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Subject: {ASSM} Crucible! 2/3 (zoo themed, 'heir to the power', rom, 'spy games')
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Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2012 08:10:03 -0400
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Crucible! 2/3
---

We ate, said our goodbyes, then we watched Pat load up and drive off.

Heather put her arm around my waist after Pat was out of sight.
"Wasn't easy, to watch her drive off with Midnight, was it?"

"No.  You said mechanic.  Did you have him check everything?"

"Yes.  Rebalanced the tires and did all the usual alignments.  I used
word of mouth to find him, and played 'nervous female' as an excuse to
look over their shoulders and ask dumb questions."

"Thanks.  Got us scheduled for an appointment?"

"Of course.  As soon a rack is free after we show up, this one will
get the same treatment.  Oh, I had all new tires put on, including the
spare, before the balancing was done.  Then had the best two put on
rims for emergencies."

"Good. Let's drop this one off, then take the car and go shopping.  I
have an idea..."

"I know that tone, even though I haven't heard it in ten years.  We're
going to get in the middle, aren't we?"

"Got a better option?"

"No.  Only a comment.  We can't be delivery people."

"Wasn't considering it.  How do you feel about pretending we're a
married couple?"

"Keep going."

"We find us some sort of service truck, paint over any signs it has,
then we find a used clothing store and become a moderately successful
couple looking for a new home.  I know enough about the area we can
pick several at random, and one that's as close to Pat's parents as we
can get."

"What if Midnight spots us?"

"I'll ride with the realtor.  If she's out, or we can't get to the
house we want to look at, I'll abort and we'll go back to the office."

"And if we get stopped and searched anyway?"

"We play innocent, and let the realtor handle things, unless we're
spotted."

"Worth a try.  Let's scout her uncle's and see if he's being watched."

"Marge will be expecting us after she finds out Pat's there."

"You know something?  That one detail is giving me nightmares."

"Yeah.  We got away too easy, didn't we?  I'm hoping the extra people
we didn't spot really are Ethel's and not Marge's"

"At least we still think alike.  Must be a reason Marge isn't trusted,
and it most likely started before Ethel got herself and our parents
clear."

"Uh huh.  Wish I could say Pat spotted that.  I don't know, and didn't
want to ask."

"Mom and Dad trust Ethel quite a bit, since they went out of their way
to come to her."

"Message to us?"

"Heather?  Are you sure Mom's dying of cancer?"

"Wish I wasn't  We had to schedule things around her twice a week
treatments.  She shouldn't have lived this long, according to every
specialist I've talked to."

"Ok.  Sorry.  Had to make sure.  Give me your word she's dying?"

"You Bastard!"

"Nope.  Digging our way out of a deep, deep hole, and I want you at my
side, that's all."

"Charles Robert Mills, I'm your sister, Mary Louise Mills, and I swear
to you that our mother should have died months ago.  She's walking
dead, bro."

"Thanks, Mary.  My word as Charles Robert Mills, that I'll do my best
to get us, Pat and Emma out of this mess in a way that keeps us out of
the protection program.  It's my read that if we go that route, we're
walking dead, ourselves."

She leaned against me and shivered.

I waited her out and she eventually recovered and sighed.  "Let's get
rid of the RV and go find us that service truck.  Make it a crew cab."

"Yeah.  We'll need a tow dolly and a hitch on the RV."

"No problem.  I'm pretty sure they can do the work while they're
checking the RV."

"Good.  Oh, we'll need tools to stock the truck."

"That's what pawn shops are for."

"True.  Let's make it a mix of used and new."

"Are you satisfied now?"

"No, but it will have to do.  Let's go see if we got lucky twice.
Those service records read too good to be true."

She laughed.  "If it gets us back, I'll be happy."

I chuckled.  "Yeah.  I have a feeling we're going to be abandoning it,
too.  That's why I want the service truck.  I'm figuring we'll drop
the RV at the truck stop and never go back for it."

"Glad it's only money.  The old habits are easy to get back, aren't
they?"

"If it means a reunion with my wife and all of us are still alive when
it happens, yes."

"I agree.  I want to see Daryl, too.  I've already missed one check
in.  Takes two misses before he'll get worried."

I had my hand on the door of the RV when I froze, then started
laughing.

Heather noticed I wasn't getting in and she came back to find out what
was wrong.

I managed to get my laughter under control but I was still grinning
when I faced her.  "How ballsy are you feeling, Sis?"

"Sounds like yours got a lot bigger all of a sudden.  I'll give you a
'maybe as big as yours' if I hear the right words of encouragement."

"What if I said we're doing this backwards by being sneaky?  Maybe we
should find the biggest newspaper in town, tell them who we really
are, and if they want proof, all they have to do is send their best
available reporter with us while we go open my safe deposit box while
they run our prints through the Federal database."

"That's not ballsy, that's...  Insanely sensible.  Ice the cake.  Tell
them you're a Fed and so's your wife.  Since it's been long enough for
everyone important to get rounded up if they're in the area, let's
make sure Marge's cover is blown to Hell, too.  I don't know if she's
sloppy, or there's some other reason for them, but she's made too many
mistakes in too short a time.  Let's do some serious potty training
and rub noses in it while calling them all 'Bad Feds'!"

"Got it.  Let's go get rid of the RV, then find our mark."

We dropped the RV, told them what we wanted done, then we took off
after we got directions to the offices of the biggest newspaper in
town.

I was stopped at a red light when I glanced to my left and realized we
had a K9 unit next to us and I recognized the dog who was in the back
seat.  That made me look closer, and I rolled my window down and
honked my horn.  When the driver looked at me I gestured for him to
roll his window down so we could talk.

"What can I do for you folks?"

"We're lost.  Got time to pull over and give us some directions so we
can get where we're supposed to be?"

"Next parking lot."

"Thanks!"

Heather was staring at me.  "Are you insane?!"

"Probably.  I don't know what he's doing here, but that's Jason, and I
helped train his dog, several years ago."

"Oh.  Positive ID?"

"Something like that."

We got parked and he eventually got to us and looked me over.  "Where
do you folks need to go?"

I grinned.  "Home, eventually.  Mauler had any good blood bites
lately?"

"How did you know...  Courtney?  You're supposed to be dead!"

"Sounds like they found some bodies in the rubble.  Anyone looking for
me, or can we talk like friends?"

"Who looks for dead people?  Forensics hasn't had time to id the
remains, but who else could it have been?  Hell, give me whatever ID
you're carrying so I can run it, and we'll catch up on things while
I'm waiting.  Friends, Court.  Definitely.  Who's your friend?  Can't
be Patricia.  Wrong build, and definitely the wrong look in her eyes."

"Good man.  I guess you've had time to hear that I had a different
name at one time?"

"Yeah.  I understand the feds really overran your part of town.  We're
on a basic alert to call in anything we think might be something they
want to look at.  You folks can relax.  You're just tourists who need
some help."

"Thanks, Jason."

I handed him my ID, he sent it in, then he frowned and ignored us when
he spoke into his microphone.  "Cold plate?  Am I in the middle of
something?"

"Oh.  Got it.  You'd better send someone to cover my area.  I'm
expecting some street racers in about an hour, if they're following
their usual schedule."

He looked away for a few seconds while he thought about something,
then he turned back and offered me my ID.  "Ok, Sir.  Sorry to waste
your time.  Anything I can do for you?"

I stared at him.  "Why the sudden formality?"

"Revenge, Courtney, or whoever the fuck you are right now.  I was just
told that if you want me to drop my pants and shit green, I'm to give
it my best effort.  I don't know what you've been up to, but you've
got some serious mojo, now."

"Shit.  Somebody works fast.  Only thing that makes sense is that
someone put a tracer on my prints, and pushed some special orders
through that cover anyone with those prints.  That *was* one of my
most secret escape IDs that I hoped nobody would figure out until
after I was done with it."

"Sounds like you're done with it."

"Yeah.  Ok.  That absurd news, that I'm really Charles Mills, is true.
This is my sister, who used to be called Mary.  Ten years ago we were
disinherited and tossed out after we fucked up.  That's the short
form.  We're not fugitives or anything exotic like that, so you can
relax and still be one of my friends, without needing to watch your
back."

"Not sure I'm pleased to meet you, Mary or whoever you are supposed to
be now.  Hope you don't mind if I stop at being glad you're alive,
instead of bones at the bottom of a river."

"I understand and I don't mind."

"Thanks.  Well, Court?  You must have had a reason you got me here.
Talk to me."

"Pat and I were married this morning, before things fell apart, again.
We knew about the fire and..  Damn, this isn't easy to do.  Marge's
All Nighter was a federal operation.  We were told Marge was in
charge, but today's events have us wondering about that.

"Sounds dicey.  Where's Pat?"

"Headed into the lion's mouth.  No choice.  She knows the least, and
of the three of us, is most expendable.  The plan when she left was to
return from the dead somehow, then we'd show up after we decided it
was safe for us to be there.  She was supposed to tell the world I'm
alive, and that I'm with my sister.  She might change that.  She's
good at analysis. Jase, we all are.  Since all we had was ourselves we
could trust, we had to leave things pretty open ended."

"Had?  Did I just get added to that nightmare?"

"Up to you.  Circumstances gave us the option of becoming Feds, and we
took it.  I don't know about Heather, here, but at the least, she's a
witness I'm protecting.  It's damn big and that's all I want to tell
you, but I can tell you more if you want in all the way."

"I don't get it.  You're going to trust me without doing any
background checks?"

I pointed at Mauler, who was settled and eyeing me like he was just
waiting for me to do something he could use as an excuse to get in a
good bite.  "That guy is all the background check I need.  If you
couldn't be trusted, he wouldn't be so focused on me.  I'll trust his
judgment, for now."

"You are a strange person, Courtney.  You've been polite about it, but
I bet you're wondering how I got here?"

"I knew you'd moved.  That was it."

"We got an offer we would have been stupid to refuse.  Their K9
handler retired and Mauler and I were asked if we'd like a town of our
own, with some good pay to help us out."

"Congrats.  I won't say you were the best I ever worked with, but
Mauler was certainly the most enthusiastic."

"Yeah.  Well, I hope that guy does a better job of putting on the
gear, now."

"He does.  Uses the bite to sell himself.  'Got the dog he was working
with so agitated the dog got a good blood bite and knows what the real
game is when he's working.'  No guesswork the first time, and all
that.  Hasn't taken any more blood bites, but he isn't afraid to get
worked over and take the risk."

"Good man. Most folks quit or get fired after something like that."

"Point.  I'll miss working with him."

"I assume you have a plan of some sort?  I want to be the first to
tell you I think you're nuts for not trusting that crew, but you must
have some good reasons for being cautious."

"Marge's was a deep cover operation for something that didn't have
anything to do with me.  Word I have, and I don't completely trust it,
is that the people Marge was watching were securing their perimeter
and turned up a joker.  Me.

"Supposedly, they tried to play me somehow, by trying to blackmail my
dad.  That part, I trust, since it comes from Mary, after she got it
from our father.

"Simplest way to put it is that these people, whoever they are, found
themselves in the big league and couldn't handle it.  I think, but
can't say for certain, that mom or dad gave this crew to the feds
almost en passant, while they were setting things up for a bigger
gift."

"Gods...  What am I mixed up in?"

"Some serious shit that has the feds stirred up like a hornet's nest,
because they weren't expecting it to happen.  In the process, they're
also finding out they weren't as secure as they thought, and now
nobody knows who should be trusted.  The only thing you need to know
right now, is that after twelve years of chasing the folks who lived
somewhere near me, Marge was cut out of the loops she depended on to
keep her informed about what was going on that affected her
operation."

"Christ, Courtney!  The Feds don't leave their own hanging like that
unless something is seriously wrong!"

"Yep.  We were at Marge's until a few hours ago.  She made the hard
choice and decided she was blown, or going to be blown, so she and her
people made their plans and ran like Hell.  Now, to complicate things,
'her people' aren't really hers.  They belong to another deep cover
field agent, and as far as I know, she's the one person we can trust.
Unfortunately, she's involved somewhere else, and can't help us.  We
can get in touch, in a way, but we'd better be in a pretty secure
position when we do it, because there's a good chance the people we
don't want to meet are watching her and in a position to move faster
than she can."

"You say Marge ran.  You're here."

"We're pretty sure she wanted us to make a break and do our best to
get away.  We're hoping that's the reason she was so careless with us.
She's made some other mistakes, too.  Too many of them for us to
ignore and write off as her being overwhelmed by it all and out of her
depth."

"Just one more question.  Am I going to get disappeared when things
settle?"

I studied him thoughtfully and decided to push things.  "Time to call
in and shut down your camera, Jason.  You have a need to know, but
nobody else does."

"Seriously?"

"Yes.  If you're in, you're in all the way, and that means I can't
have us monitored.  We're going to go public in a few hours, but I'm
hoping none of this gets leaked before then.  Lives are at stake, and
I'm not talking about ours.  I'm probably going to catch Hell for
saying what I have, but I was hired to do a job, and that's exactly
what I'm doing."

He sighed and spoke into his mic again.  "You folks get that?"

"Yeah.  Sorry.  Wasn't thinking or I would have shut it down as soon
as I knew."

He looked at me.  "They want to know if you want me in uniform, or in
civvies?"

I looked at Heather and she nodded.  "Uniform, if we want maximum
effect."

She leaned over to look at Jason.  "They ok with you using that
cruiser to escort us home?"

He listened and sighed.  "They're not happy about it, but the bottom
line is that Courtney is our boss, if he wants to be."

I thought about it, then looked at Heather.  "We need him and Mauler,
not the cruiser.  If he stays low profile unless we need to get past a
check point, he won't need to be visible until we get to my bank.  A
lot depends on whether that box has been discovered yet.  Either way,
we'll need a bodyguard we can trust, because things will go nuts
shortly after I open it."

She thought about it and sighed.  "Let's hope this house of cards
doesn't collapse on us."

"Yeah, I know."

I turned back to Jason.  "Ok.  Here's the plan for now.  There has to
be a reporter of some type that you folks respect.  You know the type.
Hardcase with a nose for news and as tenacious as Mauler when he gets
a good bite.  We need that person delivered here, then the three of
you can share the back seat until we pick up what we'll be using for
the trip back.  They can pick up your cruiser when they make the
delivery."

He made his request, and winced when he got the reply.  "Don't ask me
why they want her.  I'm not exactly thrilled I get to share a ride
with her, you know."

He sighed and looked at me expectantly.  "Anything else?"

"No.  Shut it all down, then we need to talk before she arrives."

He went back to his cruiser, did what he had to do, then came back.
"Ok.  Only thing left on is the repeater, in case I need to yell for
help, or get some info for you.  Good enough?"

"Thanks, Jase.  I hope that someday I can make this up to you."

"I'll settle for getting the real story, and not the one you're
planning on giving that reporter."

"Smart man.  Whoever this woman is, we're giving her the first shot at
letting the world know who we are.  The box I mentioned is a safe
deposit box that holds everything I need, to prove I'm Charles Mills.
The idea is to come back in the full glare of publicity, so some
things that should be kept public aren't swept under a rug and
forgotten.  I'm genuinely sorry I recognized Mauler, then you.  I'll
do my best to see that you don't get disappeared some way, but I can't
promise it won't happen.  If it has to, we have some plans that might
let you stay visible while people keep an eye on you."

"Purloined letter stuff?"

"Worse.  If this all falls into place, there's going to be a new
regional office for the FBI going in.  I'm thinking you might be asked
if you want to work there, with Mauler at your side."

"Good thing I wouldn't be leaving anyone serious behind, if I
accepted."

"You'll have some other choices, if you aren't allowed to go back to
chasing street racers.  Tell you more only if I have to."

"Thanks."

"Welcome.  Now, what I really wanted to talk about privately.  You've
got some sort of knack for seeing things people want to keep hidden,
Jason.  You ever figure out that Emma and I have been lovers, for
years?"

"Lovers?  Sex and stuff like that?"

"Exactly."

"No.  All I cared about was your dog training skills.  Never had a
reason to look for that sort of stuff."

"Ok.  Only reason I'm asking is because the Feds know, and don't
consider it a problem that would stop me from passing the background
checks and being hired.  Should be obvious that no matter what
happens, you're going to get the full battery of checks tossed at your
past."

"No problem, unless they think lying to my parents with my hand in the
cookie jar will make me a risk."

I laughed.  "Really?  I thought that stuff only happened in stories."

"It wasn't ours.  It was one of those big serve yourself jars at a
store.  I got one out to be paid for, and when dad was paying for it I
decided I wanted another one, so I grabbed it and ate it while he was
distracted.  Only problem was, I got caught by the camera system.  He
and the clerk saw it all.  Dad paid up, and I was banned from the
store for a month."

"And now, you're a cop."

"Yeah.  Strange how things work out, sometimes."

Heather touched my arm, then leaned over enough she could see him.
"Mind if I ask you a serious personal question, Jason?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Can't tell you that, but there's a chance it will get asked as part
of the background checks.  Might not be you they ask."

He sighed.  "That doesn't sound too good.  Go ahead."

"Relax.  You're not being interrogated, so we'll do our best to forget
I asked it."

"I understand, unfortunately.  Ask me."

"Got a good explanation for Mauler showing so much lipstick when he's
on a sit stay next to you?"

"Lipstick?  What are you talking about?"

"You really don't know?"

"I swear to you that I don't have a clue.  How the Hell would a male
dog...  Oh.  Crap.  Now I get it.  He's intact and been used at stud a
lot.  I guess it just happens when he relaxes.  Got a reason for
asking me?"

"How often does he get used as a stud?"

"Couple times a year."

She sighed and we looked at each other before she looked at Jason
again.  "Sorry.  I was trying to find out if you're in a gay
relationship with Mauler.  Showing lipstick is a pretty common
behavior when a zoo's dog relaxes."

He blushed.  "You actually thought?..."

"I had to eliminate the possibility.  There will be people who notice,
and wonder.  I had to know if you were innocent, deliberately lying to
us, or hiding, Jason.  We wouldn't have a problem with it, but we
needed to know so we could have helped you keep in the closet or keep
the number of people who know, besides us, to a minimum."

He sighed.  "Damnit.  A bunch of little things suddenly make too much
sense.  I'm not, but I bet I know who is.  Have to be my girlfriend or
her room mate.  When he's not with me, he stays with them.  They're
the only other handlers he has, that I know of.  I trusted them, too."

"I'd say you still can.  He's not ruined, just because he gets laid
more often than most dogs would.  If you never noticed a difference,
there's no problem that needs fixing, other than the possibility one
or both of them will have to find a new sex partner if you have to
leave."

"Well, if I leave or not, whoever it is, they're going to have to find
a new boyfriend, if it's true."

I reacted to his anger before Heather could.  "Whoa!  Cool it, Jase.
Nothing's confirmed, and you don't want to do anything hasty right
now.  Mainly, I'm going to be cold about it and tell you that there
are more important things you need to worry about, than if your
current squeeze is getting something on the side, from Mauler. If you
can't let go and focus on your job, tell me now, and we'll let you go
back to chasing kids, or whatever it is you do on shift.  All we'd ask
is that you forgot we were here."

"Shit, Court.  I don't remember you being that hard, back when."

"Things changed, and having someone burn my place down sorta changed
my priorities and gave me an attitude adjustment that has me wanting
to do something about that.  I'm trying to keep from being stupid, but
that hasn't stopped me from looking for some way to get even.  I was
raised to settle my own problems, and that training only got harder to
redirect when the rest of my family showed up."

"Family?  Oh.  Crap.  You telling me you want me there to keep *you*
from being stupid?"

I laughed.  "No.  If you're still in, you're the visible Ace high to
our Jokers.  Mostly, I need you to confirm who I am to this reporter,
so she'll be willing to go along and be there when I open that deposit
box.  After that, it would be nice to look like the police are already
handling things.  I don't want to reveal that Pat and I are both deep
cover Feds, now.  We'll settle for 'important persons of interest',
because we have some plans that won't happen unless we're kept out of
the witness protection program."

He took a deep breath, then looked at Heather.  "Damnit.  I was right.
You have the same look about you, and if this was a normal traffic
stop, I'd be wanting some serious backup before I tried to do anything
other than let you go on your way."

"I'll take that as a compliment, Jason.  Would it help if I told you
I'm happily married to a cop and have kids?  He knows everything and
it hasn't bothered him, yet.  My word, as a Mills."

"You sound like one of those people in the movies.  You know the type.
Honor and all that crap.  Get pissed when people don't trust your word
once you give it."

"It isn't 'crap', Jason.  Like it or not, you're looking at two people
who used to be the heirs to the kind of power and money that ruled a
small city for several generations.  Couldn't have done it without
being old fashioned enough to do it the hard way, with our own stiff
necked honor to back us up."

She relaxed slightly.  "Not a lot of difference between us and the
Feds.  They'd be the first people to tell you that we couldn't have
done it by being criminals all the time.  Mom and Dad ran the place,
of course, but they did it with a light touch, most of the time.  You
get a chance, take the time to see what kind of a public school system
is in place.  When we left, there were private schools available but
most folks ignored them in favor of the public ones.  The public ones
were better, usually, and people knew their kids wouldn't be
indoctrinated into living differently than what they were being taught
at home.  Freedom, Jase.  Sure, lots of unwritten rules, like you'd
expect, but other than that, the average person had more freedom than
they have here.  For one thing, as stupid as it sounds, the cops were
allowed to do their jobs.  If someone got caught, well, they got
caught and that meant the next person in line got better.  If they got
better, the cops got better, too."

She smiled.  "Welcome to the *real* big league, Jason.  Stick around
and you'll get to live up close with the people who don't get caught,
they retire, or turn themselves in because of a bigger picture, and
their kids keep going."

"You giving any of this to that reporter?"

"Not planning on it.  Only thing we're going to do is admit we're the
Mills kids, since people already know that's who Courtney used to be.
She'll get me as a bonus.  Someone else will have to admit we're
working for the Feds, now."

He sighed and looked around, then nodded.  "Ok.  Not going to be easy
to forget about what Glenda might have been doing with Mauler.  We're
close, but I don't know if we're marry each other close.  I was sorts
thinking that way but...  I don't know."

Heather spoke gently.  "Want me to see about setting things up so you
can talk to Daryl?  Some options available you probably wouldn't think
of, if you wind up marrying a zoo."

"Oh?  Name one."

"I'll give you two of them.  If she has her own dog, you can go to
work knowing she has a bodyguard available who can't be turned or
blackmailed, and he'll put her life ahead of his if he has to, just
like Mauler would die protecting you.  Item two, you'd know she can't
be seduced away from you."

"I don't get it.  It sounds like you folks think you were taking care
of everybody, instead of being the rulers of an empire of some sort."

She sighed.  "I guess you can't see it without help.  When you own
*everyone* who's anything in a town, you don't care what they do to
each other, because you know you can rein them in if you have to.
Sure, you make sure your own life is damn comfortable, but to do it
right, you can't be whimsical about it.  Dad never suppressed
ambition.  Way he saw it, if he got taken down, his replacement had to
be better than he was, and that was a good thing.  In the meantime, he
set the kind of standards that made it impossible for the thugs to get
very far before they were taken down, by other thugs, or the cops. The
Feds kept a close eye on him, but they never got anything good enough
to take him down."

"So you're telling me that the average person was on your dad's side?"

"Not in the way you're thinking.  Sure, they knew he was influential.
That much was obvious.  They supported him because he didn't isolate
himself.  He helped where he could, and sometimes they didn't know he
was doing it.  Sorting out the school system was like that.  He did it
mostly for us, but he knew everyone else would benefit, too.  To the
people who matter, it meant they benefited from it and they worked
hard to keep him in power, because they knew what would happen if he
went down.  Chaos, and good business people don't like anything that's
bad for business."

"Jeeesus...  You keep talking about the past.  You two inheriting all
that?"

She sighed.  "Yes, and no.  We're not going back and taking over the
town,  We have lives of our own, now.  We're not interested in
continuing the dynasty."

"Oh.  Hope you don't mind if I admit I'm relieved."

"We don't."

Something got his attention and he looked past our car.  "I hope
that's all of it."

I looked, then sighed.  "Yeah.  That's it for now.  Don't introduce
us, just point her at us if nobody else does, and stay clear."

"Be glad to.  Helen isn't a person I want focused on me, even though I
know I'm innocent."

"Thanks!  That's good to know."

Helen got out of the cruiser, then stalked over to confront Jason.

"Ok.  I was sitting down to a good meal when I got the knock on the
door and a polite, but firm request that it would be appreciated if I
grabbed my gear and joined you at a 'situation'.  When I get here, I
see you acting like you're chatting with some old friends, instead of
doing your job.  This better be good, Jason.  If it isn't, I'm going
to get serious about how lazy our cops are becoming."

He studied her thoughtfully before he smiled.  "I didn't want you
here, *they* did.  If you'd bothered to check, you'd have found out
that I've been signed out for special duty, and my replacement was on
his way.  I imagine that's who brought you here."

"Does that special duty include acting like these folks are your
friends, while you waited?"

"It wasn't an act.  The driver happens to be someone I've known for
years, and he was a friend long before I moved here.  We had a lot of
hometown news to catch up on while we waited, because we haven't seen
each other since I was invited here, to do a job nobody else seemed
able to do."

She sighed.  "Ok. Go do your cop stuff while I talk to these people.
For what it's worth, as far as I've been able to find out, you *have*
been doing a better job than anyone expected you to do."

She gestured at Mauler.  "Maybe it's the giant puppy you have for a
partner.  Kids seem to fall in love with him, and that must keep
little problems from growing up and becoming big ones.  Someday, I
want to do a ride along with you and find out how you do it."

He decided to grin.  "Helen, you of all people should have learned to
be careful what she wished for.  I'm looking forward to the
experience."

"You what?!"

"You want to do a ride along, I won't use the excuse that I won't be
able to do my job right with you along, ok?"

"There has to be a catch."

"If you haven't yet, go through the Academy so I know that my partner
is someone I won't have to babysit."

She finally nodded.  "Fair enough.  I'll look into it after I take
care of what I'm here to deal with."

She turned to us.  "So you're an old friend of Jason's?"

I smiled.  "Yes.  I was headed to get the best reporter in town, when
I realized Jason was next to us.  I waved him over to get better
directions and find out if he had any suggestions."

"So you just asked the cops to scoop me up and deliver me to you?  Who
are you, to be able to get that sort of cooperation.  It smells, if
you know what I mean."

"Oh, I do know.  I won't insult you by asking if you know what's going
on a few towns over."

"I should be there, but I found out too late to do anything more than
get the dregs, so I stayed home."

I laughed.  "Ambitious?"

"I'll play your game, for now.  How much more rope do I need to give
you?  Yes, I'm ambitious."

"How much more rope do I need, before I hang you?  None.  I'm Courtney
Smith.  I kept Jason around so he can confirm it so you'll do us the
honor of riding along while we head back so I can open a safe deposit
box that has what I need to prove I really am Charles Robert Mills.
You'll have to take our words, that the woman next to me is my sister,
Mary Louise Mills.  Are you *that* ambitious?"

"Where's your girlfriend?"

"Wife.  Already headed back, so she can come back from the dead.  The
plan was to send her in to test the waters.  Her idea and we couldn't
think of a better way."

She turned slightly.  "Jason!  Is this ego who he says he is?"

"Whatever name he gave, yes!"

She sighed, thought for awhile, then studied Heather.  "So you're Mary
Louise Mills?"

"I'd rather go back to being Heather, and raising my family, but I
need to get this taken care of before I think that far ahead.  Yes, I
used to be Mary Louise Mills.  Best way to confirm it would be to have
my prints run."

"Worry about that later.  So you folks want to take me for a ride. You
have a problem if I admit I'm suddenly worried about my personal
safety?"

Heather laughed.  "We anticipated that, so we made arrangements for
Jason and Mauler to join us.  Don't worry about being crowded in the
back seat.  It will only last until we pick up our RV from the shop."

"Ho. Ho. Ho.  No wonder he was so affable about that ride along."

Heather laughed at her.  "We enjoyed watching you step into that."

"I bet you did.  Anything else you want to tell me, that you think
would help me make the right decision?"

I chuckled.  "It's spur of the moment, but I admit I like your style.
Assuming you join us for the ride, do you want to do it as a reporter,
or as our publicist?"

"You trying to buy my silence, if I learn too much?"

"It we were the type who thought that way, we wouldn't waste our time
talking to you about it.  Reporter like you, if she's doing her job
the way it should be done, is going to find herself needing money to
defend herself.  That money should be backed up by more than a
contract.  It needs someone who is wiling to give their word it will
be there, no matter what happens, and she can make herself believe her
backer meant it.  Small town paper can't do that.  We can.  We'll give
you our word, as Mills, that we'll back you all the way, even if you
wind up going after *us*.  I want to buy your honesty, Helen, not your
silence."

"Let me see if I'm following you.  The two of you are willing to pay
me, to dig up any dirt on you that I can, and use it against you?
You're insane, or planning on a level that's beyond what I'm used to."

"Here's a freebie.  I'm a zoo.  I regularly fuck my bitch, Emma.
Patricia and Mary know it.  They're both ok with it.  Pat wants it to
continue.  Matter of fact, you can take it as given that the Feds know
and they decided that while it's a complication, they have more
important things to worry about.  Essentially, they see it as a non
issue, that can't be used against us."

"And you're going to waltz into a town that's overrun with FBI agents,
instead of going into hiding, like any sensible person would?"

"You're working from the wrong assumptions.  We're not coming back
from the dead to reclaim our heritage as the Mills kids.  We're
returning from the dead so we can finally put that part of our lives
behind us.  We have lives of our own, now, and while we'll gladly take
any money that's offered, we're not interested in becoming our
parent's heirs, and all that romantic crap.  Want to cover the story
from the start, or watch it on the news?

"It's a big job.  Could break us all if something goes wrong.  The
association could force you into the witness protection program even
if it succeeds the way we hope it will."

She sighed.  "Damn you.  No wonder the big news agencies went nuts
when they found out Courtney Smith was really one of the Mills kids.
You folks don't think like ordinary people, do you?"

"Anyone can be bought, Helen.  Even honest people, if the buyer is
willing to pay the price.  I'm trying to buy, and I'll pay your price.
Name it."

"I can see the future, and it scares me.  I'm an investigative
newspaper reporter.  It's all I know.  Newspapers are a dying art
form, Courtney.  So's integrity in reporting, as far as I can tell."

"I'm listening.  Go on."

"You're right about needing money and a backer willing to defend me.
Been some 'suggestions' I change my style.  I still have some time
before I need to make a decision, but...  I really should find a
different place to do my work, before I get black balled and can't
work at all."

"For what it's worth, as far as I remember, my parents never worked
that way.  Different mindset.  More effective in the long run to
cooperate and make the problem go away for good.

"Best, of course is to never get noticed.  I'm not saying people
didn't have accidents.  They did.  Thing is, the people who vanished
tended to be long term problems for everyone, not just the people who
ran the town.  Thugs are thugs, and rabid ones need to be taken down
permanently, if they can't be cured any other way.  Honest people
weren't removed.  They  were worked with until a mutually satisfactory
solution was found.  Then, behind the scenes, a way was searched for,
that would let it be 'business as usual', until the next time."

She sighed again.  "This is sounding like 'True Confessions of a Crime
Boss', instead of a couple of young folks who want their lives back."

"Working for us, or not, you'll need to understand how we think,
before you can give a balanced report on us, right?  A person doesn't
have to be a crime boss if they think this way.  Feds do it all the
time, and they're usually respected for being able to do it.  Mary and
I were trained to inherit the control of an entire town, but
circumstances forced us to become mostly honest citizens, and now we
are content to stay that way."

"Promise you won't laugh at me?"

"With you, be ok?"

"Sure."

She sighed.  "Ok.  I'm in.  If nothing else, it will make it that much
harder for the little guys to think they can silence me without
repercussions.  Let's collect Jason and Mauler, then get on the road.
I'll tell you my asking price, after we're moving."

She and Jason settled in the back seat, with Mauler in the middle,
then we pulled out.  Heather turned to look at them.  "You carrying a
portable repeater, Jason?"

"Yes, and it's set so I can link into the nets as we pass through."

"Good.  We're not going to tell you how to do your job, so relax.
Mostly, we want to be able to move around without tripping over
people.  If she's agreeable, Helen can handle media access to us.  The
basic assumption is that she has exclusive rights, but she can dole
out what she knows in any way she wants to.  More on that as soon as
she names her asking price, to work for us."

"Got it.  I know Court's smart enough to have a nest egg, but you must
have more, if you're being so casual about hiring her.  The good ones
don't come cheap, last I heard."

She dug in her purse and handed Jason a bankbook.  "Courtney has one
just like it, with the same numbers in it."

He opened it, whistled, then held it so Helen could see what had
caused his reaction, before he handed it back.

Helen studied Heather, then sighed.  "That's a lot.  Tainted?"

"No.  To keep it simple, Mom and dad are two radically different
couples, and they've been fanatical about keeping things separated,
just in case they took a fall.  That money is so squeaky clean that it
pisses the tax collectors off because they can't touch it."

"Is it safe to assume you were being groomed to do the same thing?"

"Yes."

"That stuff about you marrying a cop.  Planned?"

"Only after I fell in love with him.  I told him about my past, and
that people would think I had other motives, as soon as I knew I
wanted him for the rest of my life.  Not saying we don't have
disagreements, because we do.  Neither one of us wanted to leave him
behind, but the kids come first, and we trust each other, completely."

"Been a rumor that the Feds scooped up Pat's uncle as a person of
interest, then turned him loose later.  Word I have is that he's holed
up and not talking."

I spoke up.  "He's a JoP.  Someone had to marry Pat and I.  They used
him."

She met my eyes in the mirror.  "So you and Pat, at least, were guests
of the Feds, and now you aren't.  I smell the kind of story that can
make a reporter, if they aren't politely requested to suppress it, for
the sake of National Security."

"What's your price, Helen?"

"Wikileaks, with integrity.  I want to run it.  There should be a
watchdog that can bite when it needs to, but has the sense to know
when she shouldn't take the bite that's offered."

"You think you're that Bitch?"

"I wouldn't ask, if I didn't know I can do it.  That's my dream.  A
web site and a backer who will go down with me, if they have to."

"Done.  Our word.  Fifty thousand be enough to get you started?  More
when you need it.   I'd offer more, but we're in a situation where we
can't just walk in a bank and ask them to please give us some of our
money.  Hopefully, that will change in the next few days."

"I'll take it.  You have a publicist who's going to do everything she
can to fuck you over.  Count on it."

"Thanks.  You hear that, Jason?  Appreciate it if you help her out.
Part of your job, right?"

He thought about it, turned away to study Helen, who was watching him,
and finally he looked away and spoke to the window.  "Weird.  I took
an oath, and suddenly I find myself wondering if I should keep it,
because honoring it means I have to fuck over one of my closest
friends.  Shut up, Helen.  You don't know what the fuck is going on.
I'm between two goddamn big boulders, and I need to think.  One is
National Security and the other is Personal Integrity."

We let him think, and he was still thinking when we pulled in to
collect the RV.

The owner came out to talk to us.  "We've done what we could, but it
really needs the transmission rebuilt, soon."

Heather nodded.  "How soon?"

"Last year.  You baby it, you'll be ok, but don't do any towing unless
you can't avoid it, and ease into it.  It's not slipping, yet, but it
will be if you decide to tow with it."

"So cruising on the freeway should be ok, if we ease it up to speed
and take it easy in town?"

"Yes.  I'd like to keep it here and do it now, if you're willing."

Heather looked a me and I shook my head slightly, so she nodded and
turned back.  "Wish we could leave it.  We're away from home and we'd
like to get back.  We'll put it in the shop, then."

"Good.  Let's settle, and you folks can be on your way."

Heather paid the bill, then she and the others used the car while I
drove the RV to the nearest fast food place so I could check it out
before we hit the road.

Heather went through the drive through, then came around to meet me.

They'd rearranged themselves and Helen was in the front seat with
Heather.  I squeezed in the back after getting reacquainted with
Mauler, then I sighed.  "It's unlocked and I left the key in the
ignition.  Let's hope someone gets brave and steals it.  Let's go."

Heather sighed.  "Back or forward?"

"Towards Pat and Emma.  They're counting on us."

We were on the freeway before anyone else spoke, then it was Helen who
asked the question.  "You folks are extremely paranoid for some
reason, if you're willing to walk away like that."

I sighed.  "Damnit, this is getting boring.  Fucking amateurs.  Let's
hope we got away clean.  What's your read, Heather?  Waiting for us
when we get there?"

"Wish I could say who.  Count on someone being there.  Let's hope Pat
and Emma are ok."

I nodded slightly.  "You have a way to check in with Daryl?"

"Since someone knows our rough location, I might as well.  We're
running out of options.  Too many people know how we think, and
they've been anticipating us."

Helen sighed.  "What makes you so certain you were spotted?"

I laughed.  "Credit us with some sense.  We didn't buy that RV until
we saw the maintenance records on it, and called the mechanic.  It had
a new transmission put in it less than two months ago, and it never
left storage after the road test."

"Oh.  He could be running a scam on you folks, since it was Heather
who took it in."

"If he is, you can have him.  Either way, are you willing to bet me it
won't break down within say...  Twenty miles of his shop?"

"Umm...  No."

"Smart woman.  He's small stuff.  Worry about him later, because he's
probably not going to go anywhere before you can deal with him, if
someone else hasn't."

"Sounds serious."

"Could be.  Depends on if he's independent, or something more and has
a control."

Jason sighed.  "I have a suggestion that you probably won't like."

"Oh?"

"You, at least, have the authority,  Use it.  Find a wrecking yard and
'borrow' a car hauler and a road service truck.  I'll play good cop
and drive the hauler to make sure the car you seized makes it where
you want it to go.  Heather can ride with me as your partner.  You and
Helen can drive the service truck and tag along as the folks who will
be taking the hauler back."

"Sounds like you decided to let the boulders hit with you in the
middle."

"It's a compromise.  You said I'm the Ace and you're a Joker.  You
never said I couldn't play the hand, only that you didn't want to."

"Do it, Jason.  We'll do it your way, and thanks."

He turned to Helen.  "I said he's a Joker.  You wondered how he
managed to pull me away from my job, and have you hauled out to meet
us.  It's damn simple, and you should have guessed it.  He and Pat are
Feds, and when I ran his ID, it came back 'Do whatever the fuck he
tells you to do and don't argue.'  He asks for that hauler and truck,
he'll get them.  Hell, I have the authority to get them, but if I use
it, it goes in a record somewhere.  With him, it won't show up until
he writes his after action report."

She stared at Jason.  "You're serious about this, aren't you?"

"I'm here, instead of finally shutting down those street racers you've
been bitching about.  I spent a lot of off duty time setting that up,
and I had to turn it over to someone else, who I *hope* doesn't blow
it.  If that doesn't tell you how serious this shit is, then I don't
know what will."

"Ok.  I guess you folks all know I'm going to dig, eventually."

Heather laughed and dug in her purse, then turned back.  "Hold out
your hands."

Helen did, and Heather counted fifty, one thousand dollar bills, into
her hands.  "Retainer.  Do whatever you want with it, but I suggest
you keep your mouth shut about it until we know what's going on.  If
anyone asks, tell them exactly what is, a retainer to help you be a
reporter for the Mills kids.  That's all they'll need to know and they
won't grill you or question your integrity."

Helen looked a little stunned.  "That's it?  I show up with this and
I'll be able to keep it?"

"Yes, and don't let anyone take it away from you.  If they try, you
scream for us as loud as you can.  If we're not nearby, tell them you
want to talk to Ethel.  Same thing for you, Jason.  Get stubborn and
insist on talking to Ethel, if someone tries to sweat you for info.
Don't write it down."

Helen sighed.  "How will I know I'm talking to this 'Ethel'?"

"She'll probably tell the agent in charge to shut the fuck up, and go
play with himself, before she reams whoever tried to sweat you.  There
might be an older man with her.  If there is, relax if he grills you
about us.  He'll be confirming it was really us you are working for.
One more thing.  If you see her before we do, tell her we said she
needs to stop covering Marge's ass, and get serious about all this."

She turned back and resettled, then sighed and dug in her purse again.
She came up with a cell phone and a battery for it, then looked at me.
"Time to call dad?"

"Yeah.  Tell him to meet us at Valley Bank, and ask to see Jason, if
we aren't visible."

"Still want me to sign it 'Ethel'?"

"Yes."

She sent the message, sighed, and was about to shut the phone off when
she got a text message.

We looked at each other and I shrugged.  "So, read it."

She opened it and a few seconds later started laughing.  "We can drop
all the fancy plans and go in."

"Oh?"

"Marlene and Midnight are fine.  Thirty minutes.  We'll be waiting.
Orson and Ursula give their word it's safe to come out of the rain."

I winced.  "Mom's dead."

She gasped, then turned to me and put her head on my shoulder while
she cried.

After she slowed down, Helen touched my shoulder.  "Do I get to know
before we get there, or is this something I should hear live?"

I was curt.  "Live.  Now, shut up and leave us alone.  Jason, if she
opens her mouth and says one more word, gag her and arrest her for
interfering in a Federal investigation."

He sighed.  "Don't do it, Helen.  The mood he's in, Courtney might
dump us both and let me deal with finding us a ride so I can haul you
in to wait for him to decide what he wants to do with you."

She sighed, but was silent, so I drove with one hand while the other
one slowly caressed my sister while we both mourned the death of the
woman who meant so much, to both of us.

About an hour later we pulled into the parking lot.  Before we got out
I looked at Helen.  "Same rules,  Once we get inside that bank, keep
your mouth shut and your ears open.  I'm going to explain the reasons
you're with us, and your dream.  After that, you'll be ignored unless
you interrupt us.  My read is that when push comes to shove, there are
only two people who can tell Ethel what to do when she's working.  If
you're as good as you think you are, you can figure out who those two
people are, right?"

"The Director, and The President."

"Got it.  I'm going to stick my neck way, way out for you, and tell
you something that doesn't leave this group unless Ethel says it can."

"I'll be good.  I'm ambitious, but I'm also smart enough to know when
I'm way, way out of my depth."

"Good.  There's a reason Pat and I have the kind of carte blanche that
got you mixed up in all this.  Heather may have it by now, too, but
that's something we'll have to find out.  The three of us have been
hired to be high level tactical analysts.  You've seen us in action,
so you know how good we are under pressure.  Well, 'Orson' is just as
good, maybe better.  The bottom line is that if we speak, to *anyone*,
we're listened to, very, very, closely."

She looked at Jason and he shrugged.  "News to me, but it hangs
together.  I have a feeling we're going to be making career changes.
Pisses me off, because I worked hard to get the kind of community
support that let me have that chance to nail those racers to the wall,
finally."

I chuckled.  "I have an idea about that, that you might like.  Let's
see what happens.  You might be able to keep that rapport you built
up."

"You have better vision than I do."

"Maybe.  I like to make problems, solutions.  We all do.  It's the way
we were raised to think."

I looked at my sister.  "Anything to add?"

"No.  Let's go.  Jason, bring Mauler.  It will be ok."

"I was planning on it, and he won't let me out of his sight when I'm
in uniform."

We got out, arranged ourselves with me and Heather leading, then I
sighed and headed for the door.

When we got there, we were met by a man in a business suit.  I held
out my hand.  "Hello, Father.  You ok?"

"Not completely, but I will be.  What about you kids?"

"We got most of it out of our system on the way in."

He sighed.  "Hoped that message got to you before you shut off the
phone.  Had it ready almost an hour before you checked in.  Added the
number and prayed.  You know how it is."

"Yeah.  We do.  Can we and our guests come in?"

He smiled slightly.  "They're already cleared.  Be our guests.
Everyone is waiting in the conference room."

Helen studied him, then sighed.  "Anyone mind if I ask a real stupid
question?"

Dad smiled and held out his hand.  "We had flags on everyone's print
files.  As soon as we knew where, it didn't take much thought to
figure out who.  A phone call confirmed who he'd have with him.  Jason
was a surprise, but Patricia confirmed the link.  What was the price
he paid for you?"

She looked at me and I nodded.  "I'm a fourth generation Mills.  It's
in the blood."

She took his hand.  "The price was a Wikileaks clone, done right.
Fifty thousand, cash advance, to make sure I can be honest about all
this and have a life later.  Both of them gave me their word they'd
back me, even if it destroys them."

He nodded and let go.  "Will it?"

"That's up to you and Ethel, if I have this all figured out."

"Good woman.  You going to be a mouse in the corner, while the cats
play?"

"I've already given my word I'd play by those rules."

"Then we're glad to have you here.  Let's quit blocking the door and
being conspicuous.  Might be my kids' style, but it's not mine or
Ethel's."

We went in and Heather and I moved to flank him.  She studied him, he
caught her at it, then he smiled.  "Relax.  She was ready, and didn't
fight it.  Last words were to Ethel.  'Take our husband to heaven.
I'll be waiting for both of you."

Heather sighed.  "You haven't changed a bit, have you?  My step mother
needs me, doesn't she?"

He gestured at a security guard who was holding a door open.  "Send
Pat and Emma out.  Call for us when the two of you are ready for
company."

She nodded and walked away without looking back.  Pat came out with
Emma at her side. Emma focused on me, woofed happily, and Pat laughed
before she removed Emma's leash.

Seconds later Emma's feet hit my chest and I had to bend down so she
could wash my face.

"Good to see you, too, Love."

I hugged her some more, then straightened and smiled at Pat.  "Looks
like you made some changes to the plan.  How did all of you link up?"

She hugged me.  "I took a big chance and assumed Uncle Jeff would be
the least likely person to be watched, that I could trust.  They were
inside, waiting for me.  I told them what was going on, and your dad
thought about it, entered his message, then we waited for one of you
to call him.  He opened the draft, added the number, and hit send.
Then we all prayed your phone was on long enough you got it."

I nodded and looked at dad.  "Thanks for letting us know about mom.
Made it a long hour's drive, but we had time to come to terms with it,
mostly.  Nice touch, the names you used, even though it didn't
matter."

"Thanks, son.  High praise, coming from you.  Patricia didn't believe
me when I told her one of you would figure out she's gone."

I shook my head.  "Mind if I give away one of your secrets?"

"Not a bit, but maybe we'd better find an office, so we can settle.
They'll...  Be awhile.  It hit Ethel harder than it did me.  I've had
plenty of time to get ready, she didn't.  Honorable enemies, special
bond.  All that female stuff, too."

"You left out respect, Dad."

"I know.  Don't tell her I said this, but she's pissed it wasn't an
honest ending to the battle.  Now, she'll never know which one of them
is the best."

I studied him, then nodded slightly.  "You have a call on that?"

"No.  Wasted effort, and I know it."

"I'll leave it alone, mostly  Mind if I change the subject slightly,
after we find that office?"

"Not a bit.  Bring your friends with you.  Oh, before we do that..."

He reached into a pocket on his jacket and removed some ID cards.  He
looked at them, then handed one to each of us.  "Pat already has hers.
Officially, you're Courtney and Patricia Smith, agents in place.
Privately, the two of you own a restaurant and 360 acres of
surrounding land.  Heather and Daryl are on the payroll, too."

"Helen and Jason?"

"Press secretary for the local FBI branch, when she isn't running that
site of hers.  She'll have to consult, of course, but she's been co
opted, to do internal documentation as part of the oversight process.
It's a fancy way of letting her listen in on your analysis sessions
before she decides what she should do with what she knows."

I kept my mouth shut until we had the door closed, then I studied my
dad thoughtfully.  "I don't mind you being inside my head, but what's
going on, that Helen would be given that kind of trust?  Somebody had
to be looking at her long before I grabbed her."

He ignored me.  "Helen?  You can turn the job down, in favor of
bothering the little people instead of running with the best dog team
in the world."

"Mind if I sit down and do some thinking, before I answer that?"

"Go ahead."

She sat, looked at each of us, then focused on me.  "You were going to
tell us how you knew your mother was dead."

"It was a nice touch on dad's part.  Orson and Ursula were our dogs
when they tossed us out, so it was a cute way of letting us know he
was sending the reply.  However, the names didn't matter, because
using two of them, male and female, was his way of telling us it was
him, and he was already living a new life.  Part of that new life, was
getting married to Ethel after mom died.  We were there when they
agreed to the marriage after mom said she wanted it to happen.
Simple."

"Hah!  If that's simple...  Never mind.  I have the feeling that
keeping an eye on you folks is not going to be the simple job I'm used
to doing."

She turned to Jason.  "What sort of news did you get?"

"Not sure, Helen.  The card says 'FBI, Security Liaison', along with
my most recent driver's license photo and a long number, that I assume
is some sort of coded ID."

She nodded slowly.  "Could mean anything, couldn't it?  I know what a
liaison is, but who are you going to be doing that with, right?"

He sighed.  "And who's security will I be responsible for?  This thing
doesn't say which direction it will be in.  Could go either direction.
Consider me confused, and willing to wait until someone clues me in,
because I've never heard of the FBI having this sort of agent.  Then
again, today is the first time I've gotten involved with the FBI, so
my ignorance is...  Profound.  You probably know more about them than
I do."

"Oh, right.  I've already admitted I'm out of my depth.  I *thought* I
knew a little about the way they work, but this...  Not even a rumor
they could do this to people and get away with it.  Then, too, I did a
cram course on what little I could learn about the Mills family.  It's
all conjecture, except for the fact they're one of the most respected
local families, with a history of funding projects that significantly
help the little people as much as they get involved in some pretty
major projects."

She looked at dad thoughtfully.  "All my past experience tells me
nobody can own a small city in this day and age, but as far as I can
tell, you and your wife did exactly that.  There's not one word,
anywhere on the net, that suggests she deserved to die like that, and
make you suffer, because you deserved to suffer.  There has to be
someone, somewhere, with a grudge, who's willing to speak out right
now."

He settled a haunch on the desk.  "So you think my control is so good,
that there's some sort of 'code of silence' that nobody is willing to
break?"

"Nobody can have that kind of control, in this day and age.  Yet, it
appears you do.  To make it worse, I have the impression you're
working with the feds.  That stinks even worse than controlling a
small city does, because it implies that in spite of your past,
someone was ready to let you work for the same people you spent most
of your life evading."

"Anything else?"

"I know your type.  You'd never turn, then stick around to back stab
people.  You'd come in from the front, with the knife in sight, and
give them an honest chance to win the fight."

"Good call.  I *did* warn them, repeatedly, that I wasn't going to be
there to hold their hands while I dealt with the fact my first wife
was dying from cancer, and there was no hope for her."

"What am I missing?"

"You have all the pieces, you're just looking at them from the wrong
point of view."

"Oh?"

"For the sake of this discussion, call me the highest level crime boss
you're ever likely to meet.  We don't think like the ones you're used
to, but I'm sure you already know that."

"Oh, I do.  Courtney and Heather moved at a speed, and with a
confidence that left me so far behind, I'm wondering if I'll ever
catch up to them."

He laughed.  "Don't sell yourself short."

"Thank you.  You were saying?"

"I won't deny it.  We owned that city, and my son and daughter were
being groomed to take over someday.  They made a mistake when they
were still kids.  It wasn't one I was expecting them to make, but I
took advantage of it.

"It was sink or swim, and they both swam quite well, once they stopped
thinking with their gonads.  They both made some pretty dumb mistakes
early on, but they recovered nicely.  Matter of fact, Courtney did
such a good job of that, it was a fluke that he was discovered, and it
wasn't by us.  We kept our word and never tried to find out who they
became and what they were doing.  We never had to look.  Heather, we
spotted because her prints were run as part of a routine check after
she ran a red light and got caught.  People with a need to know
noticed, and I was informed, as a 'courtesy'.

"Courtney was just plain unlucky.  The people responsible for the
sudden invasion here were securing their perimeter and got a surprise.
They read more into things than were there, and tried to use their
knowledge to blackmail us."

She winced.  "Don't bother telling me what happened.  I can make a
pretty good guess.  You strike me as someone who favors elegant
solutions.  If it's true, this chaos must be embarrassing to you."

"Yes and no.  Irritating is closer, because I made the call on them so
well, they've done everything I wanted them to do."

"Is it pushing if I ask what went wrong?  I can't see you setting
things up so your son would get killed."

He sighed.  "It's not pushing.  In fact, you would have heard this
from Ethel, if she wasn't...  Indisposed."

"What went wrong?"

"I made an assumption I shouldn't have, and I didn't realize it until
Marge called in to complain about not having a crew there to interview
her customers and otherwise screw up her business."

I interrupted him.  "That was when we spotted her, dad.  She was good,
but she made too many mistakes.  What fate did we avoid by managing to
vanish before she expected us to?"

"Damnit, son, how many people are you, anyway?  Ten years, and every
time I turn around, you're there, using yet another name.  By the way,
another nice call, to get that land that's sitting directly on where
they're planning to put in a bypass."

"Thanks.  Anyone with sense and some patience should have spotted that
some sort of access road would be inevitable, in that area.  Tell you
how it happened, later."

"Must be a good story, since you hadn't made it to seventeen, yet.
Anyway, what you managed to avoid, was being used as a couple of
bargaining chips in a high stakes game.  From what we know, now, as
soon as your usefulness was over, you would have been killed, messily,
as an object lesson to the feds."

"I'm not surprised.  We didn't take the time to talk about it, but
Heather must have seen it, too, because she didn't hesitate to run,
the first chance she had."

"She's an evil woman, son.  We made independent contact with her
husband as soon as we knew about the cut and run, and he told us
something interesting."

"Yeah?"

"Yes.  I'll assume she told you about the kid security system?"

"Yes."

"Good.  After it was put in, she and Daryl added a refinement, because
their oldest likes to bend the rules whenever she can."

"Oh?  Something devious, I hope."

"No.  Obvious.  After three attempts to unlock the system, you have to
wait five minutes before you can try again.  They wanted to teach her
some patience.  It must have worked, because she never triggered the
refinement, which she was allowed to help install, so she'd know it
wasn't a bluff."

"I don't like your smile."

"You will.  The refinement was a canister of CS gas.  It went off on
them.  They'll all be ok, eventually.  Ethel's people were laughing
when they managed to get the door open.  Marge wasn't.  Seems they
took her order to find their mole and isolate whoever it was,
seriously enough to take the time to handcuff her before they battered
their way out."

"Ok.  Thanks.  I'll let you get back to Helen."

"One more item.  It was Ethel's people who set things up and hoped you
three would run.  They wanted you out of the way so they could take
Marge out.  Nobody knew if she was headed for a rendezvous, or just
running to get clear before she made new plans.

"Unfortunately for them, You went the wrong direction, and not far
enough.  They found your truck, but after that, they lost you because
you never caught up with the convoy or went past the all nighter.  And
who's your mechanic?  The driver who brought your truck in almost put
it in the ditch the first time she punched the accelerator."

"He was a retired guy who custom built race cars for the locals, in
another town.  As far as he knew, I was just another hobbyist who
wanted to play on weekends.  Those trucks looked ratty, but
mechanically, they were both race certified."

"Both?"

"I had two built.  Nothing like having a backup vehicle if you lose an
engine in a race."

"You'd have made a good rum runner.  As it is, they gave it up when
they found the first truck you escaped in.  Convoy escort mentioned
you were a local headed home, so they thanked him and wrote you off.
They also figured you'd be in touch, eventually."

"And, damnit, you were supposed to be relaxed and feeling pretty good,
then taken that RV after our man tagged it.  We thought you had, until
someone realized the tracer showed you folks were taking some sort of
break that lasted too long."

"What happened to eyeballs?"

"Not enough of them we could trust, and we had to assume you'd spot
any of Ethel's crew."

He turned back to Helen.  "As I was saying, you're going to have to
get your head around the idea that I believe in the freedom of the
press, so I support them and cooperate when some hotshot decides to
act on the rumors that I'm some sort of shadowy power broker who makes
back room deals.

"I let them live with me if they want to, and if somebody has a
grudge, they get to hear it, and they get to hear us work out our
differences.  After they get tired of not finding anything, they go
away happy."

Helen looked at him and it was obvious she didn't believe him.  "You
telling me you were making deals in front of reporters?"

"Of course we were.  We all knew the rules, and that I could do it so
they took the fall and I'd be the hero, even if they got the first hit
in.  We didn't need to do the silly stuff, so all I had to do was be
the cooperative good citizen, who only wanted to help solve problems.
The brokering got put on hold until it was safe to do it again.  We
think in generations, not lifetimes.  Gives us an advantage, when
we're dealing with folks who think in terms of immediate
gratification, or what passes for long term planning in their minds,
which is usually no more than their own lifetime.  Greed's pretty
short sighted, most of the time."

"You're saying you're reaping the benefits of stuff your parents and
grandparents did, and what you were doing was more for your kids and
grand kids than it was for you?"

"Smart woman.  Not many see it so quickly."

"Your son and daughter hired me to take them down, if I get the
chance."

"So?  That's the standard agreement if we get the chance to put a
reporter on the payroll.  Can't expect others to support freedom of
the press, if we don't."

"Damn, you're slippery."

"I know.  .Ethel can't resist that in a man.  It's a major reason she
loves me.  Harder it is to catch someone, the more you respect them
when they let themselves get caught."

"That's taking that 'friendly enemies' stuff a lot further than most
would take it."

"We're not most people."

"So the two of you decided you want me working for the FBI, and in the
position of being able to really fuck people over if I feel I need
to?"

"Woman who knows when to cry wolf, usually knows when she shouldn't.
Matter of fact, the one I'm thinking of, recently told me she's so
pissed off at folks who don't take it seriously, she wants to be a
guard dog so she can show people how it's done.  Seems she'd be
ecstatic to meet someone who wants to let her do exactly what she
wants to do."

"Oh, I am.  I'm having problems accepting the idea that the man
offering me the chance to guard the FBI from itself, just happens to
have been, in his own words, one of the most successful crime bosses
in the country."

"Nature abhors a vacuum, Helen.  Someone will try to fill my shoes. If
the FBI gets sloppy, because they aren't having to work hard at their
job, the person who replaces me will be sloppy.  I really do care for
the people I'm leaving behind, and I want my replacement to be at
least as good as I was.  I can't pick my heir, so I'm doing the next
best thing.  I'm making sure the ones he has to fight are the best
ones possible.  If I keep the FBI in shape, they'll do the rest of the
job for me, by taking down the lazy idiots, until I have a true heir
in place."

He smiled complacently.  "My word, that the reason you were offered
the job, is because you're as stubbornly responsible as I am, and the
people who matter will back you up, and let you do your job, in any
way you feel it has to be done."

"ANY way?"

"Don't be insulting.  If you're worried about power corrupting,
remember that my kids will be right next to you, doing *their* job,
which is tactical analysis.  What are the odds they're going to let
you get out of control?"

She looked at me, then Jason.  "I think it's called transparency,
these days.  It's like freedom.  Good to have, but there will always
be abusers.  I want to catch the abusers, not become one of them.
Thanks.  I'll take the job."

"Thanks, Helen."

He focused on Jason.  "Well, son?  One down, one to go, and that one,
is you."

"Glad I never met you in a place where all I could see is your eyes.
Anyway, I like the fancy card and all that, but it would be nice to
know what a 'Security Liaison' is, before I say yes or no."

"Hell if we know, son.  All we know, is that it isn't going to be a
person who sits on his ass and takes phone calls.  Street says you're
a good cop who isn't afraid to get out of his cruiser on a dark night,
and walk his area so he can talk to the people.  Probably helps that
you have that black and tan monster keeping you company."

"Sounds like you want me to be some sort of CSO."

"Maybe.  I'm serious when I say it's up to you to write the job
description.  The 'Brave New World' is here, and it turned out that
Big Brother has more eyes on him, than he has on the public.  We want
to use that, the same way I always used people to keep me informed, so
I could keep the lid on."

"So the FBI wants to have their own neighborhood watch program?"

"I don't know.  That would only be part of it.  If you go out there,
you'll have the authority to grab whatever resources you need to fix
the problem, as soon as you know about it.  It's an instant
gratification world, and if we don't adapt, a lot more petty criminals
are going to become big ones.  The resulting chaos, as they fight for
control, will be bad for business, on both sides.  I'm thinking you
should keep your job, so you don't hurt feelings by becoming an
outsider who disrupts normal operations when you call them in."

"So you want me to be a direct link between the street and the Feds?
One people can count on to act, instead of shuffling paper and
demanding proper procedures be followed, or I can't help?"

"If you want to write that in, yes.  It's an experiment, and you're
the man on the hot seat who has to make it work."

"Gods...  I'll take it, but if I can use them, I'd like to know I can
call on Courtney, Patricia, and Helen when I need some fast help."

"If they're willing to move, You'll get Heather's husband as your
partner.  Good man.  Tenacious when he's on the hunt.  You want her,
you can have Heather as your analyst."

I broke in.  "Umm...  Dad?  You do remember the school?"

"What school?"

"Damnit.  I guess Ethel's people have been too busy to pass that on,
or it got sent to the wrong place and it hasn't caught up with you."

"We've been busy, and deliberately out of touch.  It's not impossible
to clean house in the middle of a major operation, but it's damn
difficult."

"Sorry.  Call it a wet dream for now.  Pat and I want to toss some
more money at things and buy enough land around the restaurant to put
in our own complex of stores and other support stuff so we'd be the
nucleus of expansion for that area.  Part of that was going to be
putting in a good access road that went through my land, but you said
something about a bypass, so we'd table the road until we knew more.

"Anyway, Heather wants a school she can trust to actually teach her
kids the right stuff, and that got expanded into a private school for
agent's kids."

"Ok. You learned that school trick by example, so it's something I'd
expect, given the rest of the conditions.  You also want a secure
location where people can come to you.  Don't see where I come in."

"We assumed that you and Ethel would want to retire, eventually.
Ethel's crew wants you to retire into being the principal, headmaster,
or whatever you want to call the job, with Ethel there as your
secretary.  We also assumed there'd probably be some surgery involved,
to help you two feel a little more secure.

"And there's one more detail, one I think will set the hook."

"Oh?"

"We'd all appreciate it, if you ran some sort of advanced class to let
the serious kids get a look at what it's like to go up against the
real power brokers, and not the petty snots that get taken down almost
daily."

"Heather going to run that insanity past Ethel?"

"Probably.  You ready for a few friendly matches?  Our team against
yours?"

"You assume a lot."

"Now who's being insulting?"

"Helen to ref and keep us honest?"

I held my hand out.  "Deal."

He shook it and smiled slightly.  "What if we let Jason use the honor
students?  Give them some live fire experience before they take the
final plunge."

"You make more of those liaisons, we could farm them out so they can
become members of the community they're going to protect after they
graduate.  Makes folks frustrated when they get used to someone they
trust, then they're promoted somewhere else."

"Might wind up with some serious cronyism."

"That's Helen's job, to prevent it, right?  We'll do our best, then
she can keep an eye on them."

"Got an answer for everything, don't you?"

"It's part of the job description."

"True, true."

He turned back to Jason and held out his hand.  "So you're in, and
willing to spend your life trying to organize chaos?"

Jason shrugged and shook his hand.  "I'm in.  I do have one question,
though."

"Ask it."

"I've known Pat ever since high school.  Silence is not a word I'd
associate with her.  Makes me wonder."

Pat laughed.  "I've been doing my job.  I'm an analyst.  Can't do that
unless I have something to work with.  You folks are doing a good job
of plugging holes when you find them, so there's been nothing for me
to say.  On the other hand, maybe it's time I pointed out that all of
you have missed an important detail."

We all looked at each other, and since she was my wife, they left it
for me to ask.  "What did we miss, that's so important?"

She giggled.  "Where do you plan on building this shiny new regional
headquarters, since we don't have a major airport or military base in
the area, to put it next to?"

She got silence.

"I thought so.  I hope Ethel and Heather have something constructive
to contribute, when they decide to go back to work."

I decided to push my luck a little, so I settled in the chair behind
the desk, then invited Pat to settle on my lap before I grinned.
"Taking advantage of the situation while we wait to get serious
again."

Dad snorted and stayed where he was.  Jason settled in the chair next
to Helen's, and waited.

I wrapped my arms around Pat to help her stay on my lap, then I
started thinking out loud.  "We'll own Marge's.  Can we assume that
Pat and I will be allowed to go out there and run it?  Dad?  You have
a read on that?"

"If we play it as Marge's, and the FBI presence as infiltration, I
think we can make the transfer work.  I assume you're thinking it will
be a good way to cover people consulting with you folks?"

"We were."

Pat touched my hands.  "Were?  What changed?"

"Putting in that school and offering to let agents put their kids in
it.  Good chance that will be public info shortly after it happens,
right?"

She sighed.  "You're right.  We can't avoid it.  So, now we have a
complex of some sort, and people will know the school, at least, will
have links to the FBI and perhaps other departments.  Security is
going to be, if Emma will forgive me this observation, a bitch to
maintain."

I laughed.  "Buy her a box of Milk Bones.   It will also be inevitable
that ordinary people will stop and eat at the diner.  Will the federal
presense help, or hurt, our overall business?  I can't make that call
yet, so maybe there's another factor we haven't considered, that will
help us answer that one."

Dad had been listening intently, and he nodded.  "Can't help you, son.
We never had that sort of relationship with the Feds.  You could
become the cafeteria for them but that would make you quite a target
for the terrorists and disgruntled folks, unless you had so much
security you couldn't hide it.  That would get you mixed up in the
'bunker mentality', which would defeat what we're trying to do with
Jason."

"Good points, dad.  I'm thinking we got lucky, though, and we have a
genuine 'voice of the common man' who can give us a read while we sort
through our options.  Maybe she can point us in the right direction."

I looked past dad and smiled.  "Well, 'mouse'?  Got anything that
could help?"

She laughed, then got serious.  "Thanks for slowing down so I can
pretend I might catch up.  First thing I can think of, is the obvious.
People are tired of the accessibility problems.  They want to be able
to face to face, without being treated like criminals.  That sentiment
is common enough I'm willing to say it's universal and not just local,
even though I've taken shots at Jason's people and others about it."

"Any suggestions, other than the obvious one of putting in branch
offices that have very little security?"

"Expand Marge's.  You folks are eternally grateful and all that stuff,
which is something I can use to make the buyout make sense to everyone
else.  Then, because of that gratitude, you are going to put in a
secure area for agents who want to relax while eating something other
than the cafeteria food they'll be getting at headquarters.  Give that
some time, then someone could suggest you build another area where
agents and the public can talk to each other.  Might be some sort of
drink bar with an ambience that encourages confidences."

We thought about it, and I nodded.  "We'd still be a target, but
maybe, if we make it...  Hey!  Let me think...  Yeah...  Maybe..."

I came out of my trance and looked at dad.  "You mentioned a bypass
going across some of my property.   How definite is that?"

"Federal level.  This area is growing pretty fast, and that hiway
needs straightening and widening so it will handle the traffic. You're
sitting on the only place it can all happen.  Might screw with land
values in the area where you had your home, but if my read is close,
they should be able to go past the planned developments instead of
through them.  There's enough room to do it.  The question is, will
they?"

"Got it.  I realize I only own two places fairly close to where any
road would have to go, but I'm willing to sell out at whatever the
current market value is, or a little less, to encourage the planners
to come through an area that's fairly open."

"I'll see about passing that along.  You're going to be losing a lot
of nearby neighbors, so they might want to go that route instead,
since they'll be seizing the land anyway."

"Will it be enough they could get an early start on that bypass?"

"Don't know.  I'm not dodging.  It's too soon to tell, because we
weren't in that directly, and from what I do know, they were still
fine toothing your neighbors so nobody got missed.  I hate to say it,
but that small town, petty stuff, actually worked to our advantage, by
giving us total control of that area, without spreading us so thin
people would get past us."

I smiled.  "Listen to you.  Already thinking 'we', instead of 'them'."

"Yeah.  I know.  Just amongst us, something like this was inevitable.
We saw it coming, as soon as we realized cell phones were going to
have cameras and net access.  Didn't want to make the switch in my
generation, but..."

I sighed.  "Was that part of your thinking when you tossed us?"

"No.  We wanted you out of the loop, and to prove yourselves, before
we got back in touch and gave you the option of taking over.  Deciding
to...  Do what we knew was inevitable, came later.  It was a close
thing, during the investigation just before we made the decision to
quit."

"Thought it might have been, but to be honest, I didn't care.  As far
as I've felt, until a couple days ago, it was over and done with.  I
assumed you might take a fall, and I didn't want to be there when it
happened."

"You could have encouraged it.  That was my biggest mistake, not
asking you to keep your mouth shut about what you knew."

"I never saw it as one.  I did use that to get Marge's and Ethel's
attention when I confronted Marge about her being some sort of Fed.
Full disclosure, for protection.  I didn't know what was going on, but
I knew I had to do *something* to get us some breathing room.  I had
other options available, of course, but I decided that Marge was the
best immediate solution.  Couldn't avoid being a Mills again, and I
knew it.  I am surprised my prints got run as fast as they did.  That
have something to do with those kids and Pat's SUV?"

"Of course.  Everyone expected Courtney's prints to be all over it.
What they didn't expect was getting all those other hits.  Amazes me
that you had identities they never spotted."

I smiled.  "It shouldn't.   I prefer cash, but sometimes a little
favor meant more.  Cost me, but I managed to get a few people who
looked a lot like me, to handle some paperwork and stuff for me."

He laughed.  "Those must be the real deep ids you set up.  Anyway, not
important.  You had some sort of idea?"

"Maybe.  I don't know about you, but I've learned to enjoy simple
solutions.  What if they build that headquarters next to the bypass? I
don't own all of the land they'll need, but I'm thinking that they
could make some speculators very happy by buying enough surrounding
land to put in some sort of secured community for the families of
agents.  Something like that for the families would help the agents
feel a little better about doing their community service stuff.  We
could still donate land for a public school, and put the private one
inside that housing area."

He thought about it, then nodded.  "Something to look into, and
there's no avoiding doing something that's going to encourage a bunker
mentality. Good perimeter security is a thing of the past. Inevitable
consequence of everyone owning digital cameras.  All we have to do is
convince my generation to see it, and let yours make whatever
adjustments they need to make, so we can get on with our jobs well
enough to hope most of the criminals will stay complacent, or ignore
reality."

I sighed.  "Yeah.  Another reason you want Helen and Jason, right?  I
don't like it, but maybe she can see a way to strike a balance
everyone can live with."

She broke in.  "What is it you don't like?"

"Mostly, the security and secrecy.  We need it to operate and catch
people.  Openness is good, in theory, but finding that balance is
going to get people killed, no matter what we do to prevent that
happening.  Worse, people not directly involved, are going to lose
their lives.  That's where people like you come in.  We'll make
mistakes, but let's do what we can to get 'the public' to accept
responsibility for fucking up an operation when they're clearly a
contributing factor."

She sighed.  "You have any other miracles you want done, while you're
asking?  I'm only one reporter with a hard earned reputation.  I can
push, but there's a very real point I can't go past.  Wish I could
tell you what it is, but it changes all the time."

Pat touched my hands.  "May I say something?"

I hugged her.  "Of course."

"We haven't taken the oath, but we all know what it is, right?  Our
lives, to protect theirs.  Let's get it in the open.  Helen, if you
aren't sure, err in the direction that keeps the average people alive,
and not us."

She thought about it and finally turned to Jason.  "You, too?"

"Of course.  You shouldn't have needed to ask, because like it or not,
until today, you've always been one of those I swore to protect.  Now,
in spite of our differences, I'll do you the courtesy of assuming
you'd be willing to go down with me, if you have to."

She bent her head to try and hide her tears.  Eventually she raised it
and took the time to study each of us intently before she spoke
softly.  "I'm not stupid.  It's just...  Jason just made that
'Honorable Enemy' stuff make sense to me.  I'll do what I can to keep
the inevitable casualties as few as possible.  Something that's...
More than a little crazy might make it easier for me to do that."

Since she was watching Pat when she said it, we let Pat answer for us.
"You have a way to make a serious personal problem part of the
solution we're looking for?"

"That was uncanny."

She turned back to Jason.  "I guess you figured out that I've tended
to watch you and Mauler pretty closely since you took over from
Robert?"

"Would have made sense even if I hadn't been trying to fill some damn
big boots.  I'm the only K9 unit."

She smiled.  "Well, I think you outgrew them sometime during the first
year.  I wasn't about to admit that yet, but things have changed."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome.  I guess you know that some folks like to be
anonymous informants.  I'm always getting emails and strange phone
calls, telling me about stories I should do.  Naturally, certain types
of people have it bad for the police, and will go out of their way to
do something to take them down."

He sighed.  "Part of the job.  We get the same thing, only a lot of it
is about reporters.  Not easy to know what the truth is, sometimes.
Hard to do much, since right now people like you are sacred cows as
far as the public is concerned.  You keep an eye on us, we keep an eye
on you, so you don't screw up our job too badly."

She nodded.  "Some of that balance.  I figured it was there, but
wasn't sure.  You folks usually band together and say a lot of nothing
when I'm around."

"Like you said, things have changed."

For some reason she turned away from Jason and seemed to speak to us.
"That serious problem I have, is knowing I can destroy a man's life,
by passing on what so far, is only a rumor.  I've been trying to find
out the truth, but had no luck either way.  All I can say, is that if
the rumor is true, it hasn't affected Mauler's performance, so I've
been sitting on it.  Did you know that he and your girlfriend might be
a little more than 'just friends'?"

"Shit!"

He sighed.  "Believe it or not, I was clueless until just before you
were delivered.  I can't tell you which one of them it is, but I've
seen enough little stuff that goes a long way towards confirming the
truth of that rumor, once it's all put together."

"Any plans to do something about it?"

He laughed.  "I was bluntly told to drop it for now, because there was
shit going down that was more important.  So, I've deliberately
ignored it so I can focus on my job.  No plans, yet, because part of
that 'advice' I was given, was to take the time to talk to someone who
knows..."

Helen turned to face him, finally.   "What is it?"

"I was told, by the person who brought the possibility to my
attention, that I should have a long talk with a cop who knows enough
he can help me make a rational decision about what I do next.
Supposedly, if it's true, a relationship, or marriage, would give me
some advantages.  I can see the possibility, but I still need to hear
it form someone who knows that for a fact, and not as theory."

She nodded slightly.  "Seems to work for Courtney and Pat, even though
he's the one involved."

"Yeah, but they're Feds now.  Different rules apply."

"True.  So are you."

"Point.  So what are your plans, if you have any?"

"Only the obvious one, after three years of making your life Hell. You
interested in a new woman in your life?"

"Probably."

"I'm available, if you want to try me on for a fit."

"You're right.  It's a crazy idea.  Give me a chance to decide how to
handle Glenda, if I want that to continue."

"Umm...  That rumor?  If it's true, she didn't come up with the idea
on her own.  Way I heard it, from a usually reliable source, is that
someone with a long term view eased her into it, if you get my drift."

"A handle on me, if we got married?"

"Most likely.  It's possible they have a use for those two, and want
you out of the picture.  I did what I could, but whoever it is,
they're in a deep hole and I haven't come up with anything more.  Just
that one piece, and now, silence."

I was thoughtful.  "For the sake of argument, I'll assume you got it
all in email, so you don't know the gender of who passed it on,
right?"

"True, for the first hint.  My reliable source is female, this time."

"She have any plans for Jason?  They ever cross paths?"

"No, and not that I know of.  She thinks I have it in for Jason, and
I've encouraged that belief.  I do, but it's no more than I have it in
for anyone in a position of public trust."

"So she's not a real bright bulb and could be someone else's patsy.
Amateurs."

"Amateurs?"

"Sure.  Mainly, anyone who wants to cause a K9 handler problems is
usually going to go for the tired 'animal fucker on the side' excuse.
Whoever it is, they know enough about Jason to know a direct
accusation would be laughed at.  A question I have, is if the rumor
specified Glenda, or you put her name in because you know who Jason's
current girlfriend is."

"I'd have to check my archives to tell you that.  The street knows her
by name, so I think her name was mentioned in the rumor that was
passed to me."

"But that still leaves the possibility of it being the room mate.
Let's assume it doesn't matter which one it is, for now, because it's
unlikely the other doesn't know what's going on."

I thought some more, nodded to myself, and looked at Jason.  "I know
it's a long shot, but how certain are you that Mauler would take the
bite on your girlfriend if you told him to take it?"

"I took both of them through a class before I let either of them keep
him without me around. He'll take it."

"So...  Jeezus!  It can't be that simple!"

Everyone looked at me and my dad said it.  "None of us see it."

"Sorry.  It's simple to me, because I'm a trainer.  Supposedly, a
pretty good one, so I have information you don't.  Pat has it, too,
but not by experience."

He sighed.  "You going to share with us?"

"Yeah.  Sorry.

"Helen?  If I'm right, it's a  sweet setup, but the person doing it
isn't as good as he or she thinks they are.  My suggestion is that you
look at whoever it was who ran that class Jason took them through.
Most folks would naturally assume that if an attack trained dog or
bitch is also fucking one of their handlers, they're more likely to
take that person's orders, instead of the real handler's orders, in a
borderline situation."

Helen nodded.  "You're saying it doesn't work that way?"

"Not completely.  A trained dog can be taken away from its original
handler, but it takes a person willing to put themselves at risk, to
do it.  They also need to know exactly what they are doing, before
they try it.  Mauler has known me since he was a puppy, and I've even
worked him by making him attack Jason, just so Jason knew what he
could run into.  But, unless things have changed,  Mauler is Jason's
dog, and they live together almost constantly.  Mauler might go after
Jason for someone else, but if Jason told him to out, he wouldn't
hesitate to stop, even if he's in mid leap.  First few times I tried
to get him to attack Jason, Jason had to encourage him by making it a
game."

I studied Jason.  "I bet every time they've told him to attack you,
you were in protection gear, or he was muzzled."

Jason nodded.  "And I was the one who put the muzzle on.  I'm
definitely the only person he lets do that, unless something's been
going on when I'm not around."

"Ok.  I wish Heather was here.  She knows more about this stuff than I
do."

Helen shifted.  "Are you saying she has some experience?"

"Jason figured it out.  Don't insult me by claiming you didn't.  If
she didn't have the experience, dad wouldn't have tossed both of us,
right?"

"Good point, and you're right.  Once was all we needed, given what you
managed to do."

"Yeah.  You ever figure out it wasn't once, for her?"

"That wasn't a first time?  Sure sounded like it.  Drunk kids, active
hormones, and ready holes and poles, plus that code of silence and the
money to enforce it...  Please tell me that for you, it was a first
time."

"Relax.  It was our first time and I'd never done anything other than
routine grooming to Ursula,  before that party.  My word on it..  I
still can't tell you how I managed to convince her to let me do it."

He thought about it, then sighed.  "Never mind.  We're trying to
salvage Jason's life.  Talk about that night, later.  Helen?"

"Ok, I was assuming Courtney was the one who noticed something that
made him think Mauler was getting laid by a human, but as soon as
Jason said he need to talk to a cop, I realized it had to be Heather,
and that she must have enough experience to spot things like that, if
she's looking for them."

"Got it.  Anyway, The bottom line is what I said.  Someone needs to
take a close look at that trainer.  My guess is that they want a
handle on Jason for some reason, and they managed to get one of the
women to go far enough they think they have it.  I can't tell you the
reasons it's kept going, It could be blackmail, or it could be the
real thing.  I could have it all wrong, and a casual 'game' of some
sort turned into something more."

She sighed.  "I think you're right.  Glenda never struck me as the
fluff she can pretend to be, when she wants to.  Plus, the rumor won't
go away, like it would if it weren't happening.  Someone is confident
it's real, or the rumor wouldn't be out there.  Most folks think
pretty highly of Jason, and privately, would say 'So what?  They're
doing their job'."

Jason studied her, then sighed again.  "What about you?  Would you
ever try him out?"

"I don't know.  I don't see the attraction in it.  If the man is good
enough, and our connection is strong enough, then...  I don't know for
certain, what I'd do.  I'm a reporter.   I'm conditioned to never
completely trust what I'm told, so I might do it to see if what I know
has any relation to the truth.  Part of the job."

"I don't know if I'd ever ask anyone.  As it is, I haven't had time to
get a handle on how I feel about Courtney and Emma.  He must have been
doing it with Ursula, too, so I can't brush him off by saying he's
changed just because I know about it."

She looked at Emma, finally.  "We could file abuse charges against
both of them."

"We could.  In Courtney's case, there'd be some noise, then he'd get
disappeared, so he can go back to doing his job, right?  As far as
Glenda is concerned, part of me wants to fuck her over for it, but
part of me wants to know the truth before I do something I can't
reverse."

"Situational ethics?"

"That's what they hired you to do, right?  Make those sorts of
decisions?"

She leaned back and closed her eyes, so we left her alone.

She finally opened her eyes and sat up.  "I can't turn them in.  One,
it's not illegal.  Two, it's obvious neither dog thinks they've been
abused.  If I hadn't been deliberately told, I would have no reason to
suspect Courtney, or Heather.  There's a third reason, and it
overrides the others.  Having a sex life with Emma, as far as I can
tell, hasn't affected Courtney's job performance.  It might be that
the long term effect has been to make him better at it.  So,
ethically, I can't put that job performance at risk when I *know* that
turning him in would reduce his performance, probably significantly.
Bottom line?  When it isn't broken there's no need for me to get in
there and fix it, just because there *might* be a change for the
better.  It's not enough justification, especially when folks in a
better position to know, have decided it's not a problem."

She looked at me and Pat.  "You folks can relax, if that's possible,
considering how comfortable you look right now."

I felt Pat's sigh of relief before she spoke softly.  "Thanks, Helen.
Did you forget the loss of the schools and shopping complex, plus
whatever else we might have done?"

"No.  Wasn't a factor, because I assumed you two are likely to do that
sort of thing no matter where you live.  Your father did it for his
kids, I took it as given you'd do it for yours."

"Ok.  Have you gone as far as figuring out that once people know
you're working for us, some of your sources will dry up?"

"They do that all the time.  Always new ones to replace them.  I'm not
worried about it, because I know that *if* we pull this off, I'm going
to have a lot of inside sources, who will open up.  If Ethel and
Charles do it, I'm hoping the lower level people will, too.  Then
there's the thing about me sitting in on those planning sessions.  Are
you sure that's the smart thing to do in the long run?  I'm going to
get a lot of pressure to either open up to people I shouldn't, or shut
up because of someone's personal interests."

Dad sighed.  "Ethel and I will take the heat for that, as best we can.
She knows it's time for her to quit working in the field, and with
everything that's happened the last couple days, combined with some
other, long term stuff that came to the surface...  The easiest way to
put it, is that she's going to do something she doesn't want to do.
She's going to use her influence to make sure she's named as the head
of that regional office, with the authority to run it as she sees fit,
so she can implement these ideas without constantly defending them."

"Dad!  You wouldn't!"

"Done deal, Son.  Only question is which team.  You'll have time to
decide which it will be."

Helen looked at us, then shook her head.  "That went by so fast I know
I missed it.  What just happened?"

Dad gestured at me.  "Courtney can tell you."

"Oh, thanks.  Dad and Ethel managed to sucker punch us, and all we can
do it take it, and keep going."

"Sucker punch?"

"Of course.  He thinks in terms of generations, and dynasties.  So do
I and so does my sister.  Bottom line?  When he and Ethel officially
retire, the choice to replace them is going to be Pat and I, Heather
and Daryl, or you and Jason.  All things considered, I think it should
be you and Jason, but I'm biased about it.  If it turns out to be us,
we'll do it, of course."

She looked at dad and he smiled.  "He called it.  A lot will depend on
public attitudes when it eventually happens.  If things work out, you
and Jason will be, in the eyes of the public, who they think of when
they think 'FBI'.  You'll also be part of the community and
accessible, instead of being shadowy planners, who...  Sound a lot
like they are power brokers who make back room deals.  We've had
enough of that sort of thinking  Only way to change the attitude, is
to prove we've changed, and as much as possible, embraced the concept
of transparency."

She settled back to think about it.  Eventually she looked at Jason.
"Husband and wife, with kids, who are involved in the community,
instead of isolating themselves, would go a long way towards earning
the acceptance of those people when the back room deals are taken
public, finally.  'Need to know' might become a little more palatable
when it's used."

He looked at Mauler.  "No matter how it happened, or for what reasons,
unless they were very unusual, Glenda is tainted.  I still think she'd
make a damn good cop's wife."

"If it helps any, I think that, too, which is a major reason I've done
my best to learn the truth before I said anything."

"Thanks.  You be ok with me telling her that?"

"Wrong attitude.  I'd prefer to tell her myself."

He looked at something on the wall, and smiled.  "I see we've gone
past closing time and been left undisturbed.  If the right people are
here, how about you, Pat, and Courtney go get what he needs out of
that deposit box.  I'm almost there, but I need some time alone with
Courtney's father, so I can figure out how I want to handle this."

"Want me there when you confront them?"

"I don't know.  Probably not.  I do love her, but does she love me
enough to follow me into the Hell being a  Fed on the streets is going
to be?  Would she even follow me if I was just a cop on the beat?  I
already know she worries about me.  But, I have to do this.  I can't
walk away from it, because I feel I can, somehow, do the job I'm being
asked to do."

He shrugged.  "You know how it is.  I want to see if you and I are
really a fit.  Mr. Mills thinks we are, professionally.  I want it to
be personally, too.  Right now, I don't think I have both, with either
of you."

"I understand, Jason.  If professional is all I can get, I'll take it.
I guess it's obvious that until today, I didn't have even that, with
someone.  Sorry for being so possessive, but this is some pretty heady
stuff and I'm still getting used to it."

He smiled at something, then chuckled before he looked at Helen.  "Are
you serious about not having a relationship that's built on
professional respect?  Fooled me, and the rest of the force.  We give
you a hard time, but you give as good as you get, and we know we need
that from someone.  Cops treasure honesty, you know?  It's rare."

"Oh.  Thanks."

"Welcome."

He looked around again, then focused on my father.  "Mr. Mills?  If
people were looking at me, they were looking at Glenda and Anne.  You
know anything about that, yet?"

"I do.  You want my read on things?"

"Of course."

"I'll confirm what you're thinking.  Glenda would not be right for
you, in the job you'll have.  If you'd stayed only a cop, then, yes, I
feel Glenda would be a pretty good wife for you.  But, if you think
you have nightmares now, that need a woman's touch to drive them away,
trust me when I tell you the ones in your future are going to be the
type that Glenda can't help with, because she'll never fully
understand why they are there.  Takes total openness, by a woman who
has her own that are just as intense, to help at times like that."

"Yeah.  Thanks."

He leaned back and stretched, then studied Helen.  "I need some time
to figure out a way to make the breakup as gentle as possible."

"You have it."

"Thanks.  That reminds me."

He dug out his phone and made a call.  "Hi, Honey.  Yeah.  I can't
talk about it, other than say I'm out of town and don't know when
Mauler and I will be back."

He winced.  "So?  Clown who Shanghaied me, got pushy and had her
delivered to him.  Neither of us had a choice about going along. Well,
I had a choice, and I almost took it, but this was more important than
those kids.  Only one shot at it.  Those kids, if that got screwed up,
we'll have another chance at them."

"I know.  You know I've kept secrets.  So have you.  Part of living
with a cop, right?"

"What?!"

"Oh.  You know that sounds too crazy to be true.  You feel safe enough
to tell me who?"

"Shit.  Yeah.  That's so obvious I won't try to deny it."

He slumped.  "Are you sure that's what her name was?!  What's she look
like?"

"Sorry."

"Ok.  Yeah.  Stay put and all that silly stuff.  If I don't show up,
you'll recognize who I'm sending to get you."

He stiffened.  "I hope you're kidding about what she looks like."

"No?"

"Crap!  Hang on.  I need to mute this end."

He looked up.  "She just admitted she's been jacking off Mauler.  No
sex, it wasn't that kind of assignment."

"Dad?  You're in charge."

"I  guess I am.  'Assignment'?  That doesn't sound good."

"She says an agent approached her, because they wanted her to take
part in a special program, to see about making sure working dogs
wouldn't get so horny they would try to hump kids they were playing
with, if there was bitch in heat nearby.  Bad press and all that
stuff.  Woman had all the right credentials, and it sounded logical,
so she went along, while keeping it secret from me."

Dad looked at me, so I shook my head.  "Jason can tell you that's
something we make sure the dog knows.  No getting laid until he's told
he's off duty.  We used scent, and even a real bitch in heat to try
and distract Mauler, if we had one available.  Same for the kids.
He'll play only when he has on a different collar, and has permission.
Breaking that training is unlikely for a dog with Mauler's experience.
It might look like he's trying to hump someone, but that can happen
when things get going, All he's doing it taking the shortest path and
the person is in his way.  If Glenda had asked Jason, he would have
told her, and proved it, if she hadn't already seem Mauler with kids."

Dad refocused on Jason.  "You have the look of a man with some real
bad news he doesn't want to deliver."

"You're right about that.  Name of the woman who recruited her was
'Ethel'.  She described Marge.  I know what Marge and Ethel look like,
since I ate there often enough when I patrolled that area."

Dad had stiffened at first, then relaxed.  "Anything more?"

"Yeah.  She got a call from the alternate, who started grilling her
about me and what I was doing today.  Made her nervous, but she told
him what she knew.  She's at a friend's, and...  Terrified."

"And you want to go do something about that, right?"

"Of course.  Only problem I have, is knowing who I can trust right
now, other than you folks, Heather, and the real Ethel."

"Thanks for that much.  Way things are going, it wouldn't surprise me
if you wanted to do it alone."

"I can't.  For one thing, I need a ride to get there."

Dad smiled.  "I guess the main question I have is that I'm wondering
if you want to go in high profile, or low?"

"Can't be low, if I go back.  Glenda knew Helen and I took off with
someone who had the authority to grab us."

"Ok."  He gestured slightly.  "Here's your chance to build some more
of that rapport.  You have the authority.  Use it."

"Seriously?"

"Your call, since you're the man who knows the most.  That's how it
works now.  Man most familiar with the conditions gets to run the
operation, in a case like this."

"Court?  Go get that stuff out of the box.  I should have a plan by
the time you get back.  Make it quick, because I need Helen as part of
it."

Helen studied his face, then nodded.  "You don't show up, she's
probably going to dump you."

"So?  She'll be alive to do it.  I can't go back in there, because
whoever it is, they want me to think with my nuts."

"Good point.  Courtney?  Patricia?  Lets go deal with that deposit box
and give Jason some time to get his head as straight as he can."

He was back on the phone by the time we got out of the chair.

"Honey?  Soon, ok?  Stay on the phone with me.  Things are going to
move soon, and fast.  Don't let anyone in before my people get there."

"Oh....  Well...   Yeah.  You're right.  It's weird.  Remember I told
you I knew the guy and woman who got killed in that fire?"

"I don't know about identifying bodies.  Grapevine says they were
pretty badly burned.  Anyway..."

After we closed the door I sighed.  "Man knows how to dance around the
truth, doesn't he?"

Helen laughed.  "He's been ducking me for three years.  Person
improves, or gets caught.  I caught him, but it was minor stuff, and
only at the beginning.  Never expected to ever to catch him, catch
him. Let's deal with that box, because I think we're going to hear a
helicopter land outside in a few minutes and they'll want me on it
when it leaves."

Pat laughed back.  "Co-opted twice in one day.  By the way, find out
the whole story before you go after Marge.  Might be some pieces out
there that haven't been picked up, and it will be easier if they don't
know we know."

"I have other worries right now.  You two, and confirming Courtney
really is Charles Mills, first, Then I need to be ready to deal with
some idiot telling the world that Glenda was fucking Mauler.  Was she
really only jacking him off, or was there more, and she's hiding
something?  My big nightmare is that there's a video of that, out
there waiting to get dumped on the public."

Pat nodded.  "Could be a trap, too, so don't you go in until the place
is secured.  Wear protection, too.  Keep thinking with your head,
right?"

"Right.  Sounds like I should have her escorted to me."

"Can you stay on the chopper and let yourself be seen, so she can
recognize you?"

She spun and ran back to the office and jerked the door open.  "Jason!
Set it up so I'm on the local news copter when I go in!"

"Got it!  Forget the box.  Police have been rolled, and should be
there in a couple minutes.  They have orders to secure the area, until
our people get there..  Her friend is on the phone with them."

I got her attention.  "Hot seat, Helen.  Once you get there, you're in
charge."

He went back to his phone.  "Glen?  You heard?"

"Yeah.  That Helen...  Worry about it later.  She's the only person we
both know that I can trust right now."

"Yes, she has the authority."

"I know.  I want to come in, but that's what I'll be expected to do.
Wish I had some way...  Umm...  Look.  I'll send Mauler in with her.
Yeah.  He'll probably hand me my head, later, but he'll do it *after*
we get you and your friend clear.  Hang on."

He looked at me.  "You know whatt I want to do.  Do I still have the
authority?"

"Yeah, buddy.  You always had it.  Hell of a way to come back from the
dead.  Pat?  Leash Emma.  Jase, give me his leash and wish us luck,
huh?  It's been in short supply recently."

He smiled slightly.  "Liar.  You've used up a year's worth, at least."

He spoke to his phone.  "Hang on a little longer, Glen.  I need to set
the phone down for a minute or so.  If you need something, someone
will be listening, and he's part of the team."

He handed the phone to my dad, then stood and started removing his
gear.  "Better than nothing, and it's already set to lock on the most
active channel.  You yell, someone will hear you.  Take my flak
jacket.  We're close enough it should fit you.  They know Helen's
size, and one will be waiting for her when they pick you up."

He helped me settle everything, then he sighed and looked at Mauler,
who was quivering with eagerness.  "You got it, guy.  Time to go play
with Court."

I looked at Mauler, who had focused on me.  "Come on, Mauler.  Let's
move!"

He was dragging me by the time we got to the exit.  I was grinning.
"Open it.  We need to get out of here."

They let us out, and Helen was right beside me before I got to the
parking lot.  Seconds later the local police chopper was hovering and
someone was shouting at us.  "Move it, people!  It's a situation on
the other end!"

Mauler leapt in from several feet out, then we scrambled aboard.  As
soon as the door was closed, I heard a female voice shout.  "Go!  Go!"

I grabbed Helen, felt someone grab me and the next thing I knew we
were lifting out and on our way.

Once we settled into level flight mode, we got ourselves settled and
strapped in after Helen was handed a flak jacket and we were both
given headsets that were jacked in.

As soon as we finished the commo check, she got serious.  "There are
helmets waiting, but you won't need them, we hope.  We'll have to get
Mauler's gear out of Jason's cruiser."

The she focused on me.  "Whoever you are, you aren't Jason, even
though Mauler is working for you."

I smiled.  "Still as fast as ever, aren't you, Jess?"

"Jess?!  Only one man has ever had the balls to call me that when I'm
working."

I chuckled some more.  "I still remember that day in your Dodge.  I
didn't have much experience, but we got it done, didn't we?"

She shook her head.  "Ok, Courtney, or whoever you are right now.  I
guess you did earn the right to call me anything you want.  Some
days...  This mean Pat's alive, too?"

"Yes.  We got out together.  Jeff married us this morning.  Sorry, but
it had to happen fast.  She's inside the bank, with Emma and some
other people."

"I can imagine who those other people are.  Well, we have a stirred up
hornet's nest here, but over there, they were still setting up a
perimeter when a couple of jokers started taking pot shots.  All
misses so far.  And...  It was patched through on our freq.  The
shooters claim they're Federal, and the man who parleyed had the ID to
prove it.  Didn't get him in, only arrested.  You wouldn't happen to
know anything about that, would you?"

"Christ!  What the fuck was she doing?!"

"She?  You must have some skinny we don't."

"Umm..  Hang on and let me consult before I say more."

I turned my head.  "Well?  I'd say she has a need to know.  The whole
crew does.  You going to be able to spin it when it gets out?"

"Do I have a choice?  Are the police holding that perimeter and
sitting on things until we get there?"

Jess sighed.  "Yes, to both.  I didn't know the police could arrest
Feds, like that."

I sighed.  "Special circumstances.  They can, when another Fed tells
them to."

"Jason?  When did he go Federal?"

"Depends on what time you want to count from.  Call it a couple hours
ago, to be safe.  He has the backing of the senior agent on site, so
relax.  He has the authority.  And just to complicate your life, Helen
and I have the same authority.  There are *two* hornet's nests that
were stirred up, that we know of, and we're pretty certain this stuff
with Glenda is a direct part of the second one.  Some serious house
cleaning is getting done on the fly.  I was getting ready to confirm I
really am Charles Mills, when we got interrupted."

"House cleaning?  With Jason in the middle?  What's the chain of
command?"

"Jason is at the top, until we have Glenda and anyone else caught in
this, safely clear.  After that, you might as well kill time, then
escort that news copter back to where you picked us up.  Glenda will
ride with them, and I'll ride with you folks, if Helen thinks that's
the best way to do it."

"I do.  Maybe someone can find time to get us some burgers or
something before we head back.  I missed a meal, remember?"

Jess was smiling while she thought things over, then she switched
channels so she could talk to the crew.  Eventually she switched back
to us.  "Ok.  We think things have cooled down.  Jason says for me to
put you on channel one, so you'll be able to talk to his people when
we get there.  We'll drop Helen and pick up Mauler's gear at the same
time.  We'll get him dressed, then put a helmet on you and hot drop
you and Mauler before we join the overhead protection."

"Got it.  Sounds like we get to party, while you folks get to watch."

"Court?  Call us in if you need people you can trust."

"Jason tell you to make that offer?"

"No.  Part of the job.  Use what's available, and use it fast, before
it all gets even worse."

"Pat would kill me herself, if I didn't.  You ready to join me on that
hot drop?"

"Thanks.  Always did enjoy my dates with you.  Hope Pat isn't the
jealous type."

"Don't think she is.  She's let Emma keep me."

"Smart woman.  Ok.  How do you want to play it?"

"Jason's call.  The original plan was for Helen to be visible when
someone else dug Glenda and her friend out, so they'd know who to
trust.  Jason gave me Mauler, so I'm thinking that even if she doesn't
recognize me, Glenda will know anyone who is handling Mauler is
someone she can trust."

"Leaves me in the cold."

"I know.  Good feelings about our past aside, I'm not trusting you
completely.  Helen will be watching everyone, and she has the
authority to do something as soon as she sees something wrong.  That
includes a kill order if she thinks it's the only solution."

"Don't be coy.  If she can, you can, too."

"Of course.  Watch my back.  We need warm bodies, but I'm not going to
be fanatical about it, because I think we already have the local
control, and she's probably being sweated already.  This is one of her
cells, and it looks like they panicked when she went silent this
afternoon."

"Crap.  I don't need a map.  We were called in to add to the air
cover, and look for a missing truck.  We found the truck, but  not the
people.  It's Marge, and the missing people included you, right?
People notice when Feds have to break out of an RV, and they have one
of their own in handcuffs."

"Yes, it's Marge, and we're trying to contain things as best we can. I
was the driver of the truck.  Pat and my sister were with me. Glenda
was a surprise and we have no idea about the reasons she got included
in Marge's perimeter.  Guesses, but nothing we feel positive enough to
act on."

"So  Glenda is a possible witness you want to talk to?"

"Yes.  We'd do that even if she wasn't Jason's current squeeze."

"Who do I focus on if it falls apart?"

"The civilians, Jess.  That means you let me try and take care of
myself."

"You're wearing the gear.  Know how to use the hardware?"

"Sight picture is one inch low and slightly to the left at 25 yards.
Jason made sure I knew.  I'll do my best."

"Had to ask.  I don't need to ask if you know how to handle Mauler. At
least I know the reason you didn't take the course with us and become
a handler, yourself, after you got certified as a trainer. Would have
been an easy pass,  for you and any dog you decided to work."

"Thanks."

We were interrupted.  "Touchdown in less than five.  Helen to
transfer, Jessica to catch Mauler's gear and help put it on, then we
launch for the zone.  Weather conditions at the zone are mildly warm,
with an ice storm predicted following the drop.  Things look good for
an easy in, easy out."

I started laughing.  "Randy?  You?  You should have been grounded a
long time ago.  Glad to have you as top cover, Ramjet."

"They have to catch me first, and this thing can *move*."

"Until it runs out of fuel!"

"Ahh, man...  Did you have to mention that in front of Jessica?  Only
happened once."

"I screw up some plans?"

"Nahh...  I was saving it for a wedding gift.  I'll find something
else I can tell her so she doesn't feel like I'm perfect."

"You're a perfect goon, Randy.  I knew that a long time ago.  Only
reason I want you close, is so I can keep you out of trouble." 

"Thanks.  You folks ready?"

"Yes."

"Ok. I'll be gentle on this one.  Got Helen to worry about, and I want
the news article to be favorable."

Helen laughed.  "Been a pleasure.  Thanks for the prompt service. When
things slow down, I'd like to treat you to dinner and a grilling. I
have after action reports to worry about, so don't think you'll get
away from me."

"Got it.  Jeez, Courtney, can I expect it from you, too?"

"Bring Jess.  I'll work on her, while Helen deals with you."

"We'll be there.  We're going active once we take off again, so don't
do anything stupid once you're on the ground.  You, Pat, and Emma, are
on our short list for the wedding."

"If we can be there, we will be.  You know how it is in this business.
Make it easier if you have it at Marge's.  It's going to stay open.
New owners."

"Glad to hear that.  Lots of room for us so we can drop in to eat, or
make a pickup."

"Thanks for reminding me.  We'll make sure we put in a couple helipads
and some sort of emergency medical clinic."

"You?  Tell us later, over that dinner.  I gotta go back to work."

We settled, and Helen bailed out just before a bundle of familiar gear
hit Jessica's chest.  She let it spin her around before she dropped it
in front of Mauler, who nosed it when it stopped moving.  Then he
looked at me expectantly.  "Yeah, buddy.  Party time.  Stand."

We got him dressed, then Jessica slid the door shut and spoke one word
after I braced and grabbed Mauler with one hand, to brace him.

"Go!"

We were gone.

I decided Mauler could brace himself, so I reached to my shoulder and
keyed up.  "This is Courtney.  I'm making a hot drop with Mauler and
Jessica.  Whoever is in charge out there, talk to me!"

"This is John.  It was bad, but we're pretty sure it's secure, now.  I
have my people sitting on three men and a woman who say they're
Federal, and I have no authority."

"Relax.  Jason says you do, you do, and that's the end of it.  Muzzle
them if you have to, but keep an eye on them for surprises.  If it
makes you feel better, use my authority to strip them.  Maybe a full
body search will let them know they have problems, and their
controller isn't going to bail them out this time."

"Got it, and thanks.  You the official presense we report to?"

"Looks like it.  Better confirm that with Jason.  We left in a hurry
and plans could have changed.  They may have decided my partner should
be handling this one."

"Umm...  Partner?  Jesus!  Duck, everyone!"

I'd felt the sudden drop and had already let go and grabbed something.
We hit, bounced once, and Jess had the door open and she was waving us
through.  "I'll close it.  Go!  Go!"

I unjacked, got a good grip on Mauler's leash, then jumped and started
running at the figure who was waving at me.

I was drug, really.  Mauler had his ears up and was powering himself
forward.  "Mauler!  Out!  Good guy!  Watch!"

He slowed and his head swung from side to side as he kept an eye on
everyone.  He wanted his bite, and he knew it was there, somewhere, as
long as he did what he was supposed to, until he was called off.

Anyway, we slowed our rush, and that gave me a chance to let Jess
catch up so she could hand me the helmet I should have been wearing.
"Forgot something."

"Yeah, I know.  Someone forgot to hand it to me *before* I needed it."

She blushed and I was smiling when I put it on and settled it before I
focused and held out my hand.  "You John?"

"Yeah.  I hope someone got a video of that landing.  Whoever your
pilot was, they meant business.  So did you folks.  Glad it wasn't me
that Mauler was after.  That rush of his had me frozen.  I thought he
only did stuff like that for Jason."

"I was the senior trainer that taught them their moves.  Known Mauler
since he was a puppy.  Chat later.  How's Glenda?"

"Better.  Got people inside isolating them.  Place is confirmed clean.
Only the two of them in the master bedroom."

"We secure from snipers?"

"Not completely.  Done what we could.  Got the folks who were shooting
at us, but we know there could be someone else waiting."

"You have what I need?"

"Full screen?  No.  As big as we are, nobody has seen fit to get us
that sort of heavy duty stuff."

"Damnit!  You have a link to Jason?"

"Relay only."

"Shit.  Jessica!"

"Behind you, Boss!"

"Right.  You heard?  Tell Ramjet it's balls out to home base for a
pickup.  He'll know where by the time he gets there."

"He's gone!"

He was, too.  We heard the sound of a jet turbine that had been
firewalled, and I looked up in time to see our ride vanish.

I brought my head down and smiled.  "Tell Jason what you need.  In the
meantime, get word to Glenda..  No.  Better yet, tell her I'm coming
in with Mauler."

I turned slightly.  "Sorry, Jess.  I need to drop you at the front
door, on the outside.  You know how it is."

John flinched and I refocused.  "Got something for me?"

"You guys are uncanny.  Jason said Glenda knows who you are, and that
Jessica is cleared for access.  Take her with you.  Glenda and her
friend won't panic, because he told her Jessica would be watching your
back."

My eyebrows went up, then I grinned. and spoke to the air.  "Thanks,
Sis."

"You want me to pass that along?"

"Sure."

He did, waited, and this time he looked at me with awe.  "She says
'You're welcome, and that if you have four people there, you're
missing a body.  Sweat them and they'll crack.  Ursula suggested you
advise them we have Ethel, and she's spilled her guts in a plea
bargain that failed, because she didn't come completely clean and we
can prove it'."

I froze, looked at Jessica, and she sighed.  "Let's go, Boss, we're
wasting time."

"Yeah.  Get your people to cover, John.  I don't need to tell you your
job.  Come on Mauler, Jessica.  Time to go see Glenda."

He perked slightly, glanced at me, then faced forward.

I laughed.  "Yeah.  House search, guy.  Where's the master bedroom?"

"Back, last door on the left."

"Any of your people in the back yard?"

"No.  Got a couple of people on cherry pickers, outside the fence."

"What's the ground cover like back there?"

"Heavy along the fence.  If anyone is in there, we haven't seen them."

"Got it.  Tell your people we're the good guys."

He spoke, got confirmations, and sighed.  "All yours."

"Thanks.  Mauler!" 

I pointed at John.  "Bad guy!"

Mauler gunsighted him and I spoke softly.  "You know the rules, right?
Move and you're his.  If I'm wrong, I'll apologize after we get those
people to safety, on camera and live to the press.  Jessica,  you know
the drill."

"Oh, yes, I do know it.  Wish Randy was here.  I'm feeling exposed."

She stripped him of his gear, then patted him down and emptied his
pockets.  When she got to his crotch she raised her eyebrows, then
finished her pat down and took his backup from his ankle holster.

She straightened, then stepped back and eyed him almost as hungrily as
Mauler was.  "Ok.  I know what guys feel like when they're wearing a
cup.  Whatever it is, it's something I'm not familiar with.  At the
least, it doesn't belong in the crotch of a working cop.  Speak,
before I get angry and do Mauler's job for him."

"Hold it, Jess. Jam something in his mouth, now!"

He grunted, then stayed still while she stuffed his holster between
his jaws, then strapped it so he couldn't spit it out.  Then, finally,
she handcuffed him and looked at  Mauler.  "Thanks, guy.  Maybe next
time, huh?"

An ear twitched, but he didn't lose the intent focus that spoke of his
patience, and what he'd do, if he got the opening.

She looked at me expectantly.

I nodded.  "I don't care if we are live by now.  It's the age of
transparency.  Any fallout will hit me, not you. Be careful, and find
out what he's carrying."

"You always did make my life interesting, Courtney.  Thanks.  Randy's
going to be upset he wasn't here for this."

She was careful to stay out of Mauler's way, then she opened John's
belt, before she casually opened his pants.  She felt some more, then
dipped her hand in his shorts and came up with a vinyl pouch of some
sort.

She didn't do anything stupid, like offer it to me.  She opened it,
examined what it carried, then handed the contents to me.  "Glad it's
not me who will answer for this."

I examined what she handed me, then I sighed.  "Neither of us will. If
he was who he is supposed to be, Helen and I would have been told he
was in place.  My read is that he liked these so much, he disobeyed
orders to leave them home.  In any case, he'd better be happy we
caught him, and not Ethel."

His eyes got wide, then he started struggling.  Mauler tensed and
looked at me.  "Sorry, guy.  Out!"

He relaxed and I could tell he was disappointed.  "Good kid.  I'll
find a way to make it up to you."

I thought, then reached for my mic.  "Ok.  Patch me into the tac net
John was using."

"You're in."

"Thanks.  Some of you saw what happened.  The Federal IDs are real,
but the people carrying them aren't.  Sit on those prisoners until I
say otherwise.  You folks in the cherry pickers better be looking away
from things, by now.  If you're looking this way when my man in the
chopper gets back, you're dead, no questions asked, and we'll
apologise to your families.  In the meantime, nobody moves until the
chopper gets back, and the rest of Jason's people show up."

I looked up to see which chopper was above me.  "Jessica?  I'll assume
all the choppers are on the same tac net, or monitoring it.  Get Helen
on the ground as close as they can get, then you can escort her to
me."

"You sure it's safe enough?"

"Hang on."

I spoke to my mic again.  "Listen up, all of you.  I don't care if
it's The President who does it.  If someone starts to expose a weapon,
anyone who sees it is to shoot to kill, immediately.  If the after
action analysis says anyone in sight didn't take at least one shot,
I'll personally have his head.  Am I understood?  By the numbers,
folks.  Nearest one first."

I got a collection of yeses, so I looked at Jess.  "Best I can do."

"Yeah.  Right.  Change in plans.  Randy is inbound, and he has what we
need, plus passengers.  Said you know them."

"Names?"

"Ursula and Orson."

"Shit."

"Should I find a couple of shovels?"

"Too late.  Idiots.  They have no business being here and they both
know it, unless...  Oh, Christ!  Tell Helen that if her camera crew
misses this, she'll never forgive herself.  Randy must be in heaven
right now.  Let's take our prisoner and get the fuck off ground zero."

She made her broadcast, then gestured at John.  "Move it!  Nearest
cruiser will do."

We made it to the cruiser, and I took his leash off so Mauler would
know he could relax.  Then I turned and looked up.  "Don't blink,
Jess.  When they get here, you're going to see something only the
*real* bad guys get to see up close like this.  Someone is seriously
pissed about something that went down here."

"Oh?  What will I get to see?"

"Federal combat flying, with Ramjet and his passengers in the middle."

It happened, literally, in seconds.  Six choppers came in low and
fast.  The leading two, troop carriers, slowed long enough for their
passengers to bail out, then they lifted up and started circling
overhead.  In  the meantime three Apaches had swooped in to look
things over, then they took up stations so they could cover
everything. One of them pointedly hung over where I assumed the cherry
pickers were, and another settled in above us.

Finally, Randy swooped in and settled in the center of the troops that
had set up a perimeter.  Once his blades slowed slightly, his PA
blared.  "Anyone moves without permission, they're history.  Got it?
Good.  Jessica, you and your boss stay put.  Your guests will come to
you, then you two can go get who we came here for, while the rest of
these people clean up this mess."

Jessica sighed.  "Whoever it was, it wasn't anyone I know."

"You will,  soon, and trust me when I tell you don't let his charm
blind you to how lethal he is.  Gentle, but lethal when he's pissed,
and right now, he's *very* pissed.  I know the signs."

"Worked with him before?"

"Yeah.  Long story, and for some reason I have a feeling it's going to
get told on national television, soon.  I'm looking forward to seeing
how he's going to spin it."

"I'm a fly on the wall.  Been a long time, but I know what authority,
in all caps, sounds like.  Your boss?"

"Believe it or not, no.  We're colleagues doing the same job."

"Not the time to ask, and I know it, so I'll do a little hoping that
someday, this will all make sense."

I laughed softly.  "If it ever does, clue me in."

"Uh huh...  You haven't changed a bit, have you?  Still know how to
insult a woman and keep her from slapping the shit out of you."

"Thanks.Jess.  Maybe, someday, Pat and I can have some sort of real
wedding instead of what we got."

"I'll be there.  We haven't picked a best man and a head bride's maid,
yet."

"Table it.  Talk to Pat.  We don't know what's in our future, yet."

"Tabled."

Randy's passengers got out and headed in our direction.

John used the distraction to take off at a run.

I saw it happen, and I shouted.  "Mauler!  Bad guy!"  I pointed at the
running figure.  "Hit!"

And he was gone, with that low, intent focus that said bad things
would happen to his target.

Seconds later he hit John, took him down, then he grabbed a leg and
started to treat John like he was a personal rag toy.

"Out!  Watch him!"

Mauler let go, and there was no missing his happy grin when he looked
at me for more directions. 

I walked over and looked down before I grabbed my mic.  "Somebody
check this idiot over and do whatever triage is needed, then keep an
eye on him."

I touched Mauler's head.  "Good dog, Mauler.  Thanks."

I bent down and removed the holster from John's mouth.  "I won't say
that was the stupidest thing you could have done, but it was damn
close.  I was Mauler's primary trainer.  Could have been wearing a
uniform, but didn't, for personal reasons.  But then, I figure you
have to know that I'd know all the moves.  Talk to me."

He actually whimpered.  "Don't let him have me, Charlie!  Please!  It
wasn't about you.  I swear it!"

"Charlie?  That was a lot of years ago.  Should I know you?"

"You ran with my youngest brother.  He was the one who conned you guys
into trying to fuck your dogs."

I studied him, then sighed.  "Shit, Jack.  I didn't remember who
started that.  Alcohol fog, you know?  So it was Kelly.  Do me a favor
and shut up.  Things have changed, and I guess I can tentatively
promise you'll live through this, somewhere, since nobody got killed,
and you didn't give any orders to make something like that happen,
that I know of.  You know how that works."

"Thanks, Charlie.  If it's the best you can do, it's still more than I
expected if he ever caught me."

By then Ethel and Dad had picked up an escort and joined us.

Everyone was silent while Jack was patched up, then Ethel spoke calmly
to the people who'd done the repairs.  "Vanish.  Go do whatever it is
you do after it's over.  Someone will be in touch when we need to talk
to you."

They looked at me and I shrugged.  "My boss.  Do it, and thanks.  If
you want to know more, watch the news or have it taped.  Oh, and I
can't guarantee it, but I'm pretty sure Jason and Mauler will be back
in their cruiser someday."

"He's right.  I'll be done with the two of them fairly soon."

They nodded.  "Thanks."

After they were out of earshot. I studied her.  "What about Jessica?"

"She's fine.  We'll need friends who have a clue, when we put in that
regional center."

"I don't have to ask about Ramjet.  Enjoy the ride?"

"All we needed was an open top to put down.  Refreshing.  Probably the
closest we'll get to a chauffeured honeymoon getaway."

"Glad you're feeling better, Mom."

I refocused.  "Ok, Dad.  What's going on?  He ran, because you were
here."

Dad ignored me.  "Hello, Jack.  Always nice to stumble on a loose end.
Too bad you didn't pay attention in class.  It's over."

"Yeah.  Gave it my best shot and it wasn't enough.  What happens,
now?"

"What else?  You get taken for a ride and then you get sweated.  After
that, who knows?  Can't let you get away with impersonating a Fed, so
you and a few other folks are going to become highly visible examples.
Sing in the right key, and we'll keep you out of jail and plop you
somewhere so we can keep an eye on you."

"If it's jail, put me down, yourself, as a Mills."

"Can't do that, son.  I'm retired.  Someone else makes those
decisions.  I'm just an advisor, now."

"For the Feds?"

"Yeah.  Funny, isn't it?  Made a plea bargain and wound up with a
second wife.  Nothing to go back to, Jack.  Town's so clean it
squeaks.  Time for people to run it on their own.  Wish them luck."

"Hell.  Should have known you'd figure me out.  I'll sing.  Just keep
Charlie and Mauler away from me.  Guess I'm glad it was them.  Sort of
fitting, since Kelly fucked over Charlie, and I was working on Jason."

"They dope you enough, or do you need something more before we have
you loaded and hauled off?"

"No offense intended Mr. Mills.  Load me up and get me out of here.
Next time I see eyes like yours, I want them to be God's."

"None taken.  It was a good run.  You need a stretcher, or you want to
do this with some dignity?"

"Dignity.  Help me up?"

Dad bent and grabbed some shirt after Jack rolled over and got to his
knees, then he helped Jack get up and find his balance, before he
looked up and waved one of the troopships down.  He studied Jack and
finally nodded.  "Have a safe trip, son.  If it makes you feel better,
remember it was a Mills who caught you."

Jack looked at me.  "Yeah.  Thanks.  I didn't think it would mean so
much, to hear that."

I remembered something and spoke softly.  "Mauler.  Out."

I was grinning when Jack looked surprised.  "Now, you can leave."

"Oh!  Yeah.  Thanks, Charlie."

He turned away and limped off.  I laughed softly after the chopper
lifted off.  "Thanks, Mauler, for being gentle with him."

Jessica looked at me, then Mauler.  "That was gentle?"

"Looked like they doped him pretty heavily.  Still, his leg isn't
fractured.  Trust me, Mauler was gentle, for him."

"Oh.  Can I finally find out what I'm in the middle of?"

"Not until we collect Glenda and her friend."

I reached for my mic.  "Ok.  Someone tell me how many of our people
are inside."

"Two."

"Thanks."

I looked at Ethel and she nodded.  "Two, when there shouldn't be any."

She turned, pointed at someone, held up two fingers, then waved at the
house after she held a wrist in one hand.

There was a consultation, then a small group entered the house.

A few minutes later they came out with two cops in handcuffs, and the
leader waved at us before he nodded his head.

Ethel laughed.  "Show offs.  Odds are, they're innocent, but we'll
make sure.  Up to you, Courtney."

I hooked Mauler's leash on him and smiled.  "Relax, guy.  We're off to
see Glenda and her friend.  Jessica, like we talked about.  Cover my
back."

"Me, when you have all this help?"

"Who said I trusted them?  Ethel, I trust.  Her people?  No.  Since
Ethel vetted you, and you're mine, you get the job.  Let's go finish
this, so we can settle somewhere and do some paperwork."

"Yeah.  LIke I said, you make my life interesting when you see me.
I've always wondered how much paperwork a Fed has to deal with. Should
take some of the glamour away, so Randy and I decide we're not *that*
ambitious."

Ethel laughed.  "I'll let Jason know about that.  Go get his ex
girlfriend, so they can get together and make the breakup official."

We left, Mauler lead the way, and when we reached a closed door, I
knocked on it.  "At your service, folks.  It's over and you can
finally relax.  Got Mauler here to help with that.  I'm Courtney, and
my partner is Jessica"

"How do I know you're Courtney?"

"I'll give you my word, as Charles Robert Mills, that I'm Courtney
Smith, and I was the trainer who was there when Mauler got his first
blood bite."

"Good enough.  Come on in.  It's unlocked."

I opened the door, let it swing aside, then smiled at the woman who
was pointing a gun at me.  "You must be Glenda.  You planning on
shooting Mauler?"

I held out his leash.  "I'll trade you."

She looked at us, then smiled and offered me her gun.  "Careful.  One
in the chamber."

I chuckled.  "Same to you.  Mauler got himself another blood bite.
He's earned himself some sort of special reward.  Maybe you can think
of something appropriate, before you hand him back to Jason."

She whitened slightly and flinched.  "What's going to happen to me?"

"Well, I guess you know you'll have to let the media talk to you?"

"Yes.  I don't want to, but I don't have a choice, do I?"

"I wish you did.  If it helps any, Helen will get you first.  She
wants to talk to you about a story she's been sitting on, off the
record."

"Jason said she was out there."

"Yes.  Things got pretty hairy, and we couldn't let her come in with
us."

"Ok.  We're ready to go."

"Hang on, then.  Call in the screen, Jess."

Glenda froze.  "Screen?"

Jessica made her call, then smiled.  "It's a portable bulletproof
shelter.  You're alive and we want to keep you that way.  It goes
around the two of you, then we'll escort you to an armored car of some
sort, to take you to Jason.  Routine in a case like this."

"Anybody tell you I told Jason I can't take being a cop's girlfriend,
any more?"

I nodded slightly.  "The word 'ex' was mentioned in our presense.  No
reasons."

"I guess I can trust you, since Mauler does.  I thought I was doing
Jason a favor, you know?  I called the right numbers, and they weren't
the ones I was given by my contact, to check.  I was told the whole
crazy thing was real."

"It's a good, solid story, if you don't know anything.  Actually
possible, sometimes, with privately handled dogs.  Civilian dogs
sometimes don't get the same deep training a dog like Mauler gets.
Jason tell you about that?"

"Yes.  We had lots of time to talk.  How private are we?"

"Nothing goes out unless one of us keys up  Media might have some
shotgun mics on us.  Nothing we can do about that, best I call tell
you is that it's unlikely that someone will hear what we're saying in
here.  Perimeter is all Federal, now.  Take some specialized stuff to
overhear us and we're as certain as we can be that we have the folks
who would have been able to get it and use it.  All that said, it's
still a risk.  You want Jessica to leave?"

She shook her head.  "What I want, is to be able to go back and say
'No'."

"I understand that.  Consider yourself under oath.  You're not under
arrest, but you are a person of interest and all that."

"Anything I say will be used against me?"

"Not in the way you might be thinking.  Sure, it can be used to really
screw up your life for awhile, but as far as we're concerned, it's not
an issue.  That's especially true since Jason didn't know."

"Jessica?  Do you know what we're talking about?"

"Not a clue."

"I...  Shit.  Jason said Courtney's sister figured it out.   If she
figured it out, and it sounds like Helen knows something, I can't see
how it won't come out, eventually."

I sighed.  "Makes you feel better about it, Helen has been chasing the
rumor for quite awhile, and she couldn't confirm it or deny it.  I do
have a question that's official."

"I've known Jason for a couple years, so I know that tone of voice.
Ask it, on the record."

"Does Anne know?"

"They used her to recruit me.  She knows.  Doesn't help me."

"Has she seen it happen?"

"Of course."

"What about your friend, here?"

"I've never told her, but I can't say she doesn't know."

I sighed.  "Jessica.  Take Glenda's friend somewhere out of earshot. I
need to talk to Glenda, privately."

"Got it.  If the screen is ready, I'll escort her to wherever, then be
back when you call for me."

She got on the radio, checked in, nodded slightly and looked at the
other woman. "I need to check out some rooms and close some doors,
then I'll be back for you.  You have a name?  We've been too busy to
worry about that stuff."

"Allison."

"Ok, Allison.  When I come back, You can follow me to the end of the
hallway.  All you have to do is stand still while they position
everything, then we'll all leave and you'll be taken to an armored
limo.  There's a transparent section, so you'll have a limited view of
what's going on outside.  It's all routine and nobody expects
problems."

"If something happens?"

"Then you do what the people inside with you, tell you to do."

"Do you know them?"

"I've met them, and I trust them.  Their names are Orson and Ursula."

"Ok.  I'll be ready when you are."

"Thanks."

A few minutes later they were gone.

I'd watched from the doorway and just sighed and nodded when Ethel
smiled at me.

I remained where I was and spoke quietly.  "Jason tell you the reason
my sister spotted what was happening?"

"She told me.  I was told that I wasn't doing anything that would let
people know what was going on."

"Something's missing.  Oh, I can believe you were played well.  That's
a given at this point.  Do you know what I'm talking about when I say
Mauler shows too much lipstick when he's on a sit stay, and relaxed?"

"Yes.  I was told all male dogs can do that, and it was nothing to
worry about."

"Ok.  I'm done with the dancing.  It's not definite, but my sister and
I are pretty sure Mauler has been fucking a human for quite awhile. If
it's not you, it's Anne, unless you've managed to convince him to
accept someone else as a handler.  Got any response that will help me
out?"

"It would be odd if it's Anne.  She tried jerking him off, once.  She
got a warning growl.  As far as I know, I'm the only person he'll let
handle his penis."

"What about muzzling him?"

"This official?"

"Not unless you want it to be.  Anybody asks, we introduced ourselves
to each other while we waited, as far as I'm concerned."

"Thanks.  We've tried to muzzle him without Jason there and we can't
do it, so we quit trying."

"Ok.  Thanks.  Jason said he was the only one who could muzzle... Hold
it.  Can either you muzzle Mauler when Jason is there?"

"No."

I sighed.  "Ok.  thanks.  It was a long shot, anyway, unless...  Jason
ever muzzle him and leave him with either of you?"

"Not with me.  Can't tell you if he ever did that for Anne."

"Got it.  Umm...  So you've been masturbating Mauler for quite awhile.
For the moment, I'll take your word you haven't been letting him fuck
you.  You ever get him hard with his knot outside, then bend his dick
so it points backwards?"

She flushed slightly.  "Of course.  He seems to like it best, that
way."

"Better and better.  One last question, for now, I think.  I've known
Jason since we were in school.  Guys talk and compare notes.  I'm sure
you know that, right?"

She sighed.  "Ok.  I was hoping to keep it hidden.  Mauler has never
been interested in sex with me, but he loves my blowjobs.  Matter of
fact, he can get pretty pushy when we're alone.  Anne doesn't know
that part.  She just thinks he's eager to get jacked off after Jason
drops him off.  And I guess you really do know Jason, if you know that
he'd rather have a good blowjob than a good fuck, a lot of the time."

"What about you?  Were you put up to that, or do it on your own?"

"My own.  Nobody suggested it.  After we watched Mauler ejaculate a
few times...  It's pretty messy, you know?"

"Only seen pictures, and read some stuff online.  No personal
experience and haven't had time to ask my sister stuff like that.
Well...  That's not quite true, but I was drunk when I had the chance
to see it happen in front of me."

"Something I don't need to know, right?"

"Tough call.  You decide to get your own dog and keep doing it, then
I'll probably tell you more, if you ask me.  Has nothing to do with
you and Jason.  Be my way of saying no hard feelings and if you need
someone you can trust, who accepts it, you can talk to me.  Probably
be better if it's my sister."

"You seem to think I might want to keep doing it."

"It's a possibility I have to cover."

"Oh.  Ok.  Makes sense.  You done?"

"Yes.  Thanks."

"Welcome.  My turn again?"

"Sure.  We have as long as we need.  Nobody is going to come in until
I give the ok.  Probably be awhile, anyway."

"Thanks.  We talked it over, and Jason seemed...  Distracted.  Don't
get me wrong.  He had to run my rescue, and I even understand his
reasoning for not coming to get me, himself.  It could have been a
trap, and I'm pretty sure he cares enough that being here and worrying
about me at the same time would affect his judgement."

She paused and I looked at her thoughtfully.  "Relax.  If you've been
following any of the news, by now the whole world knows my sister and
I were being groomed to take over control of a small city, if we
wanted to inherit.  I know a lot about how tough it is for most men
and women to live with a cop, or a Fed.  This sort of crap was
something I was trained to deal with.  Not from this side, but the
side doesn't matter when a woman gets fucked over like you did.  I
respect you a lot, for dealing with it as soon as you knew it had to
be done."

"I do love him, Courtney.  I can't love him in the way I know he'll
need, that's all.  He sounded too calm about it, so I know he was
already figuring on a breakup.  It's over between us, and we both know
it.  Tell you the truth, I don't know which of us is more relieved."

"Ok.  Thanks.  Normally, I wouldn't be in the field, like this.  Call
me one of his advisors, if he calls me in.  It's nice to know where
his head's going to be.  You figure out that you're going to be
quietly watched, now?"

"Of course.  I've always assumed someone is checking on me, or keeping
an eye on me most of the time.  It's that kind of world, when a woman
gets intimate with a cop.  Speaking of eyes, there aren't any videos
or pics out there, that I know of.  That was one of my conditions when
I agreed."

I sighed.  "I'm glad you qualified that.  There's no way to know how
true that is, until something hits the streets, or the press."

"I know.  And that's really the root of my problem.  I don't want to
wonder if I can trust anyone I meet, including the people I think of
as my friends.  I wasn't raised that way, and I'm not going to let
myself live that way.  I want the illusion I'm really free, even
though I know I never will be."

"All this blows over, you could ask for help disappearing.  Jason
would authorize it.  Any of us who were here, would back you if you
wanted to start a new life."

"Including Helen?"

"She'd consult first.  If you talk it over with her and anyone she
suggests, and you still want to do it, then yes, she'd help make it
happen."

She settled on the bed, then looked at me before she invited Mauler
over.  He nosed her hand, then flopped on his back.

She smiled, rubbed his belly a little, then looked at me.  "Mind if I
give him a farewell gift?"

I shrugged.  "Up to you.  Should I leave?"

"Depends, I guess.  I don't want this in any reports."

"Like I said, we're secure from everything except the real
sophisticated stuff...  Oh.  Wait a minute."

I dug in my pocket, pulled my wallet out, then took out my ID and
offered it to her.  "Not used to being official about things."

She studied it, then sighed.  "Looks like it should, I guess.  Newer
than the ones I was shown when all this started.  None of this will
get in a report, somewhere?"

"Not any I write, unless I have permission from you.  As far as I'm
concerned, it's not an issue."

"Thanks..."

Her voice trailed off, then she froze before she spoke softly. "You're
wearing Jason's jacket, aren't you?"

"It's all his gear.  Not the best fit in the world, but we were in a
hurry, and didn't have time for me to stop and get fitted."

"That tells me a lot, about how serious this is.  Want to know how I
spotted it?"

"Something I need to know?"

"Maybe.  Says Jason thinks you're one of a kind.  When you get a
chance, look under the left armpit.  That stitching is mine.  One
evening a street kid tried to knife him.  Ever since, he's refused to
allow it to be put back in the common area.  Saved his life, and he
trusts it.  As far as I know, he's never let anyone else wear it,
since.  I always had the feeling he'd trust a total stranger with
Mauler, before he'd take that off while he's in uniform."

"Thanks for letting me know.  He offered it all before I could think
about asking.  We've known each other since school.  Then, too,
there's all the training I put him and Mauler through before they were
certified as a team."

"Sounds like some of that band of brothers stuff."

"Probably.  Anyway...  Mauler?"

"Stay, please."

She worked him gently, then unsheathed him and worked him with her
mouth while she finished helping him get a full erection, then she
kept him in her mouth and gently petted him until he lost his erection
and his penis slid back in his sheath.  She bent over him and they
shared a sloppy kiss that reminded me of the ones Emma gave me during
the afterglow.

Eventually she pulled away and studied me.  "I'm going to miss him."

I nodded slightly and smiled wryly.  "I know how you feel.  Maybe you
and Jason can work something out so it isn't a complete break.  He's
not going anywhere when all this is over.  Couple weeks, at the most,
probably, then he and Mauler will be back on the job.  I'll let him
tell you the rest of it."

"How can you know how I feel?  Isn't easy to admit I'll miss Mauler
more than I will Jason."

"I know how you feel, because I feel the same way about my bitch,
Emma.  We've been lovers for years, and I loved her mother before
that."

"Oh.  Umm...  You think Jason would be ok if I admitted I'd like to
keep seeing Mauler?"

"Don't know.  Give him some time to come to terms with what's been
happening."

I thought about it, then smiled.  "Mauler's going to have to retire in
a few years.  I imagine Jason might be willing to let you take care of
him at times.  From what I hear, he'll eventually lose interest in
sex, so...  If you want that, I guess you'll have to get a younger
dog.  I'll assume you have some paperwork somewhere that says you've
been through a basic handler's course of some sort.  That would make
things a lot easier to justify, if you asked for a protection dog. You
already know a dog can have a sex life and still be able to do their
job."

She petted Mauler until he went to sleep, then she sighed.  "I don't
know.  Things are too crazy right now.  We'd better deal with our
private lives and recover from that before I think about other
possibilities."

"I have something that might help with that."

"Oh?"

"Orson, he's the man who came in to help escort Allison, thinks you'd
probably make a good cop's wife."

"Don't take this wrong.  That's a lot of what makes me want to get
out.  I want a husband I know will come home after a day's work. Cop's
wives...  Girlfriends, too, have to be pretty tough, and I don't think
I am, any more."

"No problem.  Wish we could spend more time like this, but there's a
world out there, and we need to face it, eventually."

"I know.  Thanks, Courtney.  You said Helen wants to talk to me?"

"Yes."

"I'm afraid of her.  Will you stay?"

"Yes.  Want me to call her in?"

"You can do that?"

"I can, if things have been cleaned up out there."

"Please."

I reached for my mic and keyed up.  "This is Courtney.  If it's safe,
I'd appreciate it if Helen is sent in."

I had to wait, then I recognized my father's voice.  "She's on her
way.  I assume you want her to leave the shield and Jessica at the
door, until you call for them?"

"Hang on."

I looked up.  "Sounds like they're ready to escort you out of here.
Helen's on her way and she'll be dropping the shield and Jessica at
the door, unless you want them here."

"Just Helen."

I keyed up.  "Good call.  Tell Helen to come on in.  We'll call for
the rest when we call for it.  Might be awhile."

"Take as long as you need.  Going to take all night, then some, to
start sorting out this mess we were given."

"Bad?"

"Very.  I'll fill you in later.  Ursula's making me work my butt off
instead of letting me ease into things."

"The others?"

"As busy as we are."

I winced.  "Got it."

"She's at the door, so keep an eye on Mauler."

"No problem.  Still on his leash."

There was a short silence, then a hint of laughter in the response.
"Helen was glad to know that.  Said she doesn't want to be a chew toy.
Out."

"Out."

We heard the front door open and close, and then Helen's voice.  "Is
it safe?"

I laughed.  "Come on in.  Mauler opened his eyes, then decided he's
still off duty."

Helen came down the hallway, then stopped so she could look things
over.

"Not completely off duty.  Guess he's getting used to me being around.
Hello, Glenda.  Thanks for agreeing to see me before we go in front of
the cameras."

"Hello, Helen.  No way I can avoid them?"

"I wish we could."

"We?  That doesn't sound right."

"Mind if I sit down?"

"Don't ask me to make Mauler move, ok?"

"Wouldn't dream of it."

She settled on the other side of Mauler, let him sniff her hand, then
she slowly rubbed his head and ears.

When he went back to sleep she smiled slightly.  "Is this really the
dog I recently saw turn a cop in full gear, into his private rag
doll?"

Glenda looked at me and I nodded.  "You probably know him.  John.
Turned out he was a little more than a cop.  Anyway, we had him cuffed
and he tried to run when Orson and Ursula showed up.  Wasn't a good
idea because I had the leash off and was letting Mauler take a short
break."

She went white, glanced at Helen, then refocused on me.  "John?
Mauler's blood bite was an undercover Fed?!  Oh.  Sorry.  Can Helen
hear about this?"

Helen dug in her purse and offered Glenda her ID, without saying
anything.

Glenda studied it, looked at me so I nodded, then she handed it back.
"Doesn't answer my question."

Helen spoke softly.  "I'm a lot more than a press secretary, who will
be reading statements and having my strings pulled."

She touched Mauler and shook her head.  "I'll be a lot like this guy
when he's put on guard duty.  If I see a chance to get a good bite,
I'll be expected to do it.  Strange as it sounds, I've been told to
use my own judgement."

"Hope you don't mind if I say things are getting pretty strange.
Courtney said if I talked to you about getting a new name and life,
you'd have to consult."

"I would.  I'm not a policy maker.  My main job is... "  She sighed,
then looked at me.  "Got what I asked for, and it's a lot different
than what I thought it would be."

Glenda waited and finally Helen shook herself slightly and raised her
head after she watched Mauler, I assumed.  "Sorry.  Been a real
strange day.  Someone remembered my request for food,  but I'm still
mostly on caffeine right now.  Anyway, there are people working for
the FBI who anticipated a dream of mine.  I called it 'Wikileaks with
Integrity.  I carry that ID around to let people know who I work for
now, then I get to be the one who makes the decisions about going
public, or not, with what I know, which will be ALL of what goes on
inside the regional office.  My understanding is that basically, if it
involves someone from the FBI, and I want to know about it, I have the
authority to find out."

Glenda looked at me so I shrugged.  "She's right.  It's the age of
transparency,  which means the watchdog can't be muzzled, to use her
analogy.  You want to talk to her, I can't stop you, or ask her to
suppress anything she learns.  That's her decision to make, not mine."

"What about things we've talked about and you gave your word it
wouldn't go into any reports?  She going to hear about that,
privately?"

"No.  She finds out about that, she'll have to hear it from someone
else."

Helen touched Mauler again, then rubbed his chest.  "Maybe I can make
this easier.  About a year ago, I got an anonymous email that said you
and Mauler are a lot more than good friends.  I was told you and he
were, to use the words I remember, 'pretty good fuck buddies'.  It
took me about a month before I found another source who thought it was
possible, but couldn't confirm it.  The rumor is on the streets, but
so low key all I get is:  'Possible, but who cares?  Mauler's doing
his job, like always, and so is Jason.'  I've kept an eye on you and
your room mate, but been unable to decide if there was any truth in
the rumor, or not.  

"So, I've been sitting on the story.  I like to think I'm a damn good
investigative reporter, so that means I don't publish unless I have
some facts.  In this case, I don't, other than the one that someone
out there wants either you, or Jason, to take a pretty hard fall, and
they are willing to make it happen in any way they can.  Plus, if
there is something going on, between one, or both of you, and Mauler,
it hasn't affected his or Jason's job performance, which, to be honest
about it, is all I'm worried about.  I've taken shots at Jason since,
but they've been unrelated to this issue.  He's a good cop, Glenda,
and I want to help him stay that way, just like I want to keep all the
other good ones, good."

"I thought he's working for the FBI, now."

"He is.  He's going to stay a cop and keep working the streets.  The
idea is that he'll be some sort of federal CSO with the authority to
step on things immediately, if he feels that's what has to be done."

"Like I said.  Things are getting strange."

"There's more.  I told Jason I think you'd make a pretty good cop's
wife, no matter what the eventual truth is.  Unfortunately for both of
you, he's driven enough that he accepted when the CSO job was
proposed, even though it's a new position and he'll be writing the
handbook for it 'on the fly'."

Glenda though about it briefly, then seemed to lose herself in petting
Mauler.  "Sounds like the two of you are going to be seeing a lot of
each other."

"Can't avoid it."

"Uh huh.  Well...  Since I'm not going to be there, if it's allowed,
maybe you should think about keeping a close eye on him when he's off
duty.  He and Mauler have a lot in common when it comes to getting rid
of the day's tension.  Both of them tend to prefer a good blowjob and
a long cuddle, instead of regular sex.  Matter of fact, Mauler's
pretty firm about that, and hasn't been interested in sex with me when
I offered."

Helen's head came up and the two women studied each other.

"Was that a hunting license?"

"Yes, if you want it to be one.  He and I aren't right for each other,
and that isn't all because of what I was conned into doing with
Mauler.  I don't think we saw this coming, but it was probably going
to happen, eventually, even if I'd never done anything with Mauler."

Glenda sighed.  "I love him Helen, but I'm not the right one, that's
all.  Maybe you are, and I know what the pressures of working together
can do.  Seen a lot of cops marry other cops, over the years.  Don't
know what the rules are for the FBI, but I wouldn't be surprised if a
lot of them marry each other, or have private relationships when they
are off duty."

"Thank you.  I was pretty sure I was going to keep sitting on the
story I mentioned.  Now I know I am.  If it gets out, I won't be the
one who puts it there.  Anything else you want to share?"

"Yes.  John was my alternate contact when Ethel wasn't available."

"He's already being investigated, for other reasons, so one of us will
mention that."

"Ok.  Can you tell me if he was really an agent?  I checked and was
told he is."

"He wasn't, even though he has the proper ID.  It's being
investigated."

"Get it on the news, right?"

"Yes."

"Thanks.  Can't think of anything else.  Guess we talk to the press,
then I go see Jason?"

"Not exactly.  You go into protective custody first, which is mostly a
formality so we can get you out of here for awhile.  Some people will
talk to you, then you and Jason can get together.  After that, I think
you should give some sort of statement to the media, then it's up to
you.  You'll have plenty of time to slow down and think about it,
before you have to make any decisions."

Glenda sighed and looked at me.  "Mind if I keep Mauler with me until
we see Jason?"

"Not a bit."

"Thanks.  Guess I'm ready to leave."

I keyed up.  "Jessica?  It's time.  Let's get Glenda and Mauler
packaged for delivery."

"Got it.  Coming through the door."

We heard the door open, Mauler snap rolled to his feet, then he
focused on the doorway.

Glenda looked at the leash in her hand, and spoke softly.  "It's ok.
Watch 'em, Big Guy."

An ear twitched in her direction, then he settled on his haunches.

Jessica stopped in the doorway and looked us over before she smiled.
"We're ready, if you folks are."

Glenda sighed again, then stood up.  "I'm not, but I know I have to.
Hope nobody gets upset about me wanting to deliver Mauler to Jason in
person."

Jessica gestured at the hallway.  "People escorting you expected it to
happen that way."

Glenda nodded, then paused and touched my arm when she went past me.
"Thanks, Courtney."

She looked over her shoulder at Helen.  "Take good care of Jason.  If
I'm in the area, I'd like to be at the wedding, if it happens and the
two of you can stand to see me again."

Then she left.

I moved to the hallway and watched them leave, then I turned back to
Helen.  "You were right.  She's not a fluff."

"You tell her I already threw myself at Jason?"

"No."

"Thanks.  I'll let him decide if he wants her to know that."

I managed a chuckle. "Want my best guess for the matchmaking?"

She thought about it, then laughed.  "No.  Some things, a woman
doesn't need spoken aloud.  I'm sure you know how it is, by now."

"Probably.  You look ragged around the edges.  Which one of us is in
charge?"

"Guess I am, since Glenda is safe and being delivered.  Ethel was
serious, about my need to know.  I got hit with all of it, in what I
assume must have been a full insider's briefing."

"Dad said it was bad out there and he'd tell me more, later."

"Glenda was more right that she thought she was, when she called the
situation 'strange'."

"Oh?"

"As part of some sort of crazy but logical deal Ethel made while she
and your sister were dealing with your mother's death, she checked in
and got herself made regional director for this area."

"Nice to know we made that call.  Must be more."

"Lots.  For starters, all of your father's assets, including the cash
and stuff tucked away, except for what you kids are getting, is going
to be used to get started on building that regional headquarters. Your
father anticipated the seizure and sale, so he isn't going to contest
that use, instead of putting it in a common pool."

"Huh.  I knew he's sneaky, but that's something that I wouldn't have
expected, before all this other stuff happened."

"I don't think anyone except Ethel was able to take that news calmly.
Her only reaction when he made the announcement was 'Ok, we can afford
it.  Where?' "

"Any answer to that?"

"You have a very greedy, but practical, wife, Courtney."

"Didn't know about the greed.  Practical, I take for granted."

"Makes sense., I guess.  She said you can pay for the land and stuff
around the all nighter, but save some for her projects.  Then she
mentioned that once she knows where your land is, she'll look into
buying enough land on the other side of the hiway so she can have a
decent sized private airport put in.  Something about 'you never know,
it might someday become a commuter hub for this area'."

I started laughing and Helen just watched me until I recovered.  "I
did mention, in her presense, that for money to make money, you have
to spend it."

"She's a fast learner."

I sobered.  "What about you?  Going to blow the whistle on us for
using insider information?"

"I can't, the way she sold the idea.  Something about all of that
being support for a covert operation, with the regional director's
full awareness and approval.  All in the open, once decisions are made
about where the building is going to go in.  One of the things to be
announced, if it hasn't been already, is that once things are settled,
that headquarters is going in, and they will be exploring possible
sites for it now that they know they have enough funding to at least
buy the land and complete the basic construction."

I shook my head.  "She trying to make me richer?  Speculators are
going to increase the land values."

"They don't think so.  This area is larger, population wise, so any
speculation will likely be here."

"Thin, Helen.  Going to be some folks who see all that land seized in
my neighborhood, and they'll be wondering if it will be used, to cut
startup expenses."

"They've decided to help the wrong impression by opening her office
here.  Mind if I repeat I'm not used to being around people who think
the way you folks do?"

"Seem to be adapting to it."

"I do?  Doesn't feel that way."

"Well, maybe knowing you have someone waiting for you that you can be
totally open with, helps."

"Jason?  That's professional, not personal, for now."

"So?  Think of it like it's field work and the two of you are going to
have to make sure you both know what's going on.  Glenda had a point,
when she mentioned cops marrying cops."

She grinned.  "Or senior agents marrying crime bosses?"

I laughed again.  "Something like that.  Don't take this wrong, but I
think that some of it happens when you really feel you know where your
life is going, you have some control, and you take a long look at it
all and decide you can finally start looking for a person to share it
with.  Some of us need that, before we make the decision to find a
full time partner."

She thought about it, then studied me before she spoke almost
inaudibly.  "Voice of experience, Courtney?"

"Yeah.  I've been ready for a couple years, but was afraid Pat
wouldn't be able to handle the fact Emma and I are lovers.  She caught
us on the outside couch while I was still inside Emma.  She was ok
with it, so I casually mentioned the reasons I'd been holding off, and
she took that as a marriage proposal and said 'yes'.  Then, things got
crazy.  You can hear it from us, or get it from the inevitable
reports."

"I'll probably get it from both.  I've already seen a transcript of
Marge's statement.  I've seen movie scripts with better logic and
consistency, but I have to admit there are pieces missing, big ones.
Glenda will give us some finer details about what happened here, but
Ethel and your father seem to think  John/Jack is the real catch in
all this.  Right now, it looks like everyone was controlling everyone
else and that doesn't make sense to *anyone*."

"Switching subjects?  No problem.  Sounds like nobody thought to tell
you that Jack's the oldest of four brothers.  I used to run with his
youngest brother, Kelly.  Nobody can be called a serious contender to
be the one who took dad out, so it would make sense that someone would
leave town and emulate him somewhere else.  I'm pretty sure Jack has
been here for years, and slowly doing what he can to take control.
Nice touch, being a cop, but he made some serious mistakes, one of
which was trying to get a handle on Jason the way he did.  He should
have done better research before he tried that one."

She lowered her head while she remained silent, then she raised it
again.  "Sounds like you think he might have been able to get some
sort of handle on Marge."

"I do, and I'm equally certain Ethel and dad are taking a hard look at
that and some other stuff."

She nodded.  "Ok.  Speaking of that other stuff, I asked your father
about that assumption he made that was a mistake."

"And?"

"He confessed to it being a stupid one.  He assumed that anybody
around Ethel could be trusted.  He and she got into a discussion about
that, and when it was over they decided to share the blame so it
wouldn't screw up their working honeymoon."

I thought about it for awhile, then sighed.  "Shit.  It had to be
Kyle.  I bet he never sent a team to Marge's.  Couldn't have, if he
wanted to cut her out of the loop, because it's pretty unlikely he
could have brought in all his own people for this, which means that
near the beginning, people would have compared what they knew, and
realized something wasn't right."

Helen stretched, then seemed to suddenly realize she had a radio,
because she flinched slightly before she lowered her arms and reached
for the mic.  "I'll get used to this, eventually."

She keyed up.  "Any objections if I want to debrief Courtney while we
wait?"

"You want to do that here or somewhere else?  You folks can call it
quits for the night, if you want."

"Mind if I go back with Courtney?  I'll need someplace to sleep."

"Ask if you can use one of the beds in the RV they left behind.  It's
been collected, delivered, and checked over.  If he's willing to do
the driving, you'll have a ride, and a bed when you get there."

She raised her eyebrows.  "The one we left behind?  Sounds
interesting, and how come that wasn't part of my briefing?"

"It was being saved as a gift.  One of the mechanics is ours, but the
owner decided to run a scam on Heather.  Heather told me they were
going to give him to you as a gift, but in the confusion, it got lost.
Plans changed, too, but you already know that much."

She sighed.  "Got it.  No hard feelings.  Can I assume that when we
walk out, I can stagger to this RV and strap myself in for a nap while
Courtney heads back to his wife?"

"Yes."

"Thanks."

After she let go of her mic I keyed up.  "Somebody tell me how come
that was so smooth and we can go home unescorted."

"Talk to Jessica.  We're busy."

I let go, smiled at his abruptness, then waited for Helen to decide
her next move.

She stretched again, then leaned back and braced herself on her arms
while she looked at me for awhile.

Eventually she didn't bother hiding a yawn, then she smiled.  "Let me
guess.  His way of saying we'd have a helicopter above us for the
trip."

"Probably."

"Any bugs in the RV will be ours?"

"Or so passive they weren't detected.  Probably left the tracer in it,
too."

"Not worried about that.  So...  Before we go out there and dodge the
media here, what can you tell me about a dog's sexual preferences."

"Dogs in general, or male dogs?"

"Male dogs, for now."

"If they decide they like you, they can be pushy.  Properly trained
dogs will avoid doing the obvious stuff, but if you know what to look
for, there are little things they can do that let you know they are
interested."

"Such as?"

"Sprawling on their back, with their legs spread."

"Like Mauler was?"

"Yes.  Letting you scratch beside his penis is another possibility,
especially if he relaxes even more, to give you better access.  If you
work his sheath and he doesn't get upset, that's usually a good sign.
If he doesn't want it, he'll let you know, gently, usually.  That's
for trained dogs.  If they don't know you, things can get pretty iffy,
or all they may want is a fuck or to lick you, with nothing from you
except cooperation on your part.  Any dog can decide to be seductive,
so it might be worth the time of finding some dog breeding videos, and
watching those."

"Then modeling your behavior on that?"

"Yes."

"Anything else that's of major importance?"

"Don't make assumptions.  Dogs are individuals, so what turns one on
could get you bit by the next one.  Treat it just like you would sex
with a human.  Give yourselves time to learn how to communicate with
each other.  They can deny sexual advances, but they can consent to
them, or even initiate them."

She noded.  "I won't insult you by asking if they can be taught to
keep the sex to the appropriate times and places.  I've done some
private research on that part of it, so I know it's possible.  Thanks,
Courtney.  You mind if I ask about you and Emma, later?"

"Not a bit.  Somebody will, eventually.  Might as well be you, on the
record if you want to do it that way."

"On the record?"

"Sure.  You might have to defend me someday."

"Oh.  Good point.  Heather and her husband, too, right?"

"Right.  Let's hope it never gets mentioned in connection with Jason
or Glenda.  Things could get messy before they settle their
differences."

"Understatement.  Let's get moving before I decide this bed is too
comfortable."

I gestured at the door.  "Stagger out on your own, or need some help?"

"I can make it on my own if it's not too far.  Sitting here, helped."

"Got it.  No idea where it's parked."

She shifted, braced and shoved herself up, and as soon as she found
her balance she smiled wryly.  "Wouldn't be like this if I hadn't
missed lunch.  Don't apologize for that.  Not the first time it's
happened.  Lost count a long time ago.  Never thought I was that
popular until today.  I knew I was being picked on, just never
realized it was because of respect.  Always thought it was something
they did reluctantly and because they had to have a reporter there."

I chuckled.  "Then I'll only point out it's probably going to get
worse for awhile before it gets better.  Once things slow down, I'll
be bringing in a bigger RV I had tucked away.  Once it's gone over and
modified, Pat and I will be using it, but unless plans have changed
again, we aren't going to be traveling much."

"Understandable.  Any idea about where you'll resettle?"

I raised my eyebrows.  "You must be overwhelmed, or as mentally
exhausted as you look."

She sighed.  "Or it could have been more of that 'we're too damn busy
cleaning house, so do your job and ask questions on your own until you
know the bigger picture, since *we* don't have all of it yet'."

"Could be.  Anyway, you already knew, and must have forgotten you
know, or not had time to think about the implications.  Pat and I own
Marge's, now.  Once it's been gone over, we'll reopen and be able to
live there.  In the meantime, we're going to use the RV that's
outside, and the one ton toy hauler that Pat was driving when she came
back from the dead."

"Ok.  I know about that one.  They used it for background when she was
interviewed.  Your bitch, Emma if I have all your identities figured
out, was in the driver's seat, looked like she was enjoying herself,
and that was her rightful place to sit."

"That's Emma.  Loves to ride.  Wouldn't surprise me if she wanted to
learn how to drive, so she could take off whenever she wants to."

Then I grinned.  "When it's an RV, she loves the stops because we can
go from the front to the bed, and it isn't for sleeping.  Some bitches
can be as pushy as dogs when they are in the mood."

I counted it as a win when she blushed and finished going past me.
"Well, this bitch wants to see a bed, but it's only because she wants
a nap.  Let's go."

She froze after she opened the front door, and I smiled when I
realized Jessica had been waiting for us.  "You folks need a driver?"

"That's up to Courtney.  You part of the escort?"

"I am.  Court?"

"Randy is willing to let you be on the ground that long?"

"Since he's flying top cover, yes.  He did tell me to tell you that he
made sure he refueled before he came back for the excitement.  He'll
make it home, this time."

I laughed.  "Glad to have you.  Feel free to join in, if Helen decides
to wake up and chat, before we get back."

Her eyebrows went up as she looked at Helen.  "He right about that?  I
had the impression my ears could work, but my mouth wasn't supposed
to."

"I was told you and Randy think you might want to be agents someday,
so I won't get upset if you join in."

"Umm...  We are agents, of sorts."

"Oh?"

"Randy impressed the new regional director so much, she wants him as
her personal pilot, and me as her driver, most of the time.  I'll be
taking the full driving course as soon as I can, as a formality."

She surprised me by glancing at me and blushing.  "She had our records
pulled and started laughing when she read mine.  Something about
wondering when Courtney had time to learn how to control a race
certified pickup."

I sighed.  "She could have asked me who my teacher was, but I suppose
she was saving that for later."

Helen shook her head from side to side and sighed.  "Tell me after I
wake up.  Sounds like a story I want to hear because it will be fun,
and not the serious stuff I've had to listen to ever since I was
Shanghaied.  Lead on, Jessica."

"Got it.  Turn right, stagger about fifty feet, and I'll have the door
open and help you climb the steps if you need help.  All part of the
service.  Bed's all the way in the back."

Helen didn't stagger, but I knew it was a close thing.  She got in,
paused to orient herself, then got out of our way.  By the time she
was settled and strapped in, Jessica and I were settled and she had
the motor running.

Jess looked in the inside mirror, shook her head, and turned back.
"Out, already."

She got us moving, and once we were on the freeway she relaxed a
little.  "Orson made a bad call, for once."

"Oh?"

"He figured you'd do your own driving."

"Would have, if you hadn't offered."

"Been on the edge of things, and maybe I know you a little better than
he does."

"Thanks, Jess.

"You're welcome, Court.  Funny, isn't it?  Looks like the 'Gang of
Four' is going to be reunited, like we always dreamed of when you
surprised us by turning down the chance to go through the academy with
us."

"Sorry I couldn't be honest about that, Jess.  Guess we are.  Glenda
tell you she thinks Helen and Jason are a good match?"

"Apology accepted.  She got me off to the side, then asked me to keep
an eye on them, and make sure Mauler lived long enough to retire.  I
could see the pain and love in her eyes, Court.  She hurts, but she
knows she and Jason are doing the right thing by breaking up.  Wasn't
anything I could do, except tell her I hope she meets a man good
enough for her.  Invited her to our wedding and she accepted."

"She seemed the type.  Grapevine still work?"

"As far as I know, yes."

"Good.  Put the word out.  She's serious about never becoming a cop's
wife.  This hit hard, so folks should stay low key.  We got starting
over in the open, but I think it's unlikely  Can't tell you what
she'll do for now."

"Go back to work, is what she told me.  If people want to keep an eye
on her, she's ok with that.  She's not going to change her life until
she's had some time to think things over, and get through this."

"I know I'm prying.  You have a personal read on that?"

"I think she knows she's a cop's wife and just needs some more time to
consciously realize it."

"Sounded pretty positive about that."

She glanced sideways so I could see her wry smile, then refocused on
her driving.  "Ordinary women don't sew up a flak jacket after someone
tried to kill their lover.  They get all hysterical and leave in a
hurry."

"She tell you about the sewing?"

"Grapevine did right after it happened.  Folks wondered who did the
repair, then compounded it by asking her for other repairs, 'for
luck'.  She did them.  Unspoken tradition to let her make the cosmetic
repairs when they can be made.  She's been doing them for a couple
years.  She keeps to a normal life, she's not going to be able to hide
from herself for very long.  It's a nasty world out there."

I sighed.  "Combine that with keeping an eye on her for the rest of
her life, because of her association with Jason, and her only other
option is starting over.  Pass the word to be gentle and tolerant if
she refuses people."

"Consider it done."

"Thanks."

We rode in silence for a few miles, then she sighed and checked on
Helen before she went back to watching the road in silence for a
couple more miles.  "Court?"

"Yeah?"

"Are things really as screwed up and whacko as I've been hearing?"

"Depends on what you've been hearing.  Ethel already made you family,
so I have some discretionary leeway about telling you things.  I'll
take your word, that you and Randy have been tapped to be her personal
escorts, and I assume bodyguards.  It's in character."

"I think she told us more than was good for us, but I can see her
point about making sure people can believe things are going to change.
She said checking Helen was routine, until she came up with this new
concept for an internal watchdog who wasn't muzzled, and realized she
had the person she needed, at hand.  That's one tough reporter back
there, but I already knew that from the grapevine."

"Yeah, she is.  If I was betting, I'd bet they hit her with all of it
as soon as they were done with the major stuff back there."

"All three of us got hit with it.  Used our bird after we were all
jacked in and Gary was told to take a long walk.  It was a pretty...
Fast and astounding briefing.  Wasn't until the end, that I found out
the man really is your father, and he'd just married Ethel after his
first wife died from cancer.  It's love Court.  Trust me.  He choked
in the middle of telling us, and Ethel wrapped him up until he
recovered enough to talk to us some more."

I thought about it, then sighed.  "I was wondering when it would hit.
Glad she was there for him."

"So was he.  I'm ducking something."

"So?  Lot been happening.  Call it keeping your priorities straight
during a crisis."

"Crisis.  Understatement.  More like panic, with lots of rumors and
crazy speculations in the media."

"Anything to do with me, or Jason?"

"No.  I was told to let you know we're headed for a total cluster
fuck.  Helen knows about it, because her first public exposure as the
regional press liaison, will be to face her former colleagues and try
to convince them we really do have a handle on the situation."

"Do we?"

"Ethel is sure, and your father agrees, but there are a Hell of a lot
of loose ends dangling.  Kyle suicided when he was placed under
arrest.  You being a Mills is old news, Court.  At this point, you're
the local dog trainer who got sent out to collect one of those loose
ends, because you were the only person who could do it.  Uncovering
Jack was an unrelated bonus, as far as anyone important thinks."

"Anyone sweat Jack, yet?"

"Didn't have to.  He started talking as soon as the recorder was
turned on."

"Let me guess.  He was working on controlling things here, and somehow
he managed to get control of Marge, in a way that let her keep doing
her job so nobody would figure it out.  I'll give him points for
having a light touch."

"You're almost right.  "Marge was double turned, at least.  The folks
she was supposed to be chasing, got to her, too.  They also had a good
grip on Kyle, we think."

"Anything more on those kids, and who left the bodies before my place
was torched?  What about Pat's ransacked apartment?"

"Bad movie stuff."

"Oh?"

"They were clammed up and demanding a lawyer when Jason dropped by the
station to get some gear to replace what he loaned you.  They spotted
him, demanded to see him, and as soon as he saw them he recognized
them and told them he did, and what the Hell were they doing that far
away from where they usually caused problems."

"You're kidding!"

"Nope.  They didn't talk, they waived their rights and babbled,
because they figured he'd believe them when they said they had nothing
to do with the bodies.  Last thing they wanted was to be up on murder
charges, when everyone thought the man who was killed, was one of the
Gang of Four.  Looks like our reputation went a little further than
local."

I imitated a dog's sneeze of disgust.  "Told you that would catch up
with us, when you facebooked it for the ten year reunion."

"Good call.  We do background checks, so do they.  Did.  Anyway...
They'd come to town looking for vehicles they could steal for their
street racing, when they spotted Pat and her SUV.  After she left for
your place they ransacked her apartment, found her spare key, then,
because they hoped she'd be back soon, they spent time reading her
diary and drinking her beer.  Eventually they decided it would be fun
to see if she was with you, and maybe they could do some light
intimidation and then get a piece of the action before they stole the
SUV and went home.  It was all a lark, until they found the bodies
after they decided to vent some frustration by ransacking your house."

I sighed.  "Then they panicked and we know most of the rest of their
adventure.  Anybody account for the explosion and fire?"

"Unfortunately, yes.  Randy almost got his pilot's cert pulled when he
found out.  I was pissed, too, but a little more sensible about
expressing it."

"Sounds like fun.  Wish I'd been there."

"No, you don't, because you would have had Emma with you.  I know you
don't tell a lot of people that she's Shutzhund certified, and unless
someone has talked who shouldn't have, nobody knows unless you've told
them."

"That's a damn short list, Jess.  Pat's not on it yet.  Sounds like
you think I would have wanted to let Emma get her first blood bite."

"It was Ed who set the explosives after the bodies were installed.  He
didn't want the complications of innocent bystanders, so he didn't
flip the switch until the kids were clear."

"I would have blown the place with the kids in it, and enjoyed
watching the confusion."

"Hard man, Court, but I agree that's what he should have done.  About
Emma?"

"Tough call.  Ten years ago, I wouldn't have hesitated to let her help
me solve my problem."

"What I figured, once I knew about your past.  Now?"

"Depends, I guess.  I trusted him about as much as I did everyone else
around me.  If I'd known for sure it was him, and he wasn't supposed
to kill us, I might have found a way to dime him so he could be
sweated. Might not have worried too much, though, because I would have
also assumed the people he worked for, including my father, would have
had something to say about what he'd done."

She sighed.  "You're being polite, Court.  Deeper folks dig, the more
certain they are that for at least two groups, Ed is a loose end."

"Yeah.  Thought I knew him better, but what the Hell, I didn't have
the resources, and I'm not into that sort of stuff any more.  I hope
he's glad it's Ethel and my dad he gets to explain himself to.  I
imagine Dad didn't care, as long as he got the services he was paying
for, but the news Ed blew my house up with a couple bodies in it, must
have made him...  Irritated."

"He did allow that rabid animals are usually compassionately
euthanized, but in this case he would have been willing to make an
exception to the compassionate part."

"You're right.  I'm glad I wasn't there.  I was in on some of his
problem solving sessions, and he was all business about them."

I looked over my shoulder, had my eyes met, and Helen smiled at me. "I
missed most of that.  Sounds interesting.  Almost wish I was still a
street reporter."

"Almost?  Situational ethics again?"

"No.  Hasn't been anything worth getting upset about.  Friends
catching up, and shop talk.  Boring stuff to the public, unless the
people involved have done something to catch their interest."

"Sounds like you agree that Pat and I are old news."

"Agree?  Jessica must have told you about Kyle.  I'm not looking
forward to trying to spin that one.  Not enough details on it, yet.
You up to some analysis?"

"You up to staying awake for it?"

"How long do we have?"

I looked around so I could figure out where we were.  "Depends on
where we're supposed to wind up.  Call it thirty minutes to an hour."

Jessica spoke up.  "We can add to that with a rest stop before we get
there.  Randy and I don't need one yet, but if things get as crazy as
we expect, it's likely we will, before Helen finishes her briefing
with the media."

Helen studied her, than shook her head.  "I know better.  Operation
like this, you folks are going to saturate the crowd ahead of time,
which means you and Randy will have time to yourselves before you have
to keep an eye on us again."

"It was worth a try.  Randy has the fuel to stay overhead for quite
awhile, and that's where he wants to be.  Gary's an old hand, so they
can spell each other if they have to."

"Sounds like you want to be up there with them."

"Of course I do.  Until today, part of my job was coordinating the
coverage when this sort of stuff happened.  Still is, but you folks
need someone on the ground, you can trust, and I was available.  Some
of that use the resources you have, to keep things under control
before you get forced to call out everybody."

"You think that's a possibility?"

"It's always a possibility in this line of work."

"You have a point.  I think I want my driver and her current partner
to stay with my transportation, so I can come back to something I know
is secure and safe.  Might make it easier for Randy to focus if he
knows his future wife is somewhere safe, since she can't be with him,
where she should be."

"Thanks, Helen.  Ok if we have some guests?"

"I'd be surprised if you didn't take advantage of the distraction I'll
be providing.  Let's take that break, and push it to as long as we
can, then you can deliver me to the lions."

Jessica didn't answer directly, just reached and keyed up.  "Ok,
Ramjet.  Tell the fueler to meet us where we talked about.  Assume
we'll have about an hour before we get back on the road."

She listened, smiled, then spoke softly.  "I don't think that will be
a problem.  Just another stolen moment we can tell our kids about when
they start thinking we're old fuss budgets and can't possibly know
what it's like to have adventures like theirs."

She listened again "Got it.  See you soon."

Helen was frowning.  "Stolen moment?  Is that...  Oh.  Never mind."

She rolled over, lifted the curtain and studied something, then she
sighed before she rolled back, unfastened her belts, then came up and
settled in one of the passenger seats.  "I'm used to being in one of
the chase vehicles.  All that just for us?"

Jess sighed.  "Two in front and two in back, are ours.  The rest are
being escorted by the marked units, to keep them out of trouble. Don't
worry, they can watch, but they won't be allowed closer until you give
the word."

"I suddenly understand why the people I chased would act the way some
of them did.  What about above us?  Randy, I know about."

"Three others.  One is your former ride.  The other two are national,
and willing to behave themselves.  The rest are grounded and waiting
for the main event."

"Live coverage?"

"No idea.  Past experience tells me that will happen at your news
conference."

"Sorry.  It was a stupid question, asking you to tell me how my job
works."

"No problem.  You awake yet?"

"More than I was.  You know about all that, Courtney?"

"Watched them line up behind us when we pulled out.  Wasn't worth
mentioning them and risking making you miss out on the sleep you
needed."

"Thanks.  You familiar with that hazy time just before you go to
sleep, when you suddenly see things you missed, and it all makes
sense?"

"Usually, it doesn't happen unless I've been under a lot of pressure,
but yes, I've had it happen."

"Not a new experience for me, either.  Wasn't expecting it to happen,
this time."

We waited and finally she sighed and looked around.  "I need to have a
long talk with the 'Lucky Seamstress'."

Jess flinched and Helen laughed.  "Of course I'd know who it is.
Couple years ago, I noticed there were a lot of vests and stuff with
mended rips.  My first assumption was saving money by fixing instead
of replacing, but it didn't take long for me to realize a lot of those
were new.  Still wasn't a problem.  Could have been normal wear and
tear, or it could have been carelessness at the taxpayer's expense, so
I did some quiet checking of my sources and read a lot of police
report summaries, to see if there was something going on that they
weren't telling us.

"Nothing, except me losing a lot of sleep, which is normal when I'm
chasing a good story.

"Then, I got lucky and one woman admitted she'd deliberately put a
small rip in her vest so she could have the Lucky Seamstress stitch it
up.  She'd been careful to make sure she hadn't affected her
protection.  Her confession was enough to tell me it looked like I was
dealing with some sort of superstition.  If that's all it was, I
wasn't worried.

"I'd known about Jason's run in that could have killed him.  I even
interviewed the kid who did it, to see if Jason had done something to
trigger the kid's action.

"All I got was 'He's a cop, so I tried to knife him'.  That's pretty
typical, so I wrote it up and more or less forgot about it, except for
teasing Jason when I noticed someone had done some good work fixing up
the rip and saving us some money in the process.  Maybe that made me
sensitive to things like that."

She smiled, then went on.  "So, since I was familiar with people
working high stress jobs and their tendency to develop some pretty odd
routines or superstitions, I changed the focus of my article and wrote
it up as a slightly humorous piece that used my own quirks as the
examples.

"Something about it all nagged at me though, and I finally realized
what it was.  I did some more quiet checking, found a pattern, I
think, then I decided to keep my mouth shut and see what happened.  So
far, the pattern is still there, and maybe someday I'll point it out
to someone who can figure out why it's there, if I really do see it."

Jessica and I thought about it, then Jessica went out on the limb.
"What pattern?"

"The cops most severely injured, or killed, have been wearing vests
that didn't have a 'lucky stitch' on them, somewhere.  People with the
stitches have been injured, even shot at, but all they've received are
minor wounds that didn't require hospitalization.  My pet hypothesis
is that the constant awareness of the lucky stitch and what it means,
keeps them more alert to their surroundings and less likely to be
caught by the kind of surprise that gets them sent to the hospital, or
killed."

"That's..."  Jess sighed.  "One more bit of strange news I can add to
a long list.  I don't remember you ever bothering us, so the best I
can do is tell you that any of us who had her make a repair, were
getting line of duty damage fixed.  I guess we're not as casual about
damage to our equipment as your people are, but then you live in a
larger town than we do.  I've noticed outsiders sometimes think we're
a little too serious.  Maybe we are, but we haven't lost anyone,
either, so maybe that's our version of the superstition, that helps
keeps us all alive."

"I never thought about checking anywhere else.  There's enough going
on to keep several people like me working full time.  I've only gone
elsewhere when I smelled the kind of story that was likely to go
national.  Never broke anything, but I usually found enough to get my
byline out there once in awhile.  I know about Courtney being Mauler's
primary trainer, but I never followed up on it.  Hind sight says that
if I had, I probably would have realized the link was more than him
being the original trainer, and he already had some pretty strong ties
with Jason, you, and Randy."

Jessica nodded.  "Hold that thought while I get us parked and let our
screen set up.  Then, if you want to stretch your legs, you can."

Helen laughed.  "Is that a hint, so you can get that stolen moment?"

"No.  You and Court are going to be busy, so we'll pull the door and
keep quiet, unless you want us out here for some reason."

She thought about it, then sighed again.  "You folks do whatever.
Courtney and I might as well use the facilities here, so the media has
a chance to look us over, speculate about our relationship, and wonder
what a Mills kid is doing in the middle of all this."

I winced.  "They've seen me already, so there's no point in shedding
the gear.  Besides, you still have yours on, too.  That should really
be fuel for some fantasies."

I could hear her drollness when she spoke her next words.  "I've been
in drag often enough people think it's normal when I'm in the middle
of a situation.  Right now, we're hoping nobody knows the truth, and
are jealous that I managed to be here."

"That's evil, Helen.  Your idea or someone else's?"

"Mine.  Street says you had a reason for picking me to cover your
return from the dead, and the rest was being in the right place when
the rest started.  Those in the business know it's earned luck you get
for doing your best to stay on top of all of it, no matter how
ordinary most folks think it is."

"Maybe they'll change their minds about that luck, when they learn the
truth.  You ready to pick up our escorts and take that break?"

"Yes."

We got out, stretched for the media, then looked around casually.  I
squinted when something caught my attention while I was watching the
refueling, then I laughed and waved when one of the men took the time
to look our direction.

Helen touched my arm.  "What was that for?"

"I think we're going to have some company for the rest of the trip."

"Oh?  Things must be...  Ballsy idiot."

"I was right.  You do know Jason well enough to spot him when Mauler
isn't around.  Have you realized it's a little more than professional
interest making you chase him?"

"One of those things I was going to mention.  Looks like I can hope,
instead of dream."

We took our stroll and break, and while we were working our way back
to the RV, they finished the refueling and Jason came over, as if he
was going to update us, while Randy safed his bird and headed for the
RV.

Jason stopped in front of us and I grinned at him.  "The first words
out of her mouth were 'ballsy idiot'.  You take it from there."

"Mauler is in the cab.  Glenda is with Pat, for now."

He paused so long I glared at him.  "Aren't you forgetting someone?"

He turned and waved at the people standing by the tanker, and one of
them opened the passenger door.  Mauler hit the ground running, then a
black streak passed him and I relaxed and started laughing.  "Your
point, this time.  Thanks for bringing her."

"You're welcome."

After he hooked his leash on Mauler, he faced Helen and waited.

She studied him, then smiled the kind of smile that meant trouble, and
he winced.  "Well?  Got a way for me to spin this when someone asks me
about you showing up?"

"A couple.  Glenda is pretty serious about having you keep an eye on
me, so here I am."

"Weak, and not something I can use.  Try again."

"We need some time to brief each other and this is the best way to get
it."

"Better.  Any more?"

"This one's mine, so don't be going after anyone else.  I was
wondering if you wanted to dedicate the ground breaking for the new
headquarters, with a wedding.  Ours."

"Isn't this pretty sudden?  Only been hours since you and Glenda broke
up."

"I woke up before Glenda rapped me over the head, so she was wasting
her time when she told me to let you keep an eye on me.  I still care
for her, so I didn't tell her that.  You've been chasing me ever since
I changed uniforms, Helen, and I've been letting you catch me every
time, even when I could have begged off.  Must mean something, right?"

"Ballsy is definitely too weak a word."

I chortled and she spared me a glare before she studied Jason and
sighed.  "It does, Jason.  I figured it out just before I passed out
for my nap on the way here.  The answer is a conditional yes.  Let's
give things a few months and announce it after Pat has a chance to buy
the land she needs for her airport."

"Thanks.  I was going to say about the same thing, so we don't mess up
Glenda's head more than it already is.  She did say that if we decided
we're right for each other, she wants to be at the wedding.  We're
going to be busy, and so will Courtney as my best man, so Mauler is
going to need a handler who knows him and can keep him under control
during all the excitement."

"Her idea, or yours?"

"Mine.  Umm...  I know we're going to be pretty busy, and there will
be times I have to leave him at home.  They're used to each other and
I can't see messing with that.  I have Mauler to think of, too, and
cutting him off from her might mess him up for a while.  Plus...  She
asked if she could see him once in awhile, for old time's sake.  Don't
worry, it's all sorted out between us."

They studied each other for awhile, then Helen looked at me. "Anything
to add?"

"Only that Pat will have to handle Emma, so don't make her a bride's
maid or give her anything else to do unless it's being company for
Glenda."

"Thanks for reminding me.  I'll assume Heather has her own dog, so I
won't make any plans for her, unless it involves standing around with
him on a short leash, and looking like she's supposed to be doing
that.  Worry about it later, when the time is closer.  Things could
change before then."

She looked around, then gestured.  "If we're going to be mentioning a
briefing, we'd better make it look like we're having one.  Plenty of
room.  Umm...  No hand holding until we're private, then it's
negotiable."

"Thanks, Helen."

She moved and we flanked her during the short trip, then I reached,
gestured Emma in first and after she was out of the way, we followed
her, with Jason and Mauler as the last ones in.

Emma nosed the door to the bedroom open enough she could get through,
then she vanished and we heard laughter and some giggles.  After it
got quiet and Emma didn't return, I grinned and hit the controls for
the levelers.  After things settled I spoke a little more loudly than
I needed to.  "We'll be here awhile.  Might as well make sure we're
comfortable."

Silence, so I resettled in the passenger seat and gestured at the
others after I spun it around so it faced backwards.

.Jason sat first, then grinned up at Helen.  "You didn't put any
restrictions on where we'd hold hands.  Want to see if my lap fits
you?"

She laughed.  "I'm adding crazy to that ballsy.  I'd rather have you
where I can let your butt distract me, but I can't afford to do that
right now, so your lap is a better choice.  Besides, I need a good,
masculine, hug, before I face the media.  Never expected to get one. I
guess it will make a good, first stolen moment."

She settled, he wrapped his arms around her after she leaned back,
then she touched his hands with hers and visibly lost a lot of her
tension.

She was still silent when Emma showed up.  I decided I needed her as
much as Jason and Helen needed each other, so I resettled on the
floor, with my back supported by the engine cover.  Emma looked me
over, then flopped on her back, between my outstretched legs.  I
started working her over with both hands and she closed her eyes,
groaned her contentment, then as far as I could tell, went to sleep.

We stayed in silence for quite awhile, until Helen spoke softly. "Knew
what she wanted, didn't she?"

"Yes.  We have company, and she knows not to face the other direction
when she sprawls like this."

"I assumed she wanted her head rubbed."

"Probably.  When we're alone, she usually goes the other way so I can
work her stomach.  Game we play sometimes, is that I deliberately pet
her stomach until she pushes my hand where she wants the attention."

"Thanks for easing me into it, Courtney."

"Welcome.  You mentioned you wanted me to do my real job for you?"

"That, too.  I want to finish giving you those insights I mentioned.
Having Jason here makes me think I was right, but I want both of your
thoughts."

I nodded.  "Fair enough.  Jase?"

"Expected it.  Another reason I'm here is so we can all make sure
we're on the same page.  Not,"   he chuckled, "that I have a book to
read yet.  Just means I'm adaptable, within the basic rules I was
given.  You were there, so you know them."

Helen smiled.  "I'm writing my book, too.  Makes sense for Courtney to
be here so he can tell us how far off track we're getting.  Save that
for later."

Jason sighed.  "Got it."

She looked around before she got completely serious.  "Most important
item is finding a way to deal with Kyle's suicide in the middle of
this...  Cluster fuck.  Then, hopefully I can divert people with
announcing Jason's new job.  After that, I imagine I'll have to
explain what I'm doing working for the people I usually hunt.  People
with my rep don't usually wind up stepping into such a high profile
job for the first one outside their usual working area.  Courtney? You
go first."

"Grapevine let me know you're trouble on two legs, but honest for a
reporter, and you keep your word.  It's not surprising you'd be tapped
once they were certain a regional headquarters would be going in. It's
a cold blooded truth that the Feds are pretty good about securing
their perimeter in ALL ways."

"I'll take that as a compliment, even though I know I'd have been
coopted to make sure I didn't cause someone problems later, if I
wasn't encouraged to be lower key, or find a new line of work, if the
local director had been going by the old book."

I sighed.  "You're probably right, and I admit dad made a good move
when he got us out while we were still kids.  If we'd stayed, we would
have locked ourselves into the old ways, and never been able to adapt
to the new reality."

She waited and when I didn't add anything she looked at me
thoughtfully.  'I heard a 'but' in the first part of that."

"I don't doubt it.  Mainly, I don't think you're going to be able to
have enough control to dictate what order things get discussed in.
Some hotshot after the bigger story is going to be persistent about
making you open up and dance to their agenda.  Sound familiar?"

"Yes, it does.  I was hoping I could count on most people doing some
homework by now, so they'd accept my word that I'd answer those
questions as soon as we dealt with the more important stuff, like the
'situation' Kyle's suicide left us in."

"How bad was it?"

"Not as bad as what happened when we found out Marge had been turned,
twice.  There was some critical info missing, and a lot of operational
orders that had to be looked at to make sure all the holes were really
plugged.  Ethel had to thin her people out, but once the ones Marge
had pulled away got back, they were able to seal the area.  Going to
take a long time to reclear everyone who was working for Marge or
Kyle.  At least we only have to clean up this part of the country. The
rest is the director's headache.  He knows about your father, and the
rest of you, and unofficially, he's relieved to have all of you
working right now.  He's never met any of you, of course, but he knows
your father's reputation, and will back up hiring him, all the way to
the top, if he has to."

I groaned.  "Who gets to spin that change of sides?"

"Ethel.  It's weak, but she's decided to play it as if he came to her
to confess his sins, and before she could get him clear, things blew
up and she has to keep him by her side or he might bolt during the
confusion."

"He went along with that insanity?  What are they up to?!  Bug Jason
or something.  I need to do some thinking about that news."

"Whats the problem with it?"

"She had them clear, I assume, then she came back with him as her
husband,  I'll assume it was a very private ceremony, but still,
someone else knows, and there's paperwork somewhere to prove it
happened.  Unless...  No, I can't see dad lying for a special
occasion, so the marriage is real."

I thought some more, sighed, then looked up.  "Distract me with some
more of your insights, if you have any."

"I have one that ties in, somehow."

"Glad to hear it."

"Ethel wants a policy change in upper management and high profile
jobs, meaning those people who are visible to the public."

"Oh?  I wish her luck."

"Too late.  She's already implemented it here."

"Oh?"

"Sure.  Haven't you noticed that the core staff is ALL people who are
married, or people who plan on getting married before the main
building goes in?  I'm fairly sure she's not going to make it a
personal dynasty, but having married folks in charge is something she
must want to spread.  I think she's using your father to refine her
plans, because it sounded like it was pretty effective for your
family."

"Mindset.  People with families or who are planning for them see a
bigger picture.  They have to, if they want their kids to have the
best chances of making it later.  Single people don't have that
empathy."

Suddenly I *knew* what was going on.  "Oh!  Christ!  You called Jason
ballsy?  Ethel and dad are going to bend the truth out of shape and
let human nature do the rest."

"I'm glad you feel so confident you're right.  Be nice if you shared
that with me before I have to fall on my sword or something."

I laughed.  "Fall on Jason's sword, instead.  If they pull it off, and
I don't see a way it will fail if they read their cue cards correctly,
they are going to announce that dad is working for the feds, and he
can be seen now that he's turned over enough to put away four
generations of power brokers.  Ethel is going to heap praise on him
for being able to do such a good job, yet still manage to be able to
focus on making sure the average citizen wasn't forgotten.  Then, for
his own safety, he's going to get vanished before he reappears as
Ethel's personal assistant, or something like that.  It's win-win,
then.  If it works, after she's sure things are working like she
wants, she'll retire and one of the three teams will take over.  Most
likely it will be you and Jason, because you'll be at her side during
press conferences, so people will think of you two when they think of
the Feds in this region.

"If they get caught and she's forced into retirement, we'd all get
checked out to see if we're tainted somehow, then one of us will most
likely become an interim director, which will probably become
permanent, since we'll have the support of most of the field agents,
and the local people."

Helen thought about, then she groaned.  "Now, her insistence that I
know *everything*, makes sense.  I'll be able to step into her job if
something happens to her.  Of course, that's true of you and Heather,
too.  If we stay transparent, it will be our job.  If things revert to
working in the shadows, most likely it will be Heather and Daryl.
And...  Worst case, it will be you and Pat, because both of you will
have been in the shadows all the time and the field agents will
support you because you've done your best for them all along."

"Good call.  Got enough you can figure out what to reveal and what to
keep hidden?"

"More than enough."

She touched Jason's hands. "Any objection to playing this fairly
straight?  Your reputation got you tapped for the role of being the
senior CSO in place. I'll be your primary contact, and though me,
you'll have a direct line to planning and Ethel, for those times you
need some fast action.  From what I was told, Daryl's a good team
player, and he's going to be your partner out there."

Jason though about it.  "Let's see what happens.  Maybe, if things
work out, he can be another CSO, or whatever we decide to call the
position."

Then he laughed and grinned at me.  "Speaking of dynasties, With their
background, it wouldn't surprise me if Heather or Courtney wind up
being considered for the top spot, someday.  Have to get real
political before anyone would seriously consider me or Helen for that
position."

I thought about it, then groaned.  "Dad did warn us, didn't he?"

"He did?!"

"Yeah.  Remember his bit about not being able to pick his heir, so he
decided to make sure the FBI was good enough to do his job for him?
Best way to do that is make sure the people at the top are at least as
good as he is, right?  Let's see how it shakes out over the next ten
years or so.  By then we should all have families and be willing to
sit behind desks instead of being on the front lines."

"Umm...  Good point.  I was already thinking that once the building is
usable, I'll get the call to teach instead of wear out my shoes.  Been
lucky once, not sure I want to push things much longer, anyway, and
that decision just got easier, now that I'm sure I'll have a wife who
wants me to come home from work every time she sees me off."

Helen turned in his arms and focused on his face.  "Want me to see if
I can make that teaching job official?  I think I can sell it to Ethel
if she hasn't already decided to make it happen."

"What's the word on the streets?  Should I be watching my back
better?"

"Not that I know of.  There's the usual grumbling about you and
Mauler, but even the folks you've taken in admit you're fair about it
and treat them like real people, instead of scum.  Most of the talk of
revenge is about other officers.  Can't tell you what the out of
towners are thinking.  I know of at least one gang, in a city, that's
revived the initiation that requires that a new member bring in a
badge of some sort.  Private security badge gets them a basic
membership, a real LEO gets them more status, of course.  They have
their own discipline if the holder was killed.  Otherwise, as long as
they survived, it doesn't really matter.  They're watched pretty
closely, and we're quite a ways away."

He sighed.  "We've been on alert about that, for years  Our biggest
concern is locals who want to get promoted, so they grab before they
move out.  Speaking of that, I knew my street kids had been ranging
for their rides, but I hadn't known they were going that far.  I had
an interesting couple of chats with the two I met.  The new ID
impressed them, especially when I happened to mention  I'll be back,
and keeping an eye on them, plus I'll have a little more pull if they
irritate me.  They're guests here for a couple days, then I'll have
another long chat so we can see what parts of their story they
remember, and what gets changed.  We've got a solid grand theft auto
on them, so I'm not worried about them, even if they somehow make
bail, which hasn't been set."

He shook his head at something, then refocused on Helen.  "They're
more afraid of you, than they are me and Mauler.  Might be a good
thing you're getting out."

"Oh?"

"I mentioned you aren't my source for what I knew, and they relaxed
quite a bit.  I asked, since it was obvious, and guess what I got
back?"

"Must have been good."

" 'We thought she told you *everything* she knows!'  Guess what?
Street already has us pegged as a serious couple."

Helen winced.  "Sounds about right.  The folks who need to know it the
most, are always the last to know.  Anything else?"

"Get me some time to train my replacement, then I think we'd better
move someplace with a little better security.  Not for my sake, for
yours.  I've already put a full time watch on your place, and your car
has been loaded on a hauler so it can be gone over before it gets put
someplace secure."

"I knew it was going to get worse, but not this soon.  Guess someone
figured out the normal ways they shut reporters up, aren't going to
work."

"Might be a message to the force, too.  People know we pay attention
when you speak."

She thought about it, then turned back to me.  "You agree we should
let things settle so we can see who tries to take over from John, if
he hasn't mentioned his heirs?"

I thought about it, then shrugged.  "Might as well.  How many of your
contacts do you think will still feed you after they find out about
your promotion?"

She thought about it, then made her own shrug.  "It depends on how
visible I keep myself.  Maybe, if we put Jason and Mauler in charge of
some sort of ombudsman's office, with screeners to control access...
Damnit!  That won't work.  Works best when people can't predict where
you'll be.  If the people you need to talk to know where you'll be, so
will the ones you *don't* want to hear from.  Same problem with a
roving office."

"I agree.  I assume you've always varied your routes and where you eat
and shop, for that reason as much as it makes sense from a security
stand point?"

"Yes."

I sighed.  "We need a way to let folks get in touch anonymously..."

I grinned.  "Well, DUH!"

Helen said it.  "I've seen Mauler grin like that, and it usually means
bad news for somebody."

"It's MY money, and I can do anything I want with it, as long as I
stay honest, right?"

"As far as I know, yes.  You planning on making your income tax
returns public every year?"

"Of course.  Public oversight is always better than private."

"Go on."

"How do you feel about making an announcement that as part of the new
community access policy, we are going to create drop points where
anyone who wants one can get a prepaid cell phone that already has all
the proper contact numbers in it, including some special individual
numbers that each of us will check on a regular basis, and when we
have time, we will call back within a week at the most, and usually
within twenty four hours?  Emphasize that the gps will be on, and all
usage will be logged, and checked.  Maybe we can put big stickers on
them saying that, so people will know.  If they want to keep using
them, they can, but it will be their money, not ours, unless there's
been a meet and something has been arranged."

She thought about it, and matched my grin.  "Give people the option of
getting them with or without cams, then we also have drop points
someplace else where the phones can be left when they are done.  Then,
we agree to forward anything that's strictly local, before we wipe the
phones and put them out there again."

"I like it.  Hmm...  Jason, next time you talk to those kids, float
the idea of them setting up and running a web site somewhere that
gives people access to you.  Anonymous emailer, all that.  I'm betting
if they can't do it, they'll know people who can.  Sweeten the deal by
telling them pay will be based on minimum wage plus the usual
informant's fees."

"Can I mention the phones and see if they'd like to be one of the
pickup or drop points?"

"Sure.  Do whatever you think needs doing.  You're writing the book,
remember?  You don't need permission from anybody."

He winced.  "Heady stuff.  Helen better keep an eye on me, because if
this works, we're both going to have to hire people to screen
everything we'll be hearing."

"Skim and forward.  Deep analysis is the job Heather, Pat, and I are
getting paid for.  We want the raw data.  Rawer and fresher, the
better."

"Mind if we look at it?"

"Not a bit.  Maybe you should set up a flagging system so you'll know
what's for you instead of someone else."

He snorted.  "Spy games.  I thought the Gang of Four grew up.  I
*knew* you staying out of the academy was the best thing that ever
happened to us.  Welcome back, Court.  Or should that be 'Control'?"

Helen straightened.  "Hold it!  I just found out about the Gang of
Four a few months ago, from that reunion site.  It's starting to
sound, based on other hints, that it was a little more serious than
some teenagers getting together for weekend parties.  We've got some
free time, since I feel relaxed enough to finish figuring things out
on the fly when I face the microphones.  Relax me some more."

Then she raised her voice.  "I know one of you must have set a timer,
and you have the sense to sleep one at a time.  How long do we have
left?"

"Twenty seven minutes, plus whatever time it takes for Randy to get
his bird in the air!  Call it forty five minutes or so, unless you
want to do a preliminary, here.. Do that, and we can kill some time
while people shift and set up."

Helen laughed.  "Thanks, Jessica.  We'll go to them, so I can
emphasize we're serious about changing the way we do business."

"Got it."

"Pass the word about when we expect to be there, and while you're at
it, I want to do some razzle-dazzle as a distraction.  After the main
event, we will accept ONE set of questions from a single crew that's
been mutually chosen, then Courtney and Heather can show off their
trick minds so people can feel better about them being hired as
tactical analysts.  Let's warn the bad guys that the game has changed
around here."

"I like it!"
---

End: Crucible 2/2

-- 
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