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Thread: [M] Mystery In Carter Lake (Storm & Bluemoon) (IC)

  1. #21
    Poppa Squirrel
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    Default Momma Moon and Poppa Squirrel Co

    As Angela heads out the front door, Dave steps in the bedroom with a breakfast tray, omlet, toast and coffee moving to where Rayne is sitting. He sets the tray on the night stand then sits on the corner still somewhat trying to wrap his head around the news this morning.

    The men last night that he confirmed were not Pam's even before going up, which would have been apparent when he interacted with them. Interacted, such a casual term for harming someone. Would she despise him if she was aware of what he could do if violence was necessary.

    It was painfully obvious that those men were not professionals, more rent a thugs from the Mayor.

    He was expecting a patrol to have been to his house to bring him to the station, yet the news talked about a minor disturbance involving drunks at the hospital. Not the ‘police looking for…’ he waited for. Typical story of reports of shots fired that turned out to be teenagers shooting off fireworks, teens warned, no tickets issued.

    The more interesting story was the Mayor being out of town, details still unclear, Deputy Mayor Joseph Myers to provide more details at a later time. The real shocker came in the news story retraction, that Sergeant Nichols was not suspended however on vacation blaming an unnamed no intern on jumbling several releases together giving the wrong story Monday. The intern released from the internship. All that is simply an afterthought, his one … and only focus now is on Rayne.

    Seeing she is holding the picture of Kathy, starts with a soft “I can store that, how are you holding up darling? If you are able, can you please try to eat something?”

    Rayne looks at the tray with mild interest, then sets the picture beside her, “Maybe later,” she says, referring to both the photo and the food. She reaches over and puts her arm around his waist, pulling him closer to her so she can rest her head against him. “I want to talk about early this morning...what happened at the hospital.”

    Having hoped she was not aware fully what he had done aside from bringing her to his home this morning, he caresses her cheek, not wanting to aggravate the lacerations on her back. Dave kissed her softly on the forehead before looking her in the eyes, softly he asks “How much do you remember, ask me anything.”

    She tries to determine the best way to phrase her question, without blaming him outright for what she saw when he helped her from the room. After a long pause, she says, “Angela said you had a plan before you came to my room. Was the plan to hurt those men?” Her only memory of the men came shortly after she arrived, seeing them talking to the doctor. Their dress had not been that of hospital personnel, otherwise she would not have noticed them. It was only after she saw them sprawled out in the hallway that she suspected they might be there for her.

    His tone soft, a bit of concern evident, he did not want to alarm Rayne during her recovery by telling her the men may have been trying to remove her from the hospital, they were definitely there to keep people from her, possibly even threaten her or worse. He responds keeping as much to himself as possible “I never make plans to do harm to anyone, however if the need does present itself, I would resort to necessary force.”

    His face cringed a brief second, thoughts of ‘could I possibly sound anymore like I am on a witness stand or an Internal Affairs excessive force interview’ wishing he could rewind time and give a more thought out answer.

    Rayne nods, chewing on her lower lip. “So...you planned on harming them if needed..to get me out. Why?” No matter how hard she racks her brain she can not recall why she needed to leave the hospital. Angela had visited her once, telling her to be ready, but she did not know for what. It was shortly after that that Dave showed up. There wasn’t a lot of sense to it...she had been careful not to talk about vampires or anything else crazy..had even confirmed the doctor’s assumption that she had been attacked by a bear. All to keep the mayor and Pam’s people off her back. No one had questioned her, not even the police. She looks at Dave, thinking she must have missed something.

    Dave still does not want to cause her undue worry, he knows her strength, but during recoveries, he would not cause that unnecessary stress. He thinks of a way to tell her something for now and later more of the details. He will tell her cliff notes version of his taking her home. “When I came to get you, they did come at me, I did not injure them, more prevented them from taking you.” He immediately closes his eyes in total disbelief he actually let the words ‘take you’ slip. He stops before anything else comes out reaching to the tray taking the coffee cup “try to take in at least some liquids.”

    Rayne’s eyes narrow, but she takes the cup from him and puts the hot brew to her lips and takes a sip. She reaches for the toast as stretches out her legs in front of her. Normally she would throw the cup, coffee and all, due to the frustration she was feeling at his inadequate answers, but instead she smiles, takes a bite of toast and chews, almost making a show of the act. “You say ‘ask me anything’ but are giving me the runaround. I want to know where they were going to take me...to the station for questioning? Cause they didn’t look like cops and they weren’t Gorillas.” She lets out an exaggerated puff of breath, “I am not a child Dave, please just tell me the truth. I need to know what and who to be afraid of if I am going to survive this.”

    Dave knows that trying to keep something from Rayne when she is determined is like trying to keep papers on a desk during a hurricane. He looks softly toward her
    “I am sorry, this is new to me. I will tell you everything but I was frightened..” that alone would be the first time her or anyone else would have heard him use that word “..on how it would affect you. Not emotionally, I know you could handle anyone or anything, I just didn't want to aggravate what you physically went through. I promise I will tell you, but can I do so when Angela determines you are ready?” already knowing that Ang knew what the Mayor's rented help was there for.

    It is obvious that she is upset, but in her current condition she cannot pace the room or storm out of his house, so she simply gives in and says, “fine,” but it is not fine and the purse of her lips tells all. “Then I suppose talking about anything that may ‘upset’ my delicate condition is off limits.” She scowls at him and pulls away from the physical contact she had initiated, once again pulling her legs up close to her chest and wrapping her arms around her knees.

    Dave moves close to Rayne resting his hand on hers, besides Ang mentioning to himself and Kevin that she might be moved to a psych ward, he did receive a text from Pam that Mayor PP had been discussing moving RayRay to Olympia and blocking access to her. He had figured that she had his office bugged.

    He says with hesitation “You are right. At best you might have been taken to see the Mayor, threatened or jailed to keep you silent, at worse, a trip to Olympia's mental health facility as in inpatient.” waiting to see how she processes it, still not fully told by Pam that she visited the Mayor.

    The anger dissipates as her expression changes to confusion once again. “...but why? I lied. I told them what I thought they wanted to hear.” But it doesn’t take much for her to determine the reason. She is like a pitbull--aggressive and determined--when it comes to reporting the truth. They would have seen through her lies and expected her to spin another tale once she was released. “I...think I understand...but how could they do that? It would require a lot of people to pull that off...nurses, doctors, psychiatrists...how could they have all those people under their control?”

    Almost like a gut punch, he thinks ‘to an extent I was one of their mouth pieces, telling the story, not asking why’ Not sure if she would accept it, not knowing if she would reject him, but hate him or not, he is determined that he will not keep anything from her. In a tone almost of that of someone who admitted to burning down a puppy shelter

    “I think I was one of them, reading the stat… no, not statement, reading the lie. Chief told me to control the fear. I am not stupid, I saw the developers, seemed for others, it might of been greed, what they could gain, or fear. The chief would often tell me I was jeopardizing his job when I couldn't read some lies with a clear conscious. Each that do the mayor's dirty work do it for their own gain.” He looks to her, being eaten up inside, waiting for a slap, a ‘I hate you’, just waiting for his life to be taken from him for - his lies.

    Rayne’s brows furrow, he was not telling her anything she did not already know. She had never been satisfied with ‘no comment’ but the other words that did come from his mouth so often were vague or purposely misleading. “So you were a pawn...just following orders? Like when you were in the army?” It is a lame excuse, one which anyone with a conscious should be able to resist. And although it is difficult for her to accept, she realizes that even the most honest people can be manipulated.

    She lowers her gaze and mumbles softly, ”I’m sorry. I have already forgiven you for that. Water under the bridge and all that.” It is a comment she has said to him before, not that long ago. “Start over?” ...and then she smiles at him, her hand slipping into his.

    His first thought is on how lucky he to be with such an understanding woman, is she separating the professional jobs with the personal life he wants to build with her. As she slips her hand into his, he raises it giving a soft kiss. He offers “at the beginning I might stumble, but I can say that I will not keep anything from you.” He lowers her hand wanting to have her as relaxed as possible, in the moment he had forgotten one thing he wanted to say to her.

    “I do want to mention while you were sleeping, the 8:30 news was interesting. The usual officers responding to shots fired calls from the public only found teenagers using fireworks. There was no mention of you. The story that shocked me was the mayor's office offered a revision on the smear of me they released just yesterday. Blamed it on an intern, unnamed intern at that, that jumbled several releases together sending a mixed one on me. Seems I am on vacation, not suspended. Also that the Mayor is out of town, no other explanation on that one.” giving her time to absorb what he still has not wrapped his head around.

    Rayne can imagine Pam being behind the Mayor’s unexpected disappearance, especially since the mayor was responsible in part for Dave’s firing, but the rest seems more like the precinct’s doing. She couldn’t decide if it is a good or bad thing that his job is available to him again. “Are you going to go back?” she asks, also wondering if she should write a different spin on what happened at the park. Would that put her in danger? And would it be worth the risk? Just a week ago she would have dove in to get the truth out there, journalism a risky business but not life threatening. Now, she just doesn’t know.

    The question he had been asking himself. If he does go back, he is sure it will be just the same old cover up this and cover up that. There is no longer a line in the sand he would not cross to consider on each lie they will ask him to tell. He does not want to have any lines to consider. His answer is simple “I don't want to go back to that kind of life. I want to be clean, you might not know just how dirty I sometimes felt. The radio the other day hurt bad. Looking back, the weight was actually lifted, no, I don't want to nor plan to go back. Can you help me? I really think I screwed up Kevin this morning, help me get to the bottom of what is going on.”

    Rayne smiles, squeezing his hand. “Of course I will...and I can help you get back on good terms with Kevin, or at least talking terms.” Dave’s words resonate within her, she wants to feel clean also...and she knows now her decision regarding her past. “Can I borrow your laptop?” she asks. “I have something to show you.”

    Dave steps over to the night stand on other side of the bed removing his laptop. Opening it and entering the password, he moves back around to Rayne setting it alongside her “all yours darling.” Sitting on the side of the bed close to her.

    Rayne crosses her legs and places the computer on her lap. She starts typing lines of code, going from one screen to another until two files, appearing like ordinary manilla folders, are lined up together. She enters in a password and then looks at him. “I have never shown these to anyone and I trust no matter how they affect you, you will not make them public.” She says it as a statement, not a question. “The other day when I said I might not pass a background check I was lying to you. The truth is I would not. These files are from 10 years ago and have been sitting here all that time...just in case. I guess in a way I made them for you.” She hits the enter key and the first file opens, a picture of a young girl in the forefront, age 11. It is obvious that the girl in the photo is a younger version of Rayne, but the name is listed as Emily Mitchell.

    Rayne pushes the computer towards Dave without an explanation.

    Dave takes the computer initially having thought she was going to say that she had a source that was a criminal or she was married and escaped an abusive husband. As he reads the file, each year photos more like her, her record, her foster care, each page his face looks more pained. He is familiar of the charge sheets so he knows what each code represents. As he reads on, continues pained expressions. As he opens the second file, new name, new identity, it is clearly evident what these files contain. He simply closes the laptop lid when done reading looking to her a brief moment. Finally he could speak
    “Oh god Rayne…” while moving close to her, holding her carefully so as not to aggravate her injuries “... I can't begin to imagine the pain you had to have been through when younger. The difficulties you have gone through then, even now with this lingering. Oh god my darling, I don't have the words right now, I wish I had someway to take any pain you still have and keep it myself.”

    Holding her more tenderly than he has ever “I love you, not some date on some calendar. I would never think of allowing this public, not for what people might think of you, those people could go to hell, but for anymore pain it would cause you.”

    Rayne’s body stiffens when Dave’s arms first enclose her, his empathy not at all what she expected...perhaps over time, but not so soon after seeing who she really was. Allowing herself to relax in his embrace she leans into him, tears starting to cloud her vision. She feels it is over now...all the years of worry. For the first time she has met someone she wanted to bare her soul to...and despite her flaws and emotional scars, he still was able to say he loved her. Her body flushes with emotion and as she looks up at him, she feels a deeper connection to him than she ever has to anyone, “I love you too,” she says in a breathy whisper.

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  2. #22
    RPA's Resident Zombie
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    Default Co-post (Poppa Squirrel and Mama Moon)

    Over the course of the next few days Rayne continues to improve, with most of her free time being spent doing research. She also manages to get out an article on the events at the park that were documented as ‘fireworks’. Her article poses several theories...fireworks...UFOs...bear attack...vampires. She approaches it from a nonsensical point of view--more a commentary than an actual true event. The only damning evidence to the fireworks story are her injuries, which she purposely leaves out, afraid bringing that into the equation will only cause trouble for her or Dave.

    She reaches out to Kevin several times to mend the relationship between him and Dave, but ‘he can fuck off’ is the response she gets each time and she decides to let Kevin brood a while longer before she tries again. Angela continues with her daily visits and on the third day she finally lets Rayne see the healing gouges on her back. The moment is a tense one as Rayne silently stares at the ugly marks...finally remarking she won’t be wearing scoop-back dresses for some time yet--her acceptance is unusual, but with the relationship she has been strengthening with Dave, her concerns of her outward appearance seem less of an issue.

    On the fourth day, Rayne goes back to her own home, deciding she has to get herself back on track. She steps back into her reporter persona that afternoon as she attends a press conference that addresses yet another missing person. It is here that she meets Dave’s replacement.

    -----------------

    Rayne knocks on Dave’s door, holding several bags of Chinese food in one hand and her new phone in the other. She is still wearing the clothes she had on at the conference, having come directly here after picking up dinner. She did not call ahead, hoping since it is still early he would not have eaten. And as she does not know what he likes, she has bought a large selection, hoping at least one of them is his favorite.

    Dave too has been active these past few days, with the announcement the other day that the FBI and IRS had shown up at Town Hall with a warrant for Mayor Marquard, it was apparent why he had taken leave four days earlier. When Rayne finally was able to return to her home, he knew it would be no time flat before she would be back at the press conferences and see the new me. Dave has been keeping a low profile, trying to pick up tips from Rayne, investigate from the shadows till you have what you need. As she was at the press conference, Dave had made a quick trip to the hardware store. In no time he was back at home.

    Dave hears the knock at the door and heads to open the door offering a soft smile

    “Hey dear, missed you, let me grab those.” as he reached to get the bags from her hand. Hopefully she would get use to that part of him, although he knows that she could handle anything herself, those bags are a nothing for her, he still wants to do all he can for and with her.

    As Dave takes her bags, Rayne enters the house that has been her home for several days. She slips out of her jacket and moves toward him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind and stopping his progress into the kitchen. “I was thinking of dessert first,” she says softly in his ear, kissing his neck.

    With her soft voice and tender kiss, his body shudders with desire. He thinks of his talk with Ang explaining Rayne’s recovery progress and that any, recalls Ang’s wink, excessive physical activity for the next couple weeks would result in aggravating her injury and cause an unnamed male to get castrated. Softly whispers back “Doctor’s orders are at least a week more darling, but I do have something for you.” still standing, lost in her soft embrace.

    Rayne lets her arms slide down to her sides, cursing Angela under her breath as she moves away from Dave, taking the bags of Chinese food from him and setting them on the table. “The doctor is a pain,” she complains, “...and I’m going to put in a complaint.” She turns back around, placing her hands on the back of a chair and looks at him. “Now what is this that you have?” She lets her eyes rove over his body, obvious desire running through her.

    Dave steps just in front of Rayne, in a somewhat playful tone

    “Just have information, you really need to stop knocking on my door, you might disturb my beauty sleep…” giving a wink before getting a little more serious while reaching in his pocket, a card clearly in his hand, something else under the card “..on the card is the alarm code..” which he just changed to her birthday “..and a key to my… if not too fast yet… our house.” watching her, hope filled that she would accept the card and key, even more hopeful that she might eventually feel comfortable to move in with him.

    Rayne takes the offered card, surprise on her features as she realizes the code is her birthday. She looks up at him, a soft smile on her lips. “Are you sure? I mean it’s only been a short while. I don’t want you to regret anything.” She has already made up her mind...the short time she spent with him here filled with fond memories. She can’t really think of anything she would desire more.

    Dave steps closer to her, presses his body close to hers “Although it has been just a short while.. People say there are soul mates… all I know is I know I have found mine, as far as having any regret, my only regret is ever the time we are away from each other. Our short time has only shown me that I am with the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.” resting his head on her shoulder softly kissing her tenderly.

    Rayne reaches up and wraps her arms around his neck, pressing herself closer to him, ignoring the pulling sensation in her back. She pulls away from the kiss just long enough to tell him yes, then kisses him passionately.

    Dave caught up in the moment, the world not of any importance, just the woman that has his heart, locked in the passion of her kiss for a thousand lifetimes though the digital clock only increments several seconds. He has a bright smile having played that moment out a thousand times dearly hoping she would accept his offer. Reluctantly separates, part of the smile is remembering Ang’s offer to castrate him should he aggravate Rayne’s injury with the physical activity drifting through his mind. Finally he whispers “So, what did the new me say today?”

    Rayne, breath still rapid, looks at Dave with aggravation. “You’re killing me…” she says as she takes a deep breath, then sighs. “Fine.. We’ll talk shop… Mostly it was just information on the missing person, but the interesting thing was that it occured close to my attack at the park. I compared the recent disappearances with their last known locations and there is a two mile radius of interest, which includes the park. There are a few abandoned buildings in that area as well as an old mine. I am sure the police have looked into it, but I was thinking…”

    She stops abruptly and laughs. “Before I go there...I almost forgot to mention one thing. Jamie, that’s him, asked for questions and I brought up the firework incident at the park--if he thought the location may be of significance. Of course he got defensive saying there was no connection between that incident and the current disappearance. And when I mentioned they occured on the same beach...he gives me the ‘no comment’ statement, and then he turned to your boss Curt and they exchanged glances. Curt gave me the cutest glare and whispered something to Jamie before he put me on the pay-no-mind list. After the conference, guess who asked me to dinner? Of course I refused--told him I already had plans.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Is that some tradition with you cops...ask the annoying reporter out to eat to grill her?”

    Dave looking over the various chinese offerings she brought over, smiles at the dinner invitation “Must be something new they are teaching at the academy. Did Curt seem miffed, well, I mean more than his usual pissy attitude. He usually gets more pissy when he has new cover ups to pass around to the station. And he might have replaced another coffee cup when I let him know that I definitely as not returning.” while opening one of the rice containers glancing up with a smile “cop and street wise reporter, think that works well, I had not thought of the abandoned buildings by the old mine.” goes into a slight laugh and griff tone usually reserved when mimicking Curt “...and I am sure you know, just like Curt, I will take ALL the credit for anything that pans out…” resuming his usual tone “...but seriously, that is so awesome to look into.” placing several plates on the counter “what did you want?” now looking at the open containers.

    She laughs at his impersonation, then shakes her head. “I’ll go with the broccoli and chicken since you took yourself off the menu,” she says with a smirk. ”Seriously though, if you think we should check out those areas, I can call Kevin...again...and see if I can convince him to join you.” She doesn’t even include herself, knowing Dave would refuse to let her go anyway. On the off chance she does decide to go against his wishes, she already has Angela’s recorder in her car.

    Placing rice on a plate topped with the broccoli chicken setting it toward Rayne, he starts readying a plate of sesame chicken all the while in thought, if he is making a mistake, open this, it would be near, if not impossible to undo, finally he looks to Ray

    “I know I am going to live to regret this, if you want a bargaining chip for Kevin…” a look as though he is planning on selling his own organs on ebay, with a sigh “...tell him we will take my car and he could run the blue light.”

    Rayne starts laughing, finding it hard to stop until she puts her hand over her mouth. “Oh God...he would just love that...nobody but him.” She starts eating, then looks at Dave with amusement still on her face. “Let him borrow you cuffs and he might just die a happy man.” She looks down at her plate to hide the look she can’t keep off her face. She wouldn’t mind getting her hands on those cuffs herself.

    Taking a bite of the sesame chicken, thinks he could make this much better, was too syrupy and sticky, this has to be lighter to allow the sauce blend with the veggies, he says “this is fantastic…” thinking ‘for takeout’, I am going to cook her such a meal before bringing up the elephant in the room “...I did mention that I told Curt that I was not coming back, right?” looking toward her almost waiting for the obvious ‘you're not a cop anymore, won't driving with a blue light get you in trouble’

    “Mmm...with the comment about the coffee cup...you sure did. Maybe I should show up at his office with a gift--a whole box of them for throwing. Since it is official now, does that mean you have to turn in your uniform and stuff?”

    The first part flowing natural, doesn't even register to him as he has so much concern about the rest, unusually uneasy he starts

    “I know this is what I should have discussed with my wife first, but yea, I am returning my ‘patrol’ uniform, clipboard and things..” reaching in his pocket setting the SUV keys on the counter, face cringing slightly “keeping these. Curt was concern about loss of tactical support, no political games, but I agreed to be an active reserve officer. Only will be called active in a tactical emergency.” quickly trying to go into the upside

    “..that would give me access to the report system, keep an eye on and map out unusual activity, and keep my ability to keep my lighting in my car without the whole state vehicle code on unauthorized emergency equipment…” the last part more like a cop explaining to a driver why they were pulled over.

    Another scrunch comes to his expression, more worry on how she would react “..I know I should have discussed this with you first…” leaving that hanging for her reaction.

    Rayne takes a moment to digest all the information, then shakes her head. “You don’t need to discuss that sort of thing with me Dave. Decisions about your career are your choice. But what is this about being an active reserve officer? ..and just what would be considered a tactical emergency?” She looks at him with an odd expression. “..and I think that is the second time you have referred to me as your wife...Freudian slip?”

    As she talks, he stays attentive, as she mentions his own mentioning her as his wife, dawns on him he had done it again with a soft smile. He starts to the career part first

    “Still, I want you to be a part of any decisions I make career wise, although rushed into the tactical thing. As far as active reserve, I do not work any shifts however I retain police certification and am called out when the need arises. Reserve officers are usually used for traffic and crowd control at major events social events. That is why you might have seen some officers at town events not usually at the station. Keeps regular officers available for radio calls. As far as my role…” trying a moment to reword major life threatening events “...if a situation escalates to the point street officers are out gu… unable to handle the call, tactical response. Would be called on any hostage calls, other than that, I do not work any fixed shift.”

    Looking to her a long moment “..I have said wife while talking about you already twice?” Starts rubbing his finger tips together “..I hope you don't take me as getting way ahead of myself, but I can't think of anyone other than you that I want to spend my life with no matter the road ahead, the good, the bad, the in betweens. No, no freudian slip, just my desire spoken aloud.” now focused at Rayne thinking how lovely she is.

    Rayne nods, not exactly pleased with the idea of him being on call for the dangerous situations, but once again, she doesn’t think it really is her place to make that decision for him. She knows he can handle himself, she has seen evidence of that at the hospital, but it wouldn’t keep her from worrying. She gets up from her chair as he discusses his feelings for her, already finished with her food, and places her arms around him from behind. “I want to spend my life with you too, but I’m not ready for the next step. Let’s try living together first...and if you still feel the same way, we can discuss it.” Her reservations stem from her past experience--how quickly Jeffrey had pushed her away when she was no longer the perfect candidate for a wife. And she doesn’t want to disappoint Dave in the same way. She runs her fingers along the line of his jaw, then leans down to kiss him. “I’m going to call Kevin,” she says, her breathing already quickening just from the closeness of him. ‘God he smells good,’ she thinks. Another week is definitely going to kill her.

    Dave smiles softly as he savored the kiss. “When you are ready then…” as Rayne is getting her phone, with a laugh “..and if you can, use the blue light as a last resort with Kevin.” already more focused on making sure he makes time to help get her moved in with him.

    “You got it,” she replies as she pulls Kevin up in her contacts. She taps his number then goes to sit in the recliner as she waits for him to pick up. Kev answers on the third ring, not with a hello, but with, “Not again! Tell him I said no!”

    “Hi Kev, it’s nice to hear your voice too,” she says sweetly, having no intent on diving right into the real reason she is calling. She stretches her legs out, pulling the lever to extend the foot rest on the chair. ‘Nice and comfy,’ she thinks, afraid this might be a long conversation.

    “Hello Raaayne,” he replies, dragging out her name. “If this is about Dave again, I already gave you my answer. No...nonono...no.” In the background at his home music is playing, a loud banging clamor that Rayne has always found too unrhythmic and screechy to enjoy.

    Ignoring his childish retort she continues, “I was hoping we could talk...just the two of us. Maybe tonight...at the diner?” She drums her fingers and crosses and uncrosses her legs, her patience with him already short with his reluctance to cooperate during the past few calls.

    After what feels like a whole minute with Rayne preparing to repeat the question, he answers. “I already ate. You wanna talk, come over here.” Inhaling...and then a gulp as his breath is held...then a loud exhale.

    “Jesus Kev, are you getting high?”

    “Can’t let it go to waste...I was smoking when you called. So, take it or leave it babe. Offers on the table. You know the way.” The signal is dropped as he hangs up and Rayne sits there for a second just looking at her phone. With a sigh she gets up and grabs her coat, then after a pause sets it down again.

    “Kevin is being an ass,” she says with a frown. “He wants me to come over, while he is high and listening to that punk rock crap he likes. I think I’ll pass. Let him stew waiting for me.” She starts gathering the leftovers and putting them away. “I’m thinking the blue light might be the way to go,” she says with a laugh. “I’ll try calling him again later tonight after I get home.”

    Dave lets out his own laugh “looks like operation blue light is a go.” as he moves over to the table, as Rayne is putting away the leftovers, he takes the plates and silverware to the sink washing them “you feel like any coffee?” mind wandering what he should start stocking the fridge with.

    “Coffee is always good.”

    ---------
    Later that evening, Rayne sits in front of her tv wrapped up in her blanket with her head on a pillow. Having just gotten off the phone with Kevin she types out a text to Dave.

    ~Kevin finally relented, but it will cost you the blue light special...lol. He will meet us tomorrow at the diner to go over details at 10 AM. Sleep well.~ She hits send then looks about the room. In a few nights time she will be in Dave’s home and she will be able to say good night to him directly. She never expected it to happen so fast, but she can’t be happier. She doesn’t feel safe here anymore, not on her own with those things roaming the streets. She knows she will not be sleeping well tonight--not like she had at Dave’s. She closes her eyes to the night, but not to the nightmares.

    As Dave sat at his laptop, his phone indicated ‘Message Received’. Reaching over to the phone, he quickly opened Rayne’s text. A grin comes to his lips wondering how many ‘blue light’ trips Kevin would be expecting. Moreover, he wondered if he could devise some way to convince him that he should be his ‘guard’ from the car, sweeping in if he gave a code word. As miffed as the kid became in the nurses station, he dismisses that thought. Not wanting to keep her awake, he sends her a quick text back

    ~sleep well, will be with phone, call if needed for anything, love you so much~ and presses send.

    Dave goes back to reading the encrypted report Pam had sent him, the young girl cell structure was different than the other that took 12 rounds to stop. The enhanced rounds they have increase the silver nitrate, rather than pre fragment lead, there is now less fragment and a more enriched silver liqua gel encased in a thin casing. Two boxes delivered by caterer in a doughnut box.

    Dave closes the laptop and walks across the living room into the kitchen. Checks the fridge as the bottle of a fine red that chills hoping Pam was not telling him to buy something Rayne hates, he wouldn’t put it past his sister to do something like that. Closing the fridge, heads toward his room turning out the lights on the way. Inside the room, he slips his weapon out of the holster which is loaded with the enhanced rounds and slips the weapon under his mattress.

    Dave lays back in his bed, laying on Rayne’s side, holding her pillow softly anxiously waiting for when she will be there with him, to look in her eyes each morning when they wake.

  3. #23
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    Default Co-post (Poppa Squirrel and Mama Moon)

    Dave has an unusually restful sleep, thoughts of hostage situations, demands of spinning stories, dropping armed suspects, other memories that haunt his nights, none of those ghosts invade his dream over night, only the warm thoughts of Rayne he has been having over these past days. His dreams are broken with the buzz of his alarm clock.

    As he removes the covers and reaches over to that damn piece of plastic that had robbed him of the picnic lunch he and Rayne were on within the confines of his dream, he presses the off button mumbling to the clock

    “You know I hate you, you know I have a gun right? You are lucky to still be alive.” the typical threat he gives his clock often.

    After a shower and his first cup of coffee, he sits at the kitchen table with his laptop open, logs into CLPD system looking at the overnight reports and call logs. One catches his attention, radio log, information broadcast. Roy Police 3 man department requesting assistance on a missing person report overnight. Roy Washington, population 820, just 10 miles North from the old abandoned mine Rayne was researching. He copies the pertinent information and sends Rayne a text. As soon as he hits send, a beaming smile thinking ‘soon dear, we will talk about these every morning, not just text’.

    ---

    As the clock reads 9:30 AM, Dave slips into a pair of Kevlar black tactical cargo pants as well as a flexible black sweater made from the same Kevlar material and finally placing on a lightweight black jacket. He has opted out from wearing the bullet proof vest, his Kevlar clothing of the same material being a walking bulletproof vest drifts through his mind. He puts on a black knit hat that if pulled over his face have eye and mouth holes before grabbing his tactical equipment bag already loaded with the gear he figures might be used. Finally he slides his weapon in the sewn in holster compartment along his cargo pants. He slides two additional clips on enhanced rounds in the compartments on the opposite side of where his weapon sits. He has also two 6 round clips of enhanced rounds he will be giving to Rayne when he has a chance to see her away from Kevin. The last thing on earth that he wants is for blog boy to be panting around like a puppy looking for a treat, asking for his own bullets. He lets out a laugh thinking to himself about Barney Fife and the one bullet Andy would have him keep in his pocket.

    As he leaves his home and loads the bag inside, the clock in his car ready 9:40 AM as he starts the Lexus, magnetically attaching the blue teardrop light to the metal plate in the middle of the front dash of his car. He taps the top of the light amusingly muttering “sorry for what you are going to be put through today ol boy” before starting the ignition backing out of the driveway. Operation bluelight underway.

    ------------

    Rayne arrives at Jackie’s Cafe at 9:45, mostly to play mediator between the two men, rather than to be a part of their planning. She grabs a booth and orders coffee, sipping the hot brew while she waits. She has a few papers with her, research she has done on the disappearances and the surrounding areas. She only has to wait a few minutes before Kevin walks in, sees her and waves.

    He saunters over and sits across from her, giving her a smile. “No Icy yet?” he asks smirking. He is wearing his typical attire, blue jeans, rock t-shirt, motorcycle boots, and a jacket.

    “Not yet,” she replies, “...but it might help if you start calling him Dave.” She gives him a reproachful look before picking up a menu, scanning over the items for a minute before trying to decide between a fruit bowl and toast or pancakes.

    Kevin fidgets in his seat, mostly watching the door nervously, but occasionally glances at his menu. “Ah..” he says suddenly and clears his throat, making her look up. “Look who’s here...the Iceman...I mean Dave...himself.

    Having pulled into the parking lot easily recognising Rayne's car as well as Kevin's, having ticketed him several times, heads through the door taking a quick look around. Having spotted Rayne and Kevin, starts over to the booth, the two 6 round clips in his jacket pocket. As Dave gets to the booth, he slides next to Rayne removing his hand from his pocket very casually slipping the clips in her purse.

    Dave looks to Rayne with a soft smile before glancing across the booth to Kevin.

    “Morning Rayne, Boss, what on the agenda for today?” having noticed papers she has.

    Rayne offers Dave a smile, moving her leg against his under the table, then putting her hand on his knee and giving him a gentle squeeze. She appraises him closely, noting the clothing he is wearing, then quirks an eyebrow. “You look ready for…anything,” she says with a laugh, then looks to Kevin. Seeing that he is still brooding and not going to say hello, she takes one of the sheets and places it in the center of the table.

    Before her is a large map of Carter Lake and the surrounding towns, a series of red and green dots scattered along it. “This is the area of concern,” she says pointing to an area on the map circled in yellow. A large number of the red dots are clustered within the enclosed area. “I put a red dot at every location where someone disappeared. The green dots represent people who disappeared and were found--one way or another--usually runaways or suicides. You will notice that Carter Lake has the largest number of dots and I think whatever we are dealing with originated here.” She looks to both men, then smiles. “Still can’t bring myself to say vampires without feeling foolish.”

    “Anyway,” and now she points to the surrounding towns, “..in the past year, the number of missing persons has started to spread into the other neighboring towns. The missing stay missing, so we can only assume that they too are becoming…vampires.” Here she clears her throat, a haunted look coming over her features. “What I saw at Rainier Park confirms this. I watched Suzanne turn into one of them...which was...both fascinating and horrifying.”

    She regains her composure then pulls out the other sheet, which focuses on Carter Lake, but more specifically the area they plan to search. “This is the mine. It’s been closed for years, but it used to be a local hangout for kids that wanted to party. The floor in one of the tunnels collapsed ten years ago and several kids plummeted to their deaths in a cave system below. The ladders they used to get to the bodies are rumored to still be screwed into the wall...so you should be able to use those to get down. I think that is where you should concentrate your search. There are several smaller tunnels off the main cavern and also a creek that actually flows into Rainier River underground. I think that’s where Suzanne...”

    She pauses while the waitress comes around to take their order, Dave getting an unusual look due both to his dress and company. “Coffee, Sergeant Nichols?” she says sweetly.

    Dave nods “Yes, and the single stack pancakes, have you ordered yet de… Rayne, oh yea, and Kevin?” looking to Kevin, noticing him brooding.

    Kevin looks at the petite and pretty waitress and winks. “I’ll have the eggs, bacon, and toast. With a side of pancakes Sandy.” He gives Dave the finger with a smirk on his face. “I’ll take a chocolate milkshake too. You can spit in his pancakes.” He finishes, then lets out a pained cry. “Dammit Rayne...that hurt!”

    When Sandy looks to Rayne she is smiling, but Rayne offers an apology despite this. “Boys will be boys,” she says then kicks Kevin under the table again before ordering. “I’ll have the fruit bowl--local flavor--and some pie. Umm--lemon meringue please.” She gives Kevin a warning look, then looks to Sandy again. “..and some more coffee please. I think this is going to be a long morning.”

    As Rayne orders, Dave absentmindedly leans his shoulder against hers, in an upbeat tone “Pie, great idea” looking to Sandy “can you add a slice of coconut cream pie for me?”

    As Sandy heads to the kitchen to place the order, Dave looks to Kevin “Look boss, about earlier this week, sorry about overstepping my bounds. Those were the mayor's guys, you know almost cop people, I just thought I could…” hoping Rayne doesn't crack up at the rest “...communicate with them easier. We had an understanding ‘and neither were admitted to the hospital’ and things were fine-ish’. I figured you were so busy planning our team, I thought you already knew what I was doing.” looking toward Kevin speculating he might have said the right words, wondering if Rayne approves of his trying to work Kevin.

    Kevin looks first to Rayne, who merely shrugs, then to Dave. “Yeah, well, of course I knew that, but you gotta let me in on some of the fun man. Gotta get my fists all worked over and shit.” He makes a punching motion in the air. “Sides, you got all icy and shit...living up to your name and all. Don’t see how Rayne likes you...and don’t think I don’t see how you two all cuddly and shit.”

    Dave keeps focused on Kevin, trying not to crack up at his swing through the air “You are right again boss, I could of been a little better at explaining what you already knew. Besides that, if you had come with me, those two would have gotten hurt. Trust me boss, if communicating would not have worked, I would have called you to save the day, help me out of the jam.” deciding it best not to go into the conversation over his crush, however leaning against Rayne.

    Rayne chooses the worst time to take a sip of her coffee, and when Dave makes the remark about calling for Kevin to save the day, she coughs out a laugh, her hand going over her mouth as the coffee sprays out. “I’m sorry..” she says, grabbing a napkin to wipe at the coffee splatters. “I couldn’t help it...I...I’ll shut up now,” she finishes when Kevin flashes her an angry scowl.

    “Oh yeah...just laugh at me Ray...real mature. I could be a help. I know how to fight...and you know it. Who beat up that guy that was trying to look up your skirt two years ago?” He points his finger at himself. “Yeah...that was me.”

    Rayne snickers, really trying to keep herself under control. “He was twelve Kev,” Rayne says, unable to contain her laughter any longer.

    “Yeah well, I kicked his butt,” he said, sporting a grin himself. He then looks at Dave, his face getting all serious again. “So we going right after breakfast then? You and me? I brought some katanas--sharpened them up real good too. Got a really good deal at the antique store. Rayne says cutting off their heads is the way to go...and those fancy bullets of yours too.”

    “You need to be careful of looking directly at them for too long also,” Rayne added. “I think it’s called mesmerizing. Once they have you locked in their stare, they get right in your head.” She shivers, then rolls her shoulders. She really has not talked much about her experience that night, and talking about it now gets to her. “I’ll be right back,” she says, looking to Dave and waiting for him to move out so she can exit the booth.

    Dave moves out of the booth taking Rayne by the hand as she slides out of the booth, as she walks away, Dave still thinking about Kevin's talk about obtaining Katanas, the thought of his lieutenant asking him for martial arts training, the nunchucks the Lt. brought in to show him his skill, swinging it around till one end hit a wall and bounced back hitting him in the head (really happened) leaving a knot on his head for a week. Dave pictures Kevin with a stump where his hand was. As he sits back at the booth, asks “trained much with those katanas?” looking to his eyes for the truth, not the words he might say.

    Kevin feels the Sergeant staring at him and gives him a sly grin. “What’s to know? Doesn’t take much to swing a sword. I suppose you like to fence, eh? Sissy sport you ask me. But yeah, I been practicing...at least a few days now.” He gives Dave a satisfied smile, then looks up as their food is brought over, Sandy placing the meals down on the table.

    As Sandy places the food on the table, he tells her all on one to me figuring it would pass over Kevin's head, though he might of had a discussion had Rayne been there. He figured he would figure a way to keep the katanas in the car when it came to it.

    Looking to Kevin “I feel much safer now boss. So you have our strategy planned out yet?” assuming the kid was clueless but wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt in case there was the slightest resemblance of a clue in his head.

    Kevin nods. “Yeah...I got a plan. Rayne told me last night they put a fence around the mine, with a chain and lock on the gate. So I got us a bolt cutter and a hacksaw, just like Rayne suggested. And I got us those headlamps, so we can see in the dark, unless you got them fancy see-in-the-dark goggles. Those would be cooler. Once we get inside, we stick together or split up...haven’t decided...and go down in the cavern and go spelunking.” He laughs lightly. “Good plan, eh?”

    Having an overwhelming desire to reach across the booth, grab a handful of the kids hair and bang his head on the table. The thought brings a smile, only mutters “Great plan, I would have never thought of such an awesome plan ‘yep, got to figure some way to keep the kid on the car’ “. Dave takes his coffee cup taking a sip trying to stifle the slight laugh before looking to his watch wishing Rayne were back soon.

    “So boss, how are the eggs?”

    Kevin, bringing another forkful to his mouth nods, “Good...you should eat up, we’re gonna need out strength in them caves.” He chews as he looks around the small diner, “I wonder where Rayne ran off to. She look a little green around the gills to you?”

    Observing Rayne head out of the bathroom and head toward the door, tells Kevin “You know, probably talking to Sandy, perhaps working a story on wait staff condition on the job.” stretching so to watch as she heads to her car for or with something.

    Dave had noticed she was not quite one hundred percent the times they had been together always attributing it to meds she was on. Dave looks to her order again, seems nothing unusual in the order. Looks back to Kevin “Guess I had not noticed. When you guys talk, does she seem, I don't know, more tired than usual, running to the ladies room more frequently, mention queasiness?” with an oddly excited look on his face.

    Kevin looks at Dave with an odd expression. “What the fuck man? You think she’s pregnant? Cause that’s what it seems you’re leading to. How the hell would I know? She’s just Rayne. Moody...always tired lately. I’d say she’s got something on her mind…probably your sorry ass.” He takes a long gulp of his milkshake looking at Dave over the glass. “Now are we gonna get back to talking about this spelunking or what? Daylight’s wasting and I can’t wait to get in your car and run those lights man.” As the diner’s door opens and Rayne returns inside, Kevin nods in her direction. “And look who’s returned...why don’t you move over Romeo.”

    As Rayne comes back in the diner, Dave slides out from the booth waiting for her “Everything ok de… Rayne?” still a lingering hopeful ever so slight smile.

    Rayne smiles, although the look does not reach her eyes, “I’m good...and I forgot to get these from the car.” She pulls out two ear pieces and places them on the table. “Just like the Gorillas wear. To keep you two in contact with each other down there.” She picks up her fork and pushes the fruit around on her plate. “I’m really not hungry. If you guys don’t need me, I’ll be heading out. I have some things to get done.”

    Dave offers her a smile “We've got this, call you later if we find anything.” not even going through the initial thought of hinting to Kevin the important part of any team is to keep confidential discussions confidential, and is certainly not going to tell the kid not to mention to Rayne he thought, perhaps still thinks, she might be pregnant, “Off to see Ang by chance?” happens to come out before she leaves.

    “Hmm...maybe I might,” she replies, looking over her shoulder, before heading back out the door she just came in from. As soon as she gets to her car she pulls out her phone, then looks back inside the cafe. She waves to the two men, then hits Ang’s number on speed dial.

    Taking the two ear buds, puts one in handing the other to Kevin “Suppose we should get this show on the road boss?” still formulating just how he is going to convince the kid to cover him from inside the car. Dave slides out from the booth taking his keys from his pocket

    Before Kevin gets up, he writes a note on the bill, giving Sandy a wink, then nods at Dave. “Yeah...lets get going. Can I turn on the light right away?” he asks, his attention drawn to Rayne pulling out for just a second. “Think she’s mad we didn’t invite her?”

    Dave leaves cash on the table including a decent tip as Sandy heads over. Figuring he would have more bargaining power when they get there “certainly boss, once we hit the street, on the console there will be a box that has the siren settings. Select wail, when we approach intersections select yelp, high low if you want. Once we get about a mile out, we will kill the siren, 3 blocks out, light out.”

    Walking while talking they reach Dave’s car which he remotely unlocks. Getting in the driver side “You ready boss?”

    “I sure am!” Kevin says, the enthusiasm in his voice like that of a kid at Christmas. Should I get the katanas from my car? Or are we just going in guns blazing?” He looks at Dave before climbing in. “You are giving me a gun right?”

    As he starts out of the parking lot, first part successful, keeping the kids Katanas in his car, Dave points to the selector button “Push that for the blue light, and yea, we're going in with guns blazing boss” already thinking ahead for when he asks for a gun. Dave hits the accelerator more to get this trip over quicker.

    ----------

    Rayne heads for home, already putting the breakfast meeting behind her as she starts making other plans for the day. When Angela’s phone goes directly to voicemail she leaves her a message to call as soon as she is on break, as she is hoping to make plans for this Saturday for a girl-only road trip. She makes one stop to pick up boxes then pulls up to her curb. Once inside, she starts the mundane chore of sorting through her things and getting them ready for the move. A smile comes to her as she thinks about the change in scenery. This old house has never been her dream home, merely a rental, and she won’t miss it. It had come furnished, so she doesn’t even have to worry about moving furniture. She gets up to get a glass of wine, then gets back to work.

    ----------------

    Kevin is in his element. He can almost imagine what it would be like to be a real police officer as the car speeds down the roadway with sirens wailing. He follows Dave’s directions, adjusting the light as instructed with a perma-smile on his face. “Can we go faster?” he asks, his voice filled with excitement.

    ----------

    As Rayne sits comfortably with her glass of wine in her hand, she is disturbed by a knock at her door. She glances up from the sofa, not expecting anyone, then gets up to answer it. Swinging the door open, she is surprised to see one of Pam’s G-men, the one she refers to as Gorilla. The Carter Lake Catering mini-van is parked along the street and “G” is dressed in a caterer’s uniform, the shirt at least two sizes too small. She notices the buttons are only done up every other one, and she can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous he looks.

    “Can I help you?” she asks with a chuckle, putting her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing harder.

    The shirt extremely tight as though the top button will pop at any moment, G1 simply gruffly mumbles

    “Your delivery order mam.” holding out a box marked ‘Dozen Doughnuts’ which inside contain 3 boxes of enhanced silver nitrate rounds, 25 rounds in each box and a handwritten note from Pam

    ~Rayne hun, your other is no more, do talk to Dave though, don’t want to let secrets eat you alive like they do me. Sure you know what the bang bangs are for. Pam~

    “I didn’t order anything G,” she says as she lifts up the box’s lid and looks inside, reading the note quickly. “Oh,” she adds, seeing the ammunition inside. It reminds her that Dave had slipped some inside her purse at the cafe this morning also. She smiles and takes the offered box. “You really look silly in that get-up. Tell Pam I said thanks...and I will...actually already did.”

    G1 daring not to inspect packages PB has him deliver, has a confused look on his face but will mumble that she already did when he returns to let PB know that the package has been delivered. He only mumbles in a gruff tone “Thank you for choosing Carter Lake Catering mam, please give us a good review.” thoughts going through his mind that perhaps he might have put more effort in selecting this uniform, although those in his size are not off the shelf things. He turns to the van, driven by G2 wearing his traditional black attire and dark sunglasses. The mini-van drives off as G1 contacts PB advising ~Package in custody, RR advises RR already did~ no longer trying to figure his psychotic boss out, just following orders till the next assignment.

    --------------

    As Dave is a mile out from the mine complex, shuts down the siren, speedometer reducing from the 132 to 78 doing a slower reduction than his usual 120 to 40 in less than one block, wouldn’t want the sudden slow down to have the kid's head hit the windshield, already has his plot for the guns blazing ready to present to Kevin “Okay boss, we are on final, kill the light.” looking over toward the kid with his open presents.

    Kevin reaches over and turns off the light with a sigh. “That was quick...but really cool! Maybe we could do it again some time?” he asks hopefully. He points to a dirt road on the left. “You can take that to the mine...also passes right by the old train depot that was listed on Rayne’s map as abandoned.” He sits back and watches silently, a bit nervous for what comes next.

    As Kevin talks, Dave already hitting the breaks, hard turn of the wheel before punching the gas fishtailing slightly as they start down the dirt road, thought through Dave’s mind ‘Thank you Captain Obvious for remembering what Rayne and I both already know, at least you remembered what she told you’ before going through phase two of ‘I’ll be damned if I get you killed kid’, his tone sounding more TV cop’ish trying to draw him into his next act.

    “Okay Boss, let’s get ready for a fire fight. Along the back of the chair you sit, there is a shotgun rack, pull out the 12 gauge shotgun ‘that I have in my back trunk and you will touch the same day I am pregnant’ and jack a round in … I will code name you Zebra 1, get ready to rock and roll Zebra 1” concentrating on the road final approach, waiting for the whiny tone he is ready an answer for.

    Kevin waits for the car to even out a bit on the road before turning in his seat to grab the shotgun, his face showing excitement once again. He can’t believe Dave is actually going to let him carry a weapon. ‘Holy fuck,” he thinks as he turns, then his face registers confusion...the rack is there, but no gun. “Hey Sarge...I think you got your wires crossed...no 12 gauge back there..”

    That is the queue he was waiting for. He thinks that Rayne would be proud of the performance he is about to put on, one he has done often when questions are known ahead of time from plant reporters. He lets out a gasp

    “Oh hell boss, I fucked the pooch on this one, I was sure I had put it there, Damn It!..” as he comes to a stop overlooking the complex “..I think we have to think on our feet here Boss. I am sure you had a plan B in the event I fucked something up, right Boss, if I were to guess your well thought out plan, it has me doing the initial dull recon while you run command AND control from our command base right here. Was I right on that…” putting additional emphasis on the next “...Zebra 1?”

    Kevin looks at Dave like he has gone crazy. “Like hell you are Sergeant Icy. I AM going in that mine with you. You’re playing me and I know it. Damn, and here I thought you were starting to be cool. I fuckin’ had a plan B, but you had me leave the katanas back at the cafe. We go back and get them or you find that 12 gauge and we go inside now. Or…maybe I should call Rayne? I’m sure she would be happy to bring more weapons here.” He cocks his brow at Dave, thinking he has put up a good counter.

    A smile comes to Dave’s features as he oddly quietly says “Good point boss, I am sorry kid, this is for your own good, hate me later, but you will be alive to hate me..” while thrusting his elbow rapidly toward the kid’s temple to render him unconscious. He will leave the keys to the car in the event things go south fast, hopes the kid with no one to impress would have sense to get out should things get ugly. A seconds thought was to take the kids phone but worse case, the kid might need it so would leave the phone.

    Kevin has his phone out, ready to press Rayne’s number as Dave’s words filter into his head. The bastard has really tricked him this time...and it will be the last, he decides. He’s going to fuck him over good in his blog. It is the last thought he has as his head is thrust backwards from Dave’s blow and consciousness leaves him.

  4. #24
    Poppa Squirrel
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    Default (Momma Moon and Poppa Squirrel CO) - The Mystery Deepens

    As Dave finishes his ‘conversation’ with Kevin, he reaches back pulling out a set of tactical binoculars and attaches a body camera to his jacket, gps embedded in the body cam. Finally he removes a hand flashlight with 1000 lumina power. He does not plan on bringing the shotgun from the trunk as conventional rounds are not effective against these vampires.

    Leaning over the hood of the car, Dave views the area before zooming in on the mine entrance, nothing out of the ordinary. With the area so quiet, that alone is alarming. Dave clicks on ‘record’ on the body cam which also activates the GPS feature.

    As he slowly makes his way toward the mine entrance, he slides his weapon from the holster sewn into the leg of his black Kevlar pants.

    As he starts into the entrance, he clicks the flashlight on, casting the beam in a side to side motion, the beam illuminates through the light misty fog that emanates in the air. White beam along with the narrow red beam of the laser sight cut through the misty corridor.

    As Dave reaches the end of the main corridor and where elevator shaft should be, footsteps are evident coming down the entrance corridor, as he turns to shine the light back down where he came, silver red eyes meet his beam. A shadowy figure, and another followed by at least a third. A raspy voice emanates from the shadows
    “Sergeant, good you join us, it will only hurt for a short while until you are reborn.”
    the voice obviously officer McCormick. Dave leans against the wall so not to have his back exposed, as more shadowy figures block the way out, he raises his wrist to his mouth

    “Zebra 1, vacate now, use the light and siren, use the radio and call a signal 100, if you are ever going to do anything you are told, do this now.”

    Kevin wakes to the sound of Dave’s voice in his ear, still out of sorts from the blow to his forehead. “Zebra 1, copy,” he says, then laughs. “I mean, go fuck yourself Sarge.” He undoes his seatbelt and climbs into the driver’s seat, starting the engine and grabbing up the radio. ‘Officer requests assistance,’ goes through his head, but he sets the mic back into its cradle. ‘Not so fast sugar plum…’ He starts rummaging through the glove box, looking for a weapon, then pops the trunk. Unsteadily he makes his way to the open trunk and looks inside, seeing the shotgun. He thumbs his mic. “Found the 12-gauge sarge, I’m coming in heavy.”

    Watching for any approach, he hears Kevin, unusually low but firm tone

    “Listen kid, you could empty that in these things and the only thing that…” double taps two shots at an approaching shadow which strikes his arm holding the flashlight sending it to the ground, the shots echo through the corridor followed by a shrill shrieking of the vampire, Dave goes on “..the only thing that would do is keep you alive one more second, now for once in your life, do what you are told.” a second set of shots echo followed by another shrill shriek.

    There is a moment of hesitation before Kevin goes back into the car and picks up the radio, putting in the distress call, followed by the location. He picks up his phone and swipes the screen, Rayne’s number still displayed. He casts a glance towards the mine entrance, knowing that what the Sarge said is right, he can’t go in there with only the 12-gauge. He needs the silver nitrate bullets or...maybe his katanas. He hits call.
    ----------
    Rayne has returned to her packing, the Glock Dave has ‘sold’ to her already loaded with the special delivery bullets. She picks up her phone on the third ring, seeing it is Kevin and getting a bad feeling in her gut instantly.

    “Kev...” she opens with, interrupted before she can say anything else.

    “Ray...you gotta get here to the mine...right now. Bring my katanas... Dave needs help…”

    “Kevin?” Rayne says again, fear gripping her as she recognizes the frantic edge in his tone, only to realize she has an empty line. ‘What the hell?’ she thinks, but she is already in motion, grabbing her keys and running out the door, her purse snatched on the way.

    Rayne accelerates, exceeding the speed limit and almost losing control of her car as she takes a sharp turn. The streets seem strangely quiet and she questions whether Kevin has called for assistance...other than her. Slowing, she pulls into the cafe, which is only a short distance from her home, thinking that it is a waste of time, but knowing if she shows up without the swords, Kev will go psycho. If he was calling her, that only meant he was not with Dave, which only meant… She knew exactly what happened, perhaps not the details, but Kevin was going to be in a fit of rage. As soon as she has the katanas in her car she calls Pam, knowing her assistance will be more valuable than any number of police officers.
    -----
    After Kevin hangs up his phone, he remembers the rest of Dave’s instructions and he hits the sirens, thinking if nothing else it can act as a distraction until help arrives. Clutching the worthless shotgun to his chest, he starts pacing as he waits for Rayne or the backup to provide assistance.
    --------
    Dave still with his back against the wall, the figures cease approach. A pair of brilliant red eyes illuminated the blackness of the corridor, a dry commanding hissing sound
    “Hu Mon … come to me, do not fight your new being Hu Mon.”

    Looking toward the eyes, a soothing sensation enters his mind. His thoughts and his will faltering, retaining his thoughts yet a compelling desire to give himself to the darkness before him. Keeps thoughts of Rayne, of his Military Escape and Evasion training he underwent.

    “Come hu mon” the raspy voice echoes through his mind again, peaceful thoughts of what this beast offers, maintains his thoughts of Rayne, her loss, his going through the escape and evasion, the mind games the instructors subjected them to

    The raspy voice “Come hu mon … come to me hu mon”
    Step by step he walks trance like toward the eyes, thoughts of comfort through his mind, the thought of no longer seeing Rayne, of training. His training almost a distant memory as the beast has control of his mind, his thoughts of Rayne still a strong

    As Dave is in full view of the fiery red eyed beast it hisses “hu mon, welcome to your rebirth” thoughts of peacefulness, acceptance, of never seeing Rayne ever again, of Rayne's death, no longer of his training.

    As Dave steps his final steps, to his creator, to his master, he whispers
    “Buzz… wrong answer … new contestant.” raising his weapon level with the beast, mentally still focusing more on the hate raging toward this thing separating him from the woman in his life, his love for her, multiple shots ring out, the beast to his front shrieks a near deafening scream. Dave starts to regain some thought as he feels claws ripping in the Kevlar on his back.
    -------
    As shots ring out from within the mine, Kevin catches sight of Rayne driving along the dirt road, a cloud of dust in her wake. “Bout time,” he murmurs as she skids to a stop, throwing her door open, only to have Kevin meet her before she can step out. As her front seats are empty, he starts looking in the back for his weapons.

    “Where are they?” he asks frantically, eyes wide, his jaw set.

    “In the trunk Kev. What is going on? Where’s Dave?”

    Kevin leans into her car, hitting the trunk release lever and grabbing up the swords as soon as it is open. He hands her one, literally shoving into her hand then starts heading towards the mine. He covers half the distance before he realizes he is alone, Rayne still standing by the car, her eyes focusing on the sword now in her hands.

    “Rayne...it’s Dave in there. This is my chance...to help...like a real cop. I need you as backup. Please! This could be my one chance to show I don’t need to be left in the car.”

    Rayne looks up at him when he says her name, “He’d want us to stay here Kev…” she says, her voice shaking. ‘Don’t make me go in there...please...I can’t...go...in...there…’ She starts to shake, her breath hitching in her chest. She is grabbed by the shoulders, shaken...and she looks up.

    “Rayne! Snap out of it! Jesus girl...we’re gonna be okay. You’re gonna be okay.” She blinks...focusing on Kevin...then nods.

    “Okay,” she says swallowing hard and taking a deep breath, “...but only as backup...you first.” ‘I can’t let him go alone,’ the thought the only thing that really drives her.

    Kevin starts running again for the mine entrance, this time with Rayne on his tail. Although she is carrying the katana in one hand, she also has the Glock on her, and tucked in her pockets, the spare clips. Kevin keeps a fast pace, then presses his mic, “Dave...we’re entering the mine now...friendlies at the entrance...repeat...friendlies.”

    Dave feels a figure run into him driving him into the wall striking the back of his head firmly, he could feel the hat going warm wet and sticky. He sticks the barrel of the weapon center mass of the vampire before him. A sharp pain shooting through his arm as the vampire bites down firmly. He feels no warmth, sleeve keeps the teeth from penetrating however the reflex, his weapon drops in the darkness of the corridor. Driven by rage as his vision starts to cloud, the blood flow from the gash on the back of his head, he thrusts his fist firmly in the throat of the vampire savagely clawing the front of his jacket, tearing through more layers with each slash, the beast driven back momentarily as Dave exhausted drops to his knees, vision fading quickly. His last conscious act is to raise his wrist whispering
    “Tell Rayne I love her.”

    The corridor illuminates with one, then a second brilliant flash, a third flash bang detonates as several black clad men firing automatic weapons descend on the screaming vampires. Pam steps over toward Dave “what a drama queen, kiddies, make sure you get…” seeing a faint light from Rayne's light “hurry kiddos with cleanup on aisle 3.” absent her usual giggle she would do.

    Kevin and Rayne have just entered the mine when they hear the commotion ahead and the sound of several weapons firing. Kevin moves deeper in, running faster, turning on his headlamp as soon as the darkness is complete. Dave’s voice comes through his earpiece, the voice soft but he hears the words just fine...and dismisses them. Rayne falls farther behind, until Kevin can no longer see her light. When he reaches the scene of the fight, the vampire bodies are gone and the only remaining figure is Dave. He has a moment to think he has missed out again when he sees Dave stir and moves to his side. “Not dead yet?” he asks with sarcasm, then offers his hand.

    The patch thrown on the back of his head still soaked with his blood, still feeling cold and numb from blood loss, only hears the words, does not associate who they come from, raises his hand.

    Kevin takes his hand and pulls, shrugging his shoulder under Dave’s arm to heft him to his feet. He is just getting himself situated with the larger man weight on him when Rayne appears down the corridor. She looks angry until she sees Dave being supported by Kev. She moves to the other side and grabs his hand in hers. “Are you okay?” she asks softly as she moves in to help support him. ‘Stupid question,’ she thinks to herself as it is obvious he is not okay.

    “What happened here?” she asks Kevin.

    “Fuck if I know. Not a damn bit of anything left. You would think he encountered a cave-in and hit his head.”

    Still light headed, looks to Rayne, still feeling light headed, the warmth of her hand, he closes his hand around hers, softly he whispers “you kept me alive.” trying to move the hand Kevin holds so he can hold Rayne. His breathing shallow.

    Kevin’s grip on Dave’s hand tightens when Dave tries to move it from his. “We gotta get you out of here,” he says, “..then I can go back to hating you.” He says in such a serious voice that Rayne can’t help a small smile to touch her lips. She rests her head on Dave’s shoulder, her breath warm on his neck. They start forward, Rayne stopping briefly to grab something from the ground and push it into the back of her jeans.

    As they make their way outside the mine entrance, it would be more evident the extent his protective clothing had been ripped and torn at. As the sun shines on Dave, his complexion is pale, his eyes squint, he gasps for air saying simply “Ang…” while struggling to free the hand Kevin holds, he wants so to hold Rayne, to never let her go.

    With Kevin’s help, Rayne gets Dave in her car (he’s driving). Worriedly she keeps looking at his torn clothing, his pale skin (damn--did he go vampy on me, she worries), wondering just how extensive his injuries are under the Kevlar. “Follow me in his vehicle,” she says, “to his house. If we need an ambulance, we’ll call from there.”

    Kevin nods then shakes his head. “I have a better idea. You follow me, I’ll lead the way with lights and siren, that way we can get there faster.”
    --------

    As Kevin pulls in the driveway before turning off the light and Siren, hops out of Dave's car running toward he and Rayne who are entering the house.

    Dave holding onto Rayne softly, he finally whispering
    “I was so frightened, I thought I would never see you again.” as they enter the living room. His body trembled “cold, so cold.” trying to stagger toward the couch.

    “Shhh…” Rayne whispers to him. “I’m right here. Let’s get you in bed where its warm.” She redirects him, stumbling under his weight as she helps him to the bedroom. She calls for Kevin to warm some towels and get Ang here. She starts stripping off his clothes, their situation now reversed with her being the caretaker.

    “Let’s get you undressed, so I can see if there is anything else to worry about,” she says, his torn clothing dropping to the floor in a pile piece by piece. She runs her hands gently over the red marks and bruising already starting to form on his skin then directs him to lay down, supporting his back as she does so. She pulls the blankets over him, tucking the warm towels Kevin brought close to his sides to help keep him warm. Lastly she looks to the wound on his head. ‘Better not to remove the bandage already applied,’she thinks, wrapping another around it, leaving it to Ang to decide what else is needed.

    Feeling some warmth under the blankets, looks to Rayne, reaching for her hand. He softly says “You kept me alive, thoughts of us together I was able to resist a mental attack. You are why I am still here my darling.” his hazel eyes looking to her, looking to the woman in his heart and soul.

    Rayne takes his hand and squeezes it, her eyes misting over with emotion at his words. She leans over him and kisses him softly, her arm then going over the top of his head as she lays her head next to his on the pillow, her body close to his.

    With her softness close to him, he moves the blanket over the two, no longer separated by fabric, holds her close losing himself in her eyes. A coughing from the bedroom entrance as Ang sticks her head in, in a laugh

    “I’m the medical professional here, and you two are playing doctor, that was not the frantic call Kev made was it?”

    Rayne slips out from under the blankets, offering Angela a apologetic smile. “It was his fault,” she says with a laugh, “..he was cold.” Ang nods, then smiles.

    “Okay Sergeant, other than your head, does anything hurt? I’m going to check your ribs, get some vitals, then we’ll look into the noggin’. You tell me when it hurts. Okay?” She turns to Rayne. “You called earlier...I’m sorry...didn’t get a chance to return your call. We’ll discuss it later girl, but Saturday is out for me.”

    As Angela enters the room, his face flushed, still lingering thoughts of how wonderful it was to have Rayne in his arms, how she smelled so lovely, her beauty, her, the woman he kept in his mind despite what the beast tried to cast out. He focuses on putting on his other persona, the one Ang would know, stoic face, polite yet firm tone, only betrayed by his flushed face lingering thoughts of wanting Rayne in his arms, his life

    “I believe I have a laceration on the back of my head, I do not believe I have anything broken, arm wise, I do not believe any ribs are broken, cracked at most, slight discomfort when pressure placed against my chest, shallow breathing is okay, heavier breathing does cause some discomfort.” Self diagnosis, something Carter Lake Memorial staff found amusing and troubling figuring the Sergeant some day would come in with his arm severed off and complain of ‘slight discomfort in my arm’. His face wences slightly as he sits up in bed, sharp pain shooting through his chest, self diagnosing himself figuring possibly a cracked rib, he did hit the wall hard enough to cause some form of laceration on the back of his head after all. Assuming the nurse would do a quick in and out, waits for the once over.

    Angela nods as Dave goes through his rundown, then chuckles. “Don’t even need me then do you big guy?” But despite her words, she starts her examination. She uses his description to focus her probing fingers, coming to the same conclusion as he--there are no obvious broken bones...and at least one rib is cracked--more likely two. All his vitals are normal, with the exception of an elevated heart rate which she just chalks off to the little scene she walked in on. Of more concern is his head injury.

    Angela removes the bandaging and cleans the head injury before examining it closely. “I can put you back together with some surgical glue and butterflies, but you’ll have a pretty scar. It’s that or the hospital. Either way, you’ll have to treat this like a concussion and take it easy for a few days.”

    Dave stands, moving to his dresser and slipping on a shirt before walking over to a desk, sitting, and clicking on a light Angela could use while working on him. Simply speaking he says “I’m all yours Doc.”

    Meanwhile, as Rayne and Kevin talk in the front room, there is a knock at the front door. Rayne excuses herself and opens the door, her hand resting on the knob as she looks out. Before her is a slender attractive woman with jet black hair and soft blue eyes. She is wearing a white jacket embossed with Lakewood Memorial Hospital over white slacks and a purple pull-over...nameplate identifying her as Dr. Samantha Smith. Rayne locks eyes with the woman and offers her a gentle smile.

    “Dr. Smith, please come in,” she says and steps away from the entrance.

    As Pam enters, she offers Rayne a wink, spotting Kevin she starts in with a deep southern accent.

    “Well, if aw do declare, it is a might bit on the chilly side today dear, would that Sergeant Nicholas … my word, Nichols, be at home?” walking toward Kevin “That man would be late to his own funeral, he forgot another annual check, this time I am bring it to him.”

    Looking to Kevin, she in a high tone “Oh my word, would you by chance be that exciting blogger Kevin Mercury?” her threats of prison and jail rape seem not to have been effective, the boy always seems too dense to realize how those would harm him if she would really do them, information from her diner operative, she decides beside checking on her brother, to try a different approach.

    Kevin flashes the woman a smile, truly pleased to be recognized. “Yeah, that’s me, The man of Mercury.” He reaches his hand over to shake hers, the childish excitement still in his eyes.

    She saunters over toward him ensuring to sway her hips as she does not shake his hand however softly takes his, softly circling her finger in the palm of his hand, her finger slowly tracing up his arm and hand goes across his chest caressing it softly.
    “Oh heaven help me, have I happened upon th sarge's defense trainer, I love your writing darlin, but I didn’t realize just how strong ya are.” keeping in mind the reports she received on the best approach she might try.

    Not used to such attentions, Kevin gets a bit flustered and his face turns beet red. He can’t keep his eyes from the raven-haired beauty before him...and the fact that she actually is fawning over him gives him the extra courage to play into her hand. “Thank you Samantha...it is okay if I call you that?” He smiles at her, trying to be charming. “..and I do try to stay fit...I eat healthy and train daily.”

    Pam smiles sweetly, her tone going sultry “Oh … you can call me anytime, unless you are at my house, then why bother calling..” in a soft giggle “Samantha sounds so Samanthyie, Sammy is good. I do declare sweetie, that blog you do, lord have mercy for my mind and what I am thinking about us..” with a wink “..but I do have to say darlin, your blog picture does you no justice, how hansom and wow, such a man!”

    As Kevin’s face takes on a brighter shade of red, Rayne simply can’t take it anymore, and she lets out a coughing noise then covers her mouth with her hand, trying to hide the fact that she is laughing. “I’ll make us some coffee,” she says between giggles, “...I hope french vanilla will suffice…” As she sets about her task, Kevin beams even brighter, if that is even possible, under the praise. “Thanks, umm...Sammy...it is an older picture.” He smiles at what he thinks is an amazing woman and admirer, thinking his luck with women might just be changing.

    Pam smiles as Rayne remembers her liking French Vanilla before moving closer to Kevin, gently caressing his face
    “Yes, coffee will just be the most, alas, I have such sweetness with me now, yet my heart can't take my most precious desire.” looking deep in Kevin’s eyes, seductively ever so lightly, sticks her tongue out, licking her own lips leaving them glistening moist. She is deep in thought ‘come on kid, ask about the desire I can not have, bite at the worm kid.’

    Kevin feels like he is about to explode, his heart pounding and his stomach all a twitter. “Um...when you’re done here...we can...um...I mean I could show you where the magic happens...on the blog of course,” he says, finding it very difficult to put together a sensical sentence with this feeling running through his body.

    Pam gets that ‘BINGO’ look on her face while she moves her hands over her heart “I would love to see where the Magic happens, and I speak not of any blog, but alas my sweet sweet temptation, you are the candy I just can not have though my heart longs for such a strong man as you in my life.” Not to over do it so soon, she will allow the brain dead boy to play into her web, best he draw it from her than she open her script so quick.

    A look of sudden fear enters Kevin’s face as he realizes he may be losing this precious chance at having sex with such a beautiful woman. “What? Can’t? But you can...I mean...why not?” He fumbles over his words, his mind racing as he tries to come up with a reason that things are suddenly falling apart. “Is it the timing? I can always show you later?” he says hopefully.

    Pam puts a pained look on her face, thoughts running that she could really get an Oscar for this performance but keeps her ruse going.
    “No my sweet sweet forbidden pleasure, it has nothing to do with you my dearest, it is I who is the spoilage. Damn politics, I am a highly respected doctor at my hospital. Those who look to the hospital’s name, those who I report to, they are critical of my name and my actions, my associates, are all scrutinised by those who will rip my desire right from my very chest…” thinking ‘yep kiddo, you are the cause’ “..my darling forbidden fruit, I love the exciting stories you write on the town’s politics, my keepers enjoy the stories and news you provide. There is but a thorn that tears you away from me. My keepers will forbid my taking my desires with one who writes of monsters. My darling fruit, I know they are real, I trust your writing as much as I trust my desire to be with you, but alas, those who provide my status would cast me aside for your words. Tis such an unfair world which I live.” She puts her head down, able to do so in a blink of an eye, allows a well rehearsed tear trickle down her cheek thinking ‘You biting yet moron?’

    Kevin chews on his lower lip, the reason for the change of heart in this lovely lady now evident. The idea of not writing about the ‘monsters’, as Sammy calls them, is not something he has ever considered. He also wonders how that would affect his fan base...but there is also the prospect of getting laid to consider. He smiles at Samantha and shrugs. “So...if I lay off the monster talk for a bit, then we can be together?” he asks with a hopeful expression.

    Pam knows she has to play this next act oh so carefully. Too fast in the acceptance, even this dope brained loser might grow a clue, stretch it too long, the opposite, to impress his desire, he might increase blog entries, a sudden thought came to mind, kill two birds with one stone, one where he would continue writing, just to her, not his blog, save her the trouble of hacking his IP address.

    She flutters her eyes, a well rehearsed shy look, in the most sugar sweet southern accent
    “Oh my true desire, I can never ask you to cease your brilliant writing.” the dramatic pause allowing any lingering resentment to the suggestion he not write about monsters be replaced by desire for her southern belle personna “...yet those who would destroy my career.. I am at a loss my love…” she allows the word love linger for the briefest second, puts on an Oscar level expression as though she ‘just’ thought of something “...unless … I couldn’t possibly ask this of you my precious man. Maybe you might still write, but to me alone, so I can see the brilliance in the man who has stolen my heart. As those who control me become more open minded, we can together allow everyone to again read your brilliant words.” looking to Kevin hoping she has the brick convinced, the overwhelming desire to simply break his fingers, no fingers, no typing. That thought and that sincere smile might be mistaken for smiling at him.

    ‘And there is the cincher,’ Kevin thinks. Stop writing about the vampires publicly for a while and wait. The waiting is what he dreads. “I could,” he starts, giving her an appraising once-over, “...do as you wish. But...I would need assurance that it would not be for nothing. A promise...a kiss...or perhaps more...to hold the deal.” He lifts his eyebrows at her, in what he thinks is a suggestive manner and smiles again.

    It is at that time that Rayne walks into the living room with the coffee. She had been unable not to catch the conversation, but has finally managed to keep her face neutral. She gives Kevin a gentle squeeze on his shoulder and a smile, inwardly thinking he is never going to get laid, then walks over to Pam and hands her a cup. While ‘negotiations’ are still in play, she enters into the bedroom and sets two more cups on the desk in front of Dave. Angela has just finished with rebandaging Dave’s head and is putting her things away. “I have to get back to work girl...so I’ll call later and we can discuss Saturday? Make sure the Sergeant doesn’t do any heavy lifting...or anything strenuous...that makes two of you now...and keep him awake for at least 12 hours. I’m worried about a concussion. If you have any worries, call a ‘real’ doctor. Okay?”

    Rayne responds by giving her friend a hug, then walking her to the front door. “I’ll talk to you then Ang. Thanks hun.”

    Pam seeing Rayne come back in, knows the crush Kevin has on her so does not do the usual ‘Bitch, he’s mine, carefully wording her next is crucial to keep this boy strung along. She also thinks ‘oh how childish, just for a kiss, so boyish’ as she steps ever so close to Kevin.

    Pam places her arms around him and softly breaths on his neck whisper “this now, so much more on our next rendezvous” while providing the boy a soft kiss. It is short before she looks to Rayne. “I see how you look at my man. We need to talk hun.” while looking to Kevin “My dear, would you please excuse me, I might speak some unlady like words I do not desire you to hear dearest.”

    Rayne can only take so much with a straight face and she stifles a giggle again when she agrees to talk with Pammy. “Of course,” she replies, her hand still on the door. “Outside okay?” she asks.

    As they step outside, Pam starts making hand motions as they were having girl talk over a boy, her tone soft
    “I was so worried that you were going to bust out laughing. But my first I would like to know, is my brother okay? We had to jet before I could look him over, assumed you were coming when saw the lights approaching. Oh yes, also let Dave know Sandy said, thank you for such a nice tip.”

    “Sandy?” Rayne asks, then nods, “..oh yes, the waitress at Jackie’s. Didn’t know about the tip, but I did leave a bit early.” A smile returns to her face, “...and I almost did break out laughing. My god, that was painful.” She shakes her head and sighs, realizing that her good humor may be taken wrongly in view of the past recent events. Her only excuse the release of tension and anxiety in such a stressful situation. “As for Dave, he is going to be fine. Thank goodness. I wasn’t thinking and put him into a very dangerous situation. It really is my fault. I suggested we check out the mines.” She looks at Pam, then sighs again. “We’re in over our heads here, aren’t we?”

    Pam offers a gentle smile “You did not put him in any situation he would not have gone in himself. Focus on him being alive because of you. Had you called a minute later, we would have arrived too late. As far as Smoky … as in Smoke and Mirrors, the waitress going by Sandy did like the tip. Got how to play Kev from my operative. But what I really wanted to talk to you about Ray, I do thank you for talking to my brother about … you know. I don’t know if you follow the other’s hometown news, there was an overnight breakin of their police station. Nothing reportedly stolen. After all, I had to change out the hard copy fingerprint card.” reaching in her pocket removing a USB drive palming it to Rayne “this is you up to 17, records so clean that even I could not disprove them, the other is no more. Also for what it is worth, my guys, you call gorillas, think you are growing on them. Myst, the first you had contact with and Shadow, the second, asked to have codename changes to G1 and G2.” mentioned with a smile.

    Rayne’s hand closes over the USB and she nods, her eyes starting to mist over. “Thank you,” she says sincerely, knowing a great burden has been lifted from her. “He took it just like you said he would. No questions, just acceptance.” She remembers Pams words when they first spoke about her past, and what she went through being in the foster system. Rayne lightly touches the other woman’s hand, and offers her a smile. “I don’t often talk of those times, but it wasn’t as bad for me as for some. I was never abused...only punished for things I did wrong. And I was a very rebellious child.” She laughs. “I bet you wouldn’t have guessed that.”

    Pam offers a sincere smile yet obvious pain on her face, does not return Rayne’s touch, not the usual strength in her tone

    “I think we need to walk away from … eyes” looking to the SUV and back to the window Kevin prys out from. Rayne nods, moving away from her front porch and onto the sidewalk out front. “We can head this way,” she says, “It’s a pretty quiet neighborhood and we won’t be disturbed.”

    As the eyes of the SUV and pup in heat in the window fade from view, Pam speaks softly, letting the shell she keeps up fade for the woman who might understand her more than most.

    “I didn’t mean to pull away from your touch Ray, I am sure you know the shell that has to be put up. I have to keep a secret from even my own brother, that I am actually human.” her eyes growing red “I have to protect the ones I love. Once my job is complete, those who praise my methods will be the same ones calling me to DC for probes into my methods. Any that I am close to would be investigated. I am prepared for the betrayal of those who praise and ready their daggers. I have to make my own brother believe I am off the handle to protect him. Please Ray, do not show any care for me publically…” an unrehearsed moisture welling up “..I don’t want them coming for you when this is over. I see me in you, see Kathy in you, as I told her .. don’t like me, take care of my brother…” she stops and inhales, shaky exhale as she closes her eyes.

    Rayne is unsure how to react, her natural instincts to provide comfort overruled by Pam’s warning. “Did Kathy...was her death not an accident?” she asks, almost afraid to know the truth. She can not understand the position Pam must be in...to know her actions will later cause her such grief. But then she realizes in so many ways that is true for her as well...the stories she writes and how they affect people...and how she has been shut down, even by Pam, to lessen the truth. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say.”

    As Rayne mentions Kathy’s accident, tears flow from Pam’s eyes
    “I wasn’t able to protect her, she was a message, I was too close to her.” Pam opens her eyes trying to wipe her eyes “I am why my brother lost his first love, I don’t want to be why he could lose his next. Those responsible are no more, yet the shadows that control things are hard to know.” as she wipes her eyes again, she looks to Rayne “Ray, promise me one thing, write bad things about me, question my methods when talking to my brother, keep that boy from his blog or he might end up losing control on some dark rainy night. I have tried my best to warn him, it is harder each life lost to the shadows. He I can handle as horrible as that might sound, but I would fall apart if you were…” she couldn’t even say the words Rayne could piece together.

    “Okay...” Rayne responds, but doing what Pam asks may be impossible. Kevin is a hard case and he has always done what he wants. Nothing she has said has ever changed that. She could be true to Dave and keep up the ruse that she still depises Pam, but she feels it may not be enough. “What else can I do...to help you? I don’t want you to be alone in this.”

    Pam looks to Rayne, trying to regain some composure “You can help me by staying alive, to be happy with my brother, to bring him the happiness I see he has regained.” she says the words, as she had with Kathy, yet she worries like with Kathy, her strong personality will not heed the request.

    Rayne looks at Pam, her expression serious, “I can try...but I can’t promise the happiness. That is something that only time will tell. As for staying alive...that has always been my goal.” She laughs lightly, the past week having been a bad omen for keeping that promise. “It seems you would be the one to provide a better chance at that than anyone.”

    Pam looks to Rayne, her gaze seeming distant, her tone returning a little more normal “This is a quiet neighborhood?”

    Rayne nods, “It seems to be...never noticed any problems.”

    “Damn it, not even playing the accident angle..” reaching her sleeve to her mouth “G1.. tan ford. 16th street..” while reaching around the back of her white smock, starts in a fast pace toward a tan ford two blocks from Dave’s, as she runs draws a 9 MM with silencer. As the car starts, the SUV blocks it off as Pam rushes in leveling the weapon at the driver, G1 covers with an automatic. Pam tells the man behind the wheel “I told you I had the fucking kid covered, are you out of your mind?”

    The man simply replies “Monitoring the kids blog, Skylark’s orders.”

    “Well, tell Skylark he is close to needing new birds.”

    The sniper rifle now visible from the passenger window retracted. The driver replies
    “Kid stays, one week, any blogs, kid gets turned off.”

    The tan ford backs up and drives around the SUV. Pam looks to G1 as she slips the silenced 9 MM back in her back holster
    “Okie dokie G, head back to the den, momma will get herself home”
    The stark reality snapped her back in what she has to protect those innocent from, having kept an open channel for only Rayne to monitor. G1 accelerates down the block, Pam turns and starts a block jog back to where Rayne would be. Her tone concerned
    “Was not expecting this, I thought I had more time. I have to ask even knowing what to expect in your answer, can I ask you to stay out of this and let me resolve the boy thing?”

    Feeling a bit shocked with what had just gone down, Rayne looks at Pam and shakes her head. “I don’t know. I think I can help...and Kevin is my friend. Outside of you, as Sammy, actually showing up at his place and giving him what he wants, I don’t see any other way. Let me talk to him...reason with him. It won’t seem out of the ordinary. We’ve been friends for so long and we talk all the time. I can’t just let him die because I sat back and did nothing.” What she finds hardest to believe is how far this has escalated. What is the cause for such secrecy on so many levels...the police department...the mayor...the feds. It just doesn’t make sense, unless there is more to it than meets the eye. Which is just the sort of thing that has always intrigued her--gets her investigative mind stimulated. She wonders if it is worth the risk to look into, but when she thinks of all Pam has said, she has her doubts.

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  5. #25
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    Default Co-post (Poppa Squirrel and Mama Moon)

    Pam looks to Rayne, for once having comfort in someone to confide in, one capable in dark web research, yet a lingering fear of bringing her into something even the highest branches of the Justice Department and Homeland are in the dark. Finally she says the obvious

    “This could be dangerous, I don’t think I could lose another I am close to. There is a dark element of the Government, one that handles threats not outlined in normal enforcement. As you saw, some in this group go to extreme measures to hold secrets.” She lowers her head “Do you ever wonder why I have never called these .. things vampires?”

    “I don’t recall you not saying that specifically,” she responds. “But if the problem is keeping these creatures a secret, isn’t it already too late for that? I’ve seen them, as has Kevin and Dave. We can’t unsee them. How can it be any worse by talking to me...what else is there to know?”

    Pam inhales sharply, as though she might fall apart any second, finally she softly says “I made that mistake, as of last week, five years ago.” after an agonizing moment “I don’t want to go through that again.”

    After a moment she finally can say “Please don’t ask, I don’t even know all the details, I am just some dirty little secrets’ cleaner. A secret that was made clear shadows will go to any length to protect.”

    Nodding, Rayne starts to walk again, heading back to Dave’s home. “I won’t ask then. But I won’t pretend not to be curious.” She sighs but keeps her eyes forward--there would be time to look into things later or perhaps to gain Pam’s confidence. “Let’s get back to Kevin, I’m sure he misses his Sammy,” she says with a smirk.

    Trying to pull herself together, back to her shell, almost having a shootout on a quiet neighborhood street, she is ready to try and resume her role in this game she grows more weary of each passing year. As Rayne still keeps her focus forward, Pam knowing she is giving her composure time, simply says “Thank you Ray.” Going back to a southern accent “Should I say goodbye to Kevin?”

    “Only if you think you can handle more of his puppy dog love,” she replies. “I can tell him you had a call if you prefer,” she offers. She is going to have to drive him to the restaurant unless she allows him to take Dave’s vehicle back with him. Something she doesn’t think Dave would appreciate. She turns to Pam and looks at her with new eyes. “You are not who I thought you were--more like a changeling--I never know who I will see next. If you ever need to talk, the phone works both ways. Anytime.”

    Before they come in view of the window to Dave’s house, she reaches out taking Rayne’s hand gently squeezing “I might take you up on the offer. Knowing the kid was going to be assass… god, I don’t want to think about that, I don’t think I am ready to go back and see the kid. I already have a file inserted in Lakewood Memorial, if he ever comes to see Samantha, a scheduling subroutine will make it appear he just missed me… her. If you can, tell the guy that we talked about him. I have to find out why that team was here.” a moment passes “and thank you.”

    Rayne walks into the house alone, Kevin immediately noticing his potential girlfriend is no longer with her. She explains (lies), telling him Sammy will call, she had urgent business and had to leave. She feels her heart ache for him when she sees how the news affects him, but keeps to the story, offering to drive him to Jackie’s Cafe to get his car. Another lie she can add to her list.

    As Rayne offers to drive Kevin to the Cafe, Dave asks to tag along. For once Kevin seems okay with the idea as he thinks more of his new flame, and not as much of his crush. On the drive back, Dave looks to Rayne

    “Hunny, did anything strike you as unusual about that Doctor that seems to have a thing for Kev, I feel silly asking, like I’m his father looking out for him, but she came because I missed my annual physical, right?”

    It’s hard to keep a straight face, but Rayne tries. “There was nothing normal about that doctor Dave. If you had been in the room with us you wouldn’t be asking.” She glances at him then starts laughing. “That was Pam...and in her own way, she was checking up on you. Making sure you were all right.” She blames the head injury on his inability to make the connection--the disguise so obvious to her. “Let’s get you home and back in bed. I think Ang recommended you stay awake, but I’ll make sure that happens.”

    Dave lets out a laugh “Oh god, and I’m suppose to be the trained observer. I was going to ask you to run a background since the annual exam I missed was done 3 weeks ago. Please, whatever you do, don’t tell Kev I was concerned for him, he would probably want bluelight specials again.” His tone going a little more serious “She didn’t make any threats against you did she? I am sorry for what she puts you through.” reaching to rest his hand on her shoulder.

    Rayne puts her hand on his, then shakes her head. “No worries. She was actually quite civil this time. Worried about you, I guess. No threats.” She slows down to pull into his driveway, putting the car in park before she gets out. “Do you need a hand?” she asks.

    Dave opens the passenger door getting out “I’m all good, only thing I need is you,” offering her a smile. A slightly serious look comes to his face “Think we should compare notes on what we ran across in the mine. There was one of those vampires who actually said my name, I could swear it was the voice of the officer McCormick who we lost last week.” as he gets to the door unlocking and opening it. “Still have coffee, want to compare notes over coffee or some wine?”

    Rayne nods, following him into the house. “Coffee is fine...I want to keep my head on straight for a bit yet.” She gets two fresh cups and sets them on the coffee table. “I’m not sure how much information I have for you. Kevin and I did not see anything, Pam and the G-squad got there before we did. Everything was cleaned up by the time we found you.” She reaches into her purse and places his handgun on the table. “I believe you dropped this though.”

    His face slightly cringes as he plays out being surrounded by vampires, the clawing, his weapon going from his hand, what he believed were his final words to her. He has faced close situations before, this was different, he thought he was gone, the gun on the table only reinforced that. A slight tremble goes through his body, finally all he could say “Kevin did tell you right?”

    Rayne moves closer to Dave and wraps her arms around him, holding him close. “Kevin told me so many things...I’m not sure what you are referring to,” she says softly. “Are you sure you want to talk about this now?” she asks. She doesn’t like to see him upset...he is the strong one...trained for situations with danger. If he is visibly shaken, then whatever he encountered had to be terribly horrific. “We could just sit here...and talk later.”

    Dave holds her softly resting his head on her shoulder. It is apparent that Kevin must have not told her what he thought were his last words to her. He is somewhat relieved yet slightly upset at the same time. Jump straight back into work, his normal for dealing with tight situations. A bottle, five years ago, he was hitting one hard, Deputy Larson and her husband are the only reason he is not in weekly meetings. This they are facing is beyond his ability, beyond protecting the woman beside him, should he lose her, the bottle would take him. He simply whispers “Yes, we can talk later, just let me hold you.”

    Rayne smiles, “I’d like that,” and kisses him gently on the lips. Ignoring her coffee, she scoots over until she is sitting in his lap. “We could go lay down,” she offers, “...or stretch out here.”

    Dave holds her closer, resting his hand on her face looking into her eyes “Lets go to our room, stay in each others arms for a lifetime. I want nothing more than to spend my life with you, to see you every morning, to make you breakfast, to hold your hand as we walk through the park. I want you to know how much I love and treasure you.” leaning in softly kissing her.

    Not wanting to move from his embrace, Rayne lingers for a few more moments before getting up to move into the bedroom. She pulls back the blankets and kicks off her shoes, slipping her jeans down her legs before she climbs in. Laying back, she watches him--the way he moves--his posture--his expression. She loves everything about him. “Don’t make me wait for you,” she teases, “...it’s getting cold.”

    Dave already in the room having watched the woman undress, finding her more beautiful each time he looks upon her, he removes his own shirt letting it fall to the floor before letting his training pants to be the next to occupy the floor, Not taking time to fold either, he does not want to be separated from her even that additional second. He pulls the blanket over their bodies, slowly pulling her to him, his breath heavy as he looks in her eyes, savoring the embrace. “I feel as we are one every time I hold you darling.” pressing his lips softly against hers, his hand slowly running up her back, additional care as he runs his hand along one of her scars, looking in her eyes, the only thing in his eyes is his longing for his love

    “Please don’t answer right away darling, I know you need time, but I know there is no one I want to spend my life with, will you complete my life by being my wife?”

    Rayne places her hand against Dave’s cheek, running her fingers along the side of his face tenderly. “I love you...I do...and I want to say yes, but I can’t. At least not yet. I just need more time. I am so sorry.” There is a pain in her heart as she says the words, a longing to feel as strongly for him as he does for her. There is also the fear that she will lose him if she makes him wait for her. “I just want us to be happy and I think I need more time to accept all this. This feeling is new.” She looks to him, hoping he can see how much she really does care, and a tear slips onto her cheek, falling to the pillow. Unable to hold his gaze, she looks down, pulling herself into his chest.

    As he feels her resting on his chest, he moves his thumb gently drying her cheek before softly touching her lips

    “Don’t ever say sorry dear, you have said you were not ready before. I will keep my love for you until you are ready rather that is one minute, one week, one month or one lifetime, only when you are ready give me your answer my love.” holding her close, savoring the warmth of her body against his.

    Breathing softly, his scent surrounding her, Rayne never felt more at home. Dave’s love is so complete she feels enveloped in it, which only makes her more aware of her unwillingness to reciprocate. She finds she only wants to hear his voice to shut out the doubts in her own mind. She pulls back just enough to look up at him. “You asked me if Kevin told me what you said back at the mine..but you never told me what it was. I saw your clothes...how they were torn...shredded. I have no idea what you went through in there. How close you must have come to..” and she finds she can’t finish the sentence, the reality of his experience too close to her own. She could have lost him...and the pain of that thought becomes her own.

    As Rayne starts to talk, Dave softly touches his finger to her lips “All that is important now is that we are together. I too came close to loos… “ no, he will not talk of the deathly fear he had seeing Rayne in the river drenched in her own blood, an image that hit him harder than any he had seen through his life. They were together, both survivors, her more than he, yet all he wanted to focus on was the life they will spend together. Dave moves closer to her, softly running his fingers through her hair, not wanting to talk, more keep the treasure before him in his mind and heart, whispers “You are my everything, let’s just stay in this moment darling.”

    Rayne lays by his side, just listening to the sound of his heartbeat and feeling his breath against her skin. Although she is still, her mind is racing over the events of the day, her feelings, and her doubts. Eventually she falls asleep in his arms.

    -------------

    As another morning comes to Carter Lake, the alarm on the nightstand buzzes, Dave already awake looking at Rayne as she sleeps, mesmerized by her appearance. He reaches over touching the off key as the radio plays

    ~orning Carter Lake, our top story - Former Mayor Paul Marquard has been located by the FBI, a spokesperson released a statement indicating Mr Marquard was located in the parking lot at SeaTac International and had died from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound, the weapon has not been recovered at this time, additio..’ as Dave taps the radio off. Something was definitely off with the self inflicted gunshot with no weapon discovered. He does not want to speak of this to the angel by his side, he is sure she will hear of that soon enough when her publisher sends out the reporter’s updates on stories to cover.

    Lying on her side, Rayne wakes just as the radio is being shut off. She opens her eyes only to be met by Dave’s gaze. She smiles sleepily. “Hey...good morning. You always stare at girls while they sleep?” Sitting up, she stretches, then pushes back the covers. “I haven’t slept that deep in a long while--might hold me for a few days,” she laughs.

    Dave lightly laughs “Kind of sound like I’m your stalker. I already took the liberty of picking up an additional sonicare toothbrush, it’s in the bathroom, mine is blue, I know, blue - such a guy thing, huh. You feel like eggs and bacon or want to catch a bite at Jackies?” as Dave stretches, looking for his clothes.

    “Just coffee, I think, but I could make you something.” She grabs up her jeans and slips them on before heading into the kitchen. As she is putting on the coffee she checks her phone, seeing that she missed Angela’s call last night. She really must have slept hard. She hits the number and Ang answers on the first ring.

    “Girlfriend! I tried calling last night. You two busy or something?” Ang asks with a laugh.

    Rayne shakes her head, leave it to Angela to think the worst of her. “I might have been...but someone forbid it. So thanks. Listen, I wanted to talk to you about Saturday.”

    There is a sigh from the other end. “I know...and I can’t make it. Inservice at work that I can’t get out of. What’s up?”

    “Not really something I want to discuss on the phone. Can you meet me for lunch? I know you are off. Could you let Kevin in on it--to meet us I mean. I need to talk to him too.”

    Laughter. “Ohhhh...the mystery. Okay, I can do it. Jeremy will stay home with the kids. Hey Rayne...everything okay?”

    It is Rayne’s turn to sigh. “Yeah, just need to tell you some things better said in person. Love you Ang.” She hangs up and starts pulling out the eggs and bacon, looking through the cabinets for the pans.

    As Dave finishes getting dressed, comes out of the bedroom heading to the kitchen smelling the coffee. Seeing that Rayne has the eggs and bacon out, asks “at least pour you some coffee?” while opening the cabinet grabbing two coffee cups.

    He thumbs through his contact list finding SeaTac PD Captain’s number tapping out a quick text

    ~heard on news about mayor, must have missed your update on that since impacts CLPD~ pressing send. Yes, he knows there was no missed text, but he is going to confirm what he already has a nagging feeling on, how are they going to respond to his inquiry, how obvious are they going to make it in how they respond. Dave slips his phone in his back pocket now stepping toward Rayne

    “Use a hand. I can make some good things too.” offering a concerning smile, this mayor thing eating at him.

    “Mmm, I’m sure you can. But you sit, I got this.” As she busies herself cooking breakfast she wonders who he was texting, but doesn’t ask, figuring he’d tell her if he wanted her to know. “I’m meeting Ang and Kevin for lunch today...I’d invite you, but Kev might have a fit. You’re back on his shit list.” She thinks of how easily Kev was swayed by Pam’s performance yesterday and cringes. The lunch meeting was not going to be enjoyable. As she puts a plate together for him, she grabs a few pieces of bacon for herself and sits down. “I hope you like fried...I guess I’ll learn your preferences soon enough.”

    He takes a seat across from Rayne “Fried is great, don’t really do omelets, I am horrible at making them, perhaps sometime you can teach me how to do those.” as he gets ‘message received’. He slips his phone out of his back pocket, as he opens the message, mutters “Really, that all the better you can come up with?” before looking to Rayne. “Sorry darling, this whole living alone, not use to sharing.” his face scrunches “The former Mayor, he was found in the airport covered garage, news said self inflicted gunshot, no weapon recovered. I text a guy I pretty much got him his job on the Airport Police, just got his response. I now know how you must feel getting the ‘ongoing investigation’ line.” He is new to the whole sharing his life, he is going to do his best in sharing everything with her.

    “I’m sure I’ll be worse at it than you,” she says, “I’m quite the loner.” She shrugs, “I expect I’ll be getting a call from my editor soon then...to cover the story. Means a trip out to the airport too.” She wonders how she is going to get everything worked into her schedule the next couple days...her meeting with Kev and Ang, covering the story which means a press conference, a trip to SeaTac, and then to Tacoma. “Guess I’m going to be busy the next couple of days. It will be like not having a roommate,” she says with a laugh.

    Dave is well aware that like he, she has a career that might call her away with little or no notice. His desire is to stay with her every waking moment yet his support will help her anyway he can when she does have to go on assignments for stories. He smiles jokingly

    “I suppose you are going to want a reduced room rate for the time out of the room…” going more serious “..seriously though. Is there anything you need me do to help in any way?”

    Dave himself was considering poking around a bit himself, seeing what he could uncover that his buddy was withholding. No matter what he found, he was intending on providing Rayne once he got to the bottom of this oddity.

    Rayne smiles, “You could go punch that Jamie guy in the face for me next time he feeds me ‘no comment’...that would be a help. Or perhaps I should let him take me to lunch--got you to warm up.” She gives him a look, then winks. “But no, really, there is not much you can do...just keep your ears open. I have Ang and Kev doing the same.”

    At the mention of Kevin, he coughs while sipping his coffee, taking a napkin dabbing the coffee droplets on the table. Still slightly laughing

    “You think he is going to be laying off that blog, hard to believe that sister of mine, I had always imagined her more the threatening kind. Good thing I was in the bedroom, guess the bump was a bit much, honestly didn’t dawn on me who it was till you told me. That ‘girl talk’ you two went out for, Kevin had his face plastered to the window for a bit, guess you two took a walk, he came back to the front room kind of pouty.” Dave was not going to press for what kind of threats Pam made while they were walking, he is sure Rayne will let him know when she no longer is mad at the threats his sister made.

    “Just leave Kev to me...hopefully I can talk some sense into him. I doubt I can mend the bridge you tore down though. You really need to give him some slack. I know he can be a pain, but he really is a sweet person. And he is pretty handy with a gun...even though you have never given him any credit for it.” She gives Dave a stern look which fails miserably when it ends with a laugh. “Really though, he doesn’t want anything more than to be like you...minus the whole clone thing.”

    Dave keeps focus on Rayne as she is letting him know what he has been thinking about lately, yea, the kid is annoying, but he does seem sincere in what he does, albeit has a different way of going about it. As Rayne mentions that he wants to be like him, a slight blush comes, he has not … or at least had not taken time to observe … ever given thought that others might try to follow him as an example. He simply responds to Rayne “Suppose I have to plea guilty as charged. Guess had not really considered how I had been… I don’t know… giving the kid a hard time over anything we could find on him.” with a slight hesitation “..you really think the kid wants to be anything like me?”

    She nods. “That’s what he always said…although I think it was more like, ‘I’m going to be a better cop than Iceman’, rather than just like you.” She laughs, “..If only you knew how often you came up in our conversations...Angela always knew I had a thing for you...just couldn’t get past the whole cold front shell. I think that’s why she always was bringing you up...just to keep me bristling.” Getting up from her chair, she leans over and gives him a hug. “I’m going to take a shower, then head home to get some clean clothes. Join me?”

    As he reaches back caressing her face warming with the hug, pulls his shirt out from his pants with a smile “Shower, or shower and your home?” as he starts to get up from the table, the plate on the table will wait, he starts anticipating the warm water flowing over their bodies, her softness against him.

    Rayne is already undressed by the time she gets to the bathroom, her clothes scattered along the hallway. She turns to him, smiling, “Whichever you prefer, I’m good with either.” She turns on the water to let it get warm while watching him come towards her. “Up for anything more?” she asks then steps into the hot spray.”

    As Rayne stepped into the shower, Dave abandoning his clothes in the doorway, stepped in with her, knowing she still has to be careful, softly holds her close, whispers “I want you so, we need to be slow…”

    --------------

    Rayne still had two months on her house’s lease, and as such she didn’t plan to move everything until she had to. After her shower time with Dave she came to what she still considered her home and packed up more of her things, then prepared some snack food for when Kev and Ang showed up. She had not lied to Dave when she said they were having lunch together, but she really had not told the whole truth.

    Once Kev and Ang arrive and everyone is situated, she comes into the family room, holding a glass of wine, and sits on the coffee table facing them. She dives right into the reason she asked them over. “I’ve been getting threatening texts the past couple days. I can’t trace them...but I think they are from Pam’s organization..or maybe the Tacoma group. They simply say they are watching me and I’m not sure how to respond, so I’ve been ignoring them.”

    Kevin looks at her with a worried expression. “Did you say anything to Dave?” he interrupts.

    “No...but that is another problem. But I need to back up. Kevin..I need to tell you something about me so the rest of this will make sense.” She looks at Ang, who gives her a nod, then she tells him about growing up in a foster home with Angela and another kid, named Fox. “We were always together...three peas in a pod...but Ang never got into trouble.” She sighs. “Anyways, I got a text over a week ago that Fox was dead.” She glances at Ang again. “I’m sorry, I wanted to tell you, but…”

    Rayne knows there is a lot to cover, so she slips back into her story, knowing there will be more to talk about later. “He was supposed to have had his throat cut...but it was so much worse than that. Which brings me to Saturday. I am going to pick up his ashes...lay him to rest. But I also have other business in Tacoma. A wedding.” She pauses, then looks at Angela again. “And don’t try to talk me out of it...it’s for research only.”

    “Who’s wedding?” Kevin asks. He is not sure where this is going or why Rayne has asked him to be here, but he is intrigued by the news that Rayne is not who he had thought she was.

    “It’s not important Kevin, but what is important is I think we are all in danger. I started getting this nagging feeling yesterday when Pam...or should I say Sammy...came on to you at Dave’s house.”

    A shocked expression, then Kevin asks, “What are you talking about? That wasn’t Agent Nichols...oh shit...was it?” He blushes then shakes his head. “Oh fuck...I am so screwed.”

    “No,” Rayne says, “..it’s better that you know. Because the message she gave you..the threat...is real. You have to stop your blog...at least the part with monsters...vampires. I think...Dave...is doing the same thing to me.” She stops for a moment, her breath coming heavily as she tries to piece together what has been bothering her. Angela puts her hand on Rayne’s shoulder.

    “No...hun...you can’t really believe that,” she says. But Rayne nods.

    “Just think about it. The timing. Just when we start getting threats to stop writing, Dave starts to warm up to me. It’s love at first sight...he invites me into his home. Hell, he has even asked be to marry him already. It’s too fast. ...and I fell right into the trap. Even Pam has done a 360...she has a soft side. Can you believe that?”

    Angela looks near to tears. “Are you sure Ray...what are you going to do?”

    “Nothing,” she responds. “I’m going to act as I have been...like a girl in love. Until I can’t do it anymore. Cause I really do care for him...but I think we really have to be careful. I’m not even sure the vampire thing is real anymore.” When Kevin starts to argue, she puts a hand on his knee. “Just hear me out. I’ve been thinking about this..and although I haven’t worked through everything, this much I know. First off, the vamp you saw Kevin was attempting to steal blood--so of course you thought vampire. And you shot him in the chest--which is what any police officer would have done. He would have been wearing a bullet-proof vest. And Dave’s incident...we never saw anything. It could all be fabricated..except of course for his injury. He was alone...and his clothing was torn, but he could have done that himself.”

    “What about you?”

    “I don’t know...that’s where I draw a blank. Maybe I was drugged...the attack planted...the injury part of the game. I just don’t know. I do think something is going on and there is a threat, but maybe it is not what we think. Tacoma might even be a part of it.”

    Kevin was the first to nod. “It makes sense. The bastard slammed me in the forehead to keep me out of the mines. No witnesses. Fuck..I’m going to kill him.”

    Once again Rayne puts a calming hand on his knee. “No, we need to be careful. Act like nothing is wrong. It’s going to be hardest for me. I am not sure I can keep up the ruse, but until I know we are safe, I will do it however I can.

    The three sit in silence for a moment, then Rayne gets up to pour herself some more wine. “Tomorrow I am going to Tacoma to look into things there. Once I am back, I think we need to go back into the mine...just Kev and I...and see what really is up.” She looks at Kevin and he nods.

    ----------

    As Dave pulls up to the SeaTac Airport Police parking lot, he exits and locks his car. Walking at a quick pace, wants to get a look in the face of the guy that obviously forgot that he does not take withholding information well.

    Heading to the elevator, he slows his pace as he notices a man in a black sweater stepping toward the elevator. He shakes his head mumbling “Seriously, you reall…”

    The pop behind does not register until the two electrodes from the taser enter his back. His entire body tenses as the electrical shock hits, dropping him, his vision fading to black.

    Dave starts to get feeling back in his body as he moves … yet doesn’t. Unaware just how long he has been out, he starts to regain his vision, coming realize he is in a chair in an enclosed room, his hands cuffed behind him and tied to a chair. Coughing, he shakes his head shaking the groggy feeling out of his head before looking around.

    A man dressed in jeans and a black pull over steps in front of him, in a taunting voice “Well well well, seems Cinderella has finally woken up, so Cind, got any idea what is up?”

    Dave keeping his breathing steady, simply says “Of course I know what is up, you suck at storytelling, it is Sleeping Beauty that wakes from a…”

    He feels a sharp pain shooting through the side of his face as the man next to him punches him firmly across side of his head. The man to his front “We have a comedian here. Find that funny?”

    Feeling the warm taste of blood in his mouth, he spits out the blood to the floor before looking up at the man

    “Your guy hits like a girl, my grandmother hits harder than that and she’s been dead for eleven years.”

    The front guy shakes his head no before holding Dave’s phone in front of him

    “Make it easy sarge, just give me the unlock code so we can send a simple text to reporter barbie and you will be back at your car in no time. Now be a smart boy and give it up.”

    A moment of pure anger runs through his mind, obviously these people seem to be looking to try and draw Rayne into something. He regains some composure, bide time, concentrate on their features, work them into making a mistake

    “If all you want was the unlock code, didn’t need all the drama, I gave it to your mother this morning when she was going down on me.”

    This time it is the man to his front turn to throw the punch, straight into his stomach winding him “Damn, the guy wants to get hurt…” while following through with kicking him in the chest, the chair he is in going backwards as the sharp pain to his chest shoots through his upper extremities.

    The man to the side and one in front pick the chair up, “We can play this all night sarge, eventually you will give up the code, just do it now and save the ass kicking.”

    Dave knew these men were good at what they were doing, he lets his mind drift to other memories so not to focus on the pain, escape and evasion training did give some resistance training though the instructors would not throw full punches often. His only pure focus is that these men were looking to use him to get to Rayne. The why doesn’t even drift in his mind, more that he will not help these men in anyway to do anything that might endanger or hurt her. His thought process in interrupted by another punch across the side of his face, more warm blood filling his mouth. As he spits it out again, the front man waving the phone in front says a little more firmly

    “Just give the damn code up, we can do this all night and into the morning…” before looking to the other guy

    Dave exhausted all his reasoning coming to the realization that he belonged to these two, or perhaps more. He did not need to wait for them to continue their exercise routine, they would eventually draw a code from him. His thoughts go back to Rayne, the time they have been together, short as it has been, it was the best thing in his life. Now he has to do one final thing, give a code that these men obviously will use to try and get to her. He closes his eyes “like to play longer, know junior is getting his rocks off, you’re right, let’s end this here. Code is 682049 and the pound sign.”

    As the man with the phone taps the unlock code in, Dave drifts into a quiet place in his mind, thinking now of only Rayne, praying that she would forgive him, keeping their happy moments they had etched in his memory. Even as the man loudly “What the Fuck, fucking screen went red!”

    Dave mutters “You now have a paperweight, was a kill code”

    Realizing these people will no longer have need for him, he waits for the shot if they were professionals, or some other way to eliminate him. He has cheated death with the mine being the third time in his career, he is at peace that death will finally claim it’s prize, comfortable that he would not be the reason these people get to Rayne.

    The man looking at the phone tosses it to another “The screen is lit, see what the tech guys could do with it” before stepping to Dave’s front “You’re fuckin crazy, ya know that?” before raising his foot back kicking him once again in the chest knocking him back on the floor again. As he feels a sharp pain shoot through his head, the kick along his head sends him fading back to unconsciousness.

  6. #26
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    Rayne returns to Dave’s home later that afternoon, only to find him gone. After unloading several boxes from her car, enough to get her by without having to go home every day to change, she sets about making dinner. She eats alone and after 8 PM she begins to wonder where he is and why he hasn’t called. Even after all she spoke to Kevin and Angela about, she still finds herself worrying.

    Later that evening she tries to call him, but his number is listed as currently unavailable and finally with worry setting deeper in her, she sits at her computer to occupy herself, still thinking he is just held up somewhere...perhaps looking into the disappearance of the mayor. When her phone chimes shortly afterwards she grabs it, thinking it must be him.

    ~Last warning~ are the only words on the screen and she sets her phone down with a heavy sigh. There are things she did not tell Angela and Kevin at their meeting today--such as just how much farther she has probed into the files in Tacoma and what she has discovered. She managed to pinpoint one of the members of the group she had been investigating and the threats she has been getting lately seem to point to that fact. She is about to grab a glass of wine when her phone chimes again, her reaction this time to ignore it and just go to bed. She takes the wine with her into the bedroom and it just pulling back the blanket when she hears her phone again.

    Frustrated, Rayne grabs her phone and when she looks at the texts she just stands there, staring at the picture and text that accompanies it. The picture shows Dave in a dimly lit room strapped to an overturned chair. Although she can not see him clearly, it is obvious there is blood around his face. The text says simply, ~meet me at 2436 Denver Blvd~

    Rayne looks at the address and picture, knowing whomever sent her the text can only be trouble. If she was smart, she would call someone, but she has stopped trusting the police and Pam is her only other option, which she quickly decides against. When she finally grabs her keys and purse, she reaches into the back of her vehicle and grabs the vest Dave had put there days before. Entering in the address, she starts on the road, really not sure why she is doing this, but afraid she may be Dave’s only chance.
    --------
    Having sent the text, George paces the room, looking to Dave
    “That was pretty fucking stupid, think we didn’t have a way to contact her, just caused more pain asshole.”

    Dave still sits strapped in the chair, lip swollen, several lacerations on his face, eyes locked on that man, keeping an icy stare at the man he would like nothing more to do than get his hands on him even one minute.

    George looks to his watch “suppose if reporter barbie plans on coming, won’t be long, if not, you will be morning news.”
    ------
    As soon as Rayne gets close to the location, she cuts her lights and pulls onto the side of the road. An old factory sits one hundred yards away. Turning off the engine, she takes off her jacket and puts the vest on, then slips her coat over it and zips it up. She has never felt so nervous and it takes her a moment to slow her breathing enough to get out of the car. Reaching into her purse, she pulls out the handgun, knowing she has six bullets. If that is not enough, she is not walking out of there alive.

    The walk to the factory seems to take an eternity, her breath coming out as a foggy mist. She is muttering under her breath, nonsensical words of encouragement, but mostly she is praying that Dave is still alive. Even if he has been playing her all this time, she can’t deny the feelings she has for him. When she reaches the door, she pauses with her hand on the knob. ‘Now or never’ she says to herself then turns the handle.

    As the door opens, George reaches to his waistband removing his knife, stepping behind Dave, and resting the knife to his throat. As Rayne is in eyesight, George says
    “Nice to see you again Bitch. Fox was a curious kid, you know curiosity kills right?..” pressing the knife tighter to Dave’s throat “..I don’t have to draw out what we want from you do I bitch?”

    Dave looks to Rayne and simply says “Walk away, don’t let this asswipe pla…” as George runs his elbow along Dave’s face jerking his head to the side, George pressing the knife back along his throat “Damn this guy is an annoying fuck.”

    Chest rising rapidly Rayne shakes her head. “Don’t. Leave him be. I’ll stop. Please.” She clenches her fists, feeling the bulge of the gun in her waistband. ‘Only as a last resort,’ she thinks, not sure her aim would be true enough to even try. “I’ll close the doors, erase them, whatever you...he wants.”

    George moves the knife along Dave’s cheek running the blade slowly down the side, a red flow down his face covering the blade, even though there is intense pain, Dave will not give that bastard the satisfaction, He grits his teeth until the blade moves away before “Ray, don’t … let these...assss…” as he loses conciousness having fought the pain so long, his body's natural defense

    George sets the key to the cuffs on a small table next to them
    “Good girl, he would expect you to hold up what you said, wait till I am gone before undoing this asshole, I already know what he can do..” lifting his jacket letting her see the handle to his handgun “.. you kept him able to see the sunrise, don’t undo him before you hear my car leave, that dumb fuck would likely want to die over you.” as he steps back, hand still on the handle of his weapon.

    Rayne waits as she was instructed, afraid anything less would be their undoing. As soon as she hears a car pulling away, she rushes to Dave’s side, grabbing the key to his cuffs. Her hands shaking, it takes her several tries to finally get them off and then she gets to work on the rope. She looks at Dave, wondering how he could be whom she fears he might be...just another user...as he has always seemed so sincere. But she has been played before...fooled before...she can’t trust her own judgement. With effort, she pushes those thoughts away, concentrating on the problem at hand...getting him out of here. Putting her hands against his chest, she gets the last of the rope off him, then pushes against him to keep him from slipping off the chair. She never considered having to get him to the car. Finally, she takes him under the arms and allows him to slide to the floor, sitting next to him with his head in her lap.

    Dave’s vision going from black, to grey as things come to focus, expecting to still be in the chair, he feels his head resting in Rayne’s lap. He moves his hand to the cold dusty warehouse floor pushing up to sit, pain shooting through his chest mentally analysing possible cracked or broken ribs. He looks to Rayne, then to the floor, his tone soft “I am sorry you had to go through this, I hope you don’t give up … what you told that guy you were going to.” while trying to get himself to his feet.

    Rayne gets to her feet, helping Dave as much as she can, not trusting herself to speak right now. She is responsible for his beating and if she had not come...his death. She lets out a pained sigh, the sound carrying a soft tremor. “I’m sorry,” is all she manages to get out, putting more effort into supporting his weight.

    As they head to the door of the warehouse and into the chill of the air outside, he shivers, the crisp air wisping against the warmth of the blood on his face and down his chest and back. His main thoughts are of Rayne, their time together, his life he wants to spend with her, her incredible beauty, anything to keep from going into shock as the night air grips him. Although obvious, he says “Hospital…”

    Getting Dave in the passenger seat, Rayne gets the car running and kicks on the heat, rummaging through her back seat until she finds the blanket she keeps there. She wraps it around Dave before getting in, then sets out for Mercy, calling ahead to let them know she is on the way. Dave slips in and out of consciousness as she drives, pushing the car to its limit. Once she arrives, he is loaded on a stretcher and taken into the emergency entrance where she loses sight of him, only to get bogged down with the admitting paperwork. Sitting in the waiting area for what seems like hours, she eventually curls up in the chair and falls asleep.
    --------------

    2:47 AM reads on the digital clock on the wall as Dave is wheeled in his room. Several orderlies lift him in his bed and connect monitor pads to his wrist as his chest is wrapped. Still pumped with painkillers and antibiotics, his mind drifts, once again he has cheated death however this time was different. What cost did Rayne have to pay for him to leave death without it’s prize for a fourth time.

    One of the orderlies head to the whiteboard writing name, vitals and attending nurse information as the other places the call button by his side
    “k sarge, you know the drill, need anything, press the call, doc will be in later this morning to run some more tests. Looks like you are going to be here a few days, we’re sending a recommendation to the department that you are on light duty, you know, the office stuff, for a couple weeks. I think when tests are done later today, doc might extend that. Questions?”

    Dave looks to the orderly, his only words “Rayne… Miss Summers, is she still here? Could I see her?”

    “Dude, seriously, think you have other things to be thinking right now, but suppose I can check” with that, the two orderlies leave the room seeing Angela as they leave
    “Have the chart updated on your patient, sent his chart to scheduling for doc Brown, damn, that guy is fucked up pretty good. Oh yea, he was asking to see that woman who brought him in.”

    With the ER crew having admitted and attended to him, Ang knows that Dave is listed as Serious but Stable, even in her nurse role, she is not quite ready to talk to the bastard that might be playing her friend. She heads down to the waiting area where she sees Rayne curled up in a chair. She leans down next to her holding her hand, her heart breaking over the thought that some asshole is giving her friend more pain in her life, softly she whispers

    “Ray hun, wake up sweetie, let’s get you to the nurse station so you can get some sleep, don’t want you trying to drive yet.” her face has a somewhat disgusted look on it “...and that bastard is asking for you, I would have gone in and told him to fuck himself, but you know, me being the nurse, him being a patient, so as a nurse I did my job and passed that bastards message along, now let's get you to a bed and some rest hun.”

    Rayne’s eyes open to her friend’s face and she gives her a tired smile. She doesn’t argue and lets Angela walk her down the hall to a well-used couch in the nurse’s lounge. “Is he okay?” she asks in a drowsy voice.”

    “He’ll live,” Ang replies, the venom still dripping from her voice. “Now you rest. I have to do rounds so I’ll check on you later.”
    -------
    Angela grabs the chart hanging on room 309’s door and enters the room. She barely glances at Dave as she looks over his information and checks his IV pump. She picks up the blood pressure cuff and puts it on his arm, finally making eye contact with him. “How you feeling Sergeant Nichols?”

    As Dave feels the cuff around his arm, looks to Ang, still groggy, he says “Don’t think going to be doing much but desk work a bit.” a softer tone “..by any chance is Rayne still around, would really like to see her if she hasn’t gone home yet.” not picking up on Ang’s tone or mannerisms, still thinking about Rayne and wanting to see her.

    Angela finishes taking his vitals, then pulls a chair up to the hospital bed and sits down. “Listen lover...you just worry about you. I’ve got Rayne. She’s here...sleeping...and I have no idea what went down tonight, but it stops here and now. She’s been through too much to put up with more shit...her ex put her through the ringer and now you.” She stands up and pulls a syringe out of her pocket. “Now unless you have something you would like to add, I am going to give you your sedative now--doctor’s orders--have to keep your ass in bed.”

    Picking up on the obvious mannerism, happy that she is so protective of her friend, his love, not aware of their conversation earlier in the afternoon, he says “Before the shot, I want to clear something up. I know that she has been through more than other people should have to. I don’t know what her ex put her through, only heard the stories Tacoma PD spreads. I sincerely appreciate you looking out for Rayne, but I can assure you this, I would NEVER do anything to hurt her. I know you are her friend, I know I have a reputation for being cold and impersonal ‘thinking that is the reason Ang is reading him the riot act’, but I will let you know, she is the most important person in my life, before you sedate me, I am asking to please let me see her.”

    “Uh huh...have a nice rest sweety,” Ang responds before putting the sedative in his IV line, “We’ll see you in the morning.” ‘Which thankfully is not my shift,’ she thinks. She stays in his room a few minutes more, waiting for the sedative to take effect. It is obvious he is trying to fight it, but eventually his eyes close and she leaves to finish up with other patients. It is a few hours later when she returns to the nurse’s station only to discover that Rayne has left.

    -----------

    As morning activity resumes at Mercy Hospital, the sedatives given to Dave earlier have worn off, he slowly opens his eyes to activity in his room. A fiery red haired doctor with her back to him is looking over his chart, without looking to him, having already heard him stirring, mumbles “two punctures in your back hummmm…” flipping another page in his chart “weren't wearing your vest, were you?” her tone more scolding than asking.

    “Good morning to you too sis. Come to tell me what I already know, that I messed up?”

    Pam turns, her nameplate this time is from Mercy Hospital, Dr. Julie Barns, she walks to the side of his bed giggling “Nope, here to steal your Jello..” before a more serious tone “..long as you know, no need to lecture. Looks like they plan on keeping you 2 or 3 days, internal ouchies and other stuff, I just am looking for a description of who big sis can go discuss the mistake they made with.”

    Dave tries to sit up and is met by Pam's hand resting on his chest holding him from trying to sit up

    “Whoa there lil brother. The real docs will frown if you try to get up, just want you to give the rundown on the description, I have to be gone before your real doc shows up.”

    “Don't know, however they knew what they were doing, made sure the garage was dark enough that couldn't get a clean look at a face, it was like they expected me, I was distracted by someone in front of me, like a rookie I think I was tased from behind.”

    Pam chimes in “and that is why you always wear a vest.”

    Through a smile “thought this wasn't going to be a lecture.”

    Laughing Pam says “So I lied, so sue me.”

    “When I came to, they had me in a dimly lit room, the guy talking wore neutral colors, stayed just far enough back that I couldn't get a clear view. I would assume military, fed or cops. Honestly thought might have been your guys till we started bonding.”

    Pam's tone goes cold “No, my guys wouldn't be stupid enough to take you to begin with.”

    Dave does not mention their telling Rayne to drop whatever they wanted her to drop, he did not want his sister getting involved. This was something he was going to do himself. Pam leans her head closer to Dave, her tone flat

    “Oh Davie, I know that look in your eyes. Would tell you not to do anything stupid. Does seem someone already did. It's something about Ray Ray, isn't it? Call me when they release you, I mean it.”

    Leaving her words hanging, she turns and leaves Dave's room. She knows her brother is going to do something even she can't stop.
    -----------------
    Head on the table, her laptop open, Rayne awakes with the sun, cursing the morning and her late night at Mercy. With a yawn, she grabs her coffee--cold--and resumes her work--tearing down the doors she had worked so hard to create to give her access to the Tacoma PD’s records and files. It is an hour later when she closes the computer with a scowl, reluctance setting in as she realizes it’s time to start her day. The first business of the morning is a press conference, followed by a trip to the airport to conduct interviews, make notes, and get her story to her editor. Then her day trip to Tacoma. A long morning is all she can think as she steps into the shower, the hot spray beating at her aches and pains.

    The press conference goes as expected, her questions answered with the rehearsed evasive bull, the gun the mayor used to kill himself still not recovered. The airport employees prove to be even more evasive--but it is nothing new when a city official is involved. Returning home, she types out her story in record time, sends it, and by early afternoon she is packed and ready for the road. For the first time since she woke in front of her computer, she thinks of Dave. She closes her eyes, seeing his face...the bruises, the blood...all of it her fault. ‘I will make it right,’ runs through her head and she makes her first call to the hospital to check on his progress.

    The trip to Tacoma takes two hours and her first stop finds her at Ketchum Funeral Home. She enters the stately converted Victorian home and is greeted by a well-dressed man, his suit neatly pressed and tailor made to fit his slender form. Introductions are made and after some small talk, she is given a simple wooden urn etched with the image of a red fox.

    Another drive, this one short, and Rayne pulls up to a small abandoned lot enclosed with a chain link fence, the property backing up to a wooded park. An old ‘For Sale’ sign lays flat on the ground, weeds pushing through the dark soil, the deed to the property belonging to one Rayne Summers, property purchased almost three years ago.

    “Home”, Rayne says, “I brought you home Fox.” She chokes back a sob as she sits on the ground holding the urn, tears slipping down her cheeks in a steady stream. As a teen she used to play here, her two closest friends by her side. They had made a pact...to build on this lot and live their lives here...together...forever. It seems almost like yesterday, but today, she buries the eldest, her Fox, her friend, her brother. She opens the lid, taking a handful of ashes and opens her palm, the wind carrying away the dust. For over an hour she sits, until the sun starts to set, and only then does she bury the urn deep into the ground, saying her last goodbyes. As she rises to leave she looks to the east to another vacant lot. Only this one once held a house...a past memory...dead and buried with the ashes of a fire.

    With the weight of the previous day heavy on her shoulders and the coming evening promising the same, she drives to a small hotel and registers, still undecided if she will stay the night or not. She showers again, slipping into a blue silky dress that sits off her shoulders and falls just below her knees. In moments she is on the road again.
    ----------
    3 PM, Pam sits in the row on her tech people pulling and enhancing images of SeaTac camera images. She has already hacked Mercy Hospital records, she getting information on Dave as fast as the staff types in his records.

    Four cracked ribs, hairline fracture on right cheek, internal bleeding which had to be drained by tube upon admittance. 72 hour observation prior determination if patient would be ready for release or additional treatment, Carter Lake Police document for 30 day light duty had been sent, could be extended after 72 hour observation. The last hourly updates brought his condition from Serious to stable, hourly checks now placed on every 4 hours. Dave’s chart now a secondary thought in her mind now that he is stable, her focus now, her nerds typing away at their workstations as she prowls up and down the line like a lioness ready to pounce.

    It was at 5:03 PM, tech people still enhancing multiple grainy screen shots, running NSA level facial recognition software against the images when one tech says
    “Got something.”

    Pam is over to the workstation in nothing flat. She leans over the tech’s shoulder resting her chin on his shoulder looking to the flatscreen file pulled up.

    George Stamos, 4 years US Army Ranger, Special Forces training, after the Army 5 years Washington State Police, Patrol and Tactical Response Unit. Released from the State Police 3 years ago amid a corruption investigation. Record shows him listed as an independent contractor for organized crime.

    She gently runs her hand along the tech’s face, a soft smile as she thinks ‘These people are good, hiring an untraceable nobody for messages.’. She finally in a giggly tone her tech’s are use to
    “Oh, Georgie Porgie puddin and pie, you hit my brother, I’m goin to make you cry.”

    Looking to G1 and G2, a smile on her lips as she prints the record on the screen.
    “Will you be dears and go fetch Georgie, Momma wants to talk to the nice man, make sure you don’t hurt him.” her eyes narrow, voice low and cold “He belongs to me. He will be telling momma things not even asked him. I want him.”
    -------------------

    Angela, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, her belly protruding from the fabric, walks into Dave’s room a little after 5PM. Her inservice finished, she has decided to check up on him. Numerous reports have him asking for Rayne and she begins to wonder if she has been too hasty in her decision regarding his intent regarding her. She knows sedation has a way of bringing out the truth in a lot of people, and the Sergeant is no exception, despite any training. When she enters his room, he is sleeping, and she sits by his bedside, unable to take her eyes off the injuries inflicted upon him. The reports are vague but the bruises and cuts speak for themselves.

    With the lights still low, even in sleep he could tell someone is in the room. Last check being 30 minutes ago and doesn’t expect another for at least dinner check in an hour, assumes Pam is back. The IV still dripping a more mild sedative, he just releases a mild sigh
    “What now sis?”

    Angela leans towards Dave and seeing that his eyes are still closed, places her hand on his arm. In a gentle tone, not disclosing that he is incorrect in assuming who she is, she asks him how he is feeling. She is unsure of his sister’s relationship with him, but in his current state she is not sure he would know the difference.

    His words slurred which would be telltale to Ang that he is under the sedation
    “Been better. Come to lecture again, or to steal my Jello again.”
    a labored breath “Sis, don’t ask, I will find them on my own, stay out of this, they tried to threa…” he stops there, he will not tell Pam of the threat to Rayne, no, those belong to him.

    Unable to stop herself Angela stifles a chuckle when Dave mentions his jello. She composes herself then squeezes his arm gently and leans in a little closer. “I know you will little brother, but I didn’t come here to discuss that. I think it’s time you came clean with Rayne. This game you...we...are playing has gone too far. Don’t you agree?” She isn’t sure this is the best way to play it, but Dave might realize Pam is not in the room with him at any moment. There is a feeling of guilt that runs through her...a nurse’s code...at using the sedation to grill him, but Ray is more important and she will do whatever is necessary to get to the truth.

    Dave stirs a moment, obviously upset at the words, he finally says
    “Sis, know you are doing horrid things to her. Please, that has to stop. I know it is your way of looking out for me, but what you do to her tears me apart.” his breathing slows from the increase he started with, a more relaxed tone now
    “Sis, I have been clean with her, I now have to be real with you. I have asked her to be my wife, that will happen when she is ready, don’t try to interfere sis.” moving his hand to give a soft squeeze to Ang’s arm.

    Angela nods, a soft smile on her features as she gently removes his hand from her arm. “Sleep Dave, I have some calls to make and maybe in the morning I can get Rayne to visit,” her voice no longer in a whisper. She needs to call Ray before she does something stupid and as she leaves the room she looks at the clock, knowing it may already be too late. When her call goes directly to voicemail she starts to worry she is correct. She leaves a message, then heads for home, calling Kevin along the way.

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  7. #27
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    Default Momma Moon and Poppa Squirrel Co - Mystery Deepens

    Rayne pulls into the parking lot of the Terrace Garden Hall, giving her keys to the attendant, then making her way inside. She is directed to the Crystal Room and with a sense of purpose she makes her way there, only stopping to sign her name in the guest book. The reception is already well underway, a fact she had been relying on, and she enters without being noticed.

    Taking a moment to appreciate the beautiful layout, Rayne pushes back a feeling of jealousy as she walks among the other guests, greeting those she knows with a curt nod. It is obvious from the guarded glances and murmured words that her presence here is not expected. It is only when she encounters Jeffry’s fellow officers and their wives that she stops to mingle.

    Greetings and pleasantries are made, but Rayne is merely going through the motions, her attention on the unspoken signals that she receives--hesitant contact, a sideways glance, the clearing of a throat--anything that indicates discomfort. It is only when she notices George Stamus that she excuses herself, in hopes to make introductions and congratulate the bride.

    It is a green-eyed monster that greets the bride Shannon, a beautiful statuesque blonde that makes ‘perfect’ seem underrated...and Rayne feels the pang of jealousy again. She introduces herself, wondering if her name would ring familiar, but she is met with a warm smile and handshake. Just as Rayne is about to explain who she is, a firm hand grips her arm just above her elbow, and Jeffry’s voice booms.

    “I thought I specifically warned the press about sending a representative this evening. You must excuse Miss Summers, my love, as she is just leaving.”

    With a tug, Rayne is led to a veranda overlooking the gardens, containers of chrysanthemums adorning the lawn. It would be a peaceful setting under normal circumstances, but it is not. Rayne shakes her arm free, turning to face Jeffry with a fierce look of hatred on her face. Before she can voice her anger, he growls out, “What are you doing here?”
    “Oh...you didn’t invite me?” she responds, her voice dripping venom. “...cause I thought that text you sent me was an invite, especially after silence for a year and a half.”

    Jeffry grabs her arm again, his look questioning, and she lets out a pained breath, clenching her teeth as she says in a low tone, “I came to demand you leave my friends alone. I did what you asked...the game is over.” The look she gets is telling, but without a missed beat Jeffry denies any knowledge to what she is referring.

    “I have enough on you to take you down,” she adds, “...a foreign bank account, phone records,a paper trail....but I’m not making a threat, only want it for leverage...just in case.”

    “What are you getting at?” he asks, his attention now one hundred percent on her.

    “Nothing...just leave my friends alone. Fox was my friend, and he didn’t deserve what you did. No one deserves that.”

    Jeffry nods absently, as though in thought, then he glances behind her...and like a ghost, George is there. “It seems our friend needs an escort to her car Mr. Stamus. Perhaps you could see her to it?” As her arm is released by one, so it is taken up by another. She manages to get one more accusatory look in Jeffry’s direction before she is turned from him.

    “On second thought, she has made a disturbance of herself tonight, why don’t you show her how we handle such things? ..and Miss Summers? I’m going to pretend you did not threaten me...I expect that paper trail you spoke of will disappear by the night’s end.”

    Muttering under her breath, “..like fuck it will…” Rayne is once again pulled along and out of the building to a black sedan. “That’s going to bruise,” she grumbles when her arm is finally released and she is directed to climb into the car from the driver’s side. Seated, she stares at George as he climbs in, a sigh escaping her as she wonders just what this lesson is going to entail.

    When the vehicle stops, Rayne looks out the window at a dilapidated house, the outside boarded up and ‘no trespassing’ signs posted in several places. As George exits, she tries to scoot away from him as he opens her door.

    “Now Miss Summers, no need to worry, this is for your own good. It won’t hurt a bit, I promise,” he says a bit too sweetly, then pulls her out and pushes her towards the door.

    Once inside, Rayne is met by darkness and an unmistakable odor of copper pennies. The windows have been blacked out from the inside and once the door is shut, she is blind. A hand on her back pushes her forward and another door is opened, the smell permeating from inside the room. There is motion behind her and an overhead light comes on.

    Rayne is reminded of the room Dave had been held in...only larger. A wooden chair is bolted to the floor and a metal tray loaded with surgical instruments rests on a rolling cart by its side. Jutting from the wall and the ceiling are handcuffs, the metal stained and blackened by a tarry substance. Finishing the cell-like decor is a desk and chair to the side and a twin bed in the back. But it is the floor which Rayne can’t pull her eyes from...dried blood stains the wooden planks, more than one person could seem to contain.

    George moves up behind Rayne, his arm encircling her waist and his breath puffing on her neck. In her heels, they are the same height, and his body against hers makes her stiffen. Slowly, like a lover, his hand caresses, moving higher until her reaches her breast. She takes in a deep breath, not daring to move, and he leans over her, whispering in her ear.

    “This was Foxes last stand...kept him alive for two days. I plan on giving you three, if the chance arrives. Nothing I would like more than to strap you to that chair, just like your little boyfriend. Tough as he was, he still bled. Next slip Barbie and this will be your fate. Rest assured, I look forward to you screwing up.”

    As his hand slips from her, Rayne moves away, unable to speak as disgust and fear mingle throughout her. She is not given a chance to steady her breathing before she is once again led to the car then driven to her hotel.

    Feeling relief to be somewhere familar Rayne puts her hand on the door of her hotel room, George standing beside her like an evil sentinel. She doesn’t spare him a glance as she slips her key into the lock. As she is entering her room, she hears him turn, anticipating that he is finally leaving her alone. Stepping inside, she doesn’t notice him returning until she is grabbed from behind and a cloth is put over her mouth.
    ---------
    Back on her typical night shift, Angela grabs herself a cup of coffee, then pours another to take with her. She has just finished her rounds, minus one room, and she makes her way there with a quick step. She is pleased to see Dave is awake as she enters the room and with a quick glance around, she shuts the door behind her.

    “Time for your sponge bath Sergeant,” she says in a conversational tone, unable to withhold a smirk. “Just kidding...I brought you some coffee.” She leans over him to adjust his pillows then lifts the head of his bed several inches to allow him to sit up. Putting the coffee near him, she checks his IV and nods, glad to see the sedation has been discontinued, at least at present.

    “Your sister couldn’t make it this time...she sent me instead,” she says with a bit of a laugh, “..and I have a bit of disturbing news. I couldn’t reach Rayne...but not to worry. I’ve left her several messages.”

    As Angela mentions his sister, he quirks a brow finding it unusual that Pam would be conversational with Angela, let alone send her to talk to him. His first thought when she came in was that she would continue telling him not to hurt Rayne, now he wonders if she was aware that Pam was in earlier posing as hospital staff. When she mentions not being able to reach Rayne, his vitals still being monitored by the attached sensors spike dramatically, her additional words lost to him as he reaches to try and disconnect the monitoring probes. He hoarsely says
    “Where are my clothes.”

    Ang places her hand over his, gently moving him away from the equipment. “Your clothes are where they are going to stay and if you keep trying to get up, your sedation will be reinstated.” She sighs heavily. “I’m not sure if she told you, but Rayne is in Tacoma and I don’t expect her home until late tonight or tomorrow morning. Let’s just wait before we get all crazy..she’ll call when she can.” She scoots her chair closer then gives him a stern look. “I’m not sure how I feel about ‘everything’ right now, but I’m going to trust you with something I know Rayne will never tell you. ...and maybe it will help you understand why I stand so strongly by her side.”

    She clears her throat, her hands tightly clamped in her lap as she wrings them together. “You said before that you didn’t know anything about Ray’s exe and I’m going to let you in on some particulars. If you like the way she is now, you have him to thank. He molded her...told her what to wear, what to eat, how to style her hair, even how to act. Not the aggressive part, that was all her, but he made her use her female attributes to get farther. She is easily manipulated and I don’t want to see it happen again...I won’t let you do that to her.”

    Dave looks to Angela, the vitals returning somewhat normal, not putting up the usual isolation shell he is known for. His tone abnormally, abnormally for most of the people he interacts with, soft
    “I can only say, believed or not, I will never try to do anything other than support what she does, to care for her, to lo…” he hesitates not wanting to say what might be painfully obvious “..I would never try to manipulate her, I would take offense to anyone who would try to do anything like that. I am also sorry I became concerned when you mentioned not reaching her, I was not aware she was going to Tacoma. Was she following up a story?” a trace of concern in the question.

    Angela nods as Dave explains himself, then stops to consider just how much she should let him in on regarding Rayne’s trip. “Not a story,” she admits, “...but to bury a friend...or rather to pick up his ashes.” She realizes she really doesn’t know exactly what Rayne’s intentions are beyond that, as Rayne had never gone into any details. “She also mentioned...stopping in on an old friend.” ‘Not exactly in those words,’she thinks, but close enough. “She might have gotten held up and decided to stay over,” she adds, mostly for Dave’s benefit. She admits to herself she is worried, not because Rayne has not returned home, but because she is not answering her phone which is very much unlike her. “I will keep you informed...but there really is nothing you can do other than lay here and behave.”

    Dave watches her face as though he were observing a suspect during an interrogation looking for features of deception, withholding as Angela speaks. There is a relief that at least Rayne's friend is not grilling him on his intent, that he better not hurt her. As Angela finishes and advises him to lay and behave, he asks simply

    “What aren't you telling me?” his eyes now locked on hers, watching for any reaction picking up on the subtle pauses and eye movement.

    Angela’s eyes narrow, ‘tricky bastard’ she thinks, then offers Dave a shrug. “A lot of things Dave, but I suppose I can at least give you one thing. She went to Tacoma to get closure...and when she returns, if she wants to share more with you, that’s her decision. I don’t think it’s something you should hear from me.” She gets up from her chair and rubs a hand through her hair. “I’m leaving you to get some rest...you need it. I’ll check back on you tomorrow.”

    As Angela stands, he softly says “I'm sorry if I have made a bad impression on you of late and during my time here. I appreciate you looking out for Rayne. I honestly don't know how I could handle not having her in my life. If at all possible, would you be with her when you check on me next?”

    “I can try hun, but no promises.” She does a final check on his machines and adds some notes on his chart before she opens his door. “If anyone asks, you just had a sponge bath,” she says with a trace of a smile as she walks out.
    ------------

    It is late morning when Rayne awakes, her mouth dry and her head groggy. Her first thought is ‘where the hell am I’ then the room comes into focus and she recognizes the paisley print on the walls and the yellowing paint on the ceiling. Her hotel room. Absently she rubs at the inside of her elbow, a dried substance coming away at her touch. Turning her head, she looks at her arm, seeing a puncture and bruise, then her eyes glance towards the lamp, still lit, and the needle sitting there. She draws a complete blank, but the evidence is as clear as day. Shaking her head to loosen the confusion, she pushes back the covers and throws her legs over the side, surprised to see she is naked. Moving on autopilot now, she walks unsteadily to the bathroom and moans when she sees what is floating in the toilet. “This can’t be happening,’ she thinks as she reaches in to retrieve the discarded condom. With disgust, she throws it into the trash and washes her hands, scrubbing them over and over again until they are red and sore.

    Her lack of memory eats at her as she tries to piece together the previous night’s events. There is no sense to it...the drugs...the sex...it doesn’t seem like something she would have done, not her, not Rayne, but maybe Emily. She groans, and on impulse she starts rummaging through her purse, afraid to find something missing, but instead finding something more.

    She makes a pile, small baggies set up in a row. Heroine. Cocaine. Ecstasy. All drugs from her past. She feels her heart starting to race and her breath quicken as she reaches for her phone, noticing all the messages there. “Ang,” she says quietly, then dials the hospital. Her intent is to talk to her friend, but when a friendly voice comes on the line, she changes her mind and asks for room 309 and waits for the line to connect.

    Dave just returns from another set of tests and is laying in bed as the phone in his room rings. He picks the phone up believing it was the department again wanting to schedule an interview, answering in an official sort of tone “Sergeant Nichols speaking…” waiting for the anticipated ‘when can we have someone there to get a statement’.

    For a few seconds there is silence on the line, then Rayne’s voice, soft and out-of-sorts, “Hey...hey babe. It’s good to hear your voice. I’m sorry I’ve not been to see you. I...I really miss you. They told me you’re doing better.” She covers her phone as she pulls in a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. “How are you?”

    As Dave listens to her, he becomes extremely concerned for her, her tone and expression is not her norm, he begins with “I'm doing just fine, are you able to talk, if someone is there, just say thank you…” coaching her on a duress word to key him if she is in trouble being forced to make the call, at the same time figuring how to get the sensors off him without tripping a flat line alarm.

    “No..no..I’m alone. Just didn’t want you to worry. I’m coming home today...in a few hours. I’ll stop by on the way. Okay? I really just want to see you.” Closing her eyes, she fights back the tears and holds her phone close to her, just hearing his voice helping her to remain calm.

    As she says she will stop by, a smile forms on his lips, his tone soft
    “I really would love for you to stop by. Just don't be concerned with any monitoring equipment in the room, you know, me being a cop and all, they are taking the precautions overboard.” he does not want to ask if she handled the arrangements Ang mentioned, he would do that when she was there, holding the question back if she appeared hurting.

    He now wished Angela was there so he could instruct her as a medical professional not to release his condition to her, he will do it when he concluded his business with whoever is threatening her. He adds “Drive safe darling, love you, see you soon.”

    “Soon,” she repeats then hangs up, her phone still clutched to her. She curls up on the bed, thinking of his words to her, and hers to him, hating herself for needing him so much. She angrily wipes at her face then gets up from the bed, staring at the packets she aligned there. They are the first to hit the floor, followed by the bed covers. Her breath starts coming in gasps and she allows herself to get worked up, wants it, forces it. The lamp, the clock, the bottle of wine...all hit the floor with a crash. Then she stops, looking at the red wine spilled on the carpet. It wasn’t something she had brought...and it wasn’t her brand. She picks up a shard that has a piece of the label attached and looks closely at it. Another piece of the puzzle..unsolvable. With a shake of her head she grabs at her clothes, pulling on her jeans and t-shirt from the day before. She gathers her things and opens the door, only now realizing she is without a car. Back in the room, sitting on the bed, she puts the heel of her hands against her temples and rubs upwards, inwardly screaming. She pulls out her phone again...then spots the discarded baggies on the floor. The syringe behind her now in her hands, she reaches for release.
    ---------

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  8. #28
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    The following morning as Angela is finishing out her shift, she finally takes a moment to gather her thoughts. Her shift has been hectic...and unusual. The hospital received a call in the early morning hours following a two car collision on the highway, two victims enroute. They both suffered multiple injuries, but somehow bled out during transport. The EMT caring for the victims had disappeared, listed now as missing, and the ambulance driver was incoherent upon arrival. To make things worse, Agent Nichol’s group dropped in to pick up the bodies and evidence. The driver was also placed in their truck. As expected, the staff was told to forget the incident...nothing happened. Following that, Angela had to deal with the paperwork aftermath of Sergeant Nichols freaking out after he had received a phone call presumably from a young woman. The report said he had begun to get anxious and started removing his monitoring equipment and IV catheter a few hours later. Sedation had to be administered and he spent most of the day...and night...asleep. It was only a few hours ago that he started to come around, much to the dismay of those monitoring him. He was listed as ‘dangerous to himself and others’.

    Finally feeling the stress slipping away as she is putting on her coat to go home, Ang hears a commotion at the nurse’s desk. She is shocked to see Rayne standing there, arguing with one of the staff. As it is not normal visiting hours she can only assume Rayne is demanding to see Dave. She shakes her head, sighing heavily, and moves to intervene. It is only then that she sees the look in Rayne’s eyes and notices a few nuances she has come to recognize over the years. She smiles at her co-workers and lets them know she will handle things, her hand reaching for and grabbing Rayne’s hand as she heads back to the break room, pulling along her friend.

    Once Angela closes the door, she turns to Rayne, her eyes narrowing. She has been patient with her through multiple relapses, but her patience is now at its limit. Before Rayne can say anything, Angela slaps her across the face. “How could you?” she says through clenched teeth, turning Rayne’s wrist to expose the inside of her elbow.

    Rayne recoils. “The fuck Ang?” she responds as she pulls her arm back and out of reach. She staggers slightly, then puts her hand to her cheek. “Don’t,” she says as she then covers the marks on her arm and reaches for the door. Ang steps over and blocks her way, staring hard at her. With hopeful determination, Rayne tries again, “I need to see Dave, Ang, get out of my way...please.”

    Shaking her head, Angela say sternly, “You need to sit down Rayne,” hoping to get through to her without any more games. With a huff, Rayne sits, folding her arms over her chest and putting her feet out, crossing them at the ankles. Pupils dilated, it is obvious Rayne is high, and Angela is not sure how to proceed. She sighs again. “I can’t let you walk around here like this. Maybe you should lay down,” she offers, her voice becoming softer...more concerned. She walks over to the coffee pot to get her some coffee and as she is pouring it, her back to Rayne, she hears the sound of movement. Before she can react fast enough, her baby bump really slowing her down these days, Rayne is across the room and out the door.

    Rayne moves quickly, knowing Ang will be hot on her tail. She takes the stairs to the third floor two at a time and manages to avoid any staff on her way to Dave’s room. With a quick look behind her, she enters and closes the door, the sound of the latch clicking causing Dave to stir.

    As Dave opens his eyes slightly not expecting anyone, vision slowly focusing on Rayne, groggily through a smile
    “Good to see you darling, I missed you.” still not fully off the sedatives thinking he had spoken to her hours ago.

    Rayne doesn’t move from the door, prepared to hold it closed if she has to in order to keep Angela from entering. It has been days since she has seen Dave, but the bruises on his face and the scabbing along his cheek from the knife wound bring the day she brought him in back into full clarity. She lets out a sigh, “Oh baby, look what they did to you.” She has not seen his chart, but she has gotten a report on his condition and knows what most of the injuries that he suffered at the hands of Mr. Stamus are. “I’m so sorry.”

    The room coming into better focus, the realization that there is no sun coming through the window and her manner of dress, how she speaks, blinks his eyes several times to ensure he is awake, looks toward her once again.
    Voice still hoarse
    “Nothing to be sorry about darling. Are you okay? Everything okay in Tacoma?”

    She shakes her head, then nods, the answer to the two questions in opposition to each other in her head, and her confusion apparent. “You’re wrong...I am responsible. You know that...and…”

    The door’s handle turns, making her stop mid-sentence, and Rayne shoves her back against it, a soft groan escaping her lips. “Don’t listen to anything she says...Angela...she’s mad at me. ..and I’m fine.” The door bumps...and Rayne gives in to the pressure and moves closer to the bed, allowing Angela and one of the other nurses to enter the room in a rush. Rayne’s hands go up in front of her and she is shaking her head again. “Leave me alone Ang...I’m fine. I just want to take Dave home.” She lowers one of her hands and reaches over the bed rail and clasps his hand into hers. It doesn’t take much reasoning to know Angela is not going to let her stay. “I’ll be back,” she whispers, offering him a smile, then moves towards Angela, knowing she is going to get another scolding.

    As Rayne is ready to head toward Angela, Dave reaches out and holds her hand. Processing everything, having been on calls countless numbers of times, the denials of those affected, the denial of family members, the hours sitting across from husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, his having to break the news that their loved ones needed help, he has a lifetime of experience, knowledge, counseling. That all is what the other people have gone through, deep in his subconscious. All that is the other people. For him, he is with the woman he loves, this can't be her. He tenderly holds her hand
    “Stay with me darling.”

    Rayne, through no choice of her own, stops moving towards Angela, looking back to Dave when he speaks to her. Her gaze shifts from him to Ang, then back again. “I want to,” and her heart nearly breaks from her desire to be with him, “...but I can’t. I fucked up.” ..and her eyes go to the track marks on her arm. She is coming down, perhaps the adrenaline in her system when she made her way here, causing the effect...or perhaps the long drive and the time since she last injected herself. She really cannot remember, but she desperately wants more. Anything to make this feeling of guilt disappear. “Let me go...it’s okay. I’ll be home when you get there.”

    Dave looks to her with confusion, to Angela, to the other nurse. The words she would be there when he got home a comfort. Reluctantly he slowly releases his hold of her hand. Looks to Angela, his eyes those of others in denial
    “Can't she stay, if she is hurt, you can treat her here, she just got here…” a pleading look in his eyes.

    Angela gives Dave a knowing smile, then nods to the other nurse. “Why don’t you go ahead and get his discharge papers started and get the orders written for his catheter to be removed.” As the other nurse leaves, she moves toward Dave and Rayne, a look of weariness in her eyes. “Sit down Rayne,” she directs and steps closer to Dave’s side,lowering the bed rail. “We’ll get both of you out of here, I’ll arrange for you to be picked up. Rayne is not driving. And it just might be you looking out for her, not the other way around. Do you understand what I am saying Sergeant?” She turns to look at Rayne, a disapproving look on her face. “...and we are not finished by a long shot Rayne. As soon as I get some sleep I’ll be over and we are going to talk.”

    The words Angela say register while he holds onto ‘this is other people’ while reaching to hold Rayne close. Whatever is happening, no matter what is wrong, he will not lose the woman in his life, his soulmate, the most important part of his being.
    All he manages to whisper “I … understand…” looking to Rayne “I loved you yesterday, I love you now, in a thousand years I will still love you.”

    Feeling a bit awkward, Angela starts disconnecting the wires from the monitoring machines, allowing Dave and Rayne a minimal amount of privacy. As soon as she finishes, she reaches for Rayne’s purse and dumps the contents on the small serving table that pivots out from the bed. She doesn’t ask for permission, and Rayne does not object as she removes the small packets from amongst her other items. Without a word Ang slips them into her pocket, once again giving Rayne a disapproving glance. The words, ‘they are not mine’, come to Rayne in a flurry of panic, and for the first time it is true, but she closes her eyes and bites her lower lip to keep from arguing. She had made it three years this time and it had only been two days...she was sure she could give it up easily.

    As Angela empties the contents of Rayne's purse, the packets that come out remove all denial Dave could conceive. With the hard facts staring at him on the serving tray, his eyes, his expression, none of those change. He simply holds Rayne closer, softly caresses the back of her neck whispering
    “I do love you with my very being..” Dave looks softly into Rayne's eyes “..Let's go to Our home.”

    Monsters could not take her away from him, neither will those plastic bags and the pain she is enduring which brought her back to them.
    -------------
    After Rayne and Dave are dropped off at Dave’s house in the early afternoon, Rayne sets to making him comfortable on the couch. She puts his medication on the kitchen counter and tries to keep herself busy unpacking some of the boxes she had brought over a few days ago. She has not spoken much since Angela had emptied her purse in front of Dave, her embarrassment keeping her quiet. She takes this time to read Angela’s messages to her--ones that had been left while she was in Tacoma--most of them in support of Dave’s true affection for her. This also adds to her melancholy mood. She is not sure how she feels about her theory regarding the relationship, but she does know she has become too dependant on him to walk away, even if it does cause her more heartache in the end.

    Finally, with nothing else to keep her occupied, she comes to sit down, taking a seat in the recliner next to the couch. She brings two glasses of ice water with her, setting one near him and holding on to hers. She looks up at him, her eyes no longer dilated, just a slight redness to betray her earlier condition. She looks down again and sighs. “We can talk if you want,” she says.

    Having watched Rayne as she had occupied herself, unpacking, moving about, giving her time to make herself at home. As she makes her way to the recliner and sets two ice waters down and speaks, he sits up on the couch. His tone soothing, his eyes looking to her
    “We do have some to talk about darling. Let’s sit together to talk, hold your head high. We have been through quite a bit, together we can overcome anything.” holding his hand out for her. As with his retreating into a bottle five years ago, his own experience knows she needs to be the one who opens up to him about her pain.

    Taking Dave’s hand, Rayne allows herself to be brought over to his side. She sits close to him, her hand gently exploring the injuries to his face. She takes a deep breath, fighting back the desire to retreat back into herself and forget all that has happened...that is still happening. “What they did to you, it will not happen again. I promise you that. As long as you do not try to seek revenge. Promise me you will leave it alone.”

    Dave moves closer to Rayne, holds her hand moving his other arm around her. He pulls her close to him
    “Can I promise you that I will always be here for you? Don’t ask what I can not promise, I know the kind of people who did this, this will not end is they quiet you. I can give you my word that revenge is not what I will seek though darling.” holding her ever so softly and tenderly. Yes, revenge would be far too mild for the thoughts going through his mind right now. “Just promise me this though, do not allow those try and intimidate you. More so than anything else, let me hold you. You are the most important person in my life, I love you more than…” he stops from saying ‘my own life’, knowing in this situation it would bring undue worry to her, looking into her eyes, after the catching his words and awkward pause “...anything.”

    Rayne does not resist the tender embrace, but she does not relax into it...his words, his refusal to promise her what she has asked, the reason for her stiff posture. She closes her eyes, sighs against him, then shakes her head. “It is too late to ask that of me. I have already given them what they wanted..and I will give them anything else they ask to keep us safe. They have already taken too much from me and I won’t let them take you too. Please...promise me...if you love me as much as you say, you will not pursue them.”

    Holding her close, he will not break any promise he makes to the woman in his arms, his overwhelming desire to do harm to those who threatened her, his wanting to spend his life with her, he reaches softly touching her cheek, giving her a tender kiss before looking deep in her eyes

    “It is not in my nature to do nothing when those I love are threatened or in danger. I will never not speak the truth to you. It goes against my very being not to desire those pay for what they have forced you to do, for threats they make against you. Those are my desires, what is more important than the desire to harm those who hurt you, is my commitment to us. I can promise you that I will not pursue those who threaten you.” while holding her hand to his chest “I do love you, and I will give you my word and solemn promise that I will not pursue them.”

    Dave thinks to himself that it would have been better if he had done it, he didn’t want to have her involved, yet he would not risk losing Rayne over his desire to harm someone. He will have to contact and speak to his sister on the matter.

    “Thank you,” she says softly, his words bringing her comfort. She is afraid to hold him, to cause him any more pain than has already been inflicted upon him, so she simply rests in his arms, her body occasionally shaking with brief tremors. “I’m sorry...I won’t...the drugs…” she sighs, tries again, “...it was a mistake. I won’t use again.”

    Dave stands for a moment making his way to the bedroom, comes back out with a blanket before sitting back next to Rayne wrapping her in the blanket holding her close. His voice soft and soothing, a slight hesitation though
    “Darling, I can’t imagine what you were going through, but I will be here with and for you. I do need tell you something, something only 2 other people know of. This could have you think different of me, not for what I say, but how it was covered up.” looking to her, he opened his life up, he wants to allow her process what he said before continuing.

    Her head tilts up to look at him, waiting for what he wants to say to her. She cannot imagine that she will think differently of him, as he has shown nothing but compassion to her with all her trials. What she fears most is the telling of her most recent experience..what he will think of her...and what his reaction would be. She decides at that moment that she will not tell him anything more...her secrets her own unless she is forced to reveal them.

    Dave takes his glass of ice water taking a sip before looking to Rayne, his tone soft
    “Little over 5 years ago, I was a Military Police Officer at Fort Lewis. My wife was a brilliant civil rights attorney, she was so excited about something she had learned weeks earlier. It seemed to be something that was going to break open something that was happening around the country. She and I had an understanding, we would always support yet not pry in each others work till I or she were ready to share. We didn’t keep secrets at home, she just wanted concrete proof before filling me in.

    I was involved in a complex black marketing operation which we cracked. This meant an overnight of processing evidence and interviewing suspects. I received a text from her at 1:30 AM that she was bringing me and the guys sandwiches and had coffee for me. I was elated, it was the only time she had ever decided to come to the station while I was working. It was a State Police unit that eventually arrived at the MP Station. On the way to see me, she lost control of her car on a curve that was to have mud slid into the road. They tried to let me know that she didn’t suffer, that it was instantaneous.”

    He looks to his water glass, beads of water along the bottom of the glass, an occasional drop falls from the glass to the floor. After inhaling and a shaky exhale
    “After the funeral, I started to retreat into a bottle. Days stretched into weeks. Late arrivals for shifts, those I worked with could see me sometimes staggering. There were even those who would repark my patrol car when I straddled two parking spaces. That was my first experience in political motives. My position on the tactical team was too important to lose me. If were just patrol, I would have been removed. After a month, I started being brought in on base clubs for drunk and disorderly. Again, those were covered up, too valuable was the words desk sergeants would use.”

    No longer looking to Rayne, his eyes now looking toward the floor, holding the glass, no longer drinking
    “The third month there were days I would not even show up at the station. They had covered so long, they were not going to admit that they had been letting a drunk off without even warnings. Days I did not show up, they were falsifying patrol logs. I would be passed out at my desk at onbase housing but logs showed I was responding to prowler calls and doing traffic stops. Everything I had criticized about political skaters, and here I was one. I crashed and burned one evening when I decided to take a drive to Olympia. There was nothing I wanted to do there, just wanted to drive somewhere.”

    Setting his glass to the floor, not able to look at Rayne, Dave inhales and exhales again
    “State Police clocked me doing 107 in a 55. Was told the Patrol had been behind me for 15 miles, finally just inside Carter Lake concurrent jurisdiction, they had stop sticks set out. 2 WSP and 1 King County Sheriff patrol had me. Was told portable breathalyzer had me 2 times over the limit. I was done. Politics again reared its ugly head. The deputy was a Military Police Officer 6 years earlier, I had helped her get her early separation from the Army so she could take the position with the Sheriff Department. She had called Curt who called in favors to have me released over to them.

    Everything was a blur, when I woke up in the morning, I was expecting to be in a jail cell, but I was at home. When I came out to the front room, my sister was there. I had never heard her say anything like this to me before, she told me that SHE was sorry for all that I had been going through. Our conversation like usual was short. It was a wakeup I needed. Over time, any record that I was even stopped disappeared, Pam denies any knowledge of it, but…”

    Dave closes his eyes, still looking to the floor
    “Paper shows me as declining reenlistment, it was more the Army was not willing to invite me to reenlist.” his face scrunches a moment “No, I will not twist this with you. I was under an unwritten bar for reenlistment. I was barred from reenlisting, they just did not place it in my personal file. Curt had extended me an offer to come to Carter Lake. During the interview with town managers, a handful knew bits and pieces of my background, they were only interested in what was on paper. They would drop subtle ‘hey 107, need you to read this to the press’. Started covering the Mayor’s own DWIs, his indiscretions, his cheating on his wife, most only knew the speeding part, only 5 knew of the DWI part. Over time the 107 was a nothing burger, however I had already drank their kool aid, I was their mouth piece. I was what I always criticised. I was slowly putting that chapter behind me. I tried to always do it right, keep clean, be the perfect cop I was on paper. I am sure Kevin would love to know what I really am.” with another labored breath and shaky exhale.

    Without interrupting, Rayne listens to Dave’s confession, feeling empathy with his trial of addiction. She stays close to him, her head on his chest as his story unfolds, her thoughts going to what Pam had told her of the ‘accident’ his wife had five years ago. The rest is new for her...there was nothing of his plummet into alcoholism anywhere in the search she had done on him previously. Pam had scrubbed him clean like she had done for her...the process complete and unidentifiable...something only someone in her position could accomplish. She laughs lightly at his comment about Kevin, the truth of that understated, but she says nothing, encouraging him to continue with her silence.

    Dave stands and hesitantly walks over toward his book case, only two people on Earth know what he wants to say to Rayne, his tone composed
    “There are times when one has a defining moment, many only have one, few remain to speak of them.” while reaching on top removing a thin platinum colored box no larger than a pencil case. He returns setting the box on the coffee table. Engraved on the box is a date and the words ‘Defining Moment’.

    “One year, seven months and fifteen days ago, I had mine. It started just an ordinary shift, during the evening I clocked a car 12 over so pulled out to do a stop. The car accelerated and the pursuit was on. It was raining the entire day into the night. The car took a corner skidding into an embankment and back onto the road. I rounded the corner and my car fishtailed on the mud the car kicked out onto the road. I lost it, that took me back to the night the State Police showed up at the station. I discontinued pursuit and pulled along the road for 5 minutes trying to catch my breath. At least it seemed to be 5 minutes. Deputy Larson, the same that was in my body camera recording who slapped me because I would not lose money in cards to her husband anymore, she was the one tapping on my window, 25 minutes after I terminated pursuit.” now looking back to the floor “That night, it was not alcohol I turned to, it just didn’t numb the pain anymore, I turned to powder.” with that, he clicks the case opening it, inside a single empty shell casing for a 9 MM on one end, on the other a 9 MM round, mushroomed, obviously having been fired. “My powder was not meth, not cocaine but 115 grains enclosed around a soft lead hollow point. I had sat on this couch dry firing 5 times to make sure I would not move, finally I dropped clip in and round ready. I was slowly squeezing the trigger when the severe pain on my shoulder hit, the round discharging, the powder burning along my face. Deputy Larson didn’t like what she saw in me earlier that day, came over and came in without knocking and came at me kicking me in the shoulder the same time I was ready to see Kathy. She placed a call, not to an ambulance, I would be working an ice cream shop if she had. She had called her husband who is a physiatrist. So this might make more sense about the card game. I have been giving her husband money, seeing him since, just not to play cards.”

    Keeping the case open, he finally looks to Rayne “If this is too much, I understand. My sister does not even know this part of me, only you and two others. If I ever say to you that I think I understand what you go through, it is not simply some line out of some manual. I am far from perfect no matter the appearance I try to show others. I only hope that if I ever stumble, you will hold out your hand to steady me, if I fall, hold me and pick me back up. I can fix anyone, but I was stupid thinking I could fix myself.”

    Reaching for her cheek worried she might back away “But I can promise you this, yesterday is gone, we will never get that back. If you ever stumble, my hand will always be there to steady you, should you fall, I will be there to hold you and pick you back up. Please be there for me, and please allow me to be there for you.”

    Rayne doesn’t judge him as she feels she has no right to do so, and simply nods in response to his words. She brings her hand to his, covering it as he touches her face. She has never felt the desire to end her life, even at its worst, but she does know heartache and pain and in that they can share. She kisses him tenderly. “You are perfect to me,” she says, feeling it wholeheartedly, all doubt of his love for her disappearing.

    Dave melts into her kiss, closing his eyes as a trickle of water rolls down his cheek, kissing her back softly before whispering “I treasure everything about you, you complete me.”

    A few minutes later, Rayne and Dave are disturbed by a knock at the door and Rayne pulls from the embrace reluctantly and gets to her feet. She has been expecting Angela to arrive at any time, and is not surprised to see her standing on the porch when she opens the door. “Come in,” she says softly and moves to the side as her friend enters.

    Rayne takes her coat and just as she is about to ask if there is anything she can get for her, Angela interjects. “You know why I’m here Ray. Maybe we should just get to it.”

    “There’s nothing to get to,” Rayne states. “I know the drill. I did bad. I screwed up.” She sighs heavily, seeing the look of determination on Angela’s face. “Can we sit down at least?” she asks, walking into the room where Dave is sitting. Angela follows her, and Rayne continues, “I’m sorry okay? I don’t know what else you want from me.”

    “How about the truth?”

    “What truth? I shot up...you found the drugs. There’s your truth.”

    Angela’s expression softens as she nods then turns to Dave for the first time since she has arrived. “I’m sorry. I have been rude. I rehearsed this on my way over...and it seemed so right at the time. I’m going to start over.” She forces herself to smile then sits in the recliner. “How are you Dave? You look a bit flushed.”

    Dave quickly takes his glass of water taking a long drink trying to cool off his face. His tone still weak “Not flushed, must be the medication. On a house call? Rayne has me under good care.” setting the glass on the coffee table while quickly closing the platinum case still sitting there flipping it over so the inscription is not seen.

    Signature created by the awesome .Karma.

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  9. #29
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    Default Co-post--To Everything, turn, turn, turn

    Angela smiles at Dave when he mentions a house call, nodding absently. “You could say that. Rayne and I have a few things to discuss and while I am here, I thought I would get her stitches out. Plus..” and here she looks at Dave with an odd expression, “...I wanted to see how my favorite patient is doing.” Her eyes pass over the box he has closed, but don’t linger. “Perhaps you should cut back a little on the pain medication. Don’t want you doing anything you shouldn’t. Besides, a little pain never hurt anyone.” Her attention goes back to Rayne, her expression becoming hard again. “Perhaps we should go to the bathroom where there is better light?”

    As Dave notices the change in Angela’s expression, he starts to stand “I could give you a hand, perhaps even hold a light while Rayne has her stitches removed.” assuming her friend is going to read her the riot act and wants to be there to at least support Rayne.

    Angela turns to Dave, gently putting her hand on his shoulder and applying a light pressure to encourage him to sit back down. “We’ve got it. Plenty of light in the bathroom. Plus, I think Rayne would be more comfortable if it was just me. It’s not going to be pretty and it will hurt some. You just wait here and I’ll call if I need you.” She gives him another of those fake smiles and takes Rayne’s hand in hers. “Come on girlfriend, let’s go get this done.”

    Dave stands, protesting a little more “I could be of help, it after all is Our bathroom.” the words our bathroom not even registering as he said them. He is going to stand by Rayne’s side no matter danger, monsters, or her friend. He steps toward Rayne.

    With a simple nod, Angela leads Rayne to the bathroom and has her sit on the toilet seat with her back to them. “Take off your shirt and bra Rayne...and you Romeo stay out of the light and out of the way.” As soon as Rayne complies, she cleans the area and starts to remove the stitches. She holds her tongue while doing so, determined to talk to Rayne when they are alone about her little misstep. She works quickly, Rayne flinching on occasion, but not vocalizing her discomfort. What worries Angela the most are the bruises on Rayne’s arms, just above her elbows. She does her best to hide them from Dave, using her body to block his view as best as she can. Once she is finished, she directs Rayne to take a shower to further clean the area. Before Rayne gets up, Ang turns around to face Dave.

    “I hope you are satisfied. Nothing to worry about Dave. Let’s give her some privacy, shall we.”

    Dave is stuck, he simply says “Rayne, I’ll be in the other room in you need Anything.” before stepping out of the bathroom, quickly heading to the coffee table picking up the case and setting it back atop the book case.

    Angela stands outside the bathroom door while waiting for Rayne to be finished. She glances in Dave’s direction momentarily until she hears the water turn off. She times it perfectly, not by chance, but by repeated action from her work, as she walks in before Rayne has a chance to cover herself with the towel. Rayne glances up at the intrusion, stopping in mid-motion as Angela looks at her, scrutinizing her naked body with trained eyes. Rayne reacts quickly, covering herself, but not fast enough that Angela does not see the additional bruises on her body.

    Angela’s eyes narrow, there is no pity in her expression, just judgement and Rayne knows what the next question will be before it is asked. “Did Dave do that?” Angela asks, her face going through several emotions almost at once. Rayne shakes her head, looking down before responding, “Don’t ask me Ang…” but she knows it is too late for that. Angela came here to discover the reason for her starting up on drugs again, and she was hard to shake once she got something in her head.

    “Who was it Rayne? Who did you sleep with? Is that where you got the drugs?” Her voice drips with accusation, and angrily she grabs at Rayne’s towel to expose the bruising again. Rayne holds the towel against herself tightly, trying to push past Angela to get out of the small space. When she is pushed back, she lets out a cry and strikes back, hitting Angela across the face. There is a moment of silence before Rayne backs off, pressing herself against the wall to put as much distance between herself and Angela.

    “I didn’t sleep with anyone...and I don’t know where the drugs came from. They were just there.” Rayne’s voice is strained and as she continues, it becomes louder, almost a scream. “I asked you to come with me! I asked you and you said no. You left me to bury him alone...and to face Jeffry...ALONE! This is your fault, not mine. None of this would have happened if you had been with me!”

    When Rayne pushes against Angela this time, she yields, letting Rayne pass by her to the door. But Angela isn’t finished just yet, the same question burns at her, and as Rayne storms out of the bathroom she asks her in a softer tone, “Then who bruised you like that Rayne, because those type of marks just don’t happen by themselves.” Rayne does not respond to her, and Angela takes a second to compose herself before walking out of the bathroom in Rayne’s steps. Angela glances in Dave’s direction before following Rayne into the bedroom, her eyes locking with his for just a second, hoping to keep him from pursuing. ‘And what was in the box Dave?’ she questions as she closes the door behind her, pausing to lock it.

    From the kitchen as he was making coffee, Dave hears the commotion from the bathroom. As starts out of the kitchen, he sees Rayne coming out of the bathroom wearing only a towel and heads into the bedroom. He starts toward the bedroom to see if Rayne is okay only to have Angela follow her out of the bathroom. Dave pauses at Angela’s stare ready to ask if everything is okay only to have her follow Rayne into the bedroom and close the door. Dave knocks several times to announce his entering before turning the handle to enter, the handle does not turn as the door is already locked.

    Dave knocks again, calling into the bedroom “Rayne, are you okay, will you open the door darling?” expecting Angela to respond that everything is fine, however he wants to hear from Rayne herself before resorting to getting the key to the bedroom door if necessary.

    As Rayne moves towards the door to unlock it, Angela shakes her head, causing her to pause. She sighs, then calls out, “I’m okay Dave. Just give us a few minutes.” Then her gaze falls back on Angela, her expression impatient as she waits for the fallout. Much to her surprise, Angela appears calm as she moves slowly towards her.

    “I need you to tell me Rayne,” she begins in a normal tone of voice. “If you are putting yourself out there...for drugs again…”

    “I’m not,” Rayne interrupts, “...I already told you, I didn’t sleep with anyone.”

    “Then how?”

    Rayne shakes her head, not wanting to talk about the night at the hotel, but also knowing she is not going to get away with nothing but silence. She takes a deep breath, holds it, then exhales slowly. “I don’t remember Ang. I woke up in the hotel...naked...a needle on the bed stand and an empty bottle of wine on the dresser. Last thing I recall was entering my room. The rest you know...the drugs in my purse...those were also put there. It’s like whoever was there knew me...the old me...all the things I used to take...all there.” What she says is not the whole truth, because she does know, with almost certainty, just who was in the room with her that night. She also knows how he knew of her preferences. After two days of torture, she is sure Fox would have told him anything. She meets Angela’s gaze easily, her shame past her now.

    “So you don’t remember?” Angela says with uncertainty. “Isn’t that a bit..convenient?”

    Rayne looks at her, then shrugs. “I can’t change the truth. I don’t know what else you want from me.” She starts to move through the room, getting her clothes from the dresser and closet and getting dressed. Angela watches her silently, then puts her hand on Rayne’s shoulder before she can open the door to let Dave inside.

    “One more thing Rayne. I saw Dave with a box. He rushed to close it and turn it over when I arrived. I also saw him set it up on the book shelf when you were in the bathroom. Does that have anything to do with what is happening?”

    Rayne’s expression doesn’t change as she shakes her head. “Everyone has ghosts Ang, what’s in that box is Daves. It is private and I’m not telling you anything more.” She passes by Angela to get to the door, then turns the handle, glancing once behind her to look at her friend, then swings it open.

    As the door opens, Dave is right outside the door, worried expression on his face having heard the yelling in the bathroom, he steps to Rayne reaching to hold her “Are you okay darling?”

    Rayne nods, walking into his arms. She presses herself against him, mindful of his injuries, but holding him securely. She wants to stay in his arms forever, but pulls away and heads back to the sofa. When she sits down, she pulls her knees up and hugs them to her chest. Not only does she not have her vehicle here, but her computers are also at the other house. There is no distraction here, just her and Dave...and her thoughts. ...and Angela...whom she hopes is going to leave soon.

    As Dave sits next to Rayne and rests his hand on hers, he looks to Angela wondering if their discussion is finished. There is a knock at the door. Dave stands
    “Excuse me for a moment dear.” before heading for the door.

    As Dave opens the door, a King County Sheriff patrol car is in the drive, Deputy Karin Larson at the door
    “Hey Dave, just doing a couple quick checks…” she folds her arms across her chest giving a disapproving gaze “Heard you were being as ass at the hospital. You never could play the patient well, now could you.” Her tone softening
    “Brad told me you missed your last session. We were worrie..” she stops seeing the expression on his face “..I'll continue that another time. For now, just quick question and I'll be out of your hair. You know that reporter at the Gazette, Summers, seems that a motel she was staying at in Tacoma was trashed, have a hold for questioning from Tacoma PD. She wasn't at the Gazette when I stopped by..” now starting in a laugh “and get this, spacey was at the diner saying she might be here. The things that guy imagines, cop hater over at cop house. You haven't seen Summers lately after that hatchet job she did with that tow tag have you?”

    Dave steps out closing the door, Karin laughs “Come on Dave, you could of told me no from the door, just following up on the incoherent rambling of our favorite wanna be.”

    A moment later, she has a look of disbelief “No… Fucking… Way. Don't tell me that wanna be was right.” she now trying to look over Dave's shoulder toward his window.

    Dave's only response “Who issued the request for questing?”

    “Okay, I'll give you that one. That numbnuts that dumped Summers and now is all in the news with his helium balloon sucking Barbie doll. The guys a dick I know, but that is for another conversation..” as she folds her arms across her chest again looking at him.

    Dave smiles to Karin “Tell Brad I won't miss next week's card game, promise.”

    Karin shakes her head “I seriously would have lost the bet on this one. If I were to walk into your house right now… would I frown?”

    “Don't.” is all Dave answers.

    Karin holds her radio mic attached to her shirt “King 17, 413 East Chandler Drive a dead end as thought.”

    “King 17 copy.”

    Karin steps closer to Dave, looking to less as a cop and more as a friend “Is it real?”

    A soft smile comes to his face “Yes it is. Can I ask a favor Karin, can you hold that 24 hours?”

    Quietly for more Dave alone “I am the only one with this, so yea, I can even pocket it. You going to handle numbnuts?”

    “You know I am. And let Brad know I really am sorry I missed our session.”

    A bright smile on Karin's face “I will, and when I mention..” nodding to the house “..he is going to think I was drunk. You really are an interesting man Dave Nichols.” as she heads to her patrol car.

    Dave slips his new phone out of his back pocket tapping a quick text
    ~sis, need something shut down, can you help~

    The phone receives almost an immediate response
    ~about Ray Ray, give a girl some credit lil brother, sissy is on it already~

    Dave heads back inside as soon as Karin is out of the drive back on patrol.

    Rayne and Angela are talking when Dave comes back inside, Rayne placing her car keys in Angela’s hand. Whatever differences they suffered during their discussion earlier seemingly forgotten. They both look up when the front door closes, then Ang turns back to her. “Jeremy and I will drive it over in the morning. Is that soon enough?” Rayne nods, but her attention is still on Dave. As Angela pockets the keys she squeezes Rayne’s shoulder and grabs her purse. “I’ll see myself out,” she says, then smiles at Dave as he is walking over. “I don’t suppose you want to tell me what “session” you missed?” she asks in a neutral tone, not really expecting an answer. Rayne clears her throat but says nothing, her own questions circling in her head.

    As Angela heads out and asks about his missed session, he explains it away with “Just a missed appointment I won’t miss next time.” leaving it at that. Offers a smile “and thank you for stopping over.” continuing inside looking to Rayne figures she having heard Karin already asking about her whereabouts.

    Rayne waits until Angela closes the door before she addresses Dave, a worried look on her face. “Who was at the door?” she asks, followed by, “...and why did I hear my name?” She actually heard a bit more than that, until Dave stepped outside and closed the door. ‘What exactly is he hiding,’ she wonders, the reporter in her always expecting the worst.

    Dave inhales and lets out his breath “That was the woman that you saw on my body cam slapping me. Tacoma PD is trying to give you some trouble over an issue at the motel you stayed at. She had a hold for questioning request from Tacoma PD, apparently when she stopped by the diner, Kevin pointed her to our home.” looking to her worried how she would react having some idea of the trouble Tacoma PD would want to create for her.

    Rayne nods, not allowing herself to give anything away as she asks, “Did she say what the issue was?” She can come up with several ideas, ranging from the state of the room, to disturbing the peace, on up to failure to pay. Any of which she would be guilty of...at least as far as she remembers. She makes a mental note to call the hotel later to pay for any damages she has incurred to help clear her name.

    Dave heads over to Rayne sitting next to her, looks into her eyes “She had mentioned room trashed. In motel terms, could mean the phone off the desk to every piece of furniture hacked to pieces and set afire in the parking lot.” moving his hand to her cheek “hope this was not out of line, but the request is being pocketed.” He waits a moment “More importantly, things okay with you and Angela, she seemed a bit agitated.”

    Rayne offers him a slight smile. “Ang and I have been through a lot. She’s always been the strong one...the mother hen. We’re good, not great, but she’ll come around. She always does.” She leans back, growing silent while Dave’s earlier words come back to her. “Did you say Tacoma PD?” she asks, suddenly realizing just who is behind the whole hotel room complaint. She sits up, grabbing at her phone. “That bastard! I guess the game isn’t over.”

    As Rayne sits up, reaches over to hold her hand which has her phone, bites his lower lip having promised not to go after anyone, he technically would not be the one, he says softly “The motel is being handled. Karin knows it is BS too.” looking to her hoping she had a moment so not to act quickly, and was not upset that he was involved.

    Rayne pulls her hand away from Dave’s touch, moving away from him as she stands. She turns to him, an apologetic look on her face. “It’s not BS. I trashed the room...and forgot to pay for a night, maybe two. It’s kind of a blurr. But this is something I have to handle...not you...not the other officer...me. Because the only way I can keep everyone safe is to keep them out of my business. It’s my problem...can’t you see that?” She walks into the other room, grabbing for her coat and purse, then stops, a heavy sigh coming from her as she realizes she doesn’t have a car. ...and she knows Dave will not lend her his, not after what she has just said to him. She allows herself to fall back against the wall and slides down, pulling her legs in. With a sound like a growl coming from her throat, she throws her phone against the wall.

    As Rayne was moving about, Dave was following with her. As she is along the wall, he sits directly in front of her. He reaches out to take her hand in his, softly he says
    “Yes, I do see that it is your problem, I get that. What I know too is any of your problems are also mine, I love you, not just the happy times you, the entire you. Your joy is my joy, your sadness is my sadness, your problems are our problems.”
    He knows she has had a hard life and acceptance will take time, allowing one in after a lifetime of depending on yourself takes time, he sits in front of his love, his life “Will you share our problems with me darling?”

    “They are not your problems...they are mine. You were not there. You didn’t smell the blood...see where they tortured him. Have him whisper in your ear that you were next. You can’t understand and you can’t share in it.” As tears start to roll down her cheeks she wipes at them angrily. “I know you will not keep your promise to me...and I can’t let them do to you what they did to Fox. I can’t stay here. You have to let me…” and her words break off before she finishes, not sure what she wants from him. Everything. Nothing. He has become her whole world in such a short time and losing him would tear her apart. ..and yet, that is what she is contemplating.

    As she speaks, Dave keeps focused on her eyes, her words, her pain. Softly and calmly he offers “You can ask me to walk away to keep me safe, however nothing is safe. I was not there when you were threatened, I did not see and smell what you did, where you are wrong is thinking I can not relate to what you felt. I say these as mere words now, the trust behind them will have to be earned. I will never break any promise I make to you. You are also wrong that those are not my problems because I want you for your whole self. When I was kicked in the stomach that first morning after the press conference, the news report, you were there to protect me, to share my problem. We are not one sided darling, large or small, I am part of you, you are part of me.” keeping focus on her, not pressing into her space, she opened up to something he was not aware, to the extent she was tortured, was threatened.

    Rayne wraps her arms around herself, starting to rock, wishing for something to take away the anxiety...the pain. She looks at Dave and shakes her head. “I can’t. I want to so much...to share everything...but I can’t. Look at you...what they did. Because of me...just to get me to stop researching. And I stopped. But they are still playing their games...and until they stop...no one is safe. Those things I encountered in the park, at least I can understand what they want. But Jeffry...George...I don’t know how to make them stop. I just want everything to stop.” Despite her words, she moves towards him, leans into him just to feel him close. “I’ll make it stop. Somehow."

    Dave moves along the wall sliding along side Rayne, moving his arm around her, holding her soft. He leans in and kisses her softly on the cheek, his tone soft but determined
    “Darling, over our years you will know, not from my words, but my actions, I will never break a promise I make to you. If I were to promise you the sun was green, you would know to grab your camera before it changes.” he pauses a moment for the thought to resinate. He touches the side of her face so as to look her in the eyes.

    “Those who threaten you continue to do so despite you doing everything they demand. That clearly is not going to change. I know those kind of people, their demands will continue no matter how you cooperate. I have promised you that I would not seek revenge, I will keep that promise to you.” he leans in softly kissing her lips. Pulling back, a hard determined look in his eyes “I give you one more promise my love, I promise that I will not let you face this alone. You speak of worry over losing me, I understand that worry, for if I lose you, I would not be able to continue. The problem is not with you darling, the problem is with them. You will not face this alone. I can’t let you hurt like this. You are my life, they are going against US, not you darling.”

    Rayne realizes she has met her match in this, Dave just as determined in his decision as she thought she was in hers. “Okay,” she says, finally relenting, “...we will get through it together.” She laughs lightly, a bit relieved, but also a bit frustrated that Dave is so hard headed--just like her. There will be lots of head-butting in their future. She looks over to her phone lying against the wall, hoping she didn’t break another one, as she reaches for it. “I think I need to make a few calls...get things moving in the right direction for our future,” she says, breathing a sigh of relief when she discovers her screen in not broken. “Let’s get more comfortable,” she suggests as she gets up, extending her hand to him.
    Last edited by bluemoon; 12-30-2018 at 01:21 AM.

  10. #30
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    Default Co Post - Building To A Showdown?

    As Rayne holds her hand out, Dave takes it as he comes to his feet. He gives her a soft kiss whispering “If your phone had to call officer down, you can use mine.” with a smile trying to lighten the mood of the intense time ahead for them.

    “I’ll keep that in mind next time I throw it against the wall,” she says as she makes her way to the couch and sits down. She shakes her head and laughs lightly. “Never met anyone who was more stubborn than me...except maybe Ang...but I give in to her to shut her up. You are just a pain. Don’t do something stupid and make me regret this. I really think this is a bad idea.” Although she is being serious, her tone is light, keeping with Dave’s lead. “It might be time to bring in the big dogs...or should I say gorillas. Do you think I should call Pam on this? Would she help me bring down George Stamus?”

    Dave has some coffee put on before sitting next to Rayne. His tone starts off light hearted “Ang is also stubborn, and here I thought I was special…” before becoming a little more serious “I think my sister might be a call we might want to make, if you don’t have her number saved from any calls she made to you, I can give you her number. She might get through the call without threatening you.”

    “I have it,” she says, thinking of the card she has in her purse with the private number. Deciding to use the number she has on file instead, she flips through her contacts until Pam’s comes up, simply listed as Agent PIA. She glances at Dave, thinking a private conversation might be easier, but goes against her instincts and stays seated as the phone rings on the other end.

    The call is answered on the second ring, Pam’s voice sounds very excited “Ray Ray! You called, what’s up hun?”

    Rayne keeps her face neutral, resisting the urge to smile at the sound of Pam being all girlie-like. “Do you mind if I put you on speaker Agent Nichols?” she asks.
    Without skipping a beat “Speaker works for me, kinda was going to suggest speaker too hun, hands kinda tied up here at the moment.”

    “Great..thanks,” she responds as she switches over and sets her phone on the sofa between her and Dave. “Your brother is here with me...I was hoping to ask a favor. I know it will put me in your debt but I’m good for it.”

    Dave bites at his lower lip expecting his sister to go off on a tirade about keeping away from her brother, somewhat surprised by the way she was talking to Rayne already. Pam continues

    “Davie is there…” a sigh “...suppose lil brother might be kinda surprised his big sis sounds human, would be a great kodak moment to see his…” in the background, the unmistakable sound of George’s voice ‘Fucking bitch, what the fuck is it you wa..’ the sound of a loud slap ‘oh Georgie Poigie, be a good boy, momma is on the phone, it is not nice to interrupt, oh dear boy, momma has lots of questions for you, G, keep him uncomfortable’ before getting back to the call
    “Now where was I, oh yea, would be a nice Kodak moment. So hun, what can I do you for?” the muffled yells in the background.

    Rayne looks at Dave quizzically, wondering why she is hearing George’s voice in the background. For a brief second she wonders if he had already called his sister, but that thought passes as she realizes Pam is typically ahead of the game. “I was hoping you could extend whatever you are doing to three days time...and let George know ‘Barbie’ requested it?”

    Pam’s tone goes cold, like the Pam Rayne first met
    “I hacked video to find the person that made the mistake and hit my brother. You telling me this fuck hurt you too?” muffled ‘Oh Georgie, you really have been a bad boy haven’t you, momma is NOT going to be Gentle anymore’ before back to Rayne, a little more composed “Hun, I am sorry for whatever this guy did, but soon he is going to be telling me things I don’t even ask. And please hun..” with a slight giggle “Tell my baby bro to close his mouth that might be on the floor about now.”
    Rayne allows herself to smile at Pam’s words, looking at Dave to see if she is correct in her assumption. “I will. And can I ask you one more thing?”

    Pam’s tone soft, Dave’s mouth still open is disbelief
    “Anything hun, just ask, if it is about finding who this guy is doing his thing for, already planning on that Ray.”

    Rayne’s face goes hard, her lips turning down in a frown. “I already know who he works for...I was just wondering if you were going to kill him?”

    A soft tone “Don’t ask that again hun and I won’t tell you. You need deniability when there are vacancies they use to hold.”

    “I don’t want deniability...I want closure. But I understand. I have a special request then. Castrate him for me...it’s for a friend that he did the same for. I wouldn’t want him to miss out on the fun of that special treatment.”

    Pam’s tone more upbeat “Oh, don’t worry hun, when you mentioned this guy hurt you, already planning that and sooo much more. That friend, he have a name, wouldn’t want Georgie porgie not to understand what happens to him. And for what it is worth, he seems to have a clue finally, he’s crying.”

    Rayne is surprised by this new side of herself as she finds an odd pleasure at the thought of George being tortured and breaking down in tears. “I wish I could see that,” she says, “...and as for my friend...he liked to be called Fox.”

    Pam now softer “He will hear the name hun, I’m going to hang up now, you never called, in an hour all records with your phone company of this call will be gone. Stay out of Tacoma for a few days, don’t go there until the news reports things happening to certain people. Tell Dave I really do see it.” as the call goes dead.

    Rayne sits back as the call disconnects, glancing at Dave, hoping he doesn’t see her as a monster now. “What does she mean by that? ‘She sees it?’ She has said that numerous times.”

    Dave sits more shocked at the civil way Pam was talking to Rayne, he had always been of the impression she was always hostile toward Rayne. He says still in a lighter tone still processing the change in what he thought his sister’s attitude toward Rayne would be “She had told me she saw Kathy’s strength and personality in you.” His appearance had not changed as he was always concerned on how Rayne would view him for the things he would do to those responsible for any harm they might bring to her. His tone calm for the words “I have not seen her like that since Ka…” stops not wanting to bring those memories back up.

    Rayne can see the pain in Dave’s eyes as he speaks about his wife and she doesn’t try to urge him to continue. Instead she reaches for him, holding him closely, allowing both of them to take comfort in each other’s presence. “I love you. Don’t ever think that I don’t, no matter what I say...or do. I will try to get used to this ‘we’ thing. Just be patient with me.”

    Dave holds her close taking her phone setting it on the coffee table “I love you with my very being, I will give you all the time you need darling. We have our whole lives ahead of us, I don’t need to rush you into anything. I have said this before, I don’t know how you feel, but I have an understanding. The ‘we’ is a good step, I will never stop loving you in any struggles we face through our years.” drifting his gaze in her eyes, not wanting this life with her to ever end.

    Rayne mets his gaze then laughs. “Years? Whole lives? You really have this planned out. I’d be happy to go with weeks...or even months.” She squeezes his hand, “..but yours is better. I’m really glad I won’t have to be looking behind myself anymore...or checking in my rear view. I hope my darker side didn’t scare you. I’ve never felt such relief as someone else’s demise...but it will allow me to move on with us, knowing he can’t hurt us anymore. I’m going to trust Pam will kill him...I hope that doesn't make me an evil person.”

    Dave looks to Rayne, a softness in his eyes, a soothing tone
    “That does not make you evil. This would never have ended until one of you were no more. My only worry was always on when this finally ended, how you would look at me. In some extent, everyone has a dark side, some let it out to harm people, some go dark to protect their loved ones. Destroying evil does not make you evil dear.”

    She nods. “That’s good, because I have seen the video of you taking out the mayor’s goons at the hospital, and I didn’t mind that either.” She shakes her head, then smiles. “I could never hurt anyone like that...for numerous reasons...but mostly I don’t think I could stomach it. Maybe if I was pressed...but I have no problem with someone else doing it. Makes me a hypocrite, I know, but I never said I was perfect.” She reaches for her phone again, giving Dave an apologetic look. “I need to make another call. A few loose ends to take care of...mostly financial. Seems I owe some money to a certain hotel in Tacoma and since I can’t go there, a call will have to suffice.”

    As Rayne takes her phone, Dave simply offers her
    “Darling, what that makes you is Human, both start with ‘H’ so focus on just being human, I’ll get us some coffee while you make your calls.” as he stands heading into the kitchen still trying to wrap his head around how his sister accepts Rayne.

    As soon as he leaves the room, Rayne dials the hotel, asking for the manager. It is a short conversation, with her offering an apology and blaming alcohol as the dreaded culprit for the damages rendered. Once she offers her credit card number for payment, the managers tone changes to a more civil tone and the call is ended with a substantial debit to her card, an insanely large sum for replacing a lamp, clock, and the carpet, she thinks. It seems red wine doesn’t come out as easily as she’d hoped.

    Dave comes back out of the kitchen with two coffee cups sitting back next to Rayne setting hers on the coffee table. Sits back in the event she still has her business to handle. Mouths “Love you” through a smile.

    Rayne sets her phone down and picks up the coffee, relishing in the warmth from the cup. She takes a sip, briefly thinking of George and what he is suffering through at this exact moment. “Love you too,” she says softly.
    ----------------
    With two empty coffee cups on the table and an hour of quiet time together, Dave gets up and walks into another room, returning a moment later with his laptop and setting it on the coffee table. He had scanned the file Pam had given him almost two weeks ago onto his laptop, and until Rayne had mentioned the creatures they had encountered in the park, he had almost forgotten about it. He opens the file

    “I know this is a whole different subject, but I thought we could use a change of scenery. This is the information that was in the file you might have seen the first time you were over here. I have been looking this over for a while and thought we could discuss some things. There is one thing in common that is of interest.”

    He goes to refill his coffee letting Rayne look at the PDF files. A moment later he returns, two cups in hand.

    Almost with a laugh “Am I being Kevin or do you find that report odd?” Dave asks.

    Still reading, Rayne looks up and takes the cup from his hand, nodding her thanks. “If you were being Kevin, you would have blogged it already,” she says with a laugh. “..but I get what you are saying. They call the creatures ‘anomalies’ and ‘subjects’, almost as if they are a lab experiment instead of an unnatural occurrence...or maybe a freak of nature. Makes you wonder.” She scrolls down a little further on the report, then stops. “What was the date of the first disappearance? Do you remember?”

    Having not thought of that angle before, steps over to the laptop bringing up the task force folder that mostly contains memos from the Mayor’s office with prepared statements to be released to the press. Looking to the missing person dates, his face going blank, quirking a brow, after a moment of staring, turns the laptop toward Rayne, files side by side
    “God… their first entry ‘anomaly lost’ was one day before our first unexplained missing person report.” stepping back, at a loss for words.

    Rayne compares the dates, realizing it all started a few years before she moved here. She remembers reading about the rash of missing persons in the area while in Tacoma, thinking it would be a great opportunity from a journalists point of view. To be immersed in it, as they were now, was not so great. “It does seem odd...and just how long have you had this file?” she asks.

    Her question snapped him back from the daze he seemed to be in wondering now if Pam had really been allowed to ‘read him in’ or if she was giving him something to follow up on, his tone somewhat distressed
    “The first night you came over, Pam had just given me the hard copy file to, as she said, ‘read me in’” closing his eyes a moment “If you saw something being slid under my chair, that was the file..” looking back to her, a look of disappointment on his face “.. the file was a mess, nothing in order, I scanned it into my laptop the day before the Mayor was found at SeaTac so I could sort notes by date. Had just given it a quick once over then. I missed what was right in front of me.”

    Rayne looks through the file again, this time a bit quicker as she compares dates and information. She chews on the inside of her cheek as she scrolls, then glances up at Dave. “I think we are dealing with more than one ‘anomaly’ here. See these reports...they’re different. More like a hospital record...and it looks like whatever it was, it wasn’t thriving. There are a lot of strange codes...and it is above my pay grade to know what they mean, but maybe Ang would have a clue. Looks like medical jargon to me.” She shakes her head. “This would have been nice to have had a while ago...not that it makes a real difference. Everything we know, such as how to kill them, we had to learn by trial and error, same as Pam.” She gets up from the couch and walks over to the window, looking outside. “With everything that is going on...and all the people looking to get into our business, I’m not sure digging into this further is such a good idea. Normally I would dive right in, but I have reservations with this one. We could be dealing with a federal level experiment. I not sure I want to be watching my back again.”

    Watching Rayne, Dave is in thought “If the codes are medical in nature, we could perhaps do a code look up ourselves? I could shoot a text over to someone I know at the State Police and just ask what one or two of the codes are, could pose it as a case I am working on. If it comes back as a Federal level code, we could consider if we want to press further.” As there was some concern that there might be risk associated to the file, he was not going to recommend asking Angela about the codes.

    Rayne nods. “Okay, I can look into some of the codes tomorrow, after Angela drops off my car. I need to stop at my house anyways to pick up my computers.” She can’t believe that she left them both at the house, she could have sworn she had taken one of them with her to Tacoma. She turns from the window and makes her way into the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I could make us something to eat.”

    A light smile on his face “If you don’t mind, one of your omelettes, meds have been keeping me a little queazy. When we are done, we can run to your house and pick the computers up. I could also help you in the kitchen, you do the omelettes, I’ll whip up some killer hash browns.” starting to get to his feet.

    “Deal...although anything greasy may make your stomach more upset. I’ll make toast too. That should help.” She starts collecting the ingredients and tools needed, feeling more at home in his kitchen now that she knows where everything is kept. It is larger than hers, everything in his home is larger. ‘Upgrade,’ she thinks, and smiles to herself. She has never been much of a housewife type and it feels odd to her to be cooking for someone, but a good kind of odd. She comes up behind Dave and hugs him as he is preparing the potatoes. “Is this how it is done normally...together? Or is this you feeling guilty for making me cook?” She laughs lightly. “Too much of this and you’ll be hiring a chef. I’m really challenged in the kitchen.” She kisses the side of his neck before she lets go of his waist, staring at him as he works. “Or you could be the chef. Put a cute little apron on you…”

    Still feeling warmth from her hug, he places the potatoes in the heated skillet looking back toward her “Would love to take the job, I could have warm dinner waiting when you got home after a long day chasing down no answer cops and politicians for those awesome stories you keep the public informed about. You will have to promise me one thing though, that I would be the one introducing you when you receive investigative journalist of the year.” while flipping the hashbrowns. He lowers the heat on the skillet heading to the cabinet removing two plates “Been awhile since I tried making these so if they are not the best, I’ll try better next time.”

    “There won’t be any awards...and as far as food, I am used to takeout and things which come from a box. I’m not really picky.” She puts the rest of the food on the table and sits down, waiting for him to finish his part. She is hungrier than she thought, her last meal probably from the day before.

    As he dishes up the hashbrowns and sets the plates on the table, she takes a bite. “These are really good. Might just have to get your that apron,” she teases.

    “I will hold you to the apron thing I’ll let you know,” he responds, to which Rayne simply smiles, the image in her head quite amusing.
    ------
    Having cleared the table and washed the dishes, Dave looks to Rayne “So, ready to get those computers over here?” while slipping his waist holster on and placing his service weapon in holster. He has standard rounds in the loaded clip and one clip on enhanced rounds in one of the two ammo holders.

    “Sure, but I drive...not allowed to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of pain medication,” she says in a fairly decent imitation of Angela. “Besides, I like being your chauffeur. It’s getting to be a routine.”

    With a smile he takes his keys handing them to Rayne
    “I'll be the chef, you can be the chauffeur.” with a laugh “but I get to be the moving company.” as he heads out the door waiting for Rayne. Winks “You going to run the blue light?” with a chuckle.

    “I just might...with that attitude mister,” she jokes. She slips in behind the wheel and waits for him to get in and buckle up. “..and there won’t be any moving company for you until your ribs heal up. Doctor’s orders.” She shifts into drive and heads towards her house, taking a different route to pass by Kevin’s. “Turn the lights on now,” she says, “...that’s your favorite blogger’s house.”

    With a smile Dave reaches over and switches the selector dial on the control panel to ‘Alert’ then reaches to the wheel pressing the horn. A ‘yelp’ siren sounds the 1 ½ seconds he holds the horn. Sitting back in the chair selects the control back to “manual’. Through a grin “I am going to blame the pain meds on that one.” Dave relaxes back in his seat looking around the street, along houses and open yards they pass out of habit.

    Rayne is still smiling when she pulls up to the curb in front of her house. “He’ll get such a kick out of that. Bet he sends me a text,” she says, laughing a bit. She walks up to the house, slipping her key into the door, then waits as Dave makes his way to her. “Is it time for your meds? ...cause you’re slowing down,” she says, a hint of worry on her face. “Come on...let’s get you inside where you can sit down.”

    Dave keeps biting at his lower lip “Yea, think it is about time again. Either that or Angela switched bodies on me and put me in a 900 year old man.” trying to laugh it off but obviously pain kicking back in. Steps behind her “I'll never play tough guy around you darling.” ready to follow her in.

    Rayne opens the door and steps inside, stopping suddenly when she sees the overturned boxes emptied of their contents and the furniture tipped over. The room is in shambles, cushions torn open and lamps broken. She takes it all in then simply shakes her head in a gesture of defeat. Flipping a kitchen chair back on its legs, she motions for Dave to take a seat. It’s a longer search before she finds an unbroken glass. Filling it with water, she sets it on the table...one of the few things still upright...and digs his pills from her purse. Her hand brushes against the handgun inside and she has a desire to pull it out, but resists. “I guess they decided I had something to hide,” is all she says about the mess before she heads for her bedroom.

    The moment Dave saw the condition of the front, he had drawn his weapon holding it to his side, eyes darting around the interior. As Rayne heads to the bedroom, he is in an instant to her side keeping her from going farther. Adrenaline rushing, he calmly says “most likely they are gone .. but..” he steps to the bedroom door raising the weapon training it to the door calling out
    “Carter Lake Police, coming in, keep hands in plain sight or I will fire..” with that, he turns the door knob standing along the wall letting the door open. In a sweeping motion he enters the room looking for any silhouettes. As the room appears clear, he turns toward the door moving his weapon toward his holster, missing the holster before stumbling forward collapsing to the floor.

    Waiting in the hall, Rayne cannot miss the sound of a person falling inside the bedroom. She jumps, her heart racing as several things run through her mind at once...was Dave hit from behind?...did he find someone and knock them out? Neither seem plausible as she did not hear a struggle, but she decides to proceed with caution and pulls the Glock from her purse. “Dave?” she says softly as she moves forward, stopping just for a second to ensure the gun’s safety is off (and yes, I know there really is no safety on a Glock dear readers, but we, Storm and Moon, have taken writer’s liberties and put one there..now back to your scheduled story). She only has to take a few more steps before she sees Dave sprawled out on the bedroom carpet, face down, his gun a few feet from his hand. She throws caution to the wind and runs in, dropping to her knees as she first looks for an injury, then feels for his pulse. ‘I’d be a horrible cop,’ she thinks. ‘I’m sure I just broke a dozen rules.’

    As it becomes evident that Dave has passed out, she breathes a sigh of relief. “Not playing the tough guy, my ass,” she says in a low tone as she grabs for a pillow to place under his head once she flips him onto his back. “God, you weigh a ton, Sergeant Nichols. Either I start lifting weights so I can carry your sorry ass, or you stop passing out on me.” She sits beside him on the floor, a cool damp cloth now on his head as she waits for him to come around. “I’m giving you five minutes,” she says, “...then I call for a bus.”

    Groggily Dave whispers “No need to lift weights, just bad decision from cop instinct. Don't need the bus, maybe water and my pills. I am going to pay for that stupid move in the morning.” as he starts trying to sit up. Trying to lighten the mood “Didn't realize you were redecorating” with a laugh then a wince of his face “another bad idea.”

    Rayne puts her hand on his shoulder to stop him from sitting up. “Just lay there funny man. I’ll get your pills and you can lay in the damn bed while I clean up this mess.” She is only gone from the room for a few seconds before she returns. Helping Dave to sit, she gives him two pills and the glass of water. “Now let’s get you up. You can lean on me, but this is the last time,” she says with a groan. “I really am not made for this heavy lifting,” she adds with a laugh. “Now stay put…” the words said as she reaches down and comes back up with his dropped weapon. “...and this...is also becoming a habit.” She raises her brow, the sarcasm obvious as she places his gun beside him.

    As Dave lay in bed getting comfortable, offers in a soft tone “Thank you again. If nothing else, at least the interior decorators will be out of business in a day or so.” figuring the decorating service was complements of those on the Tacoma Police Department who were under the guy threatening Rayne. Looking over to his gun “And that habit, yea, kinda messed up on that one. Habit I really am going to have to get out of. Training is so ingrained in me, I could be like Monty Python and be with no arms or legs, a bank alarm sounds and me rolling into the bank..” with a smile “.. already doing better, didn’t laugh on that one. My last attempt at humor was really painful, suppose the joke was too.” trying to lighten the mood.

    Dave takes his phone out opening up an app after a set alert sounds, smiles “It seems that you were right about one other thing. Kevin has a new blog entry. Most of the guys have Kevin’s blog flagged to give notifications on when he does updates..” with a sigh “..suppose I have to come clean, mostly his blog entries are monitored for things to get him on. If he writes about going to get more writing supplies, he is watched so someone could ticket him for marijuana possession. Personally I always thought it was a cheap way to get people, town legal department though allowed others to use his writing as evidence since he puts it out in a public domain. I never read his stuff for anything other than finding some of his stories amusing, and to follow how I was a CIA plant or even a clone from the CIA.” with a somewhat dejected look on his face before reading his latest update expecting to read about a hot pursuit outside his house. After a moment Dave lets out a laugh followed by a painful wence on his face “Darling, that makes mistake three for tonight. Should not have read his blog, at least till the pain pills kicked in. Well, it is official, I’m going to be fired. He is back on with me being, well, seems like I'm not CIA now, but a secret federal plant this time. Guess it is only time before Boss lets me know he is on to me and I’m fired from the team.”

    Rayne is about to leave the room when Dave grabs her attention talking about Kevin’s blog. She leans over to read the latest and sighs, knowing she is responsible in part for this most recent accusation against Dave. “Don’t worry, you were already fired from the team according to Kev,” she says with a laugh. “If that makes you feel any better.” She leaves him with a quick kiss on his cheek to go look closer at the mess she has been left to deal with.

    Rayne walks though the family room, and outside of the cushions being ripped open, most of the furniture is salvageable, which is a good thing because none of it is hers. Her renters insurance will cover a lot of the damage, but she decides it would be cheaper and less involved if she just covers it herself and skips the police report. After the visit from Dave’s friend, she does not want to invite the police into her home. She sweeps up the glass and stuffs most of her belongings back into the open boxes, but after a thorough search, she does not find her computers.

    Reentering the bedroom she sits down on the edge of the bed farthest from Dave. “Everything is here, except for what we came for. They took my computers. Doesn’t leave much doubt who ‘they’ are.” She stands up and grabs a broken lamp from the floor. Holding it by the shade, she swings what remains of the base towards the wall, the shattering of ceramic following the act. Bending down, she picks through the small pieces, brushing off an object and sticking it into her jean’s pocket. “At least they didn’t get what they came for,” she says as she returns to the bed, laying down next to Dave this time. “Kevin have anything else to say while I was gone?”

    With a smile on his face “First, I was ready to get up to calm you..” his smile broadens “..seems like I have something I could learn from you.” looking back to his phone “..he is just on about he finally is going to expose me for what I am. Trying not to laugh here, but I have this mental image of him showing up with a DNA test kit. You will keep sharp objects out of his hands when he makes his move, right?” trying as he was, still a light laugh gets out, but at least not painful.

    “No sharp objects...check. But a DNA might be a good idea. Might find out something interesting.” She rolls over to her side, slipping her hand into her pocket and removes a flash drive. “You can look at what’s on here if you want,” she says opening her hand and offering it to him. “Obviously when you...we...get home.” She continues to stare at him, laughing lightly before flopping to her back again. “Federal agent...I can see that.”

    Leans toward Rayne “Yea, think the vacation time is better than CIA too. Would the CIA even give vacation to a clone?..” feeling more relaxed “..about the flash drive. My laptop at home was bought at a surplus auction, NSA level encryption the town bought for me when they created the farce task force I was on. Yea, task force of one. The only one that seems able to crack it is… well, my sister. I'll give you the login information at home. Use it till you get a new computer.”

    A slight pause allowing her to take that in. “As far as what is on the drive, share that with me only if you want to. I will never pry into anything you are working on nor will I ever reveal anything we talk about at home.”

    “I think your sister could get you to talk,” she says with a hint of humor. “..but seriously, thanks for the offer of your computer. I think I will take you up on it, at least until I can get mine back. The offer to look at the drive stands, but if you choose not to...just keep it in mind. If anything…” She pauses, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. “...if something happens to me, you might find the information useful.” She slips the drive back into her pocket, not dwelling on what she has just said. Instead she tries to come up with a safe way to get her property back. She’s afraid it might involve a trip to see Jeffry, but Tacoma is off limits at least for a few days. She might even be able to make arrangements without seeing him in person. With Stamos gone...and she truly believes that Pam will kill him...she might have a small window before he is replaced. Sitting up, she runs her fingertips gently over Dave’s face, smiling softly down at him.

    As she looks down, there is a frightened look in his eyes. He reaches to her hand softly holding it, a heavy concerned tone “.. if something happens to you? I think we need to talk about this…” memories play back to two months before Kathy's accident, her using the same words and laughing them off as his overreacting when asking for what she meant. His palms obviously sweaty “..please, what do you mean by that?”

    Rayne leans over and kisses him, lingering before ending the contact. “It’s nothing,” she says softly, “...just me overthinking things. Everything is going to be fine.” She knows Jeffry had the house trashed to find the drive...and the computers would be a dead end. That just left her. The attempt to have her brought in for questioning for the hotel’s damage could very well have been a ploy to get her to talk. ..and she wouldn’t hold up well under pressure. The information she has on Jeffry Masters is her only trump card in this whole mess. If she loses that, she is as good as dead.

    His face pales, his tone hesitant and unusually shakey
    “I've heard those words before, as well as the explanation, please, let me know what you seem to protect me from..” through trembling lips “..I can't.. no, I won't lose you.”

    Rayne sighs, running a hand through her hair, then resting her head on her palm, her elbow resting on her knee. She looks at him, her expression guarded. “It all started with Fox, five years ago. A great lead...information into a crime ring that involved the Tacoma PD. Drug trafficking, high level hits... really, too many things to mention. I grabbed at it like a starving puppy. Over the next year, we compiled a lot of information, pulled a lot of records, and files, and we were getting close to discovering who was involved. Then I met Jeffry Masters...homicide detective...and a cold, arrogant bastard. I was getting real close...some new evidence had fallen into my lap...and then Jeffry moved into my life. He did a 360...cold bastard to warm love interest almost overnight. Our relationship blossomed and my interest in the files dwindled. I was stupid..I should have realized the connection. But I was blinded by...whatever you want to call it...love...lust. It really doesn’t matter. He got what he wanted. I was distracted. But I was also protected. Being in a relationship with him kept me safe.

    Then the whole mess broke open when Fox got another big lead..and everyone knows how that panned out. My relationship with Jeffry dissolved in 24 hours and I was out in the open again. After a long hiatus with drugs...again...and Angela beating me back into shape, I started doing research again. This time to get something to use against them...to keep them from making me another hit. That’s what on this drive...and there are two copies.” She looks at him and offers him a smile. “I told you I was nothing but trouble. That I would hurt you. But you insisted on an ‘us’ and this is the damaged package you get. If something happens to me...if I disappear...the other copy becomes public...and they know that. It’s my trump card. A long as I just sit on it, I’m safe...or at least I was. But things have escalated and I’m not sure why. They seem to want the information more now. ...and with George Stamus out of the picture, I’m not sure what their next move is going to be.”

    Dave reaches up touching the side of her face “You can hurt me, by not allowing me in your life. You are now trouble, but not to me, but those who made the mistake in going after you. Darling, you are no damaged package. I do not have answers of what ‘We’ are going to do. We will work this out. When we do, do not consider yourself evil, to destroy evil does not make you or I evil. Things are going to get dangerous .. not for you though.” looking to her with softness in his eyes.

    Rayne takes in a deep breath, her gaze meeting his. “If you mean things are going to get dangerous for you, I’m not going to allow it Dave. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me. I can make this escalate quickly, and I will, if I see you are in danger. I put myself into this fire and I am willing to take the burn if it comes to that. Promise me you won’t do anything without consulting me first.”

    Looking up to Rayne, softly says “I would not be the one in danger, and yes, it would be hard considering what I want to do, but I give you my promise I would not do anything without talking to you first. I would have to say this too, if anything were to happen to you, I vow and promise those responsible would curse their birth. You did not put yourself in that fire, they put there, that fire will be put out.”
    Last edited by Storm; 12-31-2018 at 03:09 PM.

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