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Raidon still couldn't believe his little spitfire was curled up next to him in bed, with her head resting on his chest. I've never shared anything with a woman except sex! The thought finally hit him full force. They had spent the entire night together, but hadn't done anything except enjoy each other's company.
Reaching out, he wrapped his fingers around one of the braids that had slipped from her ponytail sometime during the night, then smiled, remembering the night's activities. They had started out enjoying a huge meal. Afterwards, both of them stuffed, they had sprawled out in bed and she convinced him to share one of her favorite pastimes, and that was watching absolutely atrocious, cheesy B-horror movies. The first one was unquestionably the worst movie he had ever seen in his entire life. It had been about the severed hand of a serial killer going on a killing spree itself, murdering an entire squad of silicon enhanced cheerleaders. But the thing that had made the entire experience fun was her constant running commentary on the movie, almost all of it wisecracks and off-the-wall observations. And the next thing he knew, he had been joining in on the fun. Letting go of her braid, he let his fingers gently trace a path down her cheek, very aware of his attraction to her. I finally figured it out, what women meant when they just wanted to cuddle and enjoy each other’s company…he thought.
Suddenly, the theme from the 'Lone Ranger' startled him, and he reached over to the nightstand and answered the call, which was from the friend he had contacted the night before, FBI agent Stone Billings. “Hey, Stone, how's it hanging?”
“Hangs a little to the left, when wind the blows left, bro, and vice-versa.” the man chuckled, then got down to business immediately. “I notified Karen Washington's sister of her whereabouts. She’s the only remaining relative she has, their mother died in a car crash several months ago. Anyway, her and an agent will be down there sometime tonight. Oh yeah, and she wanted me to express her gratitude to you for locating Karen, and she'll be sending you a check for $25,000, it was a reward her mother had scraped together before she died.”
Thinking about the state that Karen Washington had been in when they had finally found her, he replied, “Thanks, but you can tell her I want her to keep the money. She'll need it more than I do, to help her poor sister.”
“I'll pass that on to her. Man, you really amaze me sometimes.” Stone replied with unmistakable admiration in his voice. The two of them had been friends since childhood, both his father, and Raidon's adoptive father, had been partners on the police force. Everyone had assumed that he and Raidon would join the local force and partner together as well, but in the end, his friend had chosen the relative freedom of working for himself as a private investigator, and he himself had decided he was more suited for the FBI than working for their hometown PD.
“Thanks.” Raidon answered, then asked, “So, what did you find out?”
“Doctor Parker and Doctor Santo, from what little I could find out, were part of a three man team that was developing and testing hypnotic and psychoactive drugs for The Department of Defense, several years ago. Some military big-wigs wanted to try to find a way to get enemy combatants to work for us without knowing what they were doing. Simply put, Parker and the other doctors were experimenting with mind control techniques and drugs. Sounds like some crazy sci-fi bunk to me, but it wouldn't be the first time our government has wasted money on such bullshit. Remember that remote viewing crap they spent billions on during the seventies and eighties? ”
“Hmph.” Raidon grunted.“ Well, old buddy, the truth may be more frightening and real than you would ever guess. Seems Doctor Parker may have been using some of those drugs on Cassandra Mortensen. He managed to suppress her memories for three years, so obviously, whatever it is, it works. You mentioned he was part of a three-man team, who was the third doctor?” he asked in a soft voice as he gently slid Cynne's head from his chest, then sat on the edge of the bed.
“That's an interesting question. The third wheel was a doctor by the name of Matthew Garrison. Anyway, from what I found out, at some point the man began having misgivings about the drugs, and the manner in which Doctor Parker was administering them. He felt that the newest mixture was causing near fatal reactions on their test subjects, they were convicts, and he also expressed concern that Parker may have been using the drugs on at least one unwilling and unauthorized test subject, a fellow female employee. One week later, Doctor Garrison vanished into thin air, while using the restroom in a secure lab. It's a funny thing, too, because there was an unexpected power failure shortly before he vanished, and by the time the backup generators kicked on and the surveillance cameras were working again, he was gone. So whatever happened to him was not caught on tape. And here's the kicker, guess who the female co-worker was that Doctor Garrison suspected Brett was drugging, and perhaps taking unethical liberties with?”
Feeling almost sick to his stomach, Raidon replied, “Karen Washington?”
“We have a Bingo! It seems Doctor Parker had the hots for her, but his feelings were never reciprocated. She had always been a good employee, I guess you would have to be, huh, to work on a project like that? So as her behavior became more and more bizarre, Doctor Garrison began taking private notes, and studied Doctor Parker's behavior around the woman very carefully also. One month to the day after Garrison's disappearance, Karen Washington vanished from work as well, after, you guessed it, another mysterious power outage. After that happened, the project was shut down literally overnight, and without warning.”
With a soft whistle, Raison absorbed the information, then thanked his longtime friend and hung up. Putting the phone back on the night stand, he leaned his head back against the headboard and closed his eyes, contemplating their next move. He knew he should get up and get ready to meet with Doctor Santo, then plan their return trip home.
Suddenly Cynne's silky voice broke the silence. “You definitely need a new ring tone.”
Opening his eyes, he looked down and saw her staring up at him with a bemused smile on her full lips, and her sleepy brown eyes twinkling with amusement. He felt that strange longing again, and thought, Oh! Man, this is bad!! Every time I look into those eyes, the attraction grows stronger! Disregarding the warning signals his mind was sending him, he slid down beside her. “Why you always got to bring a brotha' down?” he asked, making her giggle. “You make fun of my job, then make fun of me because I'm proud of the fact my mom brags about my work. And to top it all off, now you're making fun of my childhood hero, 'The Lone Ranger' The only other person who was ever larger than life in my eyes is my Pops Bishop.”
How many women has he charmed right into the sack with just that one look? She wondered, knowing that he was the type to use that pout to get what he wanted. “Whatever, Kemo Dummy! Oops, I meant Kemo Sabe!” she laughed.
“See, there you go again!”
“Did your friend give us some information we can use?” she asked, suddenly wanting to concentrate on business, instead of her growing attraction. Yawning, she stretched both arms over her head, completely unaware that the pose was highlighting her taut nipples against the thin fabric of her t-shirt.
Raidon swallowed hard as his gaze dropped from her face down to her breasts, and he had to actively fight the urge to reach out and cup them with both hands. He felt his manhood spring to life, willing and ready to please.
Dropping both her arms, she looked back at him innocently.
Embarrassed by his ogling of her, he glanced down at the huge bulge in his boxer shorts, then flipped over on his belly and groaned painfully as his fully erect member absorbed the impact of his full weight.
“Well, what did the man say?” she asked again.
From the beginning, he told her everything his friend from the FBI had found out, then fell silent.
Struggling to control her emotions, she finally replied, “You know, the first time I ever laid my eyes on the steaming pile of monkey crap, I knew he was bad news. I cou
ld tell just by looking into those eyes of his.” Clenching both fists, she suddenly sat up on her knees as he glanced at her questioningly. “If I ever get my hands on him, I'm going rip open a king-size can of whoop-ass on his filthy hide. I'm going to beat him so bad he'll need his own drugs to forget the pain. I‘m gonna’ beat him so bad, the wheel chair they‘ll have to put him in is gonna‘ need a wheel chair!””
Rolling on his back, he looked at her with admiration, knowing instinctively that that would be one fight she would never run away from, but decided to tease her anyway. “YOUR scary ass? Ha! You remind me of my Mom Bishop's poodle, Princess. She acts like such a little bad ass, until someone stomps their foot, then she runs and hides behind mom. I love it when mom isn’t around, and I get to torment the little hairy rat! She'll run and hide until she hears mom's car coming down the driveway! Yeah, you're like Princess alright, all bark and no bite.”
Grabbing one pillow suddenly, she scowled and whacked him square in the face, instantly killing his laughter, then the fight was on.
Grabbing a pillow himself, they both bounced on the bed like two children, laughing, ducking, and deflecting blows.
Laughing fit to bust, Cynne' hadn't felt this carefree in a very long time. As he struggled to his knees, she landed another perfect shot to his face, then laughed even harder as he lost his balance and fell off the bed.
“Shit, my back!” he wailed.
Fearing she had really hurt him, she dropped the pillow and bounced off the bed. “I'm so sorry, are you Ok?” She asked as she squatted down beside him.
“Ohhhh man, I think I may have pulled something.” he groaned as he tried to sit up.
Touching his face, she babbled, “Don't move, you may hurt yourself even worse! I'm so sorry darling, I....”
Giving up the ruse, he leaped to his feet suddenly, reached down, then scooped her up with both arms as easily as lifting a small child. With a wicked gleam in his eyes, he tossed her down on the bed as she squealed in protest.
Before she knew what was happening he was on the bed straddling her, then he grabbed both her hands and pinned them over her head.
“You're not so big and bad without your pillow, are you?” he laughed as she struggled to break free.
Enjoying the feel of his body pressed against her, she pretended to be upset, but was far from it. “You pretended to be hurt, that's the only reason you were able to get the drop on me, big bad 'Lone Loser'. Next time I'll leave you laying there.”
His smile vanished as he looked down at her full, luscious lips. Just one taste, and I swear we can go back to being friends.... he thought, but in his heart, he knew better.
Cynne' felt air in the room become almost electrically charged as he lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers.
“Cynne', I want...” he whispered, but was interrupted as she turned her head to one side almost violently, avoiding the kiss.
“We should get dressed. I'm sure Doctor Santo will be expecting us soon.” she muttered in an unsteady voice.
Looking at her longingly, he was silent for a moment, then finally released her hands and rolled off her.
Avoiding eye contact with him, she leaped off the bed and ran into the bathroom.
Tugging at his boxers, he glanced down at his hard, rejected, sad piece of flesh, cooing to it like it was a separate entity. “When we get home we'll go on a hump-fest to get her out of our system. You'll like that, won't you, Mr. Crowd Pleaser? (his pet name for his member) I don't know what it'll take, but we HAVE to get her out of my system, because it's driving me crazy.”
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Chapter 40
6:00 AM, the indoor pool area of the Flagstone Inn
“You wanted to talk, so talk!” Granger demanded in a belligerent voice, glaring at the man he recognized as the complete stranger his wife had shared a drink with at the hotel bar several days earlier.
Studying him carefully, Zeke's internal alarms were ringing in a nearly deafening crescendo. He was no small man himself, and thought that under ordinary circumstances he might be able to take the man in a pinch, but these were not ordinary circumstances, and he knew that in just a few moments the man would be fueled not only by rage, but adrenalin as well, which was always a deadly combination.
“WELL?” Granger demanded again, his voice rising.
“Mr. Mortensen, there are some things you desperately need to know, but before I even tell you, I'll say this up front: Don't ask me to go to the police, because that ain't happening.”
“Well, go on.”
Taking a deep breath, Zeke took the plunge, telling him of his part in Martina's plan, and all he knew about Brett Parker's obsession with Cassandra, which Martina had discussed in great detail over lunch one afternoon. “Martina paid me to kill your wife, and also promised to pay nearly double if I took out your son as well, but I....” he was interrupted as Granger sprang into action, his fist slamming into his jaw with terrific force, knocking him off his feet.
“Where is that bitch, because after I kill you, I'm going to snap her fucking pencil neck with my bare hands!” Granger raged, advancing on him like a tiger stalking its prey.
Spitting blood from his mouth, Zeke struggled to his knees and held one hand up in surrender. “I know I had that coming, and I'm cool with that, but please listen to me, PLEASE!”
“You better do some mighty fancy talking then, you piece of shit.” he growled.
“Look, if you kill me, I can't help you, and with those two psycho fucks on the loose, you'll need all the help you can get, believe me. Those are the best odds you're going to see for a while, and if I were you, I would take them.”
“Help me? You've GOT to be fucking kidding me! The only way you can help me is to die slowly and painfully while I beat the hell out of you.” Granger snorted, then reached down and snatched him to his feet by his shirt collar.
“Shit!!” was all Zeke managed to mutter as the man's fist crashed into his gut, knocking the wind out of him. Staggering back against the wall, he clutched his stomach with one hand and held the other out in a warding-off gesture. “Mr. Mortensen...you can....punch me silly....but I'm...not going to fight you....I want .....to help you.” he gasped.
“Shut up, and take your medicine like a man!” was his only reply.
“LISTEN!” Zeke gasped in desperation as he slowly got his breath back. “I've been... calling Martina's cell phone, but I assume she's dumped it already. But I know her and that sick fucking cousin of hers like the back of my hand! And I know the twisted bitch will be calling any time now, wanting to know why Cassandra and your son aren't dead yet.” Reaching into his jacket pocket slowly and carefully, he withdrew several documents. “There's some real estate, used to belong to their grandmother before she died, you should check it out. My guess is they both are laying low at one of those locations.”
“Just tell me, why? Why do you want to help me, and why should I trust you?”
“Let's just say that meeting your wife gave me the first moment of pause I've had in my miserable life, ever since my mother was murdered. There are still good people left in this world, and while I may not be one of them, I’d like to try to re-write history for myself, if it's not too late.”
Hesitantly, Granger accepted the documents and gave them a quick glance. “Just so you know....” he said as he glanced at the man once again with murder in his eyes, “If you double cross me, or one hair on my wife or son's head is harmed, I swear to God you'll wish you had turned yourself in to the police.”
Rubbing his sore jaw gingerly, Zeke simply nodded, then watched as the enraged man turned and left. “If they were my family, I would have killed the man who was hired to take them out, you're a better man than me, Mortensen.” he muttered.
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The Santo's cottage
Benito looked over the garden that Karen had transformed into a beautiful sanctuary. Surrounding the terrace they enjoyed si
tting on, were pink and white Camellia evergreen shrubs, purple Periwinkle ground cover, and deep purple, red and white Crape Myrtle trees, all planted by her loving hand. Taking a seat at the stone table, he waited for the African American female and private investigator to arrive. Earlier, he had arranged for one of the staff to take Karen into town to do some shopping for the baby's room.
“Doctor Santo?” his housekeeper, Luisa, announced, speaking perfect English, “The Americans are here for your meeting.”
Rising to his feet, he put on his best smile and greeted them, but in his heart, he dreaded the meeting. “Welcome to my home.” he said, then offered them both a seat without shaking hands. “If you don't mind, I would like to wrap up this, uhhh, meeting as quickly as possible.”
Cynne' could see the tension on the man's tanned face, and looking at him more closely, she thought he bore a strong resemblance, albeit an older one, to Esai Morales, the actor who had starred on NYPD Blue.
Remember Me Page 47
