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Ghosts of the Past Ch. 01

By: surober1



 Author's Note: I begin this new series with much thanks to my new editor, Moralez18pt...you're a Godsend to me, my friend...thank you for...everything...

Prologue

Betsy Hightower returned to her home in Oregon at the end of November 1956. She'd made the trip to Los Angeles to pick up her car and make funeral arrangements for her nephew. Her sister, Eddie's mother, had been too overwrought to make the trip. She frowned. Oh, God...how do I tell Mary how sick and evil her son was? I can't believe what the police told me...

A few hours later, Betsy sat staring at the blank expression on her younger sister's face after she'd told her the whole story about what Eddie had done and how he was killed. "I'm so sorry, Mary."

Mary just shook her head and continued to stare blankly. But her mind was whirling. My boy...my baby... my darling son... Why did you leave me? Don't you know how much I love you and need you? It had to have been HER...that little bitch must have seduced you somehow... She lured you away from me and now you're dead...because of HER!

Don't worry, my darling Eddie...someday, I'll make her pay...

Chapter 1

Why does that man look familiar to me? FBI Agent Thomas Seldon lowered the binoculars from his eyes and frowned. One of the three men standing outside the Green Worldwide Enterprises warehouse in Los Angeles reminded him of someone...

I could swear I've seen him before... "Hey partner, hand me those last photos headquarters sent us." 

Special Agent Charles Richards brought him the group of suspects' photos. He'd been studying them...but the man they saw a few weeks ago was the only one he'd recognized from any of the pictures. And headquarters had already confirmed that he was Robert Warren, a man suspected of working with Central and South American gunrunners for the last few years.

Tom muttered, "This man who showed up last night...I feel like I've seen him before and it's driving me crazy that I can't figure out why! You've taken a picture of him, right? As well as the other two men with him?" Charles nodded. "Good."

They would get the film back to the office so it could be developed and send the photos to headquarters and see if they could I.D. the men.

Tom raised the binoculars to his eyes again. "It looks like they're leaving. I wish we could put a tail on them now...find out where they're going." But Washington still wanted more proof before they'd authorize them to go any further. "Damn it...I just know there's something going on here and our hands are tied until we can prove that Warren is actually dealing with this company!" 

"Well, maybe once these other men are identified and the fact that they showed up late at night, it will give us the proof we need," Charles said hopefully. "Come on, partner. Let's pack up our gear and head out. We've been here all night and I'm beat. And Diana's getting upset that I've been spending so many nights away from her recently."

"Yeah...Lynda hasn't been real happy with me lately, either. But I know how to make it up to her. She's a very understanding woman...once she gets her fill of my cock!" Tom chuckled.

Yeah, I wish she'd gotten her fill of mine, too... Aw hell...stop that... Charles exclaimed, "Damn it, Tom! Don't say things like that! I don't want to hear about your sex life!" 

"Hey...you weren't fantasizing about my wife again, were you?" Tom asked jokingly.

Charles replied sarcastically, "Yeah. Ha, ha, ha...fuck you, Seldon! It's your own fault! You shouldn't have told us guys how good Lynda is at... aw, forget it!"

Tom chuckled again. "Boy...twelve hours away from your own wife and you act like you're about to climb the walls! What's the matter, partner? Not getting enough of your wife's sexy body lately?"

"No, it's not that at all. It's just the opposite. Ever since Thanksgiving, she's been on me every time we're alone together. She seems desperate to get pregnant and she's taken almost all the intimacy out of our lovemaking. And I don't know why she's so desperate... she won't talk to me about it." Charles anxiously stuffed files and photos into a briefcase.

Tom picked up a bag and packed it with the items they'd brought for surveillance. He glanced at Charles. "I think I might know what's behind Diana's desperation."

Charles stared at him.

"Lynda told me the only thing that keeps her from getting hysterical every time I walk out the door to go to work is the fact that she's pregnant. Knowing she's carrying my baby helps her to stay calm and not worry so much about me."

Charles closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "Yeah...that would explain it."

She's scared for me... That's why she'd been even more nervous than when that bastard Ed Hood had come after her again. He'd have to talk to her when he got home. Her nerves were probably frazzled after what she'd been through the last three weeks. Not to mention the last five months...

**********

Saturday morning, December 8, 1956 at about eight o'clock, Charles undressed and snuck into bed to snuggle up behind his beautiful wife. He kissed her soft, shining, golden hair, put his hand up under the pajama top she was wearing and fondled her generous breasts. His hard shaft was pressed against her shapely ass in her silky panties.

"Mmm...you shouldn't be doing that! My husband will be home soon. I told you to get out of here, big man! Oooh... OW!!!" Her nipple was pinched painfully. Diana's eyes popped open. 

"Not funny, pretty lady! You know better than to make jokes like that about HIM!" he growled.

Diana snorted. "Then don't come crawling into bed at eight o'clock in the morning expecting to get fucked immediately!"

Charles forced her onto her back and pinned her shoulders to the mattress. "What the hell is wrong with you now? Lately, I haven't been able to keep you off me because you want a baby and now you're deliberately pissing me off! What is going on with you, Diana?"

Her face contorted as she began to cry. "I started last night... I'm not pregnant!"

"Oh, pretty lady..." Charles sighed. He leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm so sorry. I know how much this would mean to you, but we just started trying! Sometimes it can take a little longer. Especially after everything your poor body has been through the last several months! When the time is right, it will happen for us."

Diana sniffled and squeaked, "But what if something happens to you... or me... before we have a child? There won't be anything left of us... of our love... to show what we mean to each other!"

Charles stared directly into her teary gray blue eyes—eyes exactly the same color as his.

How many people have witnessed what we mean to each other, pretty lady? How many people do you think are as connected as you and me?

Diana's eyes flinched when she heard his voice inside her head. "How do you...?" She was cut off when he put his hand over her mouth.

Don't say it...think it. I'll hear you. She stared at him. Come on, pretty lady... try. 

She frowned at him and mumbled behind his hand, "I am."

Well...try harder! If you can hear me, I should be able to hear you! You called to me first... remember?

Diana growled in frustration and closed her eyes. Damn it... why are you pushing this? What the hell good will it do us anyway?

It may not do us any good...but it could sure come in handy playing cards with our friends. Don't you think?!!!

Diana's eyes popped open again. They laughed. He moved his hand away from her mouth.

"I guess the trick for me is that I have to close my eyes and have some kind of emotional outburst. When you heard me before it was because I was scared to death. Just now, I was getting pissed! I can receive you easily, but it's harder for me to send. Maybe it'll get easier with time... and practice." She closed her eyes again. I love you, sexy man. What can I do for you?

Just lay here and hold me until I fall asleep... I love you, too, pretty lady, but it's a good thing your period came because I'm exhausted...

Charles chuckled with her as she wrapped her arms around him. He groaned contentedly as she scratched his back. He drifted off to sleep...

**********

That Saturday evening, Charles and Diana had dinner at Tom and Lynda's house in Brentwood, just a mile from their home. The women were cleaning up after dinner while the men sat at the dining room table with photos of the suspects from their arms smuggling investigation. 

Their boss, Assistant Director Peter Woods, had stopped by a little while earlier with photos of the three men they had taken that morning.

"Pete said they already forwarded copies of these photos to Washington for identification. Hopefully we'll hear back from them within the week. I just wish I could figure out why I feel like I've seen this man before!" Tom muttered as he stared at the photo of a man who appeared to be fiftyish.

Lynda walked up beside her husband. "Would you like some more coffee, my love?"

Tom absently shook his head. "No, thank you, sweetheart."

Lynda started to turn away, but one of the photos on the table caught her eye. She gasped. "Oh, my God! That's Donald!"

Tom frowned. "What? Donald who? Which photo are you looking at, Lynda?"

She pointed to the photo of the bastard she had hoped to never see again. "That man. That's Donald Price...my ex-husband."

Diana came out of the kitchen when she heard that. "Oh, my God... What are you guys doing with a photo of him?"

Charles looked up at the two women. "He showed up at the warehouse we were watching last night along with these two men. Do either of them look familiar to you?"

Lynda and Diana shook their heads.

Tom said worriedly, "Lynda, sweetheart...now would be a good time for you to tell me everything you know about your ex-husband."

She frowned. "There's not much I can tell. I lived with the man for seven years, but I hardly knew him. I mean, I thought I knew him...up until the day he walked out on me!" She closed her eyes and frowned harder. "He's an accountant. He was obsessed with making a lot of money and he was never happy with me because we didn't have enough of it!" she stated forcefully as she opened her eyes again. She started again, quietly, "That's why he left me... He said he'd found himself a stupid little girlfriend who's daddy was rich and that he was going to help her daddy make a lot more money!" she gritted through her teeth.

Lynda paused. She tried to quell the pain and anger that were surfacing from those memories. It didn't work. 

She gritted angrily, "I never bothered to ask him or to find out who his new girlfriend was...I didn't care. The only consolation I got out of that whole situation was the knowledge that she wouldn't suck his dick!" She stormed away from the table into the kitchen.

Tom immediately got up and followed her. "Whoa...sweetheart. This was obviously a lot more painful for you than you've admitted."

"Well...how would you feel if you'd been married to someone you loved for nearly seven years thinking you had a pretty solid relationship because the sex was fantastic...only to find out that's all the relationship was based on for them?!!

"Why do you think I was so scared when you and I attacked each other the moment we met?!! I suddenly saw our life together starting out with even less than I had started out with Donald! At least I made HIM wait until he had married me before I let him fuck me!!!" Lynda exclaimed with tears in her eyes.

Tom spoke gently as he enfolded his wife in his arms. "I didn't fuck you, Lynda. I made love to you. Remember?"

She clung to him and cried softly, her tears dampening his shoulder.

"I'm not your ex-husband. Our marriage is not based just on fantastic sex. I love you, Lynda... I'll always love you."

Tom kissed his wife passionately until her tears ceased.

Charles and Diana stood at their kitchen doorway for a moment, then Charles cleared his throat. "Uh, I hate to break this up...but this is a piece of information that we ought to get to Washington. It might help them figure out who the other two men are." 

**********

Later that night, Tom chuckled in realization as they were getting into bed. "Lynda... I'm just a little curious. What was with that comment you made earlier about how your ex-husband's girlfriend wouldn't suck his dick?!"

"Oh, God! I can't believe I even said that!" Lynda exclaimed, embarrassed. "Donald told me. I'd gotten him hooked on it and he was going crazy because she wouldn't. He begged me in his lawyer's office the day our divorce was final to do it for him one last time... for old times' sake, he said! I told him and his lawyer off and walked out! That's also why I reverted to my maiden name when we divorced... I couldn't stand the thought of even being associated with him any more! That was over two and a half years ago; it was the last time I saw him."

Tom was curious. "How did you tell them off?"

Lynda closed her eyes as she blushed. "I grabbed the crotch of his lawyer's pants and told Donald that I'd sooner suck his lawyer's dick than his. His lawyer had a tiny cock, so I said he hardly had enough for a mouthful and that I felt sorry for his wife! Then I walked out and slammed the door behind me!"

She opened her eyes when Tom burst out laughing. I love to watch your face when you laugh... His dark brown, bushy mustache curved with his upper lip and the deep, dimpled lines in his cheeks made him look so sexy when he smiled or laughed. His hazel eyes twinkled at her in amusement. Oh, Tom...you are so handsome...you take my breath away... 

"Oh, God, Lynda! You ladies sure come up with some snappy comebacks when you need them! Oh, sweetheart...I would love to have seen the looks on their faces!" Tom said through his laughter. She laughed with him.

He pulled her to his side and kissed her. Their laughter faded. He took her hand and moved it down his body to his semi-hard cock. "You know...I really can't blame your bastard ex-husband for trying. You've got me addicted to it, too. You're so good at it," he moaned.

Lynda smirked. "Ohhh...very subtle, Agent Seldon! I guess this is your way of telling me that you need another fix? Once a day isn't enough for you any more? Tsk, tsk, tsk...you're becoming as much of an addict as I am!"

She moved down and stroked and swallowed her husband's handsome dick until it was rigid. She moaned deeply at his potent taste and scent as his curly hair tickled her nose.

Then she climbed on top of him and impaled herself slowly. She stared at him as she slid down onto his long cock... "In case I forgot to say it this morning...welcome home, Agent Seldon!"

Tom pulled Lynda down to him and kissed her desperately. He rolled her over onto her back and drove into her as deeply as he could with long, slow strokes. Raising his head, he gazed into her beautiful silver gray eyes.

"Yes, sweetheart...I am home. Wherever your arms and your long, shapely legs are is home. My body is home inside yours. Your heart and soul are my refuge... Don't ever stop loving me, Lynda...ever!"

"Never..." she whispered back.

Lynda clung to Tom as he lovingly stroked her to her first of several climaxes. She ended up back on top of him, straddling his lean hips, rocking herself on his long, hard shaft as she throbbed through her last orgasm.

Her back arched as he caressed her beautiful, large breasts, her head flopping backward as she moaned loudly sending her dark brown hair cascading down her back. Then she pounded herself on his dick furiously until he came.

She lay down on his firmly muscled torso, reveling in the sensation of her breasts flattened against the thick mat of hair covering his chest. Her head was next to his as their breathing slowed. 

Tom stroked her soft hair gently. "Lynda...do you think your ex-husband would be mixed up with arms smugglers?"

She took a deep breath. "I don't know, Tom. I know he was obsessed with making money and if he thought he could get rich at it, I wouldn't put it past him. But I never suspected that he was involved in anything illegal while we were married. Of course, as I said, I realized I never really knew him at all. I wish I could tell you more...but I just don't know."

He kissed her softly. "That's OK, sweetheart. Just your identifying him for us was a big help. I'll try to keep you posted on what we find out. But I won't be able to give you many details. I can't compromise the investigation, and it's also for your own safety, you know."

"I know," she sighed. Oh, Tom...what about your safety? I worry more about that...

She slid off his body to lie beside him, her head cradled on his right shoulder. She listened as his breathing deepened and became even. Sleep peacefully, my love...I'll keep you safe...

Just as she was about to drift off, the phone rang.

Tom jerked awake. He reached over with his left hand and picked up the receiver. "Whoever this is, it had better be good!"

"Tom, it's Charles. Diana knows Robert Warren...well she knew him as Robert Clark!"

"Robert Clark? Who is Robert Clark?"

Lynda sat up quickly. "Robert Clark! That was the bastard who tricked Diana years ago by acting like John Wayne. Then he stole her virginity and dumped her!"

Charles heard her through the phone. "Yeah, that was him! I was looking through the photos of all the suspects again before going to bed. Diana saw the photo of Warren and she nearly went ballistic! His use of an alias might help us dig up more information on him and his contacts. I'll get this info to Washington tomorrow, but I thought I'd let you know. Sorry if I woke you up."

"That's OK, partner. I wasn't fully asleep yet. Boy, this case is getting more and more interesting by the minute! Maybe we ought to bring the girls in on the investigation. They've given us more leads than we've been able to find out ourselves so far."

Charles snorted a laugh. "No kidding. But I don't think 'Uncle Pete' would be too thrilled with that idea! Good night, Tom. I'll see you first thing Monday!" He hung up the phone.

Diana had been pacing back and forth beside their bed. "This investigation of yours is getting just too bizarre to be coincidental!"

Maybe it's not coincidence...maybe it's fate. Our lives were meant to be intertwined all along. And even though we didn't find each other again for seventeen years, fate was trying to make sure we found each other somehow...

"Stop speaking to me telepathically! I have too much going on in my brain right now to try and listen to what you're saying, too!" Diana exclaimed at him.

Charles looked at her in shock. "I wasn't trying to speak to you...I was just thinking to myself! Oh, shit! Now you can read my thoughts?!! Damn, pretty lady! I'll never be able to get away with anything around you! This isn't fair! As far as I know, I can't read your thoughts!"

"Well, good! Because you were able to read everything else about me when you met me just from my body language and facial expressions! Your skills compensate for your inability to read people's thoughts. You're damn good at your job and you know it!"

Diana paused. A shocked expression came over her face. Oh, shit...I read his thoughts?!! 

"Yes, pretty lady...you can read my thoughts." I just hope they never get me into trouble...

Diana looked at him and chuckled. "Then you'd better be careful what you think around me!"

Ghosts of the Past Ch. 02



"So, this man is Harold Green, owner and CEO of Green Worldwide Enterprises. And Donald Price is the Chief Financial Officer and his son. But we still don't know who this other man is...the one I know I've seen before!" Agent Tom Seldon stated in frustration.

"And we still don't have a connection between them and Robert Warren...or Clark...or whatever his real name is!" his partner, Charles Richards, added, just as frustrated.

Assistant Director Peter Woods stood up to leave the office they were meeting in at the FBI building in L.A. "Well, headquarters is finally beginning to believe that there's some validity to those tips we received. They want you to continue surveillance. If we can get positive proof that Warren is in contact with someone higher up in the company, then we'll get the go-ahead from Washington to start questioning suspects and to subpoena the company's records."

Both Tom and Charles groaned in frustration.

Woods chuckled. "I swear... you two look and act more like brothers all the time! No wonder everyone in the office has taken to calling you two the mustache twins!" They both chuckled with him.

"Look, I know you men have been spending a lot of time away from your beautiful wives lately and I'm very sorry for that. It's bad enough that both Diana and Lynda had past relationships with a couple of the suspects. I ought to reassign another team to take over the investigation! But you two are the best agents I have for this scenario. So you're both going to have to do your best to keep your personal feelings out of it!"

Woods paused at the door before leaving. "Tom, tell Lynda I said thanks for her help in identifying Price. Charles, you tell Diana that her Uncle Pete would like to see her more often!"

"I'll tell her, sir. But, you know, you aren't really her uncle!" Charles reminded his boss as he chuckled.

"I know that, Agent Richards! But I care about her like she's my niece, so you better remember that!" Pete Woods chuckled when Charles snapped to attention at his tone of voice. "If your wives give you two too much grief, just tell them to call and gripe at me! I'll take the heat!"

"Yes, sir!" they both said as he left.

Charles and Tom looked at each other, took deep breaths and exhaled heavily.

"Oh, man...I do not want to go home and have to tell Diana that we're going to be on surveillance duty every night until we can get the proof we need!"

Tom shook his head. "Lynda's not going to like it either. But at least Pete is giving us Friday night off so we can go to the Christmas party at Vinny's nightclub." He always enjoyed the chance to catch Diana's act. "Your wife has the most beautiful voice. Do you ever get her to sing you to sleep?"

Charles grinned wolfishly. "Are you kidding? When I'm in bed with her, I'm not usually thinking about her singing. She has much better ways to help me get to sleep..."

"All right, all right," Tom chuckled. "Now look who's talking about their sex life!"

"Get your mind out of the gutter, partner. I was talking about how she scratches my back!"

"Yeah... while you're fucking her!" Tom laughed harder.

They laughed together as they gathered up their gear to head out for that evening's surveillance. They were going to be watching the first warehouse where they'd seen Robert Warren that one time a few weeks earlier. Hopefully, he'd show up again...and not alone...

**********

Friday night, December 14, 1956, Diana and Charles were at the nightclub with Tom and Lynda, along with their friends Jonathan and Barbara North and Rick and Dawn Estevez. Diana was onstage performing.

The owner of the club, Vinny DeMarco, was hosting a Christmas party that was by invitation only. Tom and Charles were startled to discover who else had been invited.

"Hey, Charles, look who just walked in the door!" Tom whispered urgently.

Charles and everyone else at their table turned their heads. The women gasped.

Charles said quietly, "Oh, shit! We'd better get to Vinny and tell him not to let anyone know who we work for. This might be a good chance to get some information on the sly. Catch them when they've had a few drinks and see how talkative they are!"

"Good thinking, partner. You go catch Vinny and I'll explain to our friends what's going on." 

Charles nodded and left the table.

Tom looked at everyone else. "Those people who just came in are involved with the company that Charles and I are currently investigating. We need to try and mingle with them, so don't let on that Charles and I are with the FBI."

Barbara said, "But Tom... Donald Price is Lynda's ex-husband. Isn't that going to be a little awkward for you?"

"It might, so I'll let Charles talk to Price and I'll see what I can find out from the other man." 

Tom glanced toward the door again. "Oh, hell. This just got even better! Another one of the suspects just walked in! Uh, oh... I wonder how Diana is going to handle this?!!"

Charles was headed back to their table. Tom caught his eye and nodded his head toward the door. Charles looked. His eyes widened and then narrowed. Robert Warren, or Clark, was staring intently at Diana onstage singing. He watched her as he moved toward the bar. Charles followed him.

He walked up next to the other man. "Hey, Ralph. Get me a whiskey, neat, please."

Sure thing, Mr. Richards." The bartender smiled and poured him a drink. Then he looked at the other man and asked, "Can I get you a drink, sir?"

"Yeah... gin and tonic...thanks." 

"She's a hot little thing, isn't she?" Charles said slyly to Warren/Clark, who had not yet taken his eyes off Diana.

"She sure is. How well I remember her! I used to date her about eight years ago." And I shouldn't have hurt her the way I did... I was such a stupid asshole then...

You fucking son-of-a-bitch...you did more than just "date" her... "No kiddin'? And you still remember her? You must've dated her for awhile."

"Well, I put in all my effort at the beginning. She had a thing for John Wayne and she told me that I reminded her of him, so I started talking and acting like him. She got real hot for me and... she was a virgin... I was her first."

How could you have done that to her, you stupid SOB... "If she was so hot for you, why didn't you stay with her?"

"I had this thing for virgins then. But she was the only one who didn't cry when I took her. She was really turned on and I didn't hurt her at all. It was a bit of a disappointment at first. But, when I realized how much she had responded to me, I started to see that it was a lot better to have a responsive woman in bed." And one who really loved me... she didn't really love me...

Robert's eyes drifted from Diana momentarily to where his associates were sitting. I have a feeling Lisa could be a very responsive woman. I know she's attracted to me and I sure as hell have a thing for her... Don is such a fucking idiot for treating her the way he does...

 "Tell me about it! My wife is a hot little thing in bed! She drives me wild! And the things she can do with her lips and tongue... mmm, mmm, mmm..." Charles smirked.

Warren/Clark glanced at Charles as he picked up his drink. "Oh, yeah? You must be a lucky man! Is your wife here tonight?"

"Yes, she is." Charles paused when he saw Warren/Clark lift his glass to his mouth. "You've been staring at her since you walked in the door!" he said with a low, menacing growl.

Robert Warren/Clark finally tore his eyes away from Diana to stare wide-eyed at Charles as he coughed and nearly choked on his drink. "Hey... I would never have said anything if I'd known you were her husband! What kind of a sick game are you playing?!!"

Charles chuckled. "Relax, mister. I couldn't help but notice the way you were staring at Diana and I get off on seeing how attractive other men find my wife! Wouldn't it stroke your ego to know that other men desire your woman? By the way, my name's Robert. Robert Richards." Charles held his hand toward the other man in greeting. This is one time my given name will come in handy... 

Warren/Clark frowned and then chuckled as he shook the man's hand. "Well... this is a strange coincidence. My name's Robert, too! Robert Warren... Clark." He paused and shook his head slightly. "My middle name is Warren," he added quickly. Damn it...don't blow it! If he mentions your other name to Diana, she'll know something's up and she might stick her nose into something she shouldn't...

Uh, huh...almost tripped yourself up there... "Robert, huh? Gee... I wonder if Diana has a thing for men named Robert? I'll have to ask her! Say, why don't you come by my table and say 'hello' to Diana when she takes a break?"

Warren/Clark shook his head. "No...I don't think so. I don't think Diana would be happy to see me. Besides... my friends are waiting for me at their table." He nodded to where Harold Green and Donald Price were sitting. "If you'll excuse me... I need to go join them."

OH, SHIT!!! WE'VE GOT OUR PROOF, TOM! Charles was as cool as a cucumber on the surface, but inside he was quaking. Excitement and anger warred in his gut. "Well, if you change your mind, come on by!" Yeah, and I know why Diana wouldn't be happy to see you, you asshole...

Charles watched Warren/Clark sit down with Green and Price, who stared at Diana briefly and then glanced back at him. When they were no longer paying attention to him, he nonchalantly wandered back to the table with his friends.

"What the hell were you talking to that bastard about?" Lynda hissed at Charles.

"I told him that Diana was my wife in case he had any ideas about trying to talk to her. And look who he's here with, Tom!! Harold Green and Price!"

"NO SHIT!" Tom exclaimed quietly with a broad grin. "Wait 'til Washington hears about this!"

Lynda was stunned. Why the hell is Robert Clark here with Donald?

**********

"Who was that man you were talking to at the bar, Bob?" Price asked as Warren/Clark sat down.

"You're not gonna believe this, Don. Take a look at the singer. Does she look familiar to you?" Price looked at Diana and frowned slightly. "Remember about eight years ago when you asked me to distract that new friend of your ex-wife because you didn't want them spending so much time together?" Realization dawned on Price's face. "Yeah, that's her, and that man at the bar is her husband. He caught me staring at her."

"Damn, Bob. That's some coincidence! But I wish you hadn't dumped the little bitch so fast once you got her into bed! You broke her heart and she and Lynda were practically inseparable for a while! It really cut in to my sex life and you knew that was the only thing I wanted from Lynda!" It's the only thing I want from any woman... Too bad Lisa's so lousy at it...

Warren/Clark winced. Don, you fucking bastard... You can't keep your damn mouth shut...

"You bastard! I told you never to bring up your ex-wife in front of me!" Lisa Green Price threw a glass of water in her husband's face. Then she threw a quick look of pain at Robert Warren, abruptly stood up and stalked away from the table toward the bar.

"I swear, Donald! You need to learn a little more tact with my daughter! I don't appreciate you talking like that in front of her! I would never have made her marry you if you weren't so damn good at your job!" Green huffed.

"Oh, can it, Harold. You know exactly why I married Lisa and how spoiled she is... you're the one who spoiled her!" Price growled as he wiped water from his face and dabbed at his shirt and suit. "And once we get these deals underway, we'll be rolling in dough. Then we can send Lisa on so many trips that neither one of us will have to put up with her any more!" And then maybe I can find a woman who can satisfy me like Lynda did...

Green and Price chuckled for a moment. Robert Clark stifled the urge to beat the shit out of both of them.

Then Price stated, "Bob, here, will be handling the trades between Central and South America for us and Bradley will be handling the Indo-China trades. He couldn't be here tonight because he had to fly back to Singapore to start things rolling over there. Bob will be heading down to Nicaragua tomorrow.

"Bradley contacted his military connection before he left so they could start finding out the locations where stockpiled munitions are being stored. Then they'll start on the false paperwork so we can make arrangements to pick up the munitions when the deals are ready to go down. We should have everything in place within a couple weeks after the holidays."

Harold Green picked up his drink. "Well then, gentlemen, here's to a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And may our collaboration turn into a long and profitable one for us all!"

"Here, here!" Donald Price and Robert Warren/Clark chorused and sipped their drinks.

**********

Tom and Lynda had witnessed the scene at the other table.

Tom muttered, "I wonder what that was all about?" He looked at his wife and cupped his hand on her cheek. "Lynda, sweetheart, will you trust me? I want to see if I can coax some information out of Mrs. Price. She appears to be very unhappy with her husband and a handsome, sympathetic man just might be able to get her to open up. I'm going to charm her, so don't go ballistic on me. Just trust me...OK?"

Lynda took a deep, ragged breath and nodded her head.

Tom stood up and went to the restroom. When he came out, he spotted Lisa Price still at the bar. Her husband was ignoring her at his table. He walked up beside the pretty little redhead.

"Could I get a scotch on the rocks, please. And a refill for this lovely young lady... it looks like she needs it!"

"Thanks." She sniffed. "Vodka Collins, please."

"What is a lovely young woman like you doing standing at the bar drinking alone? I see you're wearing a wedding ring. Is your husband not here or is he just an idiot?"

"He's here and he's more than just an idiot...he's a bastard!" she hissed. But I'm not upset about him...

"Let me guess... he's talking business and ignoring you. Is that it?"

"No. He was talking about his ex-wife!" I'm more upset at what he said about Robert...

Oh, hell... has he spotted Lynda? Tom glanced toward Price's table. He was chatting with Green and Warren/Clark and none of them appeared to have noticed his table where Lynda was sitting with their friends. He looked back at Lisa Price. "Why would he bring up his ex-wife in front of you? That's terribly improper!"

She sniffed again and was on the verge of tears. "All he ever says about his ex-wife is how good she was in bed. He's always comparing me to her! He gets mad at me because I won't do things that she did for him! The only reason he married me was for Daddy's money!" She started to cry quietly. I think it's the only reason any man would be interested in me... even Robert...

That fucking bastard! He still talks about Lynda... Tom gently put his arm around the young woman's shoulders in a comforting gesture. She immediately turned toward him and buried her face on his chest to cry harder.

Robert Clark's eyes narrowed. Get your goddamned hands off of her... if anyone's going to comfort her, it'll be me... He dragged his gaze from the bar to answer a question her stupid husband was asking him.

Tom glanced toward Lynda. He frowned and shook his head. Come on, sweetheart, trust me! Don't sit there and look like you're throwing daggers at us...

Lynda closed her eyes and turned away. Damn it, Tom... I don't know if I can handle this...

Tom held Lisa Price until she calmed down. "Now, why would you think that your husband married you only for your father's money? Look at you... you're a beautiful young woman! You must be right to say your husband is an idiot and a bastard!"

"Well, I think he is, but unfortunately, Daddy doesn't. He's been singing Donald's praises ever since he hired him to take over as the accountant for his business. He says Donald has found a way to triple the company's profits in the next few years!" And I think it's something illegal...

Uh, huh...I wonder how... "Triple the profits... Did your father say how he plans to do that?"

"Oh... Daddy never goes into details about the business with me. He says all I need to know is how to spend all the extra money I'll have coming to me once those profits start rolling in! And that's all I really care about any way." That's all Daddy and Donald ever let me care about, but I'd rather care about more than just money... I had thought I was starting to care for Robert...

You stupid, naïve little girl... "Well, it's too bad that a beautiful young woman like you has nothing but money to comfort her! Your husband really is an idiot." Tom gave her a sexy smile.

Oh, my... I didn't notice what a handsome man you are! And kind, too... "Would you mind helping me to make my husband jealous? Dance with me and hold me close. Maybe it will knock some sense into my idiot husband. Please?!!" Lisa pleaded. Maybe Robert will take notice, too...

"I'm sorry... I can't. You see, I'm married, too. And I don't think my wife would appreciate it!"

Lisa Price's eyes widened when she saw her husband get up and walk over to speak to a gorgeous brunette at another table. She looked back at the handsome man in front of her. "Oh, please, won't you help me?!! My bastard husband is talking to another beautiful woman!"

Tom turned to look where Lisa pointed. His eyes went wide. Oh, hell!!! Hold it together, sweetheart! I'm on my way...

**********

Donald Price suddenly choked on his drink. What the fuck is she doing here? "Oh, shit! My ex-wife is here! I should've known when you pointed out that little singer, Bob! Oh... I have got to go say 'hello' to her! Maybe she'll be desperate enough now to give me that blowjob I begged her for the last time I saw her!"

"Price! You bastard! I can't believe you had the gall to say something like that in front of ME!" Green growled.

"Relax, Harold. I was only joking! Damn... don't you know a joke when you hear it?" But you're not joking... you know damn well you'd still beg her to suck your dick... Price got up from the table. "Excuse me. I'll be back in a few minutes."

The nightclub's bandleader announced that they were taking a ten-minute break as Price made his way toward Lynda's table.

"Oh...my...God! I can't believe he's coming over here!" Dawn Estevez whispered loudly. "Lynda, honey, brace yourself! The bastard is headed this way!"

Lynda looked to her right to see Price approaching their table. He stopped a few feet from her. Then he sneered crookedly. God... I should've seen what a slimy bastard you are when I was married to you...

Damn, baby... you're even more beautiful now... How much money could I offer you to get you to suck my throbbing dick... "Hello, Lynda. Long time, no see! You're looking very well. Fancy running in to you here! This is a pretty exclusive nightclub. How did you get in?"

Lynda deadpanned, "Charming as ever, aren't you, Donald? You know damn well Diana is my best friend! And just what the hell are you doing here with Robert Clark?"

"Oh... Bob's an old friend of mine. As a matter of fact, I was the one who suggested that he make a move on Diana. You told me that she was a virgin and I knew Bob had a thing for virgins...just like me!" Price felt a tap on his right shoulder. He turned around and was immediately bent forward from a punch in the gut. 

Diana Richards followed that by smashing her right fist into his nose. Price jerked upright again, grabbing his nose and howling.

"You fucking bastard!" Diana growled. "Do you have any idea how much pain I went through because of what your slimy friend did to me?!! You're just as bad as he is!"




Ghosts of the Past Ch. 02



Robert Clark snorted a laugh as he watched from his table. Good for you, Diana... that jerk deserved it! But, then again, so do I...

Tom and Lisa Price had arrived at the table. Lisa asked, "What does she mean, Donald? And who is this woman you were talking to?"

Lynda stood up and moved beside Tom to grasp his arm. Price was still whimpering in pain and holding his nose, so Lynda answered for him. "I'm Lynda Seldon. Donald is my ex-husband and this man is now my husband. My friend Diana was just paying your husband back for encouraging his slimy friend Robert to hit on her years ago and for dumping her as soon as he got her into bed!"

Lisa Price frowned sadly. So he just wants to get me into bed! He even told me he loved me... 

What the hell is that all about... Vinny DeMarco witnessed Diana punching Donald Price. He immediately headed over to their table. "Diana, I hope you have a good reason for punching Mr. Price! Would you care to explain why you did that?"

Diana took a deep breath. "You know me, Vinny. Would I punch someone for no reason?"

No, you wouldn't. But did you have to punch the son of one of the richest men in town... "Mr. Price, I'll have to ask you not to bother Diana any more or I'll have to ask you to leave!"

"I wasn't bothering her! I was just talking to my ex-wife, here, and she walked up behind me and sucker punched me!"

Lisa walked over to her husband and grabbed his arm. "It's time to go, Donald. I can't believe you had the nerve to talk to your ex-wife knowing I would see you! I don't want you anywhere near that bitch! You understand me?!!" She was dragging Price away.

Lynda called after her, "Don't you ever call me that! You're the one who's a rich little husband-stealing bitch! You're welcome to my first one, but you stay away from this one!" She stepped in front of Tom when Lisa paused and looked back at her.

Lisa's eyes flashed with pain. Honey... I did you a favor. We both know what a bastard Donald is... and I didn't steal him... he was forced on me! And, yes, you better hang on to that one...he's a real man... I had hoped Robert was like him, but I guess I was wrong... "Come on, Donald!" she gritted through her teeth as she yanked on his arm again.

Tom and Charles looked at each other in disappointment when Donald and Lisa Price, Harold Green and Robert Warren/Clark left the nightclub. Damn...we didn't get much of a chance to find out anything...

**********

Lisa struggled vainly to get away from the strong hands holding her prisoner. "I can't believe you said you loved me! I'm just glad I hadn't been so stupid as to allow you to seduce me into bed... since that's all you want from women!" she hissed quietly. 

Robert tightly gripped her upper arms to keep her from running away. "Lisa... I'm not that man any more! Please believe me! When Don and I were younger, I was as much of an ass as he is. But I've changed... and I can't stand to watch the way he treats you! This is killing me because I'm not in a position to do anything about it! I'm in the middle of something right now and I can't afford to blow my relationship with Don by running off with his wife!"

Tears came into Lisa's sapphire eyes. "Yes... I know! You and Daddy and Donald stand to make a pile of money with these deals you're working on... whatever they are! And, of course, you can't afford to blow your share of the profits to take me away! I wouldn't be as attractive to you without the money, would I?!!" A small sob escaped her.

And I've done something that may ruin these deals you're working on...so you may not get any of that money any way... 

Robert shook her slightly in frustration and then immediately enfolded her in his arms to hold her against him. "Lisa... it's not about the money! What I'm working on here isn't about the profits. It's something else... but I can't tell you about it. Just please... trust me when I tell you it has nothing to do with the money! I do love you... and as soon as everything is worked out, I'm going to take you away! Don doesn't deserve you. Hell... I don't deserve you... but I need you!" he groaned.

Lisa whimpered desperately. You NEED me?!!! Nobody's ever needed me... She looked up into Robert's piercing ice blue eyes and saw the longing... the love... the raw need. She melted inside. "Oh, Robert... take me... now! Daddy and Donald won't be back for hours... take me to bed and make love to me! Love me... please!" she added desperately when he hesitated.

Robert Clark growled as he captured her soft lips. You're the first woman since Diana that has pleaded for me to love you... He reluctantly ended the fiery kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. "Oh, Lisa... you don't need to beg me to love you... I already do. But I can't take you tonight. I have to leave tomorrow for a while and if I make love to you tonight, I may not be able to leave you! Please trust me, darling. As soon as this situation is resolved, I will come for you and I'll never leave you again! I promise..."

He crushed her against him as she whimpered desperately again. He kissed the top of her soft auburn hair and inhaled her scent. I need to remember how you feel in my arms...

Lisa clung desperately to the only man who'd ever made her feel like a worthwhile human being. More than that, his eyes made her feel things as a woman that she'd never felt before. She had agreed to see Donald and then married him only because her father had forced her to. He'd threatened to take away her trust fund if she didn't.

She'd found out shortly after their marriage that she had been a bartered arrangement between her father and her husband. Donald would help her father make all this extra money only if he got to bed his pretty, young virgin daughter. Her father had agreed only if Donald would marry her... it would've seemed as if he was prostituting his daughter to just let Donald have her.

You may have taken my virginity, Donald...but you never even came close to taking my heart... She looked up at Robert again. "I love you, Robert... you're taking my heart with you tomorrow. Please keep it safe until you come back to me! I'll be waiting for you..." 



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 03



Charles Richards rejoined his friends at their table in the nightclub toward the end of the Christmas Party on Friday night, December 14, 1956. His wife Diana was onstage again for her last set.

He had called his and Tom's boss at the FBI and told the Assistant Director about the night's developments. Peter Woods was going to call it in to Washington. But he was worried because they'd gotten this information through a social situation. He was sure headquarters would still require some other type of concrete evidence before they'd authorize anything further. Charles advised his partner what Pete had said.

"Oh, damn..." Tom muttered.

Jonathan North spoke up. "Would the FBI lend any credence to the fact that, in addition to two of their agents, an L.A.P.D. detective and a patrol officer also witnessed the suspects together?"

"Yes," Rick Estevez added. "Jon and I would certainly be glad to tell them that we saw them, too!"

Charles sighed. "It's not just the fact that we saw them together. The problem is that we only saw them socializing together. It doesn't mean that Robert Warren, or Clark, is involved with their business! We need to catch them on business premises... it would be more credible."

"OK, OK! This is enough shoptalk for tonight! This is supposed to be a party. Let's just have some fun... OK?" Lynda Seldon pleaded desperately with her hand pressed to her lower abdomen. My nerves are on edge and I'm feeling a little queasy. I don't want to upset the baby...

Why are you holding your stomach like that? "Sweetheart, are you OK?" Tom asked his wife worriedly. She looked at him and smiled and nodded. "You're sure? You'll tell me if you feel like anything is wrong, won't you?"

"Of course, Tom. I'd never let anything go wrong with our baby."

He smiled back at her and lifted her hand to kiss it.

Barbara North sat forward and leaned toward Lynda. "I didn't want to say anything while Diana was at the table, but I think I'm pregnant, too!" She and Lynda smiled at each other.

They turned to look at Dawn Estevez when she gasped. "Oh, my God... I wasn't going to say anything, either. But I think I am, too!"

Everyone looked at Charles. There was a stark expression on his face. "I appreciate you not saying anything to Diana yet. She just found out last weekend that she's not, and she was very upset. So, please keep this to yourselves for a while, OK?" They all nodded. He added, "Thanks."

I know it's my fault she's not pregnant yet... Stop that before she hears you... Charles looked at his beautiful wife onstage. She was singing a Christmas carol in her lovely soprano voice. His chest tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Your voice really is the most beautiful sound I've ever heard, pretty lady...

Diana looked straight at him and smiled.

After her last song, Diana joined her friends. She nibbled on hors d'oeuvres and downed a couple shots of whiskey. She glanced around at her girlfriends. They were all sipping non-alcoholic beverages.

Oh, God...don't tell me... "So, Barbara and Dawn, when were you going to tell us that you're pregnant?"

Everyone looked at her, their eyes wide, especially Charles. How did you pick up on that? I wasn't even thinking about it...

"Oh, for God's sake, Charles! I don't have to read your thoughts. None of them are drinking alcohol! I'm not stupid... I can put two and two together as well as you can!"

"What do you mean by read his thoughts?" Lynda asked.

"She can hear what I'm thinking now. I've been practicing communicating with her ever since that night I told her what to do about that bastard Ed Hood. I thought I had to concentrate really hard to send her my thoughts. But now she can hear just about everything I think when I'm near her," Charles replied.

"Damn, partner. You better be careful what you think about around her!" Tom chuckled. It's a good thing she can't read my thoughts... I love Lynda, but Diana has a hot little body, too, and it's real easy to fantasize about her. Hmmm...what about her and Lynda together...

**********

The couples spent the rest of the evening chatting and laughing together.

Diana did her best to turn off her disappointment at knowing that all three of her girlfriends were pregnant and she was not. And she couldn't help but notice that Charles was doing his best to keep his thoughts to himself. She couldn't pick up anything from him... even though she noticed the grim look on his face.

In their car on the way home, Diana did her best to try to read what was going through her husband's mind.

Oh, hell... she's trying to read my thoughts...think of something...anything... OK... uh... get back to that fantasy of watching her and Lynda together... Oh, yeah, baby... 

"Oh, my GOD, Charles!" Diana exclaimed with a nervous laugh. "What the hell are you thinking?!! Lynda and me together?!! That's so..."

"HOT!!!" Charles finished for her.

"WHAT?!!!" Diana exclaimed. "It turns you on to fantasize about Lynda and me... together?"

"Well... I was involved, too. But, yeah, I've fantasized about some girl-on-girl action between you and all your girlfriends! Tom told me that he has, too!"

"OH...MY...GOD!!! I married a pervert! How would you like it if I fantasized about you and Tom together?!!!"

Charles winced. "Hey... you made my skin crawl on our honeymoon when you told me about your fantasy of you sandwiched between me and The Duke! Don't go putting any images of me and Tom in my head... I have to work with him every day!"

"Yeah, I know. You've been spending more time with him lately than you have with me!" Diana said sullenly. "Do you guys talk about Lynda and me while you're spending all those boring hours together? Is that how you two came up with this fantasy of her and me together?"

"Diana... you know better than that! We make jokes every once in a while about what horn dogs the two of you are! But no, we don't fantasize together and we don't talk about details... not like you girls do!" He glanced pointedly at her as he pulled into their garage and parked the car.

Diana smirked. OK... you've got a point...

They got out of the car. She headed into the house while he closed the garage door.

She went straight to their bedroom and hurriedly stripped out of her cocktail dress and under garments. She climbed on the bed sideways propped on her elbows, bent her knees and spread her legs toward their bedroom door. She closed her eyes and waited.

Charles opened the door. He stopped dead, but his body jerked as his dick sprang instantly to life.

Hello, sexy man... I was just waiting for Lynda to come and taste me! You wanna watch?

"DAMN IT, DIANA! GET OUT OF MY HEAD! I DON'T NEED FANTASIES TO MAKE ME WANT YOU!" Charles roared. He started stripping his clothes off. "You stay right where you are! I'm the only one who's going to be tasting you tonight!"

Charles shoved his trousers and underwear down his hips, stepped out of them and crawled onto the bed. He shoved his hands under her ass and lifted her to his mouth. He devoured her sweet, dripping flesh with his lips and tongue.

Mmm... pretty lady, you taste so good! I'd never be able to share you with anyone... not even another woman! But the image is still pretty hot...

Your glistening flesh spread open... Lynda's luscious lips lingering on your golden mound... her soft, pink tongue flicking at your sensitive clit... kissing your lips and delving her tongue deeply into your sweet pussy until you come...

"OH, MY GOD!!! OH, MY GOD!!! OH!!! OH!!! OH, GOD!!!" Diana wailed. Her hips bucked wildly and then she collapsed. "Damn, Charles... have you always fantasized while you're licking me?!!!" she gasped.

He grinned shyly. The dimple in his right cheek made him look like a naughty boy caught with his hand in a girl's panties. "Well... not all the time. Just sometimes... I just couldn't help it tonight after what you thought at me when I walked in the bedroom door!"

He paused for a moment and his grin turned smug. "You heard me and you liked it! It made you come! See? You're as much of a perv as me!" Charles chuckled sexily.

Diana smacked her hand over her eyes. Oh, my God... I did enjoy that! How could I...

"There's nothing wrong with fantasizing, pretty lady. The only problem is if you become obsessed with the fantasy and want to make it a reality. Do you think you'd ever really be able to let Lynda go down on you or that you'd be able to do that to her?" 

"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Never..." she trailed off. Although... I do wonder what another woman would taste like... STOP THAT...

Methinks the pretty lady doth protest too much!!! It's got you wondering now, huh...

"Get up here and fuck me! And no more fantasizing, sexy man!!" Diana commanded.

"Yes, ma'am!" Charles barked in response. He moved up over her and thrust his throbbing cock inside her. "Oh, God... pretty lady! I'll never get over how good this feels! Your body was made for mine, Diana. And... I want to give you a baby so badly!"

"Yes, Charles... love me. Come inside me. I want to feel your baby growing in me!" Diana choked back a sob and clung to him desperately. "Oh, Charles... just love me!" I know something's wrong... Is there something wrong with me? I should be pregnant by now...

Charles intensified his thrusts. Shhh, pretty lady. Get rid of those thoughts. Just feel me moving inside you... Come with me, Diana... I'm almost there... move with me... that's it, baby... just a little more... "Ahhhhhh, yesssss... That's it, pretty lady... squeeze every last drop out of me!" he groaned deeply. Please, God... please, please, please... give us a child...

Diana tightened her arms around him. "Thank you, my love. I'll add my prayer to yours!"

They stayed in the same position for a while. Charles kissed her tenderly as they both offered more silent prayers. Then he moved beside her, cradling her in his arms. When he was sure she was asleep, he let himself think about what was frightening him.

First thing Monday, he would get an appointment to see the doctor. It would be a lot easier to figure out if the problem was with him. And if it was...

How will I tell her? How will I handle knowing I can never give her a tangible part of me... knowing that I'll never have a child of my own...

His chest tightened and tears flooded his eyes. The doctor is only going to confirm what I already know... What am I going to do? I can't give you what you most want from me, pretty lady... I don't know what to do...

Charles slipped carefully out of bed, pulled on his shorts and walked out to their kitchen. He sat at the table, put his head in his arms and cried as quietly as he could.

**********

The following Friday night, Charles and Tom were on surveillance duty again.

"Hey, partner, hand me those binoculars," Tom said as he turned toward Charles and held out his hand. Charles didn't move. He was staring off into space with a blank expression. "Hey buddy... wake up! Hand me the binoculars!" Tom said again when he finally looked at him.

"Has someone finally showed up?" Charles asked as he got up to bring Tom the requested item.

"I haven't seen any vehicles, but I thought I saw some movement outside." Tom peered through the eyepieces, adjusting them. "Nope... nobody there. Just a cat! There's been absolutely no activity this week!" He lowered the binoculars again.

Warren/Clark had disappeared; the other older man had never shown up again and even Green and Price hadn't been to any of the warehouses. They'd gotten just enough information to know something was going on... and then nothing else.

Tom turned away from the window to see the same blank expression on his partner's face again. "Hey, buddy... something has been bothering you the last couple nights. What's going on? You and Diana aren't fighting are you?"

You don't want to hear about my problem... Charles frowned. "No... Diana and I are not fighting." Although I have no idea how she's going to react when I tell her... He winced and turned away from Tom. He took a deep, ragged breath and blinked back the tears that threatened.

"Come on, Charles... I can tell something is wrong. It might help you to talk about it."

His voice was monotone... lifeless. "No, Tom. It won't help me to talk about it. There's nothing anyone can do. This problem can't be fixed." 

I don't like the way you sound, partner... "Charles... whatever the problem is, I can tell it's weighing on you heavily and it won't do you any good to keep it bottled up. If you won't talk to me about it, have you at least talked to Diana?"

"NO!!! I can't tell her! It's going to kill her..." Charles exclaimed hoarsely, his throat constricting from pent up emotions. He glanced at Tom's sympathetic face. I guess I have to say the words out loud to someone before my emotions explode in front of my wife...

Charles leaned on the edge of the table behind him and looked at his feet. "I can't have children." He heard Tom suck in a deep breath and blow it out slowly. "I went to the doctor earlier this week to get checked out. I figured it would be easier to start with me. The doctor confirmed it Wednesday. Ninety-eight percent of my sperm are lifeless. Next to zero movement. It would take a miracle for Diana to get pregnant."

Charles looked up to see his friend frowning sadly. "How do I tell my wife, who's desperate to have my child... something of me in case... that I can't give her that? That I can't give her what she most wants from me?"

Tom cleared his throat. "Charles... don't you think what your wife wants most from you is your love? Diana strikes me as a very understanding woman. And I know she loves you. She'll know how you feel and she'll understand. Trust her, Charles. Trust your wife."

He walked over and put his hand on his best friend's shoulder. "I know you're upset for Diana, but what about you? How has this affected you?"

Charles shrugged. "I'm just numb right now. I've suspected it for some time. Diana and I weren't always that careful. There were several times that she should've gotten pregnant. The doctor just confirmed what I already knew."

He barked with painful laughter. "You know what's so ironic about this? My ex-wife made me use condoms all the time! I couldn't have gotten that cheating bitch pregnant even if I'd wanted to!" His face contorted and his shoulders shook as a few silent sobs escaped him. He stood up and moved away from Tom.

He took a deep breath and brought his hand up to wipe his face. "I'll be OK as soon as I break the news to Diana. You're right... she loves me and she'll understand. It'll be painful for her, but she'll understand."

Charles turned around to face Tom again. "Are you and Lynda still planning to come over and play cards with everyone tomorrow night?"

"Sure we are. Do you think you'll still be in the mood to play?"

"Yeah... the more distractions, the better. I don't want to dwell on this and I don't think Diana will, either. I'll tell her as soon as I get home. Don't be surprised if she's on the phone to Lynda first thing in the morning."

Tom and Charles spent the rest of the night at their surveillance post in relative silence. The hours ticked by slowly with no activity to be seen at the GWE warehouse. Saturday morning, they packed their gear and headed back to the FBI offices, feeling as frustrated as ever.

**********

Saturday evening, Tom and Charles were once again poring over photos and files while Lynda and Diana cleaned up the kitchen. The men quietly discussed their frustration over their stalled investigation. The women were silent.

Oh, God... I can't stand seeing my best friend in so much pain... "Diana... I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do for you? You know I'd do anything in the world for you!" Lynda exclaimed.

Oh, please... don't keep dwelling on this! I've got to hang on to my sense of humor right now... "How about getting your husband to lend mine some of his potent sperm! Everyone says Tom and Charles look like twins!" Diana snorted playfully.

"What?!!!" Lynda exclaimed with a laugh. "You're joking, right?" Diana looked at her. Her expression clearly read, "Oh, come on..." Lynda sucked in a breath and laughed as she exhaled and shook her head. "I'm sorry... of course it was a joke. But this is not a joking matter. Diana... your heart must be breaking!"

"Lynda...please. I don't want to talk about this anymore right now. Yes... my heart is breaking. But the rest of our friends are coming over in a little while and I don't want them to know about this. It's bad enough that I dumped this on you! Like you need anything else to worry about right now... I'm so sorry for that!"

Lynda leaned down and hugged her petite best friend. "Don't you worry about me... I'm fine. The doctor told me so just yesterday. He said my health is good, my blood pressure is normal and the baby's heart sounded just fine. Everything is just as it should be for my third month."

Diana gazed over Lynda's shoulder through the kitchen door to their men sitting at the dining room table. Tom grinned crookedly as he stared at them. I know what you're thinking, you perv... Lynda released her and she stepped back. She smiled genuinely at her best friend. "I'm so glad to hear that." Then she turned serious again. "Just remember that I don't want the others to know..."

**********

Jon and Barbara North and Dawn and Rick Estevez arrived as Tom and Charles were winding down their discussion on the investigation. They were clearing away the photos and documents that were spread on the dining room table. 

Dawn glanced at one of the photos. She frowned and picked it up. "Gee... this man looks almost just like how I would imagine Uncle Brad to look if he were still alive."

"What's that Dawn?" Tom asked curiously.

"I had an uncle who was killed in the war. He served in the Marines... I'm not sure what he did exactly. But he was killed on Okinawa toward the end of the war."

Tom's eyes widened. "What did you say his name was?"

"He was my Uncle Brad. Bradley Williams, my father's younger brother."

"Oh, shit..." Tom muttered. He took the photo from Dawn's hand and sank down onto a chair.



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 04



"What is it, Tom?" Charles Richards asked in concern at the look of total shock on his partner's face.

Tom Seldon replied, disbelief echoing in his voice, "That's why I knew I'd seen this man before. That's who this is. Major Bradley Williams... my former commanding officer in Marine Intelligence. We all thought he was killed on a reconnaissance mission in September of 1944. His tags were sent to us along with a statement that they were taken from his dead body. I was sent back to Okinawa a month later to finish the mission. I tried to find out if it was true, but there were no traces of him. We all assumed he was dead. No one has ever seen him or heard from him since."

Dawn Estevez sat down on a chair next to Tom. "You knew my Uncle Brad? And you're saying he's still alive? Where has he been all these years? Why hasn't he been in touch with us?"

Tom stared sadly at the petite brunette with the angelic face, her hazel eyes widened in shock. "If he's been up to what I think he has, there's a very good reason why he hasn't been in touch with his family."

Dawn frowned in confusion. "What are you saying? Are you saying he's mixed up in your investigation? That's ridiculous! Uncle Brad wasn't a criminal! He died a war hero!"

"We don't know anything for sure yet. But we'll have to contact Bureau headquarters in Washington and give them this information and see what they can find out. I'll tell you what I can if I find out anything concrete. I'm sorry, Dawn. And I hope I'm wrong about this, but I have to ask you to keep quiet about this until the investigation is closed. Do you understand?" Tom asked gently.

She nodded numbly.

Barbara felt the need to lighten the mood. "Gee, I guess I'm the only one of us girls who hasn't been any help with this investigation! Tom, Charles... you boys want me to take a look and see if there's anyone I recognize from my past?" she purred in her throaty, feline voice.

Everyone looked at the exotically beautiful blonde with the cat-like eyes and frowned.

Then Tom and Charles glanced at each other. Their eyebrows went up as if to say, "It couldn't hurt..."

"Oh, come on, you guys! It was just a joke!" Barbara exclaimed. Everyone chuckled quietly.

**********

"I bet... a quarter." Rick Estevez said nonchalantly. I should've bet fifty cents... I know I've got this hand with three Kings! But I don't want to scare her away...

Diana almost smiled. "I'll see your quarter and raise you another one." Come on, Rick, you just know you've won this hand...

I've got you now... "OK... I'll see your raise!" Rick flashed his thousand-watt smile. He threw another quarter on the pot and turned his cards up. "Three Kings, little lady. What about you?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... Not quite enough, amigo. King-high straight!" Diana smiled as she turned her cards over.

"Madre de Dios! How the hell did you beat me again?" Rick exclaimed.

"Didn't you learn anything from my story about beating the pants off Tex playing Texas Hold 'Em on my honeymoon, Rick? I'm real good at this game!" Diana drawled smugly with her slight southern accent as she raked the pot toward her pile of change.

She and Charles had nearly wiped everyone else out. She chuckled quietly to herself. I'm not exactly cheating... I can't help it if you people can't hide you're tells! And Charles letting me know when he has a good hand is helpful, too... She looked across at her handsome husband and kissed at him. 

Rick frowned and then laughed. "OK... I see what's been going on here! You two are cheating together somehow because you can communicate telepathically!"

Diana chuckled and looked slightly guilty. "Oh, no, Rick... we'd never do that to our friends! It's my skill at reading how you bet that lets me win. I told you... I'm very good at this game. I was also very lucky that the third King showed up! You know what they say, 'Lucky at cards... unlucky in... love...'" Her voice trailed off.

She looked at Charles and frowned. Then she closed her eyes. I didn't mean that, sexy man! I'm very lucky to have you! I just meant...

I know what you meant, pretty lady. Maybe everything that has happened to us is just bad luck! The dark forces of the universe can't stand that we love each other so much, so they're throwing everything they can think of at us to tear us apart! I won't let that happen... Will you?

Never. Diana opened her eyes and smiled at her handsome husband. His dark brown mustache curved and the dimple appeared in his right cheek. The love in his clear gray blue eyes was plain to see. I do love you, Charles... so much... Her eyes mirrored his.

"Hey... earth to Charles and Diana! Have you two forgotten that there are six other people here?" Tom said as he waved his hand between their gazes. "You two are getting pretty damn good at these private conversations! The rest of us are going to have to ask you guys not to say anything about us that you wouldn't say to our faces. We love you guys, but we have to know that we can trust you!"

Charles and Diana glanced around the table at their friends' concerned faces.

Charles stated, "We men have known each other only a few months, but after everything you guys know about our pasts, everything we've been through together, everything we've talked about, the things I've said... How can any of you doubt that I would say anything to Diana that I wouldn't say to you?! I trust you guys with our lives... I would never do or say anything against any one of you. I feel closer to you than I do to my own brothers! Especially you, Tom."

Charles paused and frowned. "And if you guys ever make me spill my guts like this again, I'll beat the shit out of all of you!" Everybody laughed.

Diana looked at each one of her girlfriends. "We've known each other for years and I'm sorry if my sudden ability to communicate with my husband without words makes you nervous. You know it's the same for me. I trust all of you with my life... and you know how hard it is for me to trust most people. As long as we're all honest with each other, there shouldn't be any problems!"

"There's only one problem," Jon North said authoritatively. Everyone looked at him. "Diana Richards, if you insist on keeping your ill-gotten gains from tonight's poker game, I will arrest you for cheating at cards! I have my handcuffs waiting out in my car." He smiled widely. Yeah... I'd like to slap cuffs on all you women so we men could have our way with you... His deep green bedroom eyes darkened with lust as he glanced at all the women.

Charles grinned mischievously. "Ohhh... Detective North! I like the way you think! Did you bring enough cuffs for all of them?" Then he laughed at Jon's startled expression.

"Oh, shit! And see how easy it is to forget that Charles can read our facial expressions and know just what we're thinking sometimes? I can't help what I think when I'm around these women! They shouldn't all be so damn gorgeous!" Jon exclaimed, embarrassed.

"Just what were you thinking, Jon?!" Barbara asked testily.

"Do you want to tell her... or should I?" Charles asked, still chuckling.

Jon's face reddened. "I was just wishing that I had enough handcuffs for all you women so we men could have our way with you!"

There was a moment of silence as the women looked stunned.

The men were snorting, trying not to laugh, but it didn't work. They roared with laughter. The women eventually joined in.

**********

On their way home a little while later, Barbara was leaning against Jon with her head on his shoulder, stroking his inner right thigh. "Barbara, love. You're making it very difficult for me to keep my mind on the road. Would you please stop that while I'm driving?"

"You're going to have to cuff me, Detective, if you want to keep my hands off of you!" she purred at him.

You're asking for it, you exotic little seductress! I can hardly keep my hands off you, too...

I've never had sex in a car...that's why I'm trying to seduce you... Barbara ran her right hand up the inside of Jon's left thigh and cupped his crotch. His thick cock was already hard as steel. "Oooh, Detective North... that's some concealed weapon you're carrying!" She moved her hand up to lower his fly and carefully stuck her hand inside his pants and shorts to stroke his hot, hard shaft.

Jon smirked. "Careful how you handle it, pretty girl. It's loaded, cocked and liable to go off at any moment!"

Barbara smiled as she worked her fingers down to the base of his thick shaft. "Oh my, detective... are you telling me that this thing has a... hair trigger!" She grasped a few strands of his pubic hair and tugged on them as she purred with laughter. 

"THAT'S IT!" Jon growled. He whipped the steering wheel to the right and pulled off onto a side road that wound up the hillside to a fairly deserted area. He parked the car and turned it off. He leaned across Barbara, opened the glove box, pulled out his handcuffs and slapped them around her wrists.

He opened the driver's door, got out and pulled her across the seat until she climbed out. He shut the driver's door, opened the back seat door and shoved her down onto the seat sideways. Then he grabbed her cuffed wrists, lifted her arms above her head, pushed her to lie down on the backseat and hooked the chain of the cuffs around the door handle on the other side of the car.

Barbara parted her lips to say something. Jon put his hand over her mouth. "You're my prisoner. You have the right to remain silent. If you give up the right to remain silent... I can't guarantee what I'll do to you! Do you understand?" She nodded silently, but he could see exactly what she was thinking in her beautiful gray blue cat-like eyes.

Oh, yes, Detective! Strip-search me! Do whatever you want with me... I'm yours...

"Well now, pretty girl... I guess I'm going to have to check you for concealed weapons, too!" Jon said huskily in his deep, sexy voice. He was kneeling on the floor of the back seat with his feet hanging out the open door. He put his hands at Barbara's wrists and dragged them down her arms and the sides of her body. Then he stroked them up the front of her body to her heaving breasts. "Ah, ha... what do we have here?" He slowly unbuttoned her blouse.

Jon nearly came unglued. My God! You're not wearing a bra! When did you take it off? It must've been before we left Charles and Diana's house...

He dragged in several deep breaths to calm the throbbing of his shaft. He shoved her blouse to her sides, exposing both of her beautiful breasts. His eyes feasted on her small, heaving globes... the tiny pink pebbles of her nipples poking firmly upward, begging for his lips and tongue.

"I should arrest you for indecent exposure, pretty girl. But I'll forget that charge if you come for me!" Jon cupped both of her breasts with his hands. He bent down and laved her tiny pink nipples with his tongue and then drew one between his lips, fluttering his tongue on the hard pebble.

Barbara's hips bucked. "OH, MY GOD, JON! OH, GOD, OH YES! Ohhhh, Ohhhh yesssss..."

Jon grinned sexily at her when he straightened up. Then he looked serious. "You wouldn't try to pull something over on me, would you, pretty girl? I have to make sure you didn't fake an orgasm to get out of that indecent exposure charge!"

He reached up under her skirt with his right hand. He intended to grasp her panties to pull them off her... but there were no panties! His eyes widened as more blood surged to his throbbing shaft. "Damn, pretty girl! You're really pushing my leniency on this indecent exposure charge!"

He moved his hand down between her legs to ease his fingers inside her. She was dripping. He grinned again. "Good girl. I see you you're all ready to help me with concealing my weapon!"

I can't take this playful seduction any longer... Barbara groaned. "Damn it, Detective! Enough of this! Just fuck me, Jon!"

He growled. "I warned you what would happen if you couldn't keep silent!" He tore at his belt and pants, freeing his thick, aching shaft as quickly as possible. He spread her legs and thrust his cock inside her forcefully, both of them groaning loudly. 

Jon suddenly realized what an awkward position they were in. He couldn't move very well and Barbara was helpless with her arms trapped above her head. He backed away from her, reached up and removed the handcuff chain from the door handle and helped Barbara to sit up. Then he sat on the backseat next to her, his pants around his knees, and pulled her to straddle his lap.

He shut the car door. At least it was a little more private.

She put her cuffed wrists around his neck and lowered herself onto him. Her back arched as she rocked herself on his thick shaft while he bent forward and helped himself to her breasts. 

Barbara was in nirvana. She felt like she was having a non-stop orgasm... She finally had to stop from sheer exhaustion, but he was still hard as a rock inside her.

"Jon, scoot your ass to the edge of the seat." He did so and leaned back. Barbara bent forward and put her lips next to his ear and whispered, "I just love your beautiful, big dick! Fuck me with your huge, hard cock. Fuck my tight little pussy and make me scream again. Come for me, Detective. Come inside my sweet pussy..."

Oh, God, Barb... not the dirty talk! I guess you really can't take any more right now...

Jon lost control. He grasped her hips and bucked into her as hard as he could. She screamed as her flesh tightened on his cock once again. He bucked wildly one last time and yelled loudly as he came inside her. He wrapped his arms around her body, his hips still convulsing slightly and his head was nestled against her breasts.

They held each other tightly as their breathing returned to normal.

Barbara brought her cuffed hands from around his neck, grasped his face and crushed her lips to his in a searing kiss. Oh, how I love you, Jon! Please, God... don't let anything happen to him! I couldn't bear to lose another husband! I didn't want to marry another cop, but I didn't have any choice! As soon as I saw him, I knew...

Jon slowly ended their fiery kiss by gently cupping his hands on her cheeks. He stared into his beautiful wife's eyes. If our baby is a girl, I hope she has your eyes...

Jon chuckled suddenly. "You know, this is not exactly the type of conduct you'd expect from a thirty-eight year old cop and his thirty-one year old wife. This is how teenage girls end up pregnant!"

"Well, Detective, you don't have to worry about knocking me up any longer... the deed has already been done! The doctor confirmed it yesterday. I am pregnant!" She laughed with Jon as he hugged her tightly and kissed her.

They jumped and Barbara yelped when a loud knock pounded on the top of the car and a bright light shone in through the fogged door window.

A man's voice said, "L.A.P.D.! This is restricted property. You shouldn't be parked here! Come on out!"

Jon quickly pulled Barbara's blouse together and she rose on her knees so he could pull his pants up. Then he rolled down the window, his eyes squinting against the glare of the bright flashlight. "Whoever you are, would you mind not shining that thing in my face?"

"Detective North, is that you? I certainly hope that's Mrs. North with you! This could be really awkward for me!" the young officer said nervously.

Barbara spoke up. "Yes, officer, I'm his wife! And I hope you'll have the decency not to go spreading any stories around the station about this!"

"Oh, no Ma'am," the officer replied sincerely. Then he chuckled. "Gee, Detective North. It sure is nice to see a man get to your age and still be able to keep up with his young wife!"

Jon winced. "Just how old do you think I am, son?"

"Oh...we figured you were somewhere in your upper forties! But you look good for your age!"

"Ouch!" Jon exclaimed. "No, son, I'm not that old... yet. I may look it, but I definitely don't feel it when I'm with my beautiful wife! By the way, just how long were watching us?"

The young officer hesitated. "Uhhh... When we first arrived, the car was rockin' pretty good and then we heard Mrs. North scream and you yell. So we hung back for a few minutes to make sure you were done before we approached the vehicle. We didn't want to make the situation any more awkward!"

"Yes, that was very considerate of you," Barbara said. Then she added, "I take back what I said, officer. You go ahead and spread any story you want about catching us together. And tell the whole station that I said even though they may think my husband is an old man, he definitely doesn't fuck like one! And he's knocked me up, too!" She kissed Jon fiercely again before he had a chance to say anything.

Detective Jonathan North had no idea what to say. His wife always managed to shock him into silence with her bluntness. But then... I never can think straight around her! There's only one part of my body that can think straight around you, pretty girl... Here we go again...

The young police officer and his partner chuckled quietly. "Well... congratulations and good night you two. We won't bother you any further, but we suggest you move your car soon before another patrol unit gets nosy!" They laughed harder as they walked back to their car and left.

**********

The following Monday morning, Christmas Eve, Jon walked into the police station. His partner, Jerry Olson, and more than a dozen other officers and detectives were waiting just inside the lobby area. They all broke out into loud applause, cheers and wolf whistles.

Jerry walked over and slapped Jon on the shoulder. "You stud! You got Barbie pregnant already?!! Boy, Tony tried for something like six months to knock her up. And you've only been married to her for four! And that comment she made about you... Damn, partner! Tony had started to complain to me about how she was wearing his ass out in bed... and he was your age!"

"Shut up, Jerry! I don't want to hear about what my wife and her dead first husband did. It's weird enough that you were his partner and now you're mine! But I really don't want to hear details about their sex life... OK?!!" Jon growled.

Jerry closed his eyes and frowned. You need to shut up, Olson, before you slip and tell him that you have intimate knowledge of his wife's body as well... Jon doesn't seem quite as adventurous as Tony was... "I'm sorry, Jon... you're right. No more talk about Tony Adams. And, hey... congratulations... daddy!"

Jonathan North smiled widely. Daddy... I like the sound of that...

**********

Pete Woods had phoned the information on Bradley Williams in to FBI headquarters in Washington immediately. Sunday morning, Pete called both Charles and Tom to the L.A. office.

"Gentlemen, you're spending the holidays in Washington. Call your wives and tell them to pack bags for both you and them and that I'll be sending another agent to pick them up and bring them to the airport. Headquarters wants you to sift through all the files they have on everyone with a passport. They believe that Williams must've gotten a passport under an assumed name to get back into the country. They have too much going on to devote any of their personnel to a job this monstrous, so they're bringing you two in to do it.

"There's one problem; the only hotel accommodations they could find for you in Washington will force you two couples to have to share a double room. Is that going to be a problem for you?" Woods asked.

Charles and Tom glanced at each other warily. They took deep breaths as they raised their eyebrows. They both thought the same thing. Damn... sex with our wives is going to be tricky...

They both looked back at Woods and answered, "No, sir."




Ghosts of the Past Ch. 04



By three o'clock Sunday afternoon, December 23rd, the two couples were on board the L.A. Bureau's private plane headed for Washington, D.C. By the time they arrived at National airport, it was already ten o'clock eastern standard time. An agent from Bureau headquarters met them at the airport and drove them straight to their hotel.

They dropped Diana and Lynda and their luggage off at the hotel. Charles and Tom had to go directly to headquarters to meet with some of the personnel who would show them where they would be working and where to find the files they would need.

Director Hoover also visited them briefly. He advised them they only had to come in the next morning, Christmas Eve. Then they could take the rest of that day and Christmas Day off, but they were expected back first thing the next morning. They thanked him for that. The Bureau also gave them a vehicle to drive.

By the time Charles and Tom got back to their hotel room, it was after midnight, but none of them were tired. Due to the time zone differences, it still felt like it was only about eight o'clock in the evening to them.

Diana and Lynda had ordered room service for dinner and had also ordered sandwiches for their husbands. They didn't know when they would return or if they'd had a chance to eat. The men kissed their wives for their thoughtfulness.

After the men ate, they all lounged on their beds and watched television for a little while, but it soon went off the air. They all glanced awkwardly at each other for a moment.

Finally, Charles stood up and said, "Well, I need to take a shower before I go to bed." He grinned provocatively at his wife. Join me, pretty lady...

"You go start the shower, sexy man. I'll grab our night clothes and join you in just a minute!"

Charles turned the shower on, but they didn't get in right away. They used the noise to drown out their moans as he fucked her hard while she sat on the edge of the vanity counter. Tom and Lynda also took advantage of their chance to be alone. Lynda grabbed him and opened his pants to suck him hard and then he turned her around fucked her hard from behind... it was the only way they could both come quickly.

Both couples had a good round of quick, hot, hard sex. They hoped it would wear them out so they'd be able to get to sleep. It was after two o'clock in the morning and Tom and Charles had to be up and at headquarters by nine. They all finally drifted off to sleep around three...



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 05



By two o'clock in the afternoon on Christmas Eve, Diana Richards was explaining where they were going to her husband Charles as he and his partner, Tom Seldon, loaded their overnight bags into the trunk of the car. "Your mother is expecting us to arrive around three o'clock. She's hoping we'll stay for dinner and visit with your family before we leave to go to my parents' home in Virginia. The drive should take about four hours. So if we can leave by seven, it should put us at my parents' around eleven o'clock. I already told Mama and Daddy not to expect us until late." 

Charles said to the others, "I just want to warn you guys now... I'm not that close with my family. Most of them are not very considerate people. They talk and make jokes and everyone puts on a good front that we all get along famously. But I've hardly spoken to my father in the last ten years. If I'm lucky, he won't even be there. I love my mother... but she nags me terribly and she's the nosiest busybody you'd ever want to meet!

"I rarely ever see my oldest brother and his wife and their two sons, and my middle brother and younger sister are leeches when it comes to money. They weren't very happy with me just before I moved to L.A. I finally convinced Mom to stop letting them suck money out of her every time they were in financial trouble. I like mys better than I do my own siblings! Gee... don't I sound excited to see my family?" Charles said sarcastically as they were climbing into the car.

Diana sat next to him on the front seat and leaned her head on his shoulder. She said sadly, "It just seems so unfair that you're the only truly decent member of your family... and the only one who can't have children to carry on what's good!" She sighed heavily.

Charles glanced in the rearview mirror. Tom and Lynda were looking at him sympathetically. He took a deep breath, started the car and pulled away. He headed toward La Plata, Maryland for what he knew would be a few hours of pleasant, but stilted, conversation with people he felt less kinship with than the two sitting in the backseat of the car.

**********

At seven o'clock that evening, Lynda was chuckling as they headed down the highway from southern Maryland into Virginia. "You were right about your mother, Charles. She is one of the nosiest women I've ever met! But she's so kind about it that you can't help but like her!"

Then Tom said, "I can also see why you said I looked more like your brother! Mike and Paul look nothing like you. As a matter of fact, none of you look very much alike! Are you sure you're mother wasn't... messing around while your father was gone on all those business trips?" he finished with a chuckle.

Charles glanced at him in the mirror with a grin on his face. "You don't know how many times I've wondered that myself over the years! It would sure as hell explain a lot!" They both laughed.

Diana chuckled, too. Then she said thoughtfully, "I could probably like your sister, Liz. She's a lot like me personality-wise... except for her inability to handle money! She's a lot of fun to be around and she's very talented in many ways... but she's a bit conceited about it, too. She likes to brag on herself a lot. That would probably drive me crazy after a while."

She paused for a moment. "But your father... it's like he has no heart. He doesn't seem to care about anyone... not even himself. He's going to chain-smoke to death. He drinks coffee like it's going out of style, but he won't touch alcohol? I've never trusted a man who doesn't drink! He's just a strange man. And I see absolutely no resemblance in you to him at all... physically or mentally."

Charles lifted her hand from where it was resting on his thigh and kissed her fingers.

She looked at him. "Some of your family drove me nuts with the pleasantries that came out of their mouths and the backstabbing looks I caught every once in a while. I understand now why you wanted to get away from them."

She laid her head on his shoulder. Everyone was mostly quiet for the rest of the trip. Diana's father had waited up for their arrival and he could see they were all exhausted. So he showed them to their rooms and bid them all good night.

**********

Christmas morning dawned brightly at John and Josephine Maitland's home in Colonial Heights, Virginia. They were overjoyed to have their youngest daughter and their new son for a surprise last-minute holiday visit, brief though it would be. They also were glad to see Tom and Lynda Seldon again, having met them at Charles and Diana's birthday party in L.A.

Diana's whole family arrived by mid-morning for Christmas brunch. Afterward, everyone sat around and watched as the younger children opened their gifts. The grown ups had decided long ago that Christmas was for the children. Everyone didn't need to spend hard earned money trying to buy presents for more than twenty people... some of them simply could not afford it.

The children went outside to play with their new toys and the grown ups stayed inside. The women congregated in the kitchen, making preparations for the afternoon meal and the men sat around talking. Diana's mother, sister, sisters and nieces all treated Lynda like she was one of the family. And Tom fit right in with Charles and all three of Diana's older brothers, brother-in-law, one nephew and her father. Everyone was laughing and the pleasantries exchanged were genuine.

When the afternoon meal was over, the men were all sitting around talking again. Diana's oldest brother, Dan, asked about something that Charles tried to side step.

"I caught a story on a national news station one night just after Thanksgiving about a shooting that occurred at a residence in Brentwood. They said it had started out as a hostage situation... that a man who had assaulted a woman months earlier came back to attack her again and ended up being killed by police and FBI hostage negotiators. I figured since you live in Brentwood and are with the FBI that you would know about it."

Charles and Tom glanced at each other uncomfortably. Charles looked back at his brother and said quietly. "I'm sorry, Dan, but we can't talk about that."

Dan cornered Charles and Tom a few minutes later when they got up to refresh their drinks. "OK... what's up? I saw that look the two of you exchanged and I don't buy that you can't talk about it. It can't be that confidential if it was on the news. The story said that the identities of the victims involved were being withheld to protect their privacy. They only identified the attacker who was killed... a guy named Edward Hood."

Diana rushed over when she heard the mention of that bastard's name. "Charles!" she hissed. You weren't supposed to tell anyone about that!"

Dan Maitland turned around to stare at his little sister's ashen face. He forgot that she had switched to using her middle name and reverted to what everyone had always called her when she was growing up. "Suzie... your husband hasn't told me a thing. I was telling him about a news story I heard back around Thanksgiving. From what you just said, I can only surmise that you were involved somehow!"

Diana put her hand over her mouth as she stared back at her eldest brother. "Oh, God..." she mumbled. She removed her hand and took a deep, ragged breath. "OK, Dan... I'll tell you what happened, but you have to swear to me that you will not tell Mama and Daddy. I think you'll understand why once you've heard the whole story."

**********

Dan Maitland stared at his sister in shock. Oh, my God, Suzie...you've been through so much and you never let on to any of us! Why? You know how much we care about you...  

"Damn, little sister... I was shocked enough to learn that you were friends with John Wayne and Ward Bond when Mom and Dad came back from L.A. in November. But now I find out that your husband, his partner and a couple other policeman friends shot and killed a man that assaulted and raped you five months ago after he had secretly stalked you for years! Then he came back to kill you and he held you and your girlfriends hostage?!"

Dan closed his eyes and shook his head. "You're right, Suzie. I see why you don't want Mom and Dad to know about this. It wouldn't be good for Mom's health and Dad doesn't need to hear a story like this about his baby girl. It would probably kill him. I'll try to keep this quiet."

Diana's eyes welled with tears. She hugged her brother briefly. "Thanks, Dan. We're going to have to leave soon to return to Washington. I want to tell everyone goodbye before we leave. And try to remember to call me Diana!" she chided at her brother.

She reached up and kissed her husband tenderly before she walked away.

Charles watched his wife hugging some of her family members as she told them goodbye. She's so vulnerable... and she doesn't even realize how fragile she is. And I can't give her the one thing that would probably give her strength... to want to live her life to the fullest... He turned back around toward his older brother and Tom. His eyes were misted with pain. 

You really do love my little sister, don't you? Hell...you killed a man for her... "It's a great comfort to know that my little sister finally found a man worthy of her love."

Charles' eyes filled with tears. "Unfortunately, I'm not worthy enough. I don't think I can give her what she most wants from me." Diana's brother frowned at him. "A child. It's highly unlikely that I'll ever have children. I just found out last week. I know Diana's heartbroken about it... but she loves me and she'll never leave me. I suppose we could always adopt..." But she wanted to experience pregnancy... to feel our child grow inside her. And now she won't...

He took a deep breath and blinked the tears out of his eyes. "I'm sorry to have dumped that on you, too, Dan. That's something else you shouldn't tell Mama Jo. She had already asked Diana at our birthday party to not put off having children so she would get to enjoy them before she got too old. I don't want to be a disappointment to her!"

Dan put his hand on his young brother's shoulder. "Charles, you are by no means a disappointment to anyone in this family. No one could love my little sister better than you."

I bet you'd be surprised to hear that John Wayne had thought he could... Charles frowned and chuckled ironically. "Thanks, Dan. It's been wonderful meeting everyone. Tom and I need to get our bags out to the car, so would you tell everyone that I said goodbye and thank them for such a warm welcome to me and our friends. I don't feel up to any tearful farewells right now."

"Sure thing, Charles. But you should at least say goodbye to Mom and Dad. I know they'd feel terrible if they didn't get to see you again before you leave."

Charles found Mama Jo and Dad John hugging their baby girl and telling her goodbye. He hugged Mama Jo and kissed her cheek as she thanked him again for coming to see them. Dad John shook his hand and clasped his shoulder as he walked with them to the door to say goodbye.

"You two be good to each other. As long as you continue to love each other as much or more than you do now... nothing else matters. You both know what true love is... life doesn't get any better than that! Except maybe when you have children and grandchildren!" Dad John winked at Charles.

Diana squeezed his hand. Charles sucked in a breath and managed a smile before they turned away to head to the car, tears once again welling in his eyes. He handed the keys to Tom. "Could you please drive for a while? I can't see very well at the moment..."

Tom and Lynda climbed in the front seat and Charles and Diana sat in the back. She leaned on his chest and he put his arms around her. Silent tears ran down both their cheeks.

Diana closed her eyes. I love you, Charles...I'll always love you. As long as I have you... nothing else matters...

I love you, too, pretty lady. I just wish... It shouldn't matter... but it does. I just have to pray for a miracle now. The doctors didn't say there was zero chance... just that it would take a miracle! 'Tis the season for miracles... As soon as we get back to the hotel tonight, let's see if we can make a miracle happen...

Oh, sexy man... do we have to wait until we get back to the hotel? We have this whole back seat to ourselves...

Diana...are you crazy?!! We can't fuck right in front of Tom and Lynda...

We won't be fucking in front of them... we're behind them! Besides, it'll pay them back for the day they met when we found them in bed together at our house... and they weren't embarrassed! And if we keep our clothes on, they won't be able to see as much of us as we did of them!

You know damn well what I meant! But... I don't know if I can... you know... get it up... knowing that they'll know what we're doing...

Diana lifted her head and looked at him. She smirked. You just leave that to me... She leaned toward him and kissed him gently, running the tip of her tongue over his lips. He parted his slightly and touched the tip of her tongue softly with his. 

Charles felt a jolt of desire when her hand slid down to rub over the crotch of his pants. His cock was already stirring. I guess I will be able to get it up...

Uh huh... told ya... She stroked his cock through the front of his pants as they kissed deeply and erotically. It didn't take long at all for him to become fully erect. Diana backed away from him for a moment to reach up under her dress and remove her panties. Then she straddled his lap on her knees and unfastened his belt and his pants.

When Charles moved to lower his pants, Tom exclaimed, "Oh, come on, you guys! You're not seriously going to do it right there in the back seat in front of us... are you?!!"

Diana looked down at Charles. There was hesitation on his face. Don't you dare try to back out on me now, sexy man... or I'll seriously hurt you...

Charles grinned and continued to lower his pants. "Sorry, partner, but sometimes a man's gotta do what his wife wants... when she wants it!"

He grasped Diana's hips up under her dress and helped her lower herself onto his long, aching shaft. They both uttered low, guttural groans as he filled her completely. Then he moaned, "And don't worry... this won't take very long!"

Diana rocked herself on his long cock, stimulating that spot deep inside her that makes her climax forcefully. She came in less than a minute, wailing loudly with her back arched, clinging to his shoulders. Charles leveraged his ass to the edge of the seat and began to buck into her hard as she slammed against him. He also came in less than a minute, growling through his gritted teeth.

"Damn, guys! You weren't kidding! That didn't take long at all! Do you always come that fast?!!" Tom asked incredulously.

Diana took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Then she replied, "Oh, no... Now that we've gotten that out of our systems, we could go at it for hours now." Tom started to protest. "But don't worry... I just wanted a quickie so we could start praying for a miracle until we get back to the hotel."

Lynda handed Diana some tissues from her purse and asked, "What do you mean by that... praying for a miracle?"

Charles explained as they cleaned themselves up. "The doctor said most of my sperm are dead... but not all of them. He didn't say there was zero chance she would get pregnant, just that it would take a miracle. So... we're praying for a miracle! 'Tis the season for miracles... right?" He looked at Diana and smiled sadly as she moved off his lap after he fastened his pants.

Lynda smiled sadly at them and then looked at Tom. Maybe sometimes miracles need a helping hand... maybe Diana's joke might be just the miracle they need... But how? There's only one way... No... I don't think I could handle that! Besides, Charles would never go along with it, either...

Charles leaned his head on the door window as Diana settled herself against his chest again. He caught Lynda looking at Tom with a strange expression. She appeared sad at first. Then she looked thoughtful... her brows furrowing as if thinking of how to do something. Then she winced slightly and shook her head as she glanced back at him... catching him staring at her. She looked startled and she faced forward again.

What on earth were you thinking, Lynda? Then he remembered that joking statement Diana told him she'd made to Lynda about asking Tom to lend him some of his potent sperm... My God, Lynda... you weren't actually contemplating THAT, were you?!!

Contemplating what, my love?

Charles looked down to see Diana staring up at him in question. Oh... nothing, pretty lady... I could tell Lynda was thinking... something... but I really don't know what it was...

Diana closed her eyes. Well... whatever you THOUGHT it was sure seemed to startle you! I could hear you as clear as a bell...

Charles started working on putting his barriers back up again... meaning he had to calm down and clear his mind. I'm sure it was nothing... I was just... jumping to conclusions. My FBI training doesn't measure up to this ability of ours to communicate this way or your ability to hear my thoughts! I have no way of knowing whatever it was she was thinking...

Charles had breathed deeply and evenly while he was sending those comments to his wife and convincing himself of their validity. He was calm and his mind was clear. And, thankfully, Diana seemed to have bought it as well. 

He shut his brain off. He stared blindly out the window of the car as it traveled the main highway north from Richmond back to Washington, D.C.

**********

Charles looked across to where his partner lay sleeping peacefully next to his beautiful wife. Then he stared down at his own beautiful, sleeping wife.

I've had so many miracles occur in my life... finding you again... saving your life... knowing how much you love me... just you... you are my miracle...

Tears filled his eyes again. I want to give you a child so much... but I think our well of miracles has been bled dry... What can I do?

He lay down on his stomach and buried his face in the pillow as more tears escaped his eyes. His shoulders shook slightly with each silent, gut-wrenching sob that tore from his soul.

Lynda opened her eyes and watched him. Tears welled and trickled from the corners to drip onto her pillow. Oh, Charles... I still love you and I can't stand to see you in so much pain again! I would do anything in the world for you and Diana... Even if it takes...

Oh, dear Lord... am I wrong to want to help my friends? Why would you give them the miracle of loving each other so completely and take away his ability to have a child?! He's such a good man... Men like him and Tom are the ones you should be making sure to aid in procreation... we need more humans like them on this planet...

And after everything Diana had been through in her life... She deserved a child... someone else who would love her completely... just for who she was...



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 06



New Year's Eve 1956, Charles and Diana Richards and Tom and Lynda Seldon were celebrating at a party in the ballroom of the hotel they were staying at in Washington D.C. The Bureau had very generously rewarded them with tickets to the party for their quick work. They had discovered the identity that Bradley Williams had assumed and that he'd been traveling back and forth between the U.S. and Singapore for the past eight years.

Charles and Tom clinked glasses. Charles chuckled and muttered, "William Bradley... how very original of him!"

Tom sat back with a sad look on his face. "I would never have believed that Major Williams would be capable of turning into such a treasonous bastard. Poor Dawn... I don't want to get back home and have to tell her that her uncle, who had been posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, is now a major arms smuggler for Indo-China."

He looked at Charles and frowned. "But we still have to figure out his source. Where and how is he getting the weapons? Until we can figure that out, it will do no good to go after just him!" 

His source would just contact any number of other known arms smugglers out there. That's why Bradley must've been thrilled to make contact with Harold Green. His import/export business was perfect for both its ability to acquire the arms and to distribute them anywhere in the world! They were sure that was why Robert Warren or Clark was also involved... because he had the contacts for Central and South America.

Charles nodded his head in agreement and then shook it worriedly. "Damn... this could become a major source for the outflow of illegal arms from this country if we don't figure out how to stop them soon!"

Diana and Lynda looked at each other and took deep breaths. Lynda said, "All right, you two. Stop talking about this mess. We're tired of hearing about it! That's all we've heard this week! This is New Year's Eve and this is a party... no more talk about arms smuggling for the rest of the night...OK?!!"

Tom sat forward, took his wife's hand and kissed it gently. "Yes, dear. We're sorry. No more shoptalk for the rest of the night. Shall we dance instead?" He stood and helped Lynda to her feet.

Their friends followed them onto the dance floor and were totally wrapped up in each other. They were holding each other close and swaying to a slow, romantic melody. Suddenly, Diana was smashed against Charles by a man who stepped backward right into them.

The man turned around. "Pardon me... I'm so sorry... Oh, my God! It's you!"

The woman with him gasped. "Charles?!! Is that you? My God... you look great! I almost didn't recognize you with a mustache! How have you been?"

Diana was stunned when Charles said quietly, "Sue... what the hell are you doing here?"

"Still bitter, huh, Charles?" Sue asked as she arched an eyebrow at him. Then she noticed Diana. "My, my... I guess you never really got over me! She looks a lot like me!"

Diana's eyes flashed with anger. She glanced up at Charles. "So, my sexy man... this is the stupid bitch you wasted seven years on thinking she was me? Tsk, tsk, tsk... I can see how you mistook her for me. We do look similar. But, I'm really glad she was such a screwed up bitch... otherwise you might've stayed with her and never known what a mistake you'd made!"

Sue and Diana stared at each other, sparks of anger and jealousy shooting from their eyes.

Charles was rooted to the spot he was standing on, glancing back and forth between his bitch ex-wife and his new wife... his true love and soul mate. He pulled Diana to him and said, "Yes, my love, this is the bitch that cheated on me for five years! And this is her bastard lover that I beat the shit out of when I found out about him. Sorry... I never caught your name... not that I cared! Are you two married now or is she still enjoying her role as your slutty mistress?"

The man with her grasped her arm and said nervously, "Come on, Sue. It's time we were leaving."

She jerked out of his grasp. "I'm not ready to leave yet!" Then Sue got right in Diana's face and hissed, "How dare you call me a stupid, screwed up bitch! You don't know me! And what did you mean Charles married me thinking I was you?!"

Diana remained calm and stared the angry woman straight in the eyes. "Didn't Charles tell you that you reminded him of his 'dream girl'... a girl he'd seen once at a carnival when he thirteen years old?" Sue frowned and nodded. Diana smiled widely. "I'm the girl he saw all those years ago... I'm his dream girl! You were nothing but a nightmare to him!"

Diana's face darkened as she continued. "You proved that when you rejected him and cheated on him with this wimp bastard! You were such a screwed up bitch you couldn't even see that Charles is a real man... an honorable man... a man who would've loved you until death! And a man that could've satisfied you way more than this bastard!"

She spun around to wrap her arms over her husband's shoulders. "Don't get me wrong... I'm glad you were such a stupid, screwed up bitch! Because now he's mine... we belong together and he's the best lover I've ever had! And I've had plenty!"

Charles wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her deeply until they both moaned in desperation. He slowly broke the kiss. His ex-wife and her lover were staring at them in shock.

Diana smirked at them. You have the gall to stand there and look at us like that? Damn, Charles... that one poke up her ass before you kicked her out obviously wasn't enough to pull the stick out of it! A devilish grin came over her face. "Oh, and by the way, Sue... he may have been a pain in the ass to you, but he's brought nothing but pleasure to mine!"

Sue's face reddened and her mouth dropped open as she gasped loudly.

Her lover frowned and looked at her as he asked, "What did she mean by that?" He didn't get a chance to ask Diana what she meant. Sue grabbed his arm and dragged him away quickly.

Diana looked up at Charles, not sure how he was reacting to her last comment. He was standing there with a smirk on his face as well. They both chuckled and then burst out laughing. Charles hugged her to him as they continued dancing.

Tom glanced at Diana as she moved fluidly in her husband's arms. His eyebrows went up as he felt tingles in his loins. He looked back at his own beautiful wife. I love you, Lynda... but damn... Why did Diana have to wear that dress tonight? She looks practically naked and she sure knows how to move her body...

Diana glanced at their friends and she noticed the way Tom was looking at her. She grinned and closed her eyes. I think Tom likes my dress a little too much! Maybe I shouldn't have worn it... Why were you so insistent that I wear this dress tonight, sexy man? Her eyes popped open when he spoke aloud.

"You know it's my favorite... I bought it for you on our honeymoon! You look just like Marilyn Monroe in this dress. No... even better than her! The way the creamy silky material clings to your body and shows off your beautiful, generous breasts... Every man here tonight is staring at you, pretty lady... you can't blame Tom for that!"

Lynda noticed the look on Tom's face when he glanced at their friends dancing nearby. His eyes traveled down Diana's body and lingered on her shapely ass. Lynda clenched her jaw. I know you would never betray me... But what if I help you... "I see the way you're looking at my best friend. She has a beautiful body, doesn't she? I know you've wondered how it would look to watch her and me together..."

Tom's eyes nearly bulged out of his face. "WHAT?!! Where would you get an idea like that?" he asked nervously.

Lynda laughed. "From Diana. Charles told her that you two had mentioned fantasizing about her and me together. She thinks it's hilarious! I think it's funny, too! That you'd fantasize about me with Diana... but not yourself. Why? Or have you also fantasized about being with her?"

Tom closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. "Lynda... why do you want to hear about my fantasies?"

She touched her husband's cheek gently until he opened his eyes to look at her. "Because... you're my husband and I want to share everything with you." Even my best friend... just once... hopefully for a miracle to happen...

"Tom... I've been thinking. I really can't stand to see my best friends in such pain when you and I are so happy! Diana jokingly said something that's made me think that we could help them... and I want to." She leaned close to her husband and whispered in his ear.

Tom drew back to stare at his wife in stunned silence for a moment. "No, Lynda. I could never do that. I love you too much and I care about Charles too much to ever do that. Besides, he'd never agree to it and I don't think Diana would, either. How did you come up with such a crazy idea?"

Lynda took a deep breath. "It wasn't just me. Charles and I have talked about it a few times. He's explaining it to Diana now. See?" Lynda inclined her head toward their best friends.

Tom looked over at them. Charles was staring intently at Diana, but his lips weren't moving. Diana's face slowly went from sadness to utter shock. She looked over to see the same shocked expression on his face. 

She looked back at Charles and frowned fiercely as she shook her head... her lips clearly uttered the word, "No!" Charles put his hands on her cheeks and kept staring at her. Her face crumpled as she began to cry and she buried it on his chest. Charles wrapped his arms around his wife and turned to look at them.

Tom frowned sadly at the look of utter hopelessness on his partner's face. Then his best friend was staring at him with painful pleading.

Oh, Charles... you can't seriously want me to do this? How could you ask this of me? How would any of us be able to live with this?

Tom looked at his wife again. "No, Lynda. I can't do this. You may feel like we're helping them, but I don't see how it won't do anything other than ruin our friendship and our trust in each other! I won't lose the best friends I've ever had by interfering in their lives this way. Even if I did agree to this... I'm not sure how I'd feel if it worked! Knowing that I... I can't even imagine it. And you... how would it really make you feel to know that I would be the biological father of your best friend's child?"

Lynda winced slightly to hear him actually say the words. "Charles and I have already thought about that. We think we've come up with a way so that even if Diana does get pregnant, none of us will know for certain that it's yours." Tom frowned at her. "Just come up to the room with us and we'll explain everything."

Charles and Diana walked up to them. Charles and Tom stared at each other for a moment. Diana heard her husband clearly.

I know what I'm asking of you. It's not been an easy decision. But I love her... I'm asking this for her. Please help me...

Oh, Charles... how could you ask this of me? I don't want to ruin our friendship... And how could this not? How could you ask me to do this to my wife? To your wife? I'll listen, but it doesn't mean I'm going to agree...

**********

After the third time Charles made love to her, Diana could no longer hold back her feelings of hopelessness. She burst into tears.

"Don't cry, pretty lady," Charles said gently as he stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers. "We're doing this for us... to make our own miracle happen. We can't keep relying on the powers of fate or destiny to determine our lives. I'm not going to sit back and let the dark forces of the universe continue to try and take happiness away from us. We've been through too much to just give up. We'll just keep trying until it happens!"

"Oh, Charles..." she croaked hoarsely, "What if I still don't get pregnant? This will have been for nothing! What if it's not just you... what if it's me, too?" She started to cry harder.

He laid his forehead against hers. "Don't think like that, Diana. Pray with me. Pray to God to give us a child. We've done what we could; the rest is up to Him. Pray to Him for our miracle."

They wrapped themselves around each other and prayed harder than they ever had.

One lone swimmer among millions was caught up in the primal flow toward an unknown destiny... Inside her body, a rare miracle took place. But the dark forces of the universe would one day make them pay a high price for that miracle...

**********

"Hey, you two. Mind if we join you again?" Charles asked somberly as he and Diana walked up to the table they had shared earlier with Tom and Lynda in the ballroom.

Lynda glanced at them and then looked away just as quickly.

Tom looked up but he couldn't look either one of them in the eyes. His face reddened slightly as he looked back down and gestured toward the empty chairs across from him and Lynda. "Sure. We still have at least an hour to go before midnight. The party's just getting started." 

Charles and Diana sat down across from their obviously uncomfortable best friends.

"Tom," Diana said gently. "Tom... look at me," she coaxed when he wouldn't meet her eyes. He kept his head lowered but he finally raised his eyes up to look at her. 

"I know how awkward you feel... I do, too! We'll never try it again and no one other than the four of us will ever know about this. And if we all trust each other, there's no reason for us to feel uncomfortable around each other. Right?" She glanced at Lynda and Charles as well. They all nodded their heads in agreement.

"Good. Then that's settled. Charles, would you guys please go and get Lynda and me something to drink? I'd like a whiskey, neat, please. And Tom, I guess you know what Lynda is drinking? Thank you... and take your time!"

The men made their way slowly to the bar. Neither one of them said a word. After they placed their drink orders, Charles watched Tom until he finally looked at him. He couldn't stand the look of guilt and embarrassment on his best friend's face.

He put his hand on Tom's shoulder and said quietly, "It's OK, Tom. This will never come between us... we never have to bring it up again."

Tom chuckled despite his unease. "I don't think I could... even with Lynda's help."

Charles slapped his shoulder and laughed with him. Yeah, partner... we'll be OK...

**********

As soon as the men left, Diana reached across the table and put her hand over Lynda's. She stared at her best friend's pained expression. "Lynda, why did you even suggest this?"

Lynda looked at her and smiled sadly. "Because I love you like a sister... and I just... wanted to... help. I couldn't even have brought this up if I didn't love you so much!"

Diana smiled regretfully. "I love you, too, Lynda. But I hate to say... if the roles had been reversed, I don't know if I could've been as generous to you! And, believe me when I say that I do understand what a sacrifice this must've been for you to even suggest it! But I'm truly grateful to you for caring that much!"

Lynda's smile brightened a little. "I think maybe I offered because I was trying to atone for that night I almost tried to seduce Charles..." Diana squeezed her hand again. Lynda put her other hand on top of Diana's. "I truly hope you get pregnant. Tom and I both do! We'll be praying for a miracle with you!"

Diana and Lynda smiled genuinely at each other just as Charles and Tom returned to the table. 

Tom asked quietly, "Is everything OK between the two of you?" The women looked at them and nodded.

Diana looked at Tom. "Is everything OK between the two of you?"

Tom and Charles looked at each other and smiled and nodded.

The men handed their wives the drinks they had gotten for them and sat down across from each other. Charles lifted his glass toward Tom and Lynda. "Here's to the best friends we could ever have in this season of miracles and our fervent prayers for one!"

Diana placed her glass next to his and said, "Here, here!"

Tom and Lynda glanced at each other and smiled. They looked back at their friends, lifted their glasses to clink with theirs and echoed, "Here, here!" They all drank to the toast and then headed onto the dance floor again.

At midnight, the men kissed their wives deeply for long moments. When they released them, Charles turned Diana in front of Tom and then took Lynda into his arms and hugged her for several moments. He whispered, "Thank you," in her ear and gently kissed her cheek.

Tom and Diana stared at each other awkwardly for a moment. Tom shifted uncomfortably on his feet. This is just so strange. I don't know how to act with you now. I don't know what to do...

Diana reached up and put her hand on Tom's cheek. She stretched up on her tiptoes and kissed his other cheek gently. Then she whispered in his ear, "It's OK, Tom. Just keep your fantasies strictly about Lynda and me. Then maybe you won't feel so awkward!!"

Tom pulled back and stared at her in shock for a moment. Then they both grinned and chuckled quietly.

Lynda was watching them. "OK, you two... no secrets! What's so funny?"

Diana looked at Lynda and said with a chuckle, "I was just telling Tom how to keep from feeling so awkward. I told him to keep his fantasies limited to you and me!"

Lynda closed her eyes and laughed softly as she blushed and shook her head. Good Lord... why would you guys fantasize about Diana and me together?!! "I just don't understand why you men think seeing two women together is so erotic! Because, frankly, I find the thought of two men together downright disgusting!"

"Well that's good... because so do we!" Tom winced as he took Lynda's hand to lead her back to their table as their friends followed.

When they were all seated again, Tom looked at Charles and said, "I guess the thing that turns me on about it is just thinking of getting myself involved somehow! Knowing already how it feels to kiss you and touch you..."

Charles added his thoughts. "And wondering how it would feel for you to be kissed and touched like that by someone else... other than another man!" The two men grinned sexily as they looked at their wives.

The women smirked at each other and shook their heads. Diana was startled to hear Lynda say, "Yeah... I wonder how you two would really react to seeing me kiss her! Maybe Diana and I should surprise you two with a little impromptu kiss sometime and see how you like it..."

Diana nudged Lynda's foot under the table and grinned at her.

Lynda's eyes widened for a moment. I was just kidding! But it might be fun... She grinned broadly and winked in response.

**********

The couples were getting ready for bed later that night. Diana and Lynda were between the beds in their bathrobes as they pulled the bedspreads and sheets back. They stood up and glanced at each other and then looked at their husbands standing near the foot of the beds in their pajama bottoms.

They moved in tandem as they untied their robes and dropped them on the floor. They were both completely naked. The men's eyes nearly bulged out of their heads.

The women turned toward each other as they stared at their husbands. Then Lynda said, "Here you go, boys... here's an image for your fantasies!"

Diana tilted her face up as Lynda leaned down and kissed her gently for a moment.

Their husbands both hissed as they sucked air in through their gritted teeth.

Diana clearly heard her husband. OH...MY...GOD!!! THAT'S SO... sexy... Kiss her more... touch her...

She put her arms around Lynda and drew her closer. Their bodies were touching as they parted their lips and deepened the kiss. Lynda wrapped her arms around Diana and trailed her right hand down to caress her ass softly. Diana brought her left hand around and lightly caressed Lynda's breast.

Both of their husbands moaned loudly.




Ghosts of the Past Ch. 06



The women broke the kiss and released each other. They stepped back and looked at their husbands. They burst out laughing at the obvious tents in the fronts of their pajamas.

Diana said through her laughter, "Damn, boys! You weren't kidding when you said that image turned you on! Well... we're both standing here naked and you two have hard-ons! So what're you waiting for? Engraved invitations? Come and get us!"

The men growled as they moved to their wives and threw them on their beds. They didn't even bother with the sheets or bedspreads. They shed their pajama bottoms and dove onto them. No foreplay was needed. Their husbands were surprised to discover that Diana and Lynda were also turned on by what they did! Both of them were nearly dripping.

Charles drove into Diana forcefully as she moaned loudly. Damn, pretty lady... I should've known you'd have the guts to do something like that! But I would never have thought Lynda would go through with it! That was HOT... but don't let it happen again! I meant what I said... I can't share you with anyone else... not even another woman...

Lynda was moaning loudly. Tom groaned softly with each slow, deep stroke into his wife. Oh, God, Lynda... I need you! I should've known that as soon as I made love to you it would erase any bad feelings... This is where I belong... inside you! Yes, sweetheart... wrap yourself around me... "I need you, Lynda... love me... love me always!" Tom whispered.

Diana closed her eyes as she clung to her husband. I think Tom will be OK, my sexy man. He's completely in love with his wife...

Charles raised his head to stare into his beautiful wife's eyes. I know how he feels, pretty lady... I'm completely in love with my wife, too... He kissed her deeply as they moaned and lost themselves in each other's bodies.

Both couples were completely oblivious to each other. They were in the same room... but they may as well have been making love on separate planets. They were both lost in their own worlds... Worlds where only the two of them existed... 



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 07



New Year's Eve 1956 in Los Angeles was also an unforgettable night for Rick and Dawn Estevez and Jon and Barbara North.

They attended a party hosted by a civic organization specifically for members of the police force. Rick's partner, Larry Wilson, and Jon's partner, Jerry Olson, were also there. Neither of them was married and they didn't bring dates, so they were hanging around with their partners and their wives.

Dawn and Barbara had excused themselves to go to the ladies room for a few minutes. Larry and Rick walked over to the bar to refresh their drinks. Larry glanced at his partner and shook his head. What happened to my friend, the Latin Lothario, who used to share women with me...

"Damn, Rick... I've seen you go after some much hotter women than Dawn. What is it about her that drives you so wild? She looks so... sweet! You can't possibly expect me to believe that she's some sort of a... sex goddess in bed!"

Rick grinned slyly. "Larry... you have no idea! My wife is an angel... the sexiest, most erotic angel you could ever imagine!" He lowered his voice. "I can hardly control myself around her sometimes... my dick stays hard when I'm near her! I've been throbbing all night and the only thing I want to do is drag my wife out of here so I can fuck her!" He took a deep breath to try to control the aching of his cock.

Larry snorted a short laugh. "If you say so, partner. But I still don't get what you see in her!"

Rick was suddenly pissed at his partner. "Goddamn it, Wilson, stop disparaging my wife! I'm going to prove to you how sexy she is! Go hide out somewhere in the coatroom. When Dawn comes back, I'll get her in there... and then you'll be in for one hell of a show, partner!"

Larry stared at his partner in surprise. "You're just fuckin' with me... right?"

"No, I'm not! But if you don't go right now, then you're not gonna get to watch my wife fuckin' with me!"

Larry Wilson spun on his heels and headed to the coatroom. Rick saw that Dawn and Barbara had returned and were seated with Jon and Jerry Olson again. He headed to their table. He walked up and held his hand out to his wife.

"Come with me, Angel."

Dawn immediately recognized the fire in her husband's eyes. Without a word, she took his hand and stood up. She could already feel the wetness flooding between her thighs as he led her away.

They didn't even say a word to their table companions... they didn't have to. Jon, Barbara and Jerry all glanced at each other and snickered quietly.

Dawn nearly tackled Rick in her rush to push him through the coatroom door and close it behind them. She backed him up against the wall and kissed him fiercely for a moment. Then, without a word, she sank down onto her knees in front of him, opened his jacket, unfastened his pants and freed his throbbing dick. She moaned deeply as she sucked his entire thick shaft into her mouth and down her throat.

Rick groaned loudly and then breathed, "Ah, fuck, Angel... that feels so damn good! Yes, Angel, suck me... ah, baby... you're so good at this! Ah, damn it! I'm gonna come already... Ahhhhh!"

Rick's eyes popped open when he heard a quiet snort of laughter from a nearby corner. He turned his head in the direction of the sound and saw Larry chuckling silently, peeking out from behind a coat stand with a wolfish grin and a nod of approval. Rick jerked his arm at his partner. Stay hidden you asshole...

Dawn refastened his pants and stood up again. "You feel better, my Latin lover? I couldn't help but feel your big cock pressing against me while we danced. I knew you needed some relief..."

Rick quieted Dawn by kissing her gently. Then he picked her up and carried her over to a chair a few feet away. He sat her in it and knelt down in front of her. He put his hands at her ankles and ran them up her legs encased in a pair of thigh-high silky stockings. He was surprised when he reached her hips.

Rick flashed his sexy, thousand-watt grin. "Where are your panties, Angel?"

Dawn lifted the skirt of her dress as she leaned back in the chair and flopped her legs over the arms, spreading her creamy thighs wide open. "In my purse. I took them off in the ladies room... hoping I could coax you in here for a quick fuck. I need some relief, too. My sweet pussy has been burning for your big cock all night! So, if your cock isn't quite ready again, then make your tongue useful until it is! Come on, lover, what are you waiting for?"

Rick groaned at the same moment his partner did, just before he bent down to bury his mouth in his wife's dripping flesh. He nuzzled her sensitive clit with his upper lip while he flicked his tongue into her sweet hole. He used his fingers to stimulate her ass. She had recently discovered what a pleasurable feeling it was to have him finger her ass as he feasted on her. She moaned loudly as she came twice with just five minutes of stimulation. Rick leaned back to get a good view of his wife's well-satisfied puss.

Dawn opened her lustful hazel eyes. Her face looked angelic, but the words that came out of her mouth were anything but. "Rick... I wish you'd never told me about what you and Larry used to do. I keep imagining you and him double-fucking me and it's driving me crazy! I'm your wife and I know you don't want to share me with anyone, but I can't get that fantasy out of my head! I don't know what to do!"

"Damn, Angel... I'm sorry I told you about that, too! I only told you as a confession so you would know how bad I'd been in my past, but... I didn't expect that it would make you wonder what it was like! Are you really that curious, Angel?" he asked carefully, an idea forming in his head. He glanced toward where Larry was hiding. His partner was staring at him with a more than interested look on his face. 

Dawn swallowed nervously and nodded her head as she licked her lips. "I was just now fantasizing about it... that's why I came twice so hard and so fast!"

Rick stood up and helped his wife to stand. "Come on out, Larry," Rick said as he looked toward his partner's hiding place.

Dawn's head snapped in that direction when she saw him moving out from behind the coat rack. "What the hell is going on here? Did you purposely set this up?" She was more confused than angry.

Rick started to speak but Larry cut him off. "I'm so sorry, Dawn. I underestimated you. Rick was pissed at me because I told him I didn't see what he found so sexy about you. He wanted to prove to me that you are a sexy, erotic angel. And I was proven wrong." He gave her one of his charmingly boyish smiles, but his eyes burned at her with desire.

Rick growled at the look on his partner's face as he stared at his wife. Then he noticed Dawn was looking at Larry with speculation. She was interested, but she wasn't panting with desire for him. OK, Angel... for one night I'll grant you this one fantasy...

Rick took his wife's hand and looked at his partner. "Come on, Larry. You're coming home with us. Just for tonight... this will never happen again. Is that understood?" he stated firmly as he looked back and forth at his wife and his trusted partner. They both nodded.

They found their coats and snuck out of the coatroom to go find Barbara, Jon and Jerry and let them know they were leaving. But their companions were nowhere to be found. They shrugged and left to go home...

**********

Jerry Olson watched Rick and Dawn walking away from their table. "I guess it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where those two are going and what they're gonna do!" he said as he snickered. He was feeling no pain. He'd lost count of how many gin and tonics he'd downed that evening.

Jon laughed with him, also feeling in a good mood after a few drinks. Barbara was the only one completely sober.

Jerry looked at her wolfishly. "Too bad we can't get you all liquored up and have our way with you again, Barbie! Remember that night Tony and I..."

"Jerry! You promised me you'd never bring that up again!" Barbara exclaimed in a panic as her eyes flew to Jon's face.

His eyebrows shot toward his hairline. "What is this? What happened one night when Jerry and your dead husband got you drunk?"

Barbara's whole face flushed. "Oh, God... it was only that one night, one time! I hardly even remember it... I was so drunk! I can't even remember if I enjoyed it!"

Jerry laughed and pointed his finger at her. "Ohhhh, Barbie... baby, you enjoyed it all right! Tony and I had you screaming like a banshee!"

Jon cut in again. "Damn it, Jerry... tell me what the fuck happened!"

"Just that, partner! Tony and I both fucked Barbie... he got her pussy, and I got her ass! You know I've always been an ass man... and Barbie's got one sweet little ass!"

Jon was stunned for a moment. "Goddamn it, Jerry!" he hissed. "I can't believe you never told me about this! I can understand why my wife would never admit it since it sounds like she was more or less taken advantage of! But you... you should've had the decency to tell me!"

Jerry looked a little crestfallen and slumped back in his chair.

Barbara came to Jerry's defense. "Hold on a second, Jon! I was not taken advantage of. Tony had presented the idea to me and I agreed to it... I was curious. But I was so nervous that I had to loosen up by getting a little drunk, but I drank more than I should have. Like I said, I can hardly recall what happened and I really don't know if I enjoyed it or not!"

Jon frowned in confusion. I'm not sure what to think... My wife has just admitted to me that she was curious to find out how it felt to be fucked by two men at the same time... And she let it happen one night, but she doesn't remember it...

He closed his eyes. The image of Barbara impaled on him with Jerry kneeling behind her as he slid his dick in her ass instantly popped into his mind. Jon growled with lust and jealousy. He shook his head to try to dislodge the image but it persisted. And then his dick was responding. What the fuck is wrong with me? I'm beginning to like the thought of letting my wife find out if she enjoys getting double-fucked...

She'd definitely remember it this time... she was stone sober! Jerry and he were the ones who'd had a little too much to drink. Maybe if I get drunk enough so that I won't remember... Nah... I'd have to stay in control so I can make sure that Jerry wouldn't get out of line with my wife...

Jon opened his eyes and looked at Barbara's nervous, flushed face. "It's OK, pretty girl. I'm not mad. In fact... I'd kind of like to be the husband who let's you find out if this is something that gives you pleasure. But this is a one-time offer. No matter how good it might be, it will never happen again. Come on, pretty girl... let's go home. Come on, partner."

He took Jerry's arm and helped him stand up. He held on to Jerry as he and Barbara walked him out of the building to their car. They sat him in the back seat and then climbed in the front. Jon had sobered up considerably since that whole conversation had gotten started.

He took his time driving home, mulling over the scenario to make sure he wasn't going to change his mind at the last minute. He also wanted to give Jerry a chance to sober up just a little. If he was too drunk, his dick might not cooperate at his age. Jerry was 45 years old, after all.

Jon glanced over at Barbara. She was frowning a little. "What's wrong, pretty girl?" he asked her quietly.

"If you're at all uncomfortable, Jon, please don't feel you have to go through with this just for me! I was younger and a little foolish then, and I let my curiosity get the better of me!"

"Are you still curious, Barbara?" Jon asked quietly as he glanced at her. She looked down quickly and blushed. "You don't have to answer, pretty girl. I know you are. And, God help me, but I'm curious now, too!"

Jerry piped up from the backseat. "What are you guys curious about?"

Jon glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "We'll explain it to you when we get home, partner!"

"OK! But why am I goin' home with you?" Jerry asked in confusion. Suddenly, part of their earlier conversation popped into his head. "Ohhhh... Are we really gonna...?" he asked with excitement as he looked at his partner's reflection in the mirror.

When Jon glanced at him and grinned widely, a big smile split Jerry's face. Oh, Barbie... I've never forgotten your sweet ass, baby... I'm gonna take real good care of you tonight...

**********

Half an hour later they were home, in their bed and completely naked. Jon and Barbara were completely sober and Jerry was still buzzed, but rarin' to go...

"Ohhhh, Jon!" Barbara breathed as she straddled her husband's awesome cock. He was propped up against the head of their bed as she faced him and forced herself onto his thick shaft.

"Damn, partner... now I know why Barbie calls you Mr. Big!" Jerry chuckled as he crouched beside them on the bed. "That's some monster dick you have!"

Jon shot a warning glance at him. "Shut up, Jerry! Just get over here and help me pleasure my wife before I change my mind!"

Jerry smiled wolfishly as he moved up behind the beautiful blonde woman who'd haunted his dreams for the last seven years... since the last, and only other, time he'd taken her sweet ass. He straddled his partner's legs and nestled his well-lubed cock against Barbara's shapely behind. He gently probed between her creamy cheeks until he found his target. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Barbie, are you ready for me sweet baby?"

Barbara took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as she tried to relax. She stared straight into her husband's lust-filled deep green eyes and whispered, "Yesss..."

Jerry placed his hands on her hips, just below his partner's hands at her waist. He slowly pressed his hips forward and felt the tip of his cock slip into her tight flesh. He stopped for a moment when she flinched and hissed through her teeth. "Are you, OK, baby? Do you want me to stop?" he asked with concern. She shook her head no. Thank God... because there's no way I could stop now... He slowly slid the rest of the way into her.

Jonathan North watched with lust and jealousy as his wife and his partner, L.A.P.D. Detective Jerry Olson both closed their eyes and moaned. My God... I can't believe I'm doing this... sharing my wife with a man who once shared her with her dead husband... And he's taking her ass... her sweet ass, he calls it... something I've never even done to her! But he'd be afraid to with his monster dick... And Jerry's cock was only average in size...

Jon's green bedroom eyes lit with lust when Jerry leaned forward and spoke softly in his wife's ear as he stared straight at him. "Go ahead, Barbie... ride your husband's monster dick with your tight little cunt! I'll move with you so you can feel both our dicks stroking inside you."

Barbara slowly raised and lowered herself on Jon's thick shaft as Jerry mirrored her motions. He pulled back from her as she lifted off her husband's cock and thrust into her as she slid back down. Her moans started softly, but after the first several strokes, they got louder and deeper.

She stopped lifting herself. She leaned toward her husband, fully impaled on his cock and rotated her hips. Jerry matched her motion and kept sliding his cock slowly in and out of her ass. Her hip movements got wilder. She grasped her husband's face and kissed him deeply until her orgasm overtook her. She groaned loudly and her back arched as she leaned back against her husband's partner while he stroked into her in rhythm with the throbbing of her flesh.

"My God..." Jon breathed. Barbara's face was a mask of pure pleasure and her body was moving in the most erotic ways he'd ever seen. He was more aroused than he'd ever been. He closed his eyes. I never considered that feeling another man's cock moving inside my wife's body while I'm inside her would feel so damn good...

Jerry momentarily forgot the rules. He took his hands from her hips and brought them up to grasp her perky breasts and pinched her tiny pink nipples gently. "Mmm... Barbie... are your little nipples still as sensitive as they used to be? You've got the prettiest little titties I've ever seen, baby!" Barbara's startled squeal turned into a loud groan.

Jonathan North growled. "Damn it, Jerry... get your hands off my wife's tits! That's my job!" as he grabbed the other man's hands away from her.

Jerry looked at his partner in frustration. "Then do your damn job, detective! You want to make your wife scream with pleasure don't you?"  

Barbara straightened up suddenly. Oh, God... I knew this whole idea was a mistake...

Jon saw the nervousness on her face again and could feel her muscles tightening around his cock. He stared at her with desire as he lifted his hands to her beautiful breasts and caressed her gently until he could feel her relaxing again. "It's OK, pretty girl... I'm not mad. Go ahead and lean back on Jerry and let me play with your beautiful tits!"

Jerry put his hands at her waist and supported Barbara as she arched back against his upper chest and right shoulder. Jon fondled her breasts until her moans and her hip movements indicated that she was on the verge of another climax. He leaned forward and stroked his tongue on her nipples and then sucked one into his mouth and fluttered it.

While Jon was preoccupied with Barbara's breasts, Jerry snuck his right hand downward and stroked her clit. Barbara screamed from a powerful orgasm. She wailed continually as her body writhed and bucked wildly between them. Jerry kept matching her movements, constantly sliding his cock into her sweet ass. Jon kept his tongue constantly stroking her nipples. Both men were groaning as Barbara moaned constantly, her body throbbing on their cocks from a non-stop orgasm.

Finally, after about ten minutes, Jon and Jerry could tell that Barbara was about to collapse. Jon leaned back and pulled Barbara against his chest. She had just enough energy to keep rotating her hips on him slightly. Jerry grasped her hips and continued to take her ass.

Jon sighed. There's only one way to end this... "Do you like this, pretty girl? Do you like feeling my partner's hard cock in your sweet ass with my big dick inside your sweet pussy?" Jerry's thrusts were getting more intense as he stared at Jon with lust in his eyes. "That's it, partner, fuck my wife's sweet ass... fuck her good! Give her something to remember!"

Barbara was writhing again and groaning as her hips bucked wildly. "That's it, pretty girl... fuck me! Come for me... let me feel your tight, little pussy throb on my big dick again. Squeeze Jerry's cock with your sweet ass! Make him come inside your ass! Give him something to remember that will drive him crazy knowing he'll never get to fuck your sweet little ass again!"

"Ah... FUCK YOU, JON!" Jerry growled. He gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut as he groaned loudly and bucked into Barbara. "There you go, partner! I'm comin' in your wife's ass! Ah shit, Barbie... you've got such a sweet little ass..."

Barbara screamed as her pussy convulsed and squeezed her husband's big shaft. She grabbed his face and stared into his eyes as her body was wracked by waves of intense pleasure. "I LOVE YOU, JON!" she moaned loudly. "Ahhhh, fuck... I'll always love you for this..." she breathed raggedly. She crushed her mouth to his.

Jon groaned loudly into his wife's mouth as his orgasm erupted. He wrapped his arms around her as his hips writhed beneath her. I love you, too, Barbara... Too much to ever share you with Jerry again... 



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 08



Dawn Estevez's heart pounded all the way home. My God...my husband is about to fulfill the only fantasy that has ever driven me to distraction... She glanced out the back window of their car to see that Rick's partner with the L.A.P.D., Officer Larry Wilson, was still following them.

She'd always thought Larry was a nice guy... even after Rick had told her that he and Larry had fucked a few women together. To look at Larry, you'd never suspect he was the type. He looked like the All-American, clean-cut type. Blonde and blue-eyed with a charming, boyish grin... he was the complete opposite of her smoldering Latin lover, her husband Enrique.

By the time they pulled into the driveway at their house, she was fairly panting with excitement. She looked at Rick and saw the trepidation in his eyes. She frowned. "Rick... if this is going to cause problems between us or between you and Larry..."

Rick smiled slightly. "No, Angel... I trust you... but I am a little worried about Larry. Once he knows just how sexy and erotic you are, I hope he'll still be able to control himself around you!"

Dawn smiled. "Maybe now would be a good time to tell me how you expect me to conduct myself with Larry, so I don't do anything to upset you."

Rick sobered for a moment. "I want your focus to remain on me. Larry is here strictly for your pleasure and I will tell both you and he what you can do. He cannot touch you and you cannot touch him unless I give my permission. Sólo con mi permiso. ¿Entiendes?" he asked firmly with his hand cupping her cheek.

"Sí, mi amor... yo entiendo!" she whispered and was rewarded with a quick, hard kiss.

**********

"Go ahead, partner... touch her breasts! I know you've been dying to ever since we undressed her!" Rick said silkily as Dawn stared at him nervously.

She was standing between the two men, facing her husband, staring into his eyes. Nervousness was slowly being replaced by desire. Her right hand was locked around Rick's hot, hard cock and she could feel Larry's long, slender cock wedged at her lower back and ass. She inhaled sharply when she felt a strange pair of hands slide up her abdomen to cup her full breasts.

Dawn gasped quietly when she felt Larry's cock twitch against her backside as his hands slowly and gently explored her breasts. She couldn't stop the moan that escaped her lips when her husband's partner lightly pinched her nipples with his thumbs and forefingers and rolled them gently. She involuntarily grasped Rick's cock tighter and pumped her hand back and forth.

Rick groaned softly. "Ohhhh... she must like what you're doing, partner. She's taking it out on my cock! Turn around, Angel. Doesn't she have the most beautiful nipples? Lean back on me, Angel, and let my partner get a good look at your beautiful breasts. Go ahead, Larry... I know you're dying to lick and suck my wife's nipples!"

Before he could even think about what he was doing, Larry Wilson bent down to lave his tongue on Dawn's breasts and then firmly sucked her nipples into his mouth. She moaned loudly and her back arched, forcing her pelvis against his. His cock was wedged between them, her soft pussy hair tickling his hard flesh. His dick twitched again and he felt a strange fluttering in the pit of his stomach... same as he'd felt once before several months ago... He was horny as hell... but his desire for his partner's wife was fast outweighing his lust for her. 

Damn, Rick... I can't believe you're letting me go this far with your wife... It was one thing when we were pleasuring a strange woman that neither one of us had any claim on! But this is your wife... your sexy, erotic... angelic... wife...

Larry jerked suddenly and stood up straight, looking down at his slightly shorter partner. Rick's face was unreadable. But there were many emotions warring in his eyes. Love... desire... jealousy... lust... confusion... Then he looked at Dawn. Her eyes were closed but there was no mistaking the mask of pleasure on her face.

My heart is in danger here... but I don't care... I want to make love to this woman...

Rick stared at his partner's face. This isn't just about sex for you any more, is it partner? He saw the desire in Larry's eyes for his wife... He knew Larry's look of lust when he wanted to just fuck a woman... and that wasn't it... You want to make love to my wife...

"Partner... I have just one rule for you tonight. You can touch and kiss and take my wife's body any way you want... but you cannot kiss her lips. Only I am allowed to kiss my wife. Understood?"

Larry stared regretfully for a moment at Dawn's luscious lips, then he looked at his partner and nodded that he agreed. It was just as well...kissing was too intimate... he would surely lose his heart to her if he kissed her while making love to her...

Rick turned his wife in his arms so he could scoop her up and carry her to their bed. He waited while Larry pulled the bedspread and sheet back and then he leaned over and laid her on the middle of the bed. Both men lay down on either side of her. Rick leaned over his wife and kissed her deeply until she moaned in desire.

Larry reached out and caressed her breasts as he enviously watched his partner's wife passionately kissing her husband. Dawn arched and thrust her breasts toward his hand as she ardently kissed and clung to Rick. Did you react so to my touch or your husband's kiss...

She whimpered desperately and squirmed her hips. Larry watched as Rick trailed his left hand down his wife's flat abdomen to swirl his fingers in her dark brown curls before sliding them between her creamy thighs. Dawn immediately groaned deeply in her throat, spread her legs and thrust her hips against his hand.

Rick tore his lips away from hers to stare at her face. Her neck bent backward and her breasts arched upward as another loud moan escaped her lips. Rick looked over at his partner staring at his fingers delving into his wife's pussy. Rick reached up and took Larry's right hand from Dawn's breasts and moved it down until he curled his fingers into her soft, wet flesh and stroked her. Dawn moaned loudly and rolled her hips wantonly.

Larry couldn't hold back. He bent down and laved Dawn's right breast a few times, drew the hard peak into his mouth and fluttered his tongue on her lovely nipple. Rick circled her engorged clit with his middle finger and bent his head down to suck her left nipple between his lips and flutter his tongue on it.

Larry groaned when he felt her soft flesh convulse on his fingers. Dawn grasped the backs of both men's heads and cried out from an intense orgasm. Her hips rode their fingers while her husband and his partner sucked on her breasts. When her orgasm subsided, she released her grips on their hair.

Rick and Larry both lifted up to look at her face. Then they looked at each other and smiled.

"Damn, partner... that's the first time we've ever made a woman come in less than a minute!"

Rick grinned even wider. "That's my angel for you, partner! She's a very sensuous woman... very easy to please! If you want a real treat, now's the best time to taste her... while she's dripping from her orgasm! Go on, partner, take a taste of the sweetest pussy I've ever had!"

Larry sat up and moved down between Dawn's legs as she propped her feet up and spread wide open for him. He bit back a groan as he stared at the most inviting looking pussy he'd ever seen. Wet lips the color of pink rose petals surrounded by creamy flesh covered with soft, curly dark brown hair, dewy from their recent ministrations.

He bent down and inhaled her scent... sweet... intoxicating... and he could feel the heat radiating from her flesh. He exhaled heavily; his breath caressed the very core of her. She moaned softly and barely undulated her hips toward his mouth. Larry looked up and saw his partner staring at him with a mixture of lust and jealousy, but he nodded his head at him.

Larry snaked out his tongue and flicked her clit a few times as they stared each other down. Dawn moaned loudly and bucked her hips. Rick's eyelids lowered as his lust won out. Yeah, partner... you like watching me lick your wife's pretty pussy, huh? You told me I couldn't kiss her lips... but you didn't say I couldn't kiss these lips...

Larry closed his eyes and tilted his head to kiss Dawn's nether lips just like he would kiss her mouth. He softly nibbled both sets of her lips with his until she was whimpering and then he parted his lips and stroked his tongue into the sweet recesses. He swirled his tongue into her wet core and pretended that he was sparring with her soft tongue in an intimate, erotic kiss.

Dawn gave a guttural groan and grasped the head between her legs to thrust her flesh onto his velvety tongue as he invaded her deeply. She was on the verge of another climax. She exploded when she heard her husband's voice next to her ear.

"My partner likes your sweet pussy, Angel! He's tonguing you real good, isn't he? Lick her good, Larry. Lick up all my wife's sweet juices! There's plenty more to come!"

Between Dawn's screams, the throbbing of her flesh as it flowed with her sweet nectar and her husband's erotic encouragement, Larry Wilson suddenly found himself on the verge of an orgasm. He didn't want to just abandon Dawn in the middle of hers. He reached down with his right hand to grasp the base of his throbbing dick and squeeze just enough to stave off his impending orgasm.

Larry gradually withdrew from Dawn's dripping flesh. He lay still as he took several deep breaths and held onto his dick until the tingling in his balls receded. He looked up suddenly when he heard Rick chuckle. "It's not funny, partner! I very nearly lost it! Especially when you opened your mouth!"

Rick chuckled again and said, "Well, don't feel bad, partner. I nearly lost it, too, watching the pleasure on my sweet angel's face. Angel, I think poor Larry is going to have to come at least once before we can double-team you or he won't be able to make it last very long! So, how do you want to handle this?"

Dawn looked at Rick. "It's your decision. You decide how you want things to... go down." I'd really like to suck his cock...

Rick grinned slyly at his wife. I know what you want, Angel... "Larry... when was the last time you had a blowjob... a good one?"

Larry's eyebrows went up as he remembered watching the way Dawn had sucked Rick off in the coatroom earlier. "It's been a while, partner."

Rick looked down at Dawn and asked her seductively, "Angel... would like to suck my partner's cock while I take your sweet pussy from behind?"

A radiant smile curled Dawn's lips as she slowly nodded her head. She pulled Rick down for a quick, deep kiss and then sat up and moved onto her knees next to Larry as he lay across the foot of the bed. She examined his cock for a moment, marveling at the differences between his and her husband's.

Larry's cock was about an inch or so longer than Rick's six inches. But where Rick had a thick, dark mocha-colored shaft with a bulbous head, Larry's shaft was slender and reddish pink in color with a purplish flared tip. She reached out to tentatively stroke him and jumped when his cock twitched as he hissed through his teeth.

"It's OK, Angel... bend over and show my partner how good you are! Wrap your luscious lips around him and suck him good. You heard what he said, Angel... he hasn't had a good blowjob in a while! This will be a real treat for him!"

Larry moaned deeply. Dawn leaned down and swirled her tongue on his cockhead and then sucked a good portion of his shaft into her mouth, laving him with her tongue. She lollipopped his entire shaft until it was wet and then sucked him all the way into her mouth and throat. "Oh, God!" he groaned deeply as he strained to thrust his hips upward to meet her talented mouth.

Dawn backed off and moaned when Rick slowly slid his cock inside her from behind. "Does this feel good, Angel? Yes, it does. Show my partner how good my cock feels inside you, baby."

Dawn moaned even deeper as she slowly sucked Larry's cock all the way again. She also reached down with her left hand and massaged and slightly squeezed his balls. Larry's moan echoed hers as his hands clutched at the bed sheet next to his thighs. 

"She's good, isn't she, partner? My wife is very talented when it comes to sex. That's why she deserves this one night of pure pleasure. Suck him, Angel. Suck his cock and make him come so we can work up to fulfilling your fantasy of being fucked by both of us! That's it, Angel, do him good! Don't hold back, Lar... I'm about to come, too. Watching my wife suck you while I fuck her is making me lose control! Ah, FUCK... suck him hard, Angel! Make him come!"

Larry yelled loudly, "Aaaaaaahhh...!!!" as his hips bucked a couple times. Dawn kept her lips wrapped around his cock as he erupted into her mouth. She groaned loudly as an intense orgasm ripped through her when Rick slammed into her as he came forcefully. She finally released Larry's cock and all three of them moaned in unison.

Dawn and Rick collapsed onto the bed next to Larry, Dawn still between them. Larry lifted up on his left elbow to look at her. His eyes traveled slowly down her body. Her face was plastered with a mixture of pleasure, satisfaction and still rampant need. Her breasts heaved and her soft, still flat abdomen moved as she dragged in deep breaths. Her pussy was drenched and her thighs were smeared. You are a sex goddess... An angelic sex goddess... I need to make love to you...

I see the need in your eyes, partner... Rick turned on his side toward his wife and nuzzled his lips on her ear. "Angel... look at Lar." She opened her eyes and glanced at him and then looked at his partner. "He wants to make love to you, Angel. Larry's never made love to a woman before. You're the first woman that he doesn't want to just fuck..."

Dawn looked back at her husband in confusion. "I can't make love to him... I love only you! You're the only man I can make love to!"

Rick's eyes burned at his wife. "I know, my Angel. That's why I'm going to lie right here beside you so you can pretend you're making love to me... OK?" She frowned hesitantly. "It's OK, Angel... I know this could get confusing for you, but this night is all about your pleasure. If Larry gives you pleasure while he's making love to you, it's OK for you to respond. It'll be the only way he'll finally understand what he's been missing out on! So, come on, partner... find out what it's like to really love a woman!" he said softly as he looked at his trusted friend.

Larry looked at her. She saw the desperate desire in his eyes... the same desire she was used to seeing in her husband's eyes. And yet his eyes were so different from Rick's deep, dark orbs... Larry's ocean blue eyes swam with passion and desire in their depths. Dawn's heart constricted with empathy. Oh, Larry... don't fall in love with me... my heart belongs only to my husband...

Her heart lurched when he whispered hoarsely, "Do you think you could pretend, Dawn... just once... pretend that you love me?"

Larry frowned slightly after he said that. I've heard that before...

Dawn swallowed hard and looked at her husband. Rick nodded and then leaned down to kiss her left shoulder. He whispered, "Go ahead, Angel... love both of us... just for tonight..." He lifted his head and stared at his wife. Yes, my love... kiss him and let him see how it feels to be loved...

Dawn reached up and pulled her husband down to kiss him deeply for a moment until he pulled back slowly and then nudged her toward his best friend and partner. She looked at Larry Wilson again and was suddenly nervous at what she saw. There was love that looked every bit as real and deep as what she saw in her husband's eyes.

Larry watched as if in a trance as she reached over and put her hand on his cheek and urged him to lean down and kiss her. Ever so slowly, he moved toward her until she was all he could see. He stopped a heartbeat away from touching his lips to hers. He stared into her wondering hazel eyes until she closed them and lifted her soft lips to his. His eyes fell closed as she gently explored his mouth with hers.

He never knew a kiss could be so sweet... so loving. He had always kissed women in a way that left them in no doubt of what he wanted from them. And it certainly wasn't love... Love didn't last. His mother had proven that to him when she up and ran out on his father and him and his two younger brothers after fifteen years of marriage.

All because she had ended up falling in love with his father's best friend because he was always there... and always flirting with her. Larry had never flirted with Dawn. She was off-limits... she was his best friend and police partner's wife. And he'd never really found her that alluring... until he saw her through Rick's eyes.

Sweet surrender... her lips were coaxing him to surrender to his heart. I know I've felt a kiss like this before... I just can't remember when... or who... I was too afraid before, but now... A deep groan rose from the depths of his soul as he parted her lips and begged for her soul to join with his... even though he knew she wouldn't. Her soul belonged to Rick.

Even so, she still kissed him back with all the tender passion that she was capable of with her husband right next to them... watching. Larry suddenly broke the kiss and lifted his face to stare at his best friend as he panted nervously from strong emotions that he could no longer control. 

Rick looked at him with compassion. "It's OK, Lar... as long as you remember it's only for tonight. Love her, Lar. She's so easy to love..."

She'd be so easy to love... He'd thought that about some woman not too long ago... he just couldn't remember who...

Larry Wilson half groaned and half sobbed as he surrendered to his heart. He grabbed Dawn with both of his hands and hauled her body sideways against his as he wrapped his arms around her back. He crushed his mouth to hers in a deep kiss of desperation. Her body yielded against his. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her left leg slid over his right thigh, pressing their crotches together.

His cock was already hard and aching again and was trapped between them. He moaned in surprise when he felt her wriggling and adjusting her hips so that his cock slipped between her thighs. He lifted his head to look at her again. She stared at him with, what looked like passion and desire... he could almost pretend it was love... It was close enough. He rolled her onto her back as he moved over top of her.

Rick moved up to the head of the bed and leaned back to watch. Dawn glanced at him nervously. His eyes just burned at her. It's OK, Angel... I know your heart belongs only to me. But Larry needs this... he needs you... and I owe him that... I owe him my life...

Dawn closed her eyes briefly. I can do this... just pretend Larry is Rick... She looked at the man poised above her. She morphed his desperate blue eyes into her husband's dark, passionate gaze. His blonde hair was dyed a rich, dark brown. She was staring into the face of the man who owned her heart and soul. She pulled his face down to kiss him tenderly as his cock pressed against her, begging for entrance. She spread her thighs and welcomed him.

Heaven... Larry groaned deeply as he slowly thrust his tongue and his cock into the angel beneath him. Rick told me he felt like he was in heaven inside his wife... Now I know what he meant... She was a woman to be cherished and loved. She'd given her heart and soul only to the man she loved... and now she was sharing them with him because her husband asked her to. She is an angel... and she doesn't deserve to be used this way... He sighed. There goes my heart...




Ghosts of the Past Ch. 08



Larry slowly broke their deep, passionate kiss. He backed away from her and looked up at his best friend and partner as he smiled sadly. "Rick... come make love to your wife. You're the one she's been with this whole time any way. I'm just here for her pleasure... remember?"

Rick saw the slight sadness in Larry's eyes. You really did fall in love with her... Then he looked at Dawn. She was staring at him with tears in her eyes. "Come here, Angel." She crawled up to lie beside him. He looked at his best friend. "Come on, Larry. Let's make love to this angel. She deserves all the pleasure we can give her."

For the next couple hours, Dawn felt like she had died and gone to heaven. Rick and Larry covered her body with kisses and soft caresses. They took turns ravishing her breasts and her sweet flesh with their lips and tongues. Dawn lost count of how many times she came from the sensation of feeling two sets of lips on her breasts and between her legs at the same time. They also took turns preparing her ass to be penetrated for the first time... Rick watched with lust and envy as Larry gently took his wife's virgin ass.

Then Rick stroked his thick cock into her as she lay on her side facing him. Larry was behind her, lovingly stroking his long, slender shaft inside her ass. Larry caressed her breasts and kissed her neck, shoulders and back while Rick kissed her lips. Then she would arch her back when Rick worked his way down to partake of her breasts with his lips and tongue. Larry leaned over to kiss her deeply and passionately. They both made love to her... in every sense of the words...

At midnight, they both kissed her deeply and passionately. Then Larry left them, feeling like he was a poor soul who'd been transformed into a Prince Charming... he was the one on whom the spell had been cast. But it was past midnight and the spell was broken. There was no glass slipper left behind and the princess... or angel in this case... would not come after him. Her heart already belonged to the dark Prince Charming. And they would live happily ever after...

Larry somehow felt that he might have already blown his one chance at happily ever after...

He would find out a couple months later that fate had already made the choice for him... three years earlier...



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 09



When Agents Charles Richards and Tom Seldon returned from Washington just after the new year, they informed their friend, Dawn Estevez, that they had confirmed the identity of her uncle and that he was, indeed, involved in their investigation. She very sadly promised not to inform anyone in her family what was going on until the investigation was closed.

They had also returned with all the authorized documents from headquarters to begin the actual investigation into the import/export company's records. Investigators from the L.A. Bureau office served the subpoenas and gathered up all the company's accounting and shipment records. Unfortunately, they were unable to find any supporting documentation in any of the official records. They were going to have to dig deeper, but they didn't have a clue where to start. 

Unbeknownst to them, Barbara North stepped in to help...

**********

As she and her husband were getting into bed one night a couple weeks into January 1957, Barbara had an idea floating around in her head. "Jon... I heard you talking with Tom and Charles at dinner earlier and I heard them say that they'd been unable to find any proof in the company's records. Well... it seems to me that Harold Green and Donald Price would not be so stupid as to keep any records of illegal activities filed with the company's official records. I would think they'd keep those records completely separate and hidden somewhere... wouldn't you?"

"Yeah... Tom and Charles think so, too. But their hands are tied as far as an actual search of the company's premises until more proof can be found. Why are you so interested in what's going on? We're not supposed to know about any of this and we're not supposed to be sticking our noses into it!" Jon reminded his beautiful wife.

"Well... the problem is that I do know about it and I have an idea how I can help. Just hear me out before you say no, Jon," she interjected quickly when he opened his mouth to argue. "I know I can do this and I just might be able to get them the proof they need to get search warrants!"

**********

On Monday morning, January 28, 1957, Harold Green buzzed his new secretary. "Mrs. North, would you step into my office for a moment, please?"

"Right away, Mr. Green!" he heard in her throaty, feline purr.

Damn, but that woman has a sexy voice... It was too bad she didn't look as good as she sounded. But at least she was very efficient... And she appeared naïve enough to keep her nose out things... unlike his last secretary... He just knew that bitch was the one who tipped off the FBI! That's why I had to get rid of her...

Barbara grabbed her steno pad and opened the door to her new boss' office. She walked in and sat in one of the chairs facing his desk, ready to take notes. At least he hasn't paid any attention to my looks... I guess the disguise is working...

Green glanced at the woman sitting in front of him with her blonde hair severely pulled back in a tight bun and her straight, gray dress. Why did all the efficient secretaries have to be so plain? Her body didn't even seem to have much shape to it... Well... You don't need to risk all your money by hiring some little nymph to chase around the office all day, any way! You're too busy and you're too old for that shit...

"This will be a personal memo, Mrs. North, so do NOT carbon copy it... Understood?" he asked sternly.

"Yes, sir," she answered crisply. Hmmm... what kind of personal memo could this be?

Green cleared his throat. "To D. Price, regarding upcoming shipments from Singapore and Panama. First Paragraph... Associates advise that shipments are en route and due to arrive at piers twelve and seventeen, Port of Los Angeles on or about Monday, February eleventh. Associate B. also advises that source contacted for authorization and pick-up of merchandise to be traded. Pick-up is scheduled for February ninth, Benicia. New Paragraph..."

Barbara interrupted him for a moment. "I'm sorry, sir... what was that last word again? I didn't understand it. Beni... What is that?"

Green snorted. "It's spelled B E N I C I A... and you don't need to know what it is. Can we continue now?" When she nodded, he went on. "Source will meet our agents at storehouse near loading facilities for transfer of merchandise to our railcars. Agents will return with merchandise via rail, scheduled to arrive at Port of Los Angeles on February tenth. Exchange of merchandise will take place February twelfth at 0100 hours. Associates will be flying in on February sixth to facilitate transfer with source. Associates will keep us informed as to status. Signed, H. Green. Did you get all of that Mrs. North?"

Barbara glanced up at him through her heavy-rimmed glasses. "Oh, yes, sir, Mr. Green. I believe I got it all. How soon do you need this to be ready for you?"

"By the end of today will be sufficient. I'll be hand delivering it, so just leave the memo on my desk before you leave. Understood?"

Barbara nodded, stood and exited his office to return to her desk. I'm not quite sure what all this means... but it sounds awfully strange. Shipments of merchandise exchanging hands and he made no mention of customs paperwork to be filed and no copy to be made of this memo. This might be important...

While Harold Green was at lunch, she typed two original copies of the memo. She slipped one under a stack of other correspondence that required his signature that she would be filing and mailing. The other one she left on his desk as requested.

She caught Green as he was in a rush to leave the office that afternoon and got him to sign the letters and the copy of the memo she had made. He never paid attention to what he was signing. After he was gone, she slipped the signed copy of the memo into her purse and took it home with her that night. She showed the memo to Jon.

A couple hours later they were at Tom and Lynda's house with Charles and Diana. Tom and Charles scanned the memo. They looked at each other with their eyebrows raised.

Tom said, "The memo says the merchandise is scheduled to be picked up... Benicia. That's an Army arsenal base up near San Francisco. This is it... How in the hell did you get your hands on this Barbara?" Tom asked incredulously.

She grinned. "You are looking at the new executive secretary to Harold Green of Green Worldwide Enterprises! I saw an ad in the paper a couple weeks ago where he was advertising for a new secretary, so I applied and I got the job! When Tony met me and swept me off my feet, I was working as a secretary for a shipping company in Phoenix so I had experience. Evidently, he needed someone right away and I was the only one who had applied that had enough qualifications to fill the job!

"Whenever he was out of the office, I would snoop around and see if I could figure out where he might've been hiding information on this stuff. But I hadn't had any luck on that. And then this memo came up today and I thought it sounded funny, so I made an extra copy and had him sign it on the sly so I could bring it to you guys!" she finished excitedly.

The two men frowned at her. Charles said, "Barb... that was a hell of a risk to take! Do you know how dangerous this situation could've become for you if Green had caught you or even just suspected that you were snooping?!! Did you know that his previous secretary is dead?!! Her body was found floating in Santa Monica Bay a week after she disappeared! Jon... did you have any idea what your wife was up to?" Jon rolled his eyes and nodded. "Why didn't you stop her, for God's sake?"

Jon sighed heavily. "I told her the exact same thing! But she wouldn't listen to me! And I didn't know that the floater had turned out to be Green's former secretary! You're going to have to quit this job now, Barbara. I won't allow you to keep taking risks like this! Have you forgotten that you're putting our child in danger, too?!!" he asked worriedly.

Barbara frowned. "But... if I just quit after only a couple weeks, he might get even more suspicious! I can't just walk out now, Jon!"

Tom frowned as well. "I hate to say it... but she's right. If Green gets suspicious, he might terminate the whole deal and then we'd lose our chance to find out who this military source is that's helping them get the weapons.

"Barbara... you do have to get out of this as quickly as possible. Go in to work tomorrow and tell Green that you had an emergency call from a family member who needs your assistance. Tell him that you'll contact an employment agency and find him a suitable replacement and do that as quickly as possible. You contact Charles and me as soon as that's done. And no more snooping or doing anything suspicious! Understood?!!" he stated firmly.

Barbara looked down as she nodded her head. Well, damn... you all act like you're mad at me when I've finally gotten you the proof you need...

Charles and Tom looked at each other when they saw the expression on her face. They both grinned and then swooped in to kiss her cheeks.

"Thanks, Barb... you're a very brave and smart woman!" Charles praised her.

"Yeah, Barb... we'd still be spinning our wheels if not for this! But don't ever do anything like this again!" Tom chided sternly. "And when you end up getting questioned at the end of this investigation, which you will be, you have to swear that you had no prior knowledge of this investigation when you applied for and got that job. Do you understand, Barb? It could jeopardize our whole case against them if this comes to light!"

"Yes... I understand. Jon warned me about that when he tried to talk me out of it! Don't worry... I can handle this."

**********

The next day, Tom and Charles were meeting with Assistant Director Peter Woods at the FBI office to show him the memo and explain how they got it.

"You swear you men had no knowledge that Barbara had done this?" They both shook their heads. "And she knows that she cannot let on that she was aware of the investigation?" They nodded. Pete Woods shook his head. "I swear... if it hadn't been for your wives and their friends, we'd have nothing on these people! I still wonder sometimes who the woman was that phoned our office in the first place to tell us that they thought GWE was getting into something illegal last October."

Charles stated, "Well, it seems that Green believes it was his previous secretary. He fired her right after we confiscated their company records and then she turned up dead! But I'm pretty sure she wasn't the one. I questioned the woman and I could tell she had no knowledge of anything illegal going on. Besides... the notes said that the person who made the phone call sounded like a young woman. Green's secretary was in her fifties and she did not have a young woman's voice."

"I'm beginning to think it was Green's daughter," Tom said quietly.

"What makes you think so?" Woods asked curiously.

"Well, when I talked to her at the nightclub that night at the Christmas party, I could tell she was very unhappy with her husband. Not just unhappy... she seemed to downright hate the bastard. I got the impression that she never really wanted to marry him. I think this was some sort of 'marriage of convenience' that she was forced into by her father. So, she'd be pretty pissed at both her father and her husband... and if she accidentally overheard them talking about what they were up to..."

"What better way to get revenge than by reporting it to the authorities, hoping we'd investigate and catch both of them and their asses would end up in prison!" Charles finished, grinning at his partner.

Woods raised his eyebrows and nodded. "That makes sense. Except... she'd be putting herself in danger of losing everything, too! Do you really think she'd be that stupid?"

Tom shrugged. "That's true. She made a comment to me that her father never talked to her about the business and that all he wanted her to know about was how to spend all the money he was making for her. She even said that it was all she really cared about, too." He paused as he recalled the look on her face. "But she didn't look very happy when she said that."

Charles frowned as he thought. "Maybe she's a classic case of the 'poor little rich girl.' All she's wanted all her life was to be loved, but all she's ever gotten is money. Maybe she's grown up enough to realize that money doesn't love you back... she doesn't care about the money any more. Revenge against the man who's ignored her all her life and the man who married her just to get to her money is more important. Yeah... I'd bet it was Lisa Price who called us, too."

Woods stated, "OK... that's probably one mystery solved. But how are we going to figure out who this military connection is that's helping them get these weapons from Benicia?"

Tom spoke up. "Sir... I remember a lieutenant in the Army that I became friends with toward the end of the war. His name is Gary Butler. I don't know if he's still active in the military or not... we lost contact after he was sent to Korea. But he was a weapons supply officer and if we could track him down, he might be able to help us figure out how to trace this source."

"That's a good idea, Agent Seldon," Woods said. "I'll call Washington and have them track down this Gary Butler. If he's still around, they'll find him and then you can contact him and enlist his help with this. Good work, men. And tell Barbara I said thanks... but to keep her nose out of things from now on! And you two are going to have to stop discussing your cases in front of your friends! Go on, now! You two have reports to be filed! Just be careful how you word them!" Woods growled gruffly at them, like he was trying to reprimand them.

"Yes, sir!" they barked and then chuckled as they left Woods' office.

**********

Thursday, January 31st, Charles and Tom were relieved when Barbara contacted them to say that she had found Harold Green a replacement secretary and was no longer working for him. 

Finally, on Monday morning, February 4th, FBI headquarters in Washington contacted the L.A. office to advise that the Army had finally located a Captain Gary Butler who was stationed at The Presidio. An hour later, Charles and Tom were on the L.A. Bureau's private plane headed for San Francisco.

Just before eleven o'clock, they entered one of the main office buildings on The Presidio complex and approached a civilian secretary. Tom and Charles glanced at each other and grinned.

Yeah...she likes the way we look... she'll probably do whatever she can to help... They laid their sexiest smiles on her.

Tom spoke first as they pulled out their badges and I.D.'s. "Good morning, miss. I'm Agent Seldon and this is Special Agent Richards. We're from the Los Angeles office of the FBI. I'm here to see an old friend of mine. Could you tell me where we can find Captain Gary Butler?"

"Huh?" the woman stammered momentarily, until she realized they'd asked her a question. "Oh... of course... Captain Butler. His office is in the next building... over that way," she indicated, pointing to her right. "He's on the second floor, room two-twenty-two."

"Thank you very much, miss. Have a nice day," Charles said smoothly as he smiled at the pretty young woman again before they turned and walked out. He chuckled after he shut the door behind them. "I still can't get over watching how women swoon as we talk to them! Diana was the first woman who ever reacted to me that way and now I can't help but notice that just about every female we come in contact with thinks we're just the cat's meow!"

"Yeah... what a curse to live with, huh?" Tom muttered as they both chuckled.

They entered the next building, identified themselves and informed the Officer on Duty whom they were there to see. The officer issued them visitor's passes and directed them to the stairway, advising them that Capt. Butler was in his office. They quickly found Room 222 and knocked on the door. They went in when they heard a man's voice loudly answer, "Enter!"

Tom swung the door open and stepped just inside. The blonde man sitting behind the desk looked up at him. He looked several years older than the last time he'd seen him, but it was his old pal, Gary the Gator. Tom smiled widely, "Gator! How the hell have you been?!! WHERE the hell have you been?"

Butler's eyes widened. Then his lips spread in a toothy grin. "Tommy... is that you? Man... it's been years! How the hell are YOU? What brings you here? Are you still with The Bureau? Yeah... I guess you are, judging by the way you're dressed... And I guess this is your partner?" His smiled faded. "What's going on, man? Why did you track me down after all this time and why have you come to see ME?"

Charles narrowed his eyes slightly. He seems awfully nervous...

Tom shook his old friend's hand. "I'm doing fine, Gator. But the years sure seem to have caught up with you! What the hell happened after you went to Korea? I never heard from you again. I had to have HQ track you down through the Army. I need your help with something, pal. I'm glad to find that you're still active military because you may be able to help us track down a traitor."

Butler frowned and tried not to flinch. "A traitor? What's going on, Tommy? Sit down and tell me how I can help you."

Tom introduced Charles to Gary as they sat in the chairs in front of his desk. Then Tom explained their investigation to his old friend. Charles watched Butler intently. I don't like it... This man is hiding something...

Oh, fuck... Gary Butler sat back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest with his left hand on his mouth and chin after he'd heard the whole story. "Damn, Tommy... I would never have thought Major Williams would be capable of something like this! And you're sure this 'William Bradley' is him?" Tom nodded solemnly. "And you need me to help you figure out who this 'source' he has is? Are you sure it's someone whose still active duty military?"

"Well, they'd have to be, wouldn't they? In order to be able to manipulate the paperwork and have access to weapons on military bases... I don't see how they couldn't be active. In fact... they'd more than likely have to be a pretty high-ranking officer in order to pull off something like this. Don't you think... Captain Butler?" Charles asked. Uh, huh... I saw you flinch...

Tom glanced at his partner. What are you implying, Charles? You don't think that... No way...

Stay cool, Butler... You can still get out of this...just tell them... "You're right, Agent Richards. In fact, I'd begun to suspect something was going on. I've seen some discrepancies in some of the paperwork that's crossed my desk over the past few weeks having to do with an upcoming munitions transfer at Benicia. But I was afraid to say anything because the signature on the paperwork was that of one of my superior officers. The discrepancies didn't seem that obvious at first, but when it kept happening, I began to wonder what was going on. And now, you show up here today with this information, and it all just seems to make sense. What can I do?"

Tom and Charles glanced at each other. This is almost too easy... Tom asked Butler, "You wouldn't happen to be able to get your hands on copies of that paperwork, would you?"

Butler stood up and moved to a filing cabinet next to his desk. "Yeah... I kept copies... just in case I noticed that these 'discrepancies' kept occurring." He pulled out a file of carbon copied reports with red pencil marks where he'd circled the numbers that kept changing on each of the updated weapons inventory lists slated for the transfer. The numbers had been increased each time.

Tom and Charles scanned the reports. All of them were signed by a Major Franklin Barnes. Charles looked at Butler and asked, "Do you happen to know where this Major Barnes is now?"




Ghosts of the Past Ch. 09



Butler sighed. "No. He took leave last Friday and I never heard him say where he was going. He said something about whisking his wife off on a second honeymoon... but that was it."

Tom and Charles looked at each other again. They raised their eyebrows and took deep breaths. Well... it looks like we've found out who the source is... And, of course, he's disappeared...

Tom looked back at his friend. "Can we keep these reports, Gator?" Butler nodded. "Boy... this is strange. I came to you today hoping you'd be able to give us some idea on how to figure out whom this person was. I didn't expect that you'd be able to actually provide the proof! This case keeps getting more and more coincidental..."

Charles frowned. Yeah... a little TOO coincidental...

They both shook Captain Gary Butler's hand and thanked him before they left. On their way out of the building, Tom said, "We'll contact Pete as soon as we get to the airport so he can call HQ and get them to track down this Major Barnes. We just better hope he hasn't skipped the country or we may never get our hands on him."

Tom glanced at Charles and saw the worried frown on his face. "Hey, partner... what's up with that look? We've just gotten a big break and you don't seem very happy about it."

"I don't know, Tom. Something about this just doesn't seem right to me. This just seems like too much of a coincidence. It was too easy. I could tell right away that Butler was hiding something and he seemed way more nervous than he should've been if he was just suspicious about something. I don't know... maybe he was just worried that he would get into real trouble for not bringing this to someone's attention right away. What do you think, partner? Would you have suspected that this old friend of yours would be in on something like this?"

It was Tom's turn to frown. "My immediate impulse would be to say no. But then again... I would never have suspected that Bradley Williams would be, either... but he is! And Gator did disappear out of my life for the past several years. But he's got these reports to back up his story! Before we can suspect him of anything, we're going to have to try to find this Major Barnes and verify these reports. Let's go, partner. We need to get back to L.A. and figure out what the hell's going on."

**********

Wednesday, February 6th, Bradley Williams aka William Bradley, arrived in Los Angeles and was met at the airport by Donald Price and Robert Warren, who'd also just arrived. They went to Harold Green's office in the headquarters building of Green Worldwide Enterprises at four o'clock in the afternoon. At 4:30, an urgent phone call came through for Bradley.

He picked it up. "This is Bradley." He was silent for several minutes as he listened, an increasing frown furrowing his brows. He took a deep breath and exhaled heavily. "I see. You think that's the only way we can handle this? ... Are you sure you didn't throw them off enough so that we could get through this first transaction before you have to change locations? ... OK. I'll take care of it from here. You just be ready for our arrival in three days. ... Yeah... see you then." He hung up and looked at Green, Price and Warren.

"We've run into a bit of a snag. It seems that a couple of Feds have been checking into what we've been up to since last fall when they received an anonymous tip. They've just about figured out who my source is and they could blow the transfer at Benicia on Saturday night. We're going to have to take care of them. It's a real shame, too. One of those agents used to be a man under my command back during the war. He was a good man."

He looked at Harold Green. "I don't suppose you know of anyone we could trust to take care of this... I really don't want to get my hands dirty."

Green thought for a moment. "Don't worry, Bradley. I know just the guy." He picked up the phone and called one of the warehouses. "Saunders, this is Green. Tell Bobby Joe Hutchins to call my office before he leaves today. ... Right. Thanks. Goodbye." He looked at Bradley. "Just tell me who these agents are and I'll make arrangements for their disappearance."

Donald Price and Robert Warren frowned when they heard the names Seldon and Richards. Those names sounded familiar for some reason...

Warren/Clark frowned even harder. Damn it, this was not supposed to happen... 

**********

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Hutchins. I have a special job that I need you to handle for me and I've been very pleased with the little problems you've handled for me in the past. This one is a bit tougher, though, so the payment will reflect that. I heard you complaining one time about how much you hated the Feds because a couple of them roughed you up in Vegas and had you kicked out of a casino there." Hutchins snorted in disgust. Green continued, "How would you like the chance to get even with a couple of Feds yourself?"

Bobby Joe grinned and chuckled menacingly. "Boy, would I! I'd love to beat the shit out of some fuckin' G-men!"

Green frowned. "Well, Hutchins... you can beat the shit out of them first if you want, but I want them eliminated the same way you took care of that other problem for me last month. I'll pay you ten grand for these two!"

Bobby Joe jumped up from the chair he was sitting in. "Ten grand! Hell... I'd have done it for two! You've got yourself a deal, Green!" He thrust his hand across the man's desk and they shook firmly.

Green said quietly, "Well... I told you it'd be ten, but you've got to handle this problem before you leave to do that other job for me this weekend. And then I'll add the payment for this to it. And call me when it's done."

Bobby Joe Hutchins nodded at him and left the office. I can't believe this... Green's gonna pay me ten gees to take care of a couple fuckin' Feds... Is this my lucky day or what...

**********

One of the front desk personnel stopped Charles and Tom as they were leaving the FBI office that evening.

"Agents Richards and Seldon... I have an urgent message for you! Some guy just called... he wouldn't give his name. He would only say that he's been working undercover for the CIA and that he had information that you're both in danger because of the case you're currently working on! He said that Green and Bradley are making arrangements for a hit on you two. He has no idea when or where but he did hear the name of the person they were calling in to do the job... one... Bobby Joe Hutchins."

Charles and Tom looked at each other in shock and said at the same time, "Bobby Joe Hutchins!"

Charles frowned. "That can't possibly be the same asshole we ran into in Vegas last October... Dawn's old boyfriend! But how many Bobby Joe Hutchins could there be?"

Tom shook his head. "This is crazy... this is yet another too strange coincidence! How in the hell could he possibly be involved? Let's get a hold of Dawn and Rick and see if they can shed any light on this!"



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 10



Bobby Joe Hutchins sat handcuffed to an interrogation table in a Los Angeles police station Thursday evening, February 7, 1957. "This is bullshit! I haven't done anything! You can't hold me here! Lemme go!" he ranted at the two-way mirror on the wall. "I know you bastards are watchin' me! Somebody get in here and tell me what the hell's goin' on!"

Agents Charles Richards and Tom Seldon, L.A.P.D. Detective Jonathan North, Officer Rick Estevez and Hutchins' friend, Billy Green, stood on the other side of the mirror watching the man's face and neck turn red as he shouted at the top of his lungs.

Billy shook his head. "I always knew Bobby Joe had a temper. And I kind of figured he'd get involved in something illegal if someone offered him enough money. But I never would've suspected that Uncle Harold was into something this deep. I kind of wondered why he called me out of the blue last fall and offered me a job workin' at his warehouses and asked me to bring along anyone I thought would be trust-worthy enough to do what they were told without any questions. I figured he was just hard up for labor.

"But when Bobby Joe came braggin' to me last night about this bundle of money he was goin' to make just by takin' care of a couple of Feds... I knew I had to let someone know right away! And I had no idea it would turn out to be you guys! Boy... if Bobby Joe had suspected that you two were the ones he was after, he'd have probably done it for free! And I never would've suspected it was Uncle Harold! I'm just glad you guys picked Bobby Joe up before he got around to doin' anything about it.

"And by the way, Bobby Joe and I were supposed to be doin' somethin' else for Uncle Harold this weekend that he wouldn't give us much information about. We were supposed to hitch a ride on a railcar up to this place called Benicia and meet someone to pick up a load of merchandise... no questions asked... and then return with it to the port docks."

Charles looked at his partner with his eyebrows raised. Tom put his hand on the younger man's shoulder. "We appreciate your help, Billy, but we need you to act like nothing's happened. If your uncle asks, you just tell him that Bobby Joe disappeared and you have no idea where he went. And you tell him that he'll have to find someone to take Bobby Joe's place this weekend. Can you do that?" Billy nodded. "Thanks... you can go now, and just stay calm... everything will be over with soon."

As Billy was leaving the room, two other men arrived. Chief Henry Nelson and Detective Dick Thompson closed the door behind them. Thompson scowled at the other four men. I know you bastards all think you're above the law... You all act like vigilantes... He was still pissed that they'd gotten away with killing a man last Thanksgiving just because they felt it was justified.

Chief Nelson looked at Tom and Charles. "Agents Seldon... Richards... we meet again. Hopefully no one will get killed this time, though I understand this guy was hired to kill you two. Is that right?" Tom and Charles nodded. "Well, then... would you like to have a crack at him first? If he won't talk for you, then Thompson and I will see what we can get out of him. Fair enough?"

Charles and Tom glared at Thompson when he snorted in disgust. Charles said, "Thanks. We've had a run-in with this guy before and I think his surprise at seeing us again will work to our advantage. Hopefully, this won't take very long!"

They left the observation room and entered the interrogation room. Bobby Joe opened his mouth like he was going to issue a stream of curses at them, but he stopped with his mouth gaping open. He frowned briefly and then his eyes widened.

He said quietly, "I know you guys... I've seen you somewhere... Where was it?" He frowned hard, turning his head sideways as he searched his memory.

Charles walked over behind the big redneck, grabbed his free left hand off the table, twisted his arm up behind his back and slammed Bobby Joe's head down onto the table as he howled in pain. "Maybe this will refresh your memory... asshole!" he growled. Then Charles immediately released him and backed away.

Bobby Joe's head sprang up from the table, his eyes wide again. "Shit! Now I remember! Vegas! You were the two asshole Feds that stuck your noses into my business with Dawnie in Vegas! What the hell are you doin' here? And why am I bein' held fer no good reason?"

Tom grinned. "Oh... we have a very good reason for holding you! Do you have any idea what our names are?" Bobby Joe frowned harder and shook his head. Tom continued. "Well... let us introduce ourselves. I'm Agent Thomas Seldon." Bobby Joe's eyes rounded nervously.

Charles leaned down next to him. "And I'm Agent Charles Richards." Hutchins' head snapped around to face him as his eyes turned to saucers. Charles stood up and chuckled. "Gee, Tom... he looks like he's seen a ghost... or maybe a couple of them! Isn't that what you were hired to do, Hutchins... turn Agent Seldon and me into ghosts?"

Before he could think straight, Bobby Joe blurted, "How the hell do you know about that?"

Charles slammed his hands down on the table in front of Hutchins and got right in his face. "You stupid asshole... it doesn't matter how we know. What matters now is that you just admitted to it. So, if you want to make things go easier for you, you'd better cooperate and tell us everything you know."

"I ain't tellin' you nuthin'," Bobby Joe said sullenly. You might know I was hired to kill you, but I doubt you know by who...

Charles stood up straight. "Well... that's just as well. We know everything we need to know and we already have enough evidence to convict you of conspiring to commit murder for hire. And being that we're federal officers, I'm sure the Attorney General will go for the maximum punishment... life in prison without the possibility of parole."

Tom chuckled. Damn Charles...you're good! That's a crock of shit but it sounds good and I'm sure this asshole doesn't know that... Then he added his two cents worth. "Yeah... we don't need you to tell us that Harold Green hired you to kill us... we already know. So I doubt there's anything you could've told us that would've helped you have any chance at getting out of prison at some point. Nope... the only thing that might help you now is if you can help us get evidence to convict Green as well." Chew on that for a minute Bobby Joe...

Hutchins closed his eyes as his mind whirled. How the hell did I end up in this mess? How did they find out? How am I gonna get outta this? He opened his eyes and looked at both of the men now standing at the other end of the table from him. "How on earth would I be able to help you get evidence that Green was the man who hired me? He didn't give me written instructions with his signature on it! It would be his word against mine! And who would believe me?"

Tom and Charles glanced at each other and grinned. Then Tom said, "It'll be really simple, Bobby Joe. All you have to do is make a phone call to Green and convince him that the job has been done. Then make arrangements with him as to when and where you're to get paid for it."

Hutchins frowned. "Well, there's a problem with that part. I'm supposed to be doin' another job for him this weekend and I wasn't goin' to get paid for this until that part was done and then I'd get all the money at once."

"What's this other job you're supposed to do for him?" Charles asked quickly as he glanced at Tom.

That's good, partner... don't let on to him we already know about that. It might tip him off that Billy was one who turned him in...

"Me and Billy Green were supposed to take a train ride somewhere to pick up some merchandise for him... no big deal. But Green was goin' to pay us a lot of extra money for our time. And I'm sure when I call him he's goin' to ask me if I'll be ready for that trip. So what'll I tell him?"

Tom responded casually, "Just tell him that it wasn't such an easy job taking care of two highly trained FBI agents and that you were injured in the process so you can't do the job this weekend. But you tell him that you still expect to get paid the full amount because of your injuries. That way, he won't get suspicious at all... he'll think you're mercenary, like he is, and he'll respect you for it!"

**********

The next day, the FBI had Bobby Joe Hutchins brought to their office with a phone set up to record the conversation between him and Harold Green. Charles sat him at the table in front of the phone. "You'd better make this sound good or we'll make sure the Attorney General knows that you didn't cooperate!"

Hutchins took the phone from the agent who handed it to him after they dialed Harold Green's private office number. After two rings, Green answered. "Mr. Green, it's Bobby Joe. It's done. Those problems you wanted taken care of have been... eliminated." 

"Well done, Hutchins. I'll add that ten grand to your payment for this weekend's work."

"Yeah...about that, Mr. Green. You see..." He paused and hissed through his teeth like he was in pain. "I can't go anywhere for a few days. I've cracked a few ribs and I think I may have sprained an ankle taking care of those problems for you. There's no way I can make this trip now. You'll hafta find someone else."

"I'm very sorry to hear that, Hutchins. Then I guess I'll have to give your other two grand to someone else."

"Oh, no you don't, Green! I earned that money, and more, taking care of this other problem for you! It ain't so easy trying to take care of a couple highly-trained FBI agents! They nearly beat the shit outta me before I could shoot 'em! You'll pay me the other two gees or I'll tip the Feds off as to who had those two G-men killed and then I'll just disappear! They've had you under investigation so they won't have any trouble believin' it!"

"ALL RIGHT!" Green shouted into the phone. Then he hissed, "All right... you'll get your money! But this money is also buying your promise to keep your mouth shut! Besides... if the FBI finds out about this, you'll be in just as much trouble as me! Even more... since you're the one who actually pulled the trigger! You just remember that, Hutchins. You'll get your money next week as planned. Don't let me hear from you again until then!" The line went dead.

"Good job, Bobby Joe. We got everything we needed. We'll put in a good word for you with the prosecutor. You can take him back to jail, now," Tom said to the two policemen who had escorted him to the FBI office. "Just make sure everyone at the jail knows that he's to be held in isolation until further notice from us." The policemen nodded their understanding.

**********

Saturday night, February 9th, the FBI, with the cooperation of the M.P.'s at Benicia Arsenal, set up lookouts and observed and photographed the transfer of munitions from a storehouse at the facility to two railcars contracted by Green Worldwide Enterprises. Photographs were obtained of William Bradley and his source... Captain Gary Butler.

Charles lowered his binoculars and muttered quietly, "I knew it! I knew that guy was involved! He must be the one who notified Green that we were on to them! But at least now we've got the source! He'll be one less bastard out there leaking arms into the black market!"

Tom sighed heavily and shook his head. "I just don't understand what happened to them. When I knew these guys, they were good men. I would never have believed they could get into something like this! There's got to be some reason why they'd do this!"

Charles looked at his best friend and partner. "Well... when we arrest them and take them in, you can ask them. But I doubt you'll like their explanations. Come on, partner. As soon as the train leaves, they're going to take Butler into custody."

**********

Late Saturday night, Gary Butler was sitting in an interrogation room in the San Francisco FBI offices. Tom walked in the door and Butler looked startled. "You're supposed to be dead!" 

Tom narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw. "Gee... I'm so happy to see you, too, Gary." Tom sat down across from him and stared at him for a moment. "Why, Gator... just tell me why?"

Butler snorted a harsh laugh, showing off his big teeth. "Oh, man, Tommy... you were always such a boy scout... with such high ideals... expecting everyone around you to adhere to your standards of conduct and decency. Except when it came to women... A good lookin' guy like you never had a problem getin' any dame he wanted! But guys like me and Bradley... women don't pay attention to guys like us unless we've got money.

"That's the only reason I got into it... money. Bradley and I have made a pretty good profit the last five years working together. And you had to go and fuck it all up for us! It's too bad Bradley couldn't bring himself to take care of you and your partner personally. At least I know he'd have been able to get the job done.

"I just don't understand why he didn't want to take care of it himself! It's not like he owes you any loyalty since you stole the woman he loved! Hell... I'd thought he'd have wanted to kill you with his bare hands... especially since she's dead because of you!"

Tom reached across the table and grabbed the front of Butler's shirt. "What the fuck are you talkin' about, Gator?!!"

Butler laughed sarcastically. "Oh, man... you really don't know, do you? I guess Yakira never told you! She was the one who helped Bradley disappear. He wanted out of the war. He was burned out. He'd fallen in love with Yakira and he was gonna stay with her on Okinawa and start a new life. Only he knew they were gonna send someone to take his place to finish the mission, so he left the island.

"When he came back and found out that Yakira had fallen in love with and married you, he went ballistic. He raped her... just for revenge... and left the island again, intending never to return. But he couldn't forget her; and once the main invasion started, he went back to take her away himself. Only he got back about the same time you did and he didn't know where to find her. He found her family near Yonobaru and beat her dying brother until he told him where she was. He got to that beach just in time to see Yakira get shot as she was running toward you. He watched her die in your arms. He said the only reason he didn't kill you on the spot was because he wanted you to suffer knowing that she died because of you..."

Butler was cut off when he was yanked up from his seat when Tom stood up and hauled him up by his shirtfront. "YOU'RE A FUCKIN' LIAR, GATOR!!! Bradley has told you a pack of lies!!!" Tom yelled hoarsely through his tight throat.

Butler put his hands up in a defensive gesture. "I'm not lyin' Tommy! How would Bradley have known about that scene on the beach? Do you remember seein' anyone else on that deserted stretch of beach besides that Jap sniper you killed after he shot Yakira?"

Tom half growled and half sobbed as he shoved the man away from him so hard that he was thrown into the wall behind him. Tom turned around and stalked away, dragging his hands roughly through his hair when Charles came through the door. "I'll kill him... I'll kill him..." Tom whispered hoarsely as tears gathered in his eyes.

Charles took Tom's shoulders and led him out the door of the interrogation room. "Come on, partner. I think that's enough. I told you you weren't going to like their explanations as to why they did this." But I didn't expect it to be so personal...

**********

Sunday morning, February 10th, Lynda held her husband as they lay in their bed. Tears slowly trickled from her eyes as he sobbed silently in her arms after telling her what he'd found out about his long-dead first wife.

"I have no way of knowing now if the baby Yakira was carrying was my child or Bradley's! That bastard! I can't believe he raped her!" he cried hoarsely as another wave of sadness swept through him.

Lynda held him tighter. Then she felt a strange sensation. There was a fluttering in her lower abdomen... almost like she was being tickled from the inside. The baby... She sniffed and said excitedly as she grabbed at her husband's arms around her, "Tom! I just felt the baby move!"

He lifted his head quickly to stare at her, tears still swimming in his eyes. "What?" he asked, not sure he'd heard her correctly.

Lynda pulled at his right arm around her waist until she could get to his hand. She placed it on her bulging lower abdomen and pressed firmly in the spot she'd felt the movement. A few seconds later, she felt it again. "There! Did you feel it?" He frowned and shook his head. She pressed his hand a little firmer and felt it again. His eyebrows went up. "You felt that, didn't you?"

A huge smile came to his face even as more tears welled in his eyes. "Yes... I felt that!" He moved down and laid his head on her stomach and stroked his hand on the swelling flesh just below her navel. "Hey you... this is your Dad talking! We've been waiting for you to make your presence known! We can't wait to meet you in another four months or so. But I'll keep talking to you until then... We love you and we're anxiously awaiting your arrival!"

**********

Monday night, February 11th, the FBI and the L.A.P.D. had a whole team assembled, ready and waiting to move in on the exchange as it was taking place at the port docks. Everybody was in position and everything was going smoothly until...

Robert Warren/Clark froze when he heard a gun being cocked behind him. He turned around slowly. "Don... what the hell are you doing?" he asked as Price leveled a gun at his face.

"You didn't think I wouldn't figure out that you were planning on running off with Lisa after this deal went through? How else were you planning on fucking me over, Bob... old buddy? You take your share of the profits... you take my rich little wife and you disappear with all your contacts so that Green and Bradley are forced to deal only with you, cutting me out of the picture completely! Some friend you've turned out to be!"

"Don... that's not how this is going down! I never planned on... Who the hell is that?" Robert looked over Price's shoulder when he saw car headlights coming up fast behind him.

Price turned around just as the vehicle came to a screeching halt. Lisa jumped out of the driver's door and screamed, "Robert! Run! He intends to kill you!"

Price muttered, "You stupid little bitch!" as he aimed the gun at Lisa.

She screamed when Robert jumped on Price from behind, knocking him to the ground. The disturbance had William Bradley and Harold Green rushing over to see what was going on. In the midst of the scuffle, the FBI ordered everyone to move in on the targets. Tom and Charles drew their guns and headed toward the sounds of the disturbance.

Just as they approached, Donald Price was standing up with his gun aimed right at Robert Warren/Clark. Charles yelled, "This is the FBI! Drop your weapons and put your hands up!" Price swung his gun toward Charles. Both he and Tom had him in their sights. "Don't do it, Price! Drop it right now!" Just as Price was lowering his gun, Charles caught Bradley Williams bringing a gun up, cocking it and aiming it right at Tom.

"TOM... LOOK OUT!" Charles shouted as he swung his gun toward Bradley and fired. Bradley went down; the bullet hit him square in the chest.

At the same moment, Donald Price re-aimed his gun at Charles, but before he could pull the trigger, Robert Warren/Clark quickly drew his gun and shot Price in the shoulder.

By this time, the group was surrounded by more than twenty federal agents and law enforcement officers. Jonathan North and Rick Estevez carefully approached Charles and Tom's position to check on their friends. Tom had gone to where Williams fell. Charles moved to where Robert Warren/Clark was standing over the whimpering Donald Price.




Ghosts of the Past Ch. 10



Bradley Williams opened his eyes and looked up. "Well, Tommy... I see you completed another mission that I failed to..." He laughed weakly and then coughed and groaned in pain. "Only this time there's no girl for you to steal from me..."

Tom just stood staring down at his former commander. "I thought you were dead. And I had no way of knowing that you'd met Yakira and fallen in love with her! You can't blame me for that! I just wish I'd been the one who got to shoot you instead of my partner! I owe you for what you did to Yakira! You raped my wife, you son-of-a-bitch! You watched her die in my arms and I don't know if the baby she was carrying was mine or yours!"

Williams frowned and groaned in pain as another spasm of coughs wracked his body. Blood was quickly spreading on the front of his shirt. "It was your baby, Tommy. She was already pregnant when I got back and I never had sex with her before I left. I didn't mean to rape her... I still loved her... I was just so pissed because she didn't love me. She never loved me... you were the only one she loved..." His voice was getting raspier as he wheezed for breath.

He's not going to survive this... Tom knelt down next to him. "Bradley, I happen to be good friends with your niece, Dawn. She lives here in L.A. now and she's married to an L.A.P.D. officer who's here tonight. Do you have any message you want to convey to your family?" Tom asked him quietly.

Bradley Williams smiled and then winced in pain. "Little Dawn... she was such a sweet girl. She's married to a good man? Not one like me..." Tom nodded. "Just ask Dawn to tell the family that I'm sorry... I just couldn't take it any more... I had to get out... And I'm sorry to you, too, Tommy... Sorry about Yakira... the baby... I know you loved her... I did, too..." he whispered just before he took his last breath.

**********

Donald Price was taken into custody by an officer and another agent. They led him to a waiting ambulance to escort him to the hospital.

Charles held his hand toward Warren/Clark and they shook briefly. "Thanks for saving my life. Diana may just be grateful enough for this to forgive you for what you did to her all those years ago. But, then again, I guess I ought to thank you for not keeping her for yourself. It's going to be really hard for me to have to arrest you now."

Robert laughed ironically. "So, that's why you approached me that night at the Christmas party when you saw me staring at Diana... you knew I was involved in your investigation and you wanted to see if you could get me to talk!" He chuckled as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his badge and I.D. "Well, I think I can save you the trouble of having to arrest me. My real name IS Robert Clark and I've been an undercover agent with the CIA for the last six years. I've been working mostly in Central and South America since then, setting up my cover as an arms smuggler."

Charles chuckled softly. "Well... you did a damn good job of that! You had us convinced that's what you were! You know... this case might've been a whole lot easier and quicker to resolve if the FBI and the CIA had been working together on this! We never know what you spooks are up to! But I'm sure glad you were on our side for this one."

Lisa Green Price finally came to her senses enough to realize what Robert and the FBI agent were saying. She approached them slowly, staring at Robert in shock. "All this time... you were working undercover to stop Daddy and Donald? Why didn't you tell me? You could've trusted me! I'm the one who called the FBI to tell them that they were up to no good! I was afraid that the FBI would never be able to find the proof and that I'd have to start snooping and find it for them! And I know damn well that neither Daddy nor Donald would've thought twice about killing me if they'd caught me!" She stopped, staring at Robert with tears in her eyes.

He moved to her and tried to take her in his arms. She pushed him away. "Don't you touch me, Robert Warren... or Clark... or whatever your name is! I'm mad as hell at you! You said you loved me! I told you I loved you! And still you couldn't trust me?!! I was kicking myself thinking that I was letting myself fall in love with a man whose morals weren't any better than my father's or the bastard he made me marry! My heart kept telling me that you weren't as bad as them, but I didn't have any proof of that... and still, I fell for you! And now I find out you were a good guy all along?!! You bastard! Why didn't you tell me?!!"

Robert took a deep breath. "I couldn't, Lisa, for your own protection. I shouldn't have even allowed myself to fall in love with you... but I couldn't help it. I could see everything about you that your father and Don have been blind to all these years. They only see your beauty...they've never seen how smart you are... how loving...how strong... how vulnerable... You remind me of another young woman that I was too stupid at the time not to realize how special she was." He glanced at Charles.

He rushed to Lisa and caught her in his arms as she broke down sobbing. He held her tightly until she stopped crying. "I love you, Lisa. And I'll never leave you again. I've already applied to headquarters to be released as an undercover operative. I'm hoping they'll approve my transfer here to the L.A. field office. It may take a few months of traveling back and forth to set up another agent to take over my undercover operations down south. But then I'll be out of it and we can be together."

Lisa reached up to pull Robert's ear next to her lips as she whispered quietly. "Oh, Robert... I want you to make love to me... tonight! Please tell me you'll take me tonight!"

"Oh, darling..." he moaned. Then he said, "Sweetheart... you and I will be tied up the rest of the night with debriefings. It will be a while before you and I can be alone together. I'm sorry, my love, but we'll have to wait..." Clark frowned in desperation as he laid his forehead against Lisa's.

She looks just as desperate as you... Charles chuckled softly. "Clark... give me your badge and I.D." Robert looked at him questioningly. "Just give them to me." Robert handed them to him. "I'm pretty well aware of both of your roles in this investigation. I think we can do without you tonight. I'm just taking these for now so that you'll have to show up at some point to retrieve them. Just make sure you bring her with you! Go on and get out of here! I'll tell everyone that she was in a bit of shock and that you're taking care of her and you'll both be in touch to give your statements as soon as you're ready! Well... go on before I change my mind!"

Lisa flashed him a brilliant smile. "Thank you Agent... I don't even know what your name is! But thank you!" Robert nodded solemnly at Charles as he climbed into Lisa's car with her. 

Charles watched as they drove away. Tom walked over to him. "You were supposed to arrest that guy... not let him leave with one of our key witnesses! Are you nuts? What's wrong with you? Pete's going to have your head for this!"

"Don't worry, partner, they'll be back. I know in my gut that they'll be back..."

Charles handed Tom Robert Clark's badge and I.D. They grinned at each other. So... he's the one who tipped us off about the hit on us... Guess he's not such a bastard after all...



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 11



Lisa drove carefully as she followed Robert's directions to his hotel. She kept her face forward, concentrating on her driving, but out of the corner of her right eye, she could see him staring at her intently. She pulled into a parking space in front of the hotel and turned the car off, but she didn't move to get out. Robert was partially turned in the front seat, still staring at her.

She turned her head to look at him. "What?" she asked nervously. He pried the fingers of her right hand loose from the steering wheel... she hadn't even realized she was still gripping it.

He drew her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers softly. "Lisa, darling... we don't have to do this right away if you're not ready. I'll wait as long as you want me to, if you want to do this properly and wait until you're free to marry me. I don't want you to feel you need to do this just to hang on to me. You've already got me." He turned her hand up to kiss her palm gently.

She cupped her hand and slid it to his face. He nuzzled his cheek against her palm and stared at her with intense longing. Lisa shuddered as she felt the throbbing in her lower abdomen that only Robert had ever made her feel when he looked at her with his piercing blue eyes. "Oh, Robert..." she whispered desperately. "I can't wait another minute to be with you! You make me feel things I've never felt before... You're the only man I've ever wanted! I just hope I won't be a disappointment to you. I'm not very experienced at this... Donald was always telling me how terrible I am..."

She was cut off when Robert suddenly reached out and drew her into his arms to kiss her fiercely. She moaned and melted against him as he deepened the kiss. The throbbing in her lower abdomen turned into a liquid heat that flowed down between her thighs. She groaned deeply and sensuously stroked her tongue against his, also suddenly imagining doing that to other parts of his body... She whimpered desperately. My God... where did that come from?

Robert dragged his lips from Lisa's and kissed across her cheek to her ear. He whispered desperately, "Don is a bastard who has no idea how to make love to a woman. He doesn't love you and he doesn't care about pleasing you. Have you ever felt like this when he kissed you?" She whispered no. "Don is the one who's terrible... not you! Come with me, my darling. Let me show you how you were meant to be loved!"

**********

Lisa stood next to the bed in the relative darkness of Robert Clark's hotel room. She had helped to undress him down to just his slacks and underwear. He undressed her with his eyes before his hands ever got started. He took his time, staring into her sparkling sapphire eyes... letting his hands translate to his brain how her naked body looked as her clothing was removed. She was beautiful.

Soft, silken skin covered her shoulders, chest and back. Full, heavy breasts with succulent nipples the size of small thimbles beckoned his mouth. Her narrow waist flowed into her slim, but rounded, hips and she had an ample behind that was meant to be grasped by a man's hands. He could just picture her short, shapely legs wrapped around his hips as he cupped her heart-shaped ass and drove his throbbing cock into her.

Lisa was trembling and panting with desire at the look in Robert's eyes. His ice blue gaze had deepened as his hands softly explored her body. The icy shade had melted to be replaced by the glittering passionate sparkle of blue diamonds beneath his dark brows. His chiseled, manly face was a mask of desperate passion and desire being held at bay. She suddenly wanted him to unleash his desire... to show her just how desperately he's wanted her... needed her...

Lisa took his right hand from where it was resting lightly on her left hip and guided it to her thatch of auburn hair and then down to where her wetness was clinging to the soft curls. She gasped and moaned softly when he slid his middle finger between her wet folds and stroked her. 

He noticed a startled expression cross her face when he rubbed over her clit. Then she moaned loudly and reached up to grasp his shoulders as her back arched and her head fell backward when he continued to circle her clit.

"Oh, my God, Robert!!! What's happening to me?!!" Lisa cried as the hot need between her legs started to build to an intensity she'd never felt before. She felt Robert's left arm slip around her waist to support her even as her knees buckled.

Robert suddenly realized that she'd never experienced an orgasm before. He slowly intensified the stroke of his fingers on her clit as he leaned down to nip and kiss the column of her throat. He murmured sensuously, "Just go with it, darling! Let go...just let your body enjoy what you're feeling!" She moaned deeply and her hips rolled with the strokes of his fingers. "That's it, my love...come for me, Lisa. Let me give you your first climax! Let me be your first!"

Lisa wailed loudly as her hips bucked wildly and her hands dug into his muscled shoulders. Robert moved his fingers down and thrust them inside her to stroke her flesh as she throbbed, still circling his thumb on her clit. He raised his head to watch her face but he couldn't see her. 

Her head was hanging almost upside down. Then her hands fell away from his shoulders as her arms limply collapsed to her sides. Only his left arm encircling her waist kept her from collapsing completely. Robert bent down and picked her up in his arms and sat down on the side of the bed, cradling her gently.

"Oh, my God... oh, my God..." she continually moaned softly as her chest heaved. She finally lifted her head to stare into Robert's eyes. He smiled softly at her. She looked at him with awesome wonder. "My God... I've never felt like that before in my life! Donald never touched me like that!" Is that the only way you can make me feel like that?!! Just by touching me?!!" 

Robert chuckled softly and sexily. "I hope not, my love! There's any number of other ways I can make you come! I can also do that with my mouth..." He leaned down and ran his tongue softly over her lips and dipped it briefly into her mouth as she moaned softly and closed her eyes. Then he murmured, "And with my cock..." He took her right hand and pressed it to the hard bulge at his crotch. Lisa moaned deeply and stroked her hand on his hardness, causing him to groan.

He lifted his head to stare at her again. Her eyes drifted open. Her sapphire gems glittered with passion and desire, but she frowned slightly. "Donald was never able to make me feel like that when he put his mouth on me there. And I never felt like that when he was inside me, either. But, then... I don't love him... I never loved him! But I do love you... Oh, Robert... make love to me now!"

He groaned as he crushed his lips to hers and moved to lay them down on the bed as Lisa's hands went right to the waist of his trousers. She fumbled with his belt buckle until she finally got it open, then she unbuttoned and unzipped his pants and immediately reached into his shorts to grasp his throbbing shaft. They both groaned deeply.

Lisa stroked his hard cock while he paused to push his slacks and boxers down his hips and thighs and kick them off his legs. He cradled his hips to hers as she pulled his dick to her dripping flesh. Robert growled as Lisa moaned deeply when he slid his shaft inside her. She did have a wonderfully tight pussy, even to his only average-sized cock.

Robert almost growled in anger when he remembered how many times over the years Don had teased him that his dick was about two inches shorter than Don's seven inches. But at least his cock was a little thicker than Don's broomstick shaft. Robert frowned when he remembered Don's whiny voice saying how Lisa always complained that he hurt her when he fucked her too hard. And how he'd insulted both her and his ex-wife the way he talked about them...

"She's such a frigid little bitch... but at least her pussy's nice an' tight and tastes real sweet! That's the only thing that makes up for her not suckin' my dick! I wonder how much money I could pay Lynda to give Lisa cock suckin' lessons! Damn... but that bitch knew how to suck my dick! All of it... every last inch into her throat! But she wouldn't have to worry about chokin' herself on your measly little pecker!" Don had chuckled as he teased him.

Robert growled again and closed his eyes. You fucking bastard, Don... you don't have any clue how to treat a woman! You didn't deserve Lisa or Lynda! He opened his eyes to see Lisa staring up at him with concern.

"What's the matter, Robert? Do you not like the way my body feels? Am I not pleasing you? What do you want me to do for you?" The words flew from her mouth in a panic. Oh, God... please don't find me inadequate like Donald! I'll do anything to please you! Anything...

Robert put his fingertips to her lips. "Shhh...shhh, darling... I'm in no way displeased with you! I was displeased with Don... I was just remembering how many times I've wanted to beat the shit out of him for the way he talked about you! He didn't deserve you... I don't deserve you..." He backed his hips from hers and then slowly slid his cock inside her again. "But I need you..." he groaned.

Lisa moaned wantonly and whispered desperately, "Oh, Robert... make me come with your cock! I want to come with your cock inside me!"

He leaned down and kissed her tenderly and then whispered softly with his lips brushing hers, "There's probably only one way I can do that, my love. You'll have to turn over and let me take you from behind." Her eyes widened slightly in fear. "I won't hurt you, my love, I promise. I'm not like Don. And in case you haven't noticed... my cock's not as long as his..." He kissed her softly and ground his hips against hers to make her see his point.

Lisa moaned softly at the sensation of his pubic mound grinding against her. She brought her feet up and widened her thighs to grind her mound back against his and gasped in surprise when she felt a jolt of pleasure from rubbing her clit against him. She kept grinding into him every time he thrust inside her.

Robert picked up on what she was doing, so he matched her movement, grinding his hips to hers. When her moans intensified and her hips were constantly rotating, he buried his cock inside her. His left arm was under her shoulders and his right arm was down under her ass and he matched the motion and rhythm of her hips with his. He placed his right cheek against hers with his lips close to her ear.

"Does this feel good, my love?" She nodded as she groaned deeply. "Mmmm... yes... move with me, my darling... Yes, Lisa... rub against me. Use my body! That's it, baby... keep it goin'..." Within a minute, he felt her flesh throbbing on his shaft as she cried out.

"Oh, YES, Robert... YES...YES...YES!!! Oh, God! Aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!" she wailed as she clung to him.

Robert groaned deeply. "Oh, Lisa... that feels so good, my love! I can feel your flesh throbbing on mine! Oh, baby... that's so good! I haven't felt a woman come this hard in so long! Yes, baby... squeeze my cock... Oh, God, Lisa... you have a perfect body! You were made to be loved..."

"Only by you, Robert... only by you!" she whispered raggedly as she wrapped herself around him. She gasped in surprise when Robert resumed thrusting softly and slowly. "Oh, my God! You're still hard! I thought you came, too!"

He removed his right arm from beneath her and raised up to stare at her face. "I did, my love. But I've wanted you for so long that it was only a partial orgasm... just enough of a release so as not to lose my erection. I still need you... so badly! I want to be inside you...always..." He caressed her cheek with his fingers as he kissed her softly and deeply.

Lisa moaned softly as he stroked into her. "Mmm...that's where I want you to be, too... inside me... always. Make me come again, Robert... please!"

He kissed her deeply for a moment. "Do you trust me, darling?" She smiled softly and nodded so he backed away from her. "Turn over, my love." Lisa untangled her legs from his and rolled over beneath him. He helped her to position her knees so that her hips were angled upward just barely raised off the mattress. Then he crawled over top of her and slid his cock all the way into her.

"Ohhhh...yessss..." Lisa breathed. "That feels sooo good... Oh, Robert... your cock feels so good sliding so slowly and deeply inside me..."

Robert smiled and laughed silkily. "Yes, my love... it feels so good to me, too. And how does... this feel?" He leaned on his left forearm and reached his right hand down between her spread thighs to stroke her clit again. Lisa could only groan and nod her head. He laughed softly again as he bent down and kissed her neck and shoulder.

He continued to slowly glide his throbbing shaft inside her, pausing to grind against her every so often as he stroked her swollen clit. He was continually fighting the urge to just grab her hips and slam his dick into her as hard as he could. Don had always fucked her like an animal and he didn't want her to think he was anything like Don any more. But that didn't stop him from lusting for her like an animal...

Lisa couldn't stop groaning. The hot, sensual feeling of Robert's cock moving slowly inside her was building an urgent and intense need to feel more... More of what she wasn't quite sure... she just needed to feel... more. She started moving her hips, trying to thrust back against him as he was sliding into her. She felt a jolt of intense pleasure deep inside her. She groaned deeply, "Harder, Robert... fuck me harder!"

He sucked in a breath. "Are you sure, my love? I don't want to scare you or hurt you like Don. I've been fighting my urge to take you hard and I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself if I let go..."

Lisa lifted herself on her forearms and turned her head to peer up at him. Her sapphire eyes flashed with lust and desire. "Fuck me hard, Robert! Show me how badly you've needed me!" she growled passionately.

Robert growled in response as he scrambled up onto his knees and grasped her hips to raise her up. He placed his cockhead at her wet slit and slammed inside her with one powerful thrust as he grunted loudly.

"OH, YESSSSS!" Lisa screamed.

Robert was spurred on by her lustful cries and by the fact that she was slamming her body back to meet his thrusts. He was pounding into her for all he was worth... his brain went totally blank as his animalistic instincts took over. He threw his head back and growled like a feral creature and exploded into the most intense orgasm he'd ever had when Lisa screamed one last time as her flesh convulsed on his dick and throbbed hard. She literally milked the cum from his cock.

He collapsed forward over top of her and they slowly slid down onto their stomachs, both gasping for breath. Robert stayed propped on his forearms so his full weight wasn't resting completely on Lisa's small body. "Oh, my God..." he breathed. "Oh, Lisa... that was incredible! That was the best orgasm I've ever had, my love. Your body is incredible!" he whispered passionately as he moved sideways, raining kisses over her left shoulder.

Then he noticed her shoulders were shaking like she was crying. He quickly moved off of her and rolled her over. "Lisa... what's wrong, my darling? I didn't hurt you did I?" There were tears coming from her eyes but the expression on her face wasn't a pained or sad one. She looked radiant. She was laughing and crying at the same time. "Lisa... what is it?"

She put her hands to her face and burst out with one last sob of relief. Then she wiped the tears from her face and reached up to pull Robert's head down to her. She crushed her mouth to his, parting his lips to kiss him more deeply than she'd ever kissed a man before. Robert kissed her back just as fiercely until she slowly ended it.

She stared up at him with deep love, passion and desire sparkling in her sapphire eyes. "Oh, Robert... you don't know how relieved I am to know that my body pleases you! But I want to learn all the ways I can please you, my love! Will you teach me? I know Donald told you that I wouldn't do anything for him to please him... I didn't want to! I hate that bastard and the fact that I was forced to give him my virginity! But I love you... I want to please you in every way!"

Robert suddenly noticed just how young and vulnerable she looked. He'd always thought she looked younger than she actually was, which he had assumed to be around 25 years old. "Lisa, my love... how old are you?"

She smiled softly. I know you think I'm older... I want you to understand just how inexperienced I am... "I'm twenty-one, Robert. Daddy made me marry Donald when I was only nineteen. I knew nothing about sex. My mother died when I was only twelve and she never got around to discussing the facts of life with me. And Daddy sure as hell would never talk to me about it. I had a few girlfriends over the years who told me only the very basics of sex but they were too prudish to go into any details.

"On our wedding night, the only thing Donald was concerned with was... 'poppin' my cherry' as he so crudely put it! He tried to force me to put my mouth on his cock but I told him if he did that, I'd bite him as hard as I could... that made him finally stop asking me. But then he forced his head between my legs and did and said the most awful things to me... I'd never felt so humiliated in all my life!" She closed her eyes and winced at the memory of Donald's nasty voice and demeanor that night...

**********

"Well, well... looky here! You're a little redheaded pussy! Let's see just how tight your little cunt is!" He'd shoved his fingers roughly inside her as she whimpered in pain. "Fuck, Lisa! Your cunt's as dry as a desert! I guess I'm gonna hafta get you wet myself!" He'd forced her thighs apart and raked his tongue up and down her and then shoved it into her as far as he could.

Then he'd grunted and backed away from her. "I guess that's about as wet as your little cunt's gonna get! Too bad... you're gonna be in for a rude awakening when I pop your cherry cunt!" He'd stared at her with a sick grin on his face and stroked his dick a few times as he put a condom on. "Don't wanna come inside your little virgin cunt! I don't need you poppin' out any brats like you to raise!"

Then he'd flipped her over and taken her from behind roughly. "That's the only way to do it... get it over with fast! There you go, baby! Now you're a woman!" he'd shouted proudly as she screamed in pain. She'd nearly passed out as Donald rammed her painfully, all the while groaning about how good his dick felt inside her tight, little cunt... not even noticing the blood dripping down her thighs...

**********

Lisa squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head to release the awful memory. She glanced at Robert and saw the deep concern in his eyes. She looked down as she emotionlessly told him of her complete humiliation at her husband's hands.

"Donald took me roughly and I nearly passed out from the pain. I bled for days afterward and, luckily, Donald wouldn't touch me until it stopped. I dreaded every single time he came for me and dragged me into his bed. He finally started to get the message that even though he could force me to let him fuck me, it didn't mean I had to respond. I just laid still or stayed still in whatever humiliating position he forced me into and took it until he was done. And every time afterward, he would tell me what a disappointment I was and that he needed to get his ex-wife to teach me how to properly fuck and suck him."

"That son-of-a-bitch..." Robert gritted through his teeth. When Lisa looked up at him again, he gathered her in his arms to hold her tightly. "My love... I'm so sorry! If I'd realized just how young you are and I'd known just how roughly he was treating you, I'd have taken you away sooner. Oh, God, Lisa... I'm so sorry!" he rasped as his throat constricted. Tears gathered in his eyes.




Ghosts of the Past Ch. 11



Lisa heard the pain in his voice. She wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders and stroked his hair. "I'm fine, Robert... I survived because I knew you would come for me as soon as you could! I just wish I had known why you had to wait until now! It would've been so much easier for me to know we were on the same side! I'm just so glad to know that I really did fall in love with a good guy! And, by the way, just how old are you? I know Donald is somewhere in his early thirties, so I assumed you're about the same age."

Robert leaned back to stare into her eyes. He smiled softly when she brought her hand around to softly wipe away the couple tears that trickled from the corners of his eyes. "I'm thirty-nine, my love... I'm eighteen years older than you! I'm afraid you're stuck with an old man!"

Lisa grinned slyly. "Well... that just might work to your advantage! You see... I never was a 'Daddy's little girl'... but I've always wanted to be! Am I young enough to be your 'little girl'? Would Daddy like to fuck his little girl?"

Robert's eyes widened when his cock twitched as she provocatively asked him if he wanted to pretend she was his daughter. Damn... that sounded naughty as hell! This could be quite a turn-on! Yeah... I'll play along, my love... "Would my baby girl like Daddy to taste her sweet pussy?"

Lisa gasped when a sudden tingle coursed between her legs at the sexy rumble of his voice and the hot look in his eyes. She panted excitedly. "Oh, yes, Daddy... lick your baby's sweet little pussy and make me come! And then teach me how to suck your cock and make it all big and hard so Daddy can fuck his baby's tight little pussy!"

Robert groaned loudly and closed his eyes as his cock swelled to full attention between them. He opened his eyes when he heard her gasp and giggle. "Damn, Lisa... I don't know how much of this I can take! I think if you reached down and grabbed my cock right now and said one more thing like that, I'd probably come in your hand!"

Lisa blushed and giggled again. "Well, then... I guess I'll just have to save this little game for when you're having trouble getting hard!"

Robert smirked at her. "And just what makes you think that I'd ever have trouble getting hard for you? Whenever you want me, all you have to do is walk up to me and say something like what you just said! You felt how fast I got hard... I fear you could completely control me if you talk to me like that! All I can ask is that you be merciful and not take advantage of me!"

Lisa smiled sexily as she slid her left leg over Robert's hip and rubbed her crotch against his stiff member. "So, does Daddy want to fuck his baby again, or..."

Robert groaned and snatched her mouth to his to shut her up. He rolled her onto her back and swiftly filled her with his aching cock. She moaned desperately as he thrust his tongue and his cock into her hard and deep. He reached down and grasped her left thigh to pull it up propped over his right forearm so he could get a little deeper into her. Her mouth broke away from his when she threw her head back and groaned loudly.

Let's see if this naughty little girl gets off on this as fast as me... "Is this what you wanted, baby... for Daddy to fuck his sweet baby's pussy again?" "OH, GOD, YES!!!" Lisa moaned loudly. "Fuck me, Daddy! Fuck me hard with your big cock! Oh, YES... YES... YES!!!" 

"Ah, fuck, baby... Daddy's gonna come fast if you keep talkin' like that! Come on, baby! Come with Daddy! Let me feel your sweet little pussy squeeze Daddy's cock as you come hard! That's it baby! Oh, YES... YES... AAAAHHHHH GOD, BABY!!! That feels so goooood!!!" 

"AAAAHHHHHGGGG!!!" Lisa screamed as she came. Robert groaned softly as he collapsed on top of her. Lisa lay beneath him shaking and panting from the force of her orgasm and they were both sweating. Robert lifted up and looked down at her with a sexy grin. She grinned back just as sexily. "Was I a good girl, Daddy?"

"Mmmm...you were a very good girl, my sweet baby! Now... Daddy's gonna carry his baby into the bathroom so we can take a shower and then Daddy's gonna taste his sweet baby's pussy and teach her all the ways we can please each other... OK?!!!"

Lisa grinned excitedly as he got up off the bed and picked her up to carry her into the bathroom. They washed each other sensuously and thoroughly and then Robert carried her back to the bed and spent the rest of the morning discovering all the ways she wanted to be pleased and teaching her things that brought him pleasure. Lisa was an eager student, anxious to please... her Daddy. 

But when it came to receiving pleasure from him, she didn't act like a little girl... she was all woman. The most sensual and responsive woman Robert had ever been with... even more so than Diana. But Diana hadn't really loved him... he knew that all along. She had only convinced herself she was in love with him so that she could finally give in and get fucked by a man.

Lisa noticed a slightly sad look on his face. "What's wrong, Robert?"

He sighed heavily. "I was just remembering the last woman I ever used like Don... stealing her virginity and dumping her... how guilty I felt. She was the last because she showed me how pleasurable it was to bring pleasure to a woman. I also felt guilty that I didn't even tell her just how much I enjoyed being with her. But that would probably have been like rubbing salt in her wounds... I'm glad to know that she's happy now with a man who loves her and deserves her."

"You're talking about that FBI agent's wife, aren't you? The one who was the singer at that nightclub when we went to that Christmas party?" Robert nodded. "I thought I recognized both him and his partner from that party. His partner was the one who was so nice to me at the bar. I guess he was only talking to me because he wanted to find out if I knew anything about what Daddy and Donald were up to. Oh, God... he's also married to Donald's first wife! How strange is that?"

Robert chuckled with her for a moment. Then he said, "I'm really going to have to thank Agent Richards for letting us have tonight. I guess he saw how desperate I was for you and he took pity on me..."

**********

Robert and Lisa both thanked Charles when they saw him the next afternoon at the FBI office when they showed up to give their statements. They also ended up running into Diana and Lynda when they popped in because they hadn't seen their husbands for almost twenty-four hours.

Diana stiffly accepted Robert's apology until Charles told her that Robert had saved his life by shooting Donald Price. Diana turned her tear-filled eyes to him and said, "All is forgiven... thank you for saving my life as well for I'd have no life without my soul mate!"

Lynda also reluctantly accepted an apology from Lisa for calling her a bitch at the Christmas party. Lisa wasn't going to elaborate any further, but Robert felt the need to make Lynda understand that Lisa had been forced into marrying Donald how much abuse she had suffered at his hands.

Lynda's anger vaporized when she saw the pain in Lisa's eyes. She could see that Lisa was very young and vulnerable and would've been no match for Donald's temper and his penchant for rough sex. Lynda had only survived with Donald because she was able to please him... she had thought she loved him. But Lisa had never loved him and was, therefore, unable to please him. That must've angered Donald no end. Lynda had always known he had a cruel side because of their constant bickering that had almost always ended up turning into hot, rough sex.

Lynda instantly sympathized with Lisa and felt almost as much of a connection with her as she'd felt when she first met Diana. She took Lisa's hand and told her, "If you ever need someone to talk to about what that bastard put you through, I could probably understand better than anyone. Please feel free to call me any time..."

**********

 I am no longer allowing votes or comments on this story. Number one... because I obviously do not have enough people interested in this story to even bother to vote. And number two, because there are too many readers out there who are only too happy to vote negatively when they could simply just not bother to read a story they don't like!

I'll finish this series, but then I think I'm done with Literotica... I've obviously worn out my welcome...  



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 12



Wednesday, February 13, 1957, Diana Richards received some stunning news. That same day, a messenger arrived at her office in the movie studio and she was astounded to discover what had been delivered. She called all of their friends and invited them to dinner with her and Charles that Friday night.

While everyone was finishing dessert, Diana stood up to deliver her surprises. "I'm so glad all of you could be here tonight. I have a couple of surprises. The first one is for Charles." She looked down at her husband seated to her right at the end of their large dining room table. She grinned widely. "I'm pregnant."

Charles jumped up and grabbed his wife and hugged her as everyone at the table erupted into cheers. Then everyone else was getting up and coming over to congratulate them. Everyone was so excited for them that they didn't even stop to ask all the usual questions for which Diana was very relieved... 

She finally got everyone's attention again. "Come on, everybody! Sit back down... I need to give you all my next surprise!" She waited while everyone sat down and then she walked over to the buffet and picked up four envelopes... each one addressed to the four couples. "She looked at all of their friends and asked, "Do any of you have any plans for next Friday night that can't be cancelled?" They all shook their heads. "Well... that's good, because we all have plans now! These were delivered to me at the movie studio on Wednesday..."

She handed the envelopes to each of her girlfriends and while they opened them, she read what was written on each card inside. "You are cordially invited to attend the Hollywood Premiere of my latest movie, "The Wings of Eagles," on Friday night, February 22nd. I look forward to seeing you there. Sincerely, John Wayne."

The men all looked surprised and Lynda, Barbara and Dawn all chorused, "Oh, my God!" "That's so nice of him!" "I've never been to a movie premiere before!" "This is so exciting!"

Charles shook his head. "I swear... I wish I could just hate the man. He swoops in and rescues my wife... twice... and now he's inviting all of us to a pretty prestigious event! Why does he have to be so damn nice! I don't want to like him... I don't know if I can trust him not to try and steal Diana from me! You know he's only doing this because he still loves her..."

"That's enough, Charles Richards!" Diana exclaimed as she slapped the top of his head with their invitation. "You know damn well that he could never steal me from you! You took his keys away long ago..."

He grinned with her as they shared their private joke. They had metaphorically referred to Diana as a "used car" that the big man had refurbished and then turned over to Charles. Wayne couldn't handle being with her because of his obsession for her, but Charles had taken over and was just as obsessed with her... she needed that possessiveness in order to be assured of his love. And whenever the subject of her relationship with The Duke came up, his possessiveness always kicked in to high gear.

**********

The following Friday night, the four couples splurged and rented a limousine to take them to the movie premiere and home from the reception afterward. When they arrived, photographers were snapping pictures of all of them even though Diana was the only one any of them recognized.

"Mrs. Richards! Any plans yet on expanding your singing career?" "Have any recording companies managed to woo you into a contract yet?" "Who are all these couples with you?" "Are they celebrities, too?"

Diana just smiled and kept her answers to a minimum. "No... no plans for a singing career! No recording contracts, either! These are my friends and no, none of us are celebrities!"

They all turned in stunned silence when they heard The Duke's booming voice. "They're not celebrities, but they deserve recognition nonetheless!" He and Ward Bond approached the group and Wayne put his hands on Charles and Tom's shoulders. "These two gentlemen are Agents Charles Richards and Thomas Seldon of the FBI who recently investigated and shut down a major arms smuggling ring!"

Ward walked over to Jon and Rick and did the same thing. "And these gentlemen are two of L.A.'s finest. Detective Jonathan North and Officer Enrique Estevez, who also provided their able assistance in rounding up the suspects the night the smugglers were apprehended."

"And aren't all of these fine gentlemen lucky to have such beautiful wives!" Wayne said smoothly as he and Ward kissed each of the women's hands.

Then he and Ward walked toward the doors into the theatre. Wayne said, "Come, my friends! There are other people waiting inside that we wish to introduce you to!"

Diana finally got to meet Pilar Wayne face to face. "It's so lovely to meet you. I've been a big fan of your husband all my life and he's been so kind and generous to me ever since we met when my boss produced one of his movies a few years ago. And this is my husband, Charles. We've been married almost a year now, come April. We just found out last week that we're expecting a child."

Diana noted the startled glance that the big man threw at her husband. Then he held out his hand and said, "Congratulations, Richards. I'm sure you're both very happy. The happiest days of my life have been when I found out I was going to be a father and the days my children were born!"

Charles put his left arm around Diana's waist as he shook The Duke's hand. "Thank you, Mr. Wayne. You have no idea what a thrill it was for me to find out my wife is pregnant."

Wayne noticed the look of concern on the younger man's face. A few minutes later, he caught Charles alone and asked him quietly why he didn't look happier. Wayne was almost stunned by his reply.

"The doctors had told me it would take a miracle for Diana to get pregnant since I'm virtually sterile. But, at Christmas, we and our friends prayed for a miracle... and I guess it worked."

Wayne had frowned, then he said sincerely, "If I'd known about that, I would've added my prayers as well... I'm truly happy for both of you."

Charles Richards knew at that moment that he wouldn't have to worry about John Wayne trying to steal his wife from him any longer. We could still use your prayers... The real miracle will be revealed when this child is born...

The big man, however, needed Diana to confirm something for him. He took her aside a few minutes later when she excused herself from their group to refresh her drink. "I need to ask you something, little girl, and I hope you won't be offended." He continued when she raised her eyebrows in question. "I really like and respect your husband and I was shocked when he admitted to me that he's virtually sterile. So, I have to ask... is this child really his?"

Diana jerked in surprise. Oh, my God! How could you possibly... "What on earth would make you think that it wasn't?!! Why are you even asking me such a question?!! I did tell you about my past, but what makes you think I'd do such a thing to my husband... my soul mate?!! I thought you knew me better than that!!!" Diana was nearly in tears.

Wayne frowned and looked down. "Oh, God, Diana... I'm so sorry for even thinking such a thing! I don't even know why I felt it was any of my business to begin with. I take it all back... Just forget that I even opened my big mouth. I am very happy for both of you! Come on... let's get back to the others."

Diana glanced sadly up at him as he led her to her husband and friends. I'd never do such a thing to my husband behind his back... 

**********

Everyone enjoyed the movie. It was very funny, heartwarmingly emotional and John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara stepped up their usual chemistry a notch in a couple scenes. Charles smirked as he watched Diana's expressions... she looked both impressed and jealous at the same time.

A bit of the green-eyed monster crept into Charles when he saw Diana staring at Wayne's bared body in the hydrotherapy scene when his character started to recover from complete paralysis. Then she frowned with sadness as she watched him age through the rest of the picture. Wayne even went without his hairpiece in the final scenes to more accurately portray Spig Wead's age. Charles was, once again, impressed with The Duke's ability to command the screen with his presence.

Afterward, everyone was full of congratulations for the cast and crew. Diana was amazed when John Ford remembered her and once again made his offer. "Duke... when are you going to talk this little girl into taking me up on my offer to get her into directing or writing?!!"

Wayne replied, "Well, Pappy... it's not up to me to talk her into it. That would be up to her husband, here. What do you say, Richards? Think your wife would make a good director or writer?"

Charles shook Ford's hand. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Ford. I think my wife would be excellent at whatever she did... she's certainly excellent at everything she does for me!" He paused and kissed at Diana and she grinned sexily. He turned back to Ford. "And I shouldn't have to talk Diana into anything. She's free to make up her own mind about what she wants to do with her life. As long as I'm a part of her life... that's all I care about!"

Ford laughed gruffly. "Ha! I saw the way you two looked at each other! No wonder she hasn't taken me up on my offer! You two probably can't stay out of bed long enough for her to even think about it... huh?!!" He laughed again as he slapped Charles on the shoulders.

Ford noticed what a hard body he had and then he eyed him up and down. "Damn, my boy, you've got a hell of a physique there! And damn handsome to boot!" Then he glanced around at the whole group of friends. "This is one fine-looking group of people here! I don't suppose any of you would be interested in taking screen tests? Duke, here, is getting a little long in the tooth and somebody's going to have to take his place one of these days!"

Diana moved next to Charles and said, "Mr. Ford... I've truly appreciated your encouragement of my potential to direct or write. And if I ever decide I want to try that, you'll be the first person I call. But there's no way I'd ever let my husband become a movie star! I couldn't stand the thought of letting another woman kiss or touch him... he's mine!"

Her three girlfriends echoed that sentiment. 

Ford roared with laughter as he eyed each one of the men, their wives jealously clinging to their arms. "Damn... you men must be such studs in the sack that your wives can't stand the thought of letting you out of their sights! Good work, men! There'd be a lot more happy marriages in this country if we could all satisfy our wives as well as you four obviously can!"

The men chuckled as they watched John Ford walk away still laughing his ass off.

Charles wrapped his arms around Diana and kissed her fiercely for several moments as she melted against him, moaning softly. He opened his eyes to watch her face as he slowly ended the kiss. She sighed his name softly as her eyes drifted open. "Thank you for that compliment, my love," he said quietly as his lips brushed hers. "And yes... I am all yours and only yours... always..."

"And I belong only to you, my sexy man. Take me home and make love to me... all night..."

John Wayne turned and walked away when he heard Diana's whispered reply. I'm happy for you both, little girl, but I will always love you... and want you...

**********

"Oh, God, pretty lady! I've missed your sweet ass!" Charles groaned as he slowly slid his long, hard cock inside her from behind.

Diana moaned loudly at the erotic sensation of fullness as he slowly penetrated her. "Oh, God, sexy man! And I'd almost forgotten how good your beautiful cock feels in my ass!"

"I want to try something different. Lean back with me." Charles helped Diana to rise up and scoot back on her knees while he crouched back kneeling on his lower legs, his cock still buried in her. "Now... move your hips however you want and see how it feels," he said softly in her left ear.

She began to rotate her hips slightly. He brought his left hand up to her breasts to fondle her gently. His right hand moved down to stroke his fingers on her swollen clit and into her wet flesh. She moaned softly and arched back against him to rest her head on his right shoulder.

"Oh, yes, Charles! Keep stroking me just like that! Oh, YES... that feels so good!"

Her hips were undulating with the rhythm of his fingers. He could feel her ass muscles pulsating on his cock as her movements intensified. Her sensual moans and the erotic motions of her body were driving him to a quick orgasm, but he needed to make sure she came with him.

He moaned in her ear, "Ah, God, pretty lady... you're so DAMN sexy! You're drivin' me insane! I'm about to come, but I want you to come with me!" He bent his head down and kissed and nipped at her neck and shoulder and then licked his way back up to her ear. He couldn't stop his hips from moving with hers as his balls started to tingle... he was about to come. He groaned in her ear, "Ah, fuck, Diana! Please come with me!"

He intensified the stroking of his fingers on her clit and pinched the tip of her right breast. Then he growled in frustration as he felt his orgasm start. He leaned his head down and gently bit the soft flesh at the curve of her neck and shoulder and grunted as his hips bucked against her ass.

Diana moaned loudly as a powerful orgasm suddenly ripped through her. Charles thrust his fingers into her dripping, pulsing flesh and groaned just as loudly when he felt her ass muscles clamp on his throbbing dick. "Ohhhh, yesssss, pretty lady!" he moaned softly as their bodies moved together, both slowly winding down from their mutual releases.

Diana leaned back against his hard, hairy chest as they breathed heavily in unison. When their chests finally stopped heaving, she turned her head sideways and peered up at her husband. She smiled sexily and purred, "Damn, sexy man! That was the best ass fuck ever!"

Charles leaned down and kissed her deeply for a moment. Then he said softly in his deep, sexy rumble, "Well... I always aim to please! But you had me worried there for a few seconds... I didn't think I was gonna be able to get you off with me! What finally sent you over the edge?"

Diana smiled widely. "Oh... I knew I'd be able to come whenever I wanted to! But everything you were saying and doing was building the intensity for me so I just let you keep going. You were drivin' me insane, too! But when you bit my neck when your orgasm hit, I exploded! I couldn't hold off any longer!"

They both groaned softly when they felt his cock slip out of her. Charles winced slightly when he lifted Diana and pushed up onto his knees. "Ohhh... that's a hard position to stay in for too long! It makes my knees stiff!"

Diana looked at his limp cock and grinned. "I guess it's a sign of good sex when you go from a stiff cock to stiff knees!" She looked up at his face; he was grinning with her and then they laughed softly.

He lightly swatted her ass as they crawled off the bed and headed for the shower. It was after three o'clock in the morning; they'd been making love for over four hours. Diana had lost count of how many times he'd made her come. He'd come at least four times... twice in her pussy, once in her mouth and this last time in her ass.

They were both thinking the same thing as they showered. We'd better enjoy all the good, hot sex we can now before it gets too uncomfortable... Once the baby comes, there's no telling what it will do to our sex life!

Charles put his arms around his wife from behind and peered down her body to where his hands were gently caressing her lower abdomen. He kissed her shoulder. "I hope our baby is a little girl... just as pretty as you!"

Diana turned in his arms and put her hands on his face to stroke her thumbs on his cheeks. "And I want a little boy... just like you! You should have a son to carry on your goodness."

Charles frowned and lowered his eyes. "What makes you think I'm so good? I've killed two men in less than three months and I didn't even bat an eyelash doing it! I've felt no remorse for the first one and I've only felt badly for Dawn because the other man was her uncle. And I shouldn't have shot to kill!" Tears were gathering in his eyes as he continued. "I should've aimed better and just tried to stop him instead of shooting him square in the chest! I just didn't think! I only reacted on gut instinct because I knew he wanted to kill my partner... my best friend and the man who..." 

Diana reached up and kissed him softly and brought his right hand to her soft, fleshy tummy. "This is your child... our miracle child! We did this... together. WE made this happen! This is our child..."

They would find out a little over a month later that she was half right...

**********

Diana groaned loudly as Charles pounded his cock into her hard and fast. "OH, GOD, Charles! OH, YES... YES... YES!!!" she wailed as he made her come a third time. They had woken up early and were having a round of hot, hard sex before getting out of bed and heading into work.

Charles slowed his thrusts and looked down to watch as he slid his hard dick into his wife's throbbing, wet pussy. He stopped abruptly and withdrew from her. "Oh, my God! Diana... are you in any pain?"

She opened her eyes and looked up at him, panting. "No! Why?!!"

"Because you're bleeding! Are you sure you're not feeling any pain?" he asked again as he frowned and placed his hand on her bulging lower abdomen. He found it strange that Diana's body, just nearing the end of her first trimester of pregnancy seemed to be expanding as rapidly as Dawn and Barbara's bodies were well into their second trimesters.

He quickly climbed out of bed and went to wash up. When he came out of the bathroom, Diana was staring dazedly down at the spots staining the sheet between her legs. "Diana... get cleaned up and get dressed. I'm calling the doctor and then I'll call both of our offices and tell them that we're going to be late or we may not be there at all... depending on what the doctor says!"

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "Charles... I don't want anything to go wrong! We can't lose this baby now!" she squeaked fearfully.

He went to her and helped her to stand. He held her for a moment. "You're not in any pain, so that's a good sign. This may be nothing, but we're going to have the doctor check you out any way, just to be sure! Now get moving... and don't worry unless you feel anything is wrong. And you tell me immediately if you do!"

**********

A couple hours later, they were sitting in her gynecologist's office in total shock.

"TWINS?!!!" Charles repeated for about the third time.

"Yes, Mr. Richards, you're going to have twins," Dr. Hamilton repeated patiently. Then he continued, "I checked your wife very carefully and I can't find anything that concerns me as far as the bleeding. She told me that you two were having intercourse when it started and that she was... uh, that is... you were... penetrating her pretty deeply. That could explain why she bled a little. So you two will have to be a little more careful in that department for the remainder of her pregnancy.

"Especially since she's carrying twins. She has a rather small torso so those babies are really going to be cramped for space." Dr. Hamilton looked back at Diana. "Mrs. Richards, you will probably be very uncomfortable during the last trimester as those babies really start to grow in size. My best advice for you is to start working now on strengthening your abdominal muscles so that your body is not straining to hold the extra weight. And use a good lotion with lots of cocoa butter and vitamin E on your abdomen twice a day to help your skin as it stretches. It may help reduce the stretch marks. We'll do everything we can to help you stay as comfortable and healthy as possible for this pregnancy."




Ghosts of the Past Ch. 12



Dr. Hamilton looked at Charles again. "I must say, Mr. Richards. This is quite a surprise to me, too. Especially since you told me that your doctor had advised that you had only about two percent of viable sperm with normal ejaculations. Other couples in the same situation have been able to create miracle children against such odds. I've even heard of a few cases where they did result in twins... identical twins... especially if it runs in your family. Do either of you have a history of identical twins in your families?"

They both glanced at each other as they shook their heads.

Dr. Hamilton frowned. "That's strange... it's highly unlikely that they could be fraternal twins because two separate eggs would've had to be fertilized by two separate sperm and the odds of that happening in your case..." The man shook his head and snorted a laugh. "Well... however it happened, it certainly seems to be a miracle!"

Diana and Charles looked at each other. We were so desperate for a child and now we're getting two! Maybe we prayed too hard...

Diana closed her eyes and squeezed his hand. Stop that, my love! Our love created these miracle babies... that's all we need to know!

She opened her eyes when Charles raised her hand and kissed her fingers. You're right, pretty lady... we created these babies... together! And we'll love them and raise them together...



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 13



Larry Wilson did his best to forget New Year's Eve. But dreams of his partner's wife started to affect his ability to sleep and to think straight. Even more confusing was the fact that during some of those dreams, Dawn Estevez's face would blur into the face of another woman he didn't recognize at first. But the look in her eyes was what he had wished to see in Dawn's...

The other woman looked similar to Dawn; she was petite and they both had beautiful dark brown hair, but her skin was darker and her eyes were a deep, dark brown... like Rick's. The more Larry concentrated on trying to recall the woman's face from his dreams, the more he started to remember that she was a young Hispanic woman that he and Rick had met one night just a few weeks before Rick had met Dawn last July.

She had originally come on to Rick in the little cantina they had visited that hot June night. She had excused herself to go to the restroom for a moment and Larry had suggested to his partner that he would like to get a piece of her as well. She had also looked familiar to him somehow...

When Rick had asked her if she'd be interested in having the both of them take her to bed, she had immediately spun around to look up at Larry. She had stared intensely into his eyes as she'd whispered, "Yesss..." They had gone to Larry's apartment since he lived closer.

Larry had been the first one she kissed and he had kissed her the way he did every woman that turned him on... hotly, deeply and passionately. And she had kissed him back just as fiercely. He recalled the way his dick had throbbed when she'd moaned desperately as he'd kissed her. He could tell she was a very passionate woman and that she would be a very hot lay for him and Rick to share. And that she was...

He frowned as he recalled that she had wanted to be face to face with him instead of Rick each time they took her. And she had spent the majority of the time kissing him. Rick had been the delegated ass man that night, even though most of the women they'd double-teamed had wanted Rick's thick cock in their pussy and Larry's slender shaft in their ass!

Larry closed his eyes as he recalled that night. She had been a very passionate lover... begging Larry to fuck her just one more time before she left. He'd had one more condom, so Rick had dressed and slapped his shoulder as he left and told him, "Try not to let Santa Maria wear you out completely! We're on duty early tomorrow."

Maria Delgado... that was her name... Santa Maria they had dubbed her because she had invoked the Sainted Virgin's name every time they made her come. Most women moaned to God during orgasm, but Maria had called to her namesake in the throes of ecstasy! Except for that last time Larry had taken her...

But Maria had taken him first... She had rolled him over to straddle his cock and ridden him with more wild abandon than Larry had ever experienced from a woman. He remembered how hot it was to watch her so totally lose herself to the moment while riding his dick. The sexy way her slim, creamy caramel-colored body had writhed on top of his... the erotic looks of pure pleasure on her face... her loud groans and wails of passion as she came twice while impaled on him.

Larry smiled and laughed sexily as he recalled how difficult it was to keep from coming each time her pussy had squeezed his dick... even though he'd already come several times that night. Then his smile faded as he suddenly realized why she'd been invading his dreams about Dawn. 

When Larry had pulled her down to his chest to roll her over and take her more forcefully, she had looked up at him with tears shimmering in her eyes. She'd whispered in her sexy Hispanic accent, giving the "a" in his name a longer vowel sound and rolling the "r's" softly, "Do you think you could pretend, Larry... just once... pretend that you love me?" It was the same request he'd made of Dawn New Year's Eve.

He had paused to stare at Maria for a moment. Something he'd seen in her eyes had suddenly made him nervous... he'd felt a strange fluttering in the pit of his stomach. And he'd felt he had to do as she'd pleaded. So he'd kissed her tenderly and softly stroked her body as he slowly fucked her. That's when he'd had the thought that had startled him... She'd be so easy to love...

Her body had continued to respond more and more ardently to him and he hadn't been able to hold back. He'd ended up driving into her forcefully again as she clung to him and wailed passionately as she came with him.

She'd said something in Spanish at the height of her climax that he hadn't paid attention to or understood until he heard Dawn say it to Rick New Year's Eve while they were both making love to her. He'd been stunned when he asked her what she said. "Te quiero, mi amor! Siempre..." The literal translation was, "I want you, my love! Always..." but in Spanish, "te quiero" was the same as saying, "I love you."

Why had Maria said she loved him? He couldn't remember if he'd ever seen her before that night and she had ignored him the next time he ran into her at the cantina a few months later when he'd gone looking for her. She had done more than just ignore him... she'd looked scared to death and had immediately left.

He remembered feeling somewhat relieved then. He was not looking for love and he had been afraid that he'd given her the wrong impression that last time he'd taken her. He'd held her tightly as he came and moaned her name over and over, "Ohhhh, Maria... Maria... Santa Maria!"

She had kissed him passionately one last time before he fell asleep. When he woke up again a few hours later, she was gone. She had simply disappeared from his life as quickly as she had appeared. And that had been fine with him... until a few weeks later when he found one of her shoes under his bed. He'd struggled with the urge to find her again for several weeks. That was why he'd gone back to the cantina that one night, hoping to see her and return her shoe, and maybe...

Now, all of a sudden, she was invading his dreams... dreams that had started out plaguing him with the knowledge that he felt he'd given his heart to a woman who could never love him. So... why was his mind now bringing up the images of a woman he'd spent one night of passion with months ago and substituting her for the woman he thought he'd fallen in love with... a woman he could never have?

Larry squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed his hand over his forehead. He simply couldn't think straight any more. He was too tired at the moment. The only thing he knew he had to do was to try to find Maria again and ask her why she'd said she loved him... 

**********

Toward the end of February 1957, Larry went back to the cantina. He asked everyone there if anyone knew Maria Delgado. He felt an inexplicable surge of anger when one man behind the bar replied, "Maria Delgado? Why would you be looking for that whore, gringo? Can't you find any nice white girls in your own neighborhood?"

Rick stalked over to the man. "Don't say anything else like that to me. I just want to know if you can tell me where to find Maria. Can you?"

"Yeah, sure... she lives a few miles away on Rialto, number one thirty-five. Good luck trying to see her, though. She doesn't set foot out of her house these days and she only answers the door for people she knows. And it's no wonder... the mess she's gotten herself into, the stupid whore!"

Larry grabbed the front of the man's shirt and pulled him across the bar. "Listen, mister... I told you to stop talking about her like that! Why do you keep calling her that?"

The man snorted a short laugh. "If you see her... you'll figure out what that means!"

Larry pushed the man away from him and walked out. He got into his car and drove the few miles over to where her house was located. He parked out front and walked up to the door. He used the brass door ornament and knocked three times. He heard her voice call from inside. "Who is it?" She still had that soft, sexy accent.

Larry was afraid if he told her it was he, she'd just refuse to see him and send him away. He deepened his voice to the way he spoke when on duty. "This is the L.A.P.D. Miss Delgado. We need to ask you a few questions."

"About what? I haven't been anywhere or done anything that I should be in trouble for!"

He could hear fear in her voice. "Oh, no, Miss Delgado... you're not in any kind of trouble. We need to ask you some questions about... a personal item that was found that we think belongs to you. Could you please come to the door and identify it for us?"

He heard her approach the door. He stood to one side so she couldn't see him by just cracking the door open. She opened it just far enough so she could peek her head around from behind the door and peered out. She looked around. "Where are you? And what item are you talking about?"

Larry stepped in front of her door and braced his foot and his hand on it, so she couldn't slam it in his face. She stared up at him with a mixture of fear and... longing. He frowned sadly at the look on her face. "Hello, Maria. Why do you look so frightened of me? What did I do to scare you?"

She looked down. "I'm not frightened of you, Larry... I just... don't want to see you! Please... go away!" She looked back up at him with desperate pleading in her eyes.

He frowned harder and swallowed a lump that was trying to form in his throat from the look on her face. "All right, Maria... I'll go away if you answer one question for me." She raised her eyebrows slightly as if in question. "Why did you say you loved me that night?"

Her face contorted and she couldn't stop the tears that sprang into her eyes. "Aye, Dios! I didn't say I loved you! Where did you get that idea?"

Larry closed his eyes as he heard her voice inside his head from that night. "Yes... you did, Maria. You said 'Te quiero!' I don't know Spanish so I didn't know what that meant until recently. By the way, the other man with us that night was my partner, Rick Estevez, and we are L.A.P.D. officers..." He paused and frowned in confusion.

She had closed her eyes and nodded quickly. "Yes... I know! So...?"

Then he continued. "And you know damn well that, in Spanish, te quiero means 'I love you!' So... why did you say that to me the last time I made love to you?"

She hung her head down as she said, "I don't know! It was stupid! I... I didn't mean it!"

He put his hand on her chin and lifted her face to him again. "Yes, you did, Maria... I could see it in your eyes. I didn't want to see it... but I did. And now I can't forget it... that look in your eyes. And it's still there... even through your fear and your tears I can see it!"

He pushed her front door open further and stepped inside. She turned away from him, crying softly as he shut the door. He moved behind her and put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him. "Maria... why are you so upset to see me again and why did you run in fear that night I saw you a few months later at the cantina?"

She backed away from him and ran her right arm over her protruding abdomen. "THIS IS WHY!" she exclaimed with a sob. "I'm pregnant! I'm an unmarried woman and I'm pregnant!"

Larry's eyes widened slightly. "Oh. Do you know who the father is?"

Maria frowned painfully. "Yes... I know who he is."

"Does he know?" Larry asked curiously.

"No. I never told him," she said quietly.

"Why?" he asked in confusion.

"Because he didn't love me. And I didn't want to burden him. It was an accident. I didn't mean for it to happen and neither did he. But I want this baby."

He asked her gently, "When are you due?"

"In a few weeks," she said softly.

Larry frowned as he did some quick calculating in his head. "Maria... do you think this baby is mine?" She nodded reluctantly. "How could that be? I used condoms that night!"

"I know!" she cried painfully. "But there had been no one else for months before that night and no one else since! Like I said... it was an accident. I didn't want you to know... I never wanted you to know. Why have you come looking for me now... after all this time?"

"Because I've been dreaming about you lately. I don't know why... but you've invaded my dreams! I keep seeing that look in your eyes... you love me... and I have no idea why! How could you love me when we shared only one night together?"

Maria stared into his eyes. "I've loved you from the moment I saw you three years ago... the night you and your partner came to tell me that my parents were dead! You held me when I broke down and I felt so safe in your arms..."

Larry frowned as he suddenly recalled that night. He realized she was the beautiful young woman that he'd felt such sympathy for and so protective toward... she had seemed so young and vulnerable... and lonely. She'd had no other relatives to comfort her.  

Maria continued. "I started following you just to see you. And I would go into the cantina to watch you. But I could tell from the way you and your partner left with different women each time you were there... and sometimes with just one woman... that neither of you were looking for love. I finally decided that even if I couldn't get you to love me, that I at least wanted to share my body with you... even if I had to share it with your partner as well.

"I was afraid to approach you... I didn't know how you felt about Hispanic women... so I approached your partner first, hoping he would offer to share me with you... if you'd wanted me..." She blushed and looked down.

Larry put his hand on her cheek. "It was my idea, Maria. When you went to the restroom, I asked Rick to see if you'd be interested in being with me as well. If I'd known I was the one you really wanted, I'd have taken you for myself that night. You were the most passionate lover I've ever had! I came back to the cantina that night a few months later hoping to see you and hoping you'd want to share another night with just me... But you took off... looking scared to death and I took that to mean you never wanted to see me again! Now I realize why..." He dropped his hand from her cheek and started to pace in front of her.

"Oh, Maria... if you had told me then... I probably would've been angry and blamed you or outright denied that I could be the father! But now... something's changed with me. I never believed that people could really fall in love and that it would last. I never wanted to risk having my heart broken the way my mother broke my Dad's! But I stupidly fell in love with another woman that I can never have... because she's in love with someone else...

"Then the dreams I'd been having about her suddenly started turning into dreams about you... and I have no idea why!?! Maybe... maybe I did fall in love with you in some way, but... I had no idea how to recognize it then. I didn't want it then! But I want it now..." He stopped pacing and stared at her again. "And I can still see that look in your eyes... Do you still love me, Maria?"

Her face contorted as she started to sob. She nodded her head as she squeaked, "Yes! That's why I want this baby! Because it's yours! If I couldn't have you, I'd at least have a part of you! And I won't be alone any more..."

Larry couldn't stand her sobbing. His chest felt tight. He took her in his arms and held her gently. He kissed the top of her head. "Please don't cry, sweet Maria. I don't want you to be alone any more... and I don't want to be alone any more, either. Marry me, Maria. Let me be a part of your life... let me be a father to our child!"

She pushed out of his arms and stared up at him in shock. He looked almost as shocked as she. "What?!! What are you saying? You show up here out of the blue, find out I'm about to give birth to your child and all of a sudden you want to MARRY ME?!! I don't want your pity! I don't need your help to raise this child! I'll be fine on my own! I don't want your charity!" She spun around and stalked away from him to lean on a counter separating the kitchen from the dining area and living room, using her hand to wipe the tears from her face.

Larry had been shocked that the words had just popped out of his mouth without even thinking about it, but the second he'd said them, the idea just fit in his mind. He was meant to be with this woman... he was meant to love her... not Dawn. Then he was shocked at how outraged she was that he'd had the gall to ask her to be his wife, thinking he was only asking her out of obligation. He frowned sadly. I guess it would seem that way to you...

He walked over behind her and put his hands on her shoulders again and she stiffened. He turned her around to face him. She stared straight at his chest. "Maria... Maria, look at me." She closed her eyes briefly and then stared up at him. "I don't pity you. I can tell you're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself and our child. And from the looks of your house, you don't need my charity, and that's not what I was offering. What I'm offering you is my love... to share my life with you... to love and raise our child together."

She frowned in disbelief at him. "I want to believe you... I want to believe that you really do love me. And when I asked you to pretend that night... you almost made me believe it! But that last time I kissed you... I could feel you pulling back again. I knew then that you wouldn't let yourself love anyone... I just wish I'd understood why..."

"Kiss me, Maria!" Larry whispered desperately. She looked at him in confusion. "Kiss me and see if you can tell if I really love you..."

They stared at each other for several seconds. Then Maria reached up and put her hands to his face and neck and slowly pulled his head down to hers staring into his eyes as he got closer. His hands went to her lower back. Just before their lips touched, she stopped him. Then she closed her eyes and slowly lifted her lips to his. Larry surrendered to her kiss the same as he had with Dawn. It was every bit as sweet and tender.

At the same moment, they both parted their lips and moaned as the tenderness suddenly gave way to passion. She slid her hands up to grasp his hair as she assaulted his mouth with hers. Larry groaned with restraint as he tried to hold her without crushing her swollen belly too tightly against his solid torso. Which was getting very difficult to do... his desire for her was coming back full force. His cock was straining in his pants. He suddenly broke away from her and stepped back to take a deep breath.

Maria stared at him with a stricken look on her face. "Oh, God... you're not attracted to me any more! How could you be?!! I'm as big as a house now!" Tears filled her eyes again.

Larry immediately moved to her and took her in his arms. "Stop that! You've never looked more beautiful! The reason I stopped is because... I was losing control. I was afraid of hurting you! Because of this..." He took her right hand and pulled it to the crotch of his pants and pressed her palm against the bulge of his hard cock. She gasped and looked up at him. "I want you more than ever, Santa Maria... I love you! Will you marry me?"

Maria laughed and cried at the same time as she nodded her head. "Yes... I will marry you!"

**********

A few days later, Rick and Dawn Estevez happily served as witnesses at their civil ceremony so that their child would legally carry Larry's name when it was born. Three weeks later, on March 21, 1957, the first day of spring, Lily Elena Wilson was born. Her daddy wanted to name her so because he said she was as pretty as a spring lily, and her middle name was the same as her beautiful mother's.

Two months later, Maria Elena Delgado and Lawrence Edward Wilson were united in a Catholic wedding mass celebration. It was attended by all of their new friends that they'd met through Rick and Dawn and Larry's family, save his long-absent mother. A few of Maria's girlfriends came, but she had no family.




Ghosts of the Past Ch. 13



She had been an only child when her parent's immigrated to California from Mexico when she was only five years old. Her parents had worked hard to give her a good life, but they never had any more children. Her father started his own produce business and had built it into quite an enterprise by the time she was eighteen. Tragically, her parents had been killed in an automobile accident three years earlier when she was twenty-one... the night she met her new husband.

Maria hadn't had the heart to try to continue to operate the business without her parents, so she had found someone to buy it from her. She made plenty of money from that to pay off the mortgage on her parents' house, and then sold it and bought herself a smaller house. She had quite a bit of money left over to keep in the bank and live off of until she figured out what she wanted to do with the rest of her life... or until she could convince her Prince Charming that they belonged together.

Three years later, Prince Charming finally realized that as well. Larry's wedding gift to Maria was the shoe she'd left under his bed. She hadn't done it on purpose. She'd tried to find it before she snuck out that night, but she was afraid of waking him. They both smiled as he put the shoe on her foot at the reception. Then he took her in his arms and they danced... and they knew they would live happily ever after...



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 14



By June, the group of friends had expanded considerably since the beginning of 1957. Robert Clark and Lisa Green were starting their new life together. But they couldn't get married until her divorce from the bastard Donald Price was finalized, which would take another eight months. 

They were being careful not to get Lisa pregnant. They wanted to be sure the baby wouldn't be born until after they were married. Larry and Maria Wilson's baby had almost been born out of wedlock... Lisa and Robert didn't want to push their luck!

On Monday, June 24, at 2:45 in the afternoon, Tom Seldon finally got the call he'd been waiting for. The phone on his desk buzzed. "Agent Seldon, your wife is on the line."

He picked it up. "Hello, sweetheart. Is everything OK?"

Lynda hesitated. "Well... yes and no. I'm OK, but the kitchen floor isn't. My water just broke. Darling... it's time. I need to get to the hospital as soon as possible. How soon can you leave?"

Tom jumped up from his desk chair. "I'm leaving right now! Don't you go anywhere! I'm on my way!" He didn't even wait for her reply. He hung up the phone, grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door. When he got out into the hall, he started yelling for his partner. "Charles! Hey Charles! Where are you?"

Charles Richards came bolting out of another office. "What is it, Tom? What's wrong?" I've never heard you sound so anxious...

Tom was pointing toward the front doors. "I've gotta go... Lynda... the baby... the baby's coming! I've gotta get her to the hospital!"

"Wait up, partner... I'm coming with you!" Charles said as he rushed into their office to grab his jacket. Then they dashed out of the building, telling one of the front desk personnel to let their boss, Assistant Director Peter Woods know why they were leaving. When they got to their car, Tom was fumbling with the keys because his hands were shaking. Charles came around to him. "Hey, buddy... you better let me drive if we want to get there in one piece!"

Charles drove to Tom and Lynda's home in almost half the time it normally took. Lynda was ready, having already packed a suitcase with everything she would need. She advised them that she had called Diana at the movie studio and she was going to meet them at the hospital as soon as she got off work in a couple hours.

Tom sat in the back seat with Lynda, presumably to keep her calm and comfortable, but it was more the other way around. Lynda was the one having to keep Tom calm. They arrived at the hospital in plenty of time. Lynda was in labor for several hours and Thomas Bradley Seldon arrived at about 7:15 that evening.

Word had quickly spread and all of their friends were in the waiting room when Dr. Hamilton came out to announce that Tom was the father of a beautiful, healthy boy weighing in at just over eight pounds. Dawn hugged him with tears in her eyes when he told her the name they had picked out for their boy. "We're going to call him Brad... in honor of the good man your uncle was when I served under his command."

Dr. Hamilton glanced around, also recognizing Barbara, Dawn and Diana as his patients. He grinned and laughed. "Well... I didn't realize all of you ladies were friends!"

Tom came over and slapped the doctor on the shoulder and handed him a cigar. "Well, thank you, Mr. Seldon. I'll have the nurse come out and let you know as soon as your son is in the nursery and your wife is in her room. I know she's very anxious to see you. She's been asking for you ever since we took her into the delivery room. It shouldn't be too much longer," Dr. Hamilton told him before he left.

Twenty minutes later, everyone was gathered at the nursery window admiring what a handsome baby little Bradley was. He had a head full of dark brown hair, just like his Mom and Dad, but, of course, they wouldn't be able to tell what color his eyes were for a few months. 

Tom stared at his son with tears in his eyes... he couldn't help wondering whether the child he'd lost when Yakira was killed was a son or a daughter. He said a quick prayer to God, thanking Him for the safe delivery and good health of both his wife and his son. Then he excused himself with his friends and headed toward his wife's room.

As soon as he opened the door, Lynda lifted her arms toward him. He flew to her side and embraced her as carefully as he could. He broke down crying on her shoulder. "Oh, Lynda... he's just beautiful! Thank you, my sweetheart... thank you for giving me a son to love! I finally have my loving wife... a safe home and a family to come home to! This is like a miracle to me. I'll never let anything hurt any of us... I promise!"

Tom would do everything he could to live up to that promise. But he could not have imagined that one day, the dark forces of the universe would make his innocent son pay the price for another miracle that had already taken place...

**********

The summer of 1957 in Los Angeles turned out to be a very hot and uncomfortable one for Barbara, Dawn and Diana. All three of them were in the last trimester of their pregnancies. Barbara and Dawn were due in August and Diana wasn't due until the first week of October, but she was every bit as big as Barb and Dawn. The twins were starting to grow rapidly!

On Friday evening, August 9, Barbara North stopped by her husband's station to talk to him about plans for their first anniversary celebration the next evening. The desk sergeant told her that Jon and Jerry had been called out on an assault investigation and they probably wouldn't be back for a while.

She was about to leave when Chief Henry Nelson saw her in the lobby. "Barbara, my dear, you're as lovely as ever!" He took her hands and kissed her cheek. "It looks like it won't be much longer now. When are you due?"

She smiled radiantly. "In just a little over two weeks! And it can't come soon enough for me! I feel like I'm ready to explode and this hot weather we've been having hasn't helped at all."

Chief Nelson smiled sadly. "Well, you still look beautiful. Jon's a lucky man. I wish at least one of my wives would've given me a child before they left me." He frowned and shook his head. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said that. I don't want to dampen your happiness."

At that moment, a radioed message came in at the front desk. The sergeant took the information and brought it to Chief Nelson. "Chief, we just got a report of a ten-one-oh-eight."

Barbara's nerves tingled. Oh, God... I know what that means...

Nelson asked, "Who was sent to this location?"

The desk sergeant replied, "Detectives Olson and North, sir."

Barbara felt her legs collapsing. "Oh, my God... JON!" she cried as her vision went black and she started to fall. The world was caving in on her... she feared she'd lost another husband.

Chief Nelson caught her before she hit the floor. "Sergeant, make sure an ambulance is en route to that address and then get one here as quickly as possible!"

**********

Barbara regained consciousness in the hospital a few hours later when she was awakened by labor pains. She looked at the nurse standing by her bed. "Where am I? Where is my husband? Where's Jon?" she asked as tears gathered in her eyes.

The nurse said, "It's OK, Mrs. North. You're safe. You've had a bit of a shock and it put you into labor. But you're only a couple weeks early, so everything should be fine!"

Barbara asked again, more forcefully. "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND?!!!" At that moment, the doors to the labor room burst open. Jon stopped and stood panting as he stared at her. "OH, MY GOD... JON!!!" she cried as she stretched her arms toward him.

He moved toward her as if in slow motion at first. Then he rushed to her side and gathered her in his arms as he perched on the side of the bed. "Oh, Barb... I'm so sorry you were frightened! As you can see, I'm fine!"

She clung to him, sobbing. "Oh, God, Jon! I heard that call come in for an officer down and when they said it was where you and Jerry had been sent... I thought the worst! I was afraid I'd lost you!" She sniffed as she tried to stop crying. Then she stiffened and winced when the muscles in her abdomen contracted painfully.

Jon felt her flinch and released his hold on her. She flopped back on the pillows and moaned loudly. Her face contorted with pain and beads of sweat formed on her forehead. Jon pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket intending to wipe her brow, forgetting that he'd used it to wipe the blood from his hands. He saw the red stains and tried to stuff it back into his pocket before she noticed, but she opened her eyes and saw it.

Her eyes flew to his face. "Jon... what happened? Were you hurt?" He shook his head. Then her eyes widened in realization. "Jerry... what happened to Jerry?"

Jon closed his eyes for a moment and frowned. Then he looked at her with deep sadness. He swallowed hard. "He saved my life, Barb. The perp we were called out to question had a gun. He pulled it and fired on us through a window. Jerry pushed me down and he got hit in the back. It's pretty bad. He's in surgery right now. The doctor's aren't sure if he's going to make it.

"I dragged him behind our car for cover and radioed for backup and an ambulance and I stayed with him until it arrived. Jerry told me that he wasn't about to lose another partner and that he wasn't about to let you lose another husband. Then the Chief radioed me that you were at the station when the call came in and that you fainted and they were arranging to transport you to the hospital, too. So I rushed here behind the ambulance that brought Jerry in."

He paused when she flinched and groaned from another contraction. It lasted about 45 seconds and then she relaxed again as she took a couple deep breaths. He continued. "When I first got here, you were still unconscious and the doctor told me that you would probably come out of it soon because the shock had caused your water to break and you were going into labor. So, I went to the Emergency Room and checked on Jerry's condition and they told me he was going in for surgery immediately. So I came back over here and waited for you to come around."

He took her hand in his and brought it up to kiss her fingers softly. He continued to hold her hand as she stared at him with both sadness and love. "Oh, Jon... I hope Jerry will be OK! I hope I'll get the chance to thank... OH, GOD!!!" she cried as she flinched and winced from another painful contraction.

Her hand holding his tightened painfully. Jon winced and looked across the room at the nurse sitting at a desk. "Nurse... she seems to be in an awful lot of pain! She's breaking my hand! Isn't there something you could do for her?!"

The nurse came over and touched Barbara's abdomen as her contraction was subsiding. "She's getting into hard labor now. We can't give her anything... it's too late. It won't be much longer now. But I can't let you stay in here. We only let you in so Mrs. North would be assured that you were all right, but I'm going to have to ask you to step out now, Detective North."

Jon frowned at her and the nurse smiled. "Don't worry... she's doing fine and she's in good health. This baby should be ready to arrive within an hour or two! You should go out to the waiting room now and we'll notify you as soon as she delivers."

Jon leaned down and kissed Barbara softly. "I wish I could do more to help you, my love! But I can't stand to see you in so much pain!"

Barbara smiled softly. "I'll be fine, Jon. Now that I know you're safe, I'll be fine. Go on, my love... like the nurse said... it won't be much... longer... now... Aaahhhhggg!!!" she screamed as another hard contraction had her contorting in pain.

Jon backed away slowly and then turned and exited quickly when she screamed again, even louder than before. He made his way to the waiting area to find Rick and Dawn and Charles and Diana there. Rick had gotten a call from someone at the precinct who knew they were friends and had been notified what was going on. Then he'd called Charles and Tom.

Tom and Lynda couldn't be there. It was late and they didn't want to drag little Bradley out or try to call a babysitter. But they had asked for someone to call them as soon as Barbara gave birth... no matter what time it was...

**********

Tom and Lynda had made love for the first time since Brad had been born that night. And again while waiting on a phone call from their friends at the hospital.

Lynda had been keeping Tom from getting too frustrated by sucking his cock as often as she could... which was nowhere near as often as either one of them would've liked... when she wasn't busy cleaning or nursing little Brad. He had been a voracious eater and it seemed to her that he had been latched to one or the other of her nipples about twelve hours a day those first weeks!

And, of course, Tom hadn't helped matters... If he was there when she was nursing Brad, he'd been right there... watching... his eyes burning at her with desire. He'd been embarrassed to admit how much it turned him on to watch his son sucking her nipples... the same nipples he couldn't wait to get his lips and tongue on again!

Lynda had weaned Brad from breastfeeding after a month because her milk production couldn't keep up with his appetite. Dr. Hamilton told her that the reason she'd lost the extra weight she'd gained while pregnant so fast was because little Bradley was, literally, sucking the pounds off of her! He also told her that she could resume intercourse whenever she was ready...

The pediatrician said Bradley had gotten all the essential elements he needed from that month of breast-feeding and that it'd be fine to switch him to formula. And Lynda had noticed that in the couple weeks since he'd been drinking formula, Bradley had required less frequent feedings and was sleeping for longer periods of time... giving her more time to rest! She was starting to feel more like her former, sensual self again...

When Tom came home from work, he sensed something was up right away. Lynda had cooked one of his favorite meals and there were candles on the dining room table. And she was wearing one of his favorite dresses... one that was very tight fitting, showing off her figure to perfection. He was amazed to see that her figure looked almost exactly as it did before she was pregnant. Her breasts were a little fuller than before, her hips just a little wider, and her lower abdomen was not quite as flat as it had been.

Tom set his briefcase down, took off his jacket and laid it on the back of the couch. He walked up to Lynda, grabbed her and kissed her passionately, and then picked her up in his arms and headed toward their bedroom. "Dinner will keep," he murmured huskily.

Tom took his time to kiss, caress and stroke Lynda in every way that he hadn't been able to for the last few months. He gently sucked her left nipple into his mouth and fluttered his tongue on her. Lynda moaned loudly and said, "Oh, God, Tom! You're so much better at that than Brad!" They both chuckled softly and sexily.

Tom trailed his right hand down to gently probe her moist flesh. He used his thumb to circle her clit while thrusting his fingers inside her carefully. "Are you feeling any pain at all, sweetheart?" He whispered as he nuzzled his lips and mustache on her right ear. She shook her head. He added another finger and she moaned softly. "How about now?"

"No!" she moaned louder as he thrust his fingers as far into her as he could. Her back arched. "Make love to me now, Tom! Please! I've missed feeling you inside me, my love! I need a fix so badly! Oh, GOD... yes!" she groaned as he moved between her thighs and slid his cock inside her. She instantly felt the drug of his desire for her flowing through her veins. She wrapped her arms and her legs around him as she stared up into his deep hazel eyes with her sparkling silver gray ones. "Welcome home, Agent Seldon... I've missed you so!"

Lynda was elated to discover that childbirth had in no way dampened her addiction for her husband's body... nor her ability to enjoy sex in any way. Tom was able to make her come just as easily as ever.

Tom groaned deeply as he gave his wife the fix they both needed. And he couldn't have timed his orgasm any more perfectly... Just as he and Lynda were recovering from their passionate high, they heard little Brad beginning to whimper in his crib in the next room. Tom smiled down at her. "Well... it seems that our son is ready for his fix now, too! I'm just glad his fix now comes from a bottle and not from your breasts! I still consider them mine!"

Then he said something that made Lynda's heart swell with even more love for him. "I'll get cleaned up quickly and take care of feeding Brad while you check on our dinner. I'm getting hungry myself." He kissed her gently, lifted off of her and went into their bathroom. Lynda smiled softly, closed her eyes and sighed. Lord... what did I do to deserve such a good man?!! He's going to be such a wonderful father...

**********

Just after midnight on August 10, 1957, Jonathan Christopher North, Jr. arrived, weighing seven pounds, six ounces. He was also a very handsome baby with a thin coat of shiny black hair covering his head. Jon stared at his son with a huge smile on his face as his friends congratulated him. He thanked them all for staying with him so late at night as they left.

While he was waiting for Barbara to be moved to a room, he went over to the surgical ward of the hospital to check on Jerry. He was relieved to learn that Jerry had survived the surgery, but he was still listed in critical condition. The doctors gave him slightly more than a fifty-fifty chance of survival. They said it would depend on how much of a fighter he was.

Jon headed back to the maternity ward and found Barbara's room. She was sleeping when he came in, so he leaned down and softly kissed her forehead. Then he whispered, "Happy Anniversary, my love. Thank you for the best anniversary gift you could've given me... a son!"

Barbara stirred slightly and woke up. She smiled up at Jon. "Did you see him?" Jon smiled and nodded. "He's so beautiful, Jon! He's just perfect!"

Then she blushed and looked down. "There's only one problem..." She looked back up shyly. "I can't breast feed him!" Jon frowned in confusion and she blushed even brighter and closed her eyes. "It turns me on too much! As soon as his tiny mouth started sucking on me, I started to come... and it hurt! We're going to have to bottle feed him with a homemade formula."

Jon smirked and she raised her eyebrows at him in question. Then he chuckled. "I'm kind of glad you can't breast feed him! I think I might've been a little jealous of my own son to know that he could get his Mama off, too!"

Barbara frowned and chuckled, too. "God, Jon! That's so perverted!" as they chuckled together for a moment.

Then she frowned sadly. "How's Jerry? Is he still..." Jon quietly told her of Jerry's condition. Tears came into her eyes. "I want to see him. First thing in the morning, I want you to take me to see him!"

The next morning, the ICU doctors gave permission for Barbara to be brought in. Jon wheeled her over next to Jerry. She carefully stood up and took his hand. She leaned down, kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear.

"Thank you, Jerry. Thank you for saving Jon. It was never your fault what happened to Tony, either. You're a good partner, Jerry! You fight and you get better! There's no one else I'd trust to watch out for my husband! You hear me? You fight this and you get back on the job, Detective Olson!" She gasped and stood up when she heard Jerry's raspy voice.

"Nag, nag, nag!" His eyes opened slightly to look at her. Then he looked toward Jon. "Damn, partner... does she nag you like this at home?"

Jon chuckled and Jerry winced and groaned when he tried to chuckle. He looked back at Barbara. "Damn, Barbie... I just felt I needed a little vacation, so I figured this would be a good way to get one! And here you are... already nagging me to get back on the job!"




Ghosts of the Past Ch. 14



Barbara smiled at him and brought her hand up to stroke his cheek. "OK, Jerry... I'll let you get back to your 'vacation!' Oh, and by the way... as soon as you're up to it, we'd like to introduce you to our son, Jon, Jr. He arrived last night. And we want him to meet his Uncle Jerry as soon as possible!"

Jerry smiled and closed his eyes. "That's great. Congratulations, you two. I can't wait to see him..." Jerry's voice trailed off as he fell asleep again.

Barbara leaned down and kissed his cheek once more. "Rest easy, Jerry. You deserve it."

**********

Just over a couple weeks later, Jerry Olson was being released from the hospital the same day Dawn Estevez was arriving in labor. On Monday, August 26, at around three o'clock in the afternoon, Barbara Marie Estevez was born. They had chosen her name in honor of her grandmothers and her mother's best friend. She was a beautiful baby with a head full of dark brown hair.

Rick spent the rest of the afternoon with Dawn in her room as their friends drifted in and out during visiting hours to offer their congratulations. He stayed until they brought the baby in for her first feeding. Dawn had decided she was going to breast feed and Rick wanted to watch.

He knew it was a mistake to have stayed right away. When Dawn pushed her robe from her shoulder to free her left breast, his cock stirred. She used her right hand to guide her breast to their baby's mouth. As soon as their daughter latched onto Dawn's nipple and start suckling, his dick hardened. He moaned softly. "Oh, my God, Angel... that's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! And I had no idea what a turn-on it would be!"

Dawn looked up at her husband and saw the fire in his eyes. Even though her pussy and her womb were still sore from giving birth, she felt the stirrings of desire when she saw the bulge in the front of his pants. She closed her eyes and moaned softly. "Oh, God, Rick... I hope it won't take too long for me to recover... I still want you so badly!"

As soon as little Barbie was done feeding, a nurse took her back out to the nursery. Dawn motioned for Rick to come to her. When he moved to the bed, she scooted over and pulled him down beside her. He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. It had been only a few days since the last time they'd made love, but they were as desperate for each other as ever.

Dawn reached down and started to open Rick's pants. He pulled back and said, "Angel... we're at the hospital! You just gave birth earlier today! I think this can wait until you at least get back home!"

"No it can't, my hot Latin lover! I can't let you walk out of here in this condition!" He moaned softly as she ran her hand over his hard length. "Even though I'm still sore from giving birth to our daughter, I still want you! But, I know I can't have you inside me yet... it would be too painful. But it doesn't mean that I can't help you!" she whispered as she lowered his zipper.

Rick groaned softly as she wrapped her hand around his throbbing thick shaft. "Oh, Angel... that feels so good! Yes, baby... stroke my cock! Oh, God, Dawn... I'd almost forgotten how good you are at this! Mmmm..." he moaned as she pulled gently on his hard flesh.

She kissed from his cheek over to his ear and ran her tongue over his earlobe and sucked the soft flesh into her mouth. Then she kissed down his neck and licked her way back up to his ear. She whispered, "Te amo, mi esposo guapo. I love your huge cock! Come for me, lover... let go! Let me make you feel good!"

Rick groaned softly as he rolled his hips, moving his cock back and forth in her soft, but firm grip. "Ah, yeah... Dawn! Just a little tighter... squeeze my cock just a little tighter! Oh, yes, my Angel! Ohhhh yessss... ohhh, I love you, my Angel!" he moaned deeply as his dick pulsed from a nice gentle, rhythmic orgasm. It felt just like when he made slow, tender love to her...

**********

Labor Day weekend, Tom and Lynda hosted a cookout at their home in Brentwood for their large group of friends. Everyone was ooohing and aaahing over all the new additions.

Poor Diana was relegated to reclining in a lounge chair in the shade to keep her feet up and her movements to a minimum. The twins were continuing to grow by the week and her poor body was stretched to its limits... and she still had another month to go.

Or so they thought...



Ghosts of the Past Ch. 15



Thursday morning, September 12, 1957 at just after six o'clock, Diana Richards awoke from a disturbing nightmare and with a funny feeling. She lay in bed for a moment trying to figure out what it was besides the dream that woke her up. Then she felt it... the muscles of her abdomen contracted harder than she'd ever felt them do so before. Dr. Hamilton had told her she would probably be feeling these "false labor" contractions during the last few weeks of her pregnancy as her body readied itself for "the real thing."

She frowned as she thought about the nightmare... She was holding her baby boy and singing to him... only the voice she heard was not her own. Then she was outside playing with him as a toddler, chasing him around the yard, and as the chase went into slow motion, she saw her boy getting bigger... growing up right before her eyes. The next moment, her teenaged son disappeared around the corner of a building ahead of her and when she reached the building, she stopped dead in her tracks and screamed...

Her son had disappeared and waiting for her around that corner was Edward Hood...

She tried to shake the unease and ignore the contractions and go back to sleep, but they kept happening every so often and they were uncomfortable enough that they prevented her from going back to sleep. Diana sighed wearily and got out of bed. No sense in just laying here... I'll only wake Charles with my tossing...

She went into the bathroom to use the toilet and felt something strange... almost like a "clot" or something had passed while she peed. She looked in the toilet when she stood up, but she didn't see anything that looked like blood. She frowned and shook her head as she flushed the toilet. 

She went back into the bedroom and picked up her husband's bathrobe and put it on. His was the only one that could wrap all the way around her. She felt... and her boobs and belly looked... almost as big as a house, but her arms and legs were like sticks! She winced every time she waddled past a mirror...

But Charles still looked at her the same as he always had... the flames of his love and desire for her still burned in his gray blue eyes. He lovingly held her every morning and every night before bed and gently rubbed lotion over her entire enormous midsection.

And he talked to her stomach, telling their babies how anxiously they were waiting for them. The dimple would appear in his right cheek when he grinned as he watched lumps traveling under her flesh across her tightly stretched abdomen when the babies tried to move. He would smile up at her as he put his hand on her to feel them moving, and he would lean down and gently kiss a spot where an elbow or heel was trying to poke through.

Sometimes Diana would wince in pain when there was too much movement and poking of her flesh from inside. Then he would lean down and admonish them, "OK, you two...that's enough! Give your mother a rest already!" The amazing thing was that they seemed to hear him and would calm down!

When Charles woke up a couple hours later, he found Diana lying on the couch in their living room watching television. "Is anything wrong, pretty lady?"

She smiled tiredly. "No... I'm just having some really strong false labor contractions this morning and I didn't want to wake you. I'll be fine. Do you want me to fix you some breakfast while you dress?"

Charles leaned over and kissed her forehead. "No, my love. You rest and I'll fix us something to eat. I don't have to be at the office first thing this morning. Tom and I are due in court late morning for the sentencing hearings on Donald Price and Harold Green. We thought we'd lend Lisa and Robert some moral support and we want to make sure those bastards get appropriate punishments!"

**********

By two o'clock in the afternoon, Diana realized that she was not having false labor pains... she had gone into labor. But her labor was not progressing very rapidly at all... her contractions were still very irregular as far as timing was concerned. They would occur anywhere from two to ten minutes apart and last from thirty seconds to over a minute. The only reason she knew she was in labor was because they were increasing in intensity...

The contractions were beginning to get pretty painful and by the time Charles came home that evening; they were causing her to bend over and moan. Finally, at about eight o'clock in the evening, Diana asked Charles to take her to the hospital because she couldn't handle the pain any longer.

When she arrived and was checked over by Dr. Hamilton, he advised that her labor had progressed just enough that they could give her something to help her through the worst part of it since it was progressing so slowly. But he had to manually break her water to make sure the drug would not slow down or halt her labor. Diana was grateful for that because she was already exhausted from not having slept well the night before. And whatever the doctor gave her seemed to knock her out completely...

Charles stayed with her in the labor room as much as he could but the nurses advised him it was going to be a long night. So he went out to the waiting room and told all of their friends who had come to be with him that it was going to take a while and he urged them to go home and he'd call them if anything happened. They all left, telling him they'd be back first thing in the morning to check on them before they went in to work or to stay with him if they didn't have to work. Charles advised the nurses that he was going to stay in the waiting room and rest on one of the couches and asked them to let him know as soon as anything changed.

He managed to catnap in the quiet room off and on, but he couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep restfully. Finally, around 5:30 in the morning, one of the nurses popped in to advise him that Diana had come out from under the effects of the drug and she was in the final "pushing" stage of labor... it wouldn't be much longer.

At just after six o'clock Friday morning, September 13, their son was delivered... a healthy boy weighing in at six pounds, eight ounces. About ten minutes later, his tinier sister followed, weighing only five pounds, four ounces. She looked perfect, yet fragile, and her cry was not as strong as her brother's, so the doctor ordered that she be given extra oxygen and instructed the nurses to get her to cry as often as possible so she could exercise and strengthen her lungs.

Diana was not happy to hear that but the doctor assured her it would be for the best or her daughter could possibly develop any number of breathing-related ailments, including asthma, and it would make her prone to contracting pneumonia. Diana tried not to cry herself as she watched the nurse thumping her baby girl's foot with her fingers to get her to cry more as they cleaned her up; she sounded so weak.

Her baby boy, on the other hand, had protested loudly as they cleaned him up, but was quieting down as they wrapped him in a warm blanket and brought him to her. As soon as she took him in her arms, he looked up at her as if he already knew she was his mother, and Diana knew instantly that he was her husband's son... he was their miracle child, there was no question in her mind. But she and his daddy had already decided his name... Charles Thomas Richards... they would call him Charlie.

She bent her head down and kissed her baby boy's soft, straight dark hair. "Well, Charlie... your Daddy is going to be so happy to meet you, but what are we going to do about your sister? It looks like you've already been picking on her... don't think that your Daddy and I are going to let you get away with that any longer! And what are we going to name her? Your Dad and I were having a hard time coming up with names for girls... so what should we call her?"

The only name for a girl any of their friends had suggested that Diana liked was Megan... the name of Tom's mother. And Charles' mother had insisted that if they had a girl, she should carry the name Elizabeth... a traditional name in their family. So she decided she'd inform Charles that their daughter's name would be Megan Elizabeth Richards. She just hoped Charles wouldn't think that she'd chosen the name Megan on purpose...

Diana knew in her heart that Charles would love their daughter as much as their son... he'd never raise the biological question at this point. He'd grown to love both of the babies; in his mind, they were both his children... no matter what. As it turned out, Charles was very pleased with that name for their little girl... he thought Megan was a beautiful name fit for their beautiful little daughter.

Tom and Lynda came to the hospital about an hour later, and Tom was humbled that both of the children seemed to have been named in his and his family's honor. And watching how Charles and Diana doted on them and fretted over little Megan made him realize that those babies were theirs... they loved them both unconditionally. He said a silent "thank you" to God for letting him know that he'd made the right decision...

**********

Mary Hogan reported for work as usual at nine o'clock on Friday morning, September 13, and started scanning through the files of the new patients that had been admitted to the hospital since the previous afternoon. She stopped when she spotted the name she'd been hoping to see. A slow evil smile widened her thin lips as she realized she would finally be able to take revenge on the woman who'd stolen her son from her...

She couldn't help but think it was poetic justice that it would literally be "an eye for an eye" ... a son for a son. Then she frowned when she saw that there was another child... the little bitch had been given two children! How unfair... She'd never been able to have any more children after Eddie was born... even though she'd prayed for them. How was she supposed to get revenge by leaving the bitch childless like herself?!! She'd had a hard enough time trying to prepare herself to commit such an evil act against one innocent soul and now there were two...

Then she thought... Maybe this is God's way of making it up to me... sending this woman a son and a daughter... I'm supposed to take the boy to replace the one she stole from me and she'll still have her daughter so neither one of us will be childless... That seemed like a much more equitable solution to her... she really hadn't relished the thought of killing an innocent child...

Mary tried to keep her mind on her duties at work while she revised her plan for that evening. She'd known all along that she was going to disappear as soon as she'd taken her revenge, but now she was going to have to make arrangements to take a child with her. That would slow her departure a little but she was sure she'd still be able to get away before anyone even realized she was missing...

As soon as her shift ended, she took a file cart and rolled it to the hallway around the corner from the nursery in the maternity ward. Then she peeked around the corner and saw there was no one in the hallway at the moment, since it was not regular visiting hours yet. She moved to the windows, looked in and spotted the names she was looking for on the bassinets. Then she walked around to the entrance of the nursery and spoke to the nurse on duty.

"How are things going here, Betty?" The nurse smiled at her and said things had been pretty quiet... even the babies. "Well, that's good, but I thought I should tell you that I saw a man loitering in the hallway outside the nursery just now and I asked him which child was his but he said none of them were. So, I told him he shouldn't be here since it's not quite visiting hours yet, but I don't think he paid any attention to me since I'm not in a uniform. Maybe you should go say something to him."

"Thanks, Mary. I'll go check on that right now if you can stay here for a few minutes and keep an eye on things for me. I'd like to run up to the break room and grab a cup of coffee, too, since I've been on double duty for almost twelve hours now. Dottie called in sick earlier and they couldn't find anyone to cover her shift, so I'm all alone here. I'd really appreciate it if you could stick around for just a few minutes, OK?"

"Sure, Betty... take your time," Mary said smoothly as she smiled slyly. This must be what God wants me to do... He's making this almost too easy for me...

When nurse Betty was out of sight, Mary moved into the nursery, closed the blinds on the windows and went to pick up the beautiful, sleeping baby boy she was sure now that God had sent to replace her own handsome son. As soon as she started to lift the infant from his bassinet, his sister in the bassinet next to his started to squirm and cry weakly.

Mary looked down at the tiny girl and said softly, "Don't worry, little Megan... I promise I won't hurt him. You won't even remember him so there's no sense in you getting upset about this. Just think... I'm doing you a favor. Now you won't have to compete for your parents' attention and affection. Shhh, shhh, little Megan... it'll be OK!"

Mary moved swiftly out of the nursery when it became apparent that the little girl was not going to stop crying... and her cries were growing stronger and louder. She carried the sleeping boy to her file cart and placed him in a large box in the bottom on a soft blanket and draped her sweater over the box. She rolled the cart to the exit nearest her car and then carried the box and put it in the floor of the backseat of her car.

She arrived home and parked in the back alley to carry her son into their house. She hated the thought of it, but she'd have to leave him alone for a bit. She kissed her fingertips and touched his soft hair as she said, "It'll be OK, Eddie... Mama just has to run out for a little while and pick up all the things I need to take good care of you. I'll be back as soon as I can... I promise! Please don't go anywhere this time, my sweet boy..." **********

Most of Charles and Diana's friends showed up for visiting hours at six o'clock that evening and were anxiously waiting outside the nursery to see Charlie and Megan before going to visit with their parents. They were wondering why the blinds on the windows were still closed as the nurses usually had them open during visiting hours.

Nurse Betty came rushing back from the break room fifteen minutes after she'd left realizing that it was time for visiting hours. One of the babies was raising quite a ruckus and she figured it was probably the Richards' boy as he had quite a set of lungs on him. She breezed into the nursery and saw that the blinds were closed, so she headed toward the windows and opened them as she called out, "I'm coming, young Master Richards!"

Then she turned around to go tend to the squalling infant and stopped dead in her tracks when she realized it was the Richards' baby girl who was screaming her lungs out and her brother's bassinet was empty... She put her hand to her mouth and whispered, "Oh, my God..." Then she turned around toward the windows with a stricken look on her face.

Tom, Jon and Rick all knew something was wrong right away. They took off around to the nursery entrance and confronted the nurse as she was picking up the phone. She put her hand up to stop them as she buzzed the Main Administration Office. "Madge, this is Betty Hart in Maternity. I was asked to cover Dottie Minor's shift until you could find someone to relieve me. Have you sent anyone down here yet? ... No? ... Oh, God... we have a problem. One of the babies has disappeared from the nursery! Call the police! It just happened in the last fifteen minutes! ... I have to go now... just get the authorities here right away!"

She hung up the phone and looked anxiously at the three concerned men standing in front of her. "I'm sorry, gentlemen, but I can't allow you in here! Please..."

Tom cut her off. "Look, Nurse Hart, we are the authorities. I'm with the FBI and these two men are L.A.P.D. The missing child's father is my partner. You tell us everything you know so we can start looking for that baby right away, all right?!!"

By that time, poor little Megan's cries were starting to weaken again from wearing herself out. Tom walked past the nurse and over to the tiny baby and picked her up gently. He stared down at her as she whimpered weakly a couple times and then quieted as she blinked her eyes up at him and took a few shaky, shallow breaths. He continued to hold her as Nurse Hart told them everything that had happened in the twenty minutes or so since she had last checked on the babies. Jon and Rick made notes of everything she told them.

Just then, Charles showed up at the nursery windows with the rest of their friends and noticed the nervous looks on their faces. "What's going on?" he asked with concern. Then he looked in the windows and noticed that both of his children's bassinets were empty. He turned to everyone again. "Just what the hell is going on here? Where are our babies?!!!"

Lynda moved in front of him and took his hands. "Megan is fine, Charles. Tom has her with him. But we're not sure where Charlie is. Tom, Jon and Rick are talking to the nurse now to find out what's going on."

Charles rushed around to the nursery entrance and saw Tom standing there holding his baby girl in his arms... They stared at each other for a moment in awareness and understanding. Then Tom walked over to his best friend and handed him the baby. "Here, partner... take your daughter... she needs you."

Charles carefully took the precious bundle from Tom's arms and then looked around at the others. "Where's my son? Where's Charlie?" The color drained from his face when Jon and Rick told him what the nurse had said. "Oh, my God..." he whispered. "What do we do now? Does anyone have any idea who the strange man was loitering around? And what happened to this other employee... Mary... what's her name?"

"Hogan," the nurse answered. "Her name is Mary Hogan and she's been working here as a records keeper and file clerk for a few months. She's always been very helpful to us nurses, especially here in the maternity ward. I can't imagine why she wouldn't have waited for me to return..."

Charles shook his head slightly... something about the woman's name rang a bell with him for some reason, but he was so worried over his son that he couldn't think straight at the moment. Then he felt his daughter stirring in his arms as she started to whimper. Then her cries became louder until she was wailing again. Charles tried rocking her in his arms to comfort her but she continued to cry loudly. He looked at the nurse. "I'm taking my daughter to her mother... she needs her mother right now." The nurse just nodded at him.

**********

Diana was slowly approaching the nursery, wondering why her friends were all standing around looking so nervous and no one had come to her room yet to tell her how beautiful her babies were. Then she heard what sounded like a familiar wail. She laughed slightly as she spoke. "Boy... Charlie does not sound very happy at all! What are they doing to him?" she asked jokingly as she neared the windows.

Lynda rushed over to her best friend and put her arm around her shoulders to try to lead her away. "Diana! What are you doing out of bed?!! You shouldn't be walking around so much! And they're not doing anything to Charlie... that's Megan you hear crying!"

Diana stopped and stared at Lynda. "Really?!! That's Meggie? Ohhh... she sounds so much stronger already!!! I guess the doctor knew what he was talking about! Let me see her... I want to see my baby girl... and Charlie... Where's Charlie?" she asked as she dragged Lynda back to the nursery windows and looked in at the empty bassinets. "Who's got Charlie and where are they?" she asked curiously.





Ghosts of the Past Ch. 15



Lynda, Barbara and Dawn all looked at each other helplessly as they tried to figure out what to tell Diana. Just then, Charles came around the corner in front of the nursery windows cradling a screaming Megan in his arms. He walked over to Diana with tears in his eyes and handed their daughter to her. "Here, pretty lady... our baby girl is going to be fine, but she needs her Mama at the moment."

Diana beamed at him as she took the baby, thinking his tears were from joy over the fact that Megan's lungs seemed to be improving rapidly. "Oh, Charles... she's sounds wonderful, doesn't she? I just knew she was a fighter... I hope this means she'll be able to sing like me!" Megan began to quiet again as Diana swayed her soothingly in her arms. "Now... where's Charlie? Where's our boy?" she asked her husband.

A wave of nausea washed over Diana when Charles broke down and began to cry. "Oh, my God..." Diana breathed. "Tell me nothing's happened to him!!!" she squeaked painfully as her throat constricted from fear.

Charles shook his head rapidly. "No..." he choked out. Then he took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in his throat. "I mean... no harm has come to him... that we know of..." he added hesitantly.

Diana frowned in confusion. "What do you mean... that you KNOW OF?!!!" she cried fearfully.

Charles gripped her shoulders to steady himself as well as her. "He's gone, Diana. Someone took our son... someone has taken Charlie from us!" he gritted painfully through his tears.

Diana went numb with fear. Her body going into shock was the only thing that prevented her from collapsing in panic. She stared blankly at her husband. "I should've known," she mumbled weakly. "It's Friday the thirteenth... they're either joyous... or horrible... and today we got both... Oh, my God, Charles... what are we going to do?!!!" she asked, her voice strained as panic started to set in.

At that moment, Pete Woods arrived and it didn't take him long to figure out that something was very wrong. Tom, Jon and Rick immediately told him what was going on. "Oh, my God..." he muttered worriedly. "The hospital employee, Mary Hogan... that's Edward Hood's mother! Her maiden name, Outlaw, was listed on Hood's birth certificate, which is why we could never find out any information on her. When her sister showed up last November to identify her nephew, make funeral arrangements and pick up her car, she advised us that Hood's mother was going by her married name, Hogan, even though she was divorced long ago."

Charles and Diana heard him and her panic worsened. "Oh GOD, Charles!!! You've got to find that woman and get our son away from her!!! She's a sick woman!!! She's the reason that sick bastard attacked me! And now she's got my son... Oh God... I don't feel so good..." she mumbled weakly as her legs started to collapse when she recalled the nightmare that had woken her up the previous morning...

Lynda rushed over and grabbed Megan from Diana; Charles caught his wife and picked her up in his arms as she collapsed into unconsciousness. He carried her back to her room and put her in her bed while the nurse summoned a doctor to come check on her. Tom and Lynda followed them to the room, Lynda still holding the whimpering Megan in her arms.

While the doctor checked Diana, Charles took Tom into the hallway outside her room. "I don't care what you have to do, who you have to go through... please, Tom... just go find my son and bring him back to us!" he pleaded painfully as tears filled his eyes again.

Tom grasped his shoulders. "Don't worry, partner... Charlie will be fine. We'll have him back before this night is over... I promise." Tom patted his friend's shoulders before he turned away to go join Pete, Jon and Rick. They were in the process of calling their precincts and the FBI office to assemble a team to descend upon the last known address of Mary Hogan...

**********

A couple hours later, Diana stirred in her hospital bed when she heard the distinct sounds of two babies crying. She frowned and slowly blinked her eyes open, wincing as the late evening sun was shining in the window across from her bed. She glanced around, recalling that she was still in the hospital and everything that had happened in the last fourteen hours or so...

"Charlie..." she murmured weakly when she saw her husband standing near the window with his back to her. "Where's my son?" she asked hoarsely, as Charles turned toward her.

"He's right here, pretty lady... And he's been anxiously waiting for his Mama to wake up! I think he's hungry..." Charles said softly as their son squirmed and whimpered in his arms.

Diana immediately sat up and held her arms out for her baby and hugged him to her and kissed his soft hair as she cried with joy and relief to see her beautiful boy again. And his Daddy was right... he was very hungry. She hissed and winced as Charlie latched onto her left breast and sucked greedily. She glanced up quickly when Charles chuckled softly and sat down next to her on the edge of the bed holding Megan in his arms.

Then he rubbed the top of their boy's head softly and admonished, "Hey, son... take it easy on your Mama! She's had a rough day..." They looked up at each other and smiled when Charlie paused in his frantic sucking to take a deep breath and sigh, and then resumed eating at a more leisurely pace. After Charlie was finally sated, Diana took Megan to her other breast and they were overjoyed to see that her appetite had also improved along with her lung capacity.

While the babies were feeding, Charles explained to Diana how easily Pete, Tom, Jon and Rick had found Mary Hogan's residence and that the police and FBI had arrived when they thought no one was there. But within five minutes while they were looking around outside, they heard the sound of a baby crying coming from inside the house. Tom had broken into the house and found Charlie still wrapped up in his blanket from the hospital and lying in a box in the living room. 

Tom had left immediately to return with Charlie to the hospital while Pete, Jon and Rick stayed to wait with the rest to see if Mary Hogan would return, which she did about a half hour later. She was arrested on the spot for abduction, but they were all sure that she would probably never stand trial... Any decent lawyer would be able to prove to the court that the woman was mentally unstable and incompetent to stand trial...

Charles didn't tell Diana just how insane she was... The woman had sworn up and down that the child was HER son Eddie; she had a breakdown and started screaming that she was going to kill the evil bitch that had stolen her son from her again... A half dozen police and FBI agents had to physically subdue her in order to get her into a vehicle to be transported to the county jail. The last they'd heard, the jail officials had already put in a call to the state mental health authorities for her to be evaluated and transferred to a place better equipped to handle her...

**********

Thanksgiving 1957 was celebrated at Lisa and Robert Clark's mansion in Bel Air that they had bought just after they married in September when a judge granted her request for an early annulment from Donald Price after he'd listened to her story. FBI Assistant Director Peter Woods and his wife Mary were also present as Lisa was most grateful for his recommendation to the courts that none of Lisa's assets be seized as part of Harold Green's penalties for his crimes, since Lisa had been the one to report her father's involvement to begin with.

There were fourteen adults gathered around the large table in their formal dining room, with a high chair next to Larry and Maria Wilson for eight-month old Lily, and Tom and Lynda Seldon had five-month old Brad in a baby seat while they took turns feeding him baby food. Luckily, all the younger babies had been fed earlier and were napping at the moment under the watchful eye of Lisa's trusted nanny who'd practically raised her after her mother died.

Charles and Diana and all their friends were, again, amazed to realize how much they had to be thankful for just over the past year... So much potential sadness and tragedy had all worked out in their favors, and everyone was mindful of that as Robert stood to offer a quick "Prayer of Thanksgiving" to God on behalf of all of them.

Halfway through their meal, nanny Peggy entered the dining room carrying a squalling Megan in her arms. Tom and Lynda were amused to see the sad look that came over little Brad's face as he looked toward the crying baby. Then he looked up toward his father and started crying himself. Tom picked up his infant son and tried to comfort him, wondering why Bradley would always get so upset to see Megan crying.

He thought it strange that Megan was the ONLY one of the other babies that would make Brad cry when she did... He vaguely wondered if it had to do with the very real possibility that they shared the same DNA... Tom shook his head. It doesn't matter... Charles is and always will be Megan's Daddy... he thought as he watched his partner and best friend get up to take his crying daughter from the nanny.

Charles walked around swaying her gently and talking to her until Megan calmed down and drifted off to sleep again. Then he kissed her forehead gently and looked up straight into Tom's eyes as he held his son Brad, who was watching Megan intently. Charles smiled gratefully at his best friend as he handed his sleeping daughter back to the nanny. 

Diana and Lynda exchanged knowing looks as they watched their husbands, both of them smiling as they realized their husbands had genuinely reached an understanding that both of them readily accepted. They truly accepted that each of them had done their part in creating a miracle... Despite the uncertainty of the situation, that understanding only served to cement their friendship, their trust in one another and their loyalty to each other, which would serve them well in their partnership over the years to come...

Thankfully, the years did not bring any further ghosts from anyone's past to haunt them. However, Charles and Diana Richards and Tom and Lynda Seldon would learn eighteen years later that there was a price to pay for past miracles...

**********

Author's Note: Again... I'm going to leave it up to the readers as to whether I should bother with the next story... And if you do want me to continue... a little more encouragement would be nice in the form of positive votes. And those of you who hate my stories... then just don't bother to read them or at least stop clicking on them just to vote negatively! I'd never do that to anyone's stories no matter how awful I thought they were... And if you're not even another author... then SHAME ON YOU!!! YOU'RE A FUCKING COWARD!!!

If you have gripes, then send them to me anonymously, but stop it with the fucking negative votes... And I say this on behalf of any of the other authors out there who feel the same way...