COVER UP

Plot Info

Mac Harper's a former Green Beret who belongs to an offshoot C.I.A organization. An "Out Rider" is a house expression for people put in a critical situation, with no outside help. They do whatever they can to solve the problems and help Americans in trouble. Mac gets sent to Danielle "Dani" Reynolds, a world-famous fashion photographer. Dani's husband was murdered, and she discovers he was an Out Rider. Mac comes after having modeled a recruitment poster for the army. Due to his stunning good looks and expert training, Dani wants him to go undercover as a model and help her solve the murder.

After a dangerous case involving a Super-computer, Dani and Mac team-up. In between traveling for fashion shoots and modeling, Their boss, American Ambassador Henry Towler, passes cases along to them. Dani uses her society connections and her female models for some assignments. Mac and Dani go above and beyond, sometimes breaking protocol, to get justice.

Dani's Models: Mac, Gretchen, Billie and Ashley. She has an Assistant named Rick.

Chapter 1: Gretchen's secret

The magazine was set to print on Monday and it was already Friday night. For Danielle Reynolds and her model entourage, that meant crunch time.

"Okay…Gretchen, move in a little closer to Mac…Mac lean your head toward Lisa…good! Will you stop it, Mac, uncross your eyes…Billie, you're perfect, don't move!"

Dani's demands were nothing out of the ordinary, but today she'd pushed them to the limit. Magazine mogul Gerard Dupree was a perfectionist with his most recent attempt at a fashion journal called, 'Splendor and Beyond.'

"Dani, did you take the shot yet? I'm starting to sweat here."

"Ewww, I hope you wore deodorant, Mac. Remember last time? I thought I would pass out." Gretchen complained with a quick sniff of his armpits. "Mmm, okay, Irish Spring, you're good."

"I'm sorry, Red, but I'd just come back from chasing a mugger across the avenue, your pits would stink too, ya know!"

"Mac you're such a boor!" Ashley chided.

"Oh really? But yesterday I was an ogre."

Dani was ready to fling her camera. "Button it and smile! Smile!…Wait...don't smile…look hot, seductive…Remember Mac, you're the King and these are your gorgeous subjects! Thank you! Give me more! Move to the other side, Mac…great…okay, fun! Playful! Very nice! Billie, feed him the grapes, No Mac, don't really eat them…pick up the Turkey leg!"

"Oww, hey mister, not my leg!" Ashley yelped.

Dani could almost feel steam blowing out of her ears. "Mac! Stop clowning! Billie, get on your knees beside him. A little more off the shoulder, Gretchen. Wonderful!"

Twenty minutes later Dani finished up her last roll of film and called it a night. Mac Harper leaped from his studded throne. The other models ran to the powder room in a flurry of ruffles and silk. Mac tossed of the red velvet robes and fools-gold crown. He took a long drink of water and approached his boss. He felt ridiculous in the over-sized Henry the Eighth get-up. He stripped off the puffy shouldered top, revealing his trim and exceptionally muscular physique. He put on a tank top, but couldn't find his jeans.

"I can't do this anymore. Ten costume changes in one day! Why are we even dressed like this? Does the average man walk around dressed like the King who chopped his wives' heads off? Should I hold the axe in the next set of shots? It's a good thing this Dupree fella's footing the bill. If I didn't know what it was really like, I'd be calling this slave labor."

Dani laughed at Mac Harper's usual rantings and his baggy bottoms. "Oh, woe is you Mac, such a hard life you lead! Traveling the world, making lots of cash, beautiful women at your feet… it's slavery of the worst kind. Dupree creates, he's the Fine Artist of the fashion world, and he's never commercial. If he wasn't supplying the budget, I guarantee you'd be wearing the Burger King Crown." She joked.

Mac chuckled and shut the music tape. "That'd be more fun than this! It's a little bit tight; at least you can adjust those. Jeesh, if I have to hear 'Let's hear it for the boy' one more time…"

"That's Rick's favorite song. And Gretchen said the 'boy' reminds her of you. You know, watching every dime."

"That girl's really asking for it! And as for Rick, last week his favorite was 'Karma Chameleon.' Can't we just play something smooth and mellow, like Billy Holliday, Louis Armstrong, Jazz…classical, anything?"

Dani rolled her eyes at her Outrider partner. "Take it up with Rick when he comes back from vacation in two weeks, tonight was his last night."

Mac looked around the studio with disdain. Clothing, equipment, and cables were strewn everywhere.

"Where is he anyway?"

"I let him go early to catch his flight. You were too busy shoving those muscles into King Henry's leotards."

Mac's large blue eyes widened. "You mean we have to clean this mess up ourselves?"

"I'm afraid so."

"I'll go get the girls." He wandered off.

Dani grabbed him. "Nope, they're going out to a club tonight. Looks like its you and me pal."

"Wooh, nightclub, huh? Nobody told me about this! I guess I'll just spend another Friday night home alone…just me…and my Reader's Digest."

Mac sighed and stomped around. He piled clothing over his arm and complained again. "Maybe you could hire a temp. assistant while Rick's gone?"

"There's no time for this shoot. And I'm trying not to go over my budget. Don't worry, hon! If you could survive in the jungles of Cambodia, you'll survive the jungle of my studio."

Mac smiled and rolled his eyes. Most of the time he deliberately whined to get on Dani's nerves. He strolled to the dressing rooms, but stopped short when he heard one of the girls sniffling and recognized Gretchen's voice. Mac peeked through the crack; she was agitated and paced, twirling the phone wire into knots.

"No dad…I was working…I know, I know…how did you find out I was back in town…your secrets, huh? We just finished…Dad…dad…listen to me, where are you? You sound upset…and scared. No, I know you are. I hear it in your voice. I'll be there, just give me a half hour... I have to change and pick up something…Yeah, I remember the spot…Daddy…I love you."

Gretchen put the phone on the receiver, and inhaled sharply. She sat in front of the vanity mirror teary-eyed and applied cold cream to remove her make-up. Mac went back to Dani before Gretchen spotted him.

"I just overheard an interesting conversation."

"Ahh, one of your many talents, eavesdropping. Who was it?"

"Gretchen…she was crying a little, talking to her father."

Dani stopped packing her camera bag and looked at Mac sourly. "Oh no, how does he know she's here? I can't believe it."

"Why, what's wrong?"

"Gretchen's father is a conniving moocher, he always takes advantage of her big heart when she's in the City."

Mac folded up the camera stands. "How do you mean?"

"Long story short, Richard Forsythe was a Vietnam veteran who suffered severe mental stress after the war. When Gretchen was in her teens he just packed up and left the family. They found out a year later he was homeless and living on the streets of Manhattan."

"Poor Gretchen, that's sad! They must've been devastated." Mac said, genuinely surprised. He suddenly realized how little he knew about the personal lives of Dani's models. Gretchen was the most private, and admittedly to himself, alluring.

"The family eventually found him, but he refused help. He knows Gretchen made good with her modeling, she actually didn't want to be a model."

"What was her dream job?"

"Gretchen loved Photography and writing. I've seen some of her photos and she's really good. She has a lot of potential, but when I ask if she wants to apprentice with me, she says she's not ready."

Mac rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I'll have to see her pictures one day. What made her pursue modeling?"

"Gretchen was always told she could be a model, and she wanted fast cash to help support her mother and younger brothers. I gave her the first break and she's been with me ever since. I'm not complaining, she's one of the best I've worked with. She's down to earth, takes direction, and a real natural for the camera. Anyway, her father found out and started to harass her all the time for money and food. She offered many times to pay for a boarding room, but he refuses, says he doesn't want to burden her. As far as I know, he lives in the Freedom Tunnel."

Mac zipped up the the equipment bags and started putting props in Dani's over sized closet. "It sounds like he's a burden regardless. Dani, what do you think? Should I follow her?"

"Now why would you want to do that?"

"It's late, and no disrespect to the homeless, but the Freedom Tunnel is crawling with undesirables."

Dani smirked at him with a gleam in her olive eyes. "That's very noble of you Mr. Harper. I've been meaning to ask…you and Gretchen seem more cozy around each other lately, anything I should know about?"

Mac blushed with a nervous chuckle. "Cozy? Us? I think we're all behaving the way you prefer it, one big, happy, modeling family. Those gals look up to me, I'm like their protective, brother."

"Hmm, I suppose. Listen, if anything develops between you and Gretchen… that'd be nice. She's a stunning woman. One of my collaborators calls her, 'The turquoise flame', because of her eyes and red hair. He has nicknames for all the girls."

"Turquoise flame, huh? Not a bad moniker…Look Dani, I'm a professional and we have a job to do, you always tell me that. Remember, we don't have personal lives." He pointed at her.

Dani gaped at him and folded her arms. "Why does everyone use that quote against me? I only said that on the Eric Ducane case because my models' lives were at stake."

"Dani, you've made it quite clear you'd appreciate if I kept my mind on my work and not on the models. I've accepted that…don't make me change my mentality now." He chided.

Dani swatted him. "Oh forget it, Mac! Umm, before you go traipsing the streets of New York, you might want to adjust your attire."

Mac looked down at his white stockings and velvet booties. "Oh! Right! One pair of Levis coming up. I saw them laying around somewhere."

"And don't forget a heavy coat…and a sweater! It's freezing out there!"

~Oo~

Gretchen left the building and Mac swiftly followed, ducking under awnings and backing into the shadows whenever she appeared to look his way. She'd dressed down with a black pea coat and jeans, and had her normally tousled hair pulled back with clips. She waited impatiently to cross the Avenue. Her eyes sloped down sadly and glittered with tears. She looked ethereal under the street-lamp. Mac didn't want to follow her, he wanted to walk beside her and hold her hand.

Mac pondered over Dani's assumptions. Dani was an excellent judge of character and sensed the amorous vibes. In the last few weeks he and Gretchen had bonded. It wasn't quite romantic, but it felt cozier than siblings. Mac playfully flirted with all the girls, but with Gretchen the tension was instinctively more passionate. He wondered if she caught on. During photo shoots earlier in the week, Mac and Gretchen's gazes locked like magnets until Dani cleared her throat.

The light finally changed and Gretchen hurriedly entered a subway station and on a train headed uptown. Mac jumped in the train car behind her. He sat near the connecting doors to observe her from the window. He knew she'd get off at Riverside Park.

~Oo~

Gretchen admired the artwork of the Riverside Park Freedom Tunnel as if she were in a grand museum. Unique lighting filtered through the metal grates built into the sidewalks. The shafts of light created an inclusive gallery space for the illegal artwork. The paintings were often centered under the light, giving them an illuminating effect of grandeur. She double-checked her watch; it was half past eight o'clock. She didn't want to stay down here too long, it was too dangerous at night. Although the streets above burst with wealth and prosperity, the society within the Freedom Tunnel was a different story. The giant, man-made caverns had become a haven for the homeless and derelicts since it was built in the thirties.

Gretchen wasn't too afraid, but she wished her father would meet her in more public areas. The wind had started blowing fierce and chilled her. She took another glance around to note her direction, she'd gotten lost on occasion in the winding passages. She worried for her father after reading about a rash of people gone missing. The news had finally picked up on a string of homeless disappearances.

From above, she still heard the city in action – laughing and talking, cars, and music. It drifted eerily through the tunnels and mingled with the sounds of dripping water, subway train squeals, and an occasional coughing fit from one of the dwellers. She warmed her hands in her pockets.

Mac kept some distance walking behind Gretchen, staying in the darkness and keeping light on his feet. He paused behind a corner as a middle aged man approached her in a green army coat and dirty jeans. Mac's fists clenched and he prepped for action. The man looked extremely nervous and kept his hands in his pockets. As he passed under the light, Mac noticed his full head of unruly red hair, there was no doubt he was Gretchen's father. Mac flattened himself up against the wall, keeping within earshot.

"Pumpkin! I'm glad you made it, I'm sorry you had to come down here, but I didn't want to embarrass you at the building. Your beautiful boss isn't fond of me and I haven't been feeling very good."

Richard choked hard then held his arms out for a hug. Gretchen quickly returned it and moved away. She handed him a paper bag of steaming food and another with medicine.

"I bought dinner, dad, I'm sure you didn't eat much. Dad, you look terrible, let me take you a hospital! I've never seen you so sick!" She put a hand on his forehead and he burned up with fever.

Richard kept his eyes riveted on the darkened tunnels behind her. "No, no pumpkin, I'm all right."

Gretchen tugged his arm. "Dad, let's go, I don't want you staying down here, it's freezing tonight and you'll catch pneumonia."

Richard pulled away and rested his tense gaze on her. "Listen to me, Gretchen, I…I have something big to tell you, but promise me you won't say a word to anyone! It's about the homeless disappearances."

Gretchen backed up. "What do you mean? What do you know about that?"

Richard broke into another fit of dry coughs and doubled over. He had sharp pains in his chest and spit out gobs of phlegm. Gretchen paid it no mind and she patted his back and helped him up.

"It's all a scam…a big, dirty scam! I wanted to pay back all the money I owed you. I earned it by taking medical exams. I found out they're doing more than what they said."

Gretchen was confused and nervous. "Dad, what have you done? What kind of experiments? Who are these people?"

"Look, pumpkin, I can't talk too much, a few months ago I was cleaned up, and given a few medical exams. I signed a few insurance papers under a false name…here, here…take this! I have to go now."

"What…what is this, dad?" She gripped the tiny blue vial.

"Something they injected me with…I don't know, they said it was part of the exams. Don't open it! Let a professional do it." Richard shoved a wad of bills in her purse. "Here, take the money; I earned it to pay you back, pumpkin. You've done so much for me and this doesn't even begin to cover it."

Gretchen started crying. "Dad, no! You keep the money; you'll need it! I can give you more."

"No! I'm not taking any more. What kind of man would I be? I screwed up big time, pumpkin, and I'm very sorry. Tell your mother and brothers I will always love them so much. Now I gotta get out of here before they find me, they're gonna realize one of their bottles is missing."

Richard stumbled away and she followed tersely.

"Wait! Don't just walk away, Dad! What about the police, can't they do anything?"

"No! Don't go to the police! I don't want bad publicity for you or the family. You can't afford that. And these guys…this…this whole set up is criminal. I really did it this time. I got involved with the wrong crowd…if something happens…you have that bottle!"

Richard walked unsteadily down the tunnel and Gretchen eventually stopped following. She put the vial in a small zippered pocket in her shoulder bag. She couldn't understand why her father did this. She abruptly ran out of the tunnel and back on the train. She leaned against the window seat watching lights zoom by in blurs and flashes. She clutched her bag to her chest with a terrible feeling.

Mac also brooded over the entire situation and how he'd present it to Dani.

~Oo~

After taking a warm shower and making a sandwich, Mac's inquiring mind went to work and he scoured the newspapers he'd picked up. He finally came to a long article entitled, 'Homeless disappearing from City Streets.' It had struck the neighbors unusual when they didn't see the regulars around. Considerate people made missing person reports when they stopped seeing them in their usual haunts or doing menial jobs in the neighborhood. However, there were no instances of violence or witnesses to any particular crimes against them.

"That may be until tonight." Mac thought grimly.

Mac cut out the article and put it in a new folder from his file cabinet. His boss, American Ambassador Henry Towler, always demanded to see the evidence and research related to their cases. That was a part of the job Mac loathed. He was a man of action, but Henry always reminded him how the pen was mightier than the sword. Mac knew Henry would dismiss this case, and call it a job for the NYPD, not Outriders.

Mac called Dani, but she wasn't home. After a few more tries within two hours he gave up frustrated and curious to her whereabouts. Mac eventually moved on to his easy chair and did what he'd originally planned– enjoy the Readers Digest until he fell fast asleep.

~Oo~

The old man wheeled his broken shopping cart into the small passage that belonged to Richard Forsythe.

"Hey, Red! I have a delivery for ya! Look, fresh cans of peas and carrots, chicken soup! Remember today was my turn to make the rounds at the shelter…Red?"

He put on the light bulb. Richard lay stiff on the ragged cot. The tiny living space had been torn apart and the contents of Red's duffel bag dumped out. The old man fell to his knees and cautiously leaned over the body. A pool of blood oozed from behind his head and the right side of his face was swollen and disfigured.

"Ohh, Red! What happened? Oh man! He's dead!"

He fell back in shock. He wasn't about to touch the body and be blamed for the murder. However, he felt he owed something to Red; they were buddies for years and supported each other with food and cash from time to time. He picked up his cart and raced out of the tunnels, ignoring the shouts and questions from other stragglers. He found a phone booth and called 911.