Laws of Motion – Book 3
Written by: Ms. Maggs/Edited by: KJT
Chapter 24
Tuesday - October 4, 2005
The Blakes
6:14 am
Checking the Caller ID, Paul tensed, "This is it."
In the middle of making banana bread, Wendy dropped everything and grabbed her husband's arm. "God forgive me, but I hope Mike's dead."
"Me too," Paul answered as he put the call on speaker so his wife could hear. "Hi, Dad."
"Mission Accomplished."
"Thank God." Weak from the stress of the last seven hours, the relieved mother took a seat at the table."
"Thanks, Dad," Paul grinned from ear to ear. "You don't have to get me a Christmas gift, having Mike killed is plenty."
"Shh!" Ken chided. "The phone could be bugged. You don't want to spend the next twenty years in jail, do you?"
"Sorry." Paul went to the fridge and grabbed a beer.
"Honey!" Wendy shook her finger. "No beer before noon."
"I'm already going to hell for murder, Wen, I doubt a beer before noon will make matters worse." Paul leaned on the counter. "Right, Dad? Hey, exactly how many people have you ordered dead so far anyway?"
"Shh!"
In the distance, Wendy heard a siren's wail. "Do you hear that, Honey?"
"What?"
The horrifying sound grew stronger. "Sirens! They're coming this way."
Paul dropped the telephone. "Do you think the cops heard me?!"
"Oh my God! It's a helicopter!" Wendy covered her ears as the chopper's blades deafened her.
Paul and Wendy Blake, you're under arrest for the murder of Mike Rodgers! Come out with your hands up!
"They heard you!" Out of the corner of her eye Wendy saw her children lined up against the wall. "Don't worry!" she screamed over the chopper's roar. "It'll be okay, kids!"
"Did you really murder someone, Mommy?" little McKenna asked as tears rolled down her face. "Will I hafta visit you in jail?"
"No, Sweetie," Wendy cried. "This is all a big misunderstanding."
"Cool!" Ryan gave a big thumbs up. "If Mom's in jail, we can eat beef at home! That's the bestest!"
"Bestest isn't a word," corrected Sean.
'Mommy!' Wendy heard her daughter shrill just as the SWAT Team came crashing through the windows.
"Mommy!"
"Kenna!" Bolting up on the couch, Wendy panted and clutched her chest. "It was…just a nightmare."
"Are you okay, Mommy?" McKenna sweetly asked as she patted her mother's shoulder. "I kept calling you, but you wouldn't wake up."
Greg's Apartment
6:26 am
"No, I was already awake," Greg answered his neighbor when she asked him if she was disturbing him too early. Staring at the blonde, blue-eyed, buxom beauty he asked, "Can I help you with something?"
"My name is Svetlana, I'm a contortionist with Cirque, and I wanted to say welcome to the complex before I head off to flexibility practice."
"Oh, hey." He waved. "I'm Greg Sanders, Geeky Scientist."
"Really?" Flashing her pearly whites, Svetlana purred, "What a coincidence, because I lovvvvvvve geeks." From behind her back she produced a tube of edible body mousse. "If you invite me in, I'll let you rub this all over me while I show you my contortionist moves. After that, we can make love in any position you want, for as long as you want."
"No, thanks, I have a girlfriend."
"Is she here?" Svetlana pushed her way into the apartment. "I don't see her."
"She lives with my Dad."
"Huh?"
"It's complicated."
"I'll strip for you," Svetlana offered as she fiddled with her spaghetti straps.
"Nah, that's okay, my girlfriend is the best stripper in town, so…oh!" Greg jumped when the hussy shoved her hand down his red polka dot pajama bottoms. "Hey! I told you, I have a girlfriend and since she's my wife, she really wouldn't like you…" he gulped, "…touching me."
"How can your girlfriend be your wife?"
"It's…you're uh, very good at that…complicated."
"I have seventeen years of experience."
"You really must stop that now, because my girlfriend is…"
"Greg?" Tawny's voice shot through the air.
"She's here!"
"You really don't want her to know you got excited around another woman, do you?" Svetlana whispered. "Allow me to take care of the evidence."
"Will ya stop it already?!"
"Greg?!" Tawny's voice called louder.
"I love my girlfriend wife!" he frantically declared.
"Oh!" Tawny gasped when she saw her man's hand was in a compromising position.
When Greg's eyes flew open, he realized Svetlana's very experienced hand was his own, and that Tawny was standing beside the couch staring at him.
"I used my key when you didn't answer because I was worried." Watching him yank his hand out of his boxers, Tawny giggled, "Miss me?"
"Uh." His face flushing, Greg grabbed a cushion and placed it over his hips. "I guess I feel asleep on the couch playing X-box. I hadn't played in so long, I couldn't stop. My alarm clock is in the bedroom, so I didn't hear it go off at six. Sorry, not a great way to start out my first day as the new more responsible me, huh?" Standing up with the cushion still in place, he cleared his throat hard. "I'll grab a very quick and very cold shower and then we can go."
"Can I have a hug first?" she asked in an innocent voice while opening her arms.
"No way!" he replied in a laugh while running for the bathroom. "Not while I'm sportin'!"
The Vartanns
6:35 am
When Becca emerged from the bathroom in her new workout apparel, Tony smiled approvingly. "Very athletic."
"I haven't worn sneakers since PE class in high school."
"Turn around," Tony anxiously said, "because those shorts look…yep, all my buddies and the lesbians cops are gonna love those shorts on you."
"I've never lifted before, aren't I going to embarrass you at the gym around all your friends?"
"Not at all." Taking his wife's hand, Tony led her to the door.
"He's lying." Amy's cackle suddenly filled the bedroom. "We worked out together all the time. I could spot him when he bench pressed, you won't even be able to lift a five pound plate, Twiggy. Everyone will laugh at you."
"How did she get in here?" Becca huffed as she pointed.
Tony scowled at his Ex, "Did you lift my keys at the bar last night?"
Amy swung the stolen key ring around her finger. "Yep."
"Give me the keys, Amy!" Tony lunged forward for them.
"Oops," the ex-wife giggled as she dropped them down her cleavage. "Come and get 'em."
"I told you a hundred times already…I love my new wife, so give it up. Becca is an incredible woman…beautiful, intelligent and funny as hell. Sure she's a bit of a headcase, but she rushes to see me when I come home at the end of a hard day and makes me forget all the shit I dealt with at work. At night she rocks my world in bed, and since she's been to Camp Dunmore, she knows what she's doing when she gets on her knees. All that and she's rich too. Just look at this fantastic house, and she bought me a Ferrari Spider as a wedding gift. There's no way you can compete, not by a mile."
Amy grumbled, "Do you want your keys or not?"
"Retrieving!" Becca marched over, shoved her hand down the bitch's work out bra and grabbed the ring. "Now get out of my house!" She gave her a hard shove, which knocked the intruder off balance, sending her crashing into a sculpture of Cupid that Hoj had given them for a wedding gift. "Oh!" she shrieked when Amy's skull was pierced by Cupid's arrow.
Stunned by the shocking turn of events, Tony walked over to his ex-wife's limp body. "I saw something like this happen on a TV crime drama once and thought it was too far-fetched, but damn."
"I'll call Hoj!" Becca skipped over to the phone. "He's a genius and a CSI, he'll know how to get rid of the body!"
"Honey!"
"What?!" When her eyes shot open, Becca saw her husband sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Time to get ready for the first day of your new exercise program." Tony took her hand and pressed a kiss to it. "I made you a protein shake."
"Do you have your keys?" she panted.
"With me?" he laughed, pointing to his boxers. "No pockets."
"No, I mean, did you come home from the bar with them last night?"
"Of course, I drove home, didn't I?" Noting the fear in her eyes, Tony grew concerned, "Are you okay, Sweetheart?"
"I had a freaky dream." Her eyes raced to Cupid on the dresser. "I think we should put that statue Hoj gave us up higher…like on top of the armoire."
"Sure." He walked over and placed it in the desired spot. "Good?"
"Much better." Becca breathed a sigh of relief, then started her day properly. "Morning, Honey!"
Drew's House
6:45 pm
"Good Morning, Drew," Marta cheerily greeted her employer/dream man as she made freshly squeezed orange juice at the marble-topped kitchen island.
"Mornin'." After glancing over his shoulder, Drew walked over to the nanny and softly said, "About last night…you're not gonna tell anyone, right?"
"No one, I already promised, remember?" Reaching for her hand towel, she flustered from the sight of him in just work out shorts and sneakers, "It will always be our special secret."
"Thank you." Drew gently placed his hand on the shoulder of Marta's mint green terry cloth robe. "Is there anything I can do to repay your kindness?"
"Uhh…"
"Mmm, I love the smell of fresh oranges," Drew remarked as he took an unsqueezed half in his large hand. "Juicy."
"Uh huh," the sexually frustrated virgin sighed as she gaped at The Abs.
"Want a taste?" He dangled the glistening orange in front of Marta's mouth.
"I'll…get a g…glass."
"No need."
When Drew's fingertips touched her chin, Marta's whole body tensed.
"Open up," he commanded.
As the first drop of sweetness fell onto her tongue, a sudden breeze blew the billowy white curtains in the room.
"More?"
"Yesssssssss."
He squeezed the succulent fruit a second time and drops dribbled down Marta's chin.
"Oops," she giggled like a twitter painted girl.
"Please, allow me," Drew suavely offered, before tenderly kissing away the beads of nectar.
"Why are you…?"
Cupping her cheeks, the love struck man soulfully whispered, "I've loved you from afar for years, but only now that I'm free from my evil wife can I share my true feelings about you. I love the way you care for my children. I love you, Marta."
"Even my hips?" she squeaked.
"Especially your hips. I'm so sick of feeling bones beneath me in bed." The hunk lifted her as though she were a feather. "I want to feel flesh. I can't wait to make love to awoman with curves."
"Someone's at the door," Marta panted as Drew whisked her through the house. "I should answer."
"No, because you have me so turned on, I can't wait!"
"But…"
"Marta?! Are you okay?"
"Huh?!" Sitting up in bed she realized it had all been a dream. "Oh." Grabbing her mint green robe she hurried to the door. "Be right there!"
"Mornin'!" Drew enthused when he saw the nanny in the doorway. "I wanted to see if you were feelin' any better, and I brought you this." He presented a bottle of orange-flavored Gatorade. "To replenish your electrolytes after yesterday."
"Oh." It wasn't fresh juice being squeezed into her mouth, but she loved it just the same. "Thank you, that was very thoughtful."
"About last night…" After glancing over his shoulder, Drew whispered, "You won't tell anyone right? You said you wouldn't but…"
"I promise, and please, please don't feel embarrassed, okay?"
Nodding, he asked, "Are ya feelin' any better?" Reaching out, he placed a hand on her cheek. "You look real flushed."
Does that count as a caress of the cheek? I'm counting it! "I was…um, under heavy blankets."
"That explains it." Dropping his hand, he gave an update, "The kids are at Nicky's and my mom's there with 'em. You can have the next couple of days off while the lawyers and their assistants sort things out here with Lissa and me. It's gonna be awkward, as you can imagine. There will be security here while she tells the movers what to pack, so she doesn't take more than the deal allows. She flies out of town Thursday afternoon and gets to see the kids here that morning under supervision. You're free to stay of course, but if you'd rather be away, I'll be more than happy to put you up anywhere you'd like or send you home to Iowa for a few days to see your family."
"Oh, well…um…I'm too sick to travel and I really don't feel like being someplace strange when I'm sick, so I think I'll just stay here." In case you need someone!
"Okay, then. Rest up."
I'll rest my shoulder so you can lean on it. "Okay," she breathed as she watched him walk away. "Bye."
The Grissoms
7:00 am
"Hello, Hangover Boy," Sara greeted her husband as he stepped onto the back patio. "It's seven. You never sleep this late."
"I was having a wonderful dream," Gil announced after kissing his wife's cheek.
"Mike Rodgers stabbed to death in the prison courtyard?" Sara asked, "Because that's the sweet dream I had last night."
"No, but I would have enjoyed that one too." Taking a seat at the table, he sweetly described his pleasant dream. "We were celebrating my one hundredth birthday at our cabin. We were swinging in the hammock while Erin and her husband and our two grandchildren were swimming in the lake. Suddenly this swarm of bees filled the fields around us and I knew it was my time. I said 'life's been beautiful with you, Sara' and after you kissed me on the lips, I died. Suddenly, the bees dispersed. They were carrying away my soul."
"That was your sweet dream?"
"Hey, if that actually turns out to be my reality, I'll be thrilled."
"How did I look at eighty-six?"
"Beautiful, as always," he answered before leaning in for a kiss. "Look who's still bringin' the romance the morning after."
"We really need to hang out with Mrs. Vartann more often."
City Gym
7:06 am
"Here you go, Mrs. Vartann." Jake, the gym manager handed over the new ID card. "You're very photogenic."
"Thank you." Smiling at the hulk she said, "And you're very muscular. Are you like one of those body builder guys who grease up and do contests?"
"Yes, I am." He showed of his championship-quality bicep. "Just took another title this weekend as a matter of fact."
Walking up behind Becca, Tony joked with his good friend of ten years, "You're not flirting with my wife, are you?"
"Showing off, not flirting."
"That I'd believe." Tony pointed to Jake. "We worked together as cops, but he abandoned me about five years ago to become a personal trainer and body builder. That's why so many cops come here. Well, that and we get a great discount."
"I didn't wanna leave the force, my wife begged me to quit after I took a bullet in the arm."
"Blocking!" Becca plugged her ears and started walking to the locker room. "I need to powder my nose first."
"Becca has a bit of a nervous personality," Tony explained. "She's still getting used to being a cop's wife and we don't talk about guns and bullets."
"Speaking of wives." Jake pointed toward the front door. "Here comes your sleazy Ex."
"What?!" Tony whipped around. "Why didn't you tell me she joined up again?"
"She didn't. You pre-paid for the whole year, remember? I can't stop her if she decides to start lifting here again."
"What a coincidence!" Amy announced as she strutted into the gym. "I don't come here since we split and the first day back I bump right into you."
Unamused by her appearance Tony snapped, "Working dispatch you have access to my schedule, and since you know I come here and lift first thing in the morning on my days off, I don't think it's coincidental at all."
"You think I planned this?" Laughing hard, she scanned her membership card. "Get over yourself."
"I'm ready to pump iron, Baby!" Becca enthused on her way out of the Ladies locker room. "Ugh."
Dammit! I didn't think Twiggy was the workout type! Unzipping her jacket, Amy revealed her Ds were stuffed into a low cut red sports bra that ended right as her perfect Abs began. "Tony, I certainly hope you plan on intensively working your wife's non-existent pecs."
"Just ignore her." Tony grabbed Becca's hand and as they walked into the weight room he said, "Think of her just as you would a terrorist. Her goal is to disrupt our lives by remaining a constant threat, but she loses if we continue to go about our business without getting ruffled."
"Hey, Tone!" several fellow cops called out to their buddy.
"Hey." Tony stood behind Becca with his hands on her shoulders. "I'd like to introduce my wife, Becca Vartann. She'll be a regular starting today and I expect everyone to treat her well, especially since she's new to lifting and…I have seniority over all of you back at the station." After all the introductions were completed, he ushered Becca over to the least crowded area. "We'll start out with a dumbbell."
"I thought we weren't talking about the Ex anymore?"
"If you don't put the claws away you won't be able to hold the weight properly," Tony whispered as he placed a seven and half pound dumbbell in his wife's right hand and stood behind her. "But that was a good one. Moving on to our training session, any time you're lifting, you want to keep an eye on your form."
"I thought that was your fulltime job, Stud." After six reps, Becca burst into giggles, "Sorry, but having your body pressed up against me while I'm doing this is totally turning me on."
"Yeah, this is how I hooked the ladies back when I was single," Tony chuckled in his giddy wife's ear. "If it was taking too long for sex, I'd bring the girl to the gym to clinch the deal."
"Now I definitely regret not being athletic."
"It's never too late to get in shape. Okay, switch the weight to the other hand and do ten on that side."
Just as Becca made the switch, Amy took a seat on the bench five feet in front of them.
"Mrs. Vartann, I just want to say sorry about last night. You know…in case I came across bitchy. I had a shit day at work and I was loaded by the time you two arrived at Indigo."
Becca smiled at the witch and said, "Did you know that a major sign of alcoholism is always having to apologize for your actions while intoxicated? You've already apologized to me twice and I only met you yesterday."
Picking up two twenty pound dumbbells Amy said, "I was trashed when I said yes to Tony's proposal, guess that explains my stupidity there, huh? What was your excuse?"
"Remember what I said, Honey," Tony reminded his frustrated wife. "Just ignore her. Now switch the weight to the right and give me another ten."
"After watching the two of you together twice, it's sooooo easy to see why you married her, Tony." Seething with jealousy, Amy reclined on the bench and began doing chest presses. "You can control her and we both know how much you like to have things your way. As long as you don't have an opinion, Becca, you'll live happily ever after, but look out if you break one of the Law Enforcement Officer's many rules. You're still in the honeymoon phase, but once it wears off, he'll walk through the door without turning off the cop personality and get on your case about everything, like getting your tampon wrappers in the trash. Oh, and I hope you like Sun Devil football, because he's not going to give you the time of day when a game is on." God I miss the 'after workout' sex with him!
The ten LVPD personnel in the gym slowly migrated over to witness the brewing catfight.
Taking a breather, Becca snipped. "Sorry, can't say I agree with you, Skipper."
"Skipper?" Amy cocked her head.
"Skipper…Barbie's plastic enhanced, intelligence challenged sister, who secretly lusts after Ken, but doesn't…stand…a chance…with him because she is inferior to the girl he already has. Is the message clearer when said slowly, because I know it's been said to you a dozen times already and yet you're not giving up?"
Tony turned his back to hide his laughter and when he did he saw his buddies making claws and hissing.
Setting down her weight, Becca strolled over to stupefied Amy and calmly said, "Tony listens to and supports my ideas all the time. Did it ever dawn on you that maybe he didn't want to do things your way because your way was stupid…or nasty?" She coughed into her fist. "Play rape for example. And so what if he wants to watch his favorite team play football when he works his ass off for the LVPD all week? He deserves a little down time after keeping the streets safe!"
"Hey, can you call my wife and tell her that, Sweetheart?!" Sergeant Morrison patted his co-worker's shoulder. "I like the new wife much better."
"Me too," Tony remarked as he fell a little deeper in love with Becca. "If I could just get rid of the old one, life would be perfect."
Dropping her twenty pound dumbbells Amy barked back, "You've been married how long? A month? Talk to me a year from now when the novelty has worn off."
"Why do you care about our marriage?! If I want to dress like a Geisha and serve Tony twenty-four seven, what difference does it make to you? Could it be that you just can't stand seeing your ex-husband happy when you're miserable, so you're trying to ruin it for him?" Becca pointed to the door. "Go get your own gym and your own life! What about what's his name you told me about in the bar last night?! Mike, right? How's he gonna feel when he finds out you're constantly getting in your ex-husband's face? When I meet him, I'll be the first one to tell him how you're stalking Tony."
"Mike?" Since Amy said she had been with the guy at Dubrowski's party the night he was sent to look for the cat, Tony added up the clues. "You said he's coming into town this week. You've got to be kidding me. Mike Rodgers is your new guy?"
"Is that jealousy in your voice, Baby?" the hopeful ex-wife snickered.
"You really have lost your mind, Amy. The guy's a murderer for Christ's sake, but I guess if your most important characteristic in a man is his ability to rough you up in bed, I'm sure he's a great catch. He's married too, not that a guy's marital status has ever stopped you from screwing him. You know what…terrific, I'm glad you finally found a psycho to give you what I had no interest in doing to you, but now that you have, back the hell off Becca and me. We're tired of your bullshit and have officially run out of patience. You see us in a club, or on the street, or anywhere, you stay away, far away. Got it?" He instantly regretted letting his dirty laundry air in front of everyone.
"Amy!" Jake hustled over holding out a check. "There's a refund for your membership dues for the next three months. Now, go find yourself a new gym, because it's clear to me that you only came in here to cause trouble."
"You can't do that!"
"I just checked your contract and it says Management has the right to refuse service if a member is disrupting the environment or hassling other members." Slapping the check on the weight bench in front of the bitch, he snapped, "Management says beat it."
"Fine!" While gathering her warm up jacket and water bottle, Amy continued to harp on Tony, "Mike was set up to look like a murderer by your pal Stokes and his freaky CSI cronies! You have no idea how scary it's been for him in Ely. The poor guy's been in prison for almost a year for a crime he didn't commit. He's almost been killed twice."
The Blakes
7:15 am
"How much longer until we know?" Wendy whispered to Paul as they stood at the sink rinsing dishes and loading the dishwasher.
"I have to leave for work in fifteen minutes, will you be okay?"
"No, but you have to go." Wiping her hands on a dishtowel, she sighed, "I have to drop Sean at your sister's because his homeschool schedule has him doing an American History project with Nick. Since I'm dropping off McKenna, I volunteered to drive Cassie too."
Nick and Carrie's
7:25 am
Walking to the kitchen table with a platter, Jillian asked her granddaughter, "Cassie, Honey, how many pancakes would you like?"
"I'm not hungry, Grandma."
Nick reminded his mother as he bounced Ashley on his lap, "Could be that stomach virus."
Stroking her granddaughter's hair, Jillian asked, "Is your tummy sick from germs, or is it somethin' else, Sugar?"
"May I be excused?" the well-mannered five year old requested. "I hafta to get my backpack ready for Kindergarten."
"Can you drink a big sip of juice before you go?" When the little girl did as asked, she smiled and patted her head. "Love you, Sweetie. I'll come check on you in a few." Alone with her son and a clueless eighteen month old, Jillian spoke freely. "Are you as sick over this as me? That little girl was a firecracker when I was out here two weeks ago and now she's walkin' around like a zombie. It's breakin' my heart. Do you see why your father and I have been so militant in grillin' you children about knowin' for sure if you're marryin' the right person?!"
"Yes, ma'am." Nick cuddled Ashley before setting her down to explore the kitchen Carrie had childproofed at midnight the previous night.
"Do you see what divorce does to children?!" The heartbroken grandmother heatedly whispered, "It sucks the life out of them, it breaks their spirit. That little girl will never be the same, Nicholas."
"No offense, Mama, but I'm not the son gettin' divorced, I'm the one still recovering from losin' a baby with the woman he fully intends on lovin' until the day he dies."
Feeling horrible, Jillian walked over and hugged her youngest child. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart. You're absolutely right, and I really appreciate you openin' your home to the kids during what I sadly know first-hand is a very difficult time."
"I really do believe in 'til death do we part, but I have to tell you that in Andy's case, I think the divorce is justified and the best thing for the kids. If you saw Lissa on that video, you'd think it too. She's been messin' with his mind for years, and last night we found out that she's been fillin' Cassie's head with anoxeria propaganda. Trust me, Cassie is gonna be much better off in the long run, even if it hurts like hell now."
"This world is filled with too many evil people, Nicky." Jillian took a seat and buttered a stack of pancakes for herself. "Speakin' of evil, what's the latest on Mike Rodgers? When's he gettin' out?"
"By Friday."
"I keep hopin' what happened to Shelly happens to him."
"Gettin' knifed?" Nick remarked in surprise, then he teased the devout woman, "How Christian of you, Mama."
Ely State Prison
7:30 pm
From across the mess hall, Hawk watched Reverend Rodgers minister to his disciples as they sat worshipping him. Just wait until they see you bleed red like everyone else. The feel of steel under his pant leg giving him a rush, Hawk hurried through breakfast, hoping that it would make time move faster.
There was no doubt he'd be caught. There was a good chance he'd die trying. Not that he had the option to say no. As the chosen one, he looked forward to the glory. To be the guy who killed the cop who arrested one of their own in Vegas eighteen months ago, would be an honor attached to his name forever.
The hands of the clock couldn't move fast enough.
The Sanders House
7:34 am
"Slow down!" Greg ordered as Tawny raced up the stairs. "I don't want you to fall, Prin…Missy!"
"I'm so excited!" She rushed directly for the nursery, which was currently painted boring brown. "I can't wait to decorate!"
"But we should wait, right?" Greg walked to meet Tawny at the window where she was checking out the view. "Isn't it bad luck to prepare the nursery too early? Look what happened with Nick and Carrie's baby."
Patting her belly, Tawny assured her worrier husband, "These babies are here to stay. I read that once you see the heartbeats, the chance of miscarriage is really slim and is usually a defect issue or a health issue with the mom. Because we had the amnio, we know the girls are perfectly healthy, and so am I." Taking his hand, Tawny pressed it to her womb. "Doesn't it feel like I double in size overnight?"
"Whoa."
"I know!" Gushing with excitement, she lifted her camisole for a more intimate feel. "It feels so OH!"
"Did you feel that too?!" Greg yelled even though Tawny was three inches from him. "Was that a kick?!"
"I think it was!"
"Do you think she'll do it again?"
"I hope so."
After waiting in silence for five minutes, the expectant parents gave up. "We'll try again later," Tawny suggested. "I read that sugar can make the babies active, so maybe after I have some chocolate."
"Okay." He dropped his hand and took a step back, relieved that their life together hadn't ended the day before. I need to call Vartann and thank him for tackling me, because I might be in jail right now instead of here feeling my baby kick for the first time.
"Greg…"
"Yeah?" A loving smile stayed plastered on his face.
"Now that you don't have a wake-up woody, will you hug me?"
Scott had just stepped into the room. "Now there's a line I never heard." Seeing the relaxed body language between husband and wife, he knew without a doubt that the separation was warranted. For the first time in months, they weren't stressed out. They each had the amount of responsibility they could handle and enough time to grow into their roles without pressure.
"Yes, I'd love to hug you," Greg answered in a chuckle. "But that's as far as it goes, Missy."
The Vartanns
8:47 am
"Stop right there, Mister," Becca ordered when her husband dove his hands under her gym shirt the second they entered the bedroom. "I'm sorry, but I'm sweaty from Boot Camp and really not in the mood to fool around. Ugh, isn't it a turn off when I look and smell like a jock?"
"No, seeing your skin naturally glow from exertion has me much hotter than when you're made up like a movie star."
"Really?"
"Yeah, and that cute little tank shirt and matching shorts beats one of your freaky expensive backwards dresses any day."
Raising a brow she asked, "You're not just saying that to get laid?"
"No!" he laughed. "Don't get me wrong, I really want to get laid, but I meant what I said. You look beautiful, Becks. I wouldn't think of comin' near you if only I had worked out, but since we're both sweaty, it's okay. It's a jock thing, but I realize it must seem a little nasty if you're used to showering and spending hours on your appearance before going out with a guy." Having dated athletic women his whole life, he had grown accustomed to hot and heavy pre-shower romps upon returning from the gym and the craving was off the charts. "To a guy, the endorphins and the testosterone boost make the sex phenomenal, but if it's not your thing, it's not a problem. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not controlling." He winked then tossed his tank shirt. "Showering together after working out is fun too."
"On second thought…" Running her hand over her husband's six pack, she purred, "Maybe I am in the mood." I've deducted that you used to do this with the she-beast and there's no way I'm going to let a memory with her linger when I can replace it by making this romp the best you've ever had. "Let's go for it, Jocko."
Yesssssssssss! "Since you're a newbie, I'll review the post-workout sex rules."
"Rules?" she giggled as Tony backed her over to the bed. "This should be good."
"No one travels south of the equator," he informed her before cracking a wide grin.
Dropping back on the mattress, she clarified, "Because of the moist tropical conditions that developed in the sub-equatorial region during the workout?"
"Bingo!"
"What's rule number two?" she queried while watching her gym shorts fly through the air.
Sliding onto the bed next to his wife, Tony replied, "Rule number two is…capitalize on your elevated post-workout boosted metabolism, by making love as vigorously as possible so maximum calories are burned."
"I think I can handle that." Running her hands over her husband's muscular arms as he loomed over her, Becca joked, "Oh yeah, me like Tarzan. Me like how his muscles are sticking out."
"Jane, the technical term is 'ripped'." He teased her with his body and words, "Muscles get hard when you're lifting and they stay that way for a little while afterwards."
"Yes, yes they do," she giggled as he claimed her lips. "Mmm…is this why we chewed gum in the car? So we'd have fresh breath for this booty call you were obviously thinking about since we were at the gym?"
Swooping in for a kiss, he said, "Sorry, I went out of order. Rule one is…get rid of gym breath. Now, hang on."
"Ladies first, huh?" she teased when Tony rolled their bodies so she had the top spot.
"Always." He loved that she didn't waste a second getting started.
"How is it, Baby?" Becca asked a minute later when she slowed things down to see just how controlling her man would be. "I hope you don't mind, but I'm not in a vigorous mood at the moment."
"Mmm, no…I don't mind at all." Watching and enjoying her every move, he serenely smiled, "I like your way too."
"No, this is our post-workout way…I start it out slow and then you take control for the vigorous part. Will that work?"
"Absolutely."
Her eyes gleaming, Becca kissed her way to Tony's mouth. "See, just like our song says…we're making memories of us. New, wonderful memories, and every time we make a new one, it takes the place of a bad one we had with someone else."
"I like that idea, yeah." Lacing his fingers through Becca's hair, Tony brushed a kiss over his wife's lips, "I love you, Sweetheart."
Ely State Prison
8:58 am
"How's your day goin', Sweetheart?" Mike asked as soon as the call commenced. "There's some kind of delay in the schedule today, so I have a few minutes to chat before headin' outside."
"Ugh! My day sucks! Guess who I ran into at the gym?" she huffed into the phone.
"The Ex?" Mike replied. "I told you to stay away from him, because I think he's still raging about finding you with that other guy. Seriously, he could snap any minute and kill you."
"He followed me there. I think he's been following me all over town. I think just because he paid for my tits, he thinks he owns me."
"Does the new wife know what he's doing?" Grinning, the master planner asked, "Is she jealous? Because I had Schultz do some checking and I found out that she's a nutcase. She's been to dozens of shrinks, and has gone ballistic in public a bunch of times. You better watch out around her too. She could think you're trying to steal him and kill you."
"Seriously? She's nuts?" Amy's giddiness rang through the phone. "What else do you know about the bitch?"
"She had an abortion and attempted suicide immediately after."
"Ooh! That's perfect! You should have seen the way Tony scowled at me when I told him I got rid of the baby once he told me he was sterile. Telling him his wife did the same thing and that she's a nutcase should have Mr. Judgmental tossing her ass to the curb and his uber-Catholic parents will flip out when they hear the A word!"
"Hey, do you know if he signed a pre-nup? Because Schultz also found out Becca is filthy rich."
"I don't know."
"If Tony really wants you, I figure he only married the psycho for her cash." Pretending to have a sudden thought on the subject, Mike heatedly whispered, "Hey, what if he plans to off Becca to get her money and then marry you?"
"I keep telling you…Tony isn't violent."
"He wasn't in the past, but now that he's been burned, he's a different man. Please be careful, Amy. Please don't go near him." Staring at his reflection in the plexiglass divider, Mike said, "You should never underestimate an intelligent man with issues."
'This call has originated from a Nevada state prison.'
"How's my favorite robot-voice asshole?!" Amy shouted into the phone. "How many more days?"
"That's what I called to tell you." Beaming with anticipation Mike said, "It's confirmed for Friday."
"Yes!"
"Until I'm out, you better watch the psycho chick, because she'll have access to Tony's guns and from what I remember, he has a bunch." Relaxing in his uncomfortable steel seat, Mike continued to take candy from his baby. "Exactly how many weapons did he have when you split?"
"Hmm, four personal pistols…Ruger P94, Walther P99, Beretta 92, and the FBI and DEA's favorite, a Glock 22, which is also standard issue on the job now."
Nick and Carrie's
9:05 am
"Nicky!" Jillian rushed into the kitchen. "Have you taken precautions with your guns and rifles while the children are here?" After the Nigel incident, she knew he had purchased additional handguns and hid them very well throughout his apartment.
Nick cracked up as he wiped down the kitchen table. "Wendy is terrified of guns and when she found out I had a bunch, she freaked out about the kids visiting. Since we have plenty of room here, I got a state of the art gun safe to lock 'em in. It's in my bedroom closet." Moving closer he confessed, "I was doin' better for a while, but once I started livin' with Carrie and knew I was responsible for protectin' her, it came back with a vengeance. Every night I go to sleep with my fiancée and my Gloch 22. Really, I can't sleep without my gun, Momma, it's my woobie."
Remembering how he really couldn't sleep without his favorite blue blanket in his hand, Jillian relented, "Okay, I know when it comes to firearms, you know what you're doing."
The Sanders House
9:10 pm
"How am I doing, Dad?" Greg asked as he worked on the IKEA entertainment center.
"Looks great!" Scott enthused while staring at the twenty-six unopened boxes of furniture parts. "By the time you finish all this, every room will look great."
"And the twins will be entering college."
"Nah, probably junior high." Scott knelt down and opened the coffee table box. "I'm done with my stuff, so I'll help you."
"You're done?"
Scott smirked. "I only have a bed, remember? The furniture I purchased isn't coming until tomorrow and I can't unpack much without drawers. Tawny's handling the kitchen stuff. Unless…would you rather me not help you?"
"Are you kidding?" Greg handed over a screw driver. "Go for it."
Ely State Prison
9:15 am
As he walked the courtyard, Hawk couldn't wait to go through with the plan. Valdez, the gang's leader, had instructed him to start a seemingly routine argument during a handball game. Then, after exchanging some heated words with The Reverend, he was to plunge the blade deep into the enemy's gut.
"Do it, or die trying," Valdez said as he strolled by his minion. "Anything else is unacceptable."
Hawk nodded and started what could be his death march.
The Vartanns
9:18 am
"I'm alive! Becca exclaimed as she dashed for the shower. "God, I haven't felt this good in years! Maybe ever! Shoot! I have to get to the office."
Shaking his head, Tony followed his wife into the bathroom. "Do you think there's any correlation to you feeling better now that you aren't filling your body with alcohol and illicit drugs then drinking four tons of caffeine every week to counteract the exhaustion? Oh, and let's not forget you only eating crap, that is when you remembered to eat."
"You think?"
Placing his hands on Becca's shoulders, he sweetly said, "Endorphins are nature's Zoloft, Honey. After a couple of months following my routine, maybe you won't need the pills. I'll write up a workout program to go along with the diet and supplement plan I gave you."
"Your Ex is right," she flatly stated. "You're totally controlling. Think about it, you're deciding what I eat, when I sleep, how I take my meds, and now you're adding the exercise thing. On top of that, you call to see where I am, you ask me what I'm doing…you tell me when I'm doing something I shouldn't be doing."
Stunned by his wife's words, Tony struggled with his reply, "Uh…wow…I'm really sorry, I…"
"Don't be." She broke into a glorious smile. "Because I've been waaaaaaay out of control for years. Thank you for caring enough about me to take the time to help."
Raising his index finger, Tony said, "Hold on for a minute while I finish having the heart attack you just gave me."
"Sorry." Leaning in, she placed a tender kiss on his chest. "Whoa, I can hear it pumping in panic."
"So, you were kidding? Or you think I'm only controlling because you need to be controlled?"
"Hell no!" she laughed. "You're a big time control freak, but not in an evil way. You can't help it, it's the cop thing…having a sense of order, keeping a watchful eye, trust issues. I need someone watching my every move, so we're a perfect match. "
Lifting Becca's chin with his fingertips, he said, "Just promise me that if you ever feel like I'm crossing the line, you'll tell me the second you feel that way, okay? Please don't let something serious build for months or years and then blast me about it during a Devils game."
"I promise," she replied and sealed it with a kiss. "I'll start right now. Can you pleeeeeeeease put the toilet paper roll on the roller when you get a new one, instead of just setting it on top of the counter. And don't tell me you can't do it, because after watching you lift all those heavy weights today, I know you can lift that two ounce roll of paper."
"From here on out it's goin' on the roller," he laughed. "Anything else bugging you?"
"Nope." She bounded over to the shower and started the water. "Everything else is perfect."
Ely State Prison
9:30 am
All conditions were perfect for Axel Jessup as he approached the handball game where Mike Rodgers, his target, was playing. A professional hitman on the outside, this would be his twenty-third and easiest job. As a lifer, the money the job paid wasn't earmarked for him, but for the special lady in his life…his ten year old daughter, Autumn.
His cousin handled the transaction on the outside and then shared the details over two visits. The instructions were to kill Mike Rodgers, a known rapist and murderer, because someone on the outside wanted to make sure he never killed another innocent young girl. That made it easy, much easier than the kills ordered over monetary reasons. All the motivation he needed to carry out this job was a visual of Mike attacking Autumn.
Another check of the time and he realized the moment had arrived.
Moving quickly, but not fast enough to raise suspicion, he approached. "Autumn," he whispered as he summoned the horrific vision of Mike Rodgers strangling his ten year old daughter. But just as he was about to make his move, he saw Hawk Redfield start an argument with the target. Dammit!"
"We're tired of your bullshit!" Hawk yelled in Mike's face. "Do you hear me, Man?!" Afraid the blade would slip out of his sweaty hand if he waited a second longer, he lunged forward with the steel tip pointed at the enemy's gut.
"Shank!" Tino Samburo yelled to warn Mike.
Axel knew if Mike died at someone else's hand he would he still get the money for his daughter's bank account. Now it really would be the easiest, best paid job of his life.
"Mother Fucker!" Mike shouted when he felt the slice of the blade.
Ten yards away Axel's lips inched into a joyous smile. Thanks, Hawk, I owe you one if Mike dies. If he doesn't, I'll kill you for messing this up for me.
Paul's Office
9:36 am
Sitting at his desk, Paul redid the figures he had messed up for the third time. He had just spoken with his father, who was just as frustrated that there was no news even though it was after nine. They had said 'before nine' so the worried husband and father clung to the expression 'no news is good news' like a life raft.
"Hey, Paul." Craig Landon stepped into his co-workers cubicle. "Do you have a copy of the Clifton Account prospectus? I can't find mine."
"Uh…" With a trembling hand, Paul opened his file cabinet. "Sure."
"You feelin' okay?
"Actually, no, I feel a little queasy. One of my kids has the stomach virus and I think I may have caught it."
"Don't breathe on me," Craig belly laughed.
"You probably shouldn't hang out here too long."
"Hey, I was talking to the wife last night about you and your family. She wants to have you guys over for dinner soon Kids too."
"Great." Where is that damn file!
"Check your calendar and let me know if you have a Saturday open."
"Will do." Paul handed over the requested account folder just as his cell phone rang. "Sorry, I have to get this."
"Thanks for the file."
When his co-worker was gone, Paul glanced down at the caller-ID and gasped when he saw his father's name. "Dad!"
"Are you ready, Son?"
"Dammit! Just tell me already! I'll have a stroke if I have to wait another minute!"
Author's Notes:
The Becca and Amy 'Skipper' part was co-written with Mr. Maggs. LOL he's branching out from GS love scenes.
I hope you enjoyed it.
Next Chapter: Find out Mike status and more! Posting: Friday or Saturday depending on how tired KJT is when she returns!
Thanks for Reading!!
Maggs