A/N: We're back! Sorry for the delay in posting, but real life had us in a headlock over the last few days. Things are much better now.

When we left Jessica, she'd just been accosted in her hotel room. Now everyone has to deal with the aftermath of that event.

Please note: there are several M passages in this chapter which are not suitable for at work reading.

As she waited for Alma to return, Jessica sat in her empty hotel room for several minutes, staring at the door which led to Craig Stephenson's adjacent suite. With him surprising her in her room and his persistent advances, she had been taken back to her assault two months earlier, and now she was angry and frustrated, hating that she was afraid to be alone. While Craig was no Gerald Maxwell and she could take him easily, the fact he'd broken into her room and waited to surprise her in the dark still scared her.

"I should have asked Aubrey to stay with me…and he would have, but that could have blown his cover, since he had to make time with that skank Lori. I could call Booth or Dr. B and one of them would come and stay with me…but it's almost 11:00."

Jessica let out a frustrated sigh and stood up, nodding resolutely. "No, I'm an adult. I'm almost 29 years old and I can handle things by myself until Alma gets back. Aubrey put the fear of God into that asshole Craig, so he would be stupid to come back here tonight."

Jessica got her pajamas together and went into the bathroom to prepare for bed, resolved against being afraid. As she washed her face and brushed her teeth, she continued to contemplate what to do.

"Do I tell Alma what happened? She's been great to me but she's also so besotted with that old creep that she may try to protect him and it could blow the case." Jessica shuddered at the thought. "God, he's so perverted…chasing women who could be his granddaughters…one wonders how discriminating he is when it comes to their age and maturity."

Her musings were interrupted when she heard a knock at the door. Startled, she hesitated until she heard a voice on the other side announcing who it was.

"Jessie…it's Jimmy. I wanted to check on you and see how you were doing."

Rushing to the door, she opened it and hugged Aubrey tight, much to his delight. "Well Jessie, I'm glad to see you, too…let's go inside."

After shutting the door, Aubrey hugged her again. "Now, how are you really doing?"

"Better now that you're here.", Jessica muttered into his shoulder. "Stephenson is in that suite next door and every time I look at that adjoining door, I wonder if he's going to come through it and try to surprise me again. I hate feeling like this."

"I know, but judging by the way he almost crapped himself when I threatened him with your Uncle Buck, I think he got the message, at least for tonight." Aubrey let her go as music was heard from Stephenson's suite next door, along with laughter. "It sounds like he found Sandra or someone else to amuse himself with this evening, but just in case I'm going to stay here until Alma gets back."

"But aren't you supposed to be with Lori, taking a walk so she can try to charm you with her feminine wiles and oversized breasts?"

Aubrey smiled at the jealous edge in Jessica's voice. "I was, but Stephenson found us as she was babbling about something she was deciding on. He made a snide comment about me making time with both of you and it pissed her off so she stormed off in a snit…"

Jessica couldn't help her snicker. "I shouldn't laugh, but I'm glad. She's cute, though…"

"Yeah, but Lori is also barely 20 years old and bores the shit out of me. After she left, I gave Craig a final warning before I told your 'Uncle Buck' what happened...", Aubrey replied with quotation marks. "…and he's going to take care of things tomorrow morning."

"Aubrey…"

Aubrey lowered his voice slightly. "If your Uncle Buck doesn't confront him, it would be suspicious. Even more, I don't want you to be in a position where you're alone with him again, Jessica."

Feeling better, she hugged her boyfriend again. "Okay. Maybe if Buck confronts Craig, it will open Alma's eyes to what he really is."

"Well, you'd think she may know something about what a creep his is, right? If you're right and she also knows something about what's going on with Maxco and Histavark, perhaps this will give her that final push to leave him, if she's not knee deep in this shit already."

Jessica frowned. "Aubrey, I can't see Alma being involved in an SEC agent's murder and all of this terrorist stuff…"

Aubrey planted his hands on his waist. "I don't think so either, but we can't take any chances. While I was talking to Booth, Genny got back to him with some more info she dug up."

"What did she find out?"

"Well…" Aubrey motioned for them to sit on the bed. "That arena you're playing at…Mountain View…it's only been called that since October. It used to be called 'Histavark International Arena.'"

"International?"

"Yeah. Interesting, isn't it?", Aubrey continued. "It's owned by a guy named Matthew Thomas, who owns a lot of real estate around here and is a business acquaintance of John Higgins. After digging through all the bullshit, we found out that he bought the arena back in September from a corporation called Lolly Lolly, LLC, which makes toys. Genny traced Lolly Lolly back to a firm called Nitro, a mining company out of St. Albans here in West Virginia. Maxco Enterprises had a 30% interest in the company with Histavark owning the rest."

"I'm not surprised about Histavark owning a mining company, but why would they hide it behind another company? Why would Harold Maxwell do that? Most of all, why would a mining company own a toy company?"

"I'm not sure, but Genny found something very interesting." Aubrey put his hands in his pockets. "Three days after Vacchio's remains were found, Maxco sold their shares in Nitro for pennies on the dollar to a company out of Denmark called Hygge Ven…"

Jessica thought for a minute. "That means...Cozy…Friend. The company is called 'Cozy Friend'?"

"Yeah. Genny had a hard time finding the owners as it involved shell company after shell company. Finally she used Booth's suggestion, calling his friend Alex Radziwill at the State Department. It woke him up, but he was expecting her call. He used his security clearance to filter through all the bullshit and found out who owned Hygee Ven…CEP."

"Really?", Jessica gasped. "Your dad's company?"

"Yeah…Maxco isn't alone in the partnership with CEP. Craig Stephenson himself also owns a piece of the pie in CEP…along with some members of the Drakulic crime family of the Croatian Mafia. Their partners, too..."

"Uh oh…nasty guys?"

"Yep. They specialize in drugs and sex trafficking with teenage girls and young women, but from we were able to uncover, since 2008 they have also specialized in the selling of electronics and radioactive material to…" Aubrey hesitated slightly. "…crime syndicates in Eastern Europe, including the Serbian and Russian Mafia."

"Oh God…"

"These are very nasty boys…they protect their interests by whatever means necessary." Aubrey sighed. "I can't believe my father was stupid enough to get mixed up with these assholes."

"I don't understand why Craig Stephenson, the people at Histavark, and others would do such a thing. It's a big risk that could destroy their companies, not to mention their reputations with the public. It's not like they don't have money…"

"Well, one, it's greed, because the money that was coming in from selling electronics alone filled enough coffers to last a lifetime." Aubrey shrugged slightly. "Most of all, Jess, it's a power game. My father always loved this sort of shit...you know, the gamble involved with making shady deals without getting caught. I'm not surprised that Craig Stephenson is mixed up in this, either. Harold Maxwell was a pig with women, but it seems even he had a limit as to what he would be involved in, because selling Maxco's interest in Nitro and the arena sale would've had to have his seal of approval in order for Stephenson, as his CFO, to finalize the deal."

"You think Craig then hid behind a shell company to buy Maxco's shares dirt cheap to keep himself involved in everything?"

"Yeah. Unlike Maxwell, who had enough through his family and his wife's to keep himself and his family in the power status zone he coveted, Stephenson didn't. Genny found out that he grew up poor in Kitchener, Ontario. Alex Stephens' father, his maternal uncle, sponsored his coming to the United States. Stephenson is no dummy and he quickly grew close to Harold Maxwell and his friends, like Martin Pixler. Following his cousin and Andrea Clark to Baruch College, he then met my father and found a kindred spirit."

"So he coveted what his friends had and liked the status he got from hanging out with them?"

"Yeah. Genny did some more research and found that the Drakulic crime family initially came over to the New York and DC area with the Russian Mafia after the Yugoslavian wars in the early 90s. After a short while, they branched out into their own criminal activities." Aubrey ran his hands through his hair. "We're not sure when Stephenson got involved with the Croatians, but it had to be around that time, either willingly or with blackmail. However, I have no doubt that he now likes playing with the big boys and I'm sure the Croatians get him all the women he wants to keep him happy and compliant. Hopefully, none of the women he's been with were underage."

"What about Warden Brinton? Where do you think he fits into this?"

"Still wondering about that one. I do know that three of the prisoners under his watch are from the Croatian Mafia, including the boss from the DC branch. I think Andrea Clark somehow got him involved in whatever they're doing, either playing with his emotions, using her connection as his wife's cousin, or just appealing to his sense of greed or any disgruntlement with the BOP. Angela is still looking into his finances, but no way is he ignorant of what's going on if he's hanging out with these guys."

Aubrey took her hand. "Jessica…there have been several undercover ops that have ended as dead bodies after being involved with these guys. They don't take chances…if the Drakulics even suspect a guy of being a spy, they off him without a second thought."

"I understand…"

"No, you don't." Aubrey looked at his girlfriend with tears in his eyes. "If we make the slightest fuck up this weekend, we're all dead. If something happened to you because of this…"

"I know, Aubrey but I'm not as scared for us as I am for Alma. I really think she knows something, almost enough to blow this operation wide open, and that's why Craig is sleeping with her. Not to protect the company like he tells Sandra, but to keep her quiet until…"

"...he finds the right time to eliminate her as a threat, which I suspect will be shortly after this bonspiel." Aubrey squeezed Jessica's hand. "I think you're right, Jess. Craig Stephenson screwed over his friends like Martin Pixler and got Alma out of town tonight so he could go after you. I have no doubt that he'll eliminate any threat to his plans, including murder."

Jessica rubbed his hand. "I'm scared for you, Superman."

"I'm the agent, Jess—"

"Your father is involved with evil men, Aubrey. To what extent, we don't know, but at the very least, he's part of some sort of smuggling operation. That has to be...so hard for you. I'm so sorry…"

Aubrey nodded. "Thank you, but I should apologize to you. I mean, once all this shit hits the fan, you and your family—"

Jessica growled in frustration. "James Aubrey, if you say stupid crap like that one more time, I'm going to pop you and not in the fun way you like with us naked and me on top of you."

Seeing the look on his girlfriend's face, Aubrey heeded her warning. "Alright."

"Good." Jessica gently rubbed her boyfriend's leg. "So…Alma should be gone for a couple of hours yet…"

"Really?" Aubrey's fingers played with the buttons on her sweater. "Say, I could use a shower..."

"What about your moustache?" Jessica touched it. "I love the fun things you did with it a few days ago but will it hold up in the shower?"

"It did this morning." Aubrey pulled out a small bottle of Pros-Aide medical adhesive. "Plus, I'm always prepared. Now, the shower in my suite is pretty big…it can fit two people. Can yours?"

"It does. Race you?"

The couple ran into the bathroom and shut the door. Giggling could be heard before running water was mixed in.

"Oh Jessica…I love my dirty girl…"

"I love my dirty boy…now get in here so we can get dirty and you can clean me up, Agent."

"Yes, ma'am…"

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

An hour later, the happy couple emerged from the bathroom wearing only towels and smiles. Aubrey pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

"I feel so much cleaner now. Thanks, Jess."

"I should be thanking you. You did such a good job with the shower gel…and your moustache." Jessica touched his undercover facial hair. "Still plan on keeping this for future fun and games?"

"Oh yeah…anything to hear you scream my name like you did in the shower…"

They were in the middle of the passionate embrace and didn't hear the click of a room key until the door opened, followed by Alma and another older woman. The four stood in shock for a moment until Edna spoke up.

"Well, Alma…at least someone had some excitement tonight."

Snapping out of it, Aubrey moved his girlfriend behind him. Unfortunately, his towel came down and he briefly flashed the two women before racing to hold it over his crotch. Gulping, he spoke up. "Name's Jimmy, ma'am."

"I'm Edna, Alma's younger sister, and you must be Jessica." Edna smirked at the intern as she appreciated the lanky man's body. "Yes, Alma, I say this young woman had a very good night."

"Edna!", Alma admonished, mortified.

"Oh quit being a prude. I'm just calling it as I see it." Seeing that the young couple was embarrassed, Edna decided to make a graceful exit. "I think I'll take my leave now. I'm sure they're getting cold and if this young man keeps her up too late, that prick Stephenson will get his panties in a wad and have a tantrum like he did last year when he caught that young woman on your team out with another curler."

"Edna!", Alma spit back. "Stop talking about him that way. The curfew is just to make sure we play at our best."

"Really? So, he's concerned enough about winning that he makes these young girls stay here with him but he lets you, his skip, out past curfew and even pays for you to get out of town. Interesting. However, that's a conversation for another time." Edna tempered her thoughts. Looking back at the couple, she smiled as she admired Aubrey's lean muscular build once more. "Nice meeting you Jessica...and Jimmy."

Alma let her sister out and looked away as Aubrey and Jessica ran into the bathroom, grabbed their clothes, and got dressed. When given the okay, she turned around to an embarrassed couple.

"I'm just here because Jessie left her sweater in our room earlier this evening and I was returning it to her…"

"...and a weirdo cornered me earlier and Jimmy came back to check on me after he took Lori on a walk…he scared the guy away..."

"Yeah, he put a real scare into Jessie earlier and I wanted to make sure she was alright…I stayed here so she wouldn't be alone..."

Alma merely smiled. "Well, Jessica, I'm glad you gave Jimmy a second look."

"Yeah, I did." Jessica nodded as Aubrey had a look of confusion before the two turned to each other, realizing they needed to do some damage control. "Um, Alma, now that Jimmy and I are...well, together, I don't want to cause issues with the team, especially with Lori and…I don't want to upset Mr. Stephenson, either…I really like curling for this team and I don't want to be fired...", Jessica stammered.

"Your secret is safe with me, Honey. It's not my news to tell Lori, but I think she'll figure it out sooner or later. As for Craig, he will get pissy if he thinks you're getting distracted, even though it's none of his business. However, you've done good work for my department and if he tries to fire you I'll have something to say about it."

Jessica felt bad at her deception, but knew it was key to solving the case. "Thank you so much, Alma. We'll tell Lori after the bonspiel is over…"

After a moment of awkward silence, the agent spoke up. "Looks like you and your sister were out and about tonight. It's nice...that Craig guy let you go out with your sister past the curfew. That's pretty stupid, though, to make grown women have a curfew. Lori and I were just out walking and he got all pissy about it. We're adults, man."

Alma combed through her hair with a small smile. "I agree that he needs to trust his team, but he's always had this need to win, especially when his cousin is involved. He sometimes goes too far with being competitive but with Harold gone it's hard to rein him in."

"So where did you and Edna go tonight?", Jessica asked innocently.

"Well, Craig arranged for us to enjoy dinner at Stefano's, this really nice, expensive Italian restaurant here in Morgantown. After that, he rented a limo to drive us to Wheeling for a Chippendales show. I didn't want to go, but Craig insisted because he could tell I had a stressful day. Edna really wanted to go, though, so we did."

"So, he wasn't angry at you about us losing those matches today?", Jessica asked.

Alma put her purse down on the small table. "He was, but Craig realized he was pressuring me too much and that I deserved a break. He takes care of me that way."

Aubrey noted the timing and realized what had happened. "That was certainly nice of him." He said, holding his anger and disgust close to the vest. 'The son of a bitch got rid of Alma so he could corner Jessica here. When this case is over I want to get him in a room alone…'

"Yes, it was. Unfortunately, as Edna and I were leaving his room, his cousin Alex and Andrea, came by the room to discuss some business. God, those two are entitled assholes…"

'Alex and Andrea?' Aubrey kept his excitement to a minimum to not set off any warning bells. "Anybody we know?"

"Oh, probably not." Alma grabbed her things out of her bag. "Andrea Clark owns Histavark along with a John…oh what's his name…Higgins. John Higgins and Alex. Alex and that snob Andrea were bragging about how their team would win again as well as making snide comments about my performance. Just because they're locals and her husband is the damn Attorney General they think their shit doesn't stink."

"That doesn't sound very nice.", Jessica said. "Curling is big on sportsmanship and respect for other teams. It's why I like it so much."

"Me too. Craig told them to stifle themselves because he had me, the best skip he had ever managed." Alma smiled. "Then some warden friend and his wife arrived, both a little bit tipsy and had diarrhea of the mouth, talking about how he couldn't wait until things came together. Before he said anything else, Craig told him to shut up and sleep it off because he and Phil, whoever that is, needed to concentrate on what needed to be done tomorrow so nothing went wrong."

'Some warden friend and his wife…Phil? Is Phil my dad? What did they all have to do with the bonspiel?' Aubrey glanced at Jessica who seemed to have the same thought. Swallowing hard, he put his game face on. "Sounds like there's something big happening tomorrow at the arena. Did they say what so I can prepare Buck if there's not a lot of beer?"

"I don't know. I know that he's got some Croatian man named Josip and associates coming to watch to entice them to invest in a deal with Maxco and Histavark."

"Maxco has outside investors?", Aubrey asked in surprise. "I thought it was some family thing."

"Well, Craig told me last month that Leonard is doing a piss poor job as CEO. He keeps trying to micromanage him and has messed up some important deals Craig has had to clean up, including this one with the Croatian investors in a joint contract with the US Military. Leonard made a mess of things and Craig manage to schmooze them into reconsidering. They're big on curling in Europe, so Craig invited them to the bonspiel and if this joint proposal goes through, both Maxco and Histavark will make a lot of money."

"But they're competing against each other this weekend.", Aubrey remarked, playing casual. "That's pretty weird they'll do business together."

"Well, I thought the same thing, but Craig said they along with Harold are all old friends and business is business. That warden fella and this Phil person must be friends with the Croatians or helping Craig get them to accept the partnership." Alma shook her head. "Leonard needs to let Craig do his job so he can protect the company."

'Croatian investors working with the US military and not their own? Protect the company? Interesting choice of words…' Jessica turned to Aubrey, who she could tell was thinking the same thing. Clearing her thoughts, the intern didn't want to push Alma and get her suspicious. "Sounds like you and Edna had some fun plans, but you're back early. Did something happen? I mean, a good show can last a couple of hours…"

"Well, after dinner, the limo took us to in Wheeling, but when we got there, the parking lot was deserted and there was a sign stating that the Chippendales show was canceled because the dancers all got food poisoning, hence my early return…and your surprise." Alma smirked. "I'll just go take a walk so you two can say your good nights."

"I would appreciate that, Alma. Thank you.", Aubrey said.

After Alma shut the door, the couple turned to each other. "Aubrey, there can only be one warden…"

"I know. His wife, too? And that Phil has to be my dad, but what is going on tomorrow with the Croatian guys? No way they came to a college town in West Virginia just to be wooed by Maxco and Histavark." Aubrey grabbed his phone and sent a text message. "Genny's probably asleep now but I'm letting her know about Josip and what we've found out. She can do some more digging first thing in the morning and will call us when she has something."

"Tomorrow's Sunday. Government offices are closed and most likely the Croatian Embassy as well, Aubrey."

"She'll find out what we need. Genny is a bloodhound." Aubrey looked at his girlfriend grimly as he put his shirt on. "I've got to get back, Jess…I hate leaving you…"

"I know...and I hate that you have to leave, but thanks for checking on me…and giving me those two orgasms. Lori bragged about the one you gave her with your moustache last night."

Mortified, Aubrey stammered. "Jessica, you know that's a lie, right? I would never cheat on you…not even for a case…"

"Yes, Aubrey, I know. I thought her lie was amusing but when it got on my nerves, I messed with her a little bit to make you less sexy and appealing…"

The lanky man chuckled. "You got jealous…"

Jessica wrapped her arms around his neck. "I did."

Aubrey got a cocky smile before wrapping his arms around Jessica. "You think I'm hot and sexy…"

"Of course, I do, Agent." Jessica held him closer. "If I thought we could get away with it, I would seduce you into another tumble on this bed."

Suddenly, there was loud moaning from multiple voices coming from the suite next door. Shaking his head, Aubrey focused on his girlfriend. "I would love that, just to help you drown out whatever Stephenson is doing next door...but we can't, Jess. I promise though, when this case is over, we're going to be alone and we're going to stay in bed and do nothing but make love with a nap or two for at least 24 hours…no cases…no interruptions."

"I can't wait…" Jessica kissed him before smacking his butt. "Now go back to your room, Jimmy."

"Smacking my ass…you think you can get away with treating me like a piece of meat, woman?", Aubrey joked as he put his socks and shoes on.

"Yes."

"You're right." Aubrey kissed her goodbye. "Until hopefully tomorrow night."

Down the hall, Lori, unable to sleep, left the ice machine room with a bucket of ice for her sore shoulder. She had the room to herself since Sandra had gone out for a drink with another curler she'd met at the arena that day. As she walked back to her room, she thought about her attitude with Jimmy earlier outside.

'Jimmy only returned the jacket Jessica thought she'd lost and instead of being understanding, I was a snide brat, and he probably thinks I'm this immature little girl. I'll apologize tomorrow and after this bonspiel is over, we can plan a time to get together so I can find out what that moustache feels like between my legs. Then we can hang out with his boss and his wife, rubbing that Jessica's nose in our relationship. Dumb bimbo thinks she has a chance with him now? Snooze, you lose, bitch.'

Just before she put her keycard in the door, she heard another door open. Instinctively turning, her happy scheme turned to ash when she was stunned to see Jimmy leaving Jessica and Alma's room. The smile on his face and the shirt partly hanging out of his jeans told her all she needed to know.

"That bitch isn't going to get away with taking my man. Oh no…no way."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Aubrey crept into the dark hotel room and after stripping down to his boxers, he grabbed a t-shirt and laid down on the couch when he was startled by a voice.

"Have a good night, Aubrey?"

Startled, he saw Booth standing in the doorway of the bedroom with a smile on his face. "I hate it when you do that, Booth."

"I know…that's why I did it." Booth sat down. "So, is Jessica doing alright?"

"Yeah. Stephenson's lucky I didn't bash his face in when I saw him in their room."

"We'll take care of him tomorrow, Aubrey. Uncle Buck will make sure Craigie has an understanding about his niece."

"Good. Hey, so Alma returned early tonight and told us something interesting." Aubrey gave Booth the rundown of what the older woman told him earlier. "I've sent all that to Genny and I'm sure she'll be up really early in the morning and can get us some more info. I'm worried about her, though. If Craig is talking about this shit in front of Alma, she's got a target on her back."

"I agree, so we'll have to keep an eye on her as well." Booth leaned back and stretched his feet. "Well, let's get some sleep. Something tells me we're going to have a long day tomorrow, Aubrey."

"Yeah, me too. Night Booth." When his friend went back to bed, Aubrey got himself situated and laid down, staring at the ceiling.

"Tomorrow is going to be a big day, alright.", Aubrey gulped. "Jess, be careful."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

Alma took a short walk down to the lobby and came back up to the third floor. Deciding to give Jessica a little more time with Jimmy if he was still there, she headed to Craig's suite and knocked. Getting no response, she leaned her ear to the door and heard faint sounds followed a loud moan. Shaking off her suspicions, she knocked a little bit louder.

"Craig? It's Alma."

Inside the suite, Stephenson was busy as Sandra sat on him while he pleasured her orally. At the foot of the bed, the male curler Sandra met up with earlier was pleasuring him with his mouth. Hearing the louder knocks over the television, Sandra groaned.

"What is Alma doing at your door right now? You said you sent her out with her sister to get her out of your hair."

"I did send her out and I don't know why she's back and I don't care. Just ignore it.", Craig mumbled into her thigh as there was another louder set of knocks as he groaned. "Now get on your back so I can fuck you."

"Hey, what about me? I want to have some fun, too."

Craig gave the young man a look, admiring his trim figure more than he wanted to admit. "Get up here then. If you entertain me, I'll take care of you later in more ways than one."

Pointing to the table, the male curler saw the pills and expensive Scotch Craig was pointing at and smiled before joining the two on the bed. "Right on."

Outside, Alma heard several moans as she continued to wait but when Craig didn't answer, she left to return to her suite. "He must have fallen asleep in front of the television again."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

At 6:20, Jessica arrived at the breakfast room with Alma, feeling out of sorts as she'd tossed and turned after the orgasms she'd received from Aubrey had worn off during the night. She had a very bad vibe about today and it had her very scared. However, she had a job to do and she once again tried to put it in the back of her mind. Suddenly, she was startled as she was pushed aside, almost running into a table holding pitchers of orange and apple juice.

"What the—", Jessica exclaimed before seeing Lori pass by.

"Sorry…didn't mean to run into you.", the young woman said with a smile that could've cut glass before heading to the buffet.

"That girl…sounds like she didn't get far with Jimmy last night. I wonder why…", Alma said with a small chuckle. Seeing Jessica's panic, Alma patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, Honey. I'm not saying a word, although when we leave here, you need to give that boy one hell of a kiss in front of her. She thinks she's hot shit and she's not."

Jessica giggled. "Will do, Alma."

The two ladies got coffee, tea, and their food before sitting down to join Lori at the table. There was a moment of silence before the youngest woman spoke up.

"You're eating all that, Jessica?" Lori pointed to the intern's scrambled eggs, bacon, and rye toast. "Keep eating like that and you'll be too fat to curl. You should eat some fruit, instead."

Jessica looked at Lori and knew she was being spiteful because of her lack of progress with Aubrey. Deciding not to stoop to her level, she kept a smile on her face as she noted Lori's meal of a plain bagel and cream cheese. "As I told you yesterday, eating a high protein breakfast is important for me when I compete so I can maintain my energy in a healthy way, instead of eating simple carbs like white bread. This way, I don't have to subsidize with junk like Coke and candy bars for quick energy boosts later like you and Sandra. Eating like this along with a balance of fruit and vegetables is what keeps me at a healthy weight."

"That's very smart, Jessica." Alma chimed in the young woman's defense. "You should take a lesson from her, Lori."

"Whatever, Alma. I guess you're the exception, Miss Jessica. I mean…look at you…little waist…you do have some ass at least, but my experience, men like a woman with curves and ample breasts.", the girl said with a smirk as she gestured to her curvaceous body with her hands. "Might want to work on that, but seeing that you're older, there's not much that you can do. Sorry."

'God, this little girl is so desperate to score points against me thinking I care what she thinks.' Jessica pretended to smile. "Actually, the last man I was with loved my ass and has told me several times that he enjoys my breasts because they fit perfectly in his hand. To him, big breasts are almost a waste. As a matter of fact, he appreciates women who offer more than just what jiggles."

Lori didn't like Jessica's easy comeback, but was stopped from responding when Craig and Sandra arrived at the table.

"Good morning ladies…", Craig purred, rubbing the blonde's ass. He'd slept like a baby with Sandra by his side after their companion had gone back to his room, thanks to being sated with sex and alcohol. After he enjoyed her this morning, he made sure Sandra understood that their experience the night before was a one off, only going along with the threesome because she wanted to spice things up and he was desperate for sex. As much as he'd enjoyed the man's hands, amazing tongue, and his physique as his body moved against his, it would never happen again.

"Yes, it is, Craig." Alma gave everyone a pointed look. "Isn't it, girls?"

"Of course.", Jessica said, surprised to have the empty seat next to her suddenly occupied by her boss. Looking over at Sandra across the table, she could see the flash of anger on the blonde's face as she obviously expected their boss to sit next to her. 'After what he did to me last night, he has the balls to sit next to me?' Jessica shuddered. 'What a perv…'

"Lovely day to win a bonspiel, isn't it?", Craig said, putting his arm across the back of Jessica's chair. 'Just play it cool, Craig, and little Jessica will forget all about last night's misunderstanding and take me up on my offer…and perhaps her aunt, too, if I play my cards right. Maybe one of them could play with Sandra...or with one of Josip's girls...while I watch them...if I provide them with a little monetary stimulation.'

'Ugh…' Jessica saw the man undressing her with his eyes and quickly pushed her chair out. "Excuse me, I'm going to refill my tea."

"You're a dead man, Stephenson!"

Their table and the other tables with other curling teams were surprised to see an angry mullet haired man wearing a Flyers t-shirt escape a woman with curly hair to storm over to the table and pull Craig up on his feet by his sweater. "You think you're so smart, don't you, you slimy bastard? Well, I know what to do with a guy like you..."

Playing her part, Jessica held her glee in check. "Uncle Buck, please don't—"

"Jessie, no one messes with my girls and gets away with it.", Booth growled before turning to the older man, who had a look of fear in his eyes. "You broke into my niece's hotel room when you knew she would be alone, surprising her in your underwear, and then tried taking advantage of her. What kind of a fucking pig are you? You're old enough to be her grandfather!"

'Shit…' Craig thought as his bravado of a few seconds ago were now gone. "It was just a misunderstanding. I wanted to surprise Alma—"

"Bullshit!" Booth held the older man up higher, lifting his feet off the ground. "You told my niece you sent Alma away to that stripper show so you could get familiar with her."

"She misunderstood, Buck-"

Booth got deeper into his part. "She understood what you were up to, you fucking pervert! What kind of man hides in a young woman's room in the dark naked as a jaybird to scare them into what you had planned? All weekend, I've seen you play grab ass with other women in the stands while your team was playing, but I minded my own business since they didn't care. More than once, I've caught you trying to cop a feel with my Wanda and my niece but I know my ladies can take care of themselves. But breaking into Jessie's room to do what you were going to do? That's going too far. Thank God she left her sweater in our room and Jimmy came down to give it to her. You know, he doesn't look like much, but that boy could kick your ass, too. If it wasn't for my Jessie being in the room, you wouldn't be breathing right now."

"You're causing a scene, Buck…", Craig said, seeing all the annoyed faces around the room.

"Yeah, I'm causing a scene because you're a pig who thinks it's alright to harass young women because you can't keep it in your pants and it's not!" Booth pulled Craig closer. "Now, if I find out you're trying to mess with my niece again, or if you even think about putting your hands where you shouldn't, Jimmy and I will find you and make sure it's the last thing you do. Got it?"

"Y-yes…" Craig was barely holding his bladder as he stared into the hateful eyes of Buck Moosejaw.

"Good." Looking disgusted, Booth put him down. "I'll be watching you…"

It was then a woman scurried up to the skirmish. "Excuse me, gentlemen...is there a problem, Mr. Stephenson?"

Craig gave a reassuring smile. "Just a misunderstanding, Laci. We've settled it."

"No problem, Ma'am. Sorry to upset everyone." Booth pointed to the other side of the room. "I'll just go back and have breakfast with my wife and friend over there."

"In the future, please settle your disagreements outside of this hotel. We don't tolerate manhandling of other guests at the Mountainside Hotel.", the woman haughtily replied.

Booth couldn't help himself. "So, no manhandling of perverts, but it's okay for a guest to bribe employees for extra copies of a hotel room key to break into a young woman's room so he could go after her, right?", Booth roared, gesturing wildly. "That you tolerate? I tell you what, I oughta call the State Police. They'd probably be glad to bust some goddamn sex ring at this fancy hotel..."

Turning red, the woman stammered. "That was rectified Friday afternoon, and I do apologize for that, sir…"

"He still got into my niece's room last night, with a key and without her consent, so no, the situation was NOT rectified. I want to know why that happened." Booth enjoyed her embarrassed stammer and pressed his point even further. "Because I'm sure the Mountainside Hotel doesn't want to be known as a place where a woman can be raped by another guest for the right price."

Booth didn't miss the quick glance at Stephenson and realized he'd bribed another hotel employee. 'Ah, the general manager will be cleaning house after today.'

"I promise that there will not be another disturbance." Craig turned to the other guests. "My apologies..."

After the employee scurried away, Booth turned to Craig, not missing the shocked looks on Alma and Lori's faces. "Now, sit down by Alma and keep your fucking hands to yourself, because the next time we have this discussion, it will be your last, Craigie. Meanwhile, I'm going to borrow our niece for a few minutes. Jessie?"

Realizing Booth had some news, Jessica got up. "I'll be back in a few minutes. Alma, are we still going to discuss strategy?"

"Yes, but we'll wait.", Alma responded in a calm voice. "You take your time talking to your uncle, Honey."

As she walked away, Craig grew angry. "The gall of that…Neanderthal. Embarrassing me and then holding up our team breakfast…"

"Oh, shut the hell up, Craig.", Alma spat out.

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

"So, he's Croatian?"

"Yep. Josip Dragovik. Right hand to the boss of the Drakulic crime family." Booth pulled out his phone. "This guy that we saw Craigie with yesterday is Ivan Horvat. According to Interpol, his specialty is murders that look like accidents. Alex found out that he was in the country under an assumed name during last year's competition. The FBI was doing surveillance and had a picture of him here."

"So, he was around to kill that undercover trooper?", Jessica mused to Booth's nod. "How did they find out about her? I'm sure the State Police would do anything to keep her identity protected."

"Yeah, I'm sure they did." Booth pulled up another picture of Ivan, taken with a group of men. "This picture was in that trader's office in November, the one who shot at Hunter and Genny. There's Ivan…see anyone else that looks familiar?"

Jessica looked. "Craig…Ivan…that Josip guy…wait that's…"

"West Virginia Attorney General Todd Winters.", Booth finished. "The man next to him is Corporal Jack Peters, who ranks third from the head of the WVSP."

"You think the cop is corrupt?"

"Yeah…or at least is friendly with Winters, who got the info somehow and passed it along to his wife's Croatian friends." Booth put his phone away. "It's more important than ever that you keep your eyes and ears open today. Text me or Aubrey anything that seems off…and whatever you do, don't ask questions, because these guys won't hesitate in taking out anyone who's a threat to them."

Jessica's face twisted into a frown. "If they're here…then they're not only here to do business with Craig, but they're going to kill someone at this bonspiel. We have to find out who before they can. Oh God…Alma...what if it's Alma?"

"We'll get them, but don't try anything stupid, Jessica." Booth put his hands on his hips. "This is FBI Special Agent Booth talking now, and I'm telling you...don't push these guys."

"I'll do what I have to do and I'll be careful, I promise."

Back at the table, Craig decided Alma needed some schmoozing but when he tried to take her hand, she pulled it away. Turning to smile at Sandra, she ignored him to look at her phone while Lori watched that Jimmy across the room with steam coming out of her ears. Irritated at being ignored, the older man got up and walked up to the breakfast buffet. As he scooped an egg to make himself Eggs Florentine, he saw Booth talking to Jessica outside the room and his fury escalated. Setting his plate down nearby, Stephenson pulled out his phone and sent a message.

Add 2 more people to that job I told you about last night. Buck Moosejaw. I'll point him & that Jimmy character out when I'm at the arena. Get them together before next weekend & there'll be a 20K bonus to your best man.

Ivan's response was immediate. Da

Satisfied, Craig grabbed his plate and headed back to his table to finish his breakfast. 'Nobody humiliates me and gets away with it.'