stand it any longer then I drove out to dinner. I somehow found myself in the parking lot of the Evergreen Towers. I couldn't believe that I was doing it, even as the elevator door closed behind me.

When I knocked on his door, I hoped that no one would answer. My heart sank, when I heard the doorknob turn. "Well hello Max," the Gunny said.

"Hello Gunny, I'm headed for dinner, do you want to come along?"




Maxine's New Life Ch. 10



"Where are we going," he asked as he stepped back inside the small apartment.

"You pick it, and it's on me. I have to repay you for those donuts."

"Well, I really like Italian food." he replied.

"How about the Pizza& Pasta Pit? They have great Italian food. I'm not really dressed for Mama Mia's," I said.

"Pizza & Pasta Pit is fine with me. Should I take the blue pill?" he asked it with an evil smile.

"If you need more help than I gave you last night take it. If last night is enough, don't bother we will improvise." 

"Then I will surprise you," he said going into the giant closet with the bathroom at the end. He came out with a jacket and a smile. I had no idea whether he had taken the pill or not.

When we got to the parking lot, I demanded, "Show me your bike."

"Why," he asked.

"So I can try to avoid you, if I see you on the street."

His bike was a mountain thing with front wheel shocks, but a solid read end. It was a tall bike obviously a 26" frame. That made sense because the Gunny was over six feet. The bike was dull and had paint splotches on it. I appraised him honestly, since I was measuring him for the bike. He was tall and ramrod straight even if he was close to seventy. He looked more attractive to me than almost any of the men I had met in the last year.

I changed the subject, "Did you buy this thing at Goodwill?"

"Salvation army," he said. 

"Do you use those gears?"

"A couple of them is all, Why all the interest?"

"I might buy a bike, I'm just curious."

"Bullshit, I know you rode a bike across the country back in the spring."

"That wasn't my bike. I'm really just curious."

"Well that's it," he said smiling. "Now let's go eat."



The Pizza and Pasta Pit was one of those new casual style restaurants. Not exactly fast food, but close. There was a long pizza and pasta buffet, complete with a large salad bar. I guess because I have been all over, I could appreciate the salad and plain cheese pizza. I didn't need fifty things on top of my pizza. The pizza was simply made with simple basic ingredients on a thin crispy crust, so that it really made great bread sticks for my salad.

Gus filled his plate with about three kinds of pasta. I personally don't care for pasta with any sauce. I can handle spaghetti now and then. I can even do the microwave ones that are not quite awful, but I just don't like it enough to buy it in a restaurant. Of course, I didn't really care what, or how much Gus ate, so I watched him fill the plate with a smile on my face.

"So Max, what's your plan for tomorrow." he asked just to make conversation.

"I don't really have one. My business it is more reactive than proactive," I replied. "How about you Gunny?"

"It's Monday, I hike ten miles on Mondays. After that my day is pretty much open. It is most days after my hike. I usually stop in at the senior center for cards and lots of coffee. Sometimes I go to a meeting."

"Ah friends of Bill meetings," I said knowingly.

"You a friend of Bill's too?"

"No, I was once married to a friend of Bills. He could keep up with it for a year or so, then he would slip for a few months. Somewhere in his downhill slide, someone would give him the old 'get on the program or get out' speech. That usually sent him back to meetings."

"Did he ever hit you? I ask that because a lot of us get violent when we drink."

"Once, but Gunny a really drunk 200lb man is no match for a sober 130 lb woman with a baton."

"Good for you," he said. "Now is that all you are going to eat?"

"Yes, I really try to watch what I put into my body these days."

"Watching the weight after all that crap last year?" he asked.

"That and the body is still healing. They tell me it will take a year before I can really fill my stomach to max. Something about acid in my esophagus. Anyway I have to eat small meals for a few more months. For me this place isn't about all you can eat, it's about the salad with plain pizza as bread sticks. I just can't find that in most restaurants. That and I can wear just about anything here."

"Okay prove it. Go into the ladies room and take off your panties. Bring them to me, to prove you did it."

"What makes you think I am wearing panties?" I asked.

"I am absolutely sure you do," he said grinning.

I just stood up and walked to the ladies room. I sat on one of the toilets and urinated, wiped myself, and then removed my panties. I lifted the rough jeans back into place. I knew what it was about. It was all about power, and who had it. I had always found power games easier to just play along with, than to resist. They don't realize that they only have as much power as I let them have. In the end it was me who was really in charge. They just didn't know it.

When I returned to the table, I held my small bikini panties waded up inside the palm of my hand. I dropped them on his plate before I sat down. I noticed that at least one couple saw me. I had no idea, if they knew what it was that I dropped on the old man's plate or not. I also didn't care. I mean hell, it wasn't like we were in Chucky Cheese for God's sake.

"You are so bad," I said to Gus when I was seated.

"I know, you bring out the best in me." He laughed one of those really quiet little laughs that only men can pull off. If a woman did that, she would just appear slutty. When a man did it, he was wickedly charming.

"Now Chris, why don't you carefully unzip your jeans and touch it for daddy?"

"Do you really want that Daddy?" I asked.

"Yes, I really want that."

"Wouldn't you rather go home and touch it yourself?"

"Oh that is going to happen as well, but right now I want to see how much courage you have."

"Just remember people are going to see you, as well as me," I said it as I dropped my right hand to my lap. I left my jeans buttoned, but I did lower the zipper. Then I returned my hand to the table top.

"Did you do it?" Gus asked.

"Put your hand under the table and see for yourself." My voice was low but I was not whispering by any means. People sitting at the tables near us could certainly hear, if they were paying attention. I hoped that they would not know what I meant, but then again I just didn't care.

At that point I knew why Gus had insisted we not sit across from each other but at the adjacent sides of the table. Gus smiled as he made a big production of putting his hand under the table. I felt his hand fumbling to find it's way to the zipper of my jeans. Then I felt his fingers move inside and make little curls of my short public hair.

"Well, did I do good?" I asked.

"Oh yes Chris, you did real good."

"Thank you Daddy. Are you proud of your little girl?"

"I am always proud of you, but yes I am especially proud of you tonight."

"You are going to be even more proud of your little girl later." I was making it a point to play along with Gus. I did it for him a little, and for me a lot. I really liked being someone else, even if I didn't really know anything about the new me. Sometimes you just want to get away from yourself and Gus was offering me that chance. I wanted to explore it at least a little more before I bailed on it and him.

Even though the waitress gave us only minimal service, I left her a five dollar tip. I really felt that the restaurant should pay their staff a decent wage, so that the customers didn't have to supplement the wait staff's earnings. Regardless, I always did leave tips. I couldn't see taking my irritation for the system out on one of the lowest individuals. There were a lot of things in life like that. It wasn't the chick, who took the payment's, fault that the High Speed Internet was so damn expensive. It wasn't the bureaucrat's fault that I had to buy a license to earn a living. Nonetheless I did forget and call them all kinds of sons of bitches now and then, I honestly did try to play nice, it just didn't always work out that way. 

Okay I admit that I was trying to forget the look of surprise on the Russian's face, when he realized he was about to die. He was just a thug trying to make a living, and I was just a bitch trying to stay alive. It was his turn, it could just as easily have been mine. If I hadn't take the chance with some other people's lives, it would have been me. Damn I have to stop thinking about this, or I will go mad, I thought.

"Daddy, can we go home now?" I asked. I didn't do it in a child's voice, because I had not sank that low yet. I thought yet, because God alone knew how low I could sink. I sure as hell didn't know.

After we left the restaurant Gus got serious about casting me as Chris. "So baby did you miss daddy today?"

"Yes of course I missed you Daddy," I replied.

"Did you think about Daddy's cock today?"

"Oh yes, I thought about it and I remembered how good it felt."

"How good it felt where Chris?" he asked.

"How good it felt in my mouth daddy. How much I loved having your cock in my mouth."

"Do you want my cock in your mouth again Chris?"

"Oh God yes, you know I do."

"Then pull the van over and take what you want," he demanded.

I parked the van right on the side of main street. The van had tinted windows, but they weren't all that dark. However, at night the windows appeared to be perfectly black. I moved to drape myself over the console so that I could get to him. He worked his cock out of his trousers for me. I took the head of his cock into my mouth and pretended that it was a giant straw. I sucked and tongued it as I would have a straw. I felt it get very hard in my mouth. I had never given head to a man on Viagra, but I was pretty sure that was the difference between that night and the one before.

I closed my eyes to better concentrate on making love to his cock. He moaned and squirmed for a long time before I felt him stiffen. I loved that feeling even though it probably meant I wouldn't get his cock inside me again, I still wanted him to cum. It took a little longer before I felt the hot thick cum in my mouth. I felt it coat my tongue and even my teeth. It cause me to swallow several times even after my mouth was empty. I was trying to clear the residue. 

When I opened my eyes, I realized that Gus had turned the interior lights on in the car. It would have been quite a show had anyone noticed. Fortunately no one seemed to have paid any attention at all to me. "That was evil," I commented.

"No that was life," Gus said. He was right of course. In life you do things and there is always the risk of being found out. If you couldn't handle the consequences of your actions. then you shouldn't be acting out.

When we got back to his place, I was surprised to find that Gus got an erections again very quickly. It took only a few wet kisses before his hard cock was poking me in the stomach. 

I slipped to my knees to suck it again. Gus let me get down then turned me around and bent down behind me. He reached around to unbutton my jeans. He pulled them down forcefully, Then quickly entered me. I was dry so there was some pain but there was also a feeling of being controlled by Gus.

"Damn Chris you are tight," he said to me.

"Yes Daddy I'm tight for your big dick," I replied. I could hardly get it out such was the thrill his cock was creating inside me. My body was on fire with the feeling of it moving in and out of me. As I said before, I had never done it with a man on Viagra, so I had no idea what to expect.

Gus paced himself and drove slowly into me. He sank his cock in my pussy all the way to his testicles. I could not believe how many times he drove his cock into me. I was so wound up, after what seemed like hours of his deep inner body massage, that I couldn't stand it any longer. I dropped my hand between my legs and rubbed my clit hard. I came almost instantly. I didn't even recognize the sound I made. Even with me throbbing and convulsing on his cock Gus continued to drive his cock slow and deep into me. I went from a screaming orgasm, to an almost empty feeling, then all the way back up the mountain gain. I was begging him to stop fucking me, when I came the second time. I went from please stop, to please don't stop with nothing in between, It was a truly amazing feeling.

After the second gut wrenching orgasm, I lay down flat on the floor to get his devil cock out of me. I was going quite mad with the feeling of it moving relentlessly inside me. 

Gus quite easily lifted me, then turned me to force his cock into my mouth again. I told myself that I sucked it purely in self defense. Regardless I sucked it for what seemed like hours. H was never able to cum again.

"Cum for me Daddy," I begged as I pulled off his cock for only a second.

"I don't need to cum Chris. It feels wonderful to just be in your mouth or your pussy. I love your body. You love me to be in you don't you baby."

I pulled back and said, "You know I love when you fuck me. Fuck me anywhere you like, and for as long as you like. I just love it." I wasn't lying, when I said it either. I could have stayed there with his cock in my mouth forever, except that my back began to hurt. I finally had to just sit back to get away from his demanding cock.

"Had enough baby?" he asked.

"Yes daddy, I can't stand any more."

"It's alright you have done better than any women I ever fucked. You are my beautiful slut daughter." I shivered and had that mental orgasm people are always talking about. Impossible to explain, but my body just tightened all over. If he had been inside me, I would have cut off his circulation.

I staggered to my feet, pulled up my jeans, kissed Gus goodbye, then drove very carefully home. I got home after 10PM. It was hard to believe, but I had been in Gus's apartment for almost three full hours. During that whole time I was being pumped with the same slow deep strokes until I was absolutely beyond reason. I had truly been fucked stupid.

Chapter 44

When I awoke at 6AM, it was cold in the cabin. Since there was no thermostat on the oil heater, I turned it up two notches and went back to bed. It usually took less than twenty minutes to get some heat into the room. Even then it meant showering, then stepping out onto a cold floor. The throw rugs helped, but the floors were still cold.

The coffee maker worked it's magic while I took my morning shower. I needed it. I had been so screwed up the night before, I simply fell into bed. The shower and the coffee worked wonders. Except for the fact that I had a burning sensation when I peed, I was feeling much better. I made a mental note to have Ed's son Jeff, the doctor, run a STD test. If I had picked up anything, I didn't want to leave it untreated, or to pass it on to someone like the Gunny. I felt sure that he could handle it without getting all redneck on me, but some people couldn't.

I stopped for a biscuit on the way to the office. Even with the stop I pulled into the parking lot at exactly 8AM. It was my usual time. I was pleased and a little curious, when I saw Helen's van parked outside the office.

"Hello," I said after I had pulled in beside her van.

"Hello yourself, I brought you some company." with that she opened the door to her van. Skeeter came bouncing out. Helen had her on a long lead, so she could move around a little. 

"Wow, doesn't she look good," I said after I was out of the van and hugging her.

"We saw your friend Jen on TV, then the story on the news yesterday. Skeeter told me you needed a hug, so here we are."

"Damn, that is one smart dog." I pulled the big black dog into my arms. She just went limp. All the energy she had shown before just melted away. She became an armful of unconditional love. As I held her something in me changed. I began to cry. I was crying because of the Russian thug, but not for him. I was crying for the bit of my soul that got lost in that bank's parking lot. A part of my soul, that would never grow back. There were lots of pieces of me missing in different places for various reasons. I cried for all of those as well. It was scary, but also cathartic. While I cried, Skeeter licked my face. It was her way of saying, it's okay mom. In a way I was still her mom, even if I had loaned her to Helen. 

"Get this dog trained to visit nursing homes," I said to Helen. "Send me the bill, but do it." I said that as I blew my nose into a tissue.

"Funny you should say that, I had the same idea. She has done so much for me, I thought she might help others the same way." She paused a moment to wiper her own eyes, then reached inside the van. "Here, I brought breakfast for you guys. I hate to go like this, but Skeeter and I have to be on a construction site by nine."

"Bring her back anytime you can," I said it as they climbed back into the van. I stood watching, my arms filled with brown bags, as the two of them drove from the parking lot.

I called Lucas before I went inside. "Swing by the office before you start on the cameras at my place. Helen came by and left a breakfast for you." It was the message I left on his phone, since he didn't answer.

Inside the office, I ate Helen's breakfast and put the sausage biscuit in the refrigerator. I can always reheat it for lunch, I thought. Without Lucas for the day, I would either have to put everything off a day, or work it myself. I decided that working it myself was the best option. There were two sets of papers already on hand, but I would try to pick up a couple more, before I left the office to make deliveries.

While I waited for the calls to come in, I checked out Marty's bicycle website. I went through his catalog looking for just the right motor setup. When I couldn't find it, I knew that like it or not, I would have to talk to Marty again.

I called Jennifer on may cell phone. I used it because incominn calls went first to the desk phone, then if not answered, they got switched to the cell. By calling on the cell, I could still take business calls. 

"Jennifer, where is Marty today?"

"You could say good morning. After all I did keep your ass out of jail with that brilliant move Saturday."

"Which brilliant move was that? Seems to me that getting myself admitted to the hospital, while things shook out is what really kept me out of jail. Neither of us had anything to do with that."

"Oh no bitch, it was the press statement. That is why you aren't doing it with a mop handle today."

"Oh I bet there is a bill for that service?"

"Of course there is. Lawyers are not allowed to do anything without some kind of gain."

"Send me the bill, but right now tell me where Marty is. I hate to admit it, but I need a favor."

"Well he sure as hell owes you one. Those two producers from Boston managed to get you and his bike business mentioned in their interviews."

"I doubt that he is going to see it that way, so where is he today?"

"Let me have him call you. He is somewhere out of town, but I'm not sure where. I can run his ass down though."

"Does Bob know how close you two are?" I asked with a laugh.

"We are not all that close anymore, and yes Bob knows. Bob likes to watch remember?" She laughed then hung up on me.

I had a feeling that it was going to be an odds and ends day. Something told me that all kinds of BS was going to fill my day. All I could do was roll with it, men can't handle that kind of day. It makes men crazy not to be able to stay with a task until it is complete. 

Women on the other hand, juggle a crying baby, a hot stove while cooking dinner, and a vacuum cleaner all at once. We just have the right kind of brain for it.

Ed came in while I was on the phone with Jen, so as he walked by I handed him one of the bags from Helen. He filled up his coffee cup, then sat at his desk to devour Helen's bag-o-breakfast. "Damn, that woman can cook?" he said to himself. I heard him but couldn't voice my agreement, I was bantering with Jen.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 10



Ten minutes later Lucas was in the office. He looked like hell, but he had a big smile on his face. Ed made the obvious comment that I avoided. "So how is Mopsy in bed?" he asked.

"Gwen is just fine in and out of bed," Lucas said. He accepted the bag from me before he added, "She and Mike are still at the Motel. They have a call into someone about something. It's all very mysterious."

"Well forget Mopsy and get on the camera's, but first eat your breakfast."

The whole morning was like that, one crazy thing after another. I had three pickups, then I would have to add them to the other deliveries. I swapped my cool leather jacket for the green nylon wind breaker with 'Lightning Express' embossed on it for the days work. 

The temperature wasn't so bad, but there was a cold damp wind blowing. It had been in the forecast, so before I left home I had pulled on a thermal top. I supposed that when winter really came, I would need thermal bottoms as well. That might just put a damper on my love life. Long Johns are just not all that sexy.

On the way out to pick up the orders, I stopped at Jeff's office. I didn't need to see him, so the nurse did the swab. I wasn't there more than ten minutes. One of the benefits of saving a doctor's ass, I supposed. I looked at the hallway where I had stacked up bodies a few months before. I felt that another part of my soul had been left inside that sterile halway.

All in all the day went well. That delivery gag worked so well, I jokingly thought about franchising it. Marty called first, "Max what the hell, I never thought you would call me again."

"Neither did I. I have a friend who needs a bike motor, but you don't have anything that will work for him. I know somebody can build what I want, so which one of your builders should I call?"

"Just tell me what you need and I'll figure out who can build it."

It took about five minutes to explain and then to answer all his questions. "So, who can do it?"

"Shit Max, it's a hell of an idea. Don't worry, I have a guy who can design it, and I can have it built for you in a week."

"What's it going to cost me?"

"If this is economically feasible, just sign it over to me, and I'll build you a couple for nothing."

"Okay, let me know as soon as you can. If you can't do it, I'll find someone who can."

"If I can't do it." he laughed. "Doing it isn't the issue. The issue is can I make any money on it. Don't you worry, I can build it." I knew that questioning his ability would piss him off, but also get me what I wanted. "Now what about the TV show?" 

"I'm still thinking, right now I have other things on my mind."

"Yeah, I saw it on the news. You are going to be one hot property Max. Just be sure I get to put in a bid." 

I had no idea what he meant, but I said, "Of course. Now call me as soon as you know about the motor." And that's how we left it.

I got all the papers served and was headed home when Jeff's office called. "Max you don't have any STD, but Jeff said you might want to slow down. It sounds to him like a urinary tract infection caused by too much use, it you get my meaning. He said he could give you some antibiotics, if it didn't clear up by Friday. If it gets worse come on into the office."

"Thanks, but I think it will be fine. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't going to be a Typhoid Mary."

"Okay but keep in touch," she laughed at me then hung up.

The last call was from Lucas. It came just as I pulled into the office parking lot after making the last delivery of the day. "Boss can you meet me at your place. I have everything ready and you need a demo."

"I'm in the van now and through for the day. Call Ed and tell him I won't be back today, and I'll just drive to the cabin to meet you."

"Fair enough," Lucas said then hung up.

Thirty minutes later I had the demonstration and a new tiny little laptop computer that did little more than browse the Internet. It was small enough to be hidden in the van or carried in my purse. It was setup with my cell phone somehow I didn't understand.

When I tapped an icon on the screen, I got a live view of four camera's at once. One was of the gate, one was of the front yard of my cabin in a very wide angle shot, one shot was of the rear yard, and finally one of the interior of the cabin.

"So let me get this straight, this thing is on a 30 minute loop. I can go back thirty minutes and see anything on either of these cameras."

"More or less. They are all recorded together. When you back it up five or thirty minutes all of them back up. You can zoom into one camera and even zoom it in for a better view of any part of the picture."

I made sure that I understood how to work it, before I let him move on. This is a tamper proof system. It can be accessed by anyone who knows the address, but it can not be changed by anyone at anytime. In other words it's up there for a half hour no matter what. You can pick pieces out and move them to a permanent file, but you have to do it within thirty minutes of when they were recorded."

"Okay I got it." I really thought I did have it, Even if I didn't see them go in, somewhere in that thirty minute view of four cameras I would get a clue that I had a problem at home. The downside was that people might trigger the sight accidentally and see me in the cabin. Since I never allowed anyone to know I where I lived, the most they could see would be me masturbating. I figured that was an acceptable risk.

The whole thing ran through my desktop computer at home. Somehow it worked, that's all I really cared about. That and the whole thing was well concealed. 

. By Friday the word at the Downtown Diner was that Marge had disappeared, and the Hazelwood was closed for good. Being closed did not mean that it was for sale. Marge had only leased it, or so the story went. Since she couldn't be found and the owner knew more than he was telling, he was looking for a new tenant after only a week. All that meant almost nothing to me, but it did mean something to the preacher.

"Maxine, you know a lot of poeple around here, how do you think they would react to a drug treatment facility downtown?" Archer asked me that on Friday morning at the Downtown Diner. I had finally found time for a sit down lunch. Bumping into the preacher there was a plus. I usually went alone to the marina for lunch. That Friday the weather was cold and dreary, so there I sat in the Downtown Diner grazing on a salad, with raisins mixed in with the usual green shit.

"Depends on whether the clients are movie stars, or crack whores," I replied.

"I can't say for sure. There is some money in the new health care law to fund drug rehabilitation. My group has a success record good enough to apply, Maybe I could get the Hazelwood and open a drug rehabilitation facility there. If the community didn't fight it, we might do some good."

"I don't know anything about your program, or the funding, but I know someone who might be able to help. If you need some juice, I have a friend who is helping Tommy Thompson with a run for the Senate. Your rehab facility might make him a good campaign issue. Jen may be able to arrange a meeting. Can you get a pitch ready, if Jen can make it happen."

"Sure, I can get all the facts and figures ready, but I don't know how that little incident last week will play with the government?" The preacher said.

"I don't either, but we can try. If that doesn't work, we can probably get you some press interviews. That should help you find some private funds. If you really want this, I will try to help."

"I really want it," he assured me.

"Talk to Mike, the young man who was in the Hyundai with you. He is a film maker. If he can make you a hero on the national news, the money might just roll in. It might even help with the government funding."

"Funny you should say that, he has been leaving messages the last couple of days. He wants me to do some kind of interview with him and his girl friend."

"It's up to you, but he managed to get our version of the shoot out wide enough coverage to keep us all out of jail. He can probably create enough empathy in the public for them to want to help you. If you play along, he will be using you for his own ends, but don't they all."

"Your friends, so far, have been a blessing to my ministry. I have to trust you."

"Well Helen might just be the exception to every rule. She is just one kind person, I think that she might be the only one who has no agenda. Mike and Gwen will have an agenda, you can count on that They still might do some good, even while they pursue their own fame."

"I can see both of those being true. How about you, are you going to help me?"

"That depends on what kind of help you need, I will introduce you to Jennifer and then let her set you up with Tommy Thompson, but I can't cook for shit."

"I think you can manipulate people better than any of them. You would make a hell of a board member for my ministry. You know, point us in the right directions, I'm not as worldly as you are."

"I will help where I can, Archer. I just don't want to be a regular on your board or anything like that."

"Fair enough, I might call on you often though."

"And I'll do whatever I can, I promise."

I picked up my cell phone, then punched the speed dial for Jen's phone. "Hey Jen, how's it hanging," I broke into laughter, before she even answered.

"In my case it is how are they hanging, and unfortunately they are. What do you want this, end of the week day."

"Do you remember Reverend Archer?" I asked.

"Sure I know your ex-con, spiritual adviser, and assistant gun thug. He is the one you are trying to get into bed, so you can corrupt."

"Jen, he is sitting right here and I have you on speaker phone."

"Oh hell, just kidding Preacher. Okay did they finally arrest you two?"

"No, the Hazelwood just closed. Marge disappeared and won't be coming back. The building's owner is going to be looking for a new tenant." I said.

"Maxine, I know your finances and even with the new infusion of cash, you can't afford it. Besides where's the mystery in that. Where you are now, no one knows where you are."

"Shut up Jen, Reverend Archer, wants to put a drug rehab in there. One to draw from all over the southeast."

"So what has that got to do with you or me?" she asked.

"I owe him my life and you owe me a favor or two."

"Oh no Max, we are dead even. I got you money for that favor you did for me."

"Jennifer this a win/win thing. I want you to introduce Reverend Archer to Tommy the would be Senator. Archer's cause will make a hell of a campaign commercial for Tommy. The only price for Archer's story is Tommy's help in obtaining funds from the new Health Care Reform Money. Archer might as well get it as anyone else." 

"Quite a speech for you girl. Watch her Reverend, Maxine always collects on favors she does people. She turned a perfectly good caterer into a do gooder who always cooks more food than she needs, so that there is enough left over for the shelters around town."

"So what's wrong with that?" I asked.

"Nothing if you aren't the customer who is paying for more food, than they are going to need. Helen plans it so there is a bunch of food left over."

"People, who don't want to pay for i, could go somewhere else." I observed.

"Not after the guilt trip she lays on them. She even has most of the other caterers doing the same thing, just to complete in the sales pitch war. I heard that on Sunday mornings the catering trucks are lined up outside the shelter downtown and the mission over on English Trail. Some of them probably have to circle the block to find a parking space."

"Again, what's wrong with that. So the bride pays a hundred bucks extra and some homeless family gets roast beef for Sunday dinner. I just don't see the harm."

"Alright Max you win. I'll call Tommy this afternoon and see what I can work out."

"Does Bob know you and Tommy are close again?" I asked.

"Max, how many time do I have to tell you. Bob likes to watch." She clicked off abruptly, which is the modern equivalent of slamming down the phone.

"She is kidding about her husband watching, isn't she?" the Reverend asked.

"With Jen, who knows," I replied mysteriously. He didn't need to know that I had first hand knowledge.

"If this works out I will take you to dinner," he said.

"Save your money, if it works out I will take you to dinner. Your money has better uses." I replied.

"I'm not sure that there are any better uses. You seem to be the puppet master pulling strings to make people do the right thing."

"Don't kid yourself, I just wanted to save a mongrel dog. The rest just happened."

"If you say so," he said.

"So what's your plan for the afternoon? You never did get that tour of the empire."

"Actually, I don't have anything to do until 6PM."

"Then let's pay the bill and I'll take you on the tour you missed."

"Why not," I said in agreement. I had seen Gunny twice that week, so I felt like I needed a different perspective.

First we went to the consignment shop downtown. "One of the women, who attends church at the mission, suggested this place. They were going out of business. The mission took it over as a charity operation and now it is solvent. Volunteers staff it and do the pickups. We have a retired handyman who does repairs. Most of the items now are our own, but there are still some consignment items."

"I have an outfit that came from here. Jen picked it out for me last week, when I needed clothes to wear home from the hospital."

"It's hard to believe that last week we were in a life and death shoot out," the preacher said shaking his head.

"I know, it was pretty touchy there for a while."

"How do you deal with all that Maxine?"

"I just forgive myself, and try to move on."

"Do you admit to yourself that when you left the car with that envelope, you knew you were going to kill him?"

"I didn't know that. If I had, then it would have been murder, not self defense." I had no intention of ever admitting to that in front of anyone, not even the preacher.

"As you wish," he said gently.

"You have seen the thrift shop, the bike shop, and the mission, so there is only one business place left to see." I sat back and relaxed while the Reverend chauffeured me around in a ten year old Cadillac. I didn't ask him where he got the car, or why. I just enjoyed the ride.

The sign outside the rusty metal building was hand painted. It read 'His Laboring Few Home Beautification Service.' "Now what in the world do these guys do?" I asked

"It's part of our Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Service. These men, for the most part, are painters and roofers. This helps them stay out of trouble. They can't work, if they don't pass a urine test every day. So they would have a place to stay, till they get on their feet, we bought that small, very old motel down the street." 

"I'd like to see that as well," I replied.

"Sure, we can go there next." he suggested.

And we did. The motel had 12 units. Each unit could sleep two individuals or a family of six if they were really desperate. I looked at the only empty unit. It was clean and smelled of pine disinfectant. 

"Do your guys paint the units?"

"We inspect each unit every week and after the people move out. We paint them as needed, but we always clean and disinfect them. The only rent on these units is labor. Some of the people here work on this building, some on the paint and roofing crews, some in the bike shop, some in the thrift shop, or at the mission but everybody works. This is a mission, not a pure charity. There is self esteem in work, there is a slave mentality in charity. I learned that as a kid."

"Quite a speech, what happens if someone refuses to work?"

"We advise them of the rules, before they move in here. They even have to sign a contract. It's another self esteem booster, Give us your word, then honor it."

I just knew that the politicians were going to love this guy. The republicans, who were not known for good works, were going fall all over themselves to get on his train.

"Okay preacher it sounds really good, and you are going to be the politicians darling, but let me tell you this. If you are playing me, no matter what happens in the meantime, you will be sorry one day."

"I might play with you, but I won't play you. You have my word."

"And you have my word, if you do. I will fuck you up bad."

chapter 46

"So since I'm not playing you, how about I play with you tonight?" The preacher asked.

"Frankly preacher, I don't know how I feel about getting involved with you. I mean God is already pissed at me, I'm sure." I was smiling when I said it, but I was damn serious.

"Maybe if you play nice, I'll put in a good word for you."

"I'm not convinced that you are the one I want interceding for me." I stopped smiling when I said that,

"Why is that?" he asked.

"I'm still not convinced that you have God's ear."

"Oh, is that because you don't believe in God, or you don't believe in me?" he asked.

"Could be a little of each," I admitted.

"Well, while I try to convince you, why don't you come to my house. I promise you that you can leave anytime."

"In that case you need to take me back to my van, so I will be able to leave."

"Will you follow me home?" he asked.

"I will decide that, when I'm in my van."

The Reverend laughed out loud. "You are worse than any politician I ever heard speak. You talk but give no real answers."

"That's probably because we have no answers," I admitted.

"So if you decide to follow me home, let me assure you that you can leave at any time."

"Actually, I was more concerned with could I leave, than I was with you holding me against my will."

"Well I'm not going to tell you that I'm a great lover, I'm just going to say that I really would love to know you better,"

"Okay, I accept that because that is guy speak for I want to take your clothes off."

He laughed again. "Okay you know men, I will give you that. Mostly I want to take your clothes off because you will be a great lover, and you won't be a problem later. You and I already have a history, and you never tried to use it against me. You are one of the few women that I feel I can trust."

"Ah, but are you one of the few men that I can trust?"

"I certainly hope so, but you will only know that if you give me the chance to prove myself."

"That's a fair point. You really do need me to answer before I get out of this car, don't you?"

"Yes, I suppose I do."

"You do know that it is three in the afternoon?" I asked.

"Of course, don't tell me it's like drinking, you won't do it till the sun is over the yardarm."

"Nothing like that, but I have a question for you. How did a boy from the hood, who spent a decade in prison, get so well spoken?"

"College courses in the joint baby," he said with a smile. "You know the state tries to rehabilitate it's wayward children. I am part of the half a percent on which it worked."

"Ah too bad I didn't do time then. I could use the education."

"Oh I think you do just fine. You have something that I am struggling to learn."

"What is it?" I asked curious as to what he really thought of me,.

"The ability to understand and then manipulate people."

"Oh Preacher, you do just fine," I said smiling.

I made a call to the office from my van, before I started it. The preacher's caddy sat in the parking lot waiting to see what my intentions were.

"Luke," I said when he answered the phone. How did the pickups go." I didn't want Luke to make the deliveries alone. However picking up the papers, so that we would be ready to go Monday morning, was our usual Friday chore,

"I have six for delivery Monday Morning." he said proudly.

"Okay, then go home and give Mopsy a big sloppy kiss for me." I laughed as I said it. I knew that he had heard the talk about me from the cops he knew. Most of them thought I was pure Lesbian. Luke knew better, but he also knew or suspected that I wasn't totally opposed to spending the night with a woman either.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 11



Chapter 51

JENNIFER

I recognized the ten year old black Cadillac parked outside the China Palace. It had been in my office parking lot earlier in the day. That meant that it had to be Reverend Archer's car. It really didn't stand out in the China Palace's parking lot, but my shiny BMW would. I could only hope that my paint was still the same, when I finished my meal. One never knows these days, I thought.

The China Palace was a minor restaurant as those things go. It would seat about fifty people, if they filled the tables completely, which no restaurant ever does. Usually a restaurant gets about half of each table full, even when every table is occupied. On couple would sit at a table for four and not think twice about it. Only on very busy nights were the tables for two ever used by more than one person. I know this because I have clients in the restaurant business. They complain about customers leaving because there are no empty tables, while the restaurant is actually only at 60% capacity

That early in the evening the China Palace still had empty tables. I found the reverend seated at a table for four. I had no problem at all with that, even though some of my clients would have been incensed. 

"Hello Reverend Archer, would you mind if I join you?" I asked in what I hoped was a playful voice. Some people said I tended to be too serious and didn't have a lighter side. I had been working on that recently.

"Not at all, I was hoping that you wouldn't stand me up." he said.

"Oh, I would never stand up a preacher. It might not sit well with the man upstairs."

"Trust me. God has better things to do than to worry about my social life." Archer said with a smile.

Thankfully the waiter showed up before I had to respond. I took the tea cup he offered then explained exactly what I wanted on my plate. I made it very clear what I did not want to see.

"My, you are opinionated," Archer said.

"Yes, I suppose I am. I do hope you can handle a strong willed woman," I replied.

"Oh I think I can hold my own. So are you a vegetarian?" he asked.

"Not at all, I just never developed a taste for mystery meat."

"You don't believe all those cat and dog stories do you?" 

"I believe that I have never seen a stray cat or dog near this restaurant," I replied smiling.

Reverend Archer laughed. Then said, "Neither have I, but I haven't seen one near the barn steak house either."

"Good point, but I think I will stay with the fried rice and wok stir fried veggies."

"Well you should at least have shrimp with the wok fry. You can tell they are real shrimp, they are fried whole."

"Thank you for the advice, but I like what I like," I said.

"Good for you, I like a woman with opinions."

"I certainly hope that I'm not the woman to change your mind about that." I said with what I hoped was that playful smile again. I had been practicing it in front of a mirror, since I believe in self improvement.

During our dinner it was decided that I would return to his office and take a quick look at the grant application forms. I did hope that it wasn't all that I would be looking at.

Half way through the meal I had a good indication that there was more to be seen at the Reverend's office than his application. He leaned over and whispered to me. "Go to the bathroom, take off your panties and bring them to me. When you get back here, slip them into my hand without anyone noticing." He was right about no one noticing. We both had a lot to lose, if I were to drop them on the floor of the restaurant.

I shook my head no. "I can't." I said.

"Yes you can. It's why you came here. You came to see what life on the other side is like."

"But you are a preacher," I said.

"Now you know, that I am not just a preacher, I am a man as well. Do as you are told."

I'm still not sure why I did it. I recognized it as sexual intimidation, but I decided to go along. Did my heart rate go up as I followed his order? Yes it did. When I returned to the table, I had my panties wadded up in my hand. Fortunately I wore skimpy ones. I could get them almost totally concealed in my hand. They were completely lost in the Reverend's much larger hand.

"Doesn't that feel better?" he asked.

"It feels strange," I said while toying with my stir fry.

"But better strange?" he asked again.

"Yes," I replied.

"Then say it," he demanded.

"It feels strange but exciting. So yes that is better than before," I replied.

"Good," he said with a peaceful expression, one that hadn't changed at all. He looked as if he were totally in control. I suppose that he thought he was. It was like Max always said, the only real control they have is what we choose to give them. So who is really in control? I had to admit that it was exciting to give up control. I didn't know to what extent I was willing to surrender control to Archer, but I was absolutely sure that I would find out very soon.

After dinner I followed him to his office. I knew that his ministry operated a consignment store. I had purchased Max's going home outfit from them. I knew he had the ministry building in West End everyone in town knew that. Max told me about the Bike Shop and the Laboring Few tentacles of his operation. I will have one I could tell her about after tonight, I thought.

I watched as Reverend Archer's Cadillac pulled into the parking lot of a small convenience store. I doubted that many people noticed that the building was twice as large as the convenience store. At the rear of the building was a second entrance hardly noticeable. It obviously was not meant to be seen, For that reason the parking was random along the side of the drive, which circled the building.

"Well, You are really tucked away back here," I suggested when I met him at the entrance.

"Yes it's a little more James Bond like than I would prefer, but it was here when we took over the store up front. The Laboring Few converted most of the storeroom into an office for me.

The inside of the office was a real surprise. The outside of the building was pretty run down. All the trim needed paint and the bricks needed to at least be washed. Inside the Reverend's office it was bright, clean, and filled with better finishes than my office. The paneling was not cheap plywood, it was real wood planks, even I could tell that. The carpet on the floor was thick and very plush. It for sure wasn't ten or even twenty dollar a yard carpeting.

"Very nice," I said.

"I'm glad you like it. Sometimes I need to impress people, so I bring them here. I have three offices to be honest. The one at the church is very spartan, the one at home is a little better, but this one, I feel, would impress anyone, even a lawyer."

"I was already impressed, but it is a beautiful office." I admitted.

"Jennifer the walls are sound proof, no one can see your car parked out back, I'm sure no one noticed you drive in, so this will never have happened as far as anyone else knows."

"What will have never happened?" I asked a little concerned. 

"What is about to happen, It's why you called me. So take off your dress. Do it slowly. We are in no hurry here." 

Archer was definitely in charge. He gave no indication that I was a prisoner, so I could have left any time I wanted. I had to make a decision. It was an easy one. I took a deep breath, then unzipped the the top of the conservative dress I wore. It found it's way to the floor. It was followed seconds later by my short nylon slip. Then the filmy lace bra disappeared. I stood before the preacher naked, but definitely not shy. I was proud of my body, it cost me enough to keep the maintenance up on it.

"Very nice Jennifer," the Reverend said.

"I'm glad you approve," I replied.

"Oh I am sure you are in need of the approval. You are the kind of woman, who needs to be admired." The preacher sounded scornful as he said it.

"I'm not sure I like your attitude."

"You are not sure, but I know for sure that I don't give a rats ass what you think about anything." he said it almost angrily. 

I bent to retrieve my dress. "I think I should go."

"No you don't. You think you should spread your legs, so I can see your cunt."

"No, I think I need to go."

"No you don't Jennifer, you need to have a real man fuck you. You came to play games, but found a real man instead of those mindless wimps you have been sleeping with. Now you can stay and see what it's like to be a real woman, or you can run back to your spineless husband. But you only get one chance to make the right decision. Whatever you decide, you will have to live with."

My body was screaming stay. but my mind was saying, he is dangerous run. I was deeply torn. I had no idea what to do. I stood there paralyzed. The preacher walked to me, then slapped my breast hard. 

"I will never leave a mark for anyone else to see, but you need this." With that he slapped me hard on my butt. 

"Don't that hurts," I said.

"But you need it you cunt," with those words he began to slap my butt even harder. I began to cry, but I neither ran, nor objected again. It was painful but something about it also felt right. It felt like I deserved the beating that he was giving me. He wasn't spanking me for sexual foreplay, he was spanking me to hurt me.

After several blows he rolled his office chair away from the desk, then he sat in it. "Come here and lay across my lap."

I did as I was told. He began to spank me again. He slapped my butt while I felt his hard penis against my stomach. I was aroused beyond anything I had ever known. My butt cheeks were burning and I was in real pain. He wasn't pretending, he was really spanking me hard. Then without warning he began to massage my butt between blows. I felt him slip his finger inside my slippery vaginal opening. I had not used my lubricant, since I had not been home after the meeting. Whatever he was doing caused me to produce more lubricant than usual. I could feel his fingers glide over my lips as he moved his hands over me. He still slapped my butt but I welcomed it. I wiggled on his lap and felt his cock get even more insistent against my tummy. 

I wanted him to bury his cock in me and I could tell he was almost out of control as well. "Are you as good a cocksucker as Maxine?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied simply.

"Then let's see you do it," he said.

I slipped between his spread thighs. I worked h is cock from his cotton slacks. I was proud to see the wet spot on them. I knew that his beating me had caused that. I loved that I could do that to him. I kissed the head of his cock then held my lips tight as I pushed down on it. His cock popped through my lips and messaged my tongue while my tongue also massaged his cock. We were both feeling my movements. It was an erotic cock massage using my mouth. I could tell he loved it. I know I did.

I should have been disappointed when he came so quickly. Instead I swallowed his semen and loved the thickness of it. I loved that it clung to my teeth and tongue. It stayed with me even after I has swallowed all of it. Somehow I was satisfied. I wasn't a real sexual satisfaction, it was more an emotional one. 

Then he lifted me, put me back over his knee as if to spank me again, but instead he rubbed and stroked my cunt, and then my clit. Yes I was thinking of my body in the terms he used for it. I came as I had not cum in years. My body shook and convulsed over and over. If he had been inside me, I would have strangled his cock. I could not believe how good it felt to cum for him.

I lay across his lap for a long time, then he helped me to stand. "Dress yourself," he said. 

After I was dressed I wanted nothing more than to leave. I was confused and bewildered by my actions. "Take this application. You fill it in, call me for the information." he demanded. I almost said no, but I didn't dare. If I refuse he might hurt me again, or maybe I refused he might not hurt me again. I just didn't know what I felt. I accepted the application, and left almost whimpering. 

Chapter 52 MAXINE

I smiled as I left Chris at her dad's door. Of course I was not about to let her stop me from seeing Gus. I drove directly from the Evergreens Tower to the hospital five blocks away. At the receptionist desk, I asked, "Could you give me the room number of Gus Gallion please?"

"He has been moved from ICU to the cardiac care unit. His room is 5012., he is on restricted visitor list though. It's family only."

"I know, I'm his daughter. I was told the visiting hours were restricted but that I could see him."

"No that was only when he was in the ICU. Now that he has been moved he can have approved visitors."

"Thanks, I want to speak to the floor nurse at least. Thanks again."

I took the elevator up to the fifth floor. The nurse's station for Gus's room was a right turn and a thirty foot walk. "Hello, I'm Maxine Stone, Gus Gallion is my father. My sister Chris called me this morning, I just got here. Would it be alright for me to look in on him?" I asked.

"Maxine, I know who you are," the nurse replied. "I was your nurse after that mess last year."

"Oh, look." I saw her name tag read Angela Martin." Angela, I really would like to see Gus this isn't business, it is personal. I promise I won't hurt him or anything."

"Gus told me you would be here and to let you in, if I wanted any peace today. He is just as ornery as you."

"That's Gus," I admitted.

"Go on back but don't stay long. I don't want to deal with his daughter either."

"Thank honey," I replied as I turned toward his room.

Gus looked a little pale, otherwise he looked just fine. "So here you are, I have been looking all over hell for you. Are you hiding from me?" I was grinning from just seeing him look as good as he did. Chris had me worried, but Guy looked just fine to me.

"Yeah. a man just can't get any peace at all around you. I'm old, I just can't keep up."

"Yeah, I heard I gave you a heart attack." I tried not to show how relieved I was.

"Not quite a heart attack, just a little scare."

"So did they turn the siren on?" I asked.

"What siren, I walked here from the Towers," he informed me.

"You what?"

"I walked here at about five this morning. When I woke up, I didn't feel just right, so I walked over and checked myself in."

"Your really are a fucking idiot," I replied.

"Not only do I have to deal with this crappy food, but now I have to deal with you calling me names." We were both smiling. Me because I was so happy to see him doing so well. Why he was smiling I had no idea. "So how did you find out I was here. I didn't plan on telling anyone."

"I have something for you, so I went by your place. Chris was there instead of you."

"Ah oh," was all he said.

"Yeah, that pretty much describes my meeting with Chris. I'm a little pissed that I had to find out that way. You could have told them in the ER to call me."

"I didn't tell them to call her either. The form I filled out in the ER had next of kin. I figured they wanted to know who would bury me, if I died. I had no idea they planned to call her."

"You didn't tell her... you know?" he asked.

"I told her that I fucked you every chance I got, but I didn't go into details."

"Good, and thank you," Gus said.

"Gus, it isn't just for you, I don't really want her to know that I have been impersonating her. She might just kick my butt. Chris and I are probably never going to do lunch," I explained.

"I doubt that she is so stupid as to try that kicking your butt. As for doing lunch, it would probably a good thing if you didn't get to be too friendly."

"Yeah, I'm really more the evil stepmom type." I said it with a smile.

"Should I tell her that she is going to have a new mommy?" Gus asked.

"I don't think I would do that just yet," I replied.

"Good, I don't really need the cat fight right now."

"So what's next?" I asked. "Hospital wise."

"They said I could go home, once they are sure the incision repair will hold. That will probably be tomorrow."

"Now if you don't call me so I can come get you and drive you home, I am going to be really pissed."

"Then you will have to be pissed. Chris has pretty much taken over at least for the weekend. She will have to be home first thing Monday morning. So if I don't go home tomorrow, you are next in line for Monday or later."

"Okay, but I would prefer to be first in line, but I do understand."

"Excuse me," a young woman in scrubs said, "I need to check his stitches."

"Right, " I said standing to walk into the hall to wait.

"Why don't you get back to your own life Max. I'm just going to be sleeping most of the day. I am fighting now to stay awake."

"Fair enough old man, but you better call to say goodnight later."

"I will," he said.

I drove home to an empty house, okay an empty cabin. I lay on my small bed while trying to make a plan. I don't do drifting into things. I do react to things, and I do make things happen, but I don't do drift.

Gus being in the hospital was having a bigger effect on me than I expected. Sure I liked the old fart, but I knew for sure that I didn't love him. At least not the way husbands and wives love each other. So what about Chris? How did she figure into it. She was going to be there with Gus for the long haul knew for a fact that I wasn't going to be. So what should I do about Chris?

If there was going to be conflict, I knew that in the end she had to win Since that were the case should I go ahead and take a walk. I wasn't worried about surviving it, I knew I could. I also knew Gus could survive whatever happened, but what about Chris could I risk alienating her. She would be the one who would be there for Gus at the end.

Hell Gus was almost seventy. The end couldn't be too far away. I knew me, I couldn't deal with that kind of responsibility. I mean yeah a body bag to the crematorium I could do, but visiting Gus in a facility, no I could not do that. It would break my heart and Gus would know. It just was not going to work out between us. 

I know that it made me a selfish bitch to think that way, but it also made me honest. I knew me and I never pulled punches with myself. I just wasn't a good enough person to deal with it all. Chris had already proved that she was capable of dealing with Gus's needs. I couldn't replace her in his life. I also couldn't take him away from her. The only real choice I had was to walk away. I couldn't do it while he was sick, but I had to do it.

Maybe Gus and I could be 'do lunch' friends... probably not, but who knows, I thought. All that thinking made me sleepy so I rolled over to take a nap. Next thing I knew the phone was ringing. I had to fight myself awake, but I finally make it. Then I had to find the phone, which I manage reasonable quickly.

"Hello," I said still half asleep.

"Maxine, it's Chris," I knew it was bad, she had tears in her voice.

"Yes Chris what's wrong," I knew but I just didn't want it to be true.

"Dad had a stroke. They think it might have been from one of th e stents. They think he formed a clot and it broke loose.."

"How is your father?" I asked dreading the answer.

"Dadddy died a few minutes ago." she said then broke down completely.

"Chris where are you? Are you still at the hospital?"

"Yes, was all she could say."

"I'm on my way, do not leave until I get there. Make sure someone knows where you are. Do not leave, wait for me."

I took time to brush my teeth and hair, but nothing more. I would not have been surprised if someone told me that I smelled bad. I know my clothes were wrinkled, but I just didn't care. I was shaking so hard that I had trouble getting the key into the ignition. 

In some warped way I blamed myself for it. Maybe if I hadn't decided to bail on Gus, he would somehow still be alive. I had been to far too many funerals over the course of the last two years. This one would be the worst, I knew that much already.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 11



I found Chris in the chapel. She began to cry uncontrollably when she saw me. I held her while she cried. 

"Oh God max how could his happen?" she asked as if I had an answer.

"I have no idea but sometimes bad things happen to the best people. Your dad was the best of the best. I am just so very sorry."

She cried and I did nothing to comfort her, other than be there. After several minutes the hospital chaplain entered the chapel. "Miss Gallion?" he asked.

"It's Rogers but I'm Mr. Gallion's daughter," Chris said.

"I am so sorry for your loss. Is there anything I can do?"

"No, I don't think so," Chris said.

"Would you ladies like to pray with me?"

He was damn lucky I didn't spit on him. "No thanks, " Chris said. "My dad would think it hypocritical."

"Sometimes pray is more for the living, than the deceased."

Chris looked at me and I shook my head. "We will be fine chaplain, but thanks for stopping by."

"I know this can't be easy for either of you, so if you need to talk I will be in my office for a while."

I nodded, fighting hard not to tell him to fuck off. I waited until he left before I spoke to Chris. "Are you going to stay here?"

"Max I have to get back to my children. If I call you with the information, could you do the leg work for me please. I think I can do most of it by phone, but daddy didn't have anyone else."

"Honey, you are going to be surprised."

"I know where all his documents are stored. I can pick them up before I leave, but I have to get home."

"Are you alright to drive?" I asked.

"I think so, Max I'm sorry I was such a bitch."

"Don't be I would have been jealous myself, if I were you and he were my dad."

She hugged me again, then stood to leave. I dug a card out of my purse, "Call me when you get home. I need to know that you got home alright."

After Chris left I sat in the chapel alone. I wanted to scream or go get drunk. I wanted to do something anything, but there was nothing I could do. I couldn't even cry for Gus. I was such a cold hearted bitch.

"Lucas put this announcement on every forum and bulletin board that a Marine or retired Marine might read. Put in on anything that a mercenary might read as well. When I say everyone, I mean every damn one of them."

The announcement was that Gunnery Sergeant Gus Gallion had passed away in Aster. It stated that he would be buried in Arlington National Cemetery at the end of the week but that a memorial service would be held by friends and family in Aster. It would be held at the senior center's meeting room two days later at 3PM. Wake to follow. There was a copy of the official obituary furnished by Chris attached. It gave some details that might help in his identification by people who knew him back in the day. 

I had informed the Cop Out Club to lay in extra beer, even if no one came I would drink it. I paid for two kegs, which was my donation. I had no way to tell, if anyone would show up for the service and wake or not. If not the second keg would not be tapped but the first would go to the regulars as a gift from the Gunny.

It was two hours later when Lucas came to me. "Boss, there might be a problem with Gus's memorial service."

"What kind of problem?"

"The obituary has gone sort of viral. It has been forwarded to other sites, ones I never heard of. People are asking questions on the forums and others are answering them. It just keeps growing. Most of the guys won't be able to make it, but they all h ave things to say on line."

I went to Lucas's computer to see what he was talking about. I read a posting from an old man at least the Gunny's age. I remember Gus Gallion when he was a buck ass private. He and i were in Vietnam before there was any war. Advisors to a struggling South Vietnamese army so corrupt that it could hardly function. That wasn't our mission, so we dealt with it rather than change it. Gus and I were brand spanking new Marine Corp Snipers assigned to MACV Naval Advisory Group, We were supposed to train snipers, but what we really did was take young men into the field and those who could shoot, we made snipers, by just saying they were. You just can't teach isolation skills to people who come from a group dynamic.

"I personally saw Gus hold off scores of viet cong in a rubber plantation while twice as many South Vietnamese Soldiers ran for their lives. Later Gus said to me. 'You gotta' wonder what the hell these guys think the army is about. If it ain't about the killing."' one man wrote.

I read on for several minutes. There were scores of stories from Vietnam both from his days as an adviser and his days with the marines as a sniper in Vietnam. One of the stories that was most impressive to me was an engagement with the NVR troops over a red clay hilltop artillery base.

"Our base was the only fire support for the grunts down in the valley. It was essential to hold that base, or a lot more marines were going to die in the valley.

The NVR had been spotted massing a few miles away, so the Marines began to fly in extra munitions and body bags. They also flew in one Marine Lance Corporal Gus Gallion. A marine sniper from down in the valley. Gallian was there because he had a vested interest in keeping the artillery firing. 

The NVR army rushed the wire even as the marines poured fire at them. While the marines emptied hundreds of rounds at the wire on full automatic, Gus fired slowly but with deadly accuracy. He fired at anyone who seemed to be giving orders. Guys with the bugles and of course anyone who made it to the wire.

The dance went on all night. Sometimes we were winning and sometimes it looked as though the NVR army would turn the guns on us. Men were terrified but Gus lay on the top of the bunker behind a few sandbags and fired his heavy M14 all night long. Gus fired and slopes died. That is how it was that night. We shot them off the wire, but it was Gus and two other snipers who broke them." The author wrote.

The stories went on and on, as you might expect for a man who had been in the Corp 30 years. My eyes got tired so I moved away from the computer. "Lucas use that printer you are so fond of to print out some of those. I will read them at the Memorial." I demanded.

"Blevins," I said into the office phone. "Did you see Gus's obit in the paper."

"Gus Gallion what happened?" he asked.

"He had a stroke and died Saturday Night. His going in the ground at Arlington but there is going to be a memorial service here at the senior center on Wednesday night at 5PM. See if you can get a cop or two to show up. I would hate to be the only one there."

"You won't be. I for sure will be there. I'm sure there is a cop or two who remembers a bruise from Gus. They will show up, I'm sure."

"Thanks Blevins, I owe you one." I replied.

"Not for this, but you owe me plenty for all the times, I saved your butt."

"Blevins, you are getting senile. I save your ass at least once a week." I knew he was smiling and I hoped that he knew I was.

I hated even the best of Mondays, and it was far from a good Monday. While I drank yet another cup of coffee, I turned on my computer. On my computer the wallpaper was actually the four camera's at my little cabin. That Monday morning I got a view of a beautiful doe grazing near my gate. I was reminded yet again that I suspected Lucas of spying on me. Well it wasn't really spying, since the pictures were on the Internet for anyone with the web address to see.

I was depressed about Gus so I decided not to jump Lucas. It could wait a few days or even weeks. It might take that long before I felt like myself again. I threw myself into the work routine. It seemed the easiest way to get through the days. Even depressed I didn't want to lay in bed and cry, I wanted to get into some kind of shit. Good or bad didn't matter, just something to break the grind of depression. Depression beats me down, I needed to get my mind off me, and onto something else. 

"What do we have going on around here that isn't boring as hell?" I asked outloud.

"Well you have the rock star job on Friday. Actutally I guess it is Thursday and Friday," Lucas informed me.

"I had almost forgot about our rock star. I really hate babysitting." 

"I'm surprised they are expecting trouble," Lucas said. "Bobby and Bethany are supposed to be really well liked."

"It's only half about keep Bethany alive. the other part is keeping her from killing Bobby or getting busted."

"Is Bethany a junkie," Ed asked.

"I don't think so but who knows these days. My contract calls for me, and some dude from Tryon, to literally babysit them. He gets Bobby and I get Bethany. I can follow her into places the guy can't. She has been known to ditch her babysitter and go out partying."

"Then you have your work cut out for you," Lucas suggested. "Some of these music people are impossible to control."

"That's why we work for the promoter, not the couple. Since it's part of their contract, they should go along. If they don't, I will just have to explain to them why it's in their best interest to do it my way."

"Max no broken bones please," Ed said. "I would hate to refuse to go your bond, but business is business. You are just not stable enough to risk my money."

"Good, then If I go in, I'll just call Edwards in Tryon, He wants to show you up anyway." I replied seriously.

"You wouldn't do that," Ed said.

"If you wouldn't go my bail, then it would be Edwards or stay in jail. Then you can bet your ass I'd call him."

"Just to change the subject," Lucas asked, "Who is the other body guard?"

"I have no idea, some youngster from Tryon is all I know."

Lucas and I worked the deliveries all day. We even found time to pick up a used car salesman on in violation of his bail terms. I had no idea what the violation was all I had to know was that there was paper on him. I picked him up for three hundred bucks. His bail was small so he really wasn't a problem. He was a totally non violent type. He was a used car salesman, so he was a con man, not a fighter.

Monday night I could not get to sleep so I masturbated, but I did it under the covers, just to be sure Lucas or anyone else who happened to be watching didn't get an eyeful. My mind drifted to Gus as I worked myself toward an orgasm. I felt some guilt, so it was difficult to achieve orgasm. When it did happen, it rattled me. It was strong enough so that moments later I fell asleep.

Tuesday I promised myself that I would keep my mind on business and not let it linger on my personal life. Things came up about the memorial service which required my attention, so I couldn't really Keep Gus out of my thoughts long.

The posts on the forums kept climbing and Lucas kept printing them out. I knew that Wednesday would be spent sorting through them, to find the best quotes for his eulogy. I hoped that some of his friends would also speak, but I was planning to prepare as if I would be the only speaker. Gus might have been just a Marine in his eyes, but he was extraordinary to me. I planned to make damn sure people knew why.

Things kept piling up about his professional life, but I knew almost nothing of his personal life. Well not of his life before I met him anyway.

Tuesday went by in a fog of activity. Lucas and I worked between our monitoring of the Internet. The pickups and deliveries had gotten to the point that it was routine. We had our game down pat. Unless we had served the mooch before, they all fell for our scam. 

"A man with a clipboard and a little information is a dangerous thing." Lucas observed. 

"Or a woman," I reminded him.

"Yes, you dreamed it up, so you are the most dangerous of all," he remarked.

My phone rang, "Do you want to have dinner with Bob and Me?" Jennifer asked.

"No thanks, I'm really not going to be very good company tonight."

"Sweetie, we aren't looking to be entertained. Come on you have to eat," Jennifer suggested.

"Yes but I think, I'm going to pick up a taco salad and go home with it and a six pack of bock beer."

"Well if you change your mind give me a call."

I didn't change my mind. The beer and a Bag of corn chips, came from the Fresh Market grocery store, and the salad came from Taco Bell. I ate the salad and managed to get three of the beers down before I was drunk and exhausted. It made for a good combination to sleep.

Wednesday was a terrible day. I woke with a hangover and in an evil mood. I tried to work, but it was useless. I was in a deep funk and everyone steered clear of me. I couldn't blame them one bit. I wished that I could get out of my own skin and just be somebody else for a while.

Chris called on the office phone. She was up for the memorial service without her kids. She was at Gus's apartment cleaning it out. She asked, "Would you take care of Gus's bike. I have no way to get it home, and don't know what to do with it."

"Actually, if your kids don't want it I would love to have it."

"Max it's nothing special, just an old bike."

"I know but I want it," I said with a conviction that bordered on a threat.

"Then it's yours. Come on over and we will figure out which key opens the lock."

"I'll be right over." I said, When I put the phone back into it's holder, I turned to Lucas. Don't go anywhere Luke. I am going to need a ride back to the towers in a few minutes."

"Why," he asked.

"I'm going to go pick up Gus's bike. I'm going to ride it back here. Then I will need you to give me a ride to get the van."

"Oh sure," he said.

"I have Gus's keys," Chris said, rather than hello. She looked about like I felt.

"Okay, I'll get the bike and get out of your hair."

"I want to thank you Maxine for all you have done. I wasn't very nice to you last time we met. Forgive me. I guess like you said, I was a little jealous."

"Chris we had different parts of your dad, there was never any competition. If there had been, you would have won hands down."

"I don't know, but thank you for saying that." 

We had that conversation in the elevator as we rode to the lobby. Finding the right key for the bike was easy. Gus only had three keys, one to his apartment, one to the bike, and one to Chris's home. 

"Chris you will be speaking this afternoon won't you?" I asked.

"I am going to try, but Maxine I don't know if I can."

"Do what you think you should do. It will be alright no matter what that is." I meant it.

The old dual suspension bike needed a good cleaning and probably needed to be re-greased to be safe as a motorbike. I made a mental note to buy a bike rack then take it to the Preacher's shop.

The bike pedaled the six blocks to the office quite easily. It even climbed the small hill along the way well. It made the climb even without the motor.. I knew that it would have been different if the hill had been longer. I remembered from the ride with Marty, that the short steep hills were noticeable, but the long moderate climbs were the killers.

With the bike tucked safely away in the storeroom, Lucas drove me back for my van. "Boss, I want you to know how sorry I am about your friend Gus." he said when we were in the car.

"Thank you Lucas, I just need a few days of steady work to get over this depression. I have been here before. It's nasty, but it isn't a death sentence. I'll be back." After sulking a minute or two longer, I suggested." While we are out. Let's stop by to see how they are doing with the meeting room."

Since the senior center was across the street from Evergreen towers, it wasn't an inconvenience. I really didn't want to do it alone. What we found was a bright sunny room with about fifty chairs aligned in rows. It looked as though it was pretty well ready to go. 

"What time is it Lucas?"

"It's lunch time. How about we drive out to the marina? We can stop for Subway," he suggested.

"Let's get your car back to the office and we can take the van. Honest Lucas, I really am going to buy you a company car."

"I like driving the van just fine, why don't you buy yourself a cool car," he suggested.

"I like the van just fine as well. We can fight about it after I have time to buy something."

Lunch at the marina was nice. I was chilly but I didn't mind the day was appropriate for the way I felt. I felt cold and gray just like weather.

After lunch I did what I do instead of pacing. I turned on the news on the small television set we kept at the office for just that purpose. I mindlessly watched as commentators talked about the debt, the stock market, and the current administration. It was all rather sad because the reports were all doom and gloom. AT fifteen minutes till three, I drove the van to the senior center. I had no idea what to expect for Gus's memorial service. I looked into the door and found the room already filled with people. As I would have expected most of them were near Gus's age with a sprinkling of younger people, some of them in police uniforms.

As I was preparing to walk through the crowd on my way to the podium, I saw the marine Captain enter the lobby, I knew what a captain looked like and no one could mistake the marine dress blue uniform for anything else. The marine captain was much younger than Gus. He was not even as old as me.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"Yes Ma'am, I'm here for the Gallion memorial service."

"It's in that room. I am Maxine Stone, I was a friend of Gus's."

"Yes Ma'am you are the organizer I believe." 

"His daughter Chris and I yes," I replied. "I don't know much about Marine tradition, So is there anything you would like to say."

"Yes Ma'am I have Gunnery Sergeant Gallion's awards and Citations. I would like to read those."

"Is that usual?"

"It is for someone like Gunnery Sergeant Gallion ma'am."

"He was special to me, but what was so special about him to the Corp?" I asked.

"Ma'am Gunnery Sergeant Gallion won the medal of Honor in Vietnam. I am also here to accompany his remains to Arlington National."

I was shocked. So shocked in fact, I could only walk away silently. I had no idea."

I welcomed everyone, then I introduced the Captain who read a long list of Gus's accomplishments. With each medal he read the citation that accompanied it. The medal of honor was for the fire base defense. I knew the story, but not all of it. The enemy was attacking while they fired mortars to keep the American soldiers in their bunkers. Guy lay on top of a bunker and continued to fire at the enemy. He was hit with shrapnel several times but he did not leave his post, even though he had been directed to. If Gus had gone into a bunker, the base would have been overrun. According to the survivors, he Saved a lot of lives that night.

There were other awards, navy crosses and a silver star. It took the Captain a half hour to read all the citations. When he finished, I quickly read a few of the comments from the Internet. A couple of seniors from the towers had a few things to say. I was surprised when a black man rose to walk to the front of the room. He did not have the bearing of a military man or the look of a cop. He just looked like a homeless man who had cleaned up for the day.

"Me and Gus was friends. He never treated me like the rest of you people. He wouldn't give me money for wine, but he would buy me food whenever he saw me. I'm gonna miss him for more than them hamburgers." It was a short statement, but it made me cry, when none of the others had,

We went to the Cop Out after the service where we all got drunk early. Jennifer had been at the service. She sat with Reverend Archer who led in a prayer at the end of the service. 

"So where is the Reverend?" I asked.

"He had church things to take care of," she replied.

"Bullshit, he didn't want to be around cops. No telling what he would do with this many cops around."

"Who knows, anyway I'm headed for home. Wanted to tell you how sorry I am about Gus."




Maxine's New Life Ch. 11



"I know Jen, well you take good care of the Reverend. Be careful honey, he likes to play some rough games." I said it as a warning.

"Then you don't mind?"

"No Jen, I don't mind at all."

I drank enough so that I woke up in a familiar bed but had no idea how I got there. Usually even when drunk, I could remember how I ended up in someone else's bed. Since I was the only one in the bed, I was worried about how I got there.

"Well gus, I guess I spent one more night with you after all." I said it aloud. I knew for sure that it was Gus's room by the Sofa throw with the Marine Emblem. How I got to the room, I had no idea.

Ten minutes later I knew. Chris came in with Coffee and donuts. She found the Krispy Kreme it seemed. "Good morning," I said.

"Good morning. You had a lot to drink and no one knew where you lived, so I had them bring you here,"

"Thanks, your dad and I always ate those on the balcony. He liked to watch the traffic."

"If you want to do that you better get dressed. It will be really cold if you go out there undressed like you are."

It had been two months since Gus died, and I had been in a deep funk almost all of it. I hadn't talked to Lucas about the cameras in my cabin, because I just didn't care. The business ran well on autopilot. I realized that there was nothing that I needed to do. Even so, I went to the office everyday. just to go through the motions. Sticking with the routine was good for depression. It kept me from laying in bed feeling sorry for myself all day.

I even found time,during one of my wasted time periods, to have a bike rack put on the van. Soon thereafter, I had the bike, I inherited from Gus, reconditioned. The preacher was trying to impress someone, but I don't think it was me. His mechanics went through the bike completely. When I got it back from his shop, it was twice as good as the day it rolled off the Chinese assembly line. 

The mechanic understood the concept of the totally removable engine. He replaced a few bolts on the engine with wing nuts and studs. The only link to the frame, was a tie down rod which put tension on the motor. When the engine was remove it collapsible so that it all fit into a small canvas bag. The kind the guy rats used to carried their stinky clothes. 

When the motor was removed it left only a mounting bracket under the seat and one stud with a wing nut where the tension rod attached. It was a neat system. I am sure there were others like it but I had never seen one advertised.

Chris and I had a long talk the morning after her dad's memorial service. I left Gus's apartment with a lot of information about him. Some of it, I would just as soon have not known. but I was still glad I had the talk with her. I also left with his Captain America bike helmet. 

"I fussed like hell when he bought that bike after the DUI. I was afraid that he was still drinking and would ride it into traffic. So I bought him a blue bike helmet. He drew the flag on it with paint sticks. Not a really good job, but he loved it, and now it's yours," Chris said.

So by the time I began to feel like me again, I had a smaller version of the bike Marty and I rode across country. I also just woke up one morning and wanted to get deep into some shit. Any kind of shit, I just wanted to get back into life.

"So Lucas what should we add next?" I asked it once I was in the office, with a cup of coffee in my hand.

"Well, we already do bond jumpers, we serve court papers, and you do the occasional body guard job, what else is there?"

"That's what I asked you?" I replied giving him a genuine smile. "Hold on, isn't it time for you to get back into school?"

"Well if I was going to go back, it would be time yes. I think I'm going to take another semester off."

"I'm sure I do not approve of that," I said seriously.

"Well, short of firing me, there is nothing you can do. You honestly can't afford to fire me. You have grown the business, so that sometimes it takes both of us to keep up." 

"That is true, but I could also just drop the bail jumper and body guard gigs and have plenty of time. So don't get too comfortable."

"Why don't we do the TV thing. Maybe we can get it picked up on a real TV network and become stars."

"Right that's what we need, every mooch in the state knowing, who we are, and how we do things."

"But for now it's just Internet TV. Probably no more than two of our mooches watch anything on the Internet." Lucas said.

"Would like to bet next weeks salary on that?" I asked.

"Why," he asked.

"I'll bet you next weeks salary, that at last 1/4 of them have watched Internet porn." 

"Okay, you would probably win, but odds are none of them are going to see our little show."

"Tell you what Lucas, I'll leave it up to Ed. Ed do you want to be a TV star?"

"Actually with all this talk over the last few months, I have considered it. I knew you would have to ask me, since I'm the most interesting one here."

"So what's your decision?"

"Well, I never did get my fifteen minutes, so yeah let me have my fame now."

I burst into the song "Fame, I'm gonna live for ever, people gonna' remember my name." I sang it and laughed.

"So do I call Gwen?" Lucas asked.

"Are you that hard up for ass? Do I have to be a TV star, just so you can get laid again?" I asked.

"Actually she gives great head," Lucas said smiling.

"All right lover boy, make your call. Tell her to get with Marty and make us an offer."

"We would have gotten more Gwen said, if we had done it right after the Russian shoot out." 

"Yeah well, I was a little busy," I replied. "Besides it's going to take them a while to get it on the air anyway. They are going to have to edit the film."

"It is the Internet. It won't take long at all. They want it to be as raw as possible. Just as long as it is still entertaining. That's probably why they picked us. We are pretty raw." Lucas said with a grin.

"You are for sure pretty green at least," Ed threw in.

"Even if we all go for it, they won't be here for a while, so let's get some work done?"

"How does the day look?" I asked Lucas.

"Not too busy, we have time to play around, if there is something you want to do."

"What would I want to do?"

"I don't know, buy a car, let me ride the bike."

"Well I don't think we can buy a car today, but you can ride the bike."

"Cool," Lucas said all excited. Everybody loved Gus's bike.

"Load the bike onto the van and we will take it with us today. When we find a quiet spot, you can give it a try. But first we do the work." I was adamant about that.

We picked up the three new court orders. Ones we had not had time to pick up the day before. We also had two on hand, so our deliveries were five for the day, along with any calls we got while we were out working/ We could deliver three times that many, if they were ready for us. 

In our business you don't just go, go, go. Usually it is go, wait twenty minutes for something to happen, then go again and wait again. During one of those breaks I had Lucas pull the van into the parking lot of an abandoned textile mill.

"Okay Lucas," I began once the bike was off the van and ready to ride. "Now we will start the engine. It is a centrifugal clutch so when you rev up the engine it will want to start pulling the bike. so don't rev the motor until you are on the bike. If it dies. stop immediately. If you can't get it restarted or it is out of gas, lift it off the tire and lock it. You got it?"

"Yeah, I have seen you ride it. I think I can figure it out."

"Well we can get into how to ride with the most efficiency after you get the hang of it." I suggested. I knew Lucas was really still a kid he wouldn't want to ride it for efficiency, he would want to ride it like a motorcycle. To do that he needed the big engine Marty and I had on our cross country trip. The engine on Gus's bike was just a helper. It was meant to extend the bike's range.

Since the larger engines were illegal in every state, we had gotten lucky. None of the cops or highway patrols along the way bothered with us. We were off the beaten path most of the time. The engine on Gus's bike was very legal. It was even a little smaller than the largest legal, but still inadequate engine. 

"Put the helmet on, I don't want your mother to come down to beat my ass for letting her little boy crack open his skull."

"Right, I hardly think my mom would do that, but I will wear the helmet."

"You are lucky, it should be a motorcycle helmet to be legal. So go for it."

The beauty of the motor on a bike frame is that almost everyone knows how to ride a bike. With those things, there were no new skills to learn. Engaging the engine was just a matter of opening the throttle. which replaced the right handle bar grip. Most of the time it was rev the engine and hold on, with the engine on Gus's bike it was rev the engine and settle back. It still required that one pedal up hill and even on the flat to get more speed now and then, but it made longer trips on the bike possible with the expenditure of the same amount of energy.

"I love this thing, I want one." Lucas said to me when he stopped the bike.

"Actually I had a thought or two in the back of my head about that."

"Oh what kind of thought?" he asked.

"To look even more harmless, we could park the van a couple of blocks away and ride up on a bike. Motored or otherwise, who would question a bike messenger?"

"Even more important, It would be fun. That's the real reason, I didn't sign up for that next semester at school. This is just too much fun."

"Well, I have decided that you will sign up for it. I talked to Blevins. they teach the exact same classes at night. You will take a minimum of two classes a semester, or I will fire you skinny ass."

"Okay, okay, now to change the subject, what are you going to do about Gwen and Mike filming you at home?" he asked.

"They can feed from the surveillance cameras. You said they wanted funky, the image quality is pretty funky in the low light at night." 

"Then I will explain that before they get all excited about the project. They might have thought that they were going to have access to your house as well."

"Yeah, make sure they understand they do not ever know where I live and if they find out, they are not to pass that information on to anyone under threat of death. Try to make sure they don't give the web address of my video surveillance away either."

"Oh yes, I'm sure there are things you don't want to be seen by everyone in the world."

"Yeah," was all I said. I didn't look at him when I said it.

"So about the new car," he suggested.

"For the new car we need to see Ed," I replied.

Back in the office I said to Ed, "Ed how many used car salesmen have you bailer out of jail?"

"Damn, over the years at least a hundred why?"

"Is there one you almost trust?" I asked.

"Yeah Willie Rice seems to be straight up."

"Give him a call. Ask him what he would charge to buy me a car at the wholesale auto auction."

Ed made the call then he covered the mouthpiece and said to me, "For me, since I bail his ass our for drunk and disorderly once every couple of years o so, he wants two hundred bucks over what he paid for the car at auction."

"Ed, I want to go to the auction with him."

"He said no way," Ed replied after his phone consult.

"Then tell him thanks anyway, but I'll make the buy at the public auto auction." Ed repeated that into the phone, then added that his next bail would be posted 24 hours after the arraignment instead of immediately. Then Ed listened and turned to me. "Can you live with a Chrysler product. There is an off lease auction Friday morning at 8AM in Tryon."

"Tell him I'll meet him anywhere, anytime. Also tell him that I am always on time, and he better be as well."

What Ed said was simple, "When and where do you want to meet." He looked up and said to me. "Shirley's pancake house parking lot at 7AM. You will have to leave the van and ride with him. Also bring cash, Willie said."

I just nodded my head. I was almost five so I looked to Lucas. "So what do you hear from Flopsy?" I asked.

"They are waiting form Marty to make the decision, and then they will make us an offer. Do you want to know what the offer is?"

"Not till it is ready to finalized. I don't haggle, so tell her to bring the best she has the first time."

"I already told her there is no second chance offers. I think they will come up with most of the money for us. She and Mike can sell season 2 to one of the cable networks at least." He didn't realize it, but he had most likely given me information Mopsy and Flopsy would rather I didn't have.

I nodded to him as well. "So how about dinner at the pasta and pizza pit?" 

"Are you buying?" Ed asked.

"Sure why not, I have to swing by the bank to get a lot of cash first."

At 6:50AM I pulled the van into Shirley's pancake house parking lot. I felt a little concerned about having $15.000 in cash in my pocketbook. Since I had the .38 hammerless revolver in there as well, I felt a little better. 

After a lot of bullshit I got through the gates and into the large chain link fenced area. There must have been a couple of hundred Chrysler automobiles of various models parked neatly in the lot. 

"It would be best, if you picked out three you want. Just write down the number that is on the windshield. When they come up I will bid up to whatever amount you tell me. Make sure you like all three the same, because they won't come up in the order of your preference." Willie was actually a lot nicer than I had expected.

All three cars I picked were PT Cruisers. One was silver and two were white. I picked the colors to highlight the signs that would be going on it. They each had between 50 and 60 thousand miles on the engine. After i got one it would be a crap shoot.

"So how much do you think they will go for?" I asked. 

"Seven to nine grand," he said

The silver came up first "Willie, do 8k Maximum."

I bought it for $7,600 . The bidding, though the most frightening, turned out to be the easy part. Inside the metal building, they used as an office, I went through the paperwork with the clerk. I got the title work done by her for twenty bucks in addition to the bid price. I was told that I had to pick the vehicle up by close of business on Monday. The lot would be open all day Saturday for pickups as well. If I had a dealer tag, I could take the car right away. Of course I didn't and Willie was planning to use his tag, Even if he hadn't been, his insurance wouldn't cover the car unless it went into his name. Then he would have to do the twenty dollar paper work for a hundred bucks more. I said no thanks. 

We were back in Aster by 1PM, so I make the call to my insurance agent. I added the Cruiser and got the policy ID number for the DMV. That little DMV exercise took me almost an hour, but I got the tag and temporary registration.

Lucas met me at the office, he had been out working. He drove me to Tryon in the van, then took it to finish his process serving. I got the cruiser and headed home. I had to buy gas within a mile of the auction. I figured they went around draining the tanks for their personal cars.

The little car seemed to do just fine. I could tell it wasn't the van, but it was still a good ride. Since Lucas was already making the final services of the week, I drove the Cruiser to the Sign Shop. 

"Do you remember me?" I asked.

"Sure you are the lady who can't spell for shit," he said with a big smile and a handshake.

"How long will it take to do the same ugly ass signs for the Cruiser."

"I only do beautiful signs. You must want the sign depot." He replied.

"Okay, just do it," I said with a fake look of exasperation.

I made it back to the office in time to say, "Have a good weekend, to both Ed and Lucas."

On Saturday I got the bike rack installed on the cruiser. I also removed the rear seat. It wasn't an easy task, but I managed it after a trip to the hardware store for tools. I was proud of myself. I only had one scrape on my knuckles. For me that was a miracle.

I drove the cruiser to the Cop Out Saturday night. It was the first time I had been in the place since Gus died. I hadn't really been in for a while before he died. I guess the trip to the Cop Out meant that I was back on the market. I went back to my place to sleep alone again. If I had been looking for real, I could have left with more than one of the men there. Men with an erection have no taste, I thought.

When I got home, I gave some serious thought to giving Lucas a show, but decided not to bother. I drifted off to sleep easily because I had a long couple of days and was physically tired.

On Sunday Lucas called to say that Mopsy and Flopsy were flying in with the proposal. Marty had arranged for Jen to mediate. Jen was still my friend, but after the Reverend Archer thing, I wasn't sure how much I trusted her. Of course I had known that she was a lawyer, when I took her into my confidence. 

Sunday would have been one boring day, had it not been for Gus's bike. I took the bike to the park. The park had a designated bike trail. It was not one of those walking tails, which allowed bikes. It was designated just for bikes. I checked with the Tryon Parks and Recreation department before I drove to the access parking lot. I found that Gus's bike qualified as a bike, not a motor vehicle.

So I put on my thermals, then made myself a bowl of cereal. First I added about an once of raisins to the big serving bowl I used for cereal. Then I added a few dehydrated banana chips to the raisins. After those I poured in several ounces of a cereal mixture, which I made myself. The dry cereal was corn flakes and brand flakes mixed in equal parts, I really don't care for the taste of either alone. I topped the mixture with sprinkled cinnamon and an once or so of sugar free maple syrup. 

Then I ruined it all by adding rehydrated milk to the mix. It was the only kind of milk that didn't spoil in my refrigerator. I seldom ate breakfast at home, so it was only a minor inconvenience.

I had purchased a riding outfit just for chilly days like it was that Sunday. I wore thermal long pants under my tightly woven cotton twill hunters pants. Those turned the moving air better than jeans. They still had the look of a real person look about them. On top I wore a thermal tee with long sleeves and a light weight but still slightly lined nylon pullover. The pullover was at least two sizes too large. When the weather really turned cold, I planned to pick up a lightweight thermal vest to wear under it. I drove to the office.

There I put a 42oz bottle of premix where the biker's water bottle would ordinarily go. I topped off the tiny gas tank on the bike's engine, then loaded on on the cruiser for the drive to the bike trail. 

I parked the cruiser in the parking lot meant for bike riders only. It was the place to leave our real rides. Once I had the bike off the cruiser, I looked at the next group of riders ready to leave the staging area. None of them spoke to me, even though they were friendly with each other. I had no idea whether they were a riding club, or just snobs.

Marty had always talked about the bike purist. They seemed to feel that he was raping the sport. They were in it for fun and exercise, Marty was in it for transportation and profit. I could see a place for both, I'm not sure the spandex group in the parking lot that morning could fit the Marty's vision into their mindset. I didn't really care that they were less than friendly, and probably wouldn't until I had a breakdown twenty miles from the parking lot. Well chances of me being making it twenty miles were about as good as me competing in the Olympics.

I studied the map at the trail's entrance. There was a parking lot 5.5 miles down the trail. That parking lot was the next staging area for riders to join the trail. The trail continued, but for a first day's ride, I decided that 11 miles was plenty.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 12



I awoke Monday in a strange bed. I also awoke to the smell of bacon and coffee. Eggs don't seem to have an odor, unless they have gone bad. I expected to see Moseby in the kitchen, possibly dressed as a glamorous June Cleaver but alas the kitchen was empty. Well empty of humans anyway, I found coffee in the carafe of the coffee maker. It was also still turned on. I found a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a bagel. It was inside of a plastic container with detailed reheating instructions.

The note under the container advised me to enjoy, but reminded me to turn off the coffee pot before I left. Since the smell of bacon and coffee lingered, I obviously had missed Moseby by not more than a few minutes.

After the bagel and coffee, I drove to the office. Marty's pros were waiting for me. "Good Morning Maxine," Gwen said.

"Good morning Gwen, did you enjoy my date." I knew Gwen would be filming everything possible. Since I wore a wire most of the evening, I shared the guilt in the invasion of Moseby's privacy. However the invasion did not include anything that happened inside her apartment. I drew the line on that. I didn't mind a bit of reality but I drew the line at porn.

"Actually the date was fun. I even enjoyed the Island. I didn't expect to, but it was great fun." Gwen said to me.

"Then you are a good sport. Most people are so hung up on sexual issues, they can't just relax and let it be what it is. One doesn't have to participate to have fun." I paused looked at her hard then asked, "so did you participate?"

"Of course not I was working, but it was still amusing." she said. "By the way, I'm going to have to get a release from your friend. Do you think I will have any trouble?"

"I have no idea. Just ask and see what she says."

"Don't suppose you would ask for me?"

"Not a chance," I replied.

"That's pretty much what I expected." Gwen wasn't at all upset. "By the way, you two were cute last night."

"Right, not so young love in action," I said sarcastically. I finally took a minute to look around. "Where is Ed?" I asked.

"I haven't seen him," Lucas replied. "It's not like Ed to be late."

I picked up my phone and did a speed dial for Ed's doctor son Jeff. "Hey Jeff, it's me Maxine. I'm looking for your dad. It isn't like him to be this late." I was beginning to worry when Ed came through the door. "Never mind he just walked in."

Ed walked to my desk, then said, "I hope you feel better than you look, because you look like hell.

"Good morning to you too," I said smiling, "Where have you been, you are never late."

"One of my wayward customers got himself locked up early this morning. I have been with your friend Jen playing advocate."

"What is Jen doing bailing out a drunk?" I asked.

"Not a drunk but someone on prescription drugs." Ed said. He walked to his own desk then added, "Too bad the Reverend's place isn't open yet. If it were we could keep it all in the family, so to speak." It was obvious, at least to me, that he knew about me and the Reverend, and then Jen and the Reverend as well.

"From your lips to the ear of God," I said as Ed walked to his desk. When he sat down, I noticed that he had stopped for fancy coffee from McDonalds.

My thoughts switched from Eds tardiness to Moseby again. I was determined to just enjoy Moseby. I promised myself that I would not run a background check on her. With some difficulty I ignored Lucas sitting at the computer. He looked as though he was dying to run her. Maybe I was wrong, maybe she was what she appeared to be. Maybe I really could find someone who was beautiful and who loved me. Sure it wouldn't be the first attractive person to love me, but she would be the first in a long time. 

I also tended to go to men for a real relationship. Women were usually a luxury item for me. The staple was men, pure and simple. Still she was gorgeous and so willing. Maybe the so willing was the reason I felt she might be too good to be true. I looked up at the computer screen and it was taunting me. I resisted, even though it was difficult.

"So Lucas let's get the day scheduled. What do we have on hand?" I asked.

"We have three papers that can be served anytime, and we have Louis Tremount."

"Oh is Mr Tremount one of the bail bond community's lost souls?" I asked it mocking Ed just a little. To me and Lucas, they were mooches plain and simple. To Ed they were just wayward children who needed help finding their way home. Obviously he never had one of the wayward children try to hit him with a baseball bat."

"Oh Mr. Tremount has a bounty on his head of $2k. His mother would rather we pick him up than the thug from Tryon. She gave us his new job address."

"Are you sure it's that, or was it you convincing her that he house was about to be lost?" I asked.

"Not a car, believe it or not she put up her dead husband's annuity for the bail." Her miserable son skipped, leaving her with a bleak retirement future. That is unless some kind and gentle bounty hunter shows her son the error of his ways." I should have been worried about Lucas, since he was beginning to sound like Ed. I would have been, except that I knew it was just for Gwen and the camera. 

So where is Good Boy Lou?

"Do you remember where you bought the cruiser?" Lucas asked.

"Of course I do," I replied.

"Mom says Lucas it a driver there."

"This should be fun. Call Jen have her get me something official looking to flash at the manager to get his cooperation. They aren't very cooperative there."

Jen's paralegal did the typing for us. Jen was busy in court. "It's no problem at all Ms. Stone. The Boss gave me blanket authorization to do anything you need, unless it is obviously against the law."

"That's nice to know Lucille. You never know when I might need an exotic dancer." I said smiling at the fifty pound overweight Lucille, she smiled back. Hers was a noncommittal smile, mine wasn't. Mine was a pure predator's flirty smile. Moseby had me all full of myself. Even Lucille looked good to me that morning.

Two hours later we were standing in one of many lines of automobiles waiting to go to the auction block. Louis Tremount drove up in a two year old Ford. "Do not look at him when he drives up." I advised Lucas, "All these cars have keys in them. I do not want to try to stop him as he drives off in a car." I said to Lucas. The Line captain called Louis over while we stood nearby checking out an Impala. As Louis walked by, I moved quickly behind him and said, "Don't make me tazer you"

"What the hell?" he asked.

"You missed your court date, I came to give you a ride." I held the tazer close at hand while Lucas put the plastic tie around his hands as quickly as he could. Even with his hands cuffed Louis decided to make a run for it. 

"He's all your cowboy," I said to Lucas, who gave chase. I strolled leisurely behind them. I knew that the whole lot was fenced. I just couldn't imagine Louis being successful at climbing that chain link fence with his hands tied behind him. Lucas tackled him near a road that connected a smaller parking lot with the one where we found him. 

When I walked up Louis was still struggling. "You might want to move away Lucas. I'm about to spray pepper in his eyes and zap him in his balls." Louis immediately went docile. 

"No, no I give up." he said.

"Oh hell it's up to Lucas, he is the one who had to chase you. Do I zap him in the balls at least?"

"Tell you what boss. If he so much as looks at me wrong, you can do it. Louis I got to tell you, she is Lez and hates men. I would be cool were I you."

I had quickly gotten used to Mike and Gwen hanging around. I hadn't even noticed Mike and his camera. During the chase he walked behind me shooting Lucas running after Louis Tremount.

We dropped Louis at the county jail in Tryon. "Do you have any papers for Tryon with you? I asked.

"Yes and I had a message on the phone this morning to stop by one of our clients office for another one. It will probably be here as well."

"The day is young. Maybe we can get you some more exercise." I said laughing.

"Thanks Maxine, I notice that these days I do all the running." he said it for the camera again.

"It's all part of the apprentice program. Check the instruction book."

When five o'clock came, I called ahead, then went by the pizza and pasta pit for a takeout order. I adore cold pizza right from the frig. I was trying to keep my weight down, so it was a small plain cheese pizza and a house salad with diet dressing on the side.

My mouth still hurt, so I broke the salad into small pieces with my fingers. I didn't really want to do a lot of chewing for a while. By the time the pizza got cold enough to eat, it was 7 PM.

"Hello," I said into the phone to stop the stupid song from playing. Fucking ring tone was driving me mad.

"Hi Maxine it's me Moseby."

"Well hello there girl," I said cheerfully.

"You going to come over tonight?" she asked as if it were some kind of obligation that I had missed.

"No hon, I am really tired tonight. How about a rain check?"

"Sure, but it is only good for tomorrow night." She did sound disappointed.

"Fair enough. How about we plan to meet at the Cop Out. You can meet my friends such as they are." I said it jokingly.

"Fair enough, I really do want to meet them."

"Moseby, you are not from here, how long have you lived here?"

"I moved here last month."

"Oh, where did you live last. I really do want to know everything about you." I said trying to sound like a new lover.

"I came from Charlestown. Before you ask, yes I was married. I left him and Charlestown at the same time."

"I see, and how do you like our little town?" I asked.

"I loved it from the minute I drove in, and I love it even more now because you are here."

"Oh how sweet." I said. I paused a long time then asked, "So what did you do there? Besides being married I mean."

"I worked in a restaurant as a hostess. When I came here, I couldn't find a job. The manager at one of the restaurants, where I applied, suggested that I try catering. I quickly found that Helen was the best, so I asked her to teach me."

"Well you found a great lady to learn from. Helen is the hardest worker I ever met." I replied.

It all sounded perfectly reasonable, and also too well rehearsed. It was like she planned to tell that story, and had just been waiting for the opportunity to get it over with. I had all kinds of buzzers going off in my head. Yes, I could be paranoid or I could be under attack.

On the other side of the coin, if she were going to murder me, I should already be dead. I did fall asleep in her bed last night. I really needed to know her game. I didn't want anyone, not even Lucas, to know that I was checking her out. In the back of my mind I remember an old saying from my days in the the sandbox.

'Knowing something is good, but it's even better, if no one else knows that you know it.' In the sandbox that kind of Intel sent a predator missile into a Taliban rat hole, while the rats were still home.

Since it wasn't too awfully late, I got on the phone to Gwen. "I'm going to the Cop Out for a beer. If you want to spend another boring night there, meet me."

I quickly got in the cruiser and took off for the club. I found Jerry first thing and cornered him. "Let's dance big boy," I said pulling him onto the dance floor. I held him close, then whispered into his ear. "I'm wired. so listen carefully. I think I am being setup, but I'm not sure. I need you to do a cop thing for me."

"What do you need?" he whispered. 

"When you next see a pretty blond girl driving Helen's catering van, pull her over and get me her name off the driver's license and the number." I demanded.

"I saw her driving it the last couple of days. I wondered who she was myself." Jerry admitted.

"You get me the name and her license number and I'll share any info with you," I said.

"Done," he said in agreement.

"Now I'm whipped, I need to get home and to bed. So brace yourself. This is where I do my acting part for the wire." He nodded. I spoke in a voice not quite as loud as a shout, but one people would remember for a while. "No Jerry I will not give you a blow job in the parking lot. I still have open cuts in my mouth." I walked away pretending to be angry.

"Men," I said as I picked up my sweater from the back of a chair at his table. I drove home right proud of myself.

During the day Tuesday I got a call from Jerry. When I saw his caller ID, I answered it without the speaker. He gave me a name and driver's license number for my new girlfriend. It seemed that Moseby wasn't Moseby at all. Moseby was actually Elizabeth Ann Montique. She was also not of Charlestown, she was most recently from Atlanta. At least that is what her driver's license said. Then from her facebook account, I found that she was an aspiring actress. You couldn't be an actress without being on facebook it seemed.

"Marty you sly dog," I said quietly aloud. Marty knew most of the time my life was boring as hell. The Pros could shoot fifty hours of tape to get fifteen minutes of entertainment from my real life. It looked as though ole Marty had decided to better his odds and lessen the risks to his investment return. He had Jen sending me interesting jobs and Moseby to keep me busy after work.

So the question became what to do about Beth Ann? It was like she said, it wasn't some sinister plot, it was still just harmless make believe at that point. Harmless only because I found out before I got too deeply involved. If I had fallen in love with her and then found out, I would have been some kind of pissed at all those involved. As it was, I could either throw her beautiful ass out of my life, or string her along.

Since my love life wasn't exactly standing room only, I decided that I would play along for a while at least. Even though it was make believe, it was till part of my life. They might be fudging a bit, but my reactions to their bullshit would be real enough. Hey, that's entertainment my friends. Most of the reality shows actually create most of the drama you see. I hope we all know that shit ain't real.

I didn't even bother to run her cell phone record. It would for sure be a burn phone. Marty was smart, he might even be waiting for me to discover his little plot. Even that would be high drama. There just was no downside for him. You had to love a pure businessman.

"Guess what?" Lucas said as he approached my desk.

"What?" I asked in return.

"I'm getting a bike like yours."

"How so?" I asked.

"Reverend Archer is building me one. He did build yours didn't he?"

"Not exactly, he installed the motor kit on it, but I had that made."

"Well he said he was an authorized dealer for the kit. He said he could hook me up with a really nice used bike as well."

"So what is the bike and kit going to cost?"

"He is giving me a discount because I work for you." Lucas informed me proudly.

"Oh I just bet he is. So how much?" I asked.

"Three hundred," he said. "That's a hundred off the retail."

"Well that is a reasonable deal. It isn't worth more though. I don't think he can get more than three fifty for it even on a brand new bike. You can get a kit with motor and drive for about two hundred on Ebay and another hundred for a new bike at Wallymart and you are set to go."

"The difference is those Ebay kits are not easily removable. So you would need a secure place to store the bike. With my kit, I just undo one quick release and one wing nut and take the whole thing off the bike. With that system I can chain the bike outside on you patio or something, and just lock the motor in the storage room. If you lose the wing nut it is a standard Home Depot Item. I can just drive down there for a replacement. It is a very efficient system. Even better is t that with the motor removed, it will fit easily on the bike rack on either of our vehicles."

"I know mine is just like that. Reverend Archer said it came from the same builder as yours. He is going to install a removable trunk rack on the Hyundai for me free. "

"Well then you did get a good deal. Mine was custom made, so the builder is a craftsman not some guy in flip flops."

"Can I store it in the lock room?' he asked.

"It's Ed's building, not mine. I'm sure it will be okay, but ask him."

After the consult with Ed, Lucas came back to my desk. "Do you want me to lay out the work on hand. You know, we didn't finish yesterday's work?"

"Yes so the layout, I didn't get around to it yet. I have been surfing the web this morning."

"Anything interesting?" he asked.

"There is turmoil in the Middle-East. That's about all, so nothing new or particularly interesting in that." I replied. Any day I was asked about the news, I could have given the same answer. There was alway turmoil in the Middle-East. 

Gwen and Mike had quickly become fixtures. I hardly noticed them, but they were in the back of my mind, sort of like a coat rack. Until you needed it, you never gave it any thought, but you just knew that it was available when you did needed it. You also knew that you had to step around it now and then.

It was after ten before we were ready to head out for the day. In addition to the two papers to be served in Aster, we had one pickup before moving on to Tryon. Mike was the designated hitter for the day. Gwen was in the bullpen in case Lucas and I split up. While she was not with us, Mike had her doing more background shots, and more interviews. I was pretty sure she would be interviewing Moseby. Since I had dated her on Sunday, she would be high on the interest radar. How much Gwen and Mike knew was a mystery at the moment.

"Lucas, how is your love life these days?" I asked when were in the care and headed for our first stop. I did it just to put a wrench in the works. He would someday have to explain that he was fucking one of the shows creators. I loved the thought of that one.

"It's fine," He replied. "Nothing serious going on but I do date now and then." He had obviously been prepared for the question. It was also clear that Gwen or Mike had written his answer.

"That's nice," I replied as the van pulled into the convenience store where our absent father worked. He was behind in his child support and the court wanted his ass to stand in front of the bar. He had missed his last court date, so the judge wanted him impressed with how serious the court was about his obligations. The next step would be an arrest warrant. That was clearly stated in the court order we were to deliver.

I wore my Lightning express delivery lady jacket into the store. "You ah," I looked down at the envelop on my clipboard. "Roger, sorry I can't pronounce the last name." 

"Hasbabie. yes that is me." he replied.

"Got a package for you. Sign here," I said it pushing the clipboard to him, but not the envelop.

"Who is it from?" he asked as he signed. 

I had the clipboard in my hand again when I said, "The Superior Court clerk, have a good day." I walked from the store smiling. That gag worked almost every time.

It was time for lunch after we picked up and served the third paper of the day. "Wanna go to the lake for lunch?" I asked.

"Sure, it's a little chilly, but we can eat in the car," Lucas said in agreement. He didn't dare ask Gwen. The rule was that she wasn't really in the car. We had always allowed her to order food at the drive thru window, otherwise we acted as though she wasn't there at all. 

"How about brown bags from Helen's?" I asked.

"You got her on speed dial, don't you?" Lucas asked smiling.

"Yes Lucas I had her on speed dial before Moseby as well. I also have Moseby on speed dial and she is driving the truck today." I replied. "I think that truck is pretty popular. We will have to go to her, I'm sure."




Maxine's New Life Ch. 12



"Hey Moses, where the hell are you?" I asked when she finally answered her phone. I had her on speaker of course.

"I'm working dear, what did you think?"

"I think you are working, but where the hell are you parked? We need food girl."

"I'm in the parking lot of some fiberglass plant, between Aster and Tryon."

"That's not too far out of the way. Lucas and I are going to the marina for lunch. We need three brown bags and three drinks. Can I swing bye for them?"

"Sure I got a turkey club that you should try. Less fat and fewer calories." she said.

"Are yo u saying I'm fat?" I asked laughing.

"I'm saying, I have seen you naked and it couldn't hurt to watch those carbs."

"Hold on. Lucas what do you want? I asked."

"The cheese burger bag is fine with me. How about you Gwen," He asked.

"I'll take that turkey club," she replied.

"Okay one turkey club and two cheese burger bags. We are probably five minutes out." I admitted.

"I'll take them out of the warmer." Moseby said. 

"Good," I replied.

"Hello beautiful," I said once I stood in front of her. I passed the bags on to Lucas, while I paid our bill.

"Hello lover," Moseby replied with no hint of guilt. Since I knew she was acting, I could enjoy it even more. I wonder how hard she was fighting to keep that smile on her face. It would be interesting to know her real feelings about our little encounter. No matter what she felt, it was till fun, even if she was struggling with guilt. I would never have noticed the slight muscle twitch, had I not known who she really was.

"I'll see you tonight at the Cop Out?" she asked.

"Sure, I'll be there around eight, is that okay?" I asked.

"I might be a little later, but wait for me," she suggested.

"Absolutely, Well we have to run. I have work to do, It's work I should have done yesterday."

"Hugs," Moseby said with a smile as I turned to go.

"And wet kisses," I replied. God my acting was pretty disgusting. I had a quiet laugh at myself.

Lucas, Gwen and I spent less time at the Marina than I would have liked. Lucas and I had two more pickups and three services already scheduled. During the afternoon we had to pick up two more papers. It was a madhouse. We had the two newest ones left at the end of the day. We just quit without finishing. Fortunately every stop went as smooth as the first one that morning. It was a rare day, so we didn't press our luck.

When I got to the Cop Out Club, it was an hour before Mosby was due. I had hoped to find someone to keep Gwen and her camera busy. Gwen tended to be the one, who would move the camera from me to the people around me. She liked to film the room, where as Mike hung on my every word and movement. I had learned their techniques in less than a week. God I had over three more weeks with these clowns and their chains. Give me strength, I thought.

"It's too early," I said aloud. I turned and walked out. I hated the Cop Out, when there was no one I knew. As I drove the van to the office, I was wondering why I hadn't seen Anya or Blevins the last two times I had been in the Club. I hadn't stayed long enough the last time to catch up on the department dirt, so there might have been some kind of minor altercation between them. I was sure that I would have heard, if it had been a murder suicide thing.

I did hope that one or the other would wander in later. Mosby needed to meet them, and I really wanted Anya to meet Mosby. She might try to recruit her for her band of whores. Now that would be classic. Moseby would be my first double whore. Working for Marty and Anya, I wondered what they called a whore with two pimps. I guessed that they would call her busy, if nothing else.

I h ad to give it to Marty, he was going to win no matter what, I planned to at least have some down and dirty sex at Mosby's expense. That was the very least they owed me. Gwen sat across from me in the office, with her camera at the ready. Meanwhile I pretended to look at the computer monitor, while I actually trying to figure out why I hadn't heard much from or about Blevins or Anya. There had been nothing since we closed the Hazelwood. I didn't really miss that bitch Anya, but I did miss Blevins. They had both showed up for Gus's memorial. I had heard hardly a word from either before the memorial and nothing at all since. 

I had been busy myself. Busy enough so that I hadn't realized that they were truly missing from my life. "If I don't find out what the fuck is going on tonight, I am going to chase them down tomorrow." I mumbled aloud.

"You have to speak up," Gwen said.

"Huh?" I grunted.

"You can't mumble with that microphone. It is sensitive, but you do have to speak up."

"I didn't plan to speak at all Gwen, give me a break." I said disgusted.

"You are hard to deal with Max." she said stating the obvious.

"I'm like that snake in the story honey. You knew I was a bitch, when you signed on for this gig."

"I know, and I'm not supposed to interact with you." Gwen said.

"Then don't," I replied. I had far too much on my plate to worry about the Pros from Dover and their egos.

I had passed the required forty five minutes, so I returned to the Cop Out. Gwen followed me of course, but I had already forgotten that she even existed. It was my secret, the one which allowed me to function at all. I had the unique ability to leave the baggage behind and start brand new with every event in my life. So much shit happened, so that if I didn't empty it, my brain would explode.

Inside the cop out I still found none of my real friends. Lots of people I had met were hanging out, but there were no one I really wanted to hang out with. I hadn't been showing up often enough to have noticed their absence before. I had no idea what was going on the drama of the Cop Out had passed me by.

Mosby came in before anyone, I knew even vaguely, approached me. Moseby's beauty was still a shock to me. Something about her also stopped all the conversations around me. I expected the jukebox to even stop for her, of course it didn't.

"So this is where you hung out before I came to town?" Mosby asked.

"I have been known to come in now and then. Not nearly as often these days."

The majority of the people in the Cop Out that night had no idea who I was, and knew absolutely nothing about Mosby. That being the case, men began asking her to dance, even before I got back to the table with the beers. 

"It seems everyone here wans to dance," Mosby said.

"Well all the men want to dance with you. Probably some of the women as well." I answered, "Go ahead and dance with anyone who strikes your fancy, I don't mind. My turn will come later," I suggested.

"It certainly will," Mosby promised.

After that exchange, Mosby began to dance almost constantly. I would hate to have guessed how many yards of erect penis she created that night. Mosby also drank several glasses of beer between dances.

By the time I danced with her, Mosby was tipsy to say the least. I had not planned it, but it seemed like a good time to start collecting from Mosby for her evil deeds. I held her close as we danced. I felt her breathing get quick and shallow. I turned her so that I held her from behind while we danced. Yes, it was a lot like how we began making love just a couple of days before. She even responded the same, maybe even a little more intensely, since she knew what was to follow. I wrapped her in my arms, with my hands covering her too firm breasts. She pressed back against me and rubbed. Her butt moved as if searching for the non existent penis. By the time the music ended, the smell of hormones, both male and female, hung in the room like a haze. 

Sometime during the dance Jerry entered the room. He come over after the dance and smiled at me. "I'm not sure I can even come close to that dance, but come on let's give it a try."

Mosby was off dancing with some male EMT, so she didn't miss me at all. I held Jerry close to muffle the microphone naturally. The whisper had to be close to his ear, since the music was soft but the volume was high.

"So is she a ringer?" he asked.

"Oh yes. but it's nothing criminal."

"Something to do with that stupid TV gig?" he asked.

"You know about that?" I asked.

"Everyone knows that two strangers follow you around with cameras. By the way that is your best protection from the bad guys."

"Are they still interested in me?"

"I don't know, probably not. You did know there is a task force looking into the Russian mob's connections in this area?"

"I had no idea. Is that why Blevins and his partner are never around."

"Yes, it is the first time anyone from this town was ever asked to join a task force, of any kind. It's a real career maker. The task force ise working out of Tryon, they even have them staying in a compound over there. They are so paranoid that have the Federal Marshal service providing security. It's a really big deal.

"Oh my, I do hope they are allowing Blevins to drink, or he won't be worth a shit to them."

"Blevins is probably drinking better shit than we are right now. I'm sure the Fucking Bastard Inbreds are paying for it." Jerry suggested with a laugh.

"Now that is a new one. I thought I had heard all the FBI names, but that one is new."

"What can I tell you? Those jerks never stop adding fun to our work day."

"So are they learning anything?"

"Nobody has a clue. You know the Fibbies, they never tell us anything. When Blevins gets back, maybe I can find out something. I bet you Beth Ann could find out anything she wanted to know."

"Jerry, it's Mosby to us."

"Right Mosby," he said with a grin. "So you are going to play along to screw her?" 

"Just as many times as I can, and in as many ways." I said with a laugh.

"You do know that, I also know who she is. How about you send a little action my way." Jerry asked playfully.

"Jerry, don't tell me you want to do a threesome with us?" I asked seriously. I had heard that he was keeping company with another ER nurse. She was probably the one who gave me shit during my last stay a in the hospital.

"I would love to, but I'm afraid Nancy would cut my dick off. She probably would just for dancing with you."

"I know she would, if she knew you got a hard on while you danced with me." I laughed out loud at his reaction. He actually blushed enough so that I could see it in the dark barroom. "You better cooperate or I will tell."

"And if I decide to take you up on that three way thing, you better go along. If not, I will have a talk with Beth Ann."

"Mexican standoff," I suggested.

"Sounds about right," he agreed.

"I had no idea how many men would get turned on by the sight of two women dancing," Mosby said when she finally returned to the table for another glass of beer. "Do you have any idea how many of them either wanted to screw me or both of us?" she asked with a laugh.

"My guess would be most," I replied.

"Try all of them. That cute guy with the shaved head was really insistent." she said motioning toward a tall black man with a bald head and lots of gold chains.

"Where did he come from?" I asked.

"I don't know. I thought he was one of your friends." Mosby replied.

"I never saw him before. He doesn't look like he belongs in here. I do hope he doesn't have any warrants. I would guess that he doesn't, if he has the balls to walk in here." I said it in answer to my own concerns.

"Let's go home, I want to fuck," Mosby said.

"Now that sounds like a plan, but you are not driving. I'll drive you home. We can get your car in the morning," I suggested,

"You can have it delivered. I have tomorrow off." she said.

"Okay, Lucas can return it in the morning. I do not have the day off."

"But I want to stay in bed with you all day," Mosby informed me.

"You are drunk." I said.

"Yep, just the way you like your whores," she suggested.

"Not really, but it will do."

When we got to her place, I expected Mosby to be too drunk to do more than pass out. I was wrong. She was slow thinking, and clumsy but she was willing. I wanted to wait until, what she was about to do, would have more impact on her soul but my body betrayed me.

Once the apartment door closed, she was all over me. We kissed with lots of tongue for just a moment. She broke the kiss because she wanted to move ahead. Romance be damned, she just wanted to get off. I helped her undress and she helped me. 

The instant our clothes were gone, she pulled me into bed. We kissed again. First I was the aggressor, but only for a moment. Mosby turned the tables on me quickly. She locked onto my saggy breasts, then bit my aching nipples. I had my hands on the back of her head and my fingers tangled in her hair. It was the only parts of her, which I could reach. I could feel her legs capture my thigh. I went a little out of body, when she began trying to rub her clit on my thigh. Mosby was out of control and I loved it. 

She must have been close to an orgasm, when she rolled over and pulled me on top of her. She forced my head to her hard breasts. I took one nipple into my mouth and one into my hand and began making love to them both. The hand on her left breast moved lower and lower. I had to stretch but I managed to twist enough to continue sucking on her nipple and tease her clit at the same time. It took only a few second for her to stiffen and jerk uncontrollably. 

It was time for me to rest and recharge, but it obviously wasn't for Mosby. In just seconds she was pushing down on my shoulders. There was no mistaking her message. Mosby was ready to move on to the real thing.

I kissed my way down her body dragging my tongue as I did. There was a saliva trail from her breast to her smooth mount. The trail went across the stubble and to the cleft which hid her girl cock.

When I reached her clit, I licked it up and down slowly for a long time. After several minutes I switched to a side to side motion. Her hips where pounding the bed, when I lowered my mouth to take her vulva in and suck hard. 

She was swollen and wet when I started, but she seemed to swell even more inside my mouth. When I released her stiff thick lips, I slipped two finger inside her, then returned to moving her clit with my tongue. Her hips were constantly in motion. I could not tell what her body was doing internally, but externally it was fucking my fingers and pounding against my sore mouth.

I released my hold on her only after she screamed, "Please stop I cant stand it." After I stopped I moved up to lay beside her. I thought the night would end with me sleeping peacefully beside her. It was at the point where sex usually ended for me. I didn't orgasm nearly as often as my lovers.

I was shocked, when after only a few minutes of rest, Mosby pushed hard to roll me off her. She began to do all the things to me, which I had done to her. Mosby was probably a great actress because if nothing else, she was a quick study. If she hadn't done it all before, she learned like a genius. When her lips first touched my clit, I went crazy and got lost in some other world. She licked and sucked on me a long time. I was a total wreck by the time she forced most of her hand inside me. I was in real pain but also in some kind of erotic state most women can only dream about. I'm still not sure what I did. I either fell immediately asleep or I passed out, because I remember nothing after that orgasm.



I left Mosby's apartment at 3AM. I felt about her not like a lover, but as just a sex partner. I found it impossible to love a ringer. Actually I was surrounded by people on someone else's payroll. I had no real control over them except in outwitting them. Knowing Mosby for what she was, without her knowing that I did, was some kind of victory for the good guys.

Playing the Pros from Dover would be a bit more complicated, but I was still in the information gathering stage. I already knew that If I wanted to get some time out of the camera's eye, I needed to have Gwen behind the lens. I could maneuver her a little better than Mike. Mike however was better, if I wanted to document an event. Also Mike had proved himself to be dependable in a dangerous situation. If I was going to bring in a runner, I wanted Mike behind us not Gwen. I did not want to worry about her safety. I know I wasn't supposed to think about the pros in my decision making, but a beat down of Gwen would do none of us any good.

It was all a lot more complicated than any of us anticipated going in. With Jen and Marty, the plan was to keep it as complicated and convoluted as possible. The more turmoil the better the TV show, was their thinking, no doubt. I could have been wrong about them, but I didn't think so.

All of that ran through my mind as I drove home at 3AM. That night I did the same thing I had trained myself to do every time I entered the compound, I flipped on the monitor. The house and grounds appeared to be empty and the gate seemed to be just as I left it. The problems began when the gate opener did not work. I could think of no reason for it not to work. Since I knew better than to get out of the car to check it, I backed the cruiser out of the drive entrance. It was too late to go to a motel and I really did not want to go back to Mosby's place. Even Gwen was home in bed, since she would have called it a night after the noise from my mic changed from moans to snores.

Since it was the only warm place I could easily get into at that time of night, I drove the cruiser back to the office. I was about to leave the car, when it dawned on me. If I was being set up the office would be the fall back ambush site. First the gate, then the office, it made sense. Well at least it will be the second string, I thought. 

I used the forty dollar cop spotlight type flashlight to scan the office and parking lot. Since I saw nothing, if there was any danger. it would have to be a sniper. A sniper wouldn't have bothered to rig the gate. He would just shoot me through the window of the cruiser. Everything considered an assessment of a low threat level was in order. After all that I simply opened the door and stepped out of the cruiser.

I made it into the office, with the 'emergency kit' from the cruiser in hand. On the way into the office I decided that most likely something was simply wrong with the remote opener. Once inside the office I opened the back pack purchased from Goodwill. Inside a sealed plastic bag I had a towel and a sheet to be used for staunching the flow of blood in case of an accident. Also in the back pack was an old coarse wool blanket from the Red Cross of days long gone. It was certainly not a synthetic blanket of the new Red Cross. I had rejected several of those because I considered them inferior. 

So there I lay on the floor, wrapped in the blanket, using the back pack with the first aid supplies stuffed inside as a pillow. I had, for sure, slept in worse places, I thought Oh course that didn't make it any more comfortable. 

I guessed that the paranoia was because Jerry had mentioned the Russian mob. I never did get a satisfactory resolution to that incident. In any event the die was cast, and I was on the hard floor of the office. I planned to stay there until my own personal geek could go out to check the gate. When he went, I would be with him riding shotgun. I meant to do that literally, using one of the riot guns loaded with buck shot, not bean bags.

Lucas arrived first However before we could get out of the office the Pros from Dover arrived weighted down with camera bags. Lucas became a traitor to both me and his girlfriend, even before he realized what he had done. 

"You guy's missed it. If you had gotten here earlier, you could have caught the boss asleep on the floor."

"Oh really?" Mike asked. "What happened."

"Just a glitch with the entrance gate to my place. I didn't want to try to work on it in the middle of the night, so I crashed on the floor here."




Maxine's New Life Ch. 12



"Why here?" Mike asked.

"It would have been a waste of money to go to a motel for three hours. It was after four when I left the broken gate. I knew there was heat here, so it seemed logical."

"Everything you do is logical," Ed said shaking his head as he walked by me.

Mike turned his attention to Gwen, "Don't you think that little episode would have had entertainment value?" he asked.

"Mike, I used my best judgment," Gwen said angrily.

"Next time at least check the house monitor before you go to bed." he said. He was obviously peeved, but not nasty about it.

"Sorry you two can't tag along to watch Lucas fix the gate. At least I hope he can fix it." I said smiling.

While I tried to pour water on the fire, Lucas checked the battery in the gate's remote. The kid was developing quite a tool collection. His were mostly electronics tools, while mine were purely mechanical tools. Between the two of us we could handle most small repairs.

"Well your battery is fine," he reported. "I can't measure the signal strength but it looks okay on the surface of it. Let's ride out and take a look at the gate."

"Fair enough," I said in agreement. "Let's take the van, it has my tool kit. Just in case we have to bang on something. Your tool kit is useless for that kind of thing." 

"You two can watch us work on the gate's monitor camera." Lucas suggested.

"Be sure you turn your mics on, so we can hear you." Mike said. Mike looked up to see me remove the shotgun from the safe room. "What's that for?"

"In case I need a pry bar," I said smiling. I wondered how soft he had gotten in his PBS job. Surely he remembered what a riot shotgun was all about.

In the van I said to Lucas, "Gwen is going to be pissed at you."

"Why?" he asked oblivious to what he had done.

"You caused her partner to question her judgment. You should not have mentioned that I slept on the floor of the office. As much as I hate to admit it, that would have made a pretty interesting visual."

"Yeah, I guess you are right," he replied.

"Lucas honey, every thought that enters your head, doesn't have to exit through your mouth."

"Okay Boss, I get it." 

"Good," I suggested. "Have you done your shooting range training at the community college?" I knew that it was part of his law enforcement curriculum. 

"Yes, we did that last year. It was the semester before I started here."

"Just this one time, reach into the lock box under the back seat and take the Smith and Wesson 9mm automatic. Do not chamber a round, unless we get in trouble."

"Why are you so spooked?" he asked.

"Lucas, did you know Blevins and Anya are involved with some federal task force investigating the Russian connection here?" I asked.

"No, I had no idea. I guess after your run in with them, you have the right to be concerned with anything out of the ordinary."

"There is no upside to killing me, but maybe they think there is a lesson to be taught to others. If that is the case, they may try to get to me."

"If it's a lesson, then it wouldn't be a pleasant ending, would it?" Lucas asked.

"That was my thinking," I admitted.

As is usually the case, it all turned out to be for nothing. As I pointed the remote at the gate from the van. Lucas stood by the gate, where he heard the motor whine. 

I got out of the car leaving the riot gun on the seat, but it was still easily within my grasp through the open door. I took a good hard look around before I left the cover of the van to look at the gate. "So what's the verdict?" I asked.

"Damn chain slipped off the sprocket. It seems to be too loose. I can almost get it on without tools. I'm thinking it stretched after you began using it. Let me get on my laptop and I will know soon enough."

Lucas could find anything on the Internet. I had no doubt that he could find an answer to our problem as well. "Yeah here it is. Those chains do stretch and should have been readjusted after the first month. Nobody told us that."

"So can we fix it?" I asked knowing the answer.

"Sure we just have to move the sprocket to tighten the chain. It's a five minute repair."

"Fair enough, but afterward, I want to take a good look around." I demanded. I knew that if there was a sniper and if he was till in place, I would already be dead. What I would be looking for was evidence that someone had indeed been waiting for me. Last night could easily have been a dry run as well. Just to see what I would do in order to prepare an ambush for the next time. So many possibilities for the paranoid mind to play with. It would take days to sort through them all. In the meantime it was learn all I could time.

After Lucas and I tightened the chain on the gate, we drove to the cabin. He was able to use my computer there to retrieve more of the video. Even though a half hour loop was the on line surveillance length, my computer's hard drive stored a longer lower resolution loop. Lucas told me that the computer loop varied but most of last night was till available. 

It showed us that no one have been within the view of either camera. That was a good sign. After we viewed the tape, we went for a long walk around. As we went I lectured Lucas about why we checked where we did. 

"From here you have a clear field of fire to the gate. If I were sitting here, and the target got out to check the gate, I could find them easily in my scope." That was from a hilltop some two hundred yards away.

Later when we were closer to the gate, "Note that I had all the trees and bushes cut when they installed the gate. A grab team would have to drive up in a car to get close quickly without being seen. I would hear the car and have time to defend myself, maybe."

"Looks like you are pretty well prepared." Lucas suggested.

"The defender can never think of everything. Just try to make if difficult and hope you are alert when it comes down."

"So was it an accident or a conspiracy?" he asked seriously. He didn't think it was humorous in the least. I liked that about him."

"Well in spite of what people say, there really are accidents and acts of fate, just not as many as we would hope. The short answer is, I don't know. I do know that we didn't find anything to prove that it wasn't just a random accident."

Back in the office Mike sat Lucas down with a recorder. Mike had him do some additional narrative. It would be used to explain what the 'show and tell' cameras footage depicted.

The one lesson, of any real value, I learned in the sandbox was that you can't guard against everything. Since I couldn't prevent land mines, claymore mines, and IEDs, I just concentrated on what I could do something about.

The security survey after the gate repair told me that my security was in as good a shape as it could be, without a couple of marines standing guard 24/7. Since I didn't have bands of Taliban soldiers assaulting my compound, I felt some better. In the worst case, it would be a few heavy handed thugs, armed to the teeth. 

I could still remember the simplicity and efficiency of my bicycle attack on the Mendez clan in Tryon. I doubted that the Russians had even that rudimentary amount of a military operation in mind. They had numbers and fire power, they didn't need homemade napalm and escape plans. If they had a mind to, they would come in like bulls in the pastry shop and have my ass for dinner. I had no doubt of that. I would just prefer to make it as difficult as possible for them.

The truth is it turned out to be all paranoia. A stretched bicycle type chain was the cause of all the alarms. If Jerry hadn't mentioned the Russian connection again, the chain would never have caused any concern at all. 

Events in my life tended to swing wildly from routine, to exciting, then back to routine. After the gate fiasco, things switched to nothing but routine. I could only assume that Jen was beating the bushes trying to find something interesting to keep Marty's film crew from going stir crazy. She seemed to be having terrible luck at it. Not a single lion or even a goat ran away from the bush beatings. 

Another week passed leaving me half way through my deal with Marty and the Pros from Dover. I had no concern at all for any of them. My concern was for Lucas and myself. We were getting really, really bored. Boredom carried over to the job and would surely lead to a mistake eventually. Provoking someone was just plain stupid, but it did break the monotony. So I warned Lucas to keep an especially tight reign on his short temper. I tried to do the same.

"Did you see the news this morning ," Ed asked as he entered the office with a his arms filled with brown bags. Over the last week Ed had taken a liking to Helen's new spicy egg on a bagel sandwich. Since he brought them for everyone, I stopped dropping in on Hardees before work.

The sandwich wasn't really new. It did have a definite change in the taste of the egg. It certainly wasn't the traditional, scrambled in grease egg. Helen had switched to a microwave dry cooking of the egg. She added one hell of a lot of spices to make up for the lack of grease. None of us thought they would catch on, so Ed was determined to eat them for breakfast every day until Helen came to her senses. We all thought that eventually she would figure out that she was in the heart attack capitol of the world. Everything had to be floating in grease for those of us bent on suicide by clogged arteries. The new egg bagel wasn't soaked in grease, but it was still a great sandwich.

"What news?" I asked taking one of the bags. Inside the bag I found not only the bagel but a mixture of homemade chunky apples. The fresh apples were covered with brown sugar, cinnamon and some crunchy stuff. I took the top off the bagel and poured the apple mixture on top of the melted cheese. 

Ed cringed at my desecration of Helen's bagel and its already perfect mix of flavors. At least it was perfect in his mind. Finally he said, "The cops made sweeping arrests all up and down the eastern seaboard last night. It looks like all kinds of Russian thugs are going to be seeing the insides of our prison system."

"I can't say that I object to that little exercise of authority." I said it thinking that my involvement with the Ruskies might be coming to an end. None too soon, I thought.

"Big brother ain't always bad," Ed said as if he was a thirty year old factory worker, who once read a book back in high school. "We can only hope that puts and end to the red menace." he added.

"From your mouth to God's ear," I agreed in my best Yiddish mother's accent. I used that one just to piss Ed off.

"Have you heard Boss, the coppers are picking up Russians all up and down the east coast. The Bolsheviks are going inside under the Rico act." 

"What the fuck is with all the accents today?" I asked it since Lucas, the nerd, was trying to sound like Elliot Ness. "And yes Ed gave me the good news. It's about time all that crap got flushed out."

"Yeah, been a clogged toilet for sure," Ed agreed. Ed's parents were Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine. He actually liked the Russian people, even though they allowed massive discrimination against his parent's parents. But when it came to dealing with the Russian government, or any other Russian organization, he was extremely hawkish.

"Okay, we have all commented for the cameras, now lets get to our work." I never tried to pretend the cameras weren't there. I tried not to make them the star of our lives, but I also refused to do the, 'this is my real life ' lie. Almost all of the reality shows tried to pretend they were just voyeurs. I intended to not do that. Unless they planned to spend a lot of time chopping up my statements, the show was going to have an 'I know I'm being watched and I just don't care' feel about it.

"Hey boss," Lucas said in the suddenly quiet room. 

"Yes Lucas?" I asked.

"I have an email from Reverend Archer. My bike is ready to pick up. How about we go get it."

"Take the van, while you are gone, I will lay out the packages we have on hand." We had stopped referring to the court orders as anything other than packages. The reason was simple, we didn't want to accidentally slip up and create a problem. If we believed it, at least on some level, we could pull off the BS story better, 

Lucas was gone almost an hour, then came rolling in his new bike. It was a shiny perfectly new looking dual suspension mountain bike. The small bright orange combination engine and drive box was locked a couple of inches above the rear tire. When Lucas released the locking lever, the engine would drop to the wheel. He should then apply a few pounds of downward force on the drive box, while reengage the locking lever. Those were about the only real actions necessary to convert the bike from a pure pedal bike to a gasoline hybrid. 

Removing the small wing nut, which held the throttle to the handle bars, and a couple of twist ties completely remove it and the linkage from the bike. Then he could open a different locking lever and remove a wing nut, so that the motor would come off in his hand. After which it folded into a package that would fit easily inside a canvas bag or backpack. It was a truly unique and useful helper engine for the bike.

In reality, Lucas working with the engine would easily get the bike up to speed, then the motor more or less keep it there. On the hills Lucas might have to pedal about as hard as he would on level ground. That little engine extended the range of an average non biker type, from a couple of miles, to several miles. Even better, when Lucas arrived, he would look pretty much as he had when he left home. The sweaty, stinky, athlete was replace by the average commuter. In the design the builder had, as I insisted, considered how the bike could be transported on the luggage rack of a inner or inter city bus. It was light and easily to remove should that be necessary. 

Lucas made the first commercial for one of Marty's new products that morning without knowing it. The little mini commercial was probably going to be part of a show. Marty was way smarter than me. I would bet my last nickel that he had paid for Lucas's new bike.

"So let's go to work Lucas, we can ride the bikes later." I suggested picking up the packages.

The morning passed quickly, even if nothing really happened. Most of the packages were delivered to the workplaces of our mooches. Most people tried not to make a scene at work. It had to be a little boring for the Pros, but I tried to avoid drama.

The real drama came while closing out our day. Helen's boyfriend showed up after we were back in the office. We had finished the paperwork affirming that we had indeed served the papers listed on the invoices.

"Maxine, could I talk to you alone," Jack asked before I even realized that he was in the office.

"Sure Jack," I said leading him to the safe room. I closed the door cutting us off from everything except the hidden mic under my sweater.

"So is something wrong with Helen or Skeeter?" I asked.

"No, it's about Julie."

"I thought she was in some kind of boarding school for the rich and bored," I said sarcastically. I didn't really approve of shipping kids off to be 'handled'.

"She ran away, I'm afraid she is going to get into trouble."

Jack and Helen had found out about Julie, but it was not my doing. Her name came up in the police investigation, which followed my night at the Hazelwood, as I liked to think of it. To me it would always seem like a Marx brothers movie. You know one of those old things with people running in and out as doors opened and closed everywhere.

"Jack, you need the cops for this. I don't have the resources to find run away kids." I suggested.

"I know where she is, I just need you to bring her home."

"If you know where she is, why don't you just go get her?" I had no idea what he meant.

"She won't come home with me. Maxine I just want her safe. I don't think she is safe where she is now."

"I don't understand Jack. You are going to have to break this down into simple, follow the yellow brick road, steps for me. What exactly has happened to Julie?"

"After that Hazelwood thing, I had a choice. The judge said it was the Juvenile detention facility or a private school with counseling. I didn't have that kind of money, but Helen and I found it."

"Let's get this straight, Helen found it?" I asked.

"Yes, Helen found the money somewhere to pay for the school." Jack looked beaten. Me pointing out that Helen had footed the bill for the failed school, didn't help I'm sure. I didn't give a crap, Helen was my friend. Jack needed to realize how fucking lucky he was to have her in his life.

"So Julie ran away?" I asked to get him back on track.

"She was there less than a month before she just walked away. The school isn't a prison." Jack said.

"I'm sure they reminded you of that several times while Julie was missing," I said sarcastically.

"Yes they did remind me. To their credit they were the ones who tracked her down. She had been picked up at the bus station by some guy."

"Yeah, I can imagine the type." I said.

"It could be worse, I suppose. The guy wasn't a pimp. He was from one of those missions. You know one that claim they save kids from the streets." His story suddenly had a familiar ring to it.

"Where is this mission?" I asked.

"She made it to Tryon, before she got off that bus. I would like to think she was coming home, but the truth is she probably has friends over there."

"So now Julie is living in a mission in Tryon? Is she working there or just hanging out?" I asked.

"Irony of Ironies, they have her working in the mission's kitchen. She helps to cook for the other kids who live there, plus she helps with the midday meal for the older people inTryon. It is for those who aren't homeless, but wouldn't get a hot meal without the mission."

I had a really good idea whose mission it was. I had no idea, he had branched out, or maybe it was a franchise kind of thing. A high percentage of those old people would remember the ministry in their wills. It was a classic example of casting your bread upon the waters. I could never pin anything nefarious on Reverend Archer, but who knew. Maybe his luck was about to change. In any case I had a feeling my boredom was about to end.

"Have they ask you for money?" I asked.

"That's the strange part, they haven't. They allowed me to visit Julie."

"How does she look?" I asked.

"She looks healthy, but also a little out there, if you know what I mean."

"Do you think they are drugging her?" I asked.

"I asked her that, she said no. She said it was her dedication to helping others. You met her Max, does that sound like my Julie."

"No offense Jack, but no way that is Julie talking. The girl I met was totally selfish and didn't care who she hurt."

"Yeah, I know. I have read about cults, and I'm afraid she might have landed in one."

"Does Helen know you came here?" I asked.

"No Maxine, I can't ask her to do any more. I can't bring myself to even ask her to talk to you about Julie." He looked like skeeter did the first time I saw her. He just looked defeated by life.

I wrote Jen's phone number on the back of my business card. "Call this number. Tell the receptionist that you are calling for me and you need to talk to Jen. Then tell Jennifer what you told me. Also tell her it's a case she needs to take for Marty. When you get squared away with Jen, call me and I'll take a look into this. Before you leave, sit down over there and write the name of the Mission, and any names of the people there that you can remember.



Jack left the office just a few minutes before five. He made the appointment to see Jen from my office phone. Jen must have really been in Marty's pocket big time, since she made his appointment to see her for 5:30 PM that same evening. For Jen to stay past five, it had to be a big deal.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 13



"Good to see you back with us," Blevins said as he entered the room. "So do you remember what happened now?"

"Oh yes, I remember them saying that it was a message from Davenport. The skinny one, who is no longer with us, said that if I didn't leave Davenport alone, he would have me and my whole family killed. He was very specific."

"My God Max, we are going to hang his ass from the courthouse flagpole, when you tell that in court."

"Good, now tell me something. Where the hell is Jerry, you said he was watching my back. Surely he should have been in to say hello."

"Actually he is working midnight shift. You haven't been awake long enough for him to speak to you. He told me that himself this morning."

"Ah that explains it. I wonder why Mosby hasn't been in to see me."

"Max, I am not getting into the middle of that one." Blevins said.

"Has she left town?" I asked. It occurred to me that I might not be out of the hospital, before my contract with Marty for the TV show ended. If that were the case, he might have fired Mosby, or Beth Ann.

"Max, I have nothing to say on that subject. You have your cell phone, so call someone who knows." Blevins suggested.

"So it was you who brought my phone. I wondered how it go here." I said.

"Yeah, it wasn't going to be any good as evidence."

"You decided that after you did the drop on the calls."

"Yeah, I did." He looked out the window at my parking lot view. Then added, "You know that you are the most interesting person in this town. No wonder they are making that TV show about you."

"That is probably what put me in here, so it might not have been my best decision to go alone with the TV thing."

"Max, you would have done what you did even without the TV producers being here."

"Yeah, I guess I would have at that. And the kid's film did save my ass from answering a lot of questions."

"Yeah, gonna make a hell of an episode," he laughed. "Did you know that it is raining like hell out there."

"No but with the temperature falling every day, I'm glad that I'm not in it. Of course I would rather be in bed somewhere with a bottle of Jack Daniels."

"Wouldn't we all?" he asked not expecting an answer.

"Hey, did you get your burglars?" I asked.

"Fucking kids," he said. "It's just a matter of time until someone sees them." He paused looked out the window again then said, "The only good shit happens when you are involved."

"Oh bullshit," I replied.

"I just stopped by to see, if you remembered the conversation. Since you do, I guess I should get back to searching for the kids who are steeling cash, jewelry, and high end bikes. The bikes are the give away." He looked away from the window and at me. "You were wearing a microphone. You ought to see that clip, just to refresh your memory."

"Okay, I'll do that. Bye the way Blevins, did you ask Reverend Archer, if anyone tried to sell him bikes recently?"

"No, should I?"

"Yeah you should. Lucas got a motor bike from him and he put it on a used bike that was a beauty. He got that bike somewhere."

"Give me the address of that bike shop," he demanded.

"Hell, I don't know the name of the street but it's out in the West End area. It's just off English road in an 0ld service station. You will find it. Just keep my name out of it."

"Oh hell it's open to the public and I am looking for stolen bikes. Cops do it all the time, I don't need an informant for that No need for him to know you thought of it instead of me. Hell, it looks better that it was my idea anyway." With that Blevins left me alone.

I used the cell phone to call Helen. "Hello Helen this is Maxine," I said into her message machine. "Give me a call please. I'm trying to find out about Mosby."

I broke down and called Mosby's phone, but all I got was the out of service message. I honestly hadn't expected that. I hadn't called her because of Jerry. I really hadn't a clue that she might have left town.

I was tempted to call Jerry, but if he was working midnight shift, he might be sleeping. I didn't want to take a chance on waking him. Okay, I also didn't want to have Mosby answer the phone. I had no idea what I would do, if she rubbed my nose in it.

"Maxine, you look better. How do you feel?" the doctor asked. I had a different hospital specialists during each of my three days as a patient.

"I'm impressed, I haven't had the same doctor twice yet. I can't believe it. This stay has to be costing my insurance company a fortune." I paused to see, if she would smile. She didn't "The answer to your question is that I am just fine considering I was gutted like a fish."

"Well it wasn't that bad was it, but you do seem to have gotten sliced and diced pretty good. Not to mention your heart seems to have stopped beating for a bit. We still aren't quite sure how that worked."

"I can't help you with that. I was a little busy walking to the light," I said.

"Really/" she asked.

"No, there was no light or any other thoughts. I just went to sleep, then I just woke up."

"Oh alright, you had my hopes up." she laughed at herself. "So. lets take a look at you. Drop the top of that gown."

"Shouldn't we pull the drapes first?" I asked.

"Oh so you are going to be modest now?" she asked smiling at me. 

I had a bad, bad feeling suddenly. "I'd like to see your hospital ID?' I demanded. I also had my hand on the derringer. "Sure," she said, but instead of the ID, she came out with a syringe.

"Sorry sweetie, but I can trump that." She had been braced for a struggle. The big bore of the shotgun derringer in her face was a shock to her. It stopped her dead in her tracks. I pressed the button on my nurse call thingie and waited.

"What the?" the nurse asked excitedly.

"Is there a cop at the door outside."

"What's going on?" he asked as he rushed into the room. He pulled his automatic handgun just about two minutes too late.

"I think we have someone playing dress up here."

He quickly removed the syringe from her upheld hand Then he turned the woman to the wall. I watched as he patted her down. "Try not to enjoy that too much," I suggested. To be honest, all the wisecracks were just to cover it up the fact that I was scared shitless. "Max I am so sorry, I just went to take a pee."

"Office let's make a deal, next time you do that, come in and use mine. Wake me up, if you have to, because I want to know that I'm on my own."

"Yes ma'am, I understand."

I turned to the nurse. "You are probably going to need to change my catheter bag, that bitch scared the piss out of me."

"I swear Ms Stone, you have to have nine lives. I have never seen anything like it. Would you really have shot her?"

"Just as many times as I could, which was only once in this case," I said with a smile.

It was about a minute later that when Helen returned my call. The fake doctor was cuffed and seated in my one chair with the officer all over her. 

"Max, I am sorry I haven't been able to visit, but I am just snowed under here. Mosby just disappeared on me."

"Ah that's all I needed to know. It's okay about the visit, all I seem to do is sleep anyway."

"Well know that I am praying for you and so is skeeter. Jack is so upset by all this that he can't sleep."

"Tell him I said not to worry. It will all work out. I hear Julie is out of the Family Mission?"

"Yes, she is and that's the only good thing to happen. Jennifer has a plan to get her out of the juvenile detention center. Something about the counseling at Reverend Archer's rehab facility. She said maybe Julie can come home to live. I don't understand it."

"Well if Jennifer is involved, it can't be too bad." Or too honest, I thought but didn't say it.

"Just do the best you can Helen. Nobody can ask for more than that."

"Maxine, we are so grateful to you. I know the cops got her out, but it's because you set off the chain of events. Jennifer explained all that to us."

"Don't worry you are finished with Davenport, but I'm not. Honey, I'm sorry but I need to talk to someone right now, but thanks for the info about Mosby." I said just before I hung up the phone.

"So fake doc, you need to tell me why you wanted to shoot me up with drain cleaner or whatever." I said it in a calm voice.

"I got nothing to say," the woman replied.

"Up to you, But just so you know, I'm going to have to sign off on any deal they try to make with you. I really do have that much pull in this town. But you go ahead and be a hard ass."

"What tipped you off," she asked after a minute's thought.

"Well the curtain thing first, but you also had dripping wet hair. It looked as though you walked in from the parking lot right to my room. which you did of course. The odds of that happening in a hospital this size are pretty long. Then I noticed the jail house star tattoo on the back of your hand. What were you a infirmary employee?"

"Yeah five years at Caledonia for women. I worked in the infirmary the last two."

"Good to see you learned a trade up there," I said trying to be sympathetic and still a hard ass.

"Yeah, nobody wants an ex con working for them. Not even those shitty nursing homes."

"Yeah, just kill one person and they never let you live it down." I said.

"I ain't never killed nobody," she said.

"So I would have been your first. Did Davenport really think you would get away with it. Maybe he just decided to throw you under the bus, hoping to frighten me into not testifying. You know make me think that he would never give up."

"Well I was supposed to do it, not even talk to you about it, just do it quick." the woman said.

"Nice, well you got lucky. I could have shot you." I replied.

"Why didn't you?" she asked seriously.

"The blow back from that thing would have covered me in blood and brains. I don't need that in addition to how I feel already." I admmitted.

"Yeah, it would have made a mess alright."

"I guess they are going to put Davenport back in jail. He can't be trusted outside."

"If they can find him. If I don't call in the next fifteen minutes to tell him it's done, he will be in the wind."

"Then call him," I suggested.

"Why should I?" she asked.

"Exactly what do you have to lose. Davenport isn't going to help you. Why not help us I am going to testify at your trial. I will either tell them how you helped, or how you refused to help. It's up to you."

"Detective Sergeant Evans," The youngish black man said as he entered the room. "Why haven't you transported this woman yet?" he asked the patrolman.

"I'm waiting for someone to show up to do that. I can't leave." the patrolman said.

"Alright, I'll transport her."

"Could I see your ID?" I asked.

"What, I showed you my badge." he said angrily.

"Officer, do you know this detective?" I asked.

"Yes Ma'am I have seen him around the station. He got promoted after Blevins and his partner left for that task force thing."

"Okay, but this woman needs to make a call first."

"Lady, I know you are some kind of special case, but you don't tell me what to do." 

"If she doesn't make that phone call, the man who sent her is going to be running. If she makes the call, you will have time to send someone to pick him up. Now let her make the call."

"She's right Sergeant, I heard the woman say that."

"Alright make the call, then we go have a talk."

"I changed my mind. Let him run." The bitch looked at me and smiled. "Now I want a lawyer."

I was sorely tempted to have them call Jen, but decided against it. The web of conflict would be to unmistakable, even to the idiots in our district attorneys office to miss.

After the excitement of the fake doctor died down, time passed slowly, but it did pass. I hated every lucid moment of my hospital stay. By Friday the catheter was gone, and only one bag draining into my arm.

I finally was able to stay awake long enough to meet with Jerry on Friday night. "So Jerry, what's the word on Beth Ann? You told her, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I told her that we knew. She was gone the next morning. I told her the night you got stabbed."

"She just left us both the next morning? It kind of makes you wonder about sweet lil ole Mosby." I commented.

"I could really learn to hate Marty," Jerry said. He smiled then added, "It might take a while to hate Mosby though."

"Marty was being Marty, and I guess Beth Ann was just being Mosby." I smiled a sarcastic smile at Jerry. He was a lot more hurt than I was. Then again he was younger. I had walked that road a lot more times. Relationships between same sex couples seemed to break down faster. Then again I wasn't very good with men either.

"Phony bitch," he said angrily. His anger was tempered by the fact that he had suffered a even bigger loss with his dead nurse friend.

"Your luck with women is about like mine is with men." I said quietly.

"Yeah, I know we should probably hang out together. Just to spare the rest of the world our plague."

"Are you kidding, we would poison the water, not to mention everyone we came into contact with." I admitted.

"Okay how about we just get together and fuck now and then."

"Now that seems like a much more reasonable plan." I said smiling at him. "You are going to have to give me a little time though.

"You have to know, if you are just saying that so that I will stay awake while on duty out there, you don't have to. Screwing or not, I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

"Good, then it won't be a pity or pay off fuck. It will just be for fun, those are the best kind." I suggested.

After the fake Doc incident, the staff all started to wear their ID cards in plain view. There was also a hospital security officer assigned to the ICU nurse's station. Even though, I expected that he would go when I did, it was still a good idea. It was a little late in the game for me, but the security measures might save someone else's life.

Jennifer wanted to sue, just because it was what Jennifer did. I said no. The hospital trusted that the cops would take care of me. It was just a big mix up, there was nothing sinister in it. The hospital needed the wakeup call, and I expected that the cops did as well.

I got moved to a new room of my own the first thing Saturday morning. It was a sign that I was progressing and I was happy about that. It also meant visitors had free access to me.

"You know what Max, you promised to hand me those burglars and you did," Blevins said without even a hello first.

"Well good Saturday morning to you too Blevins. So they had been selling their stolen bikes to the Reverend?"

"A couple to him and a few to the bike shops in Tryon. They even sold one on line through Ebay. The secret to catching them was tracing the bikes. I guess, I'm getting lazy. I should have checked that without being prodded."

"Well, you got them that's the important thing."

"And guess what?"

"What?" I asked.

"They were two high school girls. Some big theft ring huh?" Blevins said with a laugh.

"What is the world coming too. Women committing crimes, next they will be cops." I laughed.

"Yeah, then the world will really be going to hell in a hand basket." Blevins agreed with a smile. "Have they got you on a diet still?" he asked.

"Yeah, I got no idea how much longer, but I'm sick of Jello." I admitted.

"I was headed to the Pizza and Pasta Pit. I thought I might bring you something for lunch."

"Why are you torturing me? What did I ever do to you?" I asked.

"Don't ask me. Ask your real doctor that. I'm just trying to make sure you get well and out of this place."

"I know Blevins and believe me I appreciate your visiting me so often. I know you are busy."

"With you up here, the work load dropped by fifty percent," he said with a laugh.

"See every cloud has an even blacker cloud inside. Life is so much more boring without me."

"Yes it would be," Blevins agreed.

"Hey, I met your new partner last night," I informed him.

"He told me. He wanted to know what your story was. So I took him to the Cop Out and told him. Well, me and about a dozen other people. You would have loved it. The nurses from the ER got in on the love fest. Well it wasn't all love." 

"Yikes, Sergeant Evans in the Cop Out. Couldn't you have waited until I could be there for that?" I asked.

"Trust me Evans was quite the hit with the ladies. Most of the guys were not happy, but they will get over it."

"Do you think he will go back?" I asked

"If he is going to be my partner, he will. I never had a partner that didn't drink with me, at least now and then."

"Yeah even Anya," I replied.

"Hey, she got what she wanted, and I did as well."

"And what did you want?" I asked.

"I wanted her the hell gone," he replied.

"To be honest, I did as well," I agreed. I said it but I wasn't all that sure that I did. She had an interesting way about her.

"Maxine," the nurse said as she entered the room. "The doctor said you could take a short shower today. I will be back in a bit to remove your dressing. You can take a careful shower then I will redress the incision."

"Very good, you want to help me with the shower Blevins?" I asked.

"Why of course, I would be happy to wash your back." he replied.

"Like hell," the nurse said. "We are in enough trouble because of Maxine. I'm not about to let you two cavort in the shower."

"Were we planning to cavort?" I asked.

"I don't know about you, but I was definitely planning to cavort," Blevins said with a deep laugh.

Blevins left and I took what could only be described as the worlds most welcome shower. I even washed my two inches of hair before they could tell me not to. The fact that I did it all while seated on a metal stool didn't bother me one little bit. When I finished, I felt that I was at last clean.

Saturday not only gave me my first real bath, but it seemed like people came out of the woodwork to visit. Everybody I counted as friends showed up. Well most of them. Okay some of them. 

Ed came first just after noon. He was till in the room, when Lucas and Gwen showed. Gwen didn't have a camera. After asking how I felt, everyone asked when I was going home. I had no idea, but I was hopeing for a quick release, since I had been moved to a private room and been allowed to shower. I was optimistic that it would be soon. I knew that my body healed faster than most people, so I was hopeful that my stay was about over..

Jennifer and Bob showed up shortly after the first shift left. Jen still wanted me to sue somebody. It was kind of like the TV advertisement. 'If you have been hospitalized come see me. I will find someone to sue.'

They were out the door when Blevins showed up with a lady my age. Maxine, I want you to meet my friends Mildred. She wanted to meet you, so here we are."

"Hello Mildred," I said.

"I have heard so much about you Maxine. I am thrilled to meet you."

"I have no idea what you have heard, but believe only the good parts."

"That will be easy, it has all been good," Mildred said.

"Blevins don't let this one get away, she is definitely a keeper." I smiled.

"I already did Max. Mildred is my ex wife. We are having a reunion dinner that's all,"

"Oh, well you should give some thought to making it a new beginning and see what happens."

"Well, I guess we better go. We have reservations for dinner. Yes Max it is that kind of place."

"Well you two have fun. I will keep a good thought for you."

"Hello Maxine," Helen said from the door. "Can you have visitors?"

"They better not try to keep you out." I said it with a big smile. I am not a hugger but Helen is. I allowed her to hug me even though it was an effort. Some because of the incision and a lot because I'm just not the hugging, without sex type.

Jack hung back but eventually said, "I want you to know how sorry I am about this. I feel like this is all my fault."




Maxine's New Life Ch. 13



"Jack listen, there is plenty of blame to go around. Some of it is mine, some is Julie's, but most of it is Davenport's. Not to worry it will all come out in the wash." I made a real effort not to give away too much.

"Maxine, I wish I could afford to pay your hospital bill at least. I know this is my fault."

"Don't worry Jack, this is an occupational hazard. I knew I wasn't playing with a church choir when I got into this affair."

"Now how is my girl skeeter?" I asked Helen.

"She is as wonderful as ever," Helen said.

"Good, too bad she couldn't come visit." I said meaning it. I would have rather had her show up that almost any of the others.

When Helen and Jack left, I was pretty sure there weren't going to be too many others. I should have known Archer would show up. "Max how are you doing. I would have been sooner but you were not allowed visitors. I see you still have your cop on the door?"

"Yes, your friend Davenport is a very persistent man."

"So it would seem. I hear he has disappeared."

"So they say, you wouldn't have any ideas about that would you?"

"Why would I know?" Archer asked.

"Well Reverend you did introduce him to the business." I suggested.

"I have nothing to do with his business." the Reverend said.

"You might need to rethink that. His little empire is without an emperor, that can't be good for anyone." I suggested.

"He must have an awful lot of money, since he just walked away from half a million dollars in his bail account." I added.

"I would guess that he does have a lot of money. He is going to be hard to find. Most likely he will be found by accident." Archer sounded almost impressed by Davenport.

"Well, he might be surprised, who knows. Hell we all might be," I suggested.

Once Archer left, I watched TV till Jerry came on duty. "So Jerry what went on with you and Mosby?"

"Come on Max you don't really want details."

"Actually I do. Was it love or sex, and how good was the sex?" I smiled.

"Max, I don't want to talk about that kind of thing."

"I'm sure you don't Jerry, but I need to know. Let me start by asking did she leave you a note or a message on your cell phone?"

"Text message," he replied.

"Was there anything odd about it?"

"What the hell are yo u thinking. It was from her, if you think Davenport got to her, you are dead wrong."

"Did she seem upset that we knew who she was?" I asked.

"Not at all. She seemed happy that it was over. We talked about it after I told her we knew." Jerry replied. Then added, "She said Marty expected you to catch on eventually."

"Well then, I guess that means she just went back home."

"Yes and Max, she listed the job on her facebook account. Like part of her resume."

"So did you at least get an honorable mention, in the sex department?"

"She didn't mention either of us by name. Just described her role, as it were. Those are her words by the way." Jerry explained

"Okay, well I'm exhausted. There were way too many visitors here today." I said.

"You go on to bed and I'll make sure that you don't have any more." Jerry said reassuring me.

Jerry was gone when I awoke the next morning. I had my first recognizable breakfast that Sunday morning. The sausage and eggs with real coffee, made me want to cry. The sausage was no doubt turkey, but the taste was close enough to the real thing to make it seem like the best sausage I ever ate. Even the cold toast was good.

"Best of all before I finished breakfast the doctor came around. She asked, "So Max do have anyone to take care of you at home?"

"My friend Jen invited me to stay with her a while." I replied. "Does this mean you are going to release me today?"

"It does, if you feel that your are ready."

"I'm sure that I will rest better at my friends home, than I would here."

I gave my debit card to the lady at the checkout desk. It is already been taken care of," she informed me as she returned my card. The copay should have been a thousand dollars out of my pocket. Jennifer probably told Marty paying the copay would be cheaper than the lawsuit I might file. Jennifer for all her faults took care of me. The only thing that mattered was that I was being sprung.

78 back to the garage.

That bonus room over Jen's garage got changed as often as my panties, it seemed. When I got discharged from the Air Force, it had been an exercise room. I'm not sure it ever got used for that. After I got to town, it became a studio apartment for Jen's high school friend, me.

After I left, it became her party central room. I had gone to a couple of parties there myself. You could get ten to twenty people inside it with room to mingle a little. Or set it up for a dinner with a dozen guest.

With the addition of some furniture, borrowed from other rooms in her house, it again became my small apartment. Jen's plan was not so much to 'take care of me' as to give me a space where she could check up on me easily. It was as much for her convenience, as mine. I still loved her for it.

She refused to take me to the office for the cruiser. Instead she drove me to her place. The contradiction was that she left me to climb the stairs alone. Now that was a bit painful. The incision, that the bad guy made with his dying energy, was a big nasty one. It was closed but it still had that raw feeling.

Once I was up the stairs, I decided not to go back down them for a long time. I knew that was wishful thinking, but it was what I planned. With a little luck I could manage to put it off for a while at least. Jen would probably be around long enough to bring me a pizza. I mean how much trouble would it be to carry if from the door to my over sized room. All I had to do was order it from our town's one delivery restaurant.

It sounded like a plan to avoid those steps for at least that one evening. I sat down with the pen and note pad, from my over sized purse, to make a list of things that I needed from the store. Diet Coke topped the list. Then frozen dinners, fancy rolls, eggs, cheese, one of those picnic salt and pepper sets, paper plates and bowls (not plastic), and plastic glasses.

First I called Lucas, "At your service," he asnwered.

"Hey, I see you figured out how to route the calls to your phone. Good for you."

"I'm the digital genius, remember?" he actually laughed.

"So things are going alright with the business?" I asked.

"Sure, I work almost a full day every day."

"Very good. Listen I'm at Jennifer's house. Why don't you stop by a grocery store and pick up few things for me. Deliver them and bring your paperwork for the deliveries. If you do I'll write you a check."

"Sure, is it okay if I bring Gwen?" he asked.

"Of course, she can even bring her camera, if she wants. I'll do a sit down talk about the whole hospital experience."

"She said, if we do that Mike is going to want to be there," Lucas said.

"Alright bring Mike. Jen won't mind. I'll text you my grocery list. If Gwen thinks of anything I forgot, just buy that as well. And Luke continue to feed the cat a few more days please, but without Gwen along."

"You got it boss." he replied.

So I sent a text to him with the list of groceries. After that I checked out the bed and found it comfortable enough to fall asleep. I did that until Jen woke me knocking on the door. "Hey you got Greeks bearing gifts out here, open up." she demanded.

The apartment sized refrigerator was filled to capacity by my few groceries. Jen was a little upset until I explained that the food was for breakfast and lunch when she wasn't around. I didn't plan to leave the house for a week. I knew my body was in no shape to do anything for at least that long.

What I didn't tell her was that at the end of that week, I would be headed back to my own place. The thought 'my own place' turned my mind toward what I was going to do about the cabin. It had terrible living conditions, but it was also remote and secure. I had taken it when security was my number one concern. I wasn't sure, if that remained the case or not. It was possible I could find a place like the Gunny's little apartment and just buy it outright. With that I could make ends meet and be in town and nearer to everything. I had the week to decide what to do next. 

The con's little old lady mom wasn't in a great hurry. At least that is what Ed told me at the hospital. But he also said that she couldn't wait forever, so I had to make a decision soon or she would make it for me. Once they started to show the place, I was finished there for sure.

I sat down with Lucas to write him a check for the week I had been out of commission. In four days he had made 25 deliveries. "Okay Lucas here is how it breaks down. The fees for your deliveries run $50 each, so you earned $1250 dollars gross. Instead of the $500 I would have paid you, if we were working together. Now if this were your business, you would need to set aside the payment for rent on the office about $250 bucks for a week. Then $150 for the car payment you might have, if you were running the business. Phones of all kinds about a $100. After taxes you might get to spend about $500 on yourself."

"I had no idea," he said.

"Neither did I. I had to play it by ear the first year. Now I have a pretty good handle on it."

I handed him the check for $1250. "This time you get it all, but don't get used to it."

"Okay, I'm going to get Gwen and take her home to change. While she does that, I'm going to go put the cat food out. I still don't think it is a cat eating the food, but it's gone every day so I can't be sure." he said.

Since Mike couldn't make the trip, I expected that Gwen was giving Jen and update on the progress of the TV show. Marty wanted it on line the moment it was ready. He was already marketing the kits, but the more publicity the better in his mind I was sure.

"Boss, thanks for the extra money. You didn't have to do it. I would have stayed, just because it needed to be done. It was the right thing." He had heard that for sure from me, and most likely from Gunny as well. It was a good lesson for a young man to have learned.

For lunch I was planning a sandwich of some kind. I had intentionally left chips off the grocery list. I had a feeling that chips wouldn't do my ragged stomach much good. I wanted to stay away from sharp things for a while.

I had the frig door open and was looking inside to make the 'what to put between the slices of bread' decision, when I heard a knock on my door. Helen and skeeter were in the hall. I am sure skeeter was the first dog, with four legs, to ever make it inside Jen's house.

When skeeter saw me, she was on her back legs dancing for me. I had to smile she was so happy to see me. It made me want to cry at the same time. I began to pet her and it seemed that neither of us would ever get enough.

"Be gentle," Helen said in a stern voice and skeeter calmed right down. "God I love that dog," she added.

"Who in world wouldn't?" I asked.

"I am back driving the sandwich truck until I can find someone else to do it. So here is the deal. I will be by here once in the morning and once at lunch. Jen has promised to do something for your dinner. If she doesn't I will bring dinner over," Helen said.

"Like hell you will," I said."I plan to sleep till noon."

"Okay then, I will bring your lunch," Helen insisted.

"Helen, I have things already bought to fix my own lunch. I really want to do that."

"Let me do something?" she asked.

"You have done more than enough by bringing skeeter over. I told you she is a natural therapy dog."

"I know. she saved my life for sure. Now you will not go hungry, do you hear me?" Helen demanded. "If you need anything at all, you call me I will get it here somehow."

"Not to worry, I won't go hungry."

"I left your dinner for tonight with Jen." Then she began to tear up. "If anything happens to you because of me, or my family, I don't know what I will do."

"Plant a flower for me, somewhere flowers don't grow. Make it a pretty one," I said shedding tears myself.

Then Helen was gone. Dinner that night was a huge beef pot pie. It had about every vegetable known to man inside. It was delicious. I had expected no less. Bob was very uncomfortable for some reason. I didn't ask, because I didn't care.

"Jen, dinner was great and the company is good, but I am exhausted," I said as I stood. I am going to have t leave you to clean the table." I barely managed to make it back to the bed before I passed out. I'm was not sure if it was just exhaustion, or if it was something else, but I went out light a light. 

The sweat shirt Jen brought for me to wear from the hospita,l was in need of a washing at the end of the day. Since I had passed out cold, it didn't get done. So Monday morning found me sitting in one of Jen's too small tee shirt, while the sweat shirt went through the washer, The expensive tee which I wore would be stretched, so odds weret the prissy Jen would never wear it again. It was the only solid colored one she had, so I didn't mind taking it. All her other tees had cutsy shit on them, butterflies or some such nonsense. 

Monday was boring as hell. The only person to call was Mike the producer. "Maxine, Lucas said you were willing to do a sit down interview with me?" It was a question.

"Sure, come on over." I agreed. 

That interview lasted an hour and was the only thing I did, other than watch TV all day.

Tuesday was a repeat of Monday except I washed the Tee shirt instead of the sweat shirt.

Wednesday I sat in Jen's panties and tee shirt while I washed my jeans and the sweat shirt again. All the clothes I had at Jen's house were developing a serious patina. They would all qualify for Antiques Road Show, on looks alone. I was doing more than it would seem on the surface, I was up and down those fucking steps more ad more times each day. 

On Thursday I ventured around the block. Since the cops still had my .38 I carried my glock 9mm, brought to me by Luke with the groceries. I had bought it from the man, who won the Wilmington police department's auction, when they switched to the 10mm. To conceal it and to keep warm, I wore one of Bob's yard work jackets.

It felt so good to be outside that I walked the same route again that afternoon. I could tell that I was beginning to get my strength back. It felt really good to have some energy.

On Friday, I felt good enough to walk around the neighborhood for an hour at a time. I knew then that it was time to get my wheels and move home. 

"Hey Lucas give me a call," I said into the cell phone Friday afternoon. I watched TV for an hour before he returned my call. When he did I had finished with the TV and was on the sidewalk several blocks from Jen's house.

"What's up boss?" he asked.

"Are you in town?" I asked rather than answer.

"On my way back from Tryon. I should be there in fifteen minutes," he answered

"Before you go to the office swing by Jen's house please. I want to go to the office to pick up the Cruiser."

"Actually I'm in the cruiser," he said sheepishly.

"No problem, I will drop you at the office. You can either get your car or the van which ever you want."

"I should be there in about twenty minutes," he said.

"Maxine," the receptionist said as a greeting. Damn caller I D. I thought.

"Is your boss available?" I asked.

"Sure hold on," she said.

"Max, is anything wrong?" Jennifer asked.

"No, should there be?" I asked calming her down.

"No, you just haven't called all week."

"Well I have Lucas bringing the cruiser over. It's time I headed home."

"Are you sure?" she asked sounding a little concerned.

"Yes I'm sure. I'm going to take all the stuff from the frig, you won't ever use it."

"You are right about that," she said laughing at me.

I got to the cabin at 6PM. I saw the cat come out of the woods as my car pulled in. I quickly got the food ready. It was chilly, but I pulled a chair out to watch him eat. 

"So did you miss me?" He didn't even look up. "So you are pissed because I left you. Well I sent the kid to be sure you ate at least once a day."

I looked down at the beat up old cat and decided right then to buy the cabin. I phoned Ed to set the wheels in motion. 79 alone again naturally

The cat wouldn't come in, so I was alone on a Friday night. It wasn't my first Friday night alone, when I didn't want to be alone. Life was just like that sometimes. I could have stayed at Jen's, but I most likely would have been alone there as well. If you weren't able, or didn't want to play their games, you were left to your own devices. Jen was my best friend, but I recognized her for what she was, Then again she recognized me for what I was as well.

First I removed Jen's tight clothes. The tee I wore under the sweat shirt was at least two sizes too small for me. Jen had only slightly better looking boobs but they were on a smaller frame so the tee was still too small. I hadn't worn a bra since the thug tried to make me a fillet. Jen's panties were too small for my wide ass, but they were the only things available to me at the time. 

The panties joined the tee inside my one waste basket in the house. I just knew that I was going to have to empty that little plastic can after my shower . I just hoped the cat wasn't into sniffing panties. I didn't want to find my trash all over the yard in the morning.

I took my second shower of the day. I did it to get clean again before I put on my own clothes. When I went to my storage rack, I found that I had just enough clean clothes for one more day. Then I remembered that I had a plan, before the parking lot confrontation with Davenport's thugs. The plan had been to visit my Asian mother and daughter team, the very next day to have my laundry done. The mother and daughter were always in the laundromat, even on Saturdays, so my plan was just delayed not canceled.

I really missed Jen's big shower but it wasn't the only thing I missed about her house. I missed the central heat as well. It was nice not to be either freezing or too warm. That's how it was with a heater, which was not thermostatically controlled. Those two things almost convinced me to let the cabin go. 

The crappy amenities of the cabin were countered by the emptiness of the area. The cabin was not just in the country, it backed up to the river. It wasn't close enough to have a river view or anything,. Still it was close enough for me to walk down and sit on the bank now and then. The security precautions I had put in effect were also a definite plus. Once I took care of Davenport, and I planned to do that when I felt better, I wouldn't need all the security. I would still be nice to have it in place all the same. 

I had made my decision about the cabin, so there was no sense having buyer's remorse. After my shower I heated one of the frozen dinners. It was one of the ones I actually liked. While I ate it, I watched the Internet site with my cameras. One showed the gate which had no activity, one showed me sitting at my small table watching the computer screen, and one showed the yard. I watched as the cat limped from the concrete stoop, to the edge of the woods. That limp made me want to cry.

"Screw this," I said aloud. I put on my heavy jacket, since it was cool out, then I picked up the Glock 9mm with its holster. I threaded it onto my belt, then made sure it was covered by the coat. The cruiser had cooled off, while I did my things. I suffered with the chill until I was almost at my destination.

"Hello there Martha, I do hope it's quiet around here for a change," I said as I went looking for the baby aspirin."

"It is and I sure am glad. I'm not sure I could handle another one of those events," she said afraid to even call it what it was, an attempted holdup.

"Well next time give them the money," I suggested.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 13



"That's what my husband said as well." Martha replied.

I found the aspirin and an eight ounce carton of whole milk. "Well time for me to get back to my date," I suggested as I paid for my purchases.

"Oh my, a new man in your life?" Martha asked.

"One as mean as me it seems," I said it with a grin.

When I arrived back home, I remembered to check the web cam before I opened the gate.. When I pulled into the yard the cat was there to greet me. "Well hello there buddy," I said as I went into the cabin. Once inside I crushed one of the aspirin into a plastic glass, then added half the milk to it. I microwaved the mixture for 15 seconds, then I stirred it well before pouring it into a paper bowl.

The whole mixture went onto the porch for the cat. The aspirin should ease the pain and maybe help with any healing that might be happening. At least that was my plan. Not to mention, that something warm in his tummy just sounded like a good idea to me. 

I watched on the website while he lapped up the warm milk. "Now let's see if that helps." I said aloud. Why not. There was no one around to tell me that I was going batty, just because I talked to myself.

I watched a couple of the TV shows which I had missed while in the hospital, then I went to the door. "Hey you cat," I said in the direction of the woods. "Do you want to come in where it is warm?"

He didn't answer or show up, so I went to bed alone.

Saturday, I felt much better than I had since the parking lot. I drove into town with my laundry bag in tow. Sure enough mom and daughter were at the laundromat. I left me clothes, then went to breakfast. 

I found that Lucas had been at it again. He had managed to get Helen posting the location of her breakfast wagon on her brand new website. Even in a town as small as Aster, we had a food truck with a website. Okay it was a posting on her catering site, but it still told me which plant's parking lot she was set up in that morning.

"Hey there Helen where's my girl?" I asked.

"Skeeter is visiting Jack's kennel. She loves to play with the Bird dogs. She pretends she is one of them."

"Good for her, I want one of your brown bag breakfasts," I said.

She put the bag on the truck's small counter outside the service window. "It is so good to see you out and about. You are not going back to work yet are you?"

"I'm taking this to the office to eat, but only because the Asian chicks are doing my laundry." I replied. Everybody in town knew I used the family and promoted them to everyone I knew.

"Well you stay away from people with knives and guns," she demanded.

"Yes Mom, but it was always my plan to do that," I said. 

"Good, then you can go out to play now." she was grinning, while she played along.

In the office I put the coffee on. While it cooked, I looked over the files on my desk. There was nothing of any real interest there. Once the coffee was done, I sat at my desk with my brown bag breakfast. The bag that morning contained a bacon egg and cheese sandwich on a thin flat bagel. As always it was delicious. There was home made apple sauce and a small pastry. The brown bag was a little more expensive than a Hardee's biscuit, but there was a reason people searched Helen's truck out. The food was excellent and even though I loved Hardee's biscuits, Helen's bags always had stuff I loved just a little more.

I sat alone trying to decide what I wanted to do next. Nothing like a brush with death to make you ask yourself. Well, am I having any fun out of life? The answer was of course I was having some fun, but was I having as much fun as I would like to have? The answer to that was not really. So it was time to make some changes. But what kind of changes and where to start.

I gave that a lot of thought, so much so that I almost forgot my laundry. I drove to the laundromat before the noon deadline. Mom and daughter only worked half a day on Saturday.

With my clean clothes in the space where the back seat should have been, I drove to the college. I was hardly in shape to do anything athletic, but I drove to the community college's gym anyway. The college had an indoor running and walking track open to anyone. It was part of their health and fitness curriculum. Not to mention the community support outreach program. People tend to look more kindly on an endeavor which benefits them even marginally. The state was hoping for less backlash to their spending by reaching out to involve ordinary citizens. The walking track was open to all taxpayers, but it was promoted heavily with the elderly, so I knew about it from my days with Gunny.

I had never walked on the track before, but I decided it was time I gave it a try. I didn't feel that I was up to the rough terrain of the wildlife trail, where I usually walked. I didn't walk anywhere near as often as I should. I also never run, unless someone is chasing me.

I found the athletic department open even on Saturday, so the drive out to the campus had not been a waste after all. I left my pistol locked in the cruiser, then went inside. Once in the door, I found signs that advised me to start at the blue arrow. Then I was told, by sign, that each lap around the gym was one third off a mile. I decided to see how I felt after three laps.

The gym was not full, however there were several walkers pretty well spaced out. I started off slowly. I passed by the ballet mirrors on the wall and realized that I was slumping forward. I also realized that sometimes small boobs can be a good thing. Like, if one can not wear her bra.

I made it through my full mile walk, but found that I was pretty well worn out by the end of it. It had been uneventful, but then I was ready for some dull time in my life. At least for a while.

"My God, you are Maxine Stone," the college kid stated. "Lucas Riley goes on and on about you."

"Oh you know Luke?" I asked.

"Sure he and I have a couple of copper classes together. I mean criminal justice classes."

"Not to worry I'm not a cop and have probably called them worse than you can even imagine."

"Cool, my name is Eddie," he said. "I would give you my full name, but Luke says you wouldn't remember it."

"He is right. I'm the old lady who never knows anyone's name." I said it smiling.

"It don't matter. You are kind of a legend around town. Would you get pissed, if I asked you how many people you killed."

"Here, or in my whole life," I asked with a wicked smile.

"Hey, I'm serious."

"Not as many as you think. Killing people is always a last resort."

"It has finally warmed up outside and Lucas says you like to eat at the marina. Would you let me pick up some food and meet you out there?"

"Honey, I'm almost twice your age." I informed him.

"So?" he asked.

"Okay, some other time. I just got out of the hospital. I am flattered though."

"Don't be flattered, just do it," he said grinning.

"Jesus kid, I can't do it." I broke into laughter. "That's what I'm trying to tell you."

"Oh, I meant just lunch," he said.

"Of course you did." I laughed as I turned, then walked to my car. I wondered exactly what Lucas was telling his friends. At least the kid didn't say that he had seen me on line.

On Sunday morning I began to struggle with my future. I had absolutely no idea what I would do next, but I knew that I was tired of process serving. I had made a little money and more than few good contacts doing it, but by that time it was a bore. Whether Lucas stayed or not was questionable, but I was for sure leaving. As I said earlier, I didn't know what I wanted. I just knew what I didn't want. I did not want to be tied to a schedule any longer. There was a cloud hanging over me since the parking lot incident. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but it was going to be something different.

I had enough money, and enough income from my pension, to cover my very small living expenses. Since that was the case, why would I want to do something which I no longer enjoyed. I made up my mind that I would not go back to work for 'At Your Service' period. So next I had to decide what to do with the business. Since I had no idea what the value of the business was, or even if it had a value, I called Jen.

"Are you sure you want to do this?' she asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. So do you know anyone who can tell me what the business is worth? I realize it might not have any value at all." I said.

"Everything has some value. How much is the question," Jen said. "I know a guy who can tell you, but he will have to see your books."

"That's not a problem. My tax guy sends me a yearly summery and the one from last year is about nine months old but he is welcome to see the monthly statements from the bookkeeper as well." I replied.

"I'll set it up as soon as possible. I can call him first thing in the morning."

"Jen, how do you know this guy?" I was curious more than questioning his ability.

"He does this kind of thing for the divorces I file. You can trust him Max," she said.

"I didn't doubt it. I just wanted to make sure you weren't leaving town on me."

"No such luck," she said. "Got to go. Bob wants to go to the lake and run around on the boat today."

"Be careful out there." I said.

"I will Miss Paranoia." 

"Is it paranoid, if they really do want to kill you?" I asked joking.

In spite of my best intension, I gave the cat another bowl of baby aspirin and milk. I was putting him on the edge of an aspirin OD, so no more aspirin for him till tomorrow. It was a promise made to myself. When I put the milk down, he came dragging up from the woods.

"You have got to stop staying out all night, or this relationship is doomed," I said. The prick still didn't answer me. The limp still looked the same, so I determined that aspirin was not a wonder drug after all. Deep inside I knew that it was a long road back for Mr. Cat, if he ever did make it back.

I decided to have lunch in a sit down restaurant for a change. Sunday had always been just another day to me. Just as Thanksgiving had been last week, I thought. Still I was in the mood to put on my best jeans and the new sweater. The one I bought in a real store, not Goodwill, and then go out to lunch. It was only 10AM, so I had time to find a lunch companion. 

"Lucas, what are you and Gwen doing for lunch," I asked.

"We don't have any real solid plans, why?" he asked.

"I want to take both of you to lunch." I said.

"Let me check with Gwen to be absolutely sure," he said. I waited a couple of minutes. "Okay where do you want to eat?" 

"How about Steve's?" I asked.

"Wow, what's the occasion? You hate that kind of place." Lucas asked.

"Oh nothing really, I just felt like celebrate being alive." I admitted.

"Well that's an excellent reason for a celebration." he agreed. "So what time?"

"You pick it, there are two of you. I can be there anytime." I informed him.

"Then, how about 1PM?"

"That's just fine. See you there. I'll meet you at the entrance at 1PM." I wanted to be sure we both agreed on exactly what was ot happen.

I took a shower in my tiny little bathroom. Then I got dressed for my big day out. I really did feel good about myself. Even with my hair at that unmanageable length, I felt good. I hadn't made a decision about what I would do with my hair at the time. It had been growing six months and still was only two and a half inches long. It was too long for that cute butch look, and too short to be at all sexy. It was just a mess.

I considered a walk down to the river. It was only about a hundred yards of new growth forest, so it was a manageable walk. When I was in good shape, that is. I was afraid that I was still too weak and shaky to try it just yet. I opted instead for the indoor track at the community college again. 

My plan was to walk a mile and a half, then go to the marina to just kill the rest of the time before lunch. When I got to the track, I found the building locked up tight, so I drove straight to the marina instead. 

I sat on the terrace, in my hunting style coat. It was the only warn coat I owned and the only one I wanted to own. I felt like it suited my personality. My dad had called the color of those coats mustard. I suppose it was the color of an old dried up mustard stain. 

I had hunted all over to find one in my size, and without the leather patch on the shoulder. I didn't need a gun rest. I wasn't planning on doing any skeet shooting. I bought the coat because for the most part they were indestructible. I mean I would have to work at it to wear the damn thing out. The other reason was the red fleece lining. It was just pain cool looking in my opinion.

It was chilly on the terrace, but I stayed through two full cups of coffee. I left the marina at 12:30 without having seen Jen or her husband Bob. I was just as happy about that. Jen was my friend and I could stand her husband, but I would just as soon not see them on a Sunday morning. It was always a reminder of our night together. Yes, the three of us naked in Jen's big bed was not a memory I cherished. 

I arrived at Steve's about ten minutes early. I managed to convince the hostess to find me a cup of coffee. She didn't much like it, but she was willing, even though I looked like I just walked off the farm. It was just my pure charm that convinced her. 

When the kids, as I thought of them, arrived we went in to lunch. Steve's was the kind of place with real white table clothes. The tables were set with three forks, two spoons and two knives. I totally ignored that and just ate like I would at the Pizza and Pasta Pit.

The menu was on a kind of paper that felt like cloth. I refused to look at the prices when I ordered. I ordered a small rib eye steak with no bread or potato. The only other thing I ordered was a small salad. I was still taking it easy on my damaged stomach. The salad might not have been a good idea, but I wanted it so screw the gas. I probably made everyone feel sorry for me when I waited until the steak came to eat my salad. It was supposed to have been eaten alone, but since I paid for the damn thing. I decided that I would eat it any way I wanted.

"So Gwen, how did the show turn out?" I asked.

"We finished the first two episodes and they are already on line. Do you want the address, I can email it to you."

"No thanks, I was there." I said it smiling as warmly as I could.

"The hit count has been very good so far. It will grow every time they post a new segment." Lucas informed me/

"Well if that's a good thing, then I'm glad. That show cost Marty a lot of money."

"Not so much and he called Mike to say how happy he was with the results so far. We haven't really gotten into the good parts yet." Gwen said.

"Oh you mean the part where I almost died?" I asked it in passing.

"She didn't mean it like that," Lucas said.

"Sure she did, and I don't blame her. She is just doing what she does Lucas." I turned my attention to Gwen. "Tell me Gwen, did you know from the start that Mosby was a plant."

"Maybe we should go," Gwen said.

"Don't go, I didn't invite you here to get into that. I invited you here to give Lucas a choice. To do that, it seems that you need to be part of it."

"What kind of choice Boss. Is it going to be the job or Gwen?" You already know my answer to that."

"No Lucas it isn't drop Gwen or you are fired. That was a tempting idea, but I decided not to do it. The reason I invited you to lunch is that I'm leaving 'At Your Service'. I'm having an appraiser take a look at the company to see if there is anything to sell. I thought I would let you know, so that you and Gwen can decide whether to buy it or not."

"Damn that's a shock," Lucas said then he seemed lost in thought a few minutes. Then he added, "I don't have any money."

"I am aware of that. If you want it and agree to my terms, you can pay me from the profits."

"What are your terms?" he asked.

"You do not run bail skips. Just serve the papers. You can still do the computer checks for the insurance company in your spare time. If you are the only one to support, there is enough money in the business for that."

"Why not the skips?" he asked.

"They are dangerous and you really don't have that kind of training or the personality for it. I know that sounds harsh, but I'm sure Gwen would feel better if you weren't chasing after dangerous and usually violent felons."

"Yes I would," Gwen agreed. "Tell me why you are doing this?" 

"Well the deal is between me and Lucas, not you. But to be honest, I am bored with the business. It was fun starting it. It was fun making it work, but now I'm bored more than I'm not bored. It's time for me to move on."

"What will you do?" Lucas asked.

"I have no idea, but I have been having this feeling of impending change for a while now. Something is coming my way I'm sure. There is just a vibe in the air. I know that sounds silly, but it's how I feel."

We had been talking and eating. A conversation summary is always much shorter than the real conversation.

I watched the two of them trading glances for most of the meal. After I put my debit card into the little folder and handed it back to the waiter, Lucas said. "We will need to talk."

"Yeah and you need to know what the appraiser says. I don't plan on keeping anything from you. You need to make an informed decision."

"Thank you for this Boss. I had no idea this was coming." Lucas said.

"I just decided last night, so I had no idea either." We pretty much left it like that and went our separate ways.

On the way home I decided that it was time to get the cat to come closer. I bought a can of whole Icelandic sardines packet in spring water. I didn't think the cat could resist. If he did, I planned to eat them and think of my dad.

81 what's mutha to do?

The sardines worked sort of. The cat would rush in to take the Sardine, then quickly back off. It was a game that his gimp leg was not suited to, but he seemed to make it work. When I went inside , I gave him the chance to join me, but he refused. I figured that itwas his right, so I left him outside. When it gets nasty enough, he might come in, I thought.

I spent the afternoon doing research. If I wasn't going to serve court orders, how would I spend my time. I had no idea, so research was in order. Jen had mentioned a few things, for which she could see a need. Of course the body guard things, she always seemed to push me toward those, and something I had never really thought about. A company that specialized in surveillance. Yes it was mostly following husbands and wives to catch them in the act, There were other things as well. People steeling from industrial or construction sites would also be subjects of interest. 

That sounded about half interesting until I remembered some really long nights staking out a warehouse filed with f18 parts. Some of the parts were going missing and the brass was afraid they might be going to the that day's bad guys. The bad guys of the world were once our friends, so they had f18 aircraft. Now that friendships had change, we no longer supplied parts to them. The black market was the only place to find those parts.

That stakeout had cured me of ever wanting to do it again. Ten 12 hour days in a row, to find that one of the guys who worked in the warehouse was smuggling them out in his SUV. Nothing exciting in that at all. He rolled right over once he knew that he had been caught. Totally boring, so I put that idea on the far back burner. 

It took two days for the expert to determine the value of 'At Your Service'. While he did his thing, I kept looking for ideas but nothing happened. The most exciting thing was his report. Since the armory was mine and mine alone, the business had no assets worth mentioning. Since he had no idea, if I planned to include them in the sale, the two vehicles were listed separately, .




Maxine's New Life Ch. 13a



101 A Pain In The Ass

I rented the unit to Cheryl under her own name. I was assured that the payments would be coming from an account she controlled. Johnathan Hunter also assured me that he would not be staying in the unit more than 72 hours at any one time, ever. If that did come to pass, he would allow me to add his name to the lease. He also understood that if I was ever questioned by the police, I would explain the circumstances of the rental. I was still up in the air about the daughter being with him to help pick out a place for his mistress, if that was indeed her part in the little play.

I fell asleep Sunday night trying to juggle all the new people in my life. A teenage girl, one woman a few years older than me, another woman a few years younger, and her boyfriend Gunny's age more or less. Toss into that mix the younger Kate and Martin, then my life was filled with more people than I might ever be able to keep straight.

Monday morning when I woke at 8AM, I had a definite place to be at 10AM. Sleeping until 8AM was a little unusual for me. It was 9:30 by the time I found Helen and her breakfast wagon. I bought my bag, then climbed into the front seat to eat it.

"Helen, have you and Jack ever thought about opening a restaurant?" I asked while chewing her breakfast bagel sandwich.

"We have talked about it, but the overhead would kill us. At least until we got it going," she suggested.

"What if it was just an extension of the food truck?" I asked.

"You mean, the food truck at a fixed location?" Helen suggested.

"Let's say a place where you could drop off the same items you now have inside the bags. A place where they could be reheated in a microwave, and then served. A place where nothing needed to be cooked. You could avoid most of the start up cost that way, as well as the health department hassles," I suggested.

"What got you thinking about this?" she asked.

"Drive over to the Hardee's any morning and take a look at their dining room. It's a social club as much as a restaurant. I think your concept would work even better." I suggested.

"If I ever find another Mosby, I want to add stops like the senior towers to the list." She paused then looked at me and said, "I'm sorry Max I forgot."

It isn't your fault Mosby was a ringer. I was Marty's fault. He knows better than to come within a hundred miles of me." I laughed.

"I hope he knows how much damage I can do with a boning knife," Helen said with a chuckle.

"It would probably be a good idea, if he kept his business empire in New York City. He is still up there I think." I suggested.

"That's what Jen said," Helen agreed. "She also said that he would be pitching another bunch of Computer spots to you."

"Oh, I hadn't heard that," I admitted.

"Well then, you didn't hear it from me." Helen said it with a motherly smile. She paused a long minute then added, "Keep an eye out for a place like you mentioned. Jack and I need to grow a little, but without putting too much of our money into it."

"Fair enough," I replied. "Have you heard anything from Julie?"

"Jen has her transfer worked out, I think. All Julie has to do is keep out of trouble for a few more weeks."

"She can do that I'm sure," I replied. "Well I have to go to police headquarters, after a stop at the court house."

"You are going to freeze to death on that bicycle." She seemed to be genuinely worried.

"Actually, if I get cold, I just lift the motor and pedal a bit. That makes me toasty warm," I informed her. Since I had promised myself to be at the courthouse at 10AM, I left the breakfast wagon and headed to court.

"Good Morning, I'm Maxine Stone. I need to pick up an evidence release form or something like that. Its to have a pistol returned that was seized by the police as evidence, but not needed for court after all." I said it smiling. "I called last week."

"Yes, you spoke to me. It is going to take about fifteen minutes." she informed me.

"That's fine, is there somewhere I can get us a cup of coffee?" I asked as I smiled.

"There are some machines down the hall, but the coffee is awful. Is Helen's breakfast wagon outside this morning?" she asked.

"No, I left her a few minutes ago at the Aster Furniture Plant #2," I informed the clerk.

"Then you really should just hold off on the coffee. I don't need anymore to be honest."

"Okay, I guess I'll just wander around." I said. I took a seat outside her office instead. I spent about fifteen minutes day dreaming. I also racked my brain for a suitable spot for Helen. One where she could open an old guy breakfast and lunch house. 

"Here you go," the clerk said after almost fifteen minutes exactly.

"So, I just take this to the police property room?" I asked.

"Yes, it is just down the street." she informed me.

"It's not in the station. It's across the street isn't it?" I asked to be more precise.

"Yes it's locked up tight. They will make you wait in a little room. Then bring the item to you." The item was my .38 concealed hammer wheel gun.

"Got it, thanks." I replied.

"You are quite welcome.Ms Stone. And do be careful, you are getting quite a reputation around these parts."

"It's all a myth," I said.

"Sure it is. I read all the police reports for the indictment filings hon. Don't try to lie to me." She gave me a bright smile.

"Well all the rest is BS. It was made up for that stupid computer show," I admitted.

"Ah you mean the walk on water parts, yeah we know that." She smiled again.

Fifteen minute later a policeman nearing retirement handed me a brown paper envelope with my pistol inside. "It ain't loaded," he said.

"Trust me, it was when I gave it to the officers." I said.

"Then they will be loose in the envelop. If they ain't, you can put in a claim." he suggested.

"Don't worry, I brought some extra ones." I said that with a smile.

I left the police parking lot with the fully loaded .38 concealed in a flounder style holster in the small of my back. No matter what kind of holster I wore it in, inside that nylon parka, it was more or less useless, if it was needed it in a hurry. Still I felt better with it than either of my other pistols. I just never trusted a semi automatic pistols as much as I did the old fashioned wheel gun.

When I got back at the apartment building, it was in time to watch men enter Lois's apartment with full boxes and then leave with the empty ones. It lasted only a short time. Possibly because the apartment was so small. The furniture itself took even less time than the boxes. The movers were completely finished with Lois's place in no more than two hours.

She came knocking on my door shortly after the move was complete. "Maxine, the cable man can come this afternoon to hook up my computer and cable services. He won't give me an exact time, and I need to go to the house to empty my refrigerator. I will probably run by the store as well. Could I just tell him to call you?"

"At the moment I plan to be here, but I can't guarantee something won't come up." I said.

"Okay, if you have to leave, they can just come back when I will be home. I'm going to tell them to come on over." Lois said.

"Sounds good," I replied.

"Hey Maxine, I want to make spaghetti tonight. There is no way I can make just a little, how about you come to dinner?" she asked.

"How about we invite Sarah Beth as well. She might be working but if not, it would be a nice gesture for us all to know each other at least a little." I suggested.

"What a great idea. How about the people in the other apartments?" she asked.

"I have two still empty and I have no idea when they are going to move into the other one." I admitted.

"Well we can do it again, when everyone has moved in. Maybe a cook out, even if it is winter?" Lois suggested.

She was standing at my door, when the sound of Mag 7 rang out. "Got a call," I said and turned away from the door. "Hello," I said into the phone.

"Maxine, it's Kate, guess who called me this morning?" she asked.

"We really only have one person in common, so my guess is Irish Martin," I said.

"He is the one. He said he wanted to take me to dinner after he has a talk with you. Are you going to sleep with him again?" she asked.

"You need to ask him that, I am not going to ask him. That is all I can promise." I replied.

"Then how about I am there for your meeting?" she asked.

"That is up to Irish Martin, I have no objections." I said it smiling into the cell phone, because I knew what his response would be. Irish Martin was going to try to recruit me again. This time he had a proposal I was sure. One which would not include operating a safe house for Swamp Thing.

"He will be calling you tonight, I am going to get back with him before he does. I am going to ask about the three of us meeting for coffee before dinner." she informed me.

"Kate, considering our history, I would make sure he understood that it was coffee, nothing kinky," I suggested with a laugh. 

Kate did not find it amusing, She was absolutely somber when she said simply, "Right." Then without warning at all, she changed the subject. "How is the apartment renting going?" 

"I have two left to rent, but I expect them to go soon. I have shown them a few times, so who knows."

"My EMT friend asked me to check. He and his wife are getting a divorce and he needs a place. The ex and his kids will get the house he is sure."

"If he wants to come look it's fine. You know the price and the deal with the heat, so the contract shouldn't be any surprise to him."

"I will have him call to set up an appointment. You won't screw him as well, will you?" Kate asked.

"If you ask me not to, then I won't. I don't see why you would though. I mean, if you are going to screw Martin after dinner, what's the big deal?" I commented.

"Never mind, just don't screw Eddie," she demanded.

"Don't screw Eddie the EMT, Jesus you can really pick them," I commented. "He is married on top of everything else."

"He is getting a divorce," Kate snapped.

"Okay, but we will see. Honey they are all going to get a divorce until the time comes, then about 10% of them really do it." I suggested.

"I know you that don't want me to date him or Martin. You want them all for yourself," she said.

"Sweetie, I don't care who you date. Just be honest with yourself. Odds are this is just a fling for Eddie the EMT. Enjoy it for what it is, but don't build castles in the clouds."

"So you will rent him the apartment?" she asked. 

"If he checks out, and puts up the deposit money, sure why not?" I asked.

"Good I will have him call as soon as I talk to him again.," she insisted. It was obvious that she was trying to prove me wrong. I suppose that I hoped she was right. That is, if she really wanted to be miserable one day. Eddie the EMT was going to be like my ER intern. He just wanted me to do what he wanted. The intern just didn't have to promise to marry me to get his prick up my ass.

EMT Eddie called a half hour later. He listened to the story, then said he needed to think about it some more. I was glad that he didn't waste my time. It was less than an hour later when the Cable guy called. 

"I am supposed to install cable to one of your apartments, and the lady doesn't answer her phone," The cable guy explained.

"I know come on in. I'll get you started." I tripped the electric lock, but only after I checked him out with my on line camera. Since there was just one of him, I pushed the button. 

When he made it to the long row of apartments I got my first really good look at him. He was somewhere over 20 and under 30. It was as close a guess as I could make for his age. The fact that looked pretty clean cut, and the .38 under my sweat shirt made me feel fairly comfortable to be around him.

"She is in apartment number four?' He asked.

"That's right, but you want to go around to the alley behind the building first. I will meet you back there and you can make the connection to her block there. Then you can come back around and check her reception. I have the pass key. You might want to call the office? I have two more new rentals ready. I'm sure that they have orders, or will be ordering cable soon."

"When they place their order, someone will come back. We don't install without an order in hand." he said.

"And I'm just trying to help," I said.

"If you just let me into her apartment that will be help enough," he said shortly.

"Okay, show me your Identification and then give me the phone number of your supervisor,. After that we can work something out maybe."

"I don't need this shit," he said and turned to leave.

"Before you go, I want to see that ID card," I said quietly. He turned angrily back to me to make some comment or maybe get physcial. Instead he found himself looking down the barrel of my ugly .38.

"What the fuck?" he said.

"I asked you very nicely to show me your ID and give me the phone number of your boss. You copped an attitude that concerns me a lot. This is a high security apartment building, you knew that when you buzzed my gate, now you are going to stand right there until a patrol car shows up." I punched 911 on my cell phone.

"I'm just a cable guy, you are crazy," he demanded tensing for fight or flight.

"All the more reason for you to shut the fuck up and wait. If you do anything foolish, you will not be the first person I have shot this year." While we waited, I rehashed it in my mind. I could not believe that things had gone south so quickly.

The officer who came was a female. First she took my pistol, then she forced the cable guy to do what I had asked earlier. Turns out the cable guy didn't have an ID, which is why he wanted to scramble away. The only thing out of sink was simply that he was working off the books. Not for the cable company but their installation sub contractor's company. There was a scam going on to divert funds under some kind of subcontractor fraud thing. It was not all that unusual a scam, and since the victim was the cable company not me, I didn't give a fuck. 

The jerk should have just gone along, rather than get on his high horse with the middle aged bitch of an apartment manager. I was sure that is how the installation manager would describe me later.

"So now what?" I asked the patrolman.

"That's up to you," she said. "We can do a trespass thing, if you want to spend the time in court."

I looked at his face and was about to say. "Sure I got nothing better to do." Then he spoke to me again. "Ma'am, I'm sorry I acted like a jerk. I know I'm going to lose this job, but I can't spend time in court."

"Can you make a call to the cable company manager or president whatever it is?" I asked the cop.

"Count on it," she said. "Matter of fact watch." She made the call standing in my living room. She explained the situation to the owner of the local franchise who got me on the phone and apologized. He assured me that one of his people from the service department would be in immediately to do the installation.

"Then I'm going to leave this to you to clean up. But let me tell you something, I have been contacted by Direct TV to put a dish on the apartment for everyone to share. Don't give me a reason to go that way. I do not fuck around with people." I hung up the cop's phone as if it were my own. 

"I'm sorry," I said handing it to her. "Where you finished?"

"I think you ended it better than I could have," she said smiling. After she cut the installer loose, she gave me my pistol back.

"Would you like some coffee?' I asked.

"Sure," she said. "You don't recognize me do you. I guess you wouldn't I have only met you once."

"I'm sorry I have old lady memory cells," I replied pouring her coffee. I didn't even ask if she wanted cream or sugar.

"I interviewed you at the hospital after you were stabbed in that parking lot thing." she reminded me.

"Ah okay, sorry all beautiful cops look alike to me," I said smiling.

"You were flirting with me even then," she said smiling. "I am married with two kids though."

"Do we have to invite them?" I asked with a smile.

"Yes," she laughed.

"All the good ones are married," I said.

She finished her coffee and left, so I was alone again when the real cable man came. He showed me his ID and called back to find the other orders. He also wired all the boxes, so that they could be turned on with a phone call.

"Ms Stone, the boss wanted you to call when I had finished." He gave me the number.

"Hello this is Maxine Stone," I said to the man who answered the phone.

"Ms Stone I want you to know that we are investigating the subcontractor who does our installations. If we find any other problems he is history."

"Sir, that is none of my business. My business is the security of my tenants. If you ever send me another installer, or repairman who has no ID and has not be vetted, I will make a formal complaint to the utility commission. You don't know me, but if you did, you would know I do not make idle threats." 

"Actually Ms Stone I know off you, and you are 100% correct to be upset. This will never happen again I assure you."

"It will never happen more than once more, I assure you." I said angrily.

"Yes Ma'am. even once more is one too many. I'm sorry for the problems," he said. We didn't part buddies, but he did know exactly where he stood.

Lois came home during the last service man's visit, so I had to fill her in. When the final call ended she said, "This really is a secure apartment. Most places with this kind of security are thousands of dollars a month rent and are in big cities."

"Well, if it gets to be too much, I will understand," I said.

"Are you kidding, I love it." she said, then added. "I am going to go start the Spaghetti. I spoke to Sarah Beth, she will be home at six so dinner is at seven no excuses." Lois said as she left.

I nodded. I needed to get inside and calm down. First I went to the rear of the building to check the wiring. I am no genius, but I hope I could find anything obviously out of place. Nothing seemed to be. I sat down with a cup of coffee to relax for the two hours before dinner.

I knew he was going to call since Kate made an issue of it, but I wasn't ready for his call anyway. "Hello," I said into the phone to stop the trumpets.

"Well hello there Max, it's me Martin."

"Yes Irish Martin, What can I do for you Red?"

"You can open the gate for me. We need to talk."

"Your timing sucks, the cops left not half an hour ago. I'm not in the mood for playful chat or sex." I suggested.

"Ah do you have a headache," he said with a laugh. "This time it's strictly business."

"Well hell, that's no fun." I pushed the buzzer anyway.

"Hello again," he said when I opened my front door to him.

"Hello Red, so what's the pitch?" I asked.

"My you are all business. Can't we at least catch up first?"

"What's there to catch up about. You came to screw Kate, and I plan to say no to any rental offers from Swamp Thing. Is there any other business on the table?"

"I expected you to decide not to rent to us. You aren't the employee of the year type." He said.

"Got that right," I replied.

"As for Kate, I didn't realize she was the kiss and tell type. That changes things a bit I think."

"That's none of my business," I said smiling.

"Okay, so why were the cops here?" he asked.

"That's none of your business," I suggested.

"You know I can find out with a few phone calls," he suggested.

"Then do it. It is not my job to make your life easier," I suggested.

"What do you think about surveillance?" he asked.

"Do you mean the high tech shit, or the bad coffee and food shit?" I asked.

"A mixture of both actually," he added.

"Necessary, but boring as hell." I admitted.

"And industrial UC jobs?" 




Maxine's New Life Ch. 13a



"Again necessary, but boring." I replied.

"But would you be willing to do it?" he asked.

"I would be willing to consider it on a job by job basis." I admitted.

"The problem with that Max is we need to make a plan based on our assets. An I'll consider it doesn't help us make a plan."

"I know and it's the best I can do. I didn't expect you to accept it. What I expect is that you will say, Fair enough, then never call." I smiled and then added. "Kind of like a first date."

"You really are a skeptic," he said with a laugh.

"I prefer to be called a realist," I suggested.

"Perhaps a little of both. A skeptical view of the real world." he said.

"Well get to it Red, I have a dinner in a few minutes," I suggested.

"Okay look, I don't have a specific offer to give you now but would you be willing to work those kinds of jobs for us, even if they took you away from the apartments."

"Once in a while, if the job is worth doing. In other words I want to know that I'm not saving the world for some new deodorant or keeping some rock star from being photographed nude."

"Okay, I will tell the boss, but they don't like giving that kind of veto to an operative," Martin admitted.

"That's fine I have a perfectly good life right here. I don't need your money or the adrenaline rush." I lied.

"Maybe not the money, but not the rush? bullshit. You are a junkie, just like the rest of us." Martin said.

"I seem to find the rush just fine all by myself," I answered.

"Okay, I'll tell the boss." he smiled then changed the subject. "How about I stop back after I have dinner with Kate?"

"You mean after yo u screw her?" I asked.

"That too," he suggested. 

"Kate would not like that at all," I said.

"I hadn't planned to ask her permission," he said.

"Call first," I said smiling.

It was over an hour after Martin left before Lois called me to dinner. When I entered her apartment, I just knew that dinner was going to be wonderful. The place smelled like the best Italian restaurant I was even inside.

Since I was the first to arrive, Lois asked, "Would you like a glass of wine while we await Sarah Beth's arrival?" 

"Sure, I have been known to drink almost anything with alcohol as the main ingredient." I replied After looking around her living room I added, "It looks as though everything is in place. Does your Cable work?"

"Yes it does and I wanted to say thank you again for your help," Lois said.

"Well, I let it get out of hand, but at least it got installed. The up side is that everybody else can get cable just by calling the office. It was supposed to have been that way from the get go," I informed her.

The knock on her door was Sarah Beth. "Wow something really smells good in here." she said.

"Thank you," Lois replied. "Are you allowed to drink wine?"

"I have had wine, but I would prefer a soda," she informed us both.

"Good for you," I said with a big smile. "And you are right the place smells like an Italian restaurant. I just hope I will be able to sleep tonight with that wonderful smell in the air."

The conversation was good, and the food was excellent. "God I wish I could cook like that," I said.

"It isn't worth the effort," Lois informed me. "That sauce is an all day affair. Then I will have to throw away half of it."

"Like hell, give it to me and I'll freeze is. That left over sauce and a cheap mac and cheese box dinner will make a couple of excellent meals for a old chick who can't cook for shit." I said to her.

"It really is the best sauce, I have ever eaten," Sarah Beth agreed.

"Just to change the subject, before I gain even more weight, Sarah what are you planning to take in school?"

"I just don't know. I'm torn between a couple of things." She said with what was likely her standard well rehearsed answer designed to put most people off quickly.

"Oh really, what are your thoughts at the moment?" Yes I was pressuring her. I wanted to know that she wasn't some kind of pervert living next door. One pervert in the complex was enough. I wanted to know as much about her as possible.

"Something in medicine I'm pretty sure. There are several tech courses taught at the community college." she suggested.

"Do you like desk work?" I asked.

"No, but it isn't all desk work," she informed me.

"No of course not," I admitted. "Tell you what, one night I'll take you to the Cop Out Club. There are lots of nurses, med techs, and EMT types, who come in there. You can get a chance to talk to a bunch of different technicians. Maybe we can even work out an on the job visit for you."

"Wow that would be great." She paused then said, "Well I have to get to bed early, I am opening the store tomorrow. I do hate to eat and run, especially as good as that dinner was.

After she had gone Lois said, "She is a cute little thing, damn it. I used to be cute like that once." Then she laughed. 

"I never was cute like that, sad to say," I said it with a laugh.

"Okay, I was never that cute, but I was cute damn it." Lois said.

Lois and I finished the bottle of wine and got right chummy. I had promised myself that I would not hit on any of the tenants, so the slightly overweight Lois was safe. I would never hit on her. However, if she got me drunk and hit on me, all bets were off. That being the case, I left early as well.

As I walked just the few feet to my own door, I discovered that it was really cold outside. I was happy that the boiler worked as well as it did. The thermostat was in my apartment, but it heated the units all to the same temperature I had been told. It did as long as I had the valves set right. The valve for my place was set at number 8 on the open scale. I planned to set the others the same. I could lower or raise the number depending on the desire of the tenant. That was about all the control they had over it. If it got too hot, crack a window, if you had a cold spot try an electric ceramic heater. I bought one of those for each unit. I had them stored in the utility room. They were for those folks who wanted a cool apartment but a warm bathroom for showers. That was actually my preference.

I watched cable TV, while I awaited Irish Martin's call. I also gave some thought to my two tenants. I had promised myself not to get involved in their lives and I planned to stick to that, well as much as possible. Still there was the question of Lois and her tomato sauce. She did promise to give me the excess. 

I actually planned to pass at least some of it along to Helen. I knew that Lois needed some time to just do nothing. I had needed that, but I didn't take it. What I did was to start a business which gave me lots of time off. I worked my way into a new life slowly. Lois would have to find her own new life, but if it happened that she could help Helen in the process, so much the better.

I still had to find Helen a building. Truth is once I put the bug in her ear, I am sure she and Jack were out looking for a place. Still, if I came across something, I planned to pass it along.

The black box on the end table roared out Mag7 and I lurched for it. How much was to shut it up and how much was anticipation, I didn't know. "Hello," I said into the phone.

"Hello," I was surprised that the voice was Kate's. "How would you feel about Martin and I coming over for a visit?" she asked.

"That depend on how you feel about it?" I commented.

"To be honest I'm not sure. Yesterday I would have said no way,. Today, I'm asking aren't I?"

"Yes you are asking, but is it what you want or what you think you have to do?"

"I'm confused, but I'm not being forced," she said.

"Then bring some Coca Cola to mix with Canadian Club. Oh yeah and the Canadian Club as well. I am pretty sure we are all going to need a drink." I said.

"Right," she said in agreement. "I'll call again from the gate."

Since the ice machine from the motel days still worked, I had it moved to the storage room. I had access to it, but no one else did. I went out my back door and into the storage room. I put several scoops of the cubed ice into a clean grocery bag salvaged from a previous Wal-mart trip.

The next thing I did was go to the web site hosting my cameras. I set the surveillance camera covering my apartment's living room to save. I didn't have one in the bedroom and that was fine. I didn't want any problems later as far as who did what to who. Since I had the only password to change the setting, I didn't have to worry about anyone downloading the file. Someone might stumble on it, but they couldn't keep it. Odds of even that happening were a million to one.

When her call came, I looked at the online image of her standing at the gate. Martin was there as well but with his face turned away from the camera, of course. I opened it for them and they walked through. I took a good look to be sure the gate was closed. The locking circuit also verified that the gate was closed.

"Come on in," I said to Kate who was the one at the door. Since I hadn't seen Martin's face at the gate, I kept the .38 handy until I was sure that it was indeed him at my door.

As he passed me he saw the pistol and smiled. I knew that he had expected no less from me. We began drinking the CC and Coke almost immediately. Kate filled me in on her day.

I noticed that she did not talk about EMT Eddie, so I didn't mention his call. She was still pretending there was something more than sex between her and Martin. So she thought that she was juggling two men. It was probably a new sensation for the only slightly chubby, but ordinary looking Kate. She just needed time to come to grips with who she really was.

Martin on the other hand knew exactly who he was, and what he was doing. He wasn't just getting it off with us, he was checking me out. He and Swamp Thing wanted to know how far I would go, and how much did I really care what a relationship was based on. Was truth, justice, and the American way, really all that important to me. People always say one thing, but are almost always willing to compromise, when the shit hits the fan. 

I understood that it was best for Swamp Thing to know, if I had an understanding of real life, or not. With women, sexual encounters are a good way to find out how much is facade and how much is real.

I talked at being morally liberated and willing to do anything to further the cause, but was I really willing to go the distance. That was what the evening was all about, and nothing more. I knew that, but I wondered if Martin knew, that I knew.

The plan was to see if I would help get Kate drunk and then help take advantage of it. I had a problem. How far was I really willing to go? It was a question only I could answer. Was I willing to change her life forever, in order to prove a point to people I might never work for anyway. 

Then again, I wasn't the one who brought her here. She came willingly. When she came to my door, she was not drunk, or drugged to my knowledge. So where was my moral liability? I asked myself.

While I was thinking about all that, Kate was quietly drinking her drinks. She had three which she made herself. "Show her the way," Martin demanded quietly. Even though he was younger, it was clear that he was going to be in charge. I could have asked for a clarification, but why bother. I already knew.

I walked to stand in front of Kate. I took her hands and lifted her to her feet. She was about an inch taller than me, but it was close enough so that I could easily kiss her, so I did. I kissed her tenderly at first, but even that was with tongue. While I kissed her I felt her chest begin to rise and fall faster.

Then I felt Martin turn us both slowly so that he could stand behind Kate. He wrapped us both in his arms, but it was Kate who could feel his large, thick, hard cock pushing against the tight fabric of her jeans. I could feel her hips moving against his cock. Even as she kissed me even harder. 

I knew my part in the play but even if I hadn't, I would have done exactly the same thing. I slipped my hand between us. I used it to open her jeans. I could feel the waist band of her panties stretch as my hand moved over her smooth mound. Kate had shaved for Martin my mind noted happily. It made what was about to happen a little less shameful.

When my finger found the folds of her clitoral hood, she went a little crazy kissing me. She pulled me so close I thought she might bruise our lips. I stopped short of giving her an orgasm. Instead I opened my own jeans and worked her hand inside. She knew what to do. It took her a second to accept it, but she did. I felt her hand rubbing my clit in circles and I loved it. I kissed her hard as she worked me toward an orgasm. She didn't know enough to stop. I came with a gush of lubricant.

Kate was drunk not only on the booze but also on the sexual arousal. Martin pulled away and then led her to my bedroom. I tagged along like a puppy. When we got into the large bedroom, he sat in the one comfortable chair in the room. "Strip," he demanded of us both.

I slowly began to unbutton my top. I would ordinarly have kept my eyes on his, but I wanted to see Kate's reaction. She stood almost frozen like a deer in headlights. "Do it Kate," I said softly. That push was all she needed. She began to unbutton her tops.

My faded blue work shirt was already open, when Kate finished her buttons. I shrugged my shit to the floor and waited for Kate to do the same. I opened the clasp on my front hook bra while I watched to see Kate struggle with her rear set of hook and eye clasps. When my bra slipped to the floor there was very little that changed. When Kate's bra fell open, her very large and soft looking breasts fell out and downward. She had sag from pure volume, not age.

I couldn't help myself I moved to her and lifted one of them to my lips. I sucked on her nipple and heard her moan. The moan was not so loud as much as it was strong. She wasn't being shy about expressing her approval. I would have dropped to my knees and buried my face in those gorgeously chubby boobs, if I hadn't remembered the purpose of the evening.

I backed off and allowed her to finish undressing. Her hips were softer and pudgier than mine. Her butt was more full and she had an even larger belly, but she was still young and beautiful to me and Martin as well, I think.

I had known all along that Kate was the star, and I was the bit player in that night's drama. I didn't like it, but I knew my part. It was made even more clear, when Martin said to Kate, "Come here and suck my dick. Do it good, we want Maxine to see what a wonderful cock sucker you are." 

I looked to see Kate's reaction. I could tell the words stung her, but she moved to lower herself between Martins legs. I watched as she worked to free his cock and begin to lick it up and down. "That's right girl make love to daddy's cock." I could see her shiver at the sound of his words. 

Martin motioned me forward, then made a gesture for me to finger fuck Kate as she sucked him. I knew how crazy that made me, and expected it to do the same to her. When I ran my finger over the Kate's Vulva, I found it wet and slippery. I knew that slipping my fingers inside her would be easy. I quickly drove three fingers deep inside her body. I found it hot, wet and slippery inside. She was still, young woman, tight but also open to it. I drove my fingers deep inside her as Martin's eyes rolled back and his hips began to move.

"Don't swallow it Kate," he said in a strained voice. "Give it to Max." Kate worked up and down on his cock even faster. Martin held her head and drove his hips into her as well. He let out a loud groan and I knew what he had just done. I moved around so that I could kiss Kate. When I did, I felt his warm thick sticky cum push it's way into my mouth. If it was Kate's first time, she knew exactly what she was supposed to do with it.

As soon as I had it all and swallowed it, I fell on his cock trying to squeeze more from it. He withered in my mouth. I backed off and hugged Kate, since he was going to be useless for a while.

Kate responded as I expected her to do to my kisses and hands moving over her body. She didn't want to be turned on, but she couldn't help it. I had my fingers inside her body, then in her mouth, as I lowered myself to her pussy. I licked and sucked on her vulva and clit until she came so hard that I thought she might break my teeth. She actually did bite down on my fingers in her mouth.

Since I needed to cum, I turned to her and pulled her face to my pussy. She knew what to do. Every woman does, first time or not. She licked and sucked my clit until I was on the edge then she rammed her fingers inside me. She was trying to get as much of her inside me as she could. So much that it actually was painful. Even though it was painful I didn't stop her. I just flooded the carpet under us.

I was shocked when Martin came back to life before Kate or I. I heard him whisper in my ear. "I'm going to take her ass cherry, and you are going to help me."

I wanted to say, "As long as it is consensual," but I also knew that I no longer cared, so I just nodded.

"Get her up and find something to get her ready," he demanded.

The something was KY. Of course I had it in my medicine cabinet. I got, the mentally out of it, Kate to her hands and knees. Martin and I held her in place while I lubricated her rectum. I was careful to use plenty of the goo. I also used it on Martin's thick cock. It should have been a smaller cock the first time, I thought. She rocked back against my fingers while I worked it inside her. She also made grunting noises. They were mixed signals, as far as I could tell. I wasn't sure, if Martin was getting a cherry or not.

Whatever else she was, she was tight there. When Martin penetrated her sphincter she let out what was almost a scream. I had been expecting it and muffled it with a kiss. It came out more as a loud grown. My walls were eight inch concrete block and insulated inside to dampen noise. Also my bedroom wall was Lois's living room wall. I hoped that those two things would keep the noise of Kate's ass being fucked from spreading outside my apartment.

At first I felt her trying to resist. "Relax Kate, it will hurt less," I informed her. I am not sure she ever relaxed. I think she went from, God this hurts, to God this is so nasty, to God this feels so good. I tried to get my hand to her clit, when it was at the God this so nasty stage. I rubbed her clit and sucked on her sagging tit while Martin plowed her ass. She was cumming long before he managed to shoot a second load.

When he pulled out, he collapsed, and Kate fell forward almost smothering me with boobs. I managed to work my way out. I was the only one more or less coherent. I managed to get to the kitchen to make another drink to wash the funky taste from my mouth.

The two of them had made it to my bed, so I joined them. The only space available was beside Kate. When she turned her back to me, I fitted my body around hers and fell asleep.

It is almost impossible for me to sleep in the bed with someone else. If I have had a lot to drink, and find myself sexually beat down, I can manage a few hours. That being the case, I was not at all surprised to find myself instantly awake, when Martin left the bed in the middle of the night. 

I played dead to see what he would do. The first thing he did was try to toss the apartment. No doubt looking for information. In his business information is power. That much I had learned about the black bag boys over the years. The had to have a constant stream of information or they went mad. It was like their drug of choice.

"That would go much easier with coffee. Give me a minute to pee and I'll make some. I might even be able to tell you where to look to save you some time." I didn't move a muscle when I said it. I might as well still be asleep as far as anyone looking would think.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 13a



"You aren't spy grade material, but you are damn good for what you are," Martin said.

"All that just because I will do a threesome with you and your new girlfriend?" I asked. "Or is it because I offered you coffee while you toss my place."

"It is because you are a world class trouble shooter. Whether it is calling the cops at the right time, or shooting a Russian in the face, you know what is the most efficient thing to do." Martin said it as I slipped from the bed.

I expected that I would wake Kate, when I went to rummage through the stack of cardboard boxes for a long tee shirt to slip into. I was using the boxes in place of a dresser at that moment. Kate was obviously much better at sleeping in strange beds, than I was having strangers sleep in mine. I didn't shower before I put the coffee on, but I did brush my teeth. I had really bad breath and a terrible taste in my mouth. I even took time to run a brush through my thin stringy hair. Without a butt load of moose, it just lay like paint on my scalp.

"So did you find anything interesting?" I asked when I returned from the shower.

"I found that you own this place outright and that you don't need money. I even know a couple of things you don't?"

"Oh and what might that be?" I asked

"I know where your friend Mosby is." he said.

"That, my friend, is information of no value whatsoever." I replied.

"But, I also know what she is going to be up to next." Martin was smug, thinking I would care no doubt.

"Not interested," I replied. 

"Are you sure, it involves you," he said with a huge grin.

"If it involves me hon, I will find out eventually." I said.

"Why wait?" he asked.

"Oh alright, what does the little nymph have in store for me next?" I asked.

"She is part of the group trying to sell their little show to a cable TV network." he said.

"That is going to be a problem, since i am not about to sign on for that," I replied.

"Swamp Thing, as you call it, would like for you to do the show," he said.

"What makes you think I care what Swamp Thing wants?" I asked.

"Come on Max, your life is like about people and situations like us. You go along being an average citizen for a couple of months, then you find shit to get into." he demanded

"Come on that's crap," I said "I'm one of those people to whom things just happen."

" Max, listen to me and try to be objective, okay?" he asked. We were sitting at the old registration desk drinking coffee as he tried to give me, his take on me.

"Sure, but let me see how you explain the kid trying to hold up the convenience store. How was that me looking for trouble?" I asked.

"Sure, first of all you had a pistol. I know it wasn't for that exact occasion, and I know that it's legal, but nobody else in this town would have strapped on a pistol to go out for pizza. You were more than just in the right place at the right time. You were prepared for something like that because you wanted it to happen." 

"What crap," I said, but there was something in what he said.

"Even with the pistol, you could have just let it happen. Then gone home to your pizza or whatever it was. But no, not you, you have to take the thug down." Martin explained.

"I explained that to the cops," I replied.

"And they knew it was bullshit as well. The after action bullshit, to justify the action." Martin actually laughed quietly. "You aren't talking to the plumber on the grand jury here Maxine."

"Everything you do that gets you into trouble, you could have walked away from and still had a nice life. No sweetie you need your terror fix, just like the rest of us."

"Even if that is true, what's in the TV show for Swamp Thing?" I asked.

"The same as for Marty, the bike peddler, positive exposure. The kinds of people we want to work for might not watch Maxine the super hero, but their wives and girlfriends might."

"Okay, I think it is bullshit, but even so, why should I do it?" I asked.

"You wanted the option to turn down jobs. The ones you thought weren't worthy of your ideals, well this is it. The kinds of jobs you want to do, are the kinds that will clean up the company's image. It's a true win/win. We give you the chance to run around playing a real life Charlie's angel, In exchange you say good things about us, plus you get paid twice for it. What more could an out of work operative want?" he asked laughing.

"I will think about it, if they come calling." I replied.

"Try to see it honestly, not through your rose colored glasses," Martin suggested. He stood to leave, since those appeared to be his final words on the subject. "One more thing, you helped turn Kate because it was a rush pure and simple. You don't really need more of a reason that that."

He turned to the door and I was glad to see him go. He was hitting a little too close to home. "I'll call," was his parting shot.

I did give it some thought as he walked to the gate. I couldn't help but see the humor possible in the show. We could call it the gun thug slut, I thought. Once I was sure the gate was closed and locked behind Martin, I went back to bed. The sun hadn't even risen yet, I thought.

I slept better with the extra room in the bed. It also didn't hurt that Kate was harmless compared to Martin. She did snore a bit, but I could deal with that. I only dozed in bits and pieces, but it was something.

"I wish you weren't so damn small," Kate voice cut through my bit of sleep.

"Huh?" I replied.

"I said, I wish you weren't so small. I sure would like a shower and some clean clothes." Kate said not at all friendly.

"Sorry, you could always leave some clean panties here," I said with a smile, because I knew it would start a firestorm.

"What the hell makes you think I will ever be back here?" she asked.

"Oh, it was just a suggestion. If not that, then put a pair of panties in your purse. Wrap them in a little plastic bag, if you don't want people to know you what you are." What I didn't say was, "Honey, if you are going to be a slut, get used to it, or be inventive."

"Will you give me a ride home?" she asked being a little nicer, but it was very little.

"Since I have clean clothes, you are going to have to wait until I take a shower and dress. After that sure, I will take you anywhere you want to go."

That's exactly how it went down. After my shower I filled the Delta coffee cup, and off I went to take the fallen princess home. She did not say anther word to me, not even thank you for the ride. Kate, I decided at the moment the cruiser's door slammed, was not going to be a lifelong friend. 

I would have taken Kate to breakfast with me, if she had been about half pleasant. Since she wasn't, I rode to the Hardee's for my breakfast alone. At almost 10AM it was a different crowd, but still they seemed to know each other. It was a bit of a shock for me to see that. 

I had thought that it was one group, at one time of day, but it seemed as though the whole breakfast meal had its regulars. I knew that it had to do with price for the older ones, and I supposed that it was true for the young families as well. The children at 10AM were all younger than school age. A couple of hash-browns and a bit of egg off mom's biscuit was enough for them, I supposed. I was still trying to figure it all out, when I finished my meal and left.

Since I had the Swamp Thing's offer, after breakfast I went by Ed's office to pick up my tools. Ed was at his desk as he usually was around lunchtime. "Hey big guy," I said to him. "How are things working out with the forced labor?"

"You mean Lucas? He threw himself into the work once that Gwen person left."

"She has gone already?" I asked.

"Yes, but Lucas said she would be back soon. She and Mike have kind of deal cooking."

"Ah, lots of people have things cooking these days. I came to pick up my tools," I suggested.

"This doesn't mean you are going to stop coming to see me does it?" he asked.

"Of course not," I replied. "It does mean, I need to go buy a gun safe though. I guess for now, I'll put them under the bed." Might as well spread a little disinformation, I thought.

"There is no hurry, you can leave them here," Ed suggested.

"I know, but I feel better with them within reach," I admitted.

"Yes, with your lifestyle, I can see that," he agreed. 

I loaded up the guns, ammunition, and vests rather quickly. It was going to make for a big pile at the apartment. Fortunately I had a lot of empty space, since the rooms were large and I hadn't filled them with furniture as of yet.

At the apartment I made several trips from the cruiser to the apartment just to get all the equipment inside. Once I got it inside and on the bed, I realized that when I got it organized, it wouldn't be so much. I had two trench length shotguns, an assault rifle made in china, a .22 magnum sniper rifle, and several pistols of various caliber. Lots of ammunition, two stun-guns, two vests. One of them was the replacement for the one damaged in the Russian shootout. All in all, it was not that much.

I had the plan in the back of my mind from the first day that I bought the apartment building. It came as no shock to me that I was ready. First of all you have to remember that my bedroom had once been an old style motel room. As such it was wider than a normal bedroom, and it was much longer. The length was for the bathroom at the rear. 

The bathroom was small with only a tiny tub and shower along with a toilet of course. Just outside the small bathroom was an open area. That little dressing area was about four feet by ten feet. The wall nearest to the bathroom had a vanity with sink and mirror for dressing and makeup. There was counter space that took up about four of those ten feet to the common wall shared with my living room and kitchen area, The original use of the space, from the end of the counter to the wall, was for a clothes bar and other storage for the guest. 

In the final plans the space got turned into a much larger closet. The vanity became part of the bathroom, but the concrete block wall at the end of the vanity remained. To make a long story short there was a tiny space two feet wide and four feet long at the rear of the new, but less sturdy, closet. I had the Laboring Few turn it into dead space simply by placing the clothes bar two and a half feet from the rear wall. A lightweight false wall made it my hidden compartment to store the tools of my trade. It would require a lot of work to gain access to the space, but that was the idea.

Once everything was inside the hidden storage space, I settled in for a day of pure relaxation. I began it with a nap.

Most of the weekdays passed easily. I had not realized how much I needed to build up my reserve energy. After three days of doing nothing more than showing the two vacant apartments, I felt as good as I had in years. Not better, but I was back at my highest level of energy. In those three days I had also established a routine that I enjoyed. 

Every one of those three mornings, I dressed like an Eskimo, started Gus's bike, then rode to breakfast at the local Hardee's. On the morning after Kate and Martin left my apartment I picked up aTryon paper there. In it I found a story about middle aged and older, men and women who walked at the two malls in Tryon. After that I began a new part of my morning routine. I rode the bike five miles out to the mall located between Aster and Tryon. It wasn't a large mall, but it did have two enclosed stories which made it ideal for walking.

I wasn't sure how far I wanted to walk, but I did my math calculations before I left the restaurant. If I walked 3 miles an hour, which Google informed me was the average idle walking speed for an adult woman my age, then every twenty minutes I walked one mile. That very morning I stopped by the Wa- Mart store which, wasn't too far out of the way, there I bought a cheap digital watch.

Once I arrived at the lower level of the mall, I stripped off most of my clothes. It was not at all sexy I can assure you. Then I looked at my watch and began to walk. I tried to walk normally as I began the first lap of the bottom floor. I walked by stores mostly filled with boutique type businesses. I did find two large department store chains represented. I had no idea that they were in the mall. Obviously I am not much of a shopper.

There were also three empty stores on the bottom level of the mall. Christmas had come and gone with no more than a turkey dinner at Jen's house for me. Followed by passing out of a few boxes of very expensive cookies. It looked as though for at least three retail shop it hadn't had a better Christmas than it had for me. All the stores in the mall seemed to have suffered to some extent during the season of giving. In the present economy I was told that it was typical.

I walked steady for the complete lap and then checked the watch. I had walked eight minutes. I did a rough calculation and figured that I needed to do two and a half laps of the down stairs area for a mile. So five laps was two miles. That seemed about right, so off I went for four more laps. I rode the escalator up to the top floor after one more lap of the bottom floor. I timed upper floor lat as well and found that it was pretty close to the same.

Right or wrong, I set five laps as my baseline. I began to walk and my mind began to drift. As I walked I began to notice the people that I passed. I realized that I had instinctively turned right off the escalator which set me to walking clockwise while everyone else walked counter clockwise. There had to be something significant in it. The herd going in the same direction and me going backwards, I mean. 

The direction I chose to walk had me confronting each of them every lap. I guess I might claim it kept people from walking up behind me, so maybe there was a reason after all. I mean other than me being out of step with everyone else in the whole world. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find how friendly the mall walkers were. They were mostly older retired folks. Yes most even older than my forty something years. They seemed to be a reasonably fit bunch as well. Some were couples obviously husband and wife types, some were couples, like women who came to walked together regularly, and some couples looked to be mall pickup couples. Probably one walk stands, I thought. 

There was also a very few singles like me walking as well. All that I noticed before I walked into the food court. In the food court I found another twenty or so people. Some looked as though they might be walkers on a scheduled break and some looked as though they might be mall employees waiting to start work. The workers being only marginally better dressed.

For the first time since I left the sandbox, I had a routine at least part of the day. For must of a week, I had walked at the mall after breakfast at Hardee's. I knew that if I was in a high risk environment, any routine would have been totally stupid. Since I really wasn't in an imminent threat situation, it was only mildly stupid. The morning walk gave me a little exercise, and it gave me a little structure. I decided that I needed both.

The final reinforcement for the continuation of the walk was at the food bar. No I would never eat there, but there was a cookie shop. I tried to avoid sugar like the plague, because for me it was. I would have tried to pretend that the cookie shop didn't exit, except that all the people, waiting for the stores to open, had coffee cups with their logo. Since I love coffee, I bought a cup on my last lap. I was only half a lap from finishing, so I waited until I reached the bike to try it. The coffee was delicious. It was just a little stronger than what most restaurants served, and just a little weaker than my own. Not only that, the girl behind the counter was gorgeous and sweet as well. I was hooked.

Before I left for breakfast that morning, I realized that Friday had slipped up on me again. At the Hardee's I realized that I had finally been around long enough to recognize the people there. I could wave at most of them, and they would wave back. Since over the years, I had learned the art of eavesdropping without being obvious about it, I knew enough about most of them to speak. It was a skill that came from working undercover investigating thefts from military installations. 

I was into my socializing mode, when the phone rang. It was embarrassing to hear Mag7 come from my purse. I had to remember to stop by the phone store and have that changed, thought yet again. 

"Hello Jen, what the hell are you doing awake this time of the morning"

"It almost 9AM of course I'm awake. Where the hell are you?"

"Hardee's of course, so what's the emergency this time?" I asked.

"I'm not real sure, guess who called me at home?" she demanded.

"If you want me to guess, I can and I can even get it right, but wouldn't you rather just tell me what he said?" I asked.

"Okay wise ass, Marty wants a meeting again. But he insist you be patted down for weapons first." Jen said with a chuckle.

"I don't blame him, I might well want to pop his ass for the Mosby thing." I said.

"He knows that, but he still has an offer to put on the table," Jen replied.

"Actually, I know what his offer is already. I have been giving it some thought." I admitted. "These bacon, egg and cheese biscuits aren't free you know."

"You are kidding me. They almost got you killed with that damn online shit. Surely you aren't really considering a new gig?"

"I thought you wanted me to do it. To make your life a little more exciting?" I asked.

"I don't want you to get yourself killed for my entertainment," Jen said seriously.

"Don't worry, neither do I," I admitted. "But I'll listen to the offer. When do they want to talk."

"Monday morning at 10AM." 

"Okay Jen, Monday at 10 it is," I agreed.

"Bye the way if you have an apartment left, save it till after the meeting." she suggested.

"Fair enough," I replied. I hadn't rushed to rent the last two apartments because of Irish Martin's visit. I had a feeling someone would want at least one of them. That is, if I decided to do it again. I still hadn't made a final decision.

I left hardee's with my delta coffee cup full. I had a lid for it, so that I could ride with it in the handlebar basket without sloshing it around. I took it into the mall with me. I began my walk at the downstairs entrance away from the food court. I walked two laps on the bottom floor and sipped my coffee as I went. It was actually quite pleasant. The coffee had cooled off significantly before I rode the escalator upstairs. I walked one more lap including in and out of the food court before I felt the coffee had cooled enough to need help.

I stopped at Cookie land for a cop of their coffee. I poured it from their cup into my cup, then tasted it. It was still a little cooler than I liked to start. I noticed that they had a microwave oven.

"Miss, could I get you to put this in the microwave for a minute. I would really appreciate it." I said.

"Sure I have time. I don't have any customers this early." she said.

She stood in front of me while the coffee nuked. "So you come here often?" I asked.

"I work here," she said seriously. "Oh, that was a joke?"

"I guess it wasn't much of one. Just my poor attempt at humor and conversation." I said. "Since I will probably be seeing you a lot, I thought I would try to make friends."

"Oh do you work in the mall?" she asked.

"No, but I have started walking with the other old guys," I said.

"Oh you aren't near as old as the others," she said it, not realizing how it sounded.

"Oh good," I said as the buzzer on the microwave went off. It was a good thing, since I had decided that the chick was as dumb as a post. Too bad because she was young and gorgeous, just my type. Okay, I liked to pretend that her type, was my type.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 14



The whole day Sunday was spent trying to show people we were still alive and not one bit intimidated by the Atwoods. We switch up our pairings so we didn't get into a routine. Routines of any kind while operational can be deadly. Even though Martin and I agreed that the Atwoods weren't likely to do much recon work. I figured they would find out where we lived, get high on something and just show up at our door.

Since the clubs were open on Sunday, Mike and I went back to the scene of my crime. I knew I had no backup and that it was risky but I had to show people that I did not fear the Atwoods, even though I did. Not to fear those two wasn't just stupid, it could well be terminally stupid.

I sat so that I could keep my eye on the door and Mike sat so that he could film everything. He was using an only slightly disguised camera. It was a high definition camera in a case to make it look like a common cell phone.

"What," Mike asked when he saw my reaction.

"Blane Atwood just came in. You know most people look better than their mugshot. Thomas Atwood had been the exception, but blain actually did look better. A whole lot better. If I weren't in town to destroy him, I might have screwed him.

I wrapped my hand around the 410 gauge derringer in my coat pocket. If that thing went off it was going to ruin my coat and make a god awful mess of Blain's not to bad face. 

"So you are the bad ass preacher lady?" he asked.

"I am and I suppose you are Blain Atwood, brother of the very rude Thomas Atwood?" I suggested.

"True on both counts. The shame of it is Thomas didn't learn anything last night. He is still determined that you suck his dick before he kills you. I told him to just do a drive by, but he wont have it. He is insisting that he get his blow job, and you die slow and painfully."

"Did the chief of police talk to you today?" I asked.

"Yes he did. I know your friend is taping this. The problem with the tape is one of you has to be alive to confirm it. My lawyer says it is useless, if someone can't testify that it is genuine."

"Ah so you are saying we are both going to be dead?" I asked.

"All four of you," he said matter of factly.

"Then I guess you should get on with it," My finger was tightening on the trigger.

"Too many witnesses, besides don't you just love a surprise?" he asked.

"Sure some more than others. I have a feeling I might not enjoy the surprise you have planned though." I said.

"I can assure you that you won't," he replied with a psycho's smile.

"You know you are better looking than Thomas, but just a fucking sick," I said. I watched him change directions.

"You are probably right. It could be something genetic, I suppose." he said.

"Well, maybe I can arrange for the trait not to passed on." I said with a smile.

"I could just cut your throat while you are sitting there. None of the sheep in this town would life a finger to stop me." he said.

"Well, I'm just a visitor, but trust me I have a 9mm Glock under the table. It is pointed at your heart," Mike said with a quiver in his voice.

"And I, Blain, have a 410 gauge shotgun slug from a Derringer for you, if you make such a stupid move," I informed him. "Once you are dead they become my sheep, and they won't see a thing." I smiled at him for a few seconds and watched sanity return to his eyes. "So partner this saloon ain't big enough for both of us. You need to leave now. I mean right fucking now or you might get your ass beat like your brother."

"I'm going to enjoy watching you die," he said.

"I'm sure you will, if you live long enough." I said smiling at him.

He left quickly after his face saving statement. "So how are we going to get out of here?" Mike asked. 

"You are going to to call 911 and report smoke coming from this place. When the volunteer fire department comes we are going to leave with the crowd."

"Geese Max where to you come up with that kind of shit?" he asked. "Are we really going to do that?"

"No, I'm going out through the bathroom window. I'm going to scout the area, then call you if it's all clear. If not, I guess I'll have to kill whoever is out there." I smiled sweetly. In the meantime you stay put and tell anyone who asked I'm in the bathroom."

Like all women I had been to that bathroom a dozen times and I knew where the window was. It was high enough so that it was a challenge to get it open. I stood on the plastic trash can and hoped it didn't collapse. The drop to the alley was about eight feet so I prayed that I made it without a broken ankle.

After a rather sloppy landing, I went hunting. I checked a two block radius of our car. When I was sure that the odds were heavily in our favor, I called Mike to come out. "Now let's get the hell out of here," I said as after we were safely in the car.

"How are things at home?" I asked Martin on the phone.

"Things are just fine," he said. "How was the bar?"

"Interesting, keep a close eye out, we are likely to have company," I said.

"Oh really, Do I need to lay an ambush?" Martin asked.

"No what you need to do is make a contingency plan, that's all for now." I replied.

"I found a pretty good hole this morning for the Cop, I think I could find it again in the dark."

"First sign or trouble go back there. I don't think these guys can do an infiltration. I expect them to just drive up and try to muscle us."

"Or try to catch us out somewhere," Martin said.

"Yeah, it's gonna be redneck thug style. They are gonna want to show us how bad they are." I suggested.

"If they are smart, they will try to catch us separated, then set an ambush around the dead bodies in the house." I said.

"That's what you or I would do. These guys will come in with a truck full of rednecks, and burn the house down. They won't expect a fucking war," Martin said.

"This is getting way out of hand," I admitted.

"Yeah, but like you said, 'It's gonna make great TV."' Martin said it with a laugh.

"Well it's time we rattle their cages. Pack everything of any value into your SUV and we will give the bobsy twins the option of following us or running away. Then lets go shake them up a little.

"What you got in mind?' Martin asked.

"Why don't you show me that cook shack for starters?" I asked. 

"Did you just turn into the drive?" 

"No we are still two miles out. Get out of the house and into the woods. I'm on my way. We are going to come in hot."

"Block the drive. Do not let them get out," Martin demanded.

"How many cars?" I shouted into the phone the adrenaline screaming through me.

"Just one so far," Martin said. I could hear the background noise and he moved from the house to the woods. I hoped Gwen didn't get him killed.

"Mike we are going to go in hard and fast. Ram their car and run over any son of bitch you can."

"You are kidding?" 

"They are not there to deliver pie at midnight. They probably think we are still at the bar. They are there to send a message."

We turned into the drive moving at about thirty miles an hour down the dirt road. "If nothing else Mike, we are going to be a distraction. Then we are going to hope like hell that Martin is as good as he thinks he is."

I hardly got the words out before we were in the yard. There were four men with guns standing between the truck and the house. They had stopped moving forward at the sound of the SUV moving down the drive. A few seconds later they were jumping out of the way as the heavier SUV pushed the truck toward them. 

I came out of the car with the .38 in one hand and the derringer in the other. Like I had said to Mike, I had to hope that Martin was as good as he thought he was. It was dark as hell outside the circle of Mike's headlights.

"I heard the distinctive rattle of the M4. I was determined to wait until I saw something to shoot at before I wasted my few rounds. From out of nowhere someone grabbed me. I sure as hell hoped that it wasn't Martin, because I put the derringer close beside my body move hard to the right pulling the trigger at the same time. The heavy slug from the .410 shotgun shell must have been hard hitting because he released me and fell instantly to the ground like a stone. I screamed in pain.

"Are you hit?" Mike asked.

"No, the blast from the derringer burned the hell out of me." I said. While I beat out flames coming from my coat, there were a couple of shotgun blasts in our general direction. Fortunately they missed. The M4 was firing in three round burst. I am pretty sure that Martin was just firing at movements, so I stayed on the ground and told Mike to do the same.

"Stop firing Martin," I shouted during a lull. After a couple of seconds I said. "Have you guys had enough or do you want to hang around till sun up when we come finish you off?"

"I am through, if you let me go," a voice said.

"How about your friends?" I asked.

"I think they have all been shot," the voice said.

"If you can disappear, no one will shoot at you, If you turn toward us, we will kill you," I shouted to him.

I waited a reasonable amount of time, then rang Martin on the burn phone. "Do you have a light?" I asked.

"No but I can get back to the house and get a lantern." he whispered.

"It's too dark to give you any cover so be careful." I said. "Martin don't go finishing them off. We can explain this but not anything else."

When Martin came out with the lantern we moved around very carefully. We knew one of them had gotten away. I expected he was running through the woods, but I didn't know for sure. Martin turned the one I shot over and his intestines fell out. I had never seen anyone shot with the derringer, so I was surprised. It was the only shot I fired and it had been a kill shot. One for one was good in any game. I knew the taking of a life was not a game, nonetheless it was what I thought.

"So we going to dump the bodies on the Atwood farm?" Martin asked only half kidding.

"No we are going to call the GBI man. Let him call someone to come investigate." I said.

"Are you sure," Martin asked. "You know none of these guys are an Atwood brother. It is going to look a lot like we murdered them."

"That's why the GBI is going to be involved from the start." I said.



Maxine's New Life Ch. 15



I was about to make the call, when I had second thoughts. The problem wasn't the GBI, it was the local cops. The GBI would not get involved without the locals being first on the scene. The locals could spin it anyway they wanted, and we could come up looking like crap. Still, moving bodies and all the rest was bound to come back and bite us on the ass.

I went inside where I had enough light to dial the phone. It was like 1AM Monday morning. But I called the number Anna gave me anyway. It rang a bunch of times before a man finally answered. 

"Agent Hall," he said.

"Agent Hall, my name is Maxine Stone. A friend at the FBI gave me your number. She said I could trust you."

"I like to think everyone can trust me." he replied.

"I'm in Haymarket Georgia, and the Atwood brothers just sent four men to kill me and my companions. We managed to kill three of them in a firefight. We let one of them get away. Now I know the local cop here is in Atwood's pocket, so who can I trust up here?" I asked.

"The Atwood's huh, just stay put, I'm going to call the state police to investigate. Just don't do anything else till they get there. If that local cop shows up tell him the state police are on the way and if he touches anything there is going to be hell to pay. You got that?" he asked.

"Yeah, I think I can handle that." I said.

"Don't anyone touch anything else out there." I said as I turned the coffee on. It was almost finished when the state police came roaring in. "Martin are all the weapons secure?" I asked.

"Yeah everything is cool. I know this drill." he said quietly. I could tell he didn't like the way I was handling it, but he went along.

"This is going to be a cluster fuck," I said.

"You know they won't be able to tie this to the Atwoods," Martin said.

"Probably not, but we aren't finished by a long shot." I replied.

The cop naturally walked to Martin first, "What happened here?" he asked.

"For sure, all I can tell you is these four armed men drove up in that pickup truck. They got out and started for the house. Maxine and Mike had been to the local tavern and happened to come home at the same time. They drove the SUV into the truck and spread these guys out. A firefight ensued. In the fight I think I shot two of them. Maxine shot one of them for sure." 

"Why did these men come here to attack you people?" the cop asked.

"The short answer is, I'm not sure." Martin said.

"How about the long answer?" the cop asked.

"The long answer is I'm still not sure, but it could have something to do with the man who assaulted Maxine last night. She kind whipped his ass, and he didn't like it. I think he sent these men to kill us all.

"Officer, if you don't mind, I need to get to a doctor I think." I showed him my coat which had been set on fire by the muzzle blast when I killed the man behind me. "I think I have a nasty burn, at least it is starting to hurt like hell."

"You should have called the ambulance first. I'll call for one now."

"I don't need an ambulance. I just need a ride to the hospital. We have two undamaged cars here." I pointed to them. 

"I can't let you just drive away, you killed a man."

Then have one of the officers here drive me to the hospital." I thought it was a reasonable request.

"Tell you what, that is against the rules, but I can get you a ride in a nice new ambulance. I can also have one of our men ride along to be sure you are alright. I'll try to get a detective to meet you there." the sergeant suggested.

"Fair enough," I said in disgust. I turned to Martin, "Don't leave this house unless you are under arrest," I said to him. Talk to them here."

"I know the drill hon, and unless they are going to squeeze my ball with pliers, I got nothing to say." Martin was all smiles. Hes's enjoying this shit, I thought.

"I don't think they do that any more," I said with a laugh. I was in real pain by that time the ambulance arrived. I was indeed ready to go to the hospital. I needed heavy drugs and quickly. I was light headed and about to pass out from the pain and the let down after the combat rush.

I made it to the back of the ambulance on my on, but just before I would have gone down. I managed to stay with it, until I laid my ass down on the gurney. I was quite ready for a nap. It appeared that I was the only injured person, who survived. I was more than a little surprised by the outcome, but I should not have been. 

Martin was a pro and he had the cover. The cowboy rednecks did a gunfight at ok corral thing. But instead of the Law Dogs, they got the Apaches. Okay, I was out of my head and my mind was wandering all over the place.

My burn phone rang while I was in the ambulance. "Just in case they take your phone away and try to give you shit," Martin said. "Gwen got the whole thing on film."

"Good for her, she might prove to be an asset after all." I suggested. "Somebody call Jen in Aster. She might as well lose sleep along with us.

"I'll let you know how Gwen's assets are after the cops leave." he said. "And yeah we might need your shyster friend.

"Remember, tell them nothing but the truth, but no more of it than you have to," I said.

"I hear, they are going to change the name of the show to vigilante justice," he said with a laugh.

"Don't give those pricks any ideas," I said.

"So the state police guys have been real efficient. They are out there picking up the dead leaves," Martin said. They must have every cop tool in the state out here."

"Good, we just want the truth to come out. This time we don't let the Atwoods manage the story." I said it just as I felt the need to throw up. "I got to go." I hung up and tried to relax, so that the bile would go back down.

We pulled into the parking lot with me feeling like shit. "She is going into shock. We need to get her inside and let them deal with it." The EMT said as she opened the rear doors from the inside. We were at the ER loading area of some hospital. I didn't have any idea what the name was, nor did I care. I just knew my shit was about to go rank.

"Stay with me, don't you go to sleep on me," The EMT said. I nodded.

"Good girl, don't you quit," she said as I was rolling down the hall. I nodded again. Then there was the sound of those automatic doors opening and closing. Seconds later more hands pulled from the gurney to an examining table.

"Get some fluids into her," a woman in a lab coat said. "Are you in a lot of pain?"

"So, so," i said.

"I am going to have to get you stable before I can give you anything, so just stay with me. I promise I will take care of you."

I knew I was mumbling when she leaned forward to make out what I said. "If you take care of me. I'll take care of you later sweetie," I said and forced a smile.

"Promises, promises, I get that all the time." She laughed and listened to my heart. "Hang another bag of Ringers and get a second line started." 

The nurse gave her some numbers and the doctor smiled at me. "You are stabilizing. so I'm going to give you something local for the pain. Then I'm going to take a good look at that burn." 

I lay still, but in a great deal of pain, while they cut my clothes off me. I stayed awake, because I knew that it was the thing to do. Suddenly there were pin prick added to the pain from the burn. 

"That's going to take a few minutes to numb you up. How did that happen," the doctor asked.

"My own stupidity." I said not really wanting to go into detail.

"How about the split lip and black eye. You don't have a violent husband or boyfriend do you?" She asked again.

"No, but I did get in a fight with a guy a couple of days ago." I said.

"It ain't much of man, who hits a woman," the nurse said.

"Got that right," I agreed.

I wasn't going to elaborate until she asked, "Did you report it?" the nurse asked.

"I think you guys did. They brought him here," I said. I was feeling much better by that time.

"Are you the one that beat Thomas Atwood half to death," the doctor asked.

"I don't know about half to death, but we went a couple of rounds." I said.

"Then that would make you the preacher lady," the nurse suggested. 

"Yes that would be me," I agreed

"So why is there something that looks like gunpowder stippling on your clothes and around the burn?" the doctor asked.

"Like I said, just a stupid mistake." The pain had gone by that time. "I am feeling a lot better now."

"Good, it's the fluids. You just had a overdose of sensations and your body went into overload. You should be fine. We will get this cleaned up and get it covered to keep the air out and you will be as good as new in a week."

"You aren't going to admit me are you?" I asked.

"No, you seem to be doing fine. I want you to hang around for a couple of hours, then you should be able to leave, if you have someone who can drive you home. They need to bring you something to wear. I think that your clothes are trash now. At least the coat and sweater are," she said. Don't get that area wet for a few days. No showers, ok?"

"Okay, You probably need to save my clothes. The cops are going to want them I expect. Oh yeah, what should I take for the pain?" I asked.

Anything OTC that works for you should be fine." the doctor said. "I'll give you a script for Tylenol with codeine. Don't fill it unless nothing else works."

Two hours later the nurse came in leading Gwen. Gwen had a plastic bag from the grocery store with a sweater and jeans in it. She was also carrying the insulated Parka that I had seen Martin wearing earlier. I noted that Gwen looked a little out of it. It was late and a lot had happened to her in one evening. Quite possibly one of those things was Martin.

"The cop out there is taking your clothes, so I brought some of your things," she said.

I nodded. I got dressed then we went to the check out desk. I tried to give them my credit card for the bill, but Gwen had already given them a card. I didn't even ask whose card it was. I knew for sure that it wasn't hers.

"So the cops aren't going to stop us leaving?" I asked.

"They are waiting for the Detectives to come up from Atlanta. They keep asking questions but no big deal yet." she replied.

"That's going to change, when the heavy hitters get here," I said.

"So how do you feel?" she asked on the drive back to the house. 

"I feel okay, they gave me something for the pain and that was the big issue. Burns are the most painful injuries, I'm told." I replied.

"How do you feel about killing a man?' she asked. I knew then that her car had a hidden camera. "Killing people always upsets me. It should upset any rational human being. In this case it was kill him, or have him take me back to the Atwoods. Their plan was to torture and then kill me. I didn't feel that I had any choice."I replied. Then I turned the table on her. "How did you feel watching it all happen, knowing that if Martin and I failed, you were likely to die a very unpleasant death? You did know that didn't you?"

"Yes, I had a pretty good idea that when they said they would kill us all, it meant me and Mike as well."

"Oh it most definitely did. They need to make sure there is no one left to testify. Now it might be a little harder for them to do, but that is still their desired outcome to all this."

122 new Marshal in town.

During the time Gwen drove, and when she didn't try to film for TV, I tried to decide on my next move. Actually I tried to decide what my next move might be under several different scenarios. We were most likely going to stay out of jail on this one. What else we did was up in the air. I was determined to make the Atwood bothers pay for my pain, as well as their past sins.

When we pulled into the yard, I saw the Georgia State Police car, complete with it's driver, sitting at the end of the drive. Martin's SUV was in the yard as well. The two wrecked cars were gone. Most likely to a crime lab somewhere.

I struggled from the rental car Gwen had brought from Aster. It was one of those compact economy things. "Hey Max, I see you survived the ER visit," Martin said as I stepped onto the porch.

"Yeah thanks for the loan of the coat, but it's a little too big for me." I suggested.

"Well, first chance we get, we will pick you up something. We can put it on my expense account," Martin suggested.

"Hell not, it needs to go on Mike or Gwen's account. They are the real reason we are her and therefore the reason for all this carp," I said accusingly. Once we were in the house, I made the bic lighter signal and he killed the audio feed. "Are there any other cops?"

"Just the one, by the way I got your toys out into the woods," Martin informed me, with a big smile.

"I think they need to stay there a while. We don't need to try to explain the arsenal to cops who are working on three dead bodies. Besides they have my .38 and the derringer that's enough cooperation." I said.

"I know they have my M4 as well." Martin said.

"Well, I do hope it's legal. If it is, you will get it back eventually." I thought about it a minute then added, "Surely that's not the only weapon to which you have access?"

"Well let's say that it is my favorite. We can also say, they are going to need a warrant to search my SUV."

"With three bodies in the morgue, I'm sure they could get one, if we give them any reason. Let's try to be cool till the GBI agents get here. Then we will try to work a deal with them." I suggested.

"Yeah, I can see that's as our best bet, to keep this from going to a criminal indictment," Martin agreed.

"If we can get the cops to back off, we might be able to get the Atwoods to come out and play again," I suggested.

"I still want to find out what the deal is on that lab in the woods," Martin suggested.

"I'd bet someone else is cooking in there. The brothers probably have all kinds of criminal associated down here," I suggested.

"I would suggest we trust no one, not even the cops," Martin said.

"We need to use the cops, but maybe trust would be taking it a bit too far. They are going to have their own best interest at heart." I said in agreement.

I drank coffee and popped the pills supplied to me by the hospital before I left. It would be impossible to buy anything anywhere until morning. I might could make a run to the next largest town. I might even find an all night convenience store, but I doubted it. The cop in the drive most likely had orders to keep us all locked in safely until the GBI arrived.

"Martin I am knocked out. I need sleep. Call me when the GBI guys get here," I said that as I stood to wobble to the bedroom and then crawl into the bed on the floor. Too much had happened, even so those little pink pills made everything seem less urgent. I wanted sleep not sex and Martin could tell. 

I woke up to his voice at the doorway. "Maxine the heavy hitters are here," he informed me.

I walked into the living room, where I got my first look at the GBI team. "I'll be right back, I need to pee. I took care of that while I processed the group. There were two men and two women all of them looked just average. All except one man that is. He was tall and heavy. Not heavy like fat, heavy like blocky muscular. he had to be at least 6' 3" probably more even. He was a giant of a man. 

The second man was about 6' probably 200 pounds just very average. He even looked rather bookish. The two women were standard issue police women detectives. One thirty pounds over weight and one very light in the ass. I stopped in the kitchen for coffee before I went back to the living room to face the inevitable interrogation.

"I'm Marshal Hall," the giant said.

"Of course you are," I agreed.

"So what happened. Don't hold back and don't pull any punches. Anna says you are connected and damn good at what you do."

"Let me get a little of the coffee down and I'll tell all. At least all you need to know." I said.

"I need to know it all, if I'm going to help you," he said. "You know that this doesn't look good."

I actually laughed. "Are you seriously trying to intimidate me. Obviously Anna didn't tell you enough." I thought she must have changed her name to the more American version of Anya.

"What is it you find amusing about this?" he asked.

"Let me see, first of all we were attacked and defended ourselves. The fact that we have a better gunslinger than the Atwoods, doesn't make us guilty of anything. So if you threaten me again, I call my lawyer, Jen in Aster, and we all shut up till she gets here. Now Agent Hall do we understand each other."

"Yes I think we do,. You are under arrest for the murder of three John Does." He said.

"Cool, call Jen," I said to Gwen as I stood and turned my back to the GBI agents. I even went so far as to put my hands behind my head. I waited but didn't feel the cuffs.

"Let's start over." the big man suggested. "Tell me what you know about The Atwoods please?"

"How about I tell you one, and then you tell me one?" I asked.

"Fair enough," the big man replied.

"Thomas Atwood is a lousy fighter. He slapped me and I kicked his ass. He went to the ER in his brother's car. Earlier tonight the brother came to talk to me. He threatened to kill me, and all my friends?

"I don't suppose you can prove all this?" he asked.

"Mike set up a little show and tell," I demanded.

"My pleasure Maxine," Mike said as he sat his laptop on the folding card table. First he set up the video of Thomas Atwood slapping me hard across the face. Then there was the close up of the blood on my face. He kept the camera running while I kicked the shit out of Atwood. 

A couple of adjustments and it was Blain Atwood telling me how he suggested his brother do a drive by shooting, but Thomas wanted to make it personal. Then telling me they would be coming for me.

"Okay they are stupid and it's enough to put us on their trail for tonight's shooting." The big guy said.

"Since they didn't pull the triggers, they might be able to squirm out of it," The heavier of the two women suggested.

"So now, you tell me something I didn't know," I demanded.

"You know the Atwoods as thugs and general pains in the ass bullies, but obviously there is more, if they can get a crew to come try to kill you." the big guy said.

"Actually I think it was a kidnap plan, but tell me what they are into besides the pain the ass things." I demanded.

"We think they are distributing drugs for some Mexican cartel." The big man suggested. 

"It is more likely they are selling to them, than that they distributing for them." I suggested.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"We think we stumbled on a Chrystal Meth lab on the Atwood farm. They could be trading Meth for rock," Martin said. "I hear Meth is getting to be a hot commodity in Mexico City." 

"That's a lot to digest. We are going to need time to work this information into our profile of the brothers."

"They obviously don't like strangers. That is the real reason they gave us such a hard time," I suggested. "They didn't want us to stumble onto anything."

"Probably true." the skinny female said. Most likely only because she hadn't offered anything to the conversation.

"So what do you have in mind," The big man asked.

"Maybe we can get rid of the Atwoods and take their place. Just long enough to find out who you are looking for. then we all just disappear." 

"Why would you do that?" he asked.

"We are here to take down the Atwoods. So help us, or at the very least don't get in our way." I said it and watched the reaction of the Big Guy. He was obviously in charge.

"Well if there was something I could charge you with, I would. Those tapes make it obvious what happened, so we need to look into the Atwoods,"

"Good, while you are playing with that, we are going to pin another tail on the donkey. The more shit we put on the wall, the more likely it is something will stick. It's probably going to be confusing for a while."




Maxine's New Life Ch. 15



"You know I have to tell you, this is not approved by the GBI. If you break any laws, we will arrest you. I am leaving an officer outside just to make sure nobody comes back. It's really for your safety."

"Marshall, if this is a drug cartel type thing, the Atwood boys picked it up in Mexico, If so your officer is in as much danger as we are. Sending four men, to kill four people is heavy duty shit," I said.

"I doubt he has too many more good old boys, who are going to be willing to go up against you guys. He may want peace, or he may want to just back off and let you have your church." Marshal said.

"So we are going to stay with this, with or without your help. When the shit goes down, just remember who the good guys are." I said.

"Are there any good guys here, you can't prove that by me, or the data on file with the FBI. We did a background checks on all of you in the middle of the night."

"Oh and what did you find?" Martin asked.

"One washed up mercenary, one shady sort of PI, who people keep dying around, two TV producers, who of late keep getting right in the middle of some sick reality TV crap. All in all you are a crew that should probably be in jail somewhere." When he said it, he was looking at Martin. I wondered if he realized he had made a promo for the TV series.

"Well, should we do a background check on you guys as well," I suggested.

"I heard you had a world class hacker back home, but you won't find anything." he said talking about Lucas.

"There is always something to find," I suggested. "So I guess we are through here?" 

"For now, but we will be back." Marshal said.

"Of course you will," I said in agreement.

We waited patiently for them to clear out. "So what are we going to do first," Mike asked.

"You are going to come along and film whatever we do. Get your camera ready for the cook house surveillance. In the meantime, if the cop is going to watch the house, we can all go to breakfast together. 

As soon as we were out of sight of the house, and the cop on duty there. Martin pulled to the side of the road. He went to the rear door of th SUV to do a lot of mumbo and jumbo things back there. When he returned to the driver's seat, he had a satisfied look on his face. It was obvious to me that he had rearmed himself. I was still naked in that respect and not liking the feeling a bit. The cops had all my weapons used in the firefight and we hadn't been able to get back to my stash.

When we reached the next largest town, the first thing we did was to find a restaurant. One where we could have a breakfast which was absolutely over the top. We found what we needed in a German Pancake house. We each ordered our fantasy breakfast. It was in celebration of being alive. Not only is sex better after a close call, so is most everything else. That is true at least for a few hours.

I personally had pancakes with fruit, eggs scrambled very soft, hash brown which were stringy and crisp, link sausages, and toast. We had a few words with the waitress because she kept saying you know that will cost extra. But nobody cared at that point, so she finally was convinced that my motley looking crew, could actually afford the breakfast. 

I was exhausted and the restaurant was warm, which was a recipe for disaster. It was surprising that I didn't fall sound asleep into my pancakes. I could get down only about half of each item I ordered, but that wasn't the point. The point was just to taste it. It was as if the food represented life to me. It must have worked for the others because the poor waitress was running back and forth for the whole hour we were in the place.

Okay, I need to go shopping, how do we handle this. Do you want to drop me at that Walmart we passed coming in, or do you want to go back to the house and pick up Gwen's car. She and I can come back to town. She can film me trying on clothes."

"Yeah let's do that. I'm thinking Mike and I can ride through town and make a point of being seen. That ought to torque the police chief's jaws."

"Yeah, I imagine by now, he has had the GBI in his face," I agreed.

That's how Gwen and I ended up together. She kept trying to interview me about everything I bought. I wanted to tell her to shut the fuck up, but I resisted, I kept reminding myself that I was making a hell of a lot of money to put up with her shit.

"So why are we in the sporting good section?" she asked.

"I need a new coat, my old one caught fire remember?" I asked it to answer her question.

"Yes but why sporting goods?" she asked.

When I found a hip length hunting coat that was Camouflage, she stopped asking. "Do you get it now," I whispered.

"Yes, you and Martin are going hunting," she said positively.

"It could happen, yes." I moved on to the skinning knives. They had the long, wide bladed Bowie knife, so I tossed one of those into the cart. Then I had to find a clerk to open the looked display case and sell me a Mossberg shotgun. It was a replacement for the one the state police had. Not a single round had been fired from the shotgun, but it was a weapon at a crime scene, so the rules said take it. They took it.

While I was there, I picked up a set of thermal knit underwear tops and bottoms. I had to buy boys sizes but that was okay. Gwen finally had something she could ask me about. She seemed almost orgasmic at the prospect.

"Do you often buy men's clothes?" Gwen asked to try to get me into the whole 'Gender bending' thing I expect.

"Usually its women's or teenage boys clothes." I replied I didn't elaborate, so that she would have a chance to ask more questions.

"Do you feel strange in men's clothes." she asked.

"No sweetie, I just buy what I need. As far as I'm concerned it's just a couple of yards of cloth," I had her in checkmate with that answer. It was just far too logical for her to challenge further.

"So Gwen, how about we stop for some coffee at Hardee's or MeDonald's which ever we come across first?" I asked it while I waited for the cashier to ring my purchases.

"Sure why not, it isn't like we had real jobs to go to," she commented.

"That will be three hundred and twelve dollars and eleven cents," the middle aged casher with very bad skin declared.

"Pay the lady," I said to Gwen. She pulled out the plastic. I had no idea if it was debit or credit and I didn't really care.

I put the new coat on before we went inside the Hardee's for coffee. It smelled new and was stiff, but it was insulated and warm. I needed to be warm more than anything else. I also needed coffee.

"So how is it going with you and Lucas?" I asked over coffee.

"I miss him, and I'm afraid I will never see him again. He wants me to come home."

"You probably should," I said gently. "This is not a place for someone as gentle as you."

"I have something to prove," she said.

"Not to Lucas, and certainly not to Mike," I replied.

"How about you and Martin, do I need to prove anything to you?" she asked.

"Sweetie, if you were to leave this very minute, you would prove to me you had more sense than any of us. Is that stupid TV show really worth dying over?"

"Yes, it is to me," Gwen said.

"Then I guess you need to stay." I replied.

"Lucas said to stick close to you and Martin, if things got nasty. He said you two knew what to do for the best chance of survival." she said looking away.

"The best chance of survival is to drive out of this town right now, and never look back," I replied. "Happiness can me Haymarket Ga. in your rear view mirror." I said.

"You know I can't do that. This is my big chance to get into commercial TV. We might have stole this idea from Marty, but we pitched it and got it sold. The network is putting up real money, so they have a stake in the show. We are going on real TV. Okay, it's only cable TV but it's a start."

"Good luck, I can't imagine it will do well." I said.

"You really have no idea what a phenomena you are on the net do you?" she asked.

"I know Marty thought we did well enough to sign on again with the show. Since Swamp Thing liked it, I guess it has some appeal." I replied.

"To be honest, if we hadn't wanted to sell it so badly. we could have gotten a better deal by waiting. Mike insisted that we tie you up before someone else came in and took it away from us."

"I'm surprised that anyou thought there would be anyone else interested at all. My life is only interesting a few minutes at a time. Most of the time it isn't anything but boring." I replied.

"Your boring is better than anything in my life," Gwen admitted.

"Bullshit," I said. Of course I was secretly pleased. Everyone, even me, wants to be considered cool.

"Shit," Gwen said aloud.

"What?" I asked. 

"I was supposed to get Mike some brown paint for the cook house cam. I forgot and Mike is going to be pissed."

"We can stop at that farmer exchange in town." I suggested. 

When we parked outside, I removed the bowie knife from the box and tried to slip it into my new coat pocket. The pocket wasn't deep enough, so I slipped it into the rear game pocket instead. That pocket opened from both sides and runs all the way across the rear of the coat. I didn't think putting the very large knife in the pocket made me paranoid. Hell four men had come to kill us the night before, so caution seemed to be in order.

Gwen found a can of brown spray paint and was in the process of paying when a guy who looked a lot like every farmer around that town came in. He gave us both a hard look and that worried me a lot. I made the difficult move to put my hand on the knife inside the coat pocket. I looked very awkward and of course I was, but the farmer got the idea and turned away.

"Let's get the hell out of here, I think that guy was one of the Atwood gang," I said.

We made it home without any other incidents. I actually felt a little better, when we drove past the State police car at the end of the drive. When I made it into the house Martin was waiting.

"Did you get the paint?" he asked.

"We got it what's the big deal about the paint?" I asked.

"Mike is going to paint the box his camera is in. We are going to try to hide it. I'm afraid the Atwoods will be even more suspicious," Martin said.

"Yeah, I think you can count on that. How are you planning to get out at 3AM. It is going to look more than a little suspicious," I suggested.

"Go take a nap. You are part of the plan," he said with a smile.

Since I was way too tired to argue, I went into the bedroom and crashed. I was shocked when I woke up four hours later to find Gwen in bed with me, Since she was asleep, I slipped out of the bed. In the living room I found the guys playing poker.

Martin saw my look of surprise. "Not much we can do till dark," he suggested. I nodded. While on my return from the bathroom, I stopped by the kitchen for coffee.

"Poker with two players isn't all that much fun. Would you mind a third?" I asked.

"Make it a fourth." Gwen suggested as she walked into the room. Nobody objected so I pulled up a folding chair. Gwen sat across from me.

"We should go invite the cop," I suggested.

"No way," Martin said with a smile. "Let the watchdog stay on guard."

We played Texas Holdem' until 7PM then we piled into two cars and headed to dinner. We decided on the same restaurant as before. No sense breaking in a new group, I thought. 

While I waited for the other to get ready. I rigged a simple hide out rig for the bowie knife. I rigged it from the heavy nylon mason's chord I purchased from WalMart for that very purpose. What I made was no more than a large loop of the cord. I ran it through the belt loop on the leather sheath, which held the knife. When pulled half was through the loop and then opened it became the shape of a bow tie. One arm through each loop with the knife hanging down my back and the job was complete. Once my sweater and coat were on the rig would be invisible, more or less.

Once at the restaurant, we all went in through the front door, but Martin went directly out the rear.

The three of us ordered as if nothing was different from any other night. We ate dinner slow then paid the bill. We didn't want to call attention to ourselves. After dinner we drove to the beer joint where we had run into the Atwoods both times.

We sat there drinking beer and waiting for Martin. Mike spent a lot of time on his cell phone. My guess was that it was his hidden camera. He had rigged it somehow so that he could film while pretending to talk on it. 

We had been in the tavern for at least two hours when he pushed over the table to me. On the screen was the live feed of a shack with minimal lights burning. Even the light that were present seemed to be unsteady. "Candles?" I asked.

"Some kind of flame for sure," Mike said.

"Cool," I said and took another small sip of beer. 

Martin came in an hour later and we all left without having seen the Atwoods. Either they had business or they were laying low. I supposed that it was possible they were in jail, but I didn't want to count on that.

Even though we had the state police car outside, we stayed up a couple of hours after we got home. It was mostly to check out the cook shack, and of lesser importance to watch the drive on video. We watched Someone leave the cook shack about 1AM. He walked out of the camera frame for a few minutes, then back inside the shack.

"Does he look familiar to anyone?" I asked.

"Not one of the brothers for sure," Martin said.

"That's what I was afraid of. Cooking that shit is too dangerous for the brothers. One misstep and you got a room full of bodies. You can make crystal Meth or you can make poison gas. It all comes from the same ingredients."

"So now what?" Martin asked.

"Well, we still might get them on tape going into the place, but the odds are slim. There is no reason for them to be at the shack. They can take care of business anywhere. Pay off the cookers and take delivery of the shit."

"You mean I did that for nothing?" Martin asked.

"No worse than other things you have done for nothing," I replied.

"Yeah, there is that," Martin agreed. "So what is the next plan."

"Well they have been telling everyone we aren't really the good guys, let's let them think they are right."

"Oh, what do you have in mind?" he asked.

"A little power play gone wrong," I suggested.

"You heard that cop Maxine. We cross the line, we are going to jail. Not something I signed on for." Gwen said.

"Gwen you are allowed to leave anytime you think a plan puts you at too much risk. What you can not do is roll over on us, while we are still operational." Then I turned to Martin and Mike. "She does have a point though. If we so something illegal while filming for TV, we are screwed."

"Yeah it would be like a confession. You can't say it is fiction, if you have people bleeding on tape."

"Lets give this some more thought. Maybe we should just run with the preacher thing for a while and think. We are not on the clock or anything. We make a move today, or next week it's all the same."

"You have a point none of us have a life," Martin said.

"Speak for yourself Martin. I have a boyfriend I want to see some day." Gwen said. When she said that I thought of Cheryl. It was just a passing thought, before I forced it from my mind. I had really serious shit to think about.

"You know I'm getting really tired of your whining," Martin said. "I know we have to treat you TV people with kid gloves, but you are really getting on my nerves."

I changed the subject just to give everyone the chance to cool off. "Why don't we start a terror campaign on the bothers. Nothing serious enough for them to call the cops, just enough to be a pain in the ass. Then set up a meet and get them to incriminate themselves on tape."

"I'm telling you, we need to just kill them." Martin said.

"Hell Red, where is challenge in that?" I asked.

"Okay what is your plan?" he asked.

"First we watch the cook shack. We also gather intelligence everywhere we can, then we make a real plan. In the meantime we stay inside the cover story." I could see that Martin didn't like the inactivity. I thought that he sometimes forgot that everything we said was being recorded. I took Martin aside and whispered in his ear, "Trust me. As soon as we are alone we can talk. Right now, we have to play to the camera."

He nodded but still didn't look happy. I'm sure it was more the bullshit of the TV show, than the Atwoods. I went to the bedroom to pass out. I was that tired. I had been stumbling around for the last twenty minutes. I can watch the video the next morning, I thought.

I still wouldn't let Gwen leave the house alone, so I rode with her to get breakfast for everyone. We even took the cop's order. In order to get anything worth eating as takeout, we had to drive back to the highway interchange. Since I was the one who wanted biscuits, I should be the one to go. If I went, I had to take along a shadow. If I had to take along a shadow, I chose Gwen. I still didn't care for her, but it gave the guys a break from her. At least she was a woman. Not that I don't like men just as well, but her questions just sounded a little less abrasive, than Mike's.

After breakfast we decided that we should make noises like a group of religious zealots, since that was our cover story. Mike printed up some 'prayer of the day' fliers, so Martin, Gwen and I went into town to pass them out.

"So, are we still allowed to use your action house for our services, even after the shootout at our house?" I asked the auctioneer

"Absolutely and I'm sure it will be a full house," he admitted with a good humor smile.

"I certainly hope we have a full house, but even if only two of us are meeting in his name, God will be with us," I said. 

"Good morning," I said to everyone I met. I also passed out the prayer sheets along the streets of town. Even in flea markets and the farmers exchange we made pests of ourselves.

"So do you think the Atwoods are going to lay low?' Martin asked.

"Oh yes, just as long as the state police are around." Martin and I were in his SUV. Gwen was following us around in her econobox. I made the signal for him to do his 'black out' thing with the microphones.

"They will stay low and this is the ideal time to put some hurt on the boys. We can't kill anyone, but we can reek havoc on rolling stock and fixed assets of the business. They aren't going to put their pet cop on us with real cops around."

"That's a good plan. So what do we do first?" he asked. 

"We need to figure a way to get the cooker away from the shack, then we need to get the dogs out. We are not going to injure those dogs," I said. I added with a smile, "Then we burn the mother to the ground."

"The surveillance tapes will tell us what his routine is, then I just have to cut the lock, open the gate, get mauled by the dogs, and set the fire." Martin said with a laugh, "Piece of cake."

"Well the dogs look pretty underfed. When we know his schedule and he is gone, drop by and throw some fresh meat over the fence. Do it a couple of times, then open the gate and throw a steak in the opposite direction. When they take off after the steak throw a railroad flare in the shack and run like hell. It is going to go up with a hell of a bang."

Another good plan. That is going to bring the Atwoods out to play regardless of the state police," Martin said.

"I don't think so, but two or three attacks like it and they are going to want to talk. We get them on tape, then give it to Marshal Hall, and it's over for us."

"You hope it is over, but we might have to fight our way out of this town yet." Martin said.

"Well I figure if it come to that, I couldn't be in better company," I said.

"Nor could I," Martin said with a grin."

"Just feel the love," I said with a laugh. Now turn the microphone back on. 




Maxine's New Life Ch. 15



Martin and I studied the tapes closely everyday until Friday evening. We drove back to the highway for dinner Friday evening. Martin and I in one car the two TV producers in the another. He used his jamming device almost immediately. 

"Okay I figure he is going out most evening for about three hours. Probably a woman or a bar and a woman," he said.

"So nine till midnight is our best times, but you setup and watch for one hour after he leaves before you go in to feed the dogs. That camera doesn't cover a very wide field of view."

"I figured that out too, I can do it without being seen. This ain't my first square dance little lady." he said smiling.

"Then after dinner lets start to get it done." I said.

"Two nights of dog food, then on Sunday night it goes up." Martin said. "That means I get to hear you preach at least one time." He said it with a great belly laugh.

After dinner Martin disappeared for a couple of hours. I knew where he was, but I played dumb when asked. Saturday was a repeat of Friday only it was the start of the weekend. There were more people in town, so more hand shakes and invitations to church. 

"I know our cover isn't going to hold up forever, but I would like to keep it intact for a few more days anyway. This sermon thing has me terrified." I explained to Gwen.

"You will be fine, here I made you a cheat sheet," she said with one of those sisterly smiles taht women use now and then. What she gave me was the outline of a sermon, she had found it on the Internet.

So Sunday morning I dressed in my one nice pair of pants and top. Then I went to Church in the Cattle auction building. I had seen lots of preachers, when I was young, but not so many since I was grown. The one I liked, and remembered the most, was an air force Chaplin who visited me in Germany, while I was being put back together.

He just talked to me like any other person. He let me know always that he was a man of god, but other than that admission, he was just like anyone else you would meet. That being my best memory, I tried to mimic him as much as possible.

The sermon was about doing the right thing, even when it hurt. "If it doesn't hurt, it's hard to know what the right thing is. The right thing to do often is the most painful of the options you have. Whether you make the right decision, or not is something the world may never know, but God will always know. 

Most of us when we are dealing with a hard decision will often ask, not what Jesus would do,. but what would my dad or mom have done. That usually is the right thing to do, because we tend to forget all the wrong things people we love have done. The ability to forget is also a gift from our loving God."

"We will not be taking an offering today. I know times are hard and brother Willis has donated the use of his building, so buy your children a hamburger and tell them it is a gift from their loving god."

"God bless you all and drive carefully."

I stood and shook hands with everyone who came forward. I wasn't interested in saving souls only in do a creditable job as a preacher. I must have done alright judging from the remarks made to me.

"Holy shit Maxine, I can't believe how inspiring that was. It was just like listening to my mom talk." Gwen said. "I just loved it."

"She is right, it is going to make great TV," Martin said sarcastically.

"Don't laugh Martin, she may have found her calling." Mike said with a laugh.

"What I have done, is work up a great apatite," I said

"Then let's all go to lunch, on the TV network," Mike said.

"Okay, but I want pizza and salad, not much of a bill for your network to absorb." I said.

"Even better," he replied.

We found something called the house of Pizza. We had already seated ourselves, when agent Hall came into the dining room.

"It's hard to believe you aren't really a preacher," he said. "Which one of you has the pistol pointed at me under the table?" He asked.

"No need for that, you are a friend," I suggested. "So what can I do for you?" 

"Wanted to let you know the Atwood's slipped out of the shooting at your place. We never found the forth man to make him talk." he said.

"My guess is a bullet in the brain and a shallow grave somewhere," I said.

"Yeah, just wanted to warn you to watch yourself. I have to take the babysitter away." Then we better get home," I suggested. I saw Mike lay his fancy telephone on the table and knew that he would be watching the place till we got back."

125 The beginning of the end.

I was on pins and needles while I waited for Martin. The other two had no idea why I walked through the room a dozen times. Each time I glanced at the monitors. The one covering the cook shack was my only interest at the moment. Any minute it should go out. Mike would think the Atwoods had found it. But Martin would disable it, while he blew the cook shack. 

I knew that when the camera went out, the cook shack would be gone within minutes. It was at that time, when the shit would really start to fly. I didn't want Mike or Gwen to know what was happening. If they didn't know, they couldn't roll over on us. It was a need to know situation, and they definitely didn't need to know.

At ten minutes after ten Mike said, "Shit they found our camera."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"See for yourself," he said as he backed up the player. When he clicked on the play, the image of the cook shack came on the screen. A few seconds later the camera shook as if someone had picked it up, the the image went to static. "Can't you get it back?" I asked.

"Not unless Martin is willing to go back and plant a new one. They will be expecting him, so I doubt that he will do that." Mike said.

"He would be an idiot to do it," I suggested to keep the conversation on the dead camera, not the exploding building.

"Where is Martin anyway?" he asked.

"I sent him to Walmart for some of those OTC painkillers I am taking. I'm about out." I said. "Well keep an eye on the driveway. Since we don't have the cop outside, I'm more than a little paranoid. The Atwoods are going to know we are onto them." 

Before Martin left, he had retrieved my weapons stash. It looked as though I wouldn't be needing the bowie knife after all. I was just as glad. Knives are really messy. You have to be close enough to smell the blood and crap when you gut someone. I just never felt that it was something I would enjoy.

I was carrying the 10mm Glock semi automatic pistol in and upside down under arm holster. It was really too big for me, but compromise was the name of the game when safety was at stake. The glock was big and clumsy compared to my concealed hammer .38, but it was nothing compared to the Colt .45 M1911. Hell every gun collector, of any statue at all, had to have at least one model 1911 in his inventory. It was the last handgun I had brought. My two Glocks were in use at that time. If I lost another pistol it would be the 1911 for me next. I didn't look forward to that.

I had my .22 mag sniper rifle with the 20x scope and the .30 caliber Koren war carbine. My .30 caliber carbine was supposed to have been used by an officer at the Inchon landing. I could never prove it, but it made for a good story.

I paced the floor and eyed the new Mossberg 12 gauge pump gun. If Martin didn't come back soon, I would take it and go looking for him. That should be interesting moving through the woods in the dark with a loaded shotgun. I hoped it wouldn't come to that. We were just as likely to shoot each other as anything else.

I was sitting on one of the folding chairs glancing at the computer screen, when I saw his car pull into the drive. I was extremely relieved. The angle of the camera made impossible to see, if he got out unharmed. The important thing was that he was back. Even if he was injured, we could take care of him. Mike was in the kitchen fixing himself a coke, when Martin left the car. I saw the two dogs bounce out of the car with Martin following behind them. Damn they switched masters quickly, I thought.

I went onto the porch to greet him. He showed me the cloaking device so I knew the mics were off. "What happened?"

"Well the plan didn't work exactly as you laid it out, but the cook shack is a pile of ashes. No human or dog was hurt, but I seem to have adopted two guard dogs."

"They must be male, no loyalty," I commented with a smile.

"They have good appetites for sure," he replied.

"Well, tomorrow we can buy them a dog house and some food. We can take care of them until we leave, then I don't know but hell we might all be dead before that happens," I suggested.

"My thinking exactly, besides we can use them as first alert."

"Better than trying to watch those monitor 24/7." I said in agreement. "Mutt and Jeff," I suggested after studying them a few seconds..

"Works for me," he replied.

They probably aren't house broke, so let's leave them outdoors. If they take off, then let them go. We will take care of them as long as we are here." I suggested.

"We fired the first salvo of our little war tonight. I guess tomorrow we will see how it works out." Martin said.

"Yes for now don't leave the TV kids alone, there may be hard times coming," I paused a second then asked, "By the way, was there a cool explosion?"

"And a cute little fireball as well," Martin said. "I set it by throwing the flare on top of a five gallon plastic bucket of acetone and running like hell. The dogs wanted to chase me, but when the explosion went off, then jumped in the SUV and wouldn't leave."

"I guess we need to look for a new target." I suggested.

"How about his pretty little Italian sports car. I can get a Barret M107. Do you have any idea what that would do to Blain's lil bitty sports car?" Martin asked.

"Actually I do. I saw that weapon demonstrated. I never fired it, but it looks awesome." I said. "I like the car idea, but the rifle would be like a finger print. Keep thinking," I demanded. 

"How about a can of hairspray on the muffler?" I suggested. Then added, "We can't do that someone would have to be driving the car. We could easily kill them."

"And the problem is?" Martin asked.

"You know damn well what the problem is. That is pure murder and they can prove it."

"So you want to hurt them, but not kill them?" Martin asked.

"Exactly," I replied.

"So exactly what is the point?" he asked.

"We want them to ask for the sit down." I said. "It's a subtle thing but it puts us in charge if they call for the truce." I said.

"Truce means we are at war. In a war people die," he suggested. "When people don't die it's called peace."

"Not in this kind of war." I said. "We are going to out think them."

"Trust me, it's easier to out gun them," he replied.

"Well let's work out a plan for tomorrow before we do anything else. Now the shack is not in the local cops jurisdiction, If he tries to arrest or question us, we do not cooperate and we do not leave this house without a fight. That is unless he brings a state police officer along. We can't call Marshal until the cop tries something If he does, we are going to have to hold him off without killing him." I said.

"If he comes here and tries to take us away, I'm going to knock him on his ass," Martin said.

"You can defend yourself, if he tries to manhandle you. We are not in his jurisdiction and neither was the shack. So anything you do with an appropriate amount of force is fine."

"Good, are you expecting that?" he asked.

"I am expecting anything, up to and including grabbing one of us to drag the others out of the house. So keep an eye on the TV kids," I demanded.

"Fair enough, if they try that, they are paid for. I don't care what you say Max." Martin said.

"I didn't stop you last time that people needed to be fought off, and I won't next time either. Just make sure it's what we really need to do." I suggested. "We don't overtly instigate anything, so swallow your macho instincts and lets get this thing done."

"Alright, but I still say it would be easier to just off the sons of a bitches," he suggested yet again.

"You are tired of Gwen whining and I'm getting tired of your psycho killer bullshit," I said without any humor. "We are going to do this my way, or you are going to leave. It's that simple. It might shock you to know that there is nothing you have done, that I couldn't have done myself." I finally had enough of Martin's Macho bullshit.

"Is that anyway for a slut to talk to her man?" he asked with a smile.

"Just for your further edification, I'm not anybody's slut. I might be a generic slut, but I don't belong to any of you. So you just ended any chance you had of getting me to screw you again." I said it, then I smiled sweetly at him.

"You weren't all that good anyway," he said.

"There you go proving you are just a typical man after all. You don't get things your way, so you lash out. Well Martin, I don't give a shit what you think of my sexual abilities. So just keep digging your grave deeper with that mouth of yours."

"I'm not even going to tell yo what you can do with that mouth of yours," he said.

"Maybe you are learning something after all," I said sarcastically. "Now if you can be a good little soldier we are cool. If not, you need to head on back to Swamp Thing. I'm sure they will be glad to see you."

"Believe it or not, my job here is to keep you alive. That is my job period. I will help out, if I can, but my real job is to keep you alive."

"That's real thoughtful of your boss, but I don't want or need a babysitter. So you probably should head on back to HQ." I said angrily.

"That's not what it is and you know it. I'm just here so that someone has your back. These are bad people and those two are useless in a firefight." he said.

"Bullshit, you just think that because we weren't Seals or wore Green Beanies, we are helpless. Get over yourself." I said it because I had finally had enough of his condescending attitude. He seemed to finally get the message. He walked away and didn't look back. 

I will not be surprised to find him gone in the morning, I thought.

It was Gwen who came out to talk to me. I was cold but not ready to go back into the house. "He did something to that cook shack didn't he?" she asked.

"I honestly don't know. You would have to ask him. In the meantime try to round up some food for these two dogs. Anything we have laying around should do. Also get one of those big plastic storage boxes to give them water. We can get whatever else they need tomorrow.

"We heard your shouts. Not the words, but I know you were fighting. Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

"No, it will work itself out," I suggested.

"Okay," she said that as she went inside to take care of the dog's needs. I sat on the edge of the wooden porch and waited to see if the two mutts would come to me.

"You guys are kind of like me. Nowhere to really call home. Well we can make sure you eat and have a warm dry place to sleep, but we won't be staying. You find a place for tonight and tomorrow we will get you a dog house." I knew that it was a waste of money to buy them a dog house for only a few days. But damn it I was not going to see them out in the cold, when there was something I could do to help.

126 chief with no indians

The TV kids were surprised when Haymarket's chief of police pulled into the drive. Neither Martin nor I were, but we tried to pretend,

"Record every word and video every move that son of a bitch makes," I demanded.

"You two stay inside, we will take care of this," Martin said in agreement.

"So you staying or leaving?" I asked, when we were on the porch.

"I'm going to be here, till I'm gone," he replied. It was vague but I knew what he meant. He was in the shit as long as he was with us. No matter how he felt about it.

"So Officer, what brings you here?" I asked. 

"Just wanted to ask a few questions," he suggested.

"Sure you can stand right there and ask." I said.

"What about those dogs over there?" he asked.

"What about them?" I answered his question with my own.

"You didn't have them the last time I visited. Do they bite."

"No idea, they wandered in this morning all hungry and shivering. We fed them and they found a place to curl up and get warm. I expect they will stay around until they get a better offer."

"So they don't belong to you?" he asked

"No and we don't belong to them. They seem to have just chosen to hang around a while. So if that's all you wanted to ask," I said.

"The dogs are not why I came. I want to know where you were at ten last night?" he asked.

"I was here at ten. Where were you Martin?' I asked.

"I was here as well. The other two were here I know." Martin said.

"Well Chief, it looks like we were all here," I said.

"So you don't know anything about a fire at the Atwood farm?" He asked. Before I could answer he added. "Can you shut those dogs up?" The dogs were making a hell of a racket but they were keeping their distance, so seemed pretty harmless.

"I don't think they will listen to me, since I just met them this morning but I will try." I turned to the Mutt and Jeff and said, "Hush up." They fell silent for some reason. I turned back to the cop. "I don't know a thing about any fire and neither does anyone else on this property. So is that all?" I asked.

"Maybe we should go downtown and talk about this in my office?" he suggested.

"We won't be doing that. See Chief you have no jurisdiction here, and you have none at the Atwood farm, so we won't be going anywhere with you. Now if you want to bring one of those nice GBI cops back, we can talk. I think they do have jurisdiction. If you have some other trumped up charge, you are going to need swat to arrest us, and then it's going to get sticky for you." I suggested.

"You aren't being very friendly," he said.

"We can bring you a cup of coffee, if you like, otherwise we are through here." I said.

"Well I guess you don't want to end this before it becomes a war?" he asked.

"End what?" I asked.

"That's what Blain Atwood wants to know. Exactly what is it you want?" he asked.

"You are one sad little man," Martin said. "A cop running errands for a coward and a bully." Martin said.

"This ain't about me," the Chief said. "It's about preventing more killings."

"So far the killings have been the other guys. I'm not sure there is anything we need to talk about," I admitted.

"Then I will tell Blain that," the Chief said.

"Yeah do that," Martin agreed.

After the chief left Martin turned to me and said, "I thought you wanted a sitdown with those guys."

"That struck me as hinky. I don't want to walk into a trap." I said.

"So next time they ask for a meet, we set the conditions?" Martin suggested.

"Exactly, if we are going to put our lives on the line, we are going to choose the place," I demanded. "And that's what I will say to Atwood or his lap dog."

"So any idea where?" Martin asked.

"That depends on you. Can you hit anything with a sniper rifle?" I asked.

"I do okay, What do you have in mind?"

"A meeting outdoors somewhere with you and my .22 magnum sniper rifle." It was the only plan I could come up with.

"I like it, but I have an M40A1 in the SUV. It might do a little better job." Martin suggested.

"Well, you are the expert," I said knowing his weapon was superior to mine in range and hitting power. Mine would do fine up to 300 yards, and would kill a man easily with a well placed round, but it had to be a well placed round.

"In that case let's go find a place. Every town has a park of some kind." Martin suggested. "The problem for us is that we have made such a big deal out of audio and video taping they will expect you to be wired."

"They are going to insist on searching me. I get that okay. I don't even mind. Mike has a Mic which I can shove up my ass. He swears it will work fine." I said it smiling.




Maxine's New Life Ch. 16



151

The flight from Germany passed in a drug haze. I am one of those people who can deal with pain, as long as my mind is on other things. When it is just me and the pain, then I feel it much more intensely. So I was popping the Vicodin like M&M candies. But once I got to New York. there were enough going on to take my mind off the pain. At least enough so that it was manageable.

Gwen and I got a cab to a pizza parlor in the Village area. It was fun to watch the kids walking the streets. After some really good pizza, we went back to the airport to wait for time to pass. Just as soon as I got on the plane for the two plus hour flight home, I popped another pill and went to sleep.

"I had no idea why I needed an ambulance from the airport to the hospital, since I had taken a cab to the pizza restaurant, but I got on the gurney and let them take me to the hospital. I didn't really mind. I was pretty out of it. I checked in through the emergency room, but I didn't see a doctor there. I was sent straight to a room. 

After getting me into one of their half assed gowns, and I mean that literally. I was taken to the MRI machine for more images of my calf. Someone wanted to know exactly how much muscle tissue was damaged. I wanted to know how much of a limp I would have. I knew from the crutches that adjusting to less mobility was going to be a pain. I wanted to know exactly how much of a pain in the ass it was going to be.

"Hello Maxine, you do remember me don't you?" the man in the lab coat asked.

"Of course I do Jeff, how is your dad?" I hadn't seen Ed, my former office landlord, and friend, in a couple of months. At Ed's advanced age a lot could happen in that time.

"Dad is still as cranky as ever. He and Lucas are big buddies now. I think they are drinking partners. He needed that. I'm always on his ass to be healthy, and Lucas doesn't care."

"Yeah, that would make a good balance." I paused a moment then asked. "So have you seen the damage?"

"Maxine, I'm no expert, but I would say you are going to have a weak spot, but no real movement changes to speak off. Now pain yeah. you are going to have some of that. I remember your pain profile, so the drugs you are on ends now. What I will have you on for a while is Tylenol with Codeine. But only for a while, then it goes to the over the country stuff. You can handle this." 

"What about all that physical therapy that they kept pushing?" I asked.

"Max, push yourself like you always do. Walk at the mall, ride your stupid bike in the middle of rush hour traffic, you will be fine. Do just as much as you can everyday that you can. Rest when you are worn out. In other words, live your life as much like you always have as possible."

"You know Jeff, you are my favorite sawbones," I said with a smile.

"Sweetie, I would never tell any of my other patients that. I would send them to rehab, but you will work harder on your own, than than any of them would in a complete rehab facility."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I said and I meant it.

"Spend the night here to be sure you are clean of the Vicodin, then go home and start living again," he demanded.

"You got it doc. Jeff, thanks for everything, I mean that."

"The same back at you," he said with a grin. "Wait till you get my bill."

"Your bill is why I buy insurance," I said smiling.

"In that case let's do that MRI over again," he suggested.

"Not if it means I have to spend one extra minute in this place. I hate sick people." I replied.

"Far as I am concerned you can check out now. But since it is late, why don't you stay the night and leave in the morning. No sense trying to get settled in with that leg the way it is. Give it till tomorrow, then go home and start working on a rehab schedule. Stop by my office next week about this time, and I'll check the incision to be sure it is doing okay. You can change the dressing everyday. Use antibiotic cream on it and don't get it wet till you see me."

"Okay, I can handle all that. So I don't have to use the crutches?" I said.

"Not if you can get by without them, but keep them around you might just need them." Jeff suggested.

Then as quickly as he arrived, he was gone. I was surprised to find Cheryl walking through my door only seconds after Jeff left. 

"What were you doing? Hanging out in the hall waiting for the doctor to leave?" I asked her.

First she kissed me then she answered, "Yes I didn't want to interrupt him. So how is the leg?" she asked.

"The leg hurts a little bu I'm fine. How are things with you and Helen?" I asked.

"Things are great. I am running the sit down spot now. Not any more money, but it is a lot of fun. It will be more fun, now that you can come visit again."

"So, do you still have the place full of cops and medics?" I asked.

"Yeah and lawyers, school teachers, stay at home moms and their children as well. Everybody likes to sit down to eat, but they love Helen's food most of all."

"Yeah, I'm not surprised." I smiled at her just as Jen walked through the door.

"Jen," I said as a greeting.

"Maxine, how the hell are you hon? I want you to know I'm going to sue Somalia." she said laughing.

"Good for you,"Cheryl said.

"Well good luck with that. I'm not bad, but I will probably miss the Boston Marathon this year," I said.

"Oh you were in the marathon last year?' Cheryl asked.

"Hell no, but I'm still going to miss it." I said smiling at her.

"I know you two have business, so I will see you at home. Do you know when." Cheryl asked.

"Tomorrow," I said.

Cheryl nodded, came over and kissed me goodbye, then turned to the door. "Tomorrow then," she said as she left. 

"That girl is staking a claim on you," Jen said smiling.

"I doubt that, so how did things go with Hills?' I asked.

"They were thrilled that you had video of the raid. There can be no mistake about who did what. It's proof positive that it was self defense. It's a good fucking thing Alex came to us, even if it was through the back door. If you hadn't gotten him to pick up that load of relief supplies, he would have had no cover. Without that they would have determined his whole purpose was to kill pirates. Then they sure as hell would have been poor fishermen, when some of those new media type militants got through spinning it."

"Well it all worked out. At least our government knows, and will hopefully keep all the other governments from getting too interested." I said.

"Like it or not they are going to have to go to bat for you. I have a bunch of documents signed by our state department guaranteeing that you will not be prosecuted in any court. They can bring a lot of pressure to bear. Even better they will be using it as a big publicity punch. You know it is an election year. They need some good news for a change."

"So we are going to get away clean?' I asked.

"And you are going to be major heros. The TV guys love you. Fox and CNN finally agree on something. That, in and of itself, might have been worth all the effort."

"Not worth the Teacher's life. I hate when that happens," I said.

"You do know that wasn't your fault. They all knew there was that possibility, when they signed on." Jen said trying to make me feel better.

"Yeah, but I sent him to the spot where he died." I felt bad and I'm sure it showed.

"Well you are due for some downtime, how about we go on a cruise?" Jen asked breaking into laughter.

"If I never set foot on a boat again, it will be quite alright with me," I answered.

"Your big admirer Alex sent me an Email. He would like to discuss a partnership arrangement with you." Jen smiled.

"Sweetie I have been married more times than I care to remember and none of them worked out. Then there was Lucas, I don't do well with partners." I said.

"Yeah I know. The only reason Bob and I have made it this long is, he likes to watch," she said grinning again." She paused then changed the subject. "So does that mean no domestic partnership with Cheryl."

"Absolutely not, Cheryl might end that kind of thing with shank to my belly." I said smiling.

Gwen walked through the door. "Would you like for me to model this beautiful backless gown for you?" I asked with a smile. I said it since she had a small camera with her.

"No thanks, we are still trying to hide all your parts from the bedroom camera images." she seemed to be in a good mood.

"Mary Ellen said to give you a kiss for her, but I think I will just tell you about it instead." Gwen said.

"Good, we might have learned to get along, but kissing is definitely not part of it." I said in agreement. "You staying with Lucas or have you been to the apartment?"

"I am going over to the apartment tonight. Lucas and I really haven't been getting along so well. Mike is in New York working on the editing of your Georgia adventure."

"So are you in the TV apartment or with Cheryl?"

"Cheryl has a new friend, since we were gone so long," The sarcasm dripped from her voice.

I debated telling her my dad's old statement about people who cheat, but I decided not to waste it on her. I could have asked her who, but I would find out soon enough.

"So are you coming home soon," Gwen asked.

"It looks like tomorrow is the day," I informed her.

"Cool, I can start filming you again." Gwen suggested.

"Well this is fun ladies but I have to be heading home. Bob and I are going to a Motel lounge so I can flirt with strangers." Jen said.

"Maybe they should assign a camera person to you. I am sure your life is more interesting than mine." I admitted.

"Probably, but then I don't kill people," she said.

"I don't know about that. I am sure you have screwed some to death," I broke into laughter.

"This from the blow job queen of the county," Jen said.

"How would you know that?" I asked smiling.

"Hey, I hear things too," Jen said. 

Gwen sat listening to it all. She had a small camera out recording it. Neither Jen nor I cared. You can't blackmail someone who has no dirty little secrets.

"You know, speaking of things that suck. I'm real disappointed that Cheryl didn't bring me one of Helen's Brown bags." I said. "Hospital food sucks and not in a good way.

"Well," I do have to run for real. Call me when you are ready to go out and we will buy you some new clothes."

"I don't need clothes, I said but I will call." I informed her.

"So how about an on camera interview?" Gwen asked.

"Sure after I go pee," I said.

This has become tedious.. there are well over a hundred more episodes of this story on my blog for the address send me a feedback and ask for the address. thanks and sorry if I have bored you.

cindy aka carniegirl