Disclaimer: Mary and Marshall belong to David Maples. If they hadn't been misused by others I wouldn't be writing this.

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Chapter 9

Thursday afternoon

Much to her disgust, Marshall had stuck like a bur since seeing the bruises on her arms. She wanted to scrutinize the ABQPD evidence but didn't dare with Marshall in the office. While waiting for her partner to leave, she decided to call Mike Washington's boss to see how the new job was going. She knew Marshall had been keeping an eye on her. He would expect her to check on Mayhem Mike.

After a brief conversation Mary slammed the phone down. "This is crap." Dropping witness files on her desk, she grabbed her bag, badge and gun and headed for the door.

Marshall was already grabbing his badge and gun. "Mare? Where you going?" He wasn't letting her out of his sight. She had done too much lone wolf work lately. This time, willing or not, she was taking her partner.

"Witness visit," she yelled over her shoulder.

Still shutting down his computer, Marshall yelled. "Not good enough." Seconds later he caught up to her and demanded, "Who?"

Waiting for the elevator, Mary spit out, "That SOB Mike Washington hasn't been at work for the last week. Manager says he quit. Got a new job."

"You are not going to his place alone. Not this time, Sunshine," he muttered, holding the elevator door for her. Mary shrugged. "Suit yourself." Backup was good.

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When no one answered the door at Mike Washington's apartment, they retreated to the SUV. Marshall tried to get Mary to talk about her last visit to Mike. When she wouldn't budge on that topic he asked about Jinx, Brandi and even if she had a new cowboy. Every attempt elicited a one word reply or grunt. Exasperated, Mary finally challenged, "Do I ask you for details of your dates, your mumbo class, your last visit to one of those god forsaken museums?" He saw a flicker of something in her face before she said, "Just drop it. Drop it." She crossed her arms and settled back into the seat, watching for their witness. A few minutes later a shiny sedan pulled into the parking spot across from Mike's apartment.

"That's him," Mary announced. "C'mon."

She was already out of the car and half way to the closing apartment door. Mike Washington had seen the black SUV in the parking lot, but slammed the door anyway. Nerves stretched thin, Mary raised her fist to pound on the door then remembered she wasn't doing that anymore. By the time Marshall was at the door she was rapping on the door like a normal person.

Cigarette in hand, Mike slowly opened the door a sliver, blowing smoke at his visitors. And he continued to do so through the whole visit. He sat in the lone armchair in the dingy apartment barely acknowledging the presence of two U.S. Marshals. He told them he had an opportunity for a better job, one more suited to his skills. He arrogantly thrust his business card at Mary. "Financial Services" it said along with his name.

The marshals left after pointedly reminding Mr. Washington of the MOU he had signed. He wasn't impressed. "Can you believe that asshole?" Mary blustered. "He's supposed to let me know if he changes job." Changing gears, she handed the business card to Marshal. "What do you know about this company?"

Pocketing the business card, Marshall assured her, "I'll check it out." She wouldn't be surprised if the names of the men in the photos resting in her lock box were listed as officers or directors of 'Financial Services.' She was certain Mike Washington was pulling a fast one. They just had to figure out how, and make the case to the DoJ.

Mary threw herself into the driver's seat. Marshall buckled up. "Umm . . .Mare, did his nose look swollen to you?"

"Swollen? Nyah. Hard to tell on that ugly mug." This is why she hadn't wanted Marshall with her. He was quite capable of putting two and two together and coming up dead.

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Back at the office, Marshall dug into Mike's new employer while Mary wrote up the visit. When Marshall's cell phone rang, he checked the caller id and walked behind the filing cabinets with their illusion of privacy.

Who's misusing government equipment now? She was still irritated that Marshall had quoted WITSEC regulations regarding their cell phones just a few weeks ago. Mary had a different interpretation. They had argued and gotten nowhere. No sense in repeating that futile discussion. Still, it stung that her partner thought she would abuse her position. As far as she was concerned the stuff was there to be used while she was working.

Was Marshall whining? Mary moved closer to the filing cabinets. She stilled and strained her ears. "Yeah, I'm sorry to miss so many classes, but you know how it is. Sometimes the job . . . . "

Uh oh, Marshall wasn't going to dance class. WTF? Why would he bail on dance class? Maybe the detective of eternal cheerfulness grated even his cast iron nerves?

"It's unfortunate that there are things scheduled for Friday nights. I had no input. Criminals seldom think about my schedule."

What? As far as Mary knew there wasn't anything related to WITSEC on recent Friday nights. Why would he. . . ? Oh, wait. She had been meeting Roxanne at the Pagoda the last two Fridays. Last week she thought she saw Marshall's SUV across the street from the bar. Was that numnutz following her? He would be disappointed this Friday. Last night's get together meant she didn't need to see Roxanne till next week. Unless . . . . If he was going to be there. . . .. .

Get what you deserve, nosy bastard. I'm trying to keep you safe and you keep sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Idiot! Gonna get yourself killed. If Marshall had seen Mary's grim grin he would have known nothing good was coming his way.

Mary quietly returned to her desk, belatedly looking to see if Stan was watching. She made a few phone calls of her own. Marshall finished his call and sat down disgruntled. Mary wanted to tease him about girlfriend troubles, but held her tongue. "I'm done for the day," she announced. Locking her desk, and looping her messenger bag over her shoulder she said, "Thanks for everything today."

Marshall had noticed his partner clearing off her desk, locking up for the night. She seldom left at what the labor regulations euphemistically called quitting time. He wanted her to stay. Too many questions about Mary clouded his thoughts. She was out the door before he could do more than utter, "G'night."

In the parking lot, Mary punched in a number that was the result of her furtive phone calls. "Hi. I'm a friend of Shirley's. Yeah, Mary Shepard. Shirley tells me you'd be willing to help me play a joke on a friend."

After settling the details, Mary headed home. For the first time in years she was wondering what to wear.

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Friday night

In the end, Mary decided jeans and a tank top with a few more buttons undone worked just fine. She arrived at the Pagoda at her usual time. Sitting in 'their' booth was a blonde with short hair. Picking up two beers from the bar, Mary sidled over to the booth and asked "Dani?"

She observed the blonde wearing a snug boat necked top and short pencil skirt. Trim crossed legs peeked out from under the table. Dani gave Mary the once over and muttered in a deep husky voice, "Oh, I gotta get me some of those!"

Mary wasn't sure if Dani meant the beers or her boobs. "Uh, yeah. Hi. I'm Mary."

Holding out a hand for the beer, Dani confirmed, "Any friend of Shirley's is a friend of mine. Sit down, sugar." Dani batted unnaturally long eyelashes. "I'd looove to get to know you better." Mary looked around the room, hoping no one in the bar was watching them.

Mary sat gingerly next to her new 'friend' and clinked bottles. "Here's to friends. Nosy ones." Mary didn't want to be caught gazing at her seatmate. Instead she watched the rest of the customers in the mirrored back wall. "You been here before?" Mary asked.

"No, honey. Shirley told you about me, right? I wasn't born this beautiful. I'm working on it. Believe you me, by the end of the year I will be a woman in all the ways that count. As close as surgery can make me."

Giving her companion a close look, Mary assured Dani. "You look good," she nodded. After another swallow, Mary admitted, "You're better looking than half the women in here." Dani crossed her smooth shapely nylon clad legs.

Dani ducked her head shyly and muttered a heartfelt "Thank you. I've been told that's one of the tip offs though. Many women don't use makeup properly."

"Yeah, well I'm not much for makeup myself," Mary volunteered.

"You really don't need it, honey. You have beautiful skin." Dani complimented sincerely. "Hair could use a little work."

"Uh, thanks." The comment had Mary threading her fingers through her hair. What's wrong with my hair?

"You need a different conditioner." Dani answered her unspoken question. "One that will smooth the hair shaft but not weigh it down. Dyeing gives hair a rough texture."

Mary digested the advice while taking a long swig. Getting her nerves under control, she turned to her companion. "Can I ask you something?"

"Ah, sure." Dani hesitated.

"Are you really going to have it.." she made a chopping gesture with her hand against the table. "I mean . . .most guys I know would want an add-a-dicktomy, not . . ." she repeated the chopping motion.

Dani flinched at the chopping gesture but tittered. "Honestly, it's just in the way. I don't even think about it. I've read up on the procedures. Some of the skin and nerve endings will be used for the reconstruction. It's quite involved. Fascinating, really."

"Yeah, I'm sure," she responded drily cutting off any discussion of the details. It wasn't a topic that came up much. Mary felt her cheeks warm. She couldn't take this much longer.

"If we're going to do this, it should happen soon. You done?" Mary asked, nodding to Dani's beer.

Gulping the last of the beer, Dani nodded. "Oh yes. The sooner I get out of here the better." Dani began shimmying out of the booth. "I got plans for tonight." Mary stood next to the booth, glaring when Dani grabbed her hand. "It will look better this way."

Hand in hand they stopped on the steps outside the Pagoda. Mary stretched and spotted a green Jeep across the street. A green Jeep with a face sporting a pair of familiar blue eyes. Marshall.

"Let's not block the doorway," she instructed. "Go to the right, up against the building." That will give Marshall the best view.

Mary smiled and Dani returned it. They walked a few steps and Mary leaned against the stone building. "Don't want to run your nylons." Dani stood in front of Mary. "How do we do this?" Mary asked. Dani giggled. "The usual way." Dani put her arms around Mary. One hand moved to caress her hair. "Despite what I said, you do have lovely hair. Blonde really suits you. Now put your hand on the back of my neck." The hairs on the back of Mary's neck stood at attention as Dani's fingers massaged her nape.

"Um..sure." Mary wasn't sure she could do this. It was way beyond awkward. They exchanged a few caresses which given the angle, looked like much more. Unwilling to do more, and wanting to get away from Dani, Mary ordered, "Let's move."

They walked to the parking lot hand in hand and stopped at a turquoise Toyota sedan parked close to the sidewalk. "This is me. Don't you love the color?" Dani exclaimed. "You don't see it very often." Leaning close to Mary, Dani whispered in her ear. "Can your friend still see us?"

"Yeah." Marshall had his head out the window like a dog on the freeway. "I can see his eyes bugging out from here." Moving in closer, Dani moved her hands towards Mary's chest, close but not actually touching. "Oh I gotta get me some of these. They are gorgeous. I can tell they are real too. Nice." Mary tried not to flinch but couldn't help moving back. Digging in her pocket she handed a folded bill to Dani, holding it below the car's hood. "That's it?" Dani complained. "Twenty bucks for the whole gig? I spent more than that on makeup tonight."

Mary shrugged. After looking to see if anyone else was watching, she grabbed Dani's face between both of her hands and kissed her soundly. After all, Dani was still a guy. Right?

Breathless, Dani leaned back and fanned herself. "Whew. Payment received sugar."

"Um, yeah. Thanks again. Here." Her hair curtaining her face, Mary shoved more bills at Dani. "Keep this to yourself. Never ever mention my name." These were her final words to Dani, but she smiled and fluttered her own lashes as she issued the threat. Dani got into her car, and drove past Mary, waving.

Finally at the back of the parking lot in the privacy of her own car, she sighed and lowered her shoulders. "Please start," she begged. As if answering her prayers, the Probe came to life. Mary didn't pay attention to the song playing on the radio. Lola by the Kinks. Her focus was on the Jeep across the street. She chuckled at her partner's face poking out of the driver's side window. His mouth agape, eyes practically popping out of his head. That's what you get for being nosy, partner.

TBC

A/N: Thanks for the reviews.