References to the ep S.R. 819 towards the end.
"Boxing is a good stress reliever, huh?" Anna thought for a moment, the lights from an oncoming car making her squint.
"It helps. Better than drinking myself into a stupor."
"Why do you stay? If it messes with your life and your mind so much? Why not just walk away?"
Skinner had often asked himself that same question and told her so. "I guess if I have a chance to help someone, I have to take it." Even at the expense to his sanity.
"I don't think you lost all your faith in Vietnam. I think it just shows itself in other ways. Loyalty. Honesty. Hard work."
He glanced up in the rearview mirror. That same vehicle had been following them since a few miles away from the state park. It was dark, so he couldn't tell a make or model. "You make it sound so simple."
"Well, boxing seems to simplify things, too. Knock the other guy to the mat. The end." She shrugged. "I like simple. Life's too complicated as it is."
He glanced up in the rear view again. Same vehicle. Same distance. "If you like simple so much, stop by tomorrow evening. I've got a match."
"You compete?"
"It's just a local team."
She looked dubious, even in the darkness. "I don't know . . . there's not lots of blood, is there?"
He laughed. "No. No blood. Maybe a busted lip here and there."
She brightened. "I'd like to see how you entertain yourself."
He couldn't help it if his heart felt just that much lighter. He could have spent all his free time with her and been happy as can be. The fact that she had a glimpse into his world and didn't run screaming into the night spoke volumes.
They were getting closer to Alexandria, but the two-lane blacktop was still fairly deserted, most people choosing the interstate for faster travel. When he glanced up again, the vehicle headlights behind them brightened and sped up considerably.
He cursed. "Anna. You need to brace yourself." He sped up, trying to soften the blow, hoping he could steer the car out of the way at the last moment.
Anna whirled around to look behind them, the powerful engine of the pick-up whining as it got closer, the emblem on the hood unmistakable. Returning to her seat, she griped the arm rest of the door tightly, head leaned back in the seat, braced for the onslaught.
There was no oncoming traffic, and Skinner jerked the car into the opposite lane as the truck floored it, ready to strike. Anna gasped and held on as her body jerked in her restraints.
The truck backed off for a moment, and she inhaled sharply, not realizing she was holding her breath. "Red Dodge," she managed to croak.
Walter remained grimly silent, ready for the next onslaught. He'd noted that, too.
This time, the truck anticipated his move, waiting until there was an oncoming vehicle. Anna clamped her eyes shut as the intimidating grill loomed in her passenger mirror.
Walter managed to keep the car on the road as the truck slammed into them, the oncoming car honking frantically as it passed. Jerked forward, Anna held onto whatever she could.
The truck backed off, one headlight shattered and rammed them again. This time, he floored it, driving straight through them.
"Not so fast, ass hole," she heard Walter mutter. He slammed on brakes, sending both vehicles into a lazy spin, tires squealing and metal crunching.
The delivery van. Screaming, coming from me. Allen jerked the wheel. The crunch of metal. The screech of rubber on the highway . . .
Anna didn't realize she'd clamped her eyes shut until they came to rest in a ditch, headlights careening at a crazy angle off the road.
"You OK?" Walter asked from beside her, slightly out of breath.
All Anna could do was nod, breathless, as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Stay right here. Lock the doors behind you." He threw the car into park and was gone, pistol materialized out of thin air.
Anna managed to focus through the windshield and saw the red Dodge sitting on its roof on the other side of the road, back wheels spinning lazily.
Weapon pointed at the truck, she watched as Walter moved closer.
But, she could already tell. There was no one inside the crumbled cab.
Who would do such a thing?
She watched him methodically check all around. Apparently hearing something in the woods, he took off, leaving her alone, the only sound the pinging of the car's engine as it cooled.
This has something to do with Walter. Something he's not telling me . . .
Frantically, she reached for her cell phone and dialed 911, praying she didn't hear gunshots.
In a shaking voice, she managed to give the Prince William EMA her best guess at their location.
Before she could answer their question about the other car, a face loomed in her window. She screamed and dropped the phone. Thinking fast, she reached over and laid down on the horn, trying to get Walter's attention.
But, the face was gone.
"Ma'am? Ma'am, are you alright?" The operator's voice sounded teeny as she scrambled for the phone in the floorboard.
After convincing the E-911 operator she was unharmed, she disconnected, letting the phone fall into her lap. Leaning her forehead on the cool windowpane for just a moment to collect herself, she was relieved when she saw Walter emerge from the woods next to the upside down truck, gun still drawn.
Fumbling for the lock, she hit it just as he opened the driver's side door.
"What happened?" As usual, he got straight to the point.
She didn't want to tell him. For some strange reason, she didn't want him to go after this man. "It was . . . there was a man. He was right here," she pointed to her passenger window. "Lots of hair. Bushy beard."
"Which way did he go?"
"I . . . I can't be sure. Back behind the car into the woods. I think."
He scanned the woods, but it was too dark to see anything. Muttering a curse, he stuck his pistol back in the holster and tossed it on the dash just as the sound of sirens filled the air.
Anna's eyes fluttered open as he pulled into her street. Blearily, she glanced at the dashboard clock.
1:16
Boy, she didn't expect to be out this late. The other houses on the street were dark. Silent. Everyone long asleep by now.
"You remembered to leave a light on inside this time," Walter commented.
"Didn't want to get lectured. Again."
"Old habits die hard, I suppose." He pulled into her driveway, headlights illuminating the front of her house and Nero in the backyard, tail wagging, and put the car in park, killing the ignition. The only sound was the pinging of metal cooling.
There was no damage to the car that kept it from being drivable, although the back end was pretty well smashed. After filing a police report, they were allowed to leave.
The pick-up truck was towed away, its driver still missing.
Anna fiddled with the straps on her purse. "The red truck? It was stolen, wasn't it?"
He stared. "How did you know?" The police chief had told him, but as far as he knew, Anna was out of earshot.
"I just don't see anyone being stupid enough to deliberately run someone off the road on a deserted highway in their own vehicle, then run away." She met his gaze. "Am I right?"
He sighed. "Yeah. You're right. Unfortunately."
She shifted in the seat. "So, do you have any idea . . .who would do such a thing?"
Skinner had several ideas on exactly who would do such a thing. But, he kept those to himself. The less she knew, the better. "I'll . . . look into it. That's for sure."
He wasn't in the mood to discuss it, she could tell, so she fell silent. Not wanting to return to the uneasy silence between them, she reached out and took his hand. "I had a good time today. Despite the accident."
He didn't shrug off her touch. "And despite my inherent need to tell you my life history?"
She smiled softly in the darkness, the only light from the dashboard clock. "It was only fair. You know all about me. I had to up the ante a bit."
She saw him smile and congratulated herself for coaxing it out of him. "So, am I still invited to the boxing match tomorrow?"
He'd almost forgotten. "Of course. Call me tomorrow, and I'll give you directions."
"I have to be at work at 5, so I probably can't stay long."
"That's . . . fine."
They fell silent again, and she almost asked him if he wanted to come inside, but then wondered if that was too forward. Not that she didn't want him to think she didn't want to do anything. But, she wasn't sure if she should . . .
Before she realized it, he leaned over, and his lips were on hers. All thoughts of what was proper and right flew out of her head as she shifted in her seat, the seat belt digging into her side as she tried to get as close as she could despite the console between them.
They were both gasping for air when they broke away, Anna feeling like she was 16 again. She could see the desire in his eyes and just knew he could hear her heart pounding in the now-stuffy interior.
He reached out and pushed her hair out of her face gently. It was probably the late hour and the emotional roller coaster they had ridden all day that made him a little more open than usual. "I've never told you how beautiful you are, have I?"
Her eyes widening momentarily, surprised at his remark. For one thing, it was out-of-place for him to spout such sentiment. Until now, she hadn't realized that she had grown accustomed to his no-nonsense approach.
"Since today I've jumped out of a plane and been run off the road by a tricked-out truck, that surely is a compliment."
"You love this man, don't you?"
Anna propped the phone between her cheek and her shoulder, folding a towel as she talked. "Granny, does it matter?"
"It should matter. To him." Her grandmother's matter-of-fact logic came through loud and clear over the line.
"He doesn't exactly . . . know."
"Oh, pish-posh!"
"For that matter, I don't know if I really know if I do or not. It's . . . different than it was with Allen."
"Love is love is love." Her grandmother was always good for an attentive ear.
Anna plopped down on the couch next to the pile of unfolded clothes. "With Allen, it was almost . . . well . . . expected of us. Plus, we had known each other all of our lives, so it was easy to have those sorts of feelings for him. It was almost as if we knew what the other was thinking. But, with Walter, it's . . . it's . . ." She struggled for words. "It's like a roller coaster ride. One minute, everything's fine, and the next, he's retreated into this world he's created for himself where no one can touch him or get to him in any way. It's . . . galling!"
Granny chuckled. "Sounds like to me he's out of practice."
"I think that's just how he is." She curled her leg underneath her and reached for a magazine, thumbing through it. "And sometimes I wonder . . ." She trailed off, tossing the magazine aside.
"You wonder if what you're feeling isn't some sort of emotion based on the fact you saved his life and he yours?"
Anna couldn't help but smile. "You always were one for cutting through the bull, you know, Granny?"
"That's right, dear. Life's too short to do anything else. And, for the record, I think that's a bunch of malarkey. You've found someone that makes your toes curl and your heart race, and you're trying to talk yourself out of it."
"There's more to it than that. His job . . . there's all sorts of things he's not telling me, and I doubt he ever will."
"He's hiding behind that badge, Anna. You know it. I know it. Hell, he probably even knows it."
"I can't change him! He is who he is. And, you didn't tell Mom, did you?"
"She knows you're seeing someone, but no, I didn't give her the gory details. You know how she worries."
Anna nodded. Boy, did she ever! She reached for her glass of tea she'd made earlier and sipped.
Her grandmother kept chattering. "Besides, there are a few more gory details I want to know about. Like, is he good in the sack?"
Anna choked. "Good Lord Almighty!"
Her grandmother wasn't to be deterred. "Well? Is he?"
Anna set her glass down with a thunk. "I wouldn't know."
"Tsk, tsk," the older woman made disapproving sounds. "You're not getting any younger, girl. You better grab it by the horns while you can. Take it from an old bird who wishes she still had someone to light her fire – get him in the sack. Wear him out. Have him beggin' for more."
"Granny!" Anna sputtered through her laughter. "What if he doesn't want to sleep with me? I can't make him do something he doesn't want to do!"
"Pshaw! The man grovels for your forgiveness, teaches you how to shoot and takes you skydiving. A man after my own heart. If he doesn't want to sleep with you, then, hon, I couldn't tell you what he wants. Or he's gay."
Anna thought about the desire she saw in his eyes. "Anyone can have sex, Granny. The bartender at Gordo's would sleep with me in a heartbeat. But, I think . . . it might go deeper than that. He actually . . . opened up to me yesterday. About things that had happened to him before. Things that – I was under the impression – he didn't share with very many people."
"And, he invited you to that boxing thing. See? He does want you in his life. He just has a roundabout way of letting you know."
"I don't think Allen and I ever fought, but I can get so angry with him, Granny."
"Good. Makes it spicy in the sack."
Anna laughed aloud again.
"Now, you better get off this phone. You've got to have better things to do than sit and talk to an old woman like me."
"I love you, Gran."
"Love you, hon. Now go. Seduce your FBI man. Make him beg for mercy. You have Stanikowski genes in you. Use 'em!"
"I think you hoarded all those genes to yourself."
"You're stronger than you think, Anna. You've just never realized it."
Deep inside, Anna wished it as just that simple.
For a moment, Skinner almost thought she wouldn't show. Although, she had called him earlier in the day and asked for directions.
He fumbled in his gym bag until he found his cell phone. No messages.
Surely, she'd call if she changed her mind . . .
He shook his head at his own childish tendencies and against the headache that seemed to be forming right behind his eyes. Here he was, acting like a hormonal teenager, when he didn't act like a hormonal teenager when he actually was one!
Dangerous territory, to be sure. Despite all the warnings in his head telling him to back off, he couldn't help himself. He knew he was putting her in danger just by associating with her, but somehow, he pushed caution aside and denied that fact. He was tired of living his life as a pawn in their game. She made him forget all that with her smile and her soft words and those damn kissable lips of hers, her skin soft on his fingertips . . .
"You got something on your mind, Walt? Cause you sure ain't got yo' mind on this match here," his trainer argued.
Skinner shook him off, muttering something under his breath about minding his own damn business.
He looked up for the umpteenth time when the door opened, sunlight streaming in.
It was Anna. Looking fresh and new as she stood there, hesitantly looking around. When she spotted him, her face brightened, and she threw him a little wave.
"Oohhhhh. I see now." His trainer tsked from behind him. "Dames is always trouble."
Skinner finished warming up. "I think I'm more trouble to her than she is to me."
"Can't argue with that one, man."
After the first round started, he had to admit, he wasn't feeling quite up to his usual A game. Sluggish with blurry eyesight. But, Anna was there, cheering him on, so he had to put up a good fight, rather he wanted to or not. He'd fought this opponent before, and knew his weaknesses, but somehow he just couldn't act on them.
They went several rounds, sparring back and forth.
He won. But, just barely.
Anna was waiting for him outside the ring, almost as breathless as he was. "I have to admit, I never thought in a million years that would be so exciting!"
He pulled off his gloves and other protective gear, trying to catch his breath. "Would you have enjoyed it as much if I lost?"
"I have a feeling there's a right and wrong answer to that question." She gave him a coy smile, making him laugh.
Funny, he wasn't usually this winded. Wiping the sweat from his face, he pulled out a water bottle and downed the entire contents, splashing a little on himself to cool off. "I have another match in a little while. New guy. One I've never fought before."
"I hate I'll miss it, but I've got to get back across town. Gordo said he was shorthanded tonight, so it'll be a long one." She studied him closely as she talked, on the tip of her tongue to ask if he felt alright. He looked a little . . . off. His color was all wrong, and he seemed to be having a hard time catching his breath.
She was watching him. Looking at him.
She knew something was wrong.
Deep inside, he did, too. Spending most of his life in relatively good health, he wondered if old age was finally creeping up on him. He tried to ignore the fact, but truth was they were all dying one day at a time.
But, this was something different. A quickening in his veins, the momentary blurring of his vision.
A flicker of fear ran up his spine, but he mentally shoved it aside. Don't be so silly. I'm alive as I ever could be.
Feeling the urge to prove it to himself and maybe to her, too, he pulled her into an unlit hallway near the door, out of sight of the others, and crushed his lips against hers. Desperate for comfort. Desperate to feel alive in a world that had suddenly gone out-of-control.
Anna didn't fight him. She didn't want to.
And, she didn't even care that they were in a very public place, just out-of-sight from the others who were continuing their workouts.
He was forceful, probing, as the scent of him - definitely all male – surrounded her, arousing her, as she clung to him, wondering what caused such a show of emotion.
But whatever the reason, he was damn glad he did.
He pulled away long before she was willing to let him go, just as breathless as he had been, if not more so.
She saw a glimpse of it in his eyes. Fear and apprehension, along with just plain need before he backed away.
"Something's wrong." She said it as if it were a statement of fact, not an accusation against his total inability to show emotion, to let people in. Her eyes never left his.
It was on the tip of his tongue. That he dreamed about her and thought about her and needed her by his side. She reminded him that not everything in the world was greedy, selfish and unfeeling, and he needed her to help him chase away the demons he fought daily, within and without.
But, silence was strength. And love and such emotion that goes with it only allowed for the weaknesses to show.
"It's nothing." Liar.
She studied him again, and her eyes narrowed. "Don't you even think about apologizing for kissing me. I'll knee you in the groin if I have to, since you're in a bit of a compromising position."
He chuckled, glad she lightened the moment, wishing he had that ability.
Surprising even him, she wrapped her arms around him, her head against his chest, listening to his heart beat, comforted in the knowledge that he wanted her to be right where she was.
He saw it all, and he had to admit, that little lady knew how to rock Skinner's world, that's for damn sure.
She should have come into his life earlier. Then, she might have actually got to enjoy him for awhile longer.
It had already started. The drug had been administered. He fingered the device in his pocket, revealing in the fact that he had total and complete control over another's life. It had been awhile since he'd wielded such power.
It was a heady emotion.
He admired the dame's figure as she walked out the door. Skinner even walked right by him, not giving him a second glance.
Well, he'd learn to pay attention.