Chapter 2
After a full day of cramming, Rick and Laurie both decided it would be better for her to play with A.J. as her "Cousin" Andrew Scott, leaving Rick free to be one of the Monitors for each stage of the tournament. Contacting one of Downtown Browns' friends, Rick was able to arrange with the San Diego Bridge Club a cover story and credentials for all three Simons.
Captain Ron dropped off the information on the tournament, as well as on the deceased. As A.J. reviewed the file on the dead bridge competitors with Rick, they realized there was no similarity in the so-called "accidents" that claimed their lives. "Rick, look at this, the first guy was found in his running car, dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. It says in the coroner's report the victim showed a suspicious level of bruising around the nose and mouth, suggesting he had been suffocated into unconsciousness before being placed in his car, but there are no other signs of trauma and no fingerprints outside of the victim's on the car." A.J. handed the file to his brother, then opening the second report, told Rick that the other dead competitor had mysteriously fallen from his hotel balcony the night he checked for the tournament.
"I don't like either of these deaths, A.J., they're too neat and methodical. We're probably dealing with a psycho here, I really don't like you and Laurie playing in this thing." Rick worried, looking away from the autopsy photos.
A.J. stared at him, then nodded, "I know, but somebody's got to stop this before it goes too far. Besides, Captain Ron has made back up plans for someone to shadow us the whole weekend. It'll be ok. Now when is Laurie meeting us at the hotel?"
"Tomorrow afternoon, she's going to stop in on Linda and Ricky. Robert's going to stay the weekend so she's going to see them, then get here in time for us to go over the rosters of everyone playing and mark off any that might have a reason to kill these people. The Bridge Center President is going to see the two of us tomorrow morning, that way we can coordinate our coverage with him." Rick replied.
The next day Rick and A.J. met with the Southwest Sectionals Chairman at the hotel where the Tournament was to take place. When the two Simons walked in, a balding man with a cane stood up, then barked, "Attention, Sgt. Simon!" Rick stopped dead in his tracks, "Artie, Artie Southfield!" he yelled, then stood at attention and saluted. A.J.'s jaw dropped as the two veterans greeted each other with bear hugs. "I can't believe it, Rick Simon, I thought you were in San Diego, with your little brother!" The older Simon laughed as A.J. came forward, saying, "Well, sir, not so little, how are you?" Southfield greeted him with a handshake, then stood back and sighed, "You grew up to be a fine man, A.J., your brother shared so much about you those lonely nights, seems half a lifetime ago. What are you two doing in Phoenix?"
The brothers sat down and spent an hour catching up the former warrior. As Rick paused to wipe a tear of laughter from his eye; A.J. saw a look of pride cross Southfield's face. "Rick, I can't tell you how happy I am that you found someone, that girl you once told us about. Laurel Scott's books have given my children and their friends so much pleasure through the years, I have to meet your Laurie."
A.J. grinned at Rick's expression of pride, "Now, Art, don't pump him up any more than Laurie does. She'll be here in a little while, but you have to know something, she's going to be in character, and so will I." The chairman gave them a quizzical look as Rick filled him in on their parts and how their investigation was dovetailing into the weekend's activities.
Sitting in silence for a moment, Southfield glanced up at the two Simons. "I hate to think that any of the members could have committed two murders for a chance at $25,000, but I guess anything's possible these days. I just want you and Mrs. Simon to be careful, we have a lot of very competitive players coming and if someone's willing to commit two murders, I'm afraid they won't stop at anything to win." He got up from his chair, then leaning on his cane, surveyed the serious face of his friend, then smiled, "At the same time, I can't think of anybody who I'd trust more with the safety of our people then you two!"
Rick put an arm around his old battery mate, "I'm glad A.J. went with his instincts on this, Artie, now come and meet the third member of our team, she's the one who actually knows how to play!"
As the Simon brothers and Art Southfield came out of the Tournament room, Rick spied a blond walking in and gave her the high sign. Sashaying across the lobby, the woman came towards the three men and called out, "Cousin Rick, how good it is to see yah'll!"
A.J. had to turn around to keep from laughing as Rick took the blonde's hand and presented her to his friend. "Artie, this is my wife's cousin, Margaret Scott. Cousin Margaret, this is Art Southfield, the local Bridge Center President and the man in charge."
"Mah goodness, such a handsome man, why didn't you tell me I'd be meeting such a distinguished man, I'd come to town earlier!" she trilled. Rick winked then in a lowered voice said, "Laurie, this is an old friend of mine, Artie, this is my wife, Laurie."
Southfield took her hand as Laurie greeted him in her own voice, "I'm so happy to meet you Mr. Southfield, Rick's shown me pictures of the friends he made in the service."
"You're happy, Mrs. Simon, I'm just so glad to meet the woman who keeps this old rascal so young looking. I want you three to have dinner with me tonight, then we'll go with your storyline, ok?" he pressed, looking with open admiration at Laurie.
"All right, Artie, just to give us a chance to talk," Rick gave in, gazing at his wife's pleased expression. "We'll see you at 7, that'll give us enough time to get things together."
Parting ways with Southfield, the three Simons made their way to the hotel check in, not noticing a heavyset man watching their every move from a chair in the lobby.
Once Rick and Laurie were settled in their rooms, they knocked on "Cousin Andy's" door. 'Who's there?", they heard a suspicious voice, then a disheveled A.J. opened the door part way. "What happened to you, are you ok?" Rick grabbed his brother, and helped him back into the suite onto a sofa then surveyed the room, which looked like a tornado hit it.
"Yeah, only we'd better call Captain Ron, somebody came in off the balcony when I was getting ready to meet you and hit me. I managed to fight him off, but he must have had help, one moment I had the guy against the wall, the next I'm on the floor." Laurie went to the bathroom and brought back a wet towel, then filled it with some ice from the honor bar and put it on her brother-in-law's head. "Thanks!" he groaned, then winced as Rick gently probed his ribs. "I want to take you to the emergency room, A.J., you might have broken ribs."
"No, Rick, I'm alright, just sore. I'll feel better with a little dinner in me, but you'd better call Art, I'd rather rest up for tomorrow after we talk to the Captain." A.J. replied, accepting a glass of water from Laurie and handing the phone to his brother.
After calling the Phoenix P.D. Captain, Rick insisted on taking his brother back to his room, while Laurie waited for the police. Rick kept the connecting door to both rooms open, so his wife could call him when Captain Ron arrived. He was putting some mercurochrome on a cut above A.J.'s eye, when he heard Laurie's voice, then the sound of an angry woman, and a slap. "Laurie!" he yelled, bolting out of his room and through the doors, followed by A.J. Coming into his brother's room, he found Laurie standing in the doorway of his brother's room, holding her cheek, as Captain Ron held on to a swearing, red-faced woman. "Rick, take Laurie out of here, this woman's mad!" the policeman huffed, throwing her into a chair. All right, lady, calm down, unless you want to add resisting arrest to the charges Mrs. Simon can bring!"
Puzzlement replaced the woman's fury. "Mrs. Simon?, I thought this was that bitch Margaret Scott, I heard downstairs she was in this room." Rick instinctively drew his wife behind him, feeling her trembling form lean against him. "No, ma'am, you just attacked this man's wife, you've got a lot of explaining to do downtown," Captain Ron said. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I guess I had too much to drink, but when I heard about this woman who comes after men everywhere she goes, I thought I'd head her off and make sure she stayed away from my husband. I didn't even think, oh I'm so embarrassed." the lady muttered, then glancing up at Rick's angry face, added, "I can't even begin to apologize, Mr. Simon, but when the other players and I heard about this Margaret Scott, well". The older Simon interrupted, "Who was spreading stories about my wife's cousin?, Mrs., uh," "Mrs. Wheaton, I 'm one of the tournament players, I can't imagine what you think of me, folks, I guess all I can do is say I'm sorry." Laurie came out from behind Rick, then faced her attacker, holding her hand to her throbbing cheek. "Who told you about my cousin, Mrs. Wheaton," she asked, as A.J. slipped an arm around her shoulders.
"Mr. Petrie, he was saying he heard about this player from San Diego and her cousin, then he said that she had a reputation for, well, you can imagine what we thought." she replied, seemingly relishing the imagery. The Captain pulled Mrs. Wheaton out of the chair then looked at Laurie. "Do you want to press charges, Laurie, it might make it harder for your cousin tomorrow.", he told her meaningfully.
She shook her head, "No, Captain, but I don't think Margaret should have to face her, I'll ask Mr. Southfield to expel her from the Tournament. That should be punishment enough." The policeman nodded, "I'm going to have my Lab guys do the room now, I'll come to your room, Rick, when we're finished." he said.
"Thanks, Captain," Rick acknowledged, grateful he had come to Laurie's aid when he did. Captain Ron glanced at the husband and wife, then patted Laurie's arm awkwardly, as she added, "Yes, thank you, Captain Ron, I appreciate your arriving in the nick of time!"
"Just be careful, that's all the thanks I need, "he answered, turning and leading the now chastened Mrs. Wheaton out of the room. Laurie sighed, then looking at Rick, told him, "How can I face those people out there in character, it almost sounds like somebody is setting A.J. and I up down there!"
He shook his head as he shepherded his brother and wife through the door to his room. "I don't know, sweetheart, but right now I want to look at what that cow did to you." Sitting her down on the sofa, he had A.J. call in room service for some dinner, then getting a wet towel, gently bathed Laurie's bruised cheek, which fortunately was the only injury the drunken woman had inflicted. She smiled at Rick's thoughtful expression then took his hand and kissed it. He put down the towel, then gathered her in his arms and kissed her, as she whispered, "My brave knight, I love you." "I love you too, darlin', I'll protect you from any dragon, male or female!" he declared, grinning.
After a good meal, both A.J. and Laurie felt better, so they decided to play some practice games as Rick went over the rules of the tournament. Less then an hour later, there was a knock at the door, and the older Simon went to the door to find Art checking on A.J. When Southfield took a look at Laurie's face he purpled with anger, then took Rick aside. "Rick, there's no way I can let your brother or your wife put themselves in danger. I had no idea the Wheaton woman did that to her, all my assistant told me was that she had been abusive to your wife and had agreed to leave the tournament!"
Rick shook his head, "Art, nobody scares us off this case, we'll take extra precautions, of course. Your murderer has help, we have to find out who's doing this or more than your players will be in danger. Captain Ron has back up that will be present tomorrow, as well as extra security with the hotel."
His old friend stared at Rick, then reluctantly said, "All right, sarge, but if anything else happens, we shut this investigation down and call off the tournament, agreed?" The older Simon stuck out his hand, "Agreed." Artie laughed at Rick then came over to Laurie and A.J. and thanked them both. She flashed a smile at him, saying, "I promise after this is over to visit your family, maybe they'd like to hear some stories?"
He kissed her hand, then glanced up at her husband and replied, "Good thing I like this rascal, otherwise I'd steal you away myself!" As they said good night, Captain Ron came to the door and was introduced to Southfield. Making arrangements to meet with the Captain in the morning, Art left and Captain Ron closed the door and spread out his findings on the coffee table.
"We got two good sets of prints, Rick, as well as some torn skin from whoever first attacked A.J. Can he stay in Laurie's suite the rest of the weekend, I know you won't mind if Laurie bunks with you!", he joked self-consciously. A.J. smirked as Rick pretended to think about it. "Oh, ok, Captain, I guess I can put up with her a couple of nights!" She groaned at his pretense then smiled at the policeman, "It's fine with me, if he doesn't behave he can stay with A.J.!"
Smiling, Captain Ron closed up his paperwork, promising to call them the next day with the results. As he made his goodbyes, he waited until Rick had closed the door, then told him, "I checked out that Petrie character, the one who spread the rumors about Cousin Margaret. Turns out he's a former mental case, supposedly cured, but I'm going to match up the DNA in the skin samples with a sample of his that a hospital back east is sending. In the meantime, keep an eye out, I don't like the way this is unfolding. I'm pulling the plug if any more attempts are made against any of you, understand?"
Rick told him of the arrangement already made with his friend, to which Captain Ron approved. Making an appointment to meet again at the lunch break the next day, Rick said good night and went inside to move his stuff to Laurie's suite.
As they got ready for bed, Rick looked at the vivid mark on his wife's face, then made up his mind to ask her to drop out of the tournament. Before he could open his mouth, Laurie met his eyes, then came over and put her arms around him. "Darling, I'm all right, I don't want you to worry about me tomorrow. A.J.'s already made me promise to stick close to him and I will. Please don't ask me to quit." Rick slid his arms under hers, then quietly told her, "I won't, sweetheart, but I'm worried, I don't want to lose you to some psycho." "Don't worry, Rick, I won't go anywhere you guys can't see me. I love you, and I'll be careful." she whispered, kissing him. "You'd better, or else," he sighed, returning her kisses, then lifting her up and carrying her to bed. As he set her down, Laurie smiled flirtatiously up at him, and asked, "What's or else?" Grinning mischievously, he lay down beside her, then taking her in his arms, started tickling her, until she laughingly begged for mercy. "Okay, that's or else", he teased, kissing her neck, then turning out the light.
After a full day of cramming, Rick and Laurie both decided it would be better for her to play with A.J. as her "Cousin" Andrew Scott, leaving Rick free to be one of the Monitors for each stage of the tournament. Contacting one of Downtown Browns' friends, Rick was able to arrange with the San Diego Bridge Club a cover story and credentials for all three Simons.
Captain Ron dropped off the information on the tournament, as well as on the deceased. As A.J. reviewed the file on the dead bridge competitors with Rick, they realized there was no similarity in the so-called "accidents" that claimed their lives. "Rick, look at this, the first guy was found in his running car, dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. It says in the coroner's report the victim showed a suspicious level of bruising around the nose and mouth, suggesting he had been suffocated into unconsciousness before being placed in his car, but there are no other signs of trauma and no fingerprints outside of the victim's on the car." A.J. handed the file to his brother, then opening the second report, told Rick that the other dead competitor had mysteriously fallen from his hotel balcony the night he checked for the tournament.
"I don't like either of these deaths, A.J., they're too neat and methodical. We're probably dealing with a psycho here, I really don't like you and Laurie playing in this thing." Rick worried, looking away from the autopsy photos.
A.J. stared at him, then nodded, "I know, but somebody's got to stop this before it goes too far. Besides, Captain Ron has made back up plans for someone to shadow us the whole weekend. It'll be ok. Now when is Laurie meeting us at the hotel?"
"Tomorrow afternoon, she's going to stop in on Linda and Ricky. Robert's going to stay the weekend so she's going to see them, then get here in time for us to go over the rosters of everyone playing and mark off any that might have a reason to kill these people. The Bridge Center President is going to see the two of us tomorrow morning, that way we can coordinate our coverage with him." Rick replied.
The next day Rick and A.J. met with the Southwest Sectionals Chairman at the hotel where the Tournament was to take place. When the two Simons walked in, a balding man with a cane stood up, then barked, "Attention, Sgt. Simon!" Rick stopped dead in his tracks, "Artie, Artie Southfield!" he yelled, then stood at attention and saluted. A.J.'s jaw dropped as the two veterans greeted each other with bear hugs. "I can't believe it, Rick Simon, I thought you were in San Diego, with your little brother!" The older Simon laughed as A.J. came forward, saying, "Well, sir, not so little, how are you?" Southfield greeted him with a handshake, then stood back and sighed, "You grew up to be a fine man, A.J., your brother shared so much about you those lonely nights, seems half a lifetime ago. What are you two doing in Phoenix?"
The brothers sat down and spent an hour catching up the former warrior. As Rick paused to wipe a tear of laughter from his eye; A.J. saw a look of pride cross Southfield's face. "Rick, I can't tell you how happy I am that you found someone, that girl you once told us about. Laurel Scott's books have given my children and their friends so much pleasure through the years, I have to meet your Laurie."
A.J. grinned at Rick's expression of pride, "Now, Art, don't pump him up any more than Laurie does. She'll be here in a little while, but you have to know something, she's going to be in character, and so will I." The chairman gave them a quizzical look as Rick filled him in on their parts and how their investigation was dovetailing into the weekend's activities.
Sitting in silence for a moment, Southfield glanced up at the two Simons. "I hate to think that any of the members could have committed two murders for a chance at $25,000, but I guess anything's possible these days. I just want you and Mrs. Simon to be careful, we have a lot of very competitive players coming and if someone's willing to commit two murders, I'm afraid they won't stop at anything to win." He got up from his chair, then leaning on his cane, surveyed the serious face of his friend, then smiled, "At the same time, I can't think of anybody who I'd trust more with the safety of our people then you two!"
Rick put an arm around his old battery mate, "I'm glad A.J. went with his instincts on this, Artie, now come and meet the third member of our team, she's the one who actually knows how to play!"
As the Simon brothers and Art Southfield came out of the Tournament room, Rick spied a blond walking in and gave her the high sign. Sashaying across the lobby, the woman came towards the three men and called out, "Cousin Rick, how good it is to see yah'll!"
A.J. had to turn around to keep from laughing as Rick took the blonde's hand and presented her to his friend. "Artie, this is my wife's cousin, Margaret Scott. Cousin Margaret, this is Art Southfield, the local Bridge Center President and the man in charge."
"Mah goodness, such a handsome man, why didn't you tell me I'd be meeting such a distinguished man, I'd come to town earlier!" she trilled. Rick winked then in a lowered voice said, "Laurie, this is an old friend of mine, Artie, this is my wife, Laurie."
Southfield took her hand as Laurie greeted him in her own voice, "I'm so happy to meet you Mr. Southfield, Rick's shown me pictures of the friends he made in the service."
"You're happy, Mrs. Simon, I'm just so glad to meet the woman who keeps this old rascal so young looking. I want you three to have dinner with me tonight, then we'll go with your storyline, ok?" he pressed, looking with open admiration at Laurie.
"All right, Artie, just to give us a chance to talk," Rick gave in, gazing at his wife's pleased expression. "We'll see you at 7, that'll give us enough time to get things together."
Parting ways with Southfield, the three Simons made their way to the hotel check in, not noticing a heavyset man watching their every move from a chair in the lobby.
Once Rick and Laurie were settled in their rooms, they knocked on "Cousin Andy's" door. 'Who's there?", they heard a suspicious voice, then a disheveled A.J. opened the door part way. "What happened to you, are you ok?" Rick grabbed his brother, and helped him back into the suite onto a sofa then surveyed the room, which looked like a tornado hit it.
"Yeah, only we'd better call Captain Ron, somebody came in off the balcony when I was getting ready to meet you and hit me. I managed to fight him off, but he must have had help, one moment I had the guy against the wall, the next I'm on the floor." Laurie went to the bathroom and brought back a wet towel, then filled it with some ice from the honor bar and put it on her brother-in-law's head. "Thanks!" he groaned, then winced as Rick gently probed his ribs. "I want to take you to the emergency room, A.J., you might have broken ribs."
"No, Rick, I'm alright, just sore. I'll feel better with a little dinner in me, but you'd better call Art, I'd rather rest up for tomorrow after we talk to the Captain." A.J. replied, accepting a glass of water from Laurie and handing the phone to his brother.
After calling the Phoenix P.D. Captain, Rick insisted on taking his brother back to his room, while Laurie waited for the police. Rick kept the connecting door to both rooms open, so his wife could call him when Captain Ron arrived. He was putting some mercurochrome on a cut above A.J.'s eye, when he heard Laurie's voice, then the sound of an angry woman, and a slap. "Laurie!" he yelled, bolting out of his room and through the doors, followed by A.J. Coming into his brother's room, he found Laurie standing in the doorway of his brother's room, holding her cheek, as Captain Ron held on to a swearing, red-faced woman. "Rick, take Laurie out of here, this woman's mad!" the policeman huffed, throwing her into a chair. All right, lady, calm down, unless you want to add resisting arrest to the charges Mrs. Simon can bring!"
Puzzlement replaced the woman's fury. "Mrs. Simon?, I thought this was that bitch Margaret Scott, I heard downstairs she was in this room." Rick instinctively drew his wife behind him, feeling her trembling form lean against him. "No, ma'am, you just attacked this man's wife, you've got a lot of explaining to do downtown," Captain Ron said. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry, I guess I had too much to drink, but when I heard about this woman who comes after men everywhere she goes, I thought I'd head her off and make sure she stayed away from my husband. I didn't even think, oh I'm so embarrassed." the lady muttered, then glancing up at Rick's angry face, added, "I can't even begin to apologize, Mr. Simon, but when the other players and I heard about this Margaret Scott, well". The older Simon interrupted, "Who was spreading stories about my wife's cousin?, Mrs., uh," "Mrs. Wheaton, I 'm one of the tournament players, I can't imagine what you think of me, folks, I guess all I can do is say I'm sorry." Laurie came out from behind Rick, then faced her attacker, holding her hand to her throbbing cheek. "Who told you about my cousin, Mrs. Wheaton," she asked, as A.J. slipped an arm around her shoulders.
"Mr. Petrie, he was saying he heard about this player from San Diego and her cousin, then he said that she had a reputation for, well, you can imagine what we thought." she replied, seemingly relishing the imagery. The Captain pulled Mrs. Wheaton out of the chair then looked at Laurie. "Do you want to press charges, Laurie, it might make it harder for your cousin tomorrow.", he told her meaningfully.
She shook her head, "No, Captain, but I don't think Margaret should have to face her, I'll ask Mr. Southfield to expel her from the Tournament. That should be punishment enough." The policeman nodded, "I'm going to have my Lab guys do the room now, I'll come to your room, Rick, when we're finished." he said.
"Thanks, Captain," Rick acknowledged, grateful he had come to Laurie's aid when he did. Captain Ron glanced at the husband and wife, then patted Laurie's arm awkwardly, as she added, "Yes, thank you, Captain Ron, I appreciate your arriving in the nick of time!"
"Just be careful, that's all the thanks I need, "he answered, turning and leading the now chastened Mrs. Wheaton out of the room. Laurie sighed, then looking at Rick, told him, "How can I face those people out there in character, it almost sounds like somebody is setting A.J. and I up down there!"
He shook his head as he shepherded his brother and wife through the door to his room. "I don't know, sweetheart, but right now I want to look at what that cow did to you." Sitting her down on the sofa, he had A.J. call in room service for some dinner, then getting a wet towel, gently bathed Laurie's bruised cheek, which fortunately was the only injury the drunken woman had inflicted. She smiled at Rick's thoughtful expression then took his hand and kissed it. He put down the towel, then gathered her in his arms and kissed her, as she whispered, "My brave knight, I love you." "I love you too, darlin', I'll protect you from any dragon, male or female!" he declared, grinning.
After a good meal, both A.J. and Laurie felt better, so they decided to play some practice games as Rick went over the rules of the tournament. Less then an hour later, there was a knock at the door, and the older Simon went to the door to find Art checking on A.J. When Southfield took a look at Laurie's face he purpled with anger, then took Rick aside. "Rick, there's no way I can let your brother or your wife put themselves in danger. I had no idea the Wheaton woman did that to her, all my assistant told me was that she had been abusive to your wife and had agreed to leave the tournament!"
Rick shook his head, "Art, nobody scares us off this case, we'll take extra precautions, of course. Your murderer has help, we have to find out who's doing this or more than your players will be in danger. Captain Ron has back up that will be present tomorrow, as well as extra security with the hotel."
His old friend stared at Rick, then reluctantly said, "All right, sarge, but if anything else happens, we shut this investigation down and call off the tournament, agreed?" The older Simon stuck out his hand, "Agreed." Artie laughed at Rick then came over to Laurie and A.J. and thanked them both. She flashed a smile at him, saying, "I promise after this is over to visit your family, maybe they'd like to hear some stories?"
He kissed her hand, then glanced up at her husband and replied, "Good thing I like this rascal, otherwise I'd steal you away myself!" As they said good night, Captain Ron came to the door and was introduced to Southfield. Making arrangements to meet with the Captain in the morning, Art left and Captain Ron closed the door and spread out his findings on the coffee table.
"We got two good sets of prints, Rick, as well as some torn skin from whoever first attacked A.J. Can he stay in Laurie's suite the rest of the weekend, I know you won't mind if Laurie bunks with you!", he joked self-consciously. A.J. smirked as Rick pretended to think about it. "Oh, ok, Captain, I guess I can put up with her a couple of nights!" She groaned at his pretense then smiled at the policeman, "It's fine with me, if he doesn't behave he can stay with A.J.!"
Smiling, Captain Ron closed up his paperwork, promising to call them the next day with the results. As he made his goodbyes, he waited until Rick had closed the door, then told him, "I checked out that Petrie character, the one who spread the rumors about Cousin Margaret. Turns out he's a former mental case, supposedly cured, but I'm going to match up the DNA in the skin samples with a sample of his that a hospital back east is sending. In the meantime, keep an eye out, I don't like the way this is unfolding. I'm pulling the plug if any more attempts are made against any of you, understand?"
Rick told him of the arrangement already made with his friend, to which Captain Ron approved. Making an appointment to meet again at the lunch break the next day, Rick said good night and went inside to move his stuff to Laurie's suite.
As they got ready for bed, Rick looked at the vivid mark on his wife's face, then made up his mind to ask her to drop out of the tournament. Before he could open his mouth, Laurie met his eyes, then came over and put her arms around him. "Darling, I'm all right, I don't want you to worry about me tomorrow. A.J.'s already made me promise to stick close to him and I will. Please don't ask me to quit." Rick slid his arms under hers, then quietly told her, "I won't, sweetheart, but I'm worried, I don't want to lose you to some psycho." "Don't worry, Rick, I won't go anywhere you guys can't see me. I love you, and I'll be careful." she whispered, kissing him. "You'd better, or else," he sighed, returning her kisses, then lifting her up and carrying her to bed. As he set her down, Laurie smiled flirtatiously up at him, and asked, "What's or else?" Grinning mischievously, he lay down beside her, then taking her in his arms, started tickling her, until she laughingly begged for mercy. "Okay, that's or else", he teased, kissing her neck, then turning out the light.
