Chapter 12

The Punishment

After a twenty minute cab ride, Raylan and Karen finally arrived at their destination.

"A cigar lounge?" Raylan raised an eyebrow, taking care of the cab fare and wondering why they were somewhere out in the suburbs. "Really?"

Karen looked over her shoulder. "Good booze. Good food. And yeah, I sometimes enjoy an after dinner cigar."

Hmmmm. You must really be part of the 'Boy's Club' now, Raylan thought to himself.

Once inside, it appeared to Raylan that, from the top notch service they received, Karen was a regular at this place. They were led to a candle lit booth, the table covered in linens, old style. Raylan placed his Stetson on a ledge behind him.

"I'd like the Chivas. 18 Year Old. Neat," Karen told the waiter off the top of her head.

"And you, sir?" the waiter asked Raylan.

"Do ya' have Wild Turkey?" he asked. He was going to need a stiff drink for this dinner.

The waiter rattled off a list. "101, American Spirit, Rare Breed . . . Russel's Reserve?"

"Seein' how the lady's buyin', I'll have the Russel's Reserve," Raylan answered. "Neat as well."

"That's right," Karen smiled, referring to Raylan's remark about the tab. "Let's stick it to Uncle Sam."

After the waiter left, Karen reached across the table and touched Raylan's hand. The candlelight was kind to the lines that had formed in the corners of her eyes, lines that weren't there during the time Raylan knew her. The halter top she wore displayed her full, perky breasts and her nipples, which were erect underneath the clingy jersey fabric. They were hard not to notice. "The reason I wanted to talk to you outside of the office is, I need your help, Raylan."

Raylan raised an eyebrow. And you're usin' your feminine wiles to get it, no doubt, he thought to himself. He tilted his head and waited for her to continue.

"I'm heading a joint task force between the Marshals Service, the DOJ, and the Feebs. We've been investigating a white supremacy group that is classified as a home grown terrorist organization." She leaned over and lowered her voice. "And its ties go right back to your home state of Kentucky."

"Do say?" Raylan was beginning to see a glimpse of his punishment.

"Yes. One of the targets is doing time in Big Sandy, as we speak."

Raylan let out a knowing sigh. "Kentucky is not without its share of home grown, racist assholes."

At about this time, the waiter returned with their drinks and took their dinner order. Karen ordered a shrimp Cobb salad and Raylan, the burger and fries.

"Anyway, the taskforce is meeting every day, seven days a week. Here. In D.C.," she said, stopping to take a sip of her Scotch. "Eventually, we'll be spinning off our part to Kentucky."

"And that's where I come in?" he asked, taking a much bigger gulp of his bourbon.

"Yes, but I need you to stay here in D.C. for about a week or so to get up to speed," she said, her gaze intently on him. "You'll be on a per diem. My office will cover your hotel."

Raylan's body bristled and then, he tried to retain complete control. "Ya' know, I'm on vacation. Because of budgetary bullshit. Ya' must know that, right?" he asked, hoping it might make a difference in what she was proposing.

She gave him a wicked smile. "Of course, I know. Art told me." She scooted herself closer to him and seductively licked her lips. This time, it was for certain. Raylan saw some side boob. "The task force is being funded entirely by Homeland Security."

Under the table, Karen ran her fingertips up the length of Raylan thigh. Raylan was only human, and he felt his body betray him as it reacted to this very . . . sexy woman. She knew how to push his buttons. Oh yeah, she knew exactly what she was doing.

"I don't think this is a good idea," Raylan shook his head, trying to clear it, moving further to the edge of the booth, away from her. "I mean, you and me . . . workin' together in such . . . close proximity."

"I think it's the best idea I've had in a long, long time." Karen moved even closer towards him, her fingers stroked higher on his leg as she said 'long, long.'

She knew how to turn him on. It was as if his body had wired in memory as to how she turned him on. He was fighting with himself.

He grabbed her hand under the table and pulled it away from him.

"What's the matter?" she cooed. "Don't tell me you don't like me touching you."

"Oh," he tried to gain his composure. "I like it just fine. But that's not the point, Karen. I'm sorry, but I'm not available to ya' anymore."

Karen pulled her hand back, folding them in front of her on the table. Still, she leaned toward him. "I don't want to marry you, Raylan. I'm not a home wrecker. I just want to have some fun . . . the way we used to do." Her gaze was steady on his, and he was first to look away, clearing his throat.

"I love Winona."

Karen shrugged. "That may be, but didn't she cheat on you? And didn't you mention to me once – we were naked at the time as I recall – that she always hated your job?" She reached across the table, laying her hand on his. "I don't hate your job. I understand it. And I know how good you are at it, among other things." She squeezed. "I could do a lot to help you, you know. It would be a shame if I were inclined to do the opposite."

"Karen," Raylan tugged at his hand, but she wouldn't let go. "This is . . ."

"Harassment?" she purred. "Not hardly. You and I have a very, colorful sexual history." Her eyes were fixed on his. "Not to mention, you could do prison time for what you did. Hacking into FEMA's website, using my password."

The waiter arrived just then with their food, but Raylan had lost his appetite. This dinner was taking a disturbing turn. "So, as my sentence ya' want to make me your sex slave?"

She smiled at him. "There are worse punishments."

"Karen, you are a hot, stunnin' woman. You could have any man you want."

There were military men at the bar, many of them were officers, and he indicated them with a sweep of his hand. "Any man here would be thrilled to take you home. But you're zeroin' in on one man who isn't interested. It don't make any sense."

"Oh, you're interested alright," she said. "I can tell." She reached down, boldly stroking his crotch while keeping her eyes locked on his. "And after what you did, if you care about your career . . . if you care about your freedom?" She gave him a little squeeze. He was definitely becoming aroused. "Your mind says no, but your body is saying, yes."

"Raylan!" The familiar voice startled him and he looked up, instantly guilty even though he'd done nothing.

"Winona?" His arousal vanished, and he stood, glad to have an excuse to extricate himself from Karen. "What're ya' doin' here? Where's Willa?"

"Willa's outside with Adam. Gayle called. Daddy's had another heart attack, and he's refusing treatment." Winona's face was flushed, her eyes worried. "I need to go home." Her words tumbled out, focused only on him, not even acknowledging the woman in the booth.

Instinctively he reached out, pulling her to him. "I'm sorry. We'll go as soon as we can."

Behind him, Karen Goodall cleared her throat. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that. You're under investigation, and I need you to remain in my jurisdiction. That is, if you want to remain in the Marshal Service."

Winona shot the other woman a murderous look. "What's she talking about, Raylan? Didn't you tell her you were only trying to find your sister?"

Karen scooted out of the booth, nudging Raylan aside so she could stand. Winona looked her up and down, noting her unprofessional attire. Karen returned the scrutiny. "I was just telling Raylan that I couldn't simply let his abuse of our previous intimacy go without punishment. Are you now telling me that you knew what Raylan was doing, hacking into government websites? Are you an accessory? Winona, is it? Do I need for you to remain in my jurisdiction, as well?"

"She didn't know anything about what I was doin'. The computer stuff, the password . . . it's all on me," Raylan cut in, flashing Winona a look that warned her to keep her mouth shut.

Still staring at Winona, Karen said, "If you need to go and see about your father, you'll need to make plans to leave without this one." She pointed over at Raylan.

Winona looked up at her man, fighting the tears that were welling in her eyes. She made up her mind that she was not going to cry in front of this horrid woman.

"What do ya' want from me?" Raylan asked Karen in all frustration.

"Effective immediately, you're assigned to the task force. Report to the court house conference room tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. sharp," she said, reaching over into the booth to retrieve her handbag. "And Raylan?" she asked as she was about to leave the two alone. "If you don't show? I'll issue a BOLO on you."

Karen brushed passed Raylan, lingering her touch as she stared down Winona on her way out. "Oh, one more thing. Since your baby mama interrupted our meeting? You can pick up the tab. I'll see you in the morning."

As Karen walked out of the restaurant, Raylan looked over at Winona and opened his arms. "C'mere."

"Raylan," Winona whispered, and he took her in his arms. "What's going on? What are we going to do?"

He tightened his hold on her, hugging her tight. "Don't worry, Winona. We'll figure it out."

-o-o-o-O-o-o-o-

"$365 for a non-stop flight," Winona said, setting the phone down on the counter. "And it doesn't leave until after noon tomorrow. I can get there quicker driving. Will you be alright without the car?"

Raylan took a pull from his beer and sighed. "I'll be fine, but I really don't like the idea of you drivin' all that way alone with the baby, especially when you're upset."

"I could drive her," Adam offered.

Winona glanced from Adam to Raylan, noting the tightness in her man's jaw. "That's nice of you Adam, but really, I'm a big girl. I'll be fine."

Raylan cleared his throat, looking down at the floor before fixing his gaze on the younger man. "I'd appreciate that."

"You're kidding me," Winona stared at him.

"I hate that I can't go with you," he said. "It'd make me feel better knowin' you aren't alone."

"But what about your work?" Winona asked Adam. "And the band."

He waved off her concerns. "That's why we have subs. And since I worked Jamie's shift for him all last week, he'll take care of things at the restaurant for me. We can leave in the morning, early, before rush hour."

"Then, we all better get what shut-eye we can," Raylan said. He grabbed the carrier with Willa sound asleep inside it and threw his other arm around Winona. She leaned into him. "'Night, Adam."

"Goodnight."

-o-o-o-O-o-o-o-

Anna was dog tired. It was after midnight and she had just gotten home. She would barely have time to get into bed before waking up a few hours later and doing it all over again. She sat in a chair next to her bed, unlacing her commuter shoes, listening to Adam.

"Raylan has to stay here in D.C. He's in some kind of trouble with a higher up in the Marshal Service for getting information on you from government websites when he was trying to track you down. In the meantime, Winona got a phone call from her sister that her father has had another heart attack and is refusing treatment. She needs to go to him. He's in Kentucky."

"But why do you need to go?" Anna asked, her exhausted brain not understanding any of what she was being told.

"Because Raylan can't," he explained. "Winona's a mess. She's afraid she's going to lose her father . . . Raylan doesn't want her driving all that way alone, with a baby no less. And he can't take care of her, can't go with her. Winona, Willa, and I can take off before the morning rush hour. I didn't think you'd mind. I mean, it's not like you're around much these days anyway, with this task force and all."

Adam's remark went right over Anna's head. "I still don't understand why Raylan can't go," she said. "After all, he's stationed in Kentucky."

"Evidently, he's in some kind of trouble here. In D.C." Adam sighed. "By the way, Raylan and Winona are not buying you're a real estate agent anymore," he said. "They don't know what you do, but they know you're not being forthcoming. And they're fine with that . . . for now." He walked across their bedroom and kneeled down beside her chair. "So, you need to understand that they are not telling me or you everything that goes on with them. I don't understand all the ins and outs of why Raylan can't go, either. But I do know he can't go. He would if he could."

She reached over and gave his shoulder a squeeze. "How long do you think you'll be gone?"

"It depends, I guess, on what happens with Winona's dad." He shrugged. "I'll stay as long as she needs me."

"She barely knows you." Anna's weariness made her snap back. "Can't she fly home?"

"Money's evidently a little tight right now. They spent a lot of money looking for you," he tried using the guilt card. "And you know one-way is more expensive. Why are you being so weird about this? I'm just doing a friend . . . maybe a relative . . . a favor."

"I'm sorry," Anna mumbled, pulling her shirt off over her head. "I'm just so tired. The bitch left early tonight for some dinner meeting, but there was so much to do for tomorrow that we couldn't leave." She yawned.

"Dinner meeting?"

"Yeah," he nodded

"And this woman is FBI?"

"No, she's the Assistant Director of the Marshals."

"Oh!" Her eyes widened. "She's the boss Raylan is in trouble with?" She shook her head. "Damn. I feel sorry for him."

-o-o-o-O-o-o-o-

Raylan kissed the top of Willa's head for the third time and handed her the stuffed monkey. "You be good for Mama, now." Shutting the door of the Lincoln, he turned to Winona. "I'm gonna miss my girls." He put his arms around her, and she tipped her face up for a kiss.

"We'll miss you, too." She bit her lip. "Don't let that . . . woman take advantage of you."

"Don't you worry about her. You're prettier, you're sexier, and I love you. Karen doesn't stand a chance."

She kissed him again. "I love you, too, Cowboy."

Adam came down the steps hand-in-hand with Anna. In his other hand, he carried a battered backpack. When they reached the Lincoln, Adam bent his head to hers and gave her a quick kiss before sliding into the driver's seat. Anna folded her arms over her chest. "Be careful."

"I love you, too," Adam said, grinning. "I'll call you."

"Okay." She stood beside Raylan and watched as the Lincoln disappeared. "You want to get some breakfast?"

"I 'spose we have plenty of time," he said, referring to the ungodly hour of the morning. "Look, I am sorry we ended up on your doorstep, in your house. And now your boyfriend is drivin' Winona and our baby to Kentucky. You sure as hell didn't bargain for any of this. I'll be outta your hair this mornin'. I'm on a per diem and will find some place to stay."

"Just don't steal any of my silver," she said, deadpanned.

He smiled, following Anna inside.

"You and me? We're on our own for breakfast," she said, headed for the kitchen. "Adam's the cook in this house. I can make coffee. That's about it. But there's yogurt, cereal. Ah. I see we have some bagels. I can toast a bagel."

"Coffee and a bagel would be fine," Raylan said, straddling a barstool on the other side of the island. "I want ya' to know that you don't have anything to worry about where Winona is concerned."

"That's funny," Anna said, measuring out the ground coffee she pulled from the freezer. "I was about to reassure you of the same where Adam is concerned."

"Well, good," he nodded. "Sounds like we both picked two fine people as our life partners." After a beat, he added, "That is what you two are . . . right?"

Pouring the water into the coffer maker and turning it on, Anna answered, "As long as the man will put up with me. I'm not the easiest person in the world to get along with."

"Hmmm," Raylan reacted. "Sounds like me. I guess that makes them both extra special."

Changing the subject, Anna gingerly began. "So . . . your plans changed? Now, you're staying in town a while longer. On a per diem?"

"Yeah," Raylan scoffed. "Don't that beat all? How your life can change on a dime."

Pushing a little more, she said, "Adam mentioned you had gotten into some kind of trouble with your boss. Is everything okay?"

Wincing, Raylan carefully proceeded. "It's not as bad as it sounds. I did somethin' in an unorthodox way that got the job done. Now, I have to take my licks for it. But it was worth it."

Anna nodded thinking of her own personal experiences on the job. "Yeah, it usually is."

"I'm no stranger to takin' my licks for doin' things in an unorthodox way," he said, leaning forward on his forearms. "My only regret is that Winona got caught up in the crossfire." He let out a sigh. "I really shoulda gone with her to see about her father. She woulda done it for me. Hell, she has done it for me."

Pulling two mugs out of the cabinet, Anna poured the hot coffee into the mugs and added, "There's something to be said for being steadfast and loyal on the job. I'm sure Winona appreciates it."

"Law enforcement is not so conducive to family life," he sighed. "At least not the line of work I'm in. There's risk that comes with the territory. No different than when a firefighter or a police officer gets a call. And while I accept the risk, it's a little harder to expect a loved one to do the same."

Anna was surprised to hear someone other than a co-worker who got it. In fact, she welcomed it. Placing a mug fresh coffee in front of Raylan, she asked, "Cream? Sugar?"

"Sugar, please," he answered.

Anna slid the sugar bowl on the island toward him and said, "You don't need to find another place to stay. Pocket your per diem. Stay here."

(To be continued . . .)