Seeing Is Believing: Ghost of a Chance, Book One

Kimber Davis

Chapter One

Leslie Hopkins groane , then set the large, !n"iel # bo$ on the co!nter% Ho" co!l paper skeletons an plastic p!mpkins "eigh so m!ch& 'his bo$ felt as if it ha a ton of rocks in the bottom of it% 'he eliver#man ha n(t seeme to have an# problem "ith it "hen he bro!ght it into her cafe, Spice is )ice% Of co!rse he "as several inches taller than she "as, an *!ite a fe" po!n s heavier% +ven tho!gh she move bo$es an stock in her store on a constant basis, she trie to make s!re not to over o it% ,a#be that(s "hat "as "rong% She i n(t o eno!gh% She sho!l make a plan this "inter to "ork o!t, b!lk !p her m!scles more% She p!she the bo$ back, then took o!t a stock knife to c!t the tape, slicing it gentl# so as not to amage an#thing that might be !n er the bo$ li % ,a#be this shipment "o!l p!t her in the moo for Hallo"een% It "as the first part of October, an the "armth still inva ing 'e$as i n(t make her think abo!t trick or treating, or "arm apple ci er% It "as still hot eno!gh o!tsi e that she ha the back oor of the shop open, hoping a bree-e "o!l snake thro!gh an cool things off% Of co!rse the nights "ere col , b!t not the a#s% 'hings ha been slo" to a#, b!t that i n(t reall# s!rprise her% Dante(s .eak "as a small, to!rist to"n, sitting near the )e" ,e$ico bor er% D!ring the school #ear, b!siness "as generall# slo" !ring the "eek% It "o!l pick !p, ho"ever, on the "eeken s% /n , as Hallo"een neare , it "o!l pick !p !ring the "eek, too% 'he nearb# ghost to"n of Bla e "as a great attraction !ring October% 0hen b!siness picke !p, she "o!l be b!s#, selling miniat!re p!mpkin pies an other treats that remin e people of the fall holi a#s% She 1!st "ishe it "o!l start this "eek% 2ight no"% B!siness ha been ea for t"o a#s no", an she nee e an infl!$ of cash, soon% She p!t a"a# the knife an peele back the flaps of car boar hol ing the top together% S!re eno!gh, shrink3"rappe paper skeletons an tin# plastic p!mpkins seeme to "ink back at her% /s she !g o"n eeper, she fo!n a package she( forgotten she( or ere % Hallo"een necklaces, "ith little "hite

ghosts an "itch hats% She hefte one in her han an fro"ne % 'he# "eren(t that heav#, either% Of co!rse all of them mi$e together might be, b!t someho" she o!bte it% She hope her clerk, 'ambi, "as right an that these novelties "o!l sell "ell to the local pop!lation "hen the# came in for an afternoon snack% If not she "o!l have 1!st "aste si$ h!n re ollars, an she co!l n(t affor to o that% 'hinking abo!t her finances al"a#s p!t her in a fo!l moo % 0hen she( first opene the store she "as oing great, making lots of cash as the novelt# of a coffee cafe set in to the tin# to"n "here to!rists flocke to be near Bla e, one of the places "estern o!tla"s !se as a safe haven back in the ol a#s% /n "hile she i a goo b!siness !ring the s!mmer, she co!l n(t sa# the same !ring the "inter% /n as the "inter re" closer she gre" more an more nervo!s, "on ering "hat she "o!l o to s!pplement her income if she co!l n(t pa# her bills% 'ambi ha trie to talk her into opening a mail3or er b!siness, complete "ith a "ebsite people co!l visit an or er from% B!t Leslie "asn(t so s!re% It "as a h!ge "orl o!t there, an she i n(t think her famo!s p!mpkin pies "o!l ra" people in to a "ebsite% 4'hink h!ge,4 'ambi ha sai % 40e(ll come !p "ith a theme that fits in "ith Bla e, rename the store 'he Last 5rontier, or something like that% 'hen "e co!l sa# Bla e is famo!s beca!se Bill# the Ki spent a lot of time here, "hich he i % /fter that "e invent ne" recipes that rive people ma feat!ring his name% It(ll rive people n!ts%4 Leslie ha la!ghe , b!t shook her hea in isagreement% 46o! kno", it(s not a ba i ea, b!t it(s not something that(s going to happen% 0e nee to be realistic% I on(t have the capital for that kin of vent!re, an before #o! sa# "e on(t nee it, "e o%4 She( hate the e1ecte look on 'ambi(s face, b!t the #o!nger "oman ha no e , then sighe % 46o!(re right%4 4'imes are to!gh,4 Leslie ha co!ntere % 40hat "e nee is to fin a "a# to increase the b!siness "e have right no"%4 /n that(s "hen 'ambi ha come !p "ith the i ea of selling Hallo"een novelties, trinkets people co!l !se to ecorate their ho!ses, an little so!venirs like the p!mpkins "ith the name Dante(s .eak inscribe on them% Leslie "asn(t so s!re it "o!l "ork, b!t she "as "illing to tr#% /ccor ing to tracking recor s, she "o!l get the ne$t t"o shipments of items later in the "eek, an the final shipment ne$t ,on a#% 'o a#(s shipment "as the paper skeletons an plastic p!mpkins% 'omorro" she "o!l get little tin# coffins "ith the "or s, 4I s!rvive a visit to Bla e,4 engrave on them% /lso incl! e tomorro" "o!l be ke# chains "ith tombstones inscribe "ith Bla e% )e$t "eek "o!l be the '3shirts, commemorating the Hallo"een part# sche !le to take place in Bla e Hallo"een night% 'he fe" hotels in to"n "ere alrea # booke soli % Some people rente o!t their cabins that set on the lake near Bla e% If visitors "ere !nable to fin a room, the#( en !p riving from

/marillo, "hich "as 1!st a little more than an ho!r a"a#% 'he real har 3core ghost to"n fans "o!l bring campers, or set !p tents an sleeping bags insi e the s!ppose l# ha!nte to"n, tr#ing to catch a glimpse of a specter% Of co!rse it never "orke , beca!se there "eren(t an# ghosts there% Leslie smile as she picke !p a paper skeleton, tearing off the shrink3"rap an !nfol ing the arms an legs% She "o!l have 'ambi help her ecorate this afternoon, getting the store rea # for "hat she hope "o!l be a h!ge infl!$ of c!stomers "ho "o!l "ant something "arm to rink, something s"eet, or spic#, to eat, an hopef!ll# something to hang in their living rooms, an remin them Hallo"een "as 1!st aro!n the corner% She stare into the bo$, fro"ning% 'he tho!ght of !npacking the bo$ flittere across her min , an then she eci e to let 'ambi o it "hen she arrive for "ork at fo!r% 'ambi "as a single mother, "ho "orke all morning at the local fee #ar , ans"ering the phones an "orking on invoices or filing% /fter that she picke !p her a!ghter an came to "ork% 0hile 'ambi "orke the o!tsi e, Leslie "o!l "ork in the office, oing books an filing of her o"n "hile 7osh, 'ambi(s seven3month3ol son, pla#e in his crib% If b!siness "as slo" the# move the crib o!tsi e to the main room% Leslie "as happ# to accommo ate her "orker, "ho "as a goo frien as "ell as an emplo#ee% Leslie angle the skeleton from her fingertips, then place it on top of the bo$ an h!rrie !p to the front to ans"er the ing that anno!nce the arrival of a c!stomer% 'ambi co!l eal "ith the bo$ later8 ma#be "hile 7osh nappe an Leslie "orke on the books, "atching her pl!s col!mn slo"l# "in le% B!t ma#be, 1!st ma#be, it "o!l rise to a#% She certainl# hope so% 99999 4Look, I(ve kno"n Leslie Hopkins since she "as knee high to a grasshopper% She(s not a r!g sm!ggler%4 2ee 7acobs took a eep breath, then lifte the binoc!lars !p to his face again% Someone ha 1!st gone into Spice is )ice, an ol er "oman "ho i n(t seem at all angero!s% 4I i n(t sa# she "as a r!g sm!ggler,4 2ee replie % 4I sai someone is !sing the packing firm to sm!ggle r!gs, an "e believe the# targete her shipment to provi e them to #o!r area% 'he shippers hire me to see "hat I co!l fin o!t%4 2ee glance at Chester Gross, the sheriff(s ep!t# assigne to this area% He sat ramro straight behin the "heel of his car, b!t a slo" t"itch of his e#e let 2ee kno" he "as nervo!s, that he i n(t *!ite believe the man from Dallas "ho ha s! enl# inva e his space, making acc!sations of r!gs passing thro!gh his co!nt#% )obo # like to think the# ha illegal operations taking place in their 1!ris iction% /n the# especiall# i n(t like g!#s from the big cit# sho"ing !p, ca!sing a stink%

4Listen, I(m not here to arrest her% I co!l n(t o that even if she "as g!ilt#,4 2ee ass!re him% 4I(m a .I, not a cop%4 40hat happens "hen #o! ask me to arrest her, tho!gh, an she t!rns o!t to be innocent&4 2ee s"allo"e har , then reache for the can of so a sitting in the c!p hol er% He took a long s"ig, then clicke his tong!e over his teeth% 4Once again, "e on(t s!spect her% I have t"o other agents tracking t"o other shipments that left Dallas the night before last% /ll of them "ent to ifferent parts of the state% 0e(re "atching them all% It(s not the recipients, it(s somebo # "orking for the shipping compan#%4 He co!l tell that little bit of information placate Chester 1!st a little% B!t it i n(t ease his fears totall#% He "as still "orrie that one of his resi ents "as a ope sm!ggler% 4'ell me something, 2ee % If the#(re !sing the bo$es, then ho" oes the person getting the r!gs from the shippers act!all# take possession of them&4 4I on(t kno",4 2ee lifte his bro"s as an ol er la # came o!t of the cafe, hol ing a large "hite bo$ that 2ee "as s!re containe a pie, or a cake% His mo!th "atere at the tho!ght of a thick slice of pie an a c!p of coffee% 4Is she a goo cook&4 4One of the best,4 Chester sai % 4Don(t tell m# "ife, b!t her pies are some of the tastiest eating I ever p!t in m# mo!th% She p!ts 1!st the right amo!nt of spices into things% I think that(s "h# she calls the store Spice is )ice% Her pecan pie is #!mm#, an if #o! a a scoop of ice cream on it, or "hippe cream%%%man, I(m getting h!ngr# 1!st thinking abo!t it%4 4'hen let(s go get some,4 2ee sai , slicking back his hair an r!bbing his han s together% 4Intro !ce me as a person fascinate b# ghost to"ns% 'ell her #o!(re frien s "ith m# parents, "ho gre" !p nearb# an move a"a#% 0ill that stor# "ork&4 40ell, Leslie(s live her all her life, so her famil# is liable to have kno"n an#one "ho "as aro!n here, even for a "hile% B!t I "ent to college at 'ech, so I "as gone for fo!r #ears% 0e can sa# I met #o!r folks at school%4 4.erfect,4 2ee replie % 4Let(s go%4 'he# steppe o!t into the "arm afternoon an 2ee (s stomach r!mble at the smell that hit his nose as the# neare the cafe% He co!l make o!t t"o istinctive aromas, p!mpkin pie, an coffee, goo strong coffee from the scent "afting o!t the cafe oor% He p!lle open the screen an !shere Chester in first, !sing his secon place arrival to take a look aro!n % It "as a *!aint little shop, "ith tables an chairs otting the floor% +ach table "as set "ith the !s!al con iments #o! "o!l see in a coffee shop, along "ith a horseshoe shape napkin hol er that "as f!ll% Several booths set along the "alls, b!t the shop "as empt#, an 2ee "on ere ho" b!siness "as in this small to"n% 'he har economic times ha

been to!gh on ever#one% 0o!l Leslie Hopkins take a vantage of a chance to sm!ggle to make some e$tra cash& Chester i n(t think so, b!t sometimes #o! i n(t kno" people as "ell as #o! tho!ght #o! i % 2ee t!rne his ga-e on the "oman "ho "as no" greeting Chester% Leslie "as tall, an pl!mp, 1!st the right si-e to his point of vie"% She ha a nice c!rv# fig!re, "ith large breasts an bea!tif!l hips% Her ark hair "as tie !p, an he "on ere ho" long it "o!l be "hen she let it o"n% Ha-el e#es flickere 1o# at seeing her ne" c!stomers% He g!esse her to be abo!t thirt#, ma#be a #ear #o!nger or ol er, b!t no more% He "atche her gest!re to the co!nter an sa" there "as no ring on her right finger% Chester ha tol him she "asn(t marrie , b!t it i n(t h!rt to check things o!t for #o!rself, 1!st to be s!re% He ga-e a"a# from the co!nter to see her e#eing him "ith interest an he smile at her% 42ee 7acobs% I(m an ol frien of the Gross famil#%4 4)ice to meet #o!% 6(all come in an take a seat% 0hat(ll it be& I have a fresh bake p!mpkin pie, a pecan pie, an the !s!al assortment of cookies, oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, an pean!t b!tter% I ha a cheer# pie, b!t I 1!st sol it%4 2ee (s stomach gr!mble an "hen Leslie la!ghe , he notice the "a# her e#es lit !p even more% She i n(t seem like the r!g sm!ggling t#pe that "as for s!re% 4.!mpkin&Or pecan& Or ma#be a little sliver of both&4 She cocke her hea an 2ee felt his bo # respon % Damn, she "as prett#, that "as for s!re% 4Both% 6o! talke me into it% 0ith some ice cream, please%4 She "inke at him, then t!rne to Chester% 4/n #o!&4 4Same, thank #o! Leslie% 0e(ll 1!st take a seat over here b# the "all, if that(s oka# "ith #o!%4 Her la!gh "as infectio!s, an 2ee felt a tinge of g!ilt abo!t l#ing to her abo!t his real p!rpose for coming into her shop% ,a#be he sho!l ask her abo!t the shipment she( receive earlier, tell her "h# he "as reall# there an isc!ss the case% B!t that "o!l n(t be right% )ot #et% 'echnicall#, right no", she "as still a s!spect an he nee e to treat her as s!ch% 'hat meant asking some probing *!estions if he co!l get her to sit o"n "ith them% 'he# selecte their table an 2ee "atche her "alk to"ar the co!nter% It "as a ver# nice vie"% 0hile she "as preparing their foo , he leane across the table to Chester% 4Get her to 1oin !s%4 40h#&4 4I 1!st "anna talk to her, that(s all% Come on, 1!st for a little bit% It(s not like she has an#one else in here%4 Chester no e , altho!gh 2ee co!l tell he "asn(t thrille "ith the sit!ation%

2ee co!l hear the ings an electronic b!ttons of micro"aves, an before long a plate loa e "ith t"o slices of pie appeare before him% Large scoops of ice cream sat on top of the pastries, an she place h!ge m!gs of coffee in front of them, along "ith a 1!g of cream% 47oin !s,4 Chester sai , an 2ee co!l tell he "as looking for an e$c!se, something to make her "ant to sta#% /s it t!rne o!t he i n(t have to% 4Don(t min if I o%4 She set o"n a thir c!p of coffee, then took a seat% /fter octoring her coffee she t!rne a pointe ga-e on 2ee % 40hat brings #o! to Dante(s .eek, 2ee &4 4Bla e%4 He took a sip of his coffee an then sank his fork into the pecan pie, slicing off a bite an sli ing it thro!gh the melting ice cream% He lifte the ripping concoction to his mo!th an then felt as if he "o!l melt into a p! le of goo as the tastes mi$e together in his mo!th% It "as the most ama-ing thing he( eaten in *!ite some time% 4So goo ,4 he sai after the foo sli o"n his throat% He took a bite of the p!mpkin, oing the same thing "ith it that he( one "ith the pecan% It "as probabl# the best slice of p!mpkin pie he( ever ha % 4'his is incre ible% 0here i #o! learn to cook like this&4 4,# mother,4 Leslie sai "ith a la!gh% 4+ver# month she comes b# an asks "here her share of the profits are, since I(m !sing her recipes% Of co!rse I(ve a e a fe" things, too, so the#(re not hers totall#% I give her free pie an coffee%4 'he# all la!ghe , an 2ee "as so b!s# eating that he i n(t even bother to tr# an ask her *!estions% He "o!l get to that soon eno!gh% Depen ing on ho" things progresse , an ho" m!ch time he spent in Dante(s .eak, he( probabl# gain ten po!n s% He( go back to Dallas an ever#one "o!l ki him abo!t eating his "a# thro!gh the case% 4So, o #o! like ghosts&4 2ee "ipe his mo!th, then took a s"ig of his coffee before ans"ering her% She "as polite eno!gh, he( notice , to "ait !ntil he "as one eating to ask her *!estions% 46eah, the#(re fascinating%4 'he tr!th "as he i n(t believe in ghosts, nor i he give a rat(s behin if an#one else i % 'he# "ere 1!st something to keep people occ!pie , he tho!ght% B!t he i n(t "ant her to kno" that% /fter all, if he i n(t believe in ghosts, there "o!l be no reason for him to come to Bla e, "o!l there& Of co!rse in this instance the term ghost to"n "as mislea ing% 0hat it reall# meant "as a to"n that ha ie a"a#8 it i n(t mean there "ere ghosts r!mbling aro!n in the ol , r!n o"n b!il ings that "ere still aro!n % 4Di Bill# the Ki reall# sta# there&4 4'hat(s the r!mor,4 she sai "ith a grin% 4He "as the most famo!s of all the o!tla"s "ho "ere there, obvio!sl#, an most of the people "ho visit o so beca!se he "as there% Have #o! been o!t there #et&4

4)o, I haven(t% I 1!st got here, an m# folks tol me to make s!re an look !p Chester, so that(s the first thing I i %4 She no e , then "inke at Chester% 4He(s great, isn(t he&4

4Definitel#,4 2ee sai , reall# meaning it% Chester ha tol him he( one some checking on 2ee "ith the Dallas .D, b!t other than that he( been ver# forthcoming abo!t the small to"n, an "hat he tho!ght "as happening there: absol!tel# nothing% 4Ho"(s b!siness&4 2ee took a rink an "atche her reaction caref!ll#% Her fro"n "as gen!ine, an he felt sorr# for her as she t!rne a ga-e on the empt#, e$cept for them, shop% 4:er# slo",4 she sai softl#% 4It(ll pick !p for the fe" "eeks before Hallo"een, an then aro!n 'hanksgiving an Christmas I(ll get a lot of local b!siness, people "anting me to make pies for their famil# gatherings% B!t after that, it gets reall# slo" !ntil :alentine(s Da#, "hen cookies sales pick !p for a "hile%4 4Sort of seasonal "ork, h!h&4 He smile at her, gratifie "hen she smile back% She reall# "as ver# prett#, an if he "asn(t caref!l, it co!l en !p being ver# istracting% 4I s!ppose #o! co!l sa# that% 0e have goo months an ba months, like all b!sinesses, b!t 'an i(s come !p "ith a ne" i ea that might bring in more cash%4 Oh reall#, like offering to take in a r!g shipment& 2ee cleare his throat% 42eall#& 0ho(s 'an i, an "hat i she come !p "ith&4 4Sorr#,4 Leslie sai "ith a la!gh% 4I forgot #o! i n(t kno" her% She(s m# assistant, an she(s fab!lo!s% 0e(re going to start selling Hallo"een favors, ecorations an little so!venirs that fit in "ith the month, an hopef!ll# "ith the to"n% 0e 1!st got the first shipment to a#% 0ant to see& 6o! g!#s "ill be the first, an #o! can tell me if #o! think the#(ll sell or not%4 2ee felt as if La # L!ck ha 1!st smile at him an then p!she the perfect opening into his lap% 4S!re%4 4Definitel#,4 Chester sai , no there he( been so *!iet% ing% 2ee ha almost forgotten the man "as

'he# all got !p an troope to the back room% 'he first thing 2ee notice "as the open back oor% 'he screen oor "as close , b!t it still "as an open invitation for an#one to come insi e% He "alke over an looke into the alle#% / *!ick glance at the screen sho"e him it "asn(t locke % 4)othing there b!t the trash cans,4 Leslie sai % 4I leave it open on nice a#s like to a# so "e have a little bit of "in moving thro!gh the store% In the mornings it(s especiall# nice, after the ovens have been on for a "hile%4 2ee "as s!re she "as right% He t!rne to"ar her as she p!t her han on the bo$ sitting on the table% 'he bo$ move an the startle look on her face ma e him fro"n% 4Something "rong&4

46eah,4 she p!she at the bo$ again an her fro"n eepene % 40hen I p!t this bo$ !p here earlier to a# it "as so heav# I co!l har l# lift it% )o" it seems light as a feather% Ho" o %4 2ee an Chester e$change glances, b!t before Chester co!l open his mo!th, 2ee shook his hea % Better to "ait !ntil the#( ha a chance to talk to her before the# bro!ght !p the s!b1ect of the possibilit# the bo$ containe things other than "hat she( or ere % He "alke to her an peere into the bo$% It "as half f!ll, "ith e$actl# "hat she( sai "o!l be insi e: Hallo"een novelties% 4'here(s some missing, too%4 'he agitation in her voice ma e him "ince% She r!mmage thro!gh the bo$, then t!rne to the open oor% He co!l tell e$actl# "hat she "as thinking, that someone ha come insi e "hile the# "ere in the other room an taken part of her favors% Of co!rse he kne" it "asn(t favors the# ha taken% It "as risk#, reall#, shipping r!gs in someone else(s containers% 'he chances of being seen "hile recovering them "ere prett# high% Of co!rse if someone etecte the illegal s!bstances there "as no "a# the# co!l be tie to the person reall# shipping them, that "as a pl!s for them, an a h!ge negative for the person receiving the shipment% He "asn(t s!re "h# he i "hat came ne$t% ,a#be it "as her prett# e#es, or the sa "a# she looke at the bo$, "on ering "h# someone ha taken part of her shipment% 4If #o! check the invoice, I(m s!re #o!(ll iscover ever#thing(s there,4 2ee sai "ith a fro"n% 40hat o #o! mean&4 She shook her hea an glare at him% 4I mean, somebo # hi1acke #o!r bo$ at the shipping center an a e something illegal to it% 'hen, "hile #o! "ere in the other room, the# came back here an got it%4 Her look of horror ma e him "ant to take her in his arms% She t!rne Chester, "ho no e % 'hen she t!rne back to 2ee % 4/re #o! a cop&4 4)o%4 He p!lle o!t his "allet, "incing "hen she took a step back% 4I(m a private investigator% /n if #o!(ll help me this "eek, "e(ll fig!re o!t "ho(s one this, an make s!re the# get arreste %4 / look of isbelief, an "ariness, crosse Chester "ho gave her a sa smile% her face% She t!rne back to to

4It(s tr!e, Leslie% I(ve ha him checke o!t an he(s clean% Somebo #(s !sing the shipping b!siness, an the#(re !sing #o!, too% 0ill #o! help !s bring him, or her, or them, in&4 2ee "as happ# that it took her absol!tel# no time to no % 46o! bet I "ill% Ho" are the#%4

4Goo ,4 2ee sai % 4'he first thing I "ant is to check an# invoices or packing slips that came "ith this crate% Di the eliver# g!# give #o! an#&4 46es, an the packing slip "as in the bo$% I p!t it o"n here%4 She p!t her han on the co!nter, then sighe heavil# an t!rne to 2ee % 4It(s gone%4 'he# searche the table, an the floor aro!n it, an then she let o!t a cr# of isma#% 4I hope this oesn(t make me look g!ilt#%4 4)ot at all,4 2ee sai % 4In fact, it reinforces #o!r claim% 'he# took the slip so #o! co!l n(t prove e$actl# "hat "as in the bo$% I bet if "e let a r!g og in here it "o!l hit on the bo$% I think "e nee more coffee, an "e nee to sit o"n an eci e "hat to o ne$t%4

Chapter '"o

Leslie felt as if her stomach "o!l collapse insi e her% She sat at a table in the front "hile 2ee "ent behin the co!nter an retrieve the coffeepot, bringing it over to refill their m!gs% She *!ickl# p!t in a packet of s!gar, then stirre it absentmin e l#% 0hen he( sat back o"n, she glance !p, alternating her ga-e bet"een 2ee an Chester% 4Someone "as in the back room, taking their illegal contraban , "eren(t the#& 'he# "ere back there "hile I "as !p here, "orking, or "hile "e "ere sitting here, eating an rinking an talking%4 46es%4 2ee no e at her% 4I(m reall# sorr#, tr!l# I am%4

46o!(re not intereste in the ghost to"n, #o!(re here to see if I(m a r!g sm!ggler%4 She sneere at him, b!t the look *!ickl# isappeare % He "as being ver# nice, reall# he "as% 'hat i n(t mean she like him, tho!gh% She "as prett# !pset abo!t the fact Chester might have tho!ght she "as a r!g sm!ggler% 4Ho" i #o! kno" to target the bo$es coming to m# shop&4 She glance at 2ee % 40e ha an informant,4 2ee replie % 4Dr!gs let the "areho!se in Dallas 'h!rs a# night going in three ifferent irections% It(s the l!ck of the ra" that I "as assigne to #o!r store%4 Leslie took a packet of s!gar, "iggle it aro!n , then tore it open, t!rning it over an slo"l# letting it rip into her coffee c!p% 40ho took them, that(s "hat I "ant to kno"%4 4,e too,4 2ee sai % 4'he fact the# got to them so *!ickl# means the# "ere "aiting nearb#, rea # to take the items the first chance the# got% /n it i n(t take long, i it& 0ho "as that "oman "ho "as here earlier&4 4Bett# 0hiteho!se& She lives 1!st over the bor er, in 'res Leches% She comes in abo!t t"ice a month to b!# a pie%4 4Do #o! tr!st her&4

4'r!st her& She(s a s"eet little ol la # "ho rives fift# miles to b!# her h!sban a pie, of co!rse I tr!st her% She an her h!sban o"n a ranch, complete "ith cattle an horses an lots of hire han s% 'he# provi e a great economic boom to o!r area, an the# make lots of mone#% 'he# on(t nee to sm!ggle r!gs%4 4Or, she(s a s"eet little ol la # "ho rives fift# miles to istract the clerk after r!gs have been elivere to her store, so someone can slip into the back an take st!ff from the bo$% ,a#be the#(re not oing as "ell as #o! think the# are%4 She narro"e her e#es at 2ee % 4I on(t like #o!r tone of voice% Don(t #o! are blame ,rs% 0hiteho!se for an#thing%4 46o! sa# she comes in t"ice a month& 0hen "as the last time she "as here before to a#&4 He "as staring at her no", "ith those green e#es that seeme to go straight to her so!l% She "ante to reach across the table an slap the smile from his face% 4She "as here last "eek%4 42eall#& /n "hat is to a#, the si$, seventh& /n she(s alrea # been here t"ice this month, "hen she onl# comes in t"ice a month !s!all#&4 'he hairs on the back of Leslie(s neck bristle % She co!l n(t, "o!l n(t, believe ,rs% 0hiteho!se ha an#thing to o "ith r!g sm!ggling% /fter all, she( been coming into Leslie(s shop since it opene t"o #ears ago% S!rel# she ha n(t been oing this all along% 46o!(re f!ll of it%4 She stirre a packet of s!gar into her coffee, took a sip an grimace % 46!ck%4 4I "o!l sa# so,4 Chester sai % 4'hat(s abo!t the thir packet of s!gar #o!(ve p!t in there%4 4Something(s got to be one%4 She bange her fist on the table% 4Sho!l n(t #o! be back there taking fingerprints or something&4 45ingerprints of a bo$ that(s alrea # been han le b# at least ten people&4 2ee shook his hea % 4It "o!l n(t o !s an# goo % )either "o!l fingerprinting the oor% Someone "o!l 1!st sa# the#( been in the alle# at some point in time an to!che the screen%4 4'hat(s 1!st an #,4 Leslie sai % 4So the# 1!st get a"a# "ith it& 0hat are #o! going to o&4 2ee leane to"ar her an she ga-e into his e#es% His presence "as calming, an him moving a little closer ma e her feel better abo!t "hat "as happening% S!rel# he ha a plan% S!rel# he co!l make things right& Co!l n(t he& She still co!l n(t *!ite believe this "as happening at all% 4I have a plan,4 he sai softl#, glancing bet"een her an Chester% 4B!t #o! ma# not like it% 6o! have t"o other shipments coming in, on(t #o!&4 Her e#es "i ene % 4/n 1!st ho" o #o! kno" that&4 4Best #o! on(t have an# i ea ho" I kno",4 he sai softl#% 4S!ffice it to sa# "hen "e think someone is receiving illegal r!gs, "e have them checke o!t%

'he compan# sa#s the#(ve alrea # receive shipping information abo!t t"o more elivers here, one tomorro", an one ne$t "eek%4 4'hat(s right%4 Leslie trie not to be too !pset abo!t the fact someone ha been looking at information abo!t her, probabl# both abo!t her private life an her personal life% 4'he# "ere s!ppose to be Hallo"een treats, to bring more people into the store, to make things festive for the holi a#%4 40ell, #o!r treats have t!rne into tricks, b!t I(m going to help #o! fig!re o!t "ho i it, an "e(ll take care of it together%4 She narro"e her e#es, st! #ing him% He "as a han some man, that "as for s!re: right at si$ feet tall, t"o h!n re po!n s8 he ha "av# ark hair an those gorgeo!s green e#es that ma e her feel as if she co!l melt on the spot% She p!rse her lips, then sighe % She i n(t kno" the man from / am, that m!ch "as tr!e% B!t she( kno"n Chester since she "as a little girl, an if he sai things "ere going to be all right, then the# "o!l be% She looke at the ep!t# in *!estion an he no e , giving her a look that let her kno" that, no matter "hat, he( also be there, helping her cope "ith this% Leslie looke back at 2ee % 4/ll right% 'ell me #o!r plan%4 99999 4Is this #o!r s!btle "a# of telling me I(m fire &4 Leslie glance at 'ambi, "ho stoo in the oor"a#, gentl# bo!ncing 7osh on her hip% 40hat& )o;4 40ell, "hen I come in for "ork an see a man "earing an apron an "hat I normall# o, I get a little nervo!s%4 oing

Leslie p!t the fa$e papers she hel on her esk, then t!rne to her frien % 4I tol #o! #ester a#, he(s 1!st a frien of Chester(s "ho(s o"n on his l!ck% I offere him a part3time 1ob to "ork in the mornings, "hile #o!(re not here%4 'ambi i n(t look convince , tho!gh, an Leslie felt a t"inge of g!ilt for l#ing to her frien % She( "ante to tell her the tr!th, b!t 2ee ha insiste it "as a ba i ea% 4If she(s not in on it, giving her that t#pe of information co!l make things angero!s for her, if the person, or persons, responsible start asking *!estions% Best to let her think I(m 1!st a ne" co3"orker% Onl# #o!, Chester an m#self "ill kno" the tr!th%4 /t the time he( sai the "or s she( been convince % B!t no", staring at 'ambi(s "orrie face, she "asn(t so s!re% She ha to shore !p her frien (s sense of belonging at Spice is )ice% 4I(m not firing #o!, an #o! can take that to the bank% I 1!st i this as a favor to Chester%4 'ambi no e , altho!gh she still seeme a little less s!re of herself% Leslie kne" 'ambi nee e the mone# from both her 1obs to make en s meet, an that seeing 2ee behin the co!nter onl# ma e her think ba things%

40h# on(t #o! go an tell him he(s relieve ,4 Leslie sai "ith a smile% 4'hen #o! can "ork the after3school r!sh% 6o! can leave 7osh here "ith me, if #o! "ant%4 4'hat(s oka#, m# mom(s coming b# for him% She sa#s she oesn(t get to see him eno!gh%4 Leslie "on ere if that "as the reason for Carol(s s! en interest in her gran son, or if 'ambi aske her to come b# beca!se she tho!ght Leslie i n(t "ant 7osh in the store an#more% She eci e not to p!sh the iss!e, tho!gh, an no e % 45ine% 0hen #o! relieve 2ee , "o!l #o! sen him back here, please&4 'ambi no e , an abo!t ten min!tes later 2ee came thro!gh the oor, still "earing his apron% 'he sight ma e Leslie smile% 'he "hite garment meant to protect his clothing i nothing to etract from his masc!linit#% He "as absol!tel# gorgeo!s% 46o! rang, boss&4 He "inke an her heart beat 1!st a little faster% 4Here are the tracking papers the# fa$e to me% /ccor ing to them the bo$ "eighe fort# po!n s "hen it shippe %4 He took the papers an fro"ne % 40o!l "eighe & /fter all, #o! lifte it%4 #o! sa# that(s ho" m!ch it

46es, "hen it first got here that(s ho" m!ch it "eighe % B!t #o! kno" as "ell as I o that "hen "e picke it !p #ester a# afternoon an p!t it on the scale it "eighe fo!rteen po!n s%4 He no e % 4Sorta smart on their part, I think% / fort# po!n bo$ is heav#, #eah, b!t not over the top% Don(t make it so heav# that someone "ill "ant to investigate, or charge more for it%4 He sat to a#&4 o"n on the e ge of her esk% 4Ho" man# bo$es are coming in

4'hree%4 She "alke to her esk an picke !p a sheet of paper% 4'hen, ne$t "eek, the shipment "ith the '3shirts has five bo$es%4 Leslie "atche him consi er the information% 4If I "ere them, I "o!l n(t p!t an#thing in the to a#(s bo$8 that "o!l thro" #o! off, or so the# "o!l think% I "o!l "ait !ntil ne$t "eek, "ith the '3shirts%4 She felt as if her "orl "as crashing o"n on her% 4Of co!rse, the# ma# not o it at all an#more% 6ester a# co!l have been a one shot thing, not that "e reall# believe that%4 4Obvio!sl# #o! on(t, since #o!(re still hanging aro!n %4 4Gee thanks, nothing h!rts m# ego like a "oman "ho sa#s I(m still hanging aro!n like I(m three3"eek ol garbage%4 She smile at him, her moo lightening 1!st a little% 4I i n(t mean it that "a#%4 She sh!ffle aro!n 1!st a little, then cleare her throat% 4'he tr!ck sho!l be

here "ith m# eliver# in less than ah ho!r% I(m going to make the river "ait "hile I check o!t the bo$%4 4)o, #o!(re not%4 46es, I am%4 She gave a lo" gr!nt% 4'his is m# b!siness "e(re talking abo!t%4 4/n fin ing o!t "hat(s going on is m# b!siness% Don(t make me regret telling #o! "hat(s happening%4 Leslie t!rne so fast she felt lighthea e % She p!t her han on the esk to stea # herself% 4Listen to me, "hile I repeat m#self ver# slo"l#% I agree to act as if #o! "orke here to help #o! investigate, b!t this is m# b!siness that(s on the line, an if I "ant to make the river stick aro!n "hile I check things o!t, then I "ill%4 4If #o! o that, #o!(re 1eopar i-ing ever#thing% 'he# can(t kno" "e(re on to them% 0e have absol!tel# no evi ence from #ester a#%4 4+$actl#, "hich is "h# "e nee to catch them in the act to a#%4 She no approval at her reasoning% e

46es, "e o, b!t "e on(t "ant them to kno"% I o!bt ver# serio!sl# the river is in on this, b!t if #o! open the bo$, an fin r!gs insi e, the first thing he(s going to o is go back an tell his s!periors, then the# sh!t things o"n an "e(re o!t of l!ck%4 4'hat "on(t happen%4 40atch an see% 6o!(ll follo" m# r!les on this%4 He stoo !p, an Leslie "as remin e of his si-e, his strength% 4Listen, this is m# store%%%4 She 1erke her hea to"ar the knock at the back oor% 4'here he is no"% 'he point is m!te% I(m oing it%4 She h!rrie to"ar the oor, p!shing it open so the eliver#man co!l "heel his oll# insi e% 'here "ere five bo$es an she fro"ne % 4He# 5rank% I(m onl# s!ppose to get three%4 He p!lle o!t his machine an p!nche some n!mbers% 4'he# all have #o!r name on them,4 he sai , shr!gging% 4,a#be #o!(ve got a s!rprise here%4 40ell, let(s ope%%%4 Leslie(s "or s stoppe "hen 2ee grabbe her% He t"irle her aro!n , then slappe her behin % Her o!trage cr# fille the back room an he slappe her behin again% .ain from the sharp slap ra iate thro!gh her b!ttocks an she gaspe in o!trage, p!tting her han s on her hips an backing a"a# from 2ee % 'hen he t!rne to the eliver#man an "inke % 4Sorr#, 1!st a little game "e(re pla#ing%4 5rank grinne , tr#ing to hi e his obvio!s la!ghter% Leslie glare at 2ee , then t!rne back to 5rank% 4I(m going to%%%o!ch;4 'his time she steppe a"a# from 2ee , "ho ha s"atte her behin t"ice more% /n this time 5rank la!ghe o!t lo! %

4Listen, I can take the hint if #o! t"o "anna be alone to pla# na!ght# girl gets a spanking%4 He thr!st the machine to"ar 2ee , "ho took it an signe % 4Have a goo time%4 5rank r!she o!t the oor an Leslie crosse to"ar 2ee , her arms raise to slap his face% He grabbe her "rist, t!rne her an elivere five more s"ats, the so!n of it filling the back room% Leslie pra#e that 'ambi, or an# c!stomers, i n(t hear the spanking% She str!ggle as he p!lle her against him% 4Behave, an calm o"n%4 46o!(re fire ; Get o!t%4 She contin!e to str!ggle b!t he hel her bo # close to his% /nger soare thro!gh her, making her "ant to scream% Instea she silentl# f!me % 0ho the hell i this man think he "as& 4Let go of me%4 4)ot #et, not !ntil #o!(re calmer%4 She eteste the h!mor she hear in his voice% 4Besi es, #o! can(t fire me from m# fake 1ob% /n that(s e$actl# "hat it is, remember& 5ake%4 4Calmer& 6o! 1!st spanke me% Ho" are #o!&4 She p!she o!t "ith her arms, tr#ing to break free from him b!t it "as !seless% He hel her close, his e#es alight "ith h!mor% 0as he la!ghing at her& Ho" are he; 4I i n(t reall# spank #o!,4 he replie % 4It "as a fe" taps% If #o! "ant a spanking I(ll give #o! one% It "as the onl# "a# I co!l think of to istract #o! an keep #o! from opening the bo$es in front of the eliver#man%4 46o! 1erk, #o! creep, #o! as%%%4 4Don(t sa# it%4 46o!%%% onke#%4 She str!ggle more% 4Let me go an get o!t% )o"%4 4)o%4 He tightene his grip an she "ante to cr# o!t in fr!stration% Ho" are he treat her this "a#& She( agree to have him sta# here beca!se she i n(t "ant someone to !se her as an !n"itting r!g sm!ggler, an here he "as, spanking her% 'he# stoo together for a fe" min!tes, her back p!lle into his chest, his arms still tight aro!n her "aist% 4/re #o! going to calm o"n&4 'he !nr!ffle tone of his voice ma e her "ant to scream more% Ho" are he act as if nothing "ere "rong& 45ine, I(m calm% B!t I(m "arning #o!, !nless #o! leave, I(m calling Chester an have him forcibl# take #o! from m# store%4 4Do!bt it%4 He loosene his hol 1!st a little% 4Don(t #o! "ant to see "hat(s in the e$tra bo$es&4 4Of co!rse I o%4 She sta#e still, her anger still high% 4It oesn(t mean I "ant to o it "ith #o! aro!n tho!gh% 2ight no" I think #o!(re a big, fat 1erk%4 4I i "hat I felt I ha to o%4 He loosene his grip b!t she i n(t r!sh o!t of his arms% She "as afrai if she move too *!ickl# he( spank her again%

45ine, 1!st on(t o it again%Creep%4 'his time she p!she against his hol an he release her, letting her step a"a# from him% She t!rne an narro"e her e#es, letting him kno" e$actl# "hat she tho!ght of his actions% 4Don(t% 6o!% +ver% Do% 'hat% /gain%4 0hen he i nothing more than lift his e#ebro"s at her, she "ane to lash o!t an slap him% Instea she steppe to"ar "here 5rank ha left the stacke bo$es% 4Don(t open them #et,4 2ee sai % 4I reali-e "e both "ant to kno" "hat(s insi e, b!t I think it(s best if "e "ait for Chester% Let me call him% 'hen, "hen he gets here, "e(ll open the bo$es an see "hat(s insi e%4 4/n if I ref!se& If I sa# this is m# store an I "ant to open them right no", to see "hat(s insi e&4 4'hen I might think #o!(re someho" g!ilt# in all of this% 6o! sho!l cooperate "ith !s, make it easier on all of !s, incl! ing #o!, an think of the big pict!re% 0e nee to b!st this thing !p, fig!re o!t "hat(s going on% /n to o that "e nee a la" enforcement official here "hen "e open the bo$es%4 Leslie hate to a mit he "as right% Despite her anger at her spanking, especiall# the fact he( one it in front of 5rank, she sho!l n(t fl# off the han le% 'he bo$es nee e to be seale "hen Chester arrive % 'hat "a# she co!l n(t be acc!se of planting something insi e them% 7!st beca!se 2ee "as "orking "ith her i n(t mean he i n(t think she might be involve % He might 1!st be here to keep an e#e on her in case she "as involve % 45ine, I(m going !p front, b!t on(t #o! ever, ever, spank me again% Do #o! !n erstan me&4 His grin ma e her "ant to thro" !p% 4I !n erstan , b!t I(ll o "hat nee s to be one% So #o! o me a favor an on(t o an#thing that eserves another spanking% 6o! have to a mit, it "orke % 6o! "ere prett# istracte %4 She ble" a raspberr# at him, then stalke into the main part of the store% / fe" c!stomers sat at tables, en1o#ing s"eets an coffee% 'ambi "aite on a fe" high school st! ents "ho "ere b!#ing so as an cookies% 0hen the# "ere gone, she grinne at Leslie% 46o! sho!l have 1!st tol me the t"o of #o! "ere pla#ing aro!n % 'hat "a# I "o!l n(t have feare for m# 1ob%4 40e(re not pla#ing aro!n %4 42ight,4 'ambi sai , her grin gro"ing% 4I peeke in to investigate the noise an sa" him spanking #o!% 'hat(s pla#ing aro!n %4 Leslie fo!ght the !rge to tell her the tr!th% She i n(t for one min!te believe 'ambi "as involve in an# r!g sm!ggling, b!t if 'ambi tol her mother "hat "as happening, then it "as possible her mother "o!l tell someone else, an then all hell "o!l break loose, as the# sa#% She ma# be angr# "ith 2ee right no", b!t sabotaging the "hole investigation "o!l get them absol!tel# no"here% Best to 1!st let 'ambi think the# "ere 1!st ki ing aro!n %

4I have to a mit, he is prett# han some,4 'ambi sai "ith a "ink% 4Ho" long have #o! kno"n him, reall#& /n "h# are #o! not telling an#one #o!(re involve &4 Leslie trie to think *!ickl#% 'hings 1!st "eren(t "orking o!t the "a# she "ante % 4I haven(t kno"n him that long,4 she sai , tr!thf!ll#% 4/n I(m not positive it(s going to "ork% I on(t "ant to let things o!t, an then have ever#bo # *!estion me like there(s no tomorro" if it oesn(t "ork o!t, #o! kno" "hat I mean&4 'ambi(s sa look let her kno" she kne" e$actl# "hat she meant% Small to"ns "ere notorio!s for gossip, an 'ambi ha en !re more than her fair share "hen she( ate a man she( tho!ght "o!l marr# her an love her forever, then ha skippe to"n the min!te he( iscovere she "as carr#ing his bab#% 46o!r secret(s safe "ith me,4 'ambi sai "ith a "ink% 4I "on(t tell a so!l I sa" him spank #o!% I promise%4 4'hanks% It "asn(t reall# a spanking, 1!st a fe" taps%4 Oh gee-e, no" I(m efen ing him& I nee to get a grip on m#self an reali-e that he(s not a goo g!# "here I(m concerne % 40hatever it "as, it "as contact, an it s!re looke like a spanking from m# en %4 'he# both looke to"ar the 1ingle of the front oor% Leslie s"allo"e a cr# of shock "hen Bett# 0hiteho!se strolle in, a h!ge smile on her face% 4Hi,4 Leslie groane o!t the "or even as her stomach race o"n to the floor, falling so *!ickl# she tho!ght she "o!l faint% 4Back so soon&4 4'he han s gobble !p that pie #ester a# like it "as "ater% I tol them I i n(t b!# them all the time, 1!st ever# once in a "hile, b!t the# begge me to come back an get a fe" more to a#, so I(m here% I(m hoping #o! have several pecan an p!mpkin ones ma e !p alrea #% 'hat(s "hat the# re*!este %4 Leslie "on ere "hat sort of noise she co!l make to get 2ee to come r!nning, so he co!l see his n!mber one s!spect ha ret!rne % /n no" that she "as back, Leslie ha to a mit that it ma e her look prett# g!ilt#% She( never once mentione an#thing abo!t b!#ing pies for her ranch han s% It ha al"a#s been abo!t b!#ing pies for her h!sban % 0hat ha bro!ght abo!t the change& She( alrea # been in t"ice this month, an no" she "as here, back for the secon a# in a ro"% /n it 1!st happene to be on a a# "hen the store ha receive a eliver#% Leslie smile , then cleare her throat% 40e have 1!st "hat #o! nee , ,rs% 0hiteho!se% I have something to take care of in the back% 'ambi "ill help #o!% +n1o# #o!r pies%4 She trie not to h!rr# as she "alke to"ar the back room% If 2ee ha been right, then ,rs% 0hiteho!se "as being !se as bait !pfront "hile someone "as empt#ing the bo$es in the back% B!t "hen Leslie ma e to leave, ,rs% 0hiteho!se i n(t make a move to stop her% Instea she chatte "ith 'ambi abo!t pies% 'he last "or s Leslie hear her sa# before she "ent into the back room "as that she tho!ght she might b!# a fe" o-en cookies, too%

0hen Leslie arrive in the back room, she "as s!rprise to fin it empt#% 5ear grippe her insi es% 'he !nopene bo$es still sat in the same place the#( been earlier% She took a step insi e an calle 2ee (s name% )o ans"er came an she took another step% 42ee &4 'he back oor fl!ng open an she 1!mpe , p!tting her han on her chest as 2ee came back insi e% 40here have #o! been&4 4'r#ing to chase the pick!p that p!lle !p o!tsi e, then took off "hen the# sa" me in here% <nfort!natel# I(m too ol to go as fast as a car%4 4,rs% 0hiteho!se is o!tsi e%4 She repeate "hat the ol er "oman ha tol her, an 2ee no e , his fr!stration evi ent b# the look on his face% 4She i n(t tr# to stop me from coming back here, an I ref!se to believe she( p!t me in harms "a#% She(s too s"eet for that%4 4I "o!l sa# that means she has no cl!e abo!t "hat(s going on,4 2ee replie % 4Her han s are !sing her%4 He no e to someone behin her, an Leslie t!rne to fin Chester stan ing in the oor"a#% Chester looke at the bo$es, then glance back at 2ee % /fter 2ee relate the tale of the pick!p, Chester sighe % 4Let(s open them !p an see "hat(s insi e% 'hen "e(ll eci e "here to go from there%4 Leslie picke !p her bo$ c!tter, caref!ll# slicing open the first bo$% She p!lle o!t several han f!ls of small plastic caskets an sk!lls% +ach han f!l ma e her hopef!l that she "o!l fin nothing more than "hat she( or ere % B!t after a fifth scoop of so!venirs, she stare o"n at the bro"n paper "rappe package that sat near the bottom of the bo$% 4Something tells me that(s not Hallo"een can #,4 she sai "ith a eep sigh%

Chapter 'hree

4,a# I ask e$actl# "hat #o!(re oing&4 Leslie stare at 2ee , "ho stoppe "orking long eno!gh to give her a look that sai she sho!l kno" e$actl# "hat he "as oing% He starte to p!t more of the big bro"n bags that the# no" kne" hel cocaine into the bo$es% 42ee , ans"er me%4 4Go in the other room, please%4 She !g her heels in, espite his or er, an shook her hea % 4)o "a#% 'ell me e$actl# "hat(s going on, right no"%4 4Leslie, this isn(t #o!r investigation, it(s mine%4 He gave her another look, this one a little softer% 4/n altho!gh I kno" this h!rts #o! to kno" people have !se #o! in this "a#, Chester an I have eci e the less #o! kno" abo!t this the better% .lease, go in the other room%4 'he shop "as still open, an for a '!es a#, there "ere *!ite a fe" people milling abo!t, b!#ing slices of pie an hot rinks% It ha been cool to a#, an

Leslie kne" that al"a#s attracte people to the store% Still, 'ambi ha ever#thing !n er control, an there "as no "a# Leslie "as leaving right no"% 2ee "as 1!st going to have to eal "ith it% 4Listen, b!ster, I(ve sai it before, an I(ll sa# it again% 'his is m# store, an I "ant to kno" "hat(s happening% )o", #o! either tell me "h# #o!(re p!tting the r!gs back in the bo$ instea of Chester taking them to the sheriff(s epartment, or I(m calling !p me ia o!tlets in /marillo, an /lb!*!er*!e, an spilling m# g!ts% I(ll tell them ever#thing, 1!st to make s!re the stor# gets o!t an people kno" I ha nothing to o "ith the sm!ggling%4 'he shocke look on his face ma e her smile% 46o! "o!l n(t%4 4'r# me%4 He stoppe "hat he "as oing, an she "atche him consi er the pros an cons of letting her kno" "hat "as happening% 5inall# he shook his hea in efeat an sighe in isg!st% 40e(re setting a trap% 0e(re prett# s!re the g!#s "ill come back tonight for the goo ies% 0e(re going to make it look like the bo$es haven(t been opene % 'he# "ill either take the entire bo$, "hich I o!bt beca!se it "o!l be a re flag that someone "as here, or the# "ill open the bo$es, take o!t their merchan ise an then reseal them% 0hile the#(re oing that, I(ll be able to snap a fe" photos "ith a fantastic camera I have that "orks "ell in ark places% 'hen, after ne$t "eek, "e(ll be able to "atch the g!#s "e see tonight, an track the r!gs, see "hether the people "e(re "orking "ith right no" are the act!al ealers, or if the#(re 1!st mi le men tr#ing to make a *!ick b!ck%4 4/n #o! "eren(t going to tell me this%4 4)o, "e "eren(t%4 She "atche 2ee caref!ll# tape the bo$ sh!t, then move on to the ne$t one% 4I(m sta#ing "ith #o!, tonight%4 He stoppe opening the bo$ an shook his hea , a look of astonishment on his face% 4I on(t think so% It co!l be ver#, ver# angero!s% 6o!(ll be at home, sn!ggle in #o!r "arm little be , an I(ll be here, oing m# 1ob%4 Leslie crosse her arms over her chest an sneere at him% 4I hate to tell #o! this, b!t I o"n this b!il ing% 0itho!t m# permission, #o!( be trespassing% .l!s, if I happene to come in here an fin #o!, "ho(s to sa# that I i n(t think #o! "ere the b!rglar& 'hen I( have to call the cops an have #o! arreste %4 4,a#be I(ll 1!st have to tie #o! !p an ever#thing(s one%4 leave #o! on #o!r co!ch !ntil

4,a#be I(ll have to have #o! arreste for ki napping, then% Get !se to it, 2ee % If #o!(re setting !p a trap in m# store tonight, I(ll be there, "hether #o! like it, or not%4 He finishe the secon bo$ an move to the thir one% 4It(s not a trap, it(s a s!rveillance e$periment% I(m not going to make an# sort of contact "ith these g!#s% I(m 1!st going to "atch them take the r!gs%4

4'o me that makes #o! almost as g!ilt# as the# are% 6o! sho!l stop them, arrest them%4 He stoppe "hat he "as oing an t!rne to her% 45irst off, I(m not a cop% Secon off, "e have to look at the big pict!re here, remember% I tol #o! "e "ere going to track them, see "hat happens "ith them% If these g!#s start istrib!ting the r!gs to people for them to sell, then Chester an his starre b! ies can arrest them an "e(ll all feel better at night% If the#(re hol ing them to give to someone else for eliver# "e "ant to kno" that% Stopping the shipment ring, an then taking o"n the istrib!tors is o!r main goal%4 4Leslie, co!l #o! help me, please%4 'ambi st!ck her hea insi e, smiling like a ki at Christmas "hen she sa" the t"o of them talking% She "inke at Leslie, then 1erke her hea !p front% 40e(re reall# b!s#, an I(m falling behin on "aiting on people%4 Leslie no e affirmativel#, then t!rne back to 2ee % 4'his isn(t over% 'r!st me, I(m going to be here tonight, no matter "hat #o! sa#%4 99999 2ee took a sip from a "ater bottle, then stare at the oor lea ing to the front of the store% He ha to come !p "ith a sol!tion that "o!l keep Leslie a"a# from the store tonight, an he ha to o it *!ick% He pon ere the i ea of telling Chester to thro" her in a 1ail cell, b!t that "o!l raise too man# *!estions% 'here ha to be some "a#, tho!gh, to keep her from coming o"n here an p!tting herself in harm(s "a#% He ha no o!bt the sm!gglers "o!l ret!rn tonight, an "hen Leslie sa" them, she "o!l freak o!t an scream, or o something else to call attention to herself, an him% If that happene , there "as no telling ho" the sm!gglers "o!l react, an things co!l get ver# mess#% /n he i n(t "ant that to happen% /n i ea forme in the back of his min , p!shing its "a# for"ar % He tosse it aro!n , t"eake it a bit, then grinne to himself, taking another s"ig of "ater before stan ing !p an going to the front of the store% Both Leslie an 'ambi "ere "orking har , "ith the tables being mostl# f!ll% Leslie "as o!t amongst the cro" , a coffee pot in one han an a plate of cookies in the other% He kne" she "as p!shing the slices of pie that sat in the containers on the co!nter% He looke at the ispla# case, sa" t"o h!ge chocolate cakes he ha n(t seen there before% It remin e him that Leslie got there earl#, an spent a goo portion of her morning baking% ,a#be he sho!l 1!st let nat!re take its co!rse tonight, invite her along an she( be asleep "ithin ten min!tes of inactivit# "hile the# "aite for their pre#% 'hen he p!she that i ea a"a#% 'here "as no "a# she "o!l fall asleep% She( be "a# too e$cite abo!t seeing "ho "o!l come in the back oor% He crosse to 'ambi an gave her a frien l# "ink% 4Har a#&4

4/ little bit,4 she replie % 40e(ve been prett# b!s#%4

4So it "o!l seem% 6o! kno" "hat #o! nee , a night o!t on the to"n%4 Her smile confirme her nee to let loose for a little "hile, an he patte himself on the back for thinking of this% 46es, #o!(re right, b!t m# mother(s "atching 7osh right no", an I on(t think I can convince her to make it an all nighter, or at least !ntil I got home% So, I 1!st have to sta# at home, like ever# night, an "atch ':% He lifte his e#ebro"s in "hat he hope "o!l look like an 4I 1!st got an i ea,4 move% 40h# on(t #o! let Leslie an me "atch him tonight% 0e(ll have a great time, an "e(ll sta# at #o!r ho!se !ntil #o! get back%4 Or at least she "ill% 'he min!te #o!(re gone, I(ll be o!t of there, an there "ill be no "a# Leslie can follo" me "ith a bab# in to"% 4Oh, I co!l n(t ask #o! to o that%4 4S!re #o! co!l , an believe me "hen I sa# "e( love it% Come on, "hat o #o! have to lose% In fact, "h# on(t #o! take off right no"& I(ll help Leslie finish !p here !ntil closing time, an "hen #o!r mother brings 7osh b#, I(ll make s!re ever#thing(s taken care of%4 40ell, Leslie has sat for me before, b!t before I leave, I(ll have to ask her%4 4)ah, 1!st go on an have some f!n% 6o!(re onl# #o!ng once%4 2ee "atche her face as the i ea pla#e o!t% She reall# "ante to ask Leslie, b!t then again she "as a little frightene Leslie "o!l sa# no, an she reall# "ante to go o!t for the night% 4Come on, 'ambi% It(s a little more than an ho!rs rive to /marillo% 6o! co!l go "ith a frien , eat inner, ma#be go to a movie, an then be back before mi night% B!t to be back that soon #o!( have to leave no"%4 I(m s!re m# g!ests "ill be here b# then, an Leslie can "hine an cr# all she "ants% B# the time she(s one bab#sitting, tonight(s e$pecte f!n "ill be over an one "ith% 4/ll right, if #o!(re s!re Leslie "on(t care if I go, then I(ll o it%4 She !ntie her apron% 4I(ll call m# mother from m# cell phone an tell her to rop 7osh off !p here% Leslie has a ke# to m# ho!se%4 4'errific,4 2ee replie % 4Have #o!rself a goo time, an 6o! eserve a night on the to"n%4 99999 Leslie parke her car in the high school parking lot, t"o blocks from the store% She( foot it from here, coming !p in the front an letting herself in% Her bloo still boile from 2ee (s little scheme to keep her from the evening(s activities% She( rante an rave "hen the store ha close , an he( tol her 4the#4 "ere s!ppose to bab#3sit 7osh tonight% Of co!rse she kne" "hat he reall# mean "as 4she4 "as s!ppose to bab#3sit "hile he "ent to the store an "atche the sm!gglers take ever#thing from the bo$es% She "as amne if she "as going to let that happen% Instea she( "aite !ntil he "as gone, then calle Celia .erkins, offering her fort# ollars if she( on(t h!rr# home%

come over to 'ambi(s ho!se an bab#3sit% Celia "as a high school st! ent, an it "as a school night, b!t Leslie ha ass!re her it "o!l be fine for her to fall asleep on the co!ch, an Leslie "o!l "ake her "hen she ret!rne % 'hen she( calle 'ambi to inform her of the change in plans% 'ambi ha imme iatel# beg!n to apologi-e, sa#ing 2ee ha tol her it "as fine "ith him% Leslie ha ass!re her things "ere fine, b!t something ha 4come !p,4 that she( nee e to take care of% She( let her think that it "as a h!ge or er at the store, an that Leslie "o!l spen the night baking% /fter making s!re 'ambi "o!l n(t sho" !p, Leslie ha given Celia her fort# ollars, then set off to let 2ee 7acobs kno" he co!l n(t p!ll one over on her% She h!rrie to the store, silentl# !nlocking the front oor an letting herself in *!ickl#% 'he onl# light on "as "hat she !s!all# left on, behin the co!nter% She kne" 2ee "as !p in the rafters in the back room, sitting an "aiting% She( riven b# before she( parke , an ha n(t seen an# cars o!tsi e% Since it "as 1!st after ten, she i n(t think the ba g!#s "o!l have sho"n !p alrea #% Leslie took off her shoes, then silentl# ma e her "a# to the oor bet"een the rooms% Her e#es gleame "ith mischief at the imagine look on 2ee (s face "hen she sho"e !p% She( sho" him "ho "as boss, that "as for s!re% Once insi e the back room she h!rrie to the stairs, "incing "hen the first one creake as she steppe on it% 2ee (s m!ttere c!ss "or hisse % 4/n h!rr# !p%4 ma e her smile% 4Get #o!r ass !p here,4 he

She climbe the stairs *!ickl#, moving off to the right% He la# on his stomach, his hea t!rne to"ar the oor% 40here(s the bab#&4 40ith a bab#3sitter% /n ho" are #o! rag 'ambi into this%4 40hat I "as tr#ing to o "as keep #o! o!t of here% I hope #o! kno" this p!ts #o! in some serio!s hot "ater "ith me%4 4Bite me%4 She la# o"n ne$t to him, keeping her e#es traine on the oor% 4I can(t believe #o!( go to s!ch lengths to keep me from here% 'hat(s a reall# crapp# thing to o, if #o! ask me%4 4I "as tr#ing to protect #o!% 'his co!l iscovere things co!l get nast#%4 be angero!s, #o! kno"% If "e(re

4I on(t plan on them seeing me% I on(t kno" abo!t #o!, b!t I can sta# silent%4 42eall#& Like #o!(re oing right no"&4 She shot him an evil glare% 4Listen, b!ster, I think #o! are the334 4Sh!sh;4 He p!t his han on her arm an p!t his free finger to his lips% 'hen he mo!the the "or s, 4someone(s here%4

Her heart "ent into over rive as she reali-e she( sho"n !p 1!st before the sm!gglers% She s"allo"e har , then looke over at 2ee "ho shook his hea in isg!st% 4Sta# *!iet, no matter "hat,4 he mo!the , an she no e %

'he back oor opene "ith a heav# th! an she pra#e the# ha n(t broken the lock% B!t seeing the ease "ith "hich the# entere ma e her nervo!s% She nee e to invest in a sec!rit# s#stem, or at least a fe" ea bolts% 40ake the neighbors "h# on(t #a&4 'he eep male voice ma e her strain to see if she co!l p!t a face "ith it% 2ee kept his han on her arm, p!shing her back% 4'here(s nobo # aro!n ,4 a secon voice ans"ere % 4<nless she(s got mice% I hope not% I(ve eaten here *!ite a bit%4 4'here(s no mice,4 the first voice replie % 4/n there !nopene % 0e(re amn l!ck#%4 there are the bo$es, sitting

She co!l hear their feet moving across the floor, an then ever#thing "as silent% 'he first voice spoke again% 4Di #o! bring the tape from the tr!ck&4 4)o, I tho!ght #o! "ere going to o it%4 4Go an get it% 0e "ant to make s!re "e(re ver# caref!l so the bo$es on(t look like an#one(s been in them%4 5irst voice sta#e in place "hile secon voice move to"ar the oor% 0hen he opene it, the light from the streetlamp ill!minate his face an Leslie gaspe , thro"ing her han over her mo!th to tr# an hol in the so!n % Secon voice looke aro!n , then h!rrie back to his frien % 4Di #o! hear that&4 4I i n(t hear a thing% Go an get the tape so "e can get this one an get the hell o!t of here%4 Secon voice h!rrie across the room again, b!t Leslie co!l tell he "as taking it slo"er than before% She "as afrai to look o!t over the e ge again, fearf!l he might be looking in her irection an see her "atching him% If that happene , all hell "o!l break loose, 1!st like 2ee sai it "o!l % She kne" she "as in for it once the t"o g!#s belo" "ere gone% 2ee "o!l probabl# #ell at her for isobe#ing him, an part of her tho!ght he might be right% 'he other part "as s!re she "as right "here she sho!l be% /fter all this "as her store, an she eserve to kno" "hat "as happening, i n(t she& It took the better part of an ho!r for them to complete their task, an Leslie "as fin ing it har to sta# still% Once in a "hile she looke over at 2ee , "ho ha a small camera traine on them% She "asn(t e$actl# s!re ho" it "o!l "ork "ith the arkness, b!t mo ern technolog# "as a "on erf!l thing% If an#thing else the# ha a goo recor ing of both their voices% 'he i entit# of the secon voice still ma e her cringe "ith isappointment% It "as ver#, ver# sa that he( stoope so lo" as to o something like this, an to rag her into it b# !sing her shop "as even lo"er%

0hen the# "ere one going thro!gh their bo$es, the# carrie their loot o!t to the tr!ck an caref!ll# p!lle the oor sh!t% Leslie starte to stan b!t 2ee shook his hea , keeping her in place% /bo!t five min!tes later he no e an stoo himself% 46o! never kno" if the#(re going to come back or not,4 he sai once the# "ere both stretching% 42!nning s!rveillance is not f!n, an it can be ver# boring% 0hose voice i #o! recogni-e&4 4.at ,ichaels% I "ent to high school "ith him, altho!gh he "as a #ear behin me% He(s "orking at the 0hiteho!se ranch right no"%4 4/n the other voice&4 2ee istracte % "as fi ling "ith the camera an so!n e

4I have no i ea% It i n(t register "ith me at all%4 He m!ttere something istracte l#, then no e an set the camera on a nearb# table% 4So, are #o! happ# #o! isobe#e me an came o"n here to sit an o nothing%4 4I i entifie one of the ba g!#s, i n(t I& I "o!l n(t call that nothing%4 She "ante to stick her tong!e o!t at him b!t she kne" it "asn(t the a !lt thing to o% Still, his overbearing temperament "here this sit!ation "as concerne "as past ticking her off% She ha a h!ge stake in ho" this t!rne o!t% 4I co!l have one that "ith the tape I 1!st ma e%4 He gest!re to the camera, then p!t his han s on his hips an foc!se on her intentl#% 'he look in his e#es ma e her nervo!s, b!t she p!she it a"a#% 'his "as her store, after all, an she co!l o "hat she "ante in it% If he gave her an# tro!ble she( 1!st kick his b!tt to the c!rb an he co!l con !ct his investigation from the si e"alk% 46o! nee me%4 She ma e s!re her voice "as eep, an gave off a sense of po"er% 46o!(re right, I o% B!t that oesn(t mean there aren(t conse*!ences to "hat #o! 1!st i %4 Before she kne" "hat "as happening he( sp!n her aro!n an gathere her in his arms, lifting her !p an carr#ing her to"ar the chair that sat near the far "all% She "as over his lap "ithin secon s, an "hen he t!gge on her loose slacks an panties, an then gave easil#, she reali-e e$actl# "hat he "as going to o% 4Don(t #o! are;4 B# the time the "or s "ere o!t of her mo!th he( alrea # slappe her no" bare ass% 46o! creep;4 She fo!ght against his hol b!t it i no goo % His han came o"n over an over again, stinging her bottom, the pain co!rsing thro!gh her an making her ma er than she( ever been in her life% 7!st "ho i this man think he "as& 4'here(s a reason I tol #o! to sta# a"a# from here tonight%4 'he slaps gre" har er an she trie to scoot off her lap% He graspe her tighter, tho!gh, an elivere t"o har slaps to each b!ttock% 4Hol still;4 4Scre" #o!;4

46o! co!l have been h!rt, ba l#, if the# ha hear #o! an eci e to come !p an investigate%4 'he spanking kept !p an tears st!ng her e#es% She "o!l be amne , tho!gh, if she "o!l let him see that% /n since she "as s!re her emotion "o!l sho" in a "obbl# voice, she kept her mo!th close , too% 40hat I o!ght to o is take m# belt off, give #o! a spanking #o! "o!l n(t soon forget% 'hat "o!l help #o! to pa# more attention "hen I tell #o! something, "o!l n(t it&4 4Go to the evil%4 She balle !p her fist an slamme it into his calf% His #elp of pain "as satisfactor#, b!t before she co!l o it again he( stoo her !p, gathering her han s behin her back in one of his% He imme iatel# sat back o"n, hol ing her han s in the small of his back "hile his han came o"n over an over on her no" aching behin % 4I s"ear, #o!(ll regret this;4 'he pain "as gone from her voice no", replace b# anger8 a rage that ran eep insi e her% )obo # ha ever spanke her before, not as an a !lt, an it "asn(t something she ever "ante to have happen again% 0hen he finall# slo"e o"n, his slaps still lan ing b!t "ith less intensit#, an fre*!enc#, she hear him sigh% His han r!bbe her b!rning b!ttocks an she trie to p!ll a"a#% 4Let me go%4 4)ot #et% 6o! nee to reali-e "h# I i this% 'hat gasp #o! let o!t co!l have given !s a"a#, an if the# ha fo!n !s, there(s no telling "hat the# "o!l have one%4 4.at ,ichaels is not a killer%4 46o! think& '"o ho!rs ago, #o! probabl# "o!l r!g sm!ggler, either% /m I right abo!t that&4 have tol me he "asn(t a

She i n(t ans"er him beca!se she kne" he "as right% She never "o!l have tho!ght .at "o!l have taken part in something like this% 40hen people o something like this, that is highl# illegal, the# on(t "ant to be ca!ght% 0hen the chances are high that the# "ill be ca!ght, like tonight, the#(ll o an#thing to make s!re it oesn(t happen% /n that incl! es m!r er%4 5ear race thro!gh her "ith his "or s% Oh lor , he "as right% She ha n(t tho!ght abo!t it that "a#% She "as 1!st pisse as all get o!t at him for tr#ing to e$cl! e her from the stakeo!t% /s reali-ation sank in, her bo # starte to tremble, an not from pain, from fear% He r!bbe her bottom an she trie to inch a"a# again, b!t he hel closel#% 4Do #o! !n erstan "hat I(m sa#ing&4 46es%4 She trie , an faile , to stan one more time% 4.lease let me go%4 4)o% )ot #et% I "ant to make s!re #o! get the message%4 He starte spanking her again, his han falling right on top of the spots it ha lan e before, making her bottom ache more% She crie o!t in shock an pain b!t he i n(t stop% her

4)e$t% 'ime% 6o!% 0ill% Listen% 'o% ,e%4 He p!nct!ate each "or "ith a har slap on both b!ttocks, an "hen he "as one, he elivere ten more, she kne" beca!se she co!nte them, tr#ing to keep her min off the agon# no" racing thro!gh her bottom% 4Oka#, oka#; I get the message% .lease stop, please;4 His to!ch "as soft no" an he helpe her to stan , t!rning her so that the# "ere face to face, her "ith her pants an panties aro!n her ankles, her behin throbbing from the spanking he( 1!st given her% 4I hope I(ve ma e m# point%4 46o!(ve more than ma e it% If I i n(t have to "orr# abo!t the possibilit# of somebo # acc!sing me of r!nning r!gs thro!gh m# store I( kick #o! o!t an never let #o! back in%4 'he smile he gave her ma e her even ma er than she( been 1!st min!tes ago% She kicke o!t at him, then reali-e she "as still half resse % Her cheeks b!rning "ith embarrassment she p!lle !p her pants an panties, b!ttone them an then t!rne to"ar the stairs% 0hen she "as at the top, she fi$e an evil glare on him% 4Don(t #o! ever to!ch me again, an on(t ever speak to me again, either, !nless it has something to o "ith this case% 'hat(s the onl# thing I(m ever# going to sa# abo!t "hat 1!st happene % B!t I(m "arning #o!, if it happens again, or if #o! break m# comman s, I(ll contact #o!r s!periors in Dallas an make s!re #o!(re fire % I hope #o! !n erstan me e$actl# the "a# #o! "ant me to !n erstan #o!%4 'hen she ma e s!re her back "as ramro straight, an "ent o"n the stairs into the col October night%

Chapter 5o!r

5or t"o a#s, Leslie "ent o!t of her "a# to avoi speaking to 2ee % She "as so angr# "ith him she co!l spit nails% Her behin ache the f!ll a# after the spanking, b!t "as fine no"% 'he fact her bo # no longer ache i n(t take a"a# the mental pain she still felt% She "o!l fin some "a# to get back at him, she "as s!re of it% She 1!st ha to "ait for the right moment to pop along% Of co!rse he might b# gone b# ne$t ,on a#, after the last eliver#, "hich "as 1!st fine "ith her% Goo ri ance as far as she "as concerne % ,a#be she sho!l follo" thro!gh on her threat to call his s!periors in Dallas, let them kno" "hat a cretin he "as, threaten to s!e !nless 2ee "as fire % It "as "hat he eserve as far as she "as concerne % She "ante to kick him o!t of her cafe forever% B!t more than that she "ante the people !sing her store for their rop off point for r!gs to be ca!ght, an convicte % Convicting them "as the to!gh part% 'he#( !se 2ee (s vi eo,

grain# an ark as it "as, to i entif# the secon thief on '!es a# evening as ,ark Sampson, a han at the 0hiteho!se 2anch% Leslie ha arg!e that since the# ha that information, the# i n(t nee to !se her store again% B!t Chester ha sai the# "ere coming !p "ith a plan, an she nee e to be patient, an things nee e to sta# as the# "ere% Chester convince her she co!l n(t let on to an#one "h# 2ee "as reall# in to"n% It "o!l be best, he sai , to act as if the# "ere seeing each other romanticall#, an things "ere getting hot an heav#% 'hat might be to!gh to o, she tol him, since the# "eren(t even speaking an#more% 0hen he( lifte an e#ebro" in *!estion she shook her hea , letting him kno" she "asn(t going to spill the stor#% Leslie "as prett# s!re Chester ha r!n to 2ee for an e$planation, an she "as 1!st as s!re 2ee "o!l n(t tell him% If there "as one thing she( give him cre it for, it "as the fact that he "as iscreet% He "o!l n(t give o!t etails abo!t the spanking, she "as s!re of it% Still, she kne" Chester "as c!rio!s, an she kne" he "o!l contin!e to ig% B!t he "o!l n(t fin o!t "hat ha happene , not if she co!l help the sit!ation at all% On 5ri a# afternoon, Leslie came o!t of the storeroom to fin 2ee sitting "ith Chester an his "ife, )anc#% Leslie ha al"a#s like )anc#, "ho "as a s"eet "oman "ho al"a#s trie to sprea s!nshine% 'o a# "as no ifferent% 0hen she sa" Leslie she h!rrie to"ar her, enveloping her in a h!ge h!g% 4I(m so gla #o!(re coming tonight% It(s going to be col , so remember to "ear a nice "arm 1acket%4 She shivere for effect, then giggle % 47acket&4 46es, for the football game% )o", #o! an 2ee are coming to o!r ho!se first for inner, aro!n si$ or so% 'hat gives !s time to eat an get to the game in time to get a goo seat%4 Leslie kne" her e#es "ere probabl# b!lging o!t in horror, b!t she co!l n(t help it% She "asn(t a big fan of football, an high school football, especiall# si$3 man, "asn(t her c!p of tea, especiall# since it "as s!ppose to be ver# chill# tonight% 4'onight&4 46!p%4 She t!rne to "ave at her h!sban , "ho ha calle her name an then tappe his finger on the glass of his "atch% 4Gotta r!n% 2emember to ress "arml#%4 0hen the# "ere gone, Leslie crosse to 2ee , stopping ne$t to him% 40hat have #o! gotten me in to&4 4I(m sorr#, are #o! talking to me&4 He p!t his han s on his chest% 4I tho!ght I "as persona non grata aro!n #o!%4 4If #o! think I(m going to sit o!tsi e an free-e m# b!tt off for #o!r cover, #o!(re sorel# mistaken%4

4/re #o! reall# going to t!rn that nice la # o"n& Dinner "ill be elicio!s, an I promise to keep m# han s to m#self, even if "e(re c! le !n er a blanket together to keep "arm%4 4In #o!r reams% I(m not going%4 He stoo an checke his "atch% 4I(m going home to sho"er% I(ll pick #o! !p aro!n five thirt#% Ho"(s that so!n &4 4Drop ea %4 His la!gh ma e her "ant to slap him across the face% 4'hat(s "hat I love abo!t #o!% 6o! al"a#s kno" the right thing to sa#% See #o! tonight%4 'he cafe close earl# on 5ri a# evenings, to allo" ever#one time to go home an eat an get rea # for the game% High school football "as a h!ge thing in 'e$as, an Leslie kne" it% 0hile she "as in school going to the games "as one thing, b!t since she( been o!t of high school for more than ten #ears, she "asn(t too thrille abo!t going to the game% /n going "ith 2ee efinitel# "asn(t on her to3 o list% She close !p the shop, "ishing she ha n(t let 2ee talk her o!t of the ne" locks on the back oor% He( ass!re her the crooks alrea # ha "hat the# "ante , !ntil ,on a# that is, an "o!l n(t be back% She "asn(t so s!re, an the first thing she planne to o "hen this "as all over "as reinforce the locks on all the cafe oors% 'he rive home "as *!iet, an she ha to pass the high school% Despite the col , people "ere o!tsi e tailgating, cooking hot ogs an vario!s other foo s in preparation for the game% Despite the fantastic smell, she "as efinitel# gla )anc# ha n(t s!ggeste that t#pe of inner, beca!se Leslie "asn(t !p for stan ing o!tsi e an# longer than she ha to% /s that i ea passe thro!gh her min , she mentall# hea slappe herself% Here she( been telling 2ee she "asn(t going, an "hen she passe the football fiel her first tho!ght ha been she "as gla the# "ere eating in oors, an not o!t% It "o!l be the first game she( been to in *!ite some time, an she "as looking for"ar to it, if she tol herself the tr!th% Getting o!t amongst the to"nspeople "as goo a vertising for the cafe% /n if she ha to go "ith 2ee to make things right, she s!ppose that "o!l "ork o!t 1!st fine% She( 1!st make s!re she remin e him this "as b!siness, not pleas!re% She "as oing this to help "ith his cover, to s!pport the i ea he "orke at the store beca!se the# "ere an item% 0hen she ro!n e the corner of her street she "as s!rprise to fin his tr!ck parke in front of her ho!se% She p!lle into the rive"a#, "aiting for the garage oor to open f!ll# before p!lling insi e% 0hen she came o!t he "as "aiting% 46o!(re earl#,4 she sai , shaking her hea % 40h#&4 4Beca!se I misse #o!,4 he sai "ith a la!gh% 4Ha; ,ore like #o!(re afrai I "o!l back o!t, an #o! "ante to be here earl# in case #o! ha to talk me into going%4

His smile tol her she( hit the nail on the hea % 4Don(t "orr#, I(m going beca!se I like )anc# an Chester, not beca!se of #o!% B!t I "ant to go insi e an p!t some "arm clothes on first%4 46o!(re not going to make me "ait o!tsi e, are #o!&4 4I(m thinking abo!t it%4 She opene the oor an gest!re for him to follo" her% She change into 1eans an a cable3knit s"eater, making s!re to p!t on a pair of flannel !n ies to fight against the col % 'he# ha inner at the Gross ho!se, an she "as ver# s!rprise to fin herself la!ghing an 1oking at some of the things 2ee sai % She i n(t "ant to like him, b!t as the meal progresse , she fo!n herself en1o#ing his compan#% He tol stories of cases he( "orke on, an ho" some cases "ere more interesting than others% 4Sort of like right no",4 he sai "ith a smile% +ver#one la!ghe an he la!nche into another stor# abo!t a ivorcing co!ple an the mischief the#( pla#e on each other, an ho" he( recor e it as the "ife(s emplo#ee% 4'he# en e !p getting back together, "hich "as one of the more satisf#ing cases I( "orke %4 /s he talke , Leslie glance at )anc#, then reali-ation a"ne % )anc# kne" e$actl# "ho 2ee "as, an she kne" "h# he "as in Dante(s .eak% 'his "hole stor# of coming to inner an p!tting on a sho" for )anc# to help 2ee keep his cover "as bog!s% She "ante to 1!mp !p an scream at them, b!t she "asn(t e$actl# s!re "hat she "o!l scream abo!t% She "as preten ing that she an 2ee "ere together for the benefit of )anc#, "ho "as preten ing she i n(t kno" e$actl# "h# 2ee "as in their fair cit#% 'he "hole thing "as prett# ri ic!lo!s, act!all#% B!t she "asn(t *!ite s!re ho" to broach the sit!ation, ho" to ease into the conversation "itho!t !psetting her frien s% She i n(t care if she !pset 2ee % /fter all, he "as a 1erk% Still, the "hole sit!ation rankle her an she "ante to sa# something% Instea she "ent thro!gh the entire inner, la!ghing at the appropriate times an p!tting in little comments that ma e it seem as if she "as en1o#ing herself, an "asn(t ma abo!t their eception% /fter inner, she helpe to clean !p, then sat on the co!ch "hile )anc# an Chester "orke in the kitchen to pack a thermos of hot chocolate an some treats for eating !ring the game% 4I kno" #o! hate me, b!t #o! co!l at least pa# attention to the conversation%4 'here "as am!sement in 2ee (s voice an she t!rne to him% 4I on(t hate #o!% I espise #o!% 'here(s a ifference%4 His smile gre" an "hen he leane over an p!t his lips right ne$t to hers she ref!se to move% 'here "as no "a# she( back o"n from him% She "o!l n(t give him the satisfaction, she tol herself% 4Keep telling #o!rself that% 6o! might act!all# begin to believe it%4 His breath "as hot on her lips an sent chills !p her spine% 46o! like me beca!se I spanke #o!%4

4H!mph, #o!(re f!ll of #o!rself, #o! kno" it&4 'he fact he ha n(t move , that his face "as still right ne$t to hers, ma e her ma er% /t least she hope that "as the emotion that "as r!nning thro!gh her bo #% 46o! nee e spanking% It p!t some oomph in #o!r life, something to remin #o! there(s more to the "orl than #o!r cafe% Something to help #o! interact "ith other people, males specificall#%4 She snorte o!t a la!gh an narro"e her e#es% 42eall#& 'hat(s "h# #o! spanke me& I tho!ght it "as beca!se I "as a ba girl%4 She po!te an p!t great emphasis on the last "or s in the sentence% 46o! kno", if #o!(re looking to "oo a "oman, there are "a#s to o it other than spanking%4 46o! mean like this&4 He presse for"ar , his lips to!ching hers gentl#, she i n(t p!sh him a"a#, an she fo!ght back the response that gre" insi e her% His lips "ere soft an "arm an he kept the kiss light, "ith 1!st eno!gh press!re to sen a spark of esire straight into her core% She balle her han s into fists, tr#ing to concentrate onl# on them, sen ing all her tension an feeling into her fingers, fighting to keep from moaning an leaning into him% He ease back 1!st a little, their ga-es locking% She co!l rea the longing in his e#es, the esire to reach o!t an to!ch her% She sat ramro still, staring at her% 0hen he kisse her again her stomach pl!mmete to her toes, making it even more iffic!lt not to respon % 'his time his lips "ere more eman ing, the kiss more intense% His tong!e snake o!t to taste her b!t she enie him entr#, keeping her lips close % 0hen he p!lle back he looke o"n at her as if she "ere an ice cream s!n ae, an he "ere starving% She s"allo"e the esire to beg for another kiss, har er than the last one, then she snarle at him% 4Don(t ever o that again%4 His eep, sens!o!s la!gh ma e her "ant to slap him% 46o! like it% /n #o! nee e it% In fact, #o! nee more of it, both kissing an spanking% It(ll be goo for #o!%4 He strolle into the kitchen an Leslie "ante to follo" him, to smack his face an tell him she( change her min an "o!l no longer cooperate "ith his little sting% Let him "ork from o!tsi e the cafe, see ho" he like that, an ho" m!ch he co!l get one "itho!t access to her backroom% 'hen she trace her fingers over her lips% She co!l still feel the "armth of his kiss, the soft to!ch of lips% 'he craving intensifie an she s"allo"e har then shook her hea to clear the sensations% She "o!l n(t pla# his game, she "o!l n(t% He "as a 1erk "ho tho!ght he ha the right to iscipline her, an she( i n(t nee him "orming his "a# into her life% Besi es, he "o!l be leaving to go home to Dallas after ne$t "eek% 7!st let him tr# an kiss her again% He might get a fe" s"ats of his o"n% 99999 On Sat!r a# morning, Leslie "ent into "ork at five a%m%, "anting to get the 1!mp on the baking before 'ambi sho"e !p for the a#% It also helpe take her min off 2ee , something she( been !nable to o at home%

She( f!ll# e$pecte him to tr# an "orm his "a# into her home after the football game on 5ri a#, b!t he ha n(t% In fact, he( s!ggeste to Chester that the# rop her off at home before taking 2ee back to their ho!se to pick !p his tr!ck% 'he s!ggestion ha s!rprise her, an "hen she( gotten home she( checke the street ever# fe" min!tes for half an ho!r, f!ll# e$pecting him to rive !p% 'he tho!ght of kicking him to the c!rb ha fille her "ith glee, b!t he ha n(t sho"n !p, an she( finall# gone to be , thinking he( gotten the message she "ante him to get% Beca!se that(s "hat she "ante , right& Leslie sighe heavil#, then thre" more flo!r onto the co!nter% If that(s "hat she "ante , "h# co!l n(t she stop thinking abo!t him& She fo!n o!t, tho!gh, that even tho!gh she "as baking, something she tr!l# love to o, her i ea to get her earl# an "ork him o!t of her s#stem "asn(t going accor ing to plan% 2ee "as still on her min , the memor# of his kiss still fresh in her min % She trie as har as she co!l o p!sh it a"a# b!t it 1!st "o!l n(t "ork% She "as going to have to get ri of him, for goo % )o" she 1!st ha to fig!re o!t the best "a# to o it% She( alrea # p!t together three batches of cinnamon rolls, !sing o!gh she( ma e !p on 5ri a#, several pies an cakes, an a fe" batches of cookies "hen 'ambi arrive , "ith 2ee follo"ing right behin her% 46o!(re not nee e ,4 she sai , then gaspe "hen the paine look on 'ambi(s face let her kno" that 'ambi tho!ght she( been talking to her% 4)ot #o!, s"eetie, him% 0e can han le to a# alone, 2ee % Go home%4 'ambi h!rrie to the far si e of the kitchen, an 4lover(s spat,4 as her frien passe her% Leslie hear the "or s,

4'here(s no reason for #o! to be here to a#, tr!l#%4 She t!rne back to the co!nter, rolling o!t the o!gh for an apple pie% She i n(t "ant him here to a#, i n(t "ant the feelings he "as aro!sing in her% 0hen he p!t his han s on either si e of her hips she inhale sharpl#, then presse har er on the rolling pin in her han s% 4Stop that%4 4/re #o! ma beca!se I i n(t come calling last night& If I tho!ght #o! "o!l have let me in, I "o!l have come% B!t #o! sai #o! i n(t "ant me to kiss #o! again, remember&4 Oh, she remembere % /n she i n(t "ant him to kiss her% She i n(t "ant him to to!ch her% 4I mean it% Leave%4 4)o%4 He move to the other co!nter, "here alrea # bake goo s "ere cooling, an sniffe heavil#, sighing in appreciation% 4Smells elicio!s%4 Leslie t!rne to him, her anger gro"ing "ith each secon % She "as tire of his little game, tire of him being here% He "as a complication she i n(t nee in her life% She hefte the rolling pin in her han , then eci e it "o!l be too m!ch, so she reache for a "oo en spoon% 0hile he contin!e to st! # the pastries an goo ies she( ma e that morning, she crept !p behin him an

s"atte his ass "ith the spoon, savoring the so!n of it hitting his 1eans an the lo! cr# of s!rprise that escape his lips% She kne" his shock "as onl# reason she got off t"o more s"ats in *!ick s!ccession before he 1!mpe back an grabbe the spoon% 'he# str!ggle for control of it, both of them p!lling !ntil he 1erke it from her han % Leslie backe !p, then picke !p a secon spoon an "ave it at him% 4Get o!t of m# kitchen% Get o!t of m# cafe% 'here(s not another shipment !e !ntil ,on a# an #o! have absol!tel# no reason to be here%4 4Keep #o!r voice o"n% 0e on(t nee 'ambi learning o!r secrets, o "e&4 He a vance on her% She e$pecte to see anger boiling !n er his skin, b!t instea there "as am!sement in his ga-e% 4Give me that spoon%4 4)o% I mean it, get o!t%4 She "ave it at him like a fencing s"or an he bro!ght !p his o"n spoon, "aving it in the same fashion% 'he spoons met, the so!n of them slapping together filling the kitchen% 'he# ance aro!n each other, Leslie(s anger b!il ing as 2ee la!ghe an str!ck o!t "ith e$aggerate moves% She l!nge for him, hoping to slap the spoon against his ass once more% Instea he grabbe it, thro"ing it on the co!nter before grabbing her aro!n the "aist an propelling her to another nearb# co!nter% He p!t a foot on the r!ng, then hoiste her !p onto his thigh, hol ing her "ith one arm% 'he first crack of the spoon against her thin slacks ma e her scream o!t in anger% B# the fo!rth one she "as #elling at him to stop, b!t the spoon contin!e to lan % 40hat is going on&4 'ambi(s voice so!n e from the oor"a#, an "hen she gaspe , Leslie tho!ght she "o!l ie of embarrassment% 47!st a little spanking,4 2ee sai , bringing the spoon o"n repeate l# on her backsi e, the so!n of it slapping her ass filling the kitchen% 4Someone nee s an attit! e a 1!stment this morning%4 4Get #o!r han s off me #o! big creep;4 Leslie crie o!t in fr!stration, "hich gre" b# leaps an bo!n s "hen 'ambi la!ghe softl#% 4I s!ppose #o! t"o are gonna%%%!m%%%go%%%!m%%%!p front%4 having a lover(s *!arrel, so I(m 1!st

Leslie ref!se to scream at her to sta#, ref!se to sho" an# sort of "eakness% 2ee gave her t"o more s"ats, then stoppe b!t i n(t let her go% 4/re #o! going to behave&4 4/re #o! ki ing me&4 She kicke at him, screaming "hen the spoon hit her ass cheek% 46o! eserve it an I( o it again;4 4I g!ess that means I nee to hi e all the "oo en spoons in here, h!h&4 He release her so s! enl# that she almost fell% She "heele on him, rea # to lash o!t b!t he( alrea # "alke across the room, scooping !p the spoon she( !se to s"at him an then strolling from the kitchen as if nothing ha happene %

She stare after him, shock filling her s#stem% He( spanke her in front of 'ambi% 0hat "as ne$t& Or i she "ant to kno"& 5irst her frien s ha set them !p as inner ates, p!shing them together, an no" 'ambi ha seen him isciplining her like he ha the right to% 'he sit!ation "as getting "a# o!t of han % /fter "ashing her han s, Leslie h!rrie to the oor separating the kitchen from the main part of the cafe% 'ambi "as there, "aiting on a f!ll ho!se, mostl# people "ho "ere stopping b# for a *!ick bite to eat before hea ing to /marillo for the a#% 'hat "as the !s!all# "eeken sit!ation% 'he to!rists sho"e !p to travel to Bla e, an the locals "ent to the big cit# to o some shopping% She sa" 2ee bo$ing !p rolls an p!lling small cartons of milk from the refrigerator to sell to those "ho( place an or er% She ha to a mit he c!t a ver# fine fig!re of a man, stan ing there la!ghing an chatting "ith ever#one as if nothing ha 1!st happene , as if she ha n(t s"atte his behin , an he( spanke her in ret!rn% He tease the chil ren, han ing them an e$tra cookie, "ith their mother(s approval, an then flirte "ith the mothers an talke to the fathers abo!t the ball game last night% 'he longer Leslie "atche him, the more her stomach ch!rne % He fit in perfectl# here, as if he "ere a permanent part of the comm!nit#% Leslie i n(t kno" ho" long she( been staring at him "hen she reali-e someone "as staring at her% She t!rne her ga-e to 'ambi, "ho "inke an Leslie gave her a small smile% Leslie ret!rne it, tr#ing to make it seem like ever#thing "as perfect, like nothing "as "rong% B!t eep o"n insi e, Leslie kne" something "as "rong, terribl# "rong% Despite her tr#ing to convince herself other"ise she "as falling for 2ee 7acobs, spankings an all, an that "as a ver#, ver# ba thing% 99999 /t five min!tes to five the oor to the cafe opene an Chester st!ck his hea insi e% Leslie "ave at him an he "inke , then motione to 2ee % 'he t"o of them "alke o!t the front oor an stoo 1!st o!tsi e, their hea s together as if the# "ere planning something h!ge% Leslie "atche them "ith interest !ntil 'ambi tappe her on the sho!l er% 4I(m leaving% I(m gla to see #o! t"o aren(t fighting an#more%4 Leslie t!rne to her frien , "hose face glo"e "ith approval% 4'here is no co!ple, no !s%4 42ight% / man oesn(t spank his boss !nless the#(re part of a co!ple% It(s interesting, reall#, #o!(re in charge at "ork an he lets #o! kno" he(s in charge in other parts of the relationship% I think it(s perfect%4 46o! think spanking is perfect&4 46eah, I(ve been spanke , an I love it%4 4I i n(t love "hat happene to me to a#%4

'ambi took a step for"ar an gave Leslie a kno"ing grin% 4,a#be not to a#, b!t I bet #o! en1o# the other spankings, a lot%4 Before Leslie co!l ask "hat the 4other4 spankings "ere, 'ambi ha picke !p her p!rse an r!n o!t the front oor, at the same time 2ee came back in% 40hat are #o! still oing here& Go on, get o!t%4 4'est#, aren(t "e&4 He p!she in a chair, then glance at the "atch% 4Lock !p% 0e can stop b# #o!r ho!se to let #o!r change into "armer clothing% 'hat(s one thing I love abo!t this area, i I tell #o! that, fairl# nice a#s an cool nights in the fall% It(s a great mi$t!re%4 40h# o I nee to change& I(m not going an#"here "ith #o!%4 4S!re #o! are% )anc# packe !s a nice inner, an the t"o of !s are going to Bla e, to e$plore an have a little picnic%4 He hel !p his han "hen she opene her mo!th to ob1ect% 4Before #o! sa# an#thing, remember )anc# "ent to a lot of "ork to make this foo % It(s frie chicken%4 4'hen #o! can go eat it #o!rself%4 45ine, I "ill% I(m oing some sco!ting an#"a#, an #o!( probabl# 1!st get in the "a#%4 Leslie co!l tell a line "hen she hear one, an she "as shocke "hen she hear herself sa#, 4Sco!ting for "hat&4 40e(re prett# s!re o!r r!g sm!gglers are selling their goo s, in b!lk, to a ealer on '!es a# night in Bla e% I "ant to scope things o!t, an #o!(ll 1!st get in the "a#%4 Leslie "as prett# s!re he "asn(t bl!ffing, an she "ante to tell him to go to the evil, that she i n(t "ant to go on his sco!ting trip% B!t her c!riosit# "as pi*!e % She "as intereste in the case, an she co!l control herself in his compan# for one evening% 4)o kissing%4 'he smile he gave her for an ans"er ma e her toes c!rl% 4I mean it, 2ee %4 4I kno" #o! o%4 He "inke at her% 4B!t, like someone else "e kno", I(m not ver# goo at follo"ing or ers%4

Chapter 5ive

'he night "as cool, b!t not col % Still, the#( stoppe b# Leslie(s apartment so she co!l change into heav# 1eans an a s"eater% It sai something abo!t her mi$e emotions abo!t 2ee that she( change s"eaters fo!r times, each time looking in the mirror an "on ering ho" he "o!l look at that partic!lar article of clothing%

0o!l he think she "as tr#ing to be se$# b# "earing the fairl# lo" c!t :3neck s"eater& Or "o!l he think she "as tr#ing to hi e her looks b# "earing the t!rtleneck& 'he secon :3neck she trie on "asn(t that lo"3c!t, b!t it "as prett# tight, an it h!gge her c!rves, probabl# 1!st a bit too m!ch% She "asn(t s!re that "as the signal she "ante to give off% She finall# settle on a s*!are3necke s"eater that i n(t sho" too m!ch cleavage% 'hen she( selecte her heaviest pair of 1eans, in case 2ee "ent into spanking mo e again% Of co!rse she fig!re that reall# i n(t matter, either% She kne" he( some "a# to get her 1eans off her if he "ante to spank her tonight% fin

'hinking abo!t that bro!ght 'ambi(s comment abo!t 4the other spankings4 back to her min % Leslie kne" e$actl# "hat her frien "as talking abo!t% She "as prett# s!re erotic spankings "ere nothing ne", having been aro!n probabl# since the a"n of time% /fter all, the# feat!re heavil# in :ictorian erotica% /n since 'ambi tho!ght 2ee an Leslie "ere lovers, it "as no small "on er she "o!l make the leap from the spanking she( seen that morning to the i ea it "as something 2ee an Leslie practice in their se$ life, "hen in act!alit# there "as no se$ life% 4/re #o! 1!st itching to be at the ghost to"n "ith me after ark&4 Leslie "hirle to"ar 2ee , "ho stoo in the oor"a#, leaning against the oor1amb% He ha his arms crosse over his chest an the look on his face "as smol ering as he let his ga-e roam over her% 40hat are #o! talking abo!t&4 4I tho!ght that(s "h# #o! "ere taking so long, beca!se #o! "ante to get there after ark% 'hat "a# #o! can tell me #o!(re scare an r!sh into m# arms for me to save #o!%4 4In #o!r reams% I(ve been o!t there lots of times, an I(m telling #o! there(s no ghosts o!t at Bla e% 7!st a b!nch of ol b!il ings% I(m rea # to go%4 She stare to p!sh past him b!t he p!t o!t his arm, blocking her e$it% 40e co!l 1!st sta# here, an eat the inner )anc# prepare % Or not%4 His voice ha roppe to a lo" level, an from his tone she kne" e$actl# "hat he "o!l like to o rather than eat inner% /n she ha no o!bt it "o!l involve erotic spankings% 4)o, #o! haven(t been o!t there #et, an #o! "ant to scope it o!t, remember& 6o! nee to see "hat(s "hat before #o!r sting goes o"n on '!es a#%4 /n emotion she co!l n(t rea passe over his face an she fro"ne % 4Is there something #o!(re not telling me%4 4)o%4 'he se !ctive smile "as back% 40e can al"a#s go o!t to Bla e tomorro"% 0h# on(t "e sta# here tonight& I notice #o! have a fireplace% I(m goo at b!il ing fires%4

/s tempting as the offer "as, Leslie kne" it "o!l get her into nothing b!t tro!ble% She shook her hea an pointe to"ar the street% 4Do #o! "ant to rive, or sho!l I&4 'he# en e !p "ith 2ee riving his tr!ck% /s the s!n began to set, the night t!rne eci e l# chill#% 'here "ere a fe" picnic tables in a rest area near Bla e, an Leslie mentione those as places the# co!l sit an eat% 2ee ha ni$e the i ea, ho"ever, sa#ing he "ante to e$perience the atmosphere in the ghost to"n, even if it meant eating in the tr!ck, since there "ere no picnic tables or b!sinesses in the to"n% 'here "as ver# little light left "hen the# rolle into Bla e% Since she( been here man# times before, Leslie sat back an trie to ga!ge 2ee (s reaction% 'here "ere no lights, an in the "ane of the a# the to"n looke ver# eerie% 'he co!nt# ha torn o"n the b!il ings in the "orst shape% B!t, there "as one long set of b!il ings still stan ing, even tho!gh the# ha all seen better a#s% 0in o"s "ere boar e !p, an large signs "arne that the to"n "as aban one , an in isrepair% :isitors "ere tol to sta# o!tsi e the b!il ings, or to enter at their o"n risk% Leslie ha often "on ere e$actl# "h# no one ha from the co!nt#, then tore o"n ever#thing b!t the ol b!il a hotel, an a general store an gas station to to!rists "ho visits 1!st to see "here the ol o!tla"s ha bo!ght the ol b!il ings saloon% 'hen the# co!l accommo ate the man# roame %

4Somebo # co!l make a killing off this place,4 2ee sai , parking the tr!ck near the ol saloon% 4It "o!l take "ork, an lots of cash, b!t it co!l be a gol mine%4 4'here "eren(t an# gol mines aro!n here, that I kno" of% 'hose "ere in Colora o, or /ri-ona,4 Leslie sai , fighting a grin even tho!gh it "as ark an he co!l n(t see it an#"a#% 4:er# f!nn#, ,iss Smart# .ants%4 He t!rne to her an shook his hea mock isg!st% 4Shall "e eat then e$plore, or the other "a# aro!n &4 46o! "ant to move aro!n o!t here, in the ark&4 46eah% 0hat(s "rong, are #o! chicken&4 She sat !p straighter, then h!ffe o!t a la!gh% 4)o, I(m not chicken% B!t I(ve been here millions of times% 'here(s nothing here to see e$cept rotten b!il ings%4 4/n ma#be the ghost of a g!nslinger, or t"o%4 He st! ie her intentl#, then "iggle his e#ebro"s% 4Ba"k, ba"k, ba"k%4 4)o more chicken noises%4 Leslie reache for the oor han le% 4/n if #o! fall o"n an go boom, I(m not kissing #o!r boo3boo%4 She opene the oor, an in the ill!minate light of the cab she sa" the am!sement in his e#es% 4If #o! "ant to talk abo!t kissing, "e can sta# in here% I like kissing%4 in

4Let(s go, b!ster%4 She e$ite the cab an sh!t the oor so!n l# behin her, hoping he ha n(t seen the smile that ha lit !p her face% 0hatever happene tonight, she "as s!re she "asn(t going to leave this ghost to"n "itho!t being kisse , an kisse ver# so!n l#% She barel# hear him as he came !p ne$t to her, p!tting his arm aro!n her sho!l er an p!lling her close% 4Scare &4 4Do!btf!l%4 She p!she against his chest 1!st for sho", then rela$e a little, letting the "armth of his bo # seep into hers% 4Di #o! bring a flashlight&4 He hel !p his han an after a lo! click, a bright beam appeare % 4Heav#3 !t#%4 4I love a man "ho comes prepare %4 42eall#& Ca!se I have a con om, too% Several of them as a matter of fact% Bo!ght them this afternoon at the r!g store%4 4)ot that t#pe of prepare % I on(t kno" #o! "ell eno!gh for that%4 She h!ffe o!t another la!gh% 4/n #o!(re *!ite s!re of #o!rself aren(t #o!, bringing several of them along%4 4I am in ee ,4 he sai , leaning closer% His breath "arme her cheek an ma e her nipples tighten% 4/sk a"a#, I(m "illing to ans"er an# *!estion #o! p!t before me%4 4:er# "ell, "h# i #o! spank me&4 46o! kno" the ans"er to that one% )e$t%4 He steppe in front of her, t!rning off the flashlight an setting it on the cab% 'hen he p!t his han s on her hips an presse against her% She co!l feel his obvio!s aro!sal pressing against her stomach an insi es clenche % 4Don(t% .lease%4 her

He p!lle back a little, keeping his han s tight on her hips% 4Do #o! reall# hate me for spanking #o!&4 46es% )o% I mean, no I on(t hate #o!% B!t #o! sho!l n(t have spanke me%4 She grinne at him, an , in the soft moonlight, co!l 1!st make o!t the ret!rn grin he gave her% 4I on(t "ant to like #o!, beca!se of the spankings% B!t I o like%4 0hen he leane over to kiss her she p!t her han s on his chest, p!shing him back% 4'hat oesn(t change the fact that I live here, an #o! live in Dallas, an long istance relationships o not "ork% If I allo"e m#self to give in to temptation, I( onl# en !p getting h!rt in the en %4 4It oesn(t have to be that "a#%4 He caresse her cheek, his to!ch light% 4'here(s a efinite attraction bet"een the t"o of !s%4 46es, I agree% B!t I(m not rea # to have se$ "ith #o!% )ot #et%4

4Oka#%4 He contin!e to stroke her cheek% 4I kno" the gro!n r!les no"% Can I at least kiss #o!, an have #o! kiss me back&4 /nother thrill shot thro!gh her an she no e % 46es%4

2ee c!ppe her hea bet"een his han s, his th!mbs stroking her lips gentl# before he leane over an claime her lips% 'he kiss "as gentle an s"eet% He presse several small kisses aro!n her lips, licking the corners of her mo!th before "rapping her in his arms an claiming her lips in a eman ing kiss% 'his time, "hen he presse his tong!e against her lips she opene them, "elcoming him insi e, flicking her tong!e against his as his han s caresse her back an si es% She claspe his shirt as the# kisse , coming !p for air several times before iving back together% Leslie felt fire"orks e$plo e insi e her, setting off little tinges of electricit# that shot thro!gh her bo #, making her har nipples tingle an her "et core sh! er "ith nee % If the# i n(t stop no" she "o!l go against her "or an allo" herself to be taken in the back of his pick!p tr!ck, something she( never one before% /s if kno"ing e$actl# "hat she "as thinking he release her slo"l#, keeping his han s on her sho!l er in a gentle, possessive move that ma e her heart *!ake% 4I "ant #o!,4 she sai , her voice almost a "hisper% 4B!t%%%4 4I kno"% I "on(t p!sh it again !ntil "e get to #o!r ho!se%4 'he# both la!ghe , an he steppe back% 4Give me the gran to!r%4 Leslie(s la!ghter increase % 4I hate to tell #o! this, b!t this is it% 'his is the "hole shebang, e$cept for a metal b!il ing locate not far from here% 'hat(s "here the# have parties sometimes, like the one the#(re having on Hallo"een%4 40here is it&4 He s! enl# t!rne all b!siness, an Leslie let go of his shirt%

4Do #o! think that(s "here the g!#s "ill make the sale&4 Once again an !nrea able look passe over his face% Leslie "on ere if it "as the arkness this time, that in the moonlight she 1!st co!l n(t rea him that "ell% B!t then she reali-e she( rea him 1!st fine earlier% She p!t her han s on her hips an s"allo"e har % 40hat aren(t #o! telling me&4 4)ot a thing%4 He took a step closer an she !cke !n er his arm, coming !p behin him% He t!rne an trie to grab her an she steppe o!t of his reach again% 4Balone#% 6o!(re !p to something, an it(s something #o! on(t "ant me to kno" abo!t% I can tell b# the look on #o!r face% 0hat gives&4 46o!(re a orable "hen #o! get rile , #o! kno" that& 6o!r e#es flash an #o!r cheeks get a little re er%4

Leslie shook her hea % 46o! can(t tell that in the ark% If #o! can(t tr!st me eno!gh to tell me "hat(s going on, I(m not s!re "e have an# chance of a relationship, long istance or not%4 She co!l tell she( hit a cor % He sta#e right "here he "as, b!t even in the moonlight she co!l tell he "as fro"ning% 4/ professional relationship an a personal relationship have nothing in common% It(s al"a#s best to keep them separate, an #o! kno" it as "ell as I o%4 His "or s ma e sense, b!t that i n(t mean she like it% She shook her hea , then t!rne an "alke to"ar the far en of the long bank of ol b!il ings% 4Come on, the gathering hall is o"n here% 'he#(ve alrea # starte setting it !p for the part#, setting o!t tables an chairs% 'he# i n(t "ant to p!t !p streamers or set o!t p!mpkins in case bore ki s came o"n an helpe themselves%4 4)ot a ba i ea%4 He ca!ght !p to her an claspe her han firml# in his, her han feeling ver# m!ch at home in his grasp% 4Don(t be angr# "ith me%4 40h# not&4 She slo"e her pace b!t i n(t t!rn her ga-e on him% 4'hink abo!t it from m# perspective, if #o! "ill% '"o g!#s I kno", an tho!ght of as frien l# ac*!aintances, !se m# store to receive their r!g shipments% / man sho"s !p o!t of the bl!e, a private investigator no less, an tells me abo!t it an s!re eno!gh he(s right% 'hen he "ants to stick aro!n , to see "hat else appears% )o", as the case is abo!t to ra" to a close, he "ants to sh!t me o!t%4 4I on(t "ant to sh!t #o! o!t, Leslie% I tol #o! the# "ere selling their r!gs here '!es a# night%4 40hat time& 0here e$actl#& /n ho" i #o! come b# this information&4 0hen he i n(t ans"er she ski e to a stop an t!rne to him% 4Let me g!ess, that(s classifie information an if #o! tol me, #o!( have to kill me%4 46o! have to tr!st me%4 40h#, beca!se it(s for m# o"n goo &4 She kne" she so!n e "hin# b!t she i n(t care% 'his "hole sit!ation "as reall# pissing her off% 4+$actl#%4 4/n here I "as 1!st starting to like #o!%4 His la!gh ma e her bo # tingle, again% 4B!ll, #o!(ve like me for a "hile no"% 6o! 1!st i n(t "ant to a mit it%4 She p!lle her han from his an contin!e to the b!il ing hoping she i n(t trip over a rock, gla that it "as October, an most snakes "o!l alrea # be eep in their holes, tr#ing to sta# "arm% 0hen she reache the b!il ing she p!lle a set of ke#s from her pocket, gla "hen he hel the flashlight !p so she co!l see to p!t the ke# in the lock% She p!she the oor open an steppe insi e the col b!il ing% 4'here(s a generator for the lights, b!t it(s o!t back an I( rather not t!rn them on% S!ffice it to sa# the b!il ing is large eno!gh to accommo ate a part#,

an "e(ve ha *!ite a fe" of them o!t here% 0e make s!re to have vans rea # to transport people back to to"n, in case the#(ve ha a little too m!ch to rink%4 4Goo plan%4 She i n(t ans"er him, an "hen he steppe !p an p!t his han s on her "aist, p!lling her back into his chest she i n(t fight him, or tr# to p!sh him a"a#% 4.lease on(t be ma at me% 'here(s onl# so m!ch I can tell #o! abo!t things that have to o "ith the la" enforcement part of it% 'r!thf!ll#, I on(t think the#(re telling me ever#thing% Honestl#%4 She no e , then t!rne to him% He p!t the flashlight !n er his chin flashe it on an off, the glo" ill!minating his face% 4Boo%4 4'ol #o! there "ere no ghosts%4 46o!(re right, no ghosts% 0hat #o! o have on #o!r han s is a h!ngr# private investigator% /n if I can(t have the main thing I(m h!ngr# for, "hich is #o!, I(ll settle for the frie chicken that(s in the tr!ck%4 4Do #o! "ant to eat here, or o #o! "ant to go back into to"n&4 4Here% It(s a little romantic, on(t #o! think&4 4/s long as "e(re not o!t in the col then #eah, I think so%4 Once the# "ere back in the tr!ck, Leslie !npacke the basket )anc# ha fi$e for them% 'here "as frie chicken, cole sla" an bisc!its% 'here "as also a fe" "e ges of p!mpkin pie, "hich came from Leslie(s o"n shop% 4She(s fee ing me m# o"n foo ,4 she sai "ith a la!gh% 4I bet she got a kick o!t of it%4 'he# state to eat their chicken, a comfortable silence broken onl# b# che"ing an s"allo"ing% 5inall#, "hen she( polishe off a chicken breast an a thigh, Leslie p!t the bones into the bag )anc# ha provi e 1!st for that p!rpose an sighe % 4I(m too f!ll for pie% I on(t kno" abo!t #o!%4 2ee (s heav# sigh let her kno" he felt the same "a#% 40e(ll let it sit for a little "hile, then ig in for the s"eet st!ff% <nless%%%4 He leane to"ar her an ma e kiss# noises% 46o! "ant to kiss me, chicken breath an all&4 4I(ve got it too, remember&4 He leane closer an she gave him a soft peck on the lips, p!lling back "hen he trie to eepen the kiss% 4I remember the r!les,4 he sai petting&4 4Sh!sh%4 4Oka#, I can get the hint%4 He leane back into his chair% softl#% 47!st a little kissing, ma#be some

4)o; O!t there, look%4 She pointe to the corner of the ol b!il ings, right in front of the part# h!t% / soft light glo"e that ha n(t been there before% 4Ki s&4 He leane closer to the "in shiel an she i the same thing% 40e "o!l have hear a car, #o! kno" it as "ell as I o% 'here(s nobo # o!t here b!t me an #o!%4 4'he# co!l have gotten here before !s, parke o!t back instea of o!t front% ,a#be the# "ere o!t there making o!t "hen "e "alke b# an the# "ere scare stiff "e "o!l catch them%4 4,a#be%4 She s*!inte her e#es closer together, as if that might make her see something better% 4Or ma#be I "as "rong% ,a#be there is a ghost o!t here, an that(s the light from it%4 42ight%4 He re" the "or o!t, an Leslie co!l hear the erision in his voice% 4Hate to break it to #o!, s"eetie, b!t I on(t believe in ghosts%4 'he light starte to move, creeping 1!st a little "a#s a"a# from the b!il ing before arting back% Both of them stare , not sa#ing a "or % 5inall#, 2ee cleare his throat% 4Ki s% 'he# 1!st sa" the tr!ck an ran back to the b!il ing%4 40ell, if it(s not ghosts, ma#be it(s aliens% 0e(re not far from 2os"ell, #o! kno"%4 4It(s ki s%4 He took the ke#s from the ignition an opene the oor, grabbing his flashlight% 4I(m going to investigate% /re #o! going "ith me, or are #o! sta#ing here&4 4I(m going "ith #o!%4 She 1!mpe o"n, sh!tting the oor *!ietl# behin her, almost la!ghing o!t lo! "hen she reali-e 2ee ha one the same thing% 'he met at the front of the tr!ck an he grabbe her han , s*!ee-ing it gentl#% 'he# move as one, their feet in perfect step as the# "alke to"ar the ne"est b!il ing in to"n, "ere the light still shone, it(s stillness almost creep#% 42ee %4 4Sh!sh%4 He flicke the flashlight at the light, "hich isappeare bet"een the b!il ings% 2ee roppe her han an took off at a r!n% Sta# here;4 4)o;4 She took off after him, pra#ing neither of them "o!l trip% 0hen he got to the corner of the b!il ing he isappeare , an "hen she got to the spot he( been, he "as gone% She co!l see the istant glo" of his flashlight from behin the b!il ing, an she h!rrie to him, clasping his arm% 4Look%4 His voice "as soft, an f!ll of isbelief% She looke to "here he pointe , "here the light "as no" bo!ncing aro!n in a copse of trees% 4Ki s&4 *!ickl#

4'oo fast,4 he replie % 40hatever it "as arte across that fiel like it "as on fire% It bo!n e into the trees, an no" it(s arting back an forth, as if it(s r!nning from one thing to another%4 46o! on(t think%%%&4 4)o, I tol #o!, I on(t believe in ghosts,4 he sai % 4B!t that "as "eir , I(ll give #o! that m!ch%4 99999 4I(m telling #o!, it "as a ghost%4 Leslie set the picnic basket on her table% 'omorro" she "o!l clean it !p, "ash o!t the containers an ret!rn ever#thing to )anc#, thank her for the "on erf!l foo % She t!rne to look at 2ee , "ho no" sat at the kitchen table, his legs stretche o!t before him% 4It "as ki s% 'he# sa" !s coming, an the# took off for the trees%4 46o!(re the one "ho sai it "as too fast to be ki s% )o" #o!(re changing #o!r min & 2emember "e i n(t hear an# car engines, an# motorc#cles, an#thing else the# co!l have ma e a geta"a# on% 7!st a mit that it "as something #o! can(t e$plain%4 4I on(t believe in things that can(t be e$plaine %4 He "as fi ling "ith a napkin hol er that "as on the table, t!rning it ro!n an ro!n in his fingers, his e#es traine on it% Leslie co!l tell the ancing light bothere him, an that espite his "or s, he kne" it "as something s!pernat!ral, something that co!l n(t be e$plaine a"a# so easil#% She crosse the room an sat o"n on his lap, "rapping one arm aro!n his neck% 4/ mit it, there(s a chance it co!l be something #o! can(t e$plain, something that not a lot of people see in their lifetime%4 4Sorr#, b!t I fin that har to believe%4 He gentl# "orke his han insi e her s"eater, stroking his fingers across the small of her back% Leslie shivere in elight, her nipples peaking !n er his to!ch% 4,a#be it "as something scientific%4 4Like "hat&4 She moane softl# as a finger snake !p her spine% 4I on(t kno", I(m not a scientist%4 42eall#&4 She looke o"n at him% 40hat are #o!&4

4/ man "ho likes concrete proof of things%4 Leslie s!cke in a h!ge breath of air as his free han move !n er the front of her blo!se, his eft fingers clicking the back hook of her bra as he gentl# p!lle on the front, releasing her breasts into his han s% 4Don(t "orr#, I remember the r!les% B!t I still "ant to make #o! come, "atch #o!r face, hol #o! close as #o! "iggle in pleas!re%4 He( capt!re a har nipple as he spoke, rolling it aro!n in his fingers, teasing it !ntil, m!ch to Leslie(s ama-ement it gre" har er, tingling "ith nee % 46o!(re 1!st tr#ing to change the conversation beca!se #o! kno" I(m right%4

5or an ans"er he stoo *!ickl#, then t!rne an lai her across the table% Her feet "ere still on the floor% 0hen he lifte her shirt to reveal her breasts, then lo"ere his lips to capt!re a nipple she sighe , "rapping her fingers into his hair an p!lling him close% One of his han s "orke the fastenings of her 1eans as he s!ckle nibbling on her nipple as she "iggle !n er him% her,

0hen his han roppe insi e her "aistban , ipping !n er her panties an c!pping her mons she groane , lifting !p into his to!ch% 4Be room,4 she "hispere as his fingers ippe insi e her% 4)o,4 he sai softl#% 4I( be too tempte there, an I inten to follo" the r!les% Having #o! half3clothe on the kitchen table "orks fine for me% 6o! 1!st rela$ an en1o# the ri e%4 Leslie close her e#es, savoring the feeling of his han s in her "etness, stroking her fol s, teasing her little b! 1!st eno!gh to sen sensations of p!re pleas!re thro!gh her, b!t not eno!gh to sen her over the e ge% He fon le her gentl#, taking her !p an o"n !ntil her hips starte moving *!ickl#, seeking to keep her most sensitive area in contract "ith his "an ering han s% 0hen that happene he claspe her clit bet"een t"o fingers an gentl# s*!ee-e, moving it back an forth% Leslie(s hips shot off the table as her orgasm overtook her% It rolle thro!gh her bo #, sinking into her po!rs an making her feel as if she "ere soaring thro!gh the heavens above% 0hen it finall# lessene she opene her e#es to fin him ga-ing o"n at her, his fingers still probing her "ith gentle intensit#% 4I like that,4 he sai , his voice eep "ith nee % 4,e, too%4 She stroke his cheek% 40hat abo!t #o!&4 4I(m not "orrie abo!t me% 0atching #o! come "as the best Hallo"een treat I(ve ever receive %4 4It(s not Hallo"een #et%4 46o!(re right% I(ll be back for a comman performance that night% .romise%4

Chapter Si$

On ,on a# morning, Leslie(s bo # still tingle from the "on erf!l "eeken % 2ee ha sta#e at the ho!se, etermine to 4follo" the r!les%4 B!t that i n(t stop him from making her peak several times% 'he one time she( trie to ret!rn the favor he( p!she her han a"a#, telling her it "o!l open oors that "ere better left close , for no"%

On S!n a# evening, as the# la# "atching a movie, she t!rne to him, fastening her ga-e on his e#es% 4It(s oka#, #o! kno", that #o!(re not sta#ing, that #o! "on(t be back% I(m a big girl%4 'he look he( given her ha ma e her insi es *!ake "ith nee % 40ho sa#s I "on(t be back&4 She( la!ghe softl# an shook her hea slo"l#% 4It oesn(t happen that "a#% 6o! kno" ho" #o! have to see things to believe them% 0ell, "hen it comes to men I(m the same "a#% I kno" that once #o! leave, #o! "on(t be back% B!t I have great memories%4 He( respon e b# bringing her to orgasm again, fastening his lips on her neck !ntil she "as s!re he( left a mark% 4)o" #o! can see ho" m!ch I "ant #o!,4 he( "hispere in her ear as she( gentl# come back o"n to earth, cra le in his arms% 4I promise #o!, I(ll be back%4 )o", she looke into the mirror an then p!lle !p the t!rtleneck she( "orn that a# to hi e his love bite% She "as too ol to have a hicke#% Still, it "as concrete proof of his, an her, raging hormones% B!t it "asn(t proof he( be back% )ot b# a long shot% She fl!ffe her hair, then p!t it !p behin a ban ana an hea e to"ar the kitchen to o some baking% She pa!se at the backroom as voices, belonging to 2ee an Chester, rifte to"ar her% Her s"eet feelings abo!t 2ee t!rne to anger as she listene % S!re she probabl# sho!l n(t be eaves ropping, b!t the# sho!l n(t be keeping her o!t of the loop, either% 2ight no" the# "ere making plans to b!st .at an ,ark "hen the# came into the store tonight to collect "hatever came in the bo$es set to be elivere to the cafe that afternoon% It "asn(t so m!ch the plan the# "ere making that !pset her% She "ante to see the t"o men b!ste % 0hat ma e her see re "as their plan to keep her 4o!t of the "a#%4 /fter her fantastic "eeken "ith 2ee she tho!ght he tr!ste her more than this, more than to sh!t her o!t% 4So m!ch for b!sting them at Bla e tomorro"%4 2age boile !p insi e her as she tho!ght abo!t them thinking the# ha the right to con !ct their little sting operation in her store "itho!t telling her abo!t it first% She "asn(t s!re e$actl# "hat she sho!l o% 'here "as a h!ge part of her that "ante to b!st in on them right no" an slap them both% 'here "as another part, ho"ever, that "ante to "alk in on them tonight an insert herself into the mi le of things% B!t that ha n(t e$actl# "orke o!t last time, ha it& Her b!tt ha been sore for a a# after her oing "hat he tol her not to% 'here ha to be something she co!l o to make s!re she "as here tonight% /fter all, this "as her place of b!siness, her livelihoo % She eci e to take the b!ll b# the horns, an tell them she co!l hear them% She p!she thro!gh the oor an a opte her best, 4I(m ma an I(m not going to take an# more of #o!r crap stance,4 p!tting her han s on her han s an stan ing "ith her legs slightl# apart%

4Hello,4 2ee sai "ith a grin% She trie not to remember "hat those lips ha taste like, ho" those fingers ha skillf!ll# bro!ght her to orgasm again an again% She narro"e her e#es at him% 4Don(t #o! are tr# to keep me o!t of things%4 4I "o!l n(t ream of it,4 he sai , his e#es t"inkling in merriment% 4'hen "h# are #o! tr#ing to tonight&4 eci e ho" to keep me a"a# from the store

4I(m going to let #o! t"o talk, an I(ll be back later%4 Chester left so fast Leslie "on ere if he "as r!nning some sort of race% 40ell&4 4I(m not going to be able to convince #o! to sta# home, am I&4 4)ot b# a long shot% 'ell me "hat(s going on%4 His heav# sigh an#thing to soften her resolve% 'here "as no "a# she "as leaving% i n(t o

40e(re not going to arrest them here,4 2ee sai % 4'!rns o!t, as I sai before, this is a small part of a h!ge operation that the big g!#s have been investigating for *!ite some time% /ll the# "ant me to o tonight is "atch% I(m going to set !p a special vi eo camera, several of them act!all#, that "ill capt!re o!r frien s taking things from the bo$es% /fter the#(ve left, the#(ll be arreste %4 He took a step closer to her an she trie not to look into his bea!tif!l e#es% 40hen the# "alk o!t that oor, m# part in the investigation is finishe % I might have to give some testimon# at times, an #o! might too, b!t for the most part, I(m one%4 Her stomach roile at his "or s% She "ante to be ma beca!se he "as p!shing her o!t, b!t instea all she co!l think abo!t "as ho" boring life "o!l be "itho!t him aro!n % He( go back to having f!n in Dallas, an she( sta# here, in sleep# Dante(s .eak, telling people abo!t the o!tla"s "ho !se to roam the area% She( be here missing 2ee , missing his lips, his han s, his to!ch% 4Sta# home tonight, please%4 'he gen!ine concern in his voice almost ma e her agree to o as he aske % /lmost% 4)o%4 She shook her hea % 4'r# an p!ll some st!nt on me like #o! i last time an I(ll raise *!ite a f!ss, I g!arantee it%4 40hat if I tell #o! I(ll spank #o!, again&4 4Go ahea , see if I care% It "ill be "orth it%4 She sneere , an fo!ght to keep the sneer from t!rning into a h!ge grin% 46o! can(t scare me "ith #o!r caveman tactics%4 4Caveman&4 He 1erke his hea back in mock s!rprise% 40o", that(s ama-ing% Do #o! reall# think I(m a caveman&4 46es, I o% Onl# a caveman "o!l think he ha the right to spank a "oman%4

40o!l a caveman be content to "atch his "oman "iggle in passion over an over "hile his cock throbbe "ith nee all "eeken &4 She smile at him, the pitter3patter of her heart t!rning into a th!mp3th!mp at his !se of the "or s 4his "oman%4 'hen shook her hea % 4,a#be not, b!t if think I(m sta#ing a"a# tonight, #o!(re n!ts% So on(t even tr# an stop me% I(m not leaving after closing%4 She stalke back to the front room, hoping her post!re "o!l convince him of ho" serio!s she "as% 'he afternoon "as b!s#, an as she "aite on c!stomers an chatte "ith 'ambi, she p!she tonight to the back of her min % 0hen her eliver# came on sche !le she signe for it, her fingers itching to tear into the bo$es an see "hat "as insi e% 2ee stoo nearb#, stan ing g!ar % 4Open one,4 he sai % 4.!ll a fe" '3shirts o!t to make it look like #o! "ante to see ho" the# "ere ma e, to make s!re the or er "as right% 'hat "ill look realistic%4 She i e$actl# that, then p!she her han s o"n among the soft material !ntil she felt something har % Leslie looke !p into his e#es an no e an he gentl# p!lle her han a"a# before leaving a fe" shirts hanging over the li an backing a"a#% 4One more time,4 he sai % 4.lease go home%4 4)o% 'hreaten to spank me, I on(t care% B!t I(m not leaving%4 45ine, I "ill spank #o!% Later%4 He storme off, an Leslie co!l tell from the set of his sho!l ers that he "as angr#% 'he i ea i n(t give her pleas!re, b!t it i n(t h!rt her feelings, either% 'his "as her store, an there "as no "a# a b!st "as going o"n "itho!t her being there% 0hen the cafe close she sh!t the front oor an locke it, p!lling o"n blin s like she normall# i , t!rning on one light that "o!l ill!minate the shelves% 0hen she "ent into the back room she e$pecte to fin 2ee setting !p the cameras% She i n(t see him in the main room, tho!gh% She checke her office, the kitchen, the rafters an then, in esperation, she checke the alle#% He "as no"here to be seen% 0orr# snake thro!gh her as she steppe back insi e% 0ith his plan to take vi eo tonight, he sho!l be here% She steppe into the back room, "on ering if she sho!l call Chester an tell him she co!l n(t fin 2ee % 5ear that something ha happene to him, that .at an ,ark ha sho"n !p earl# an either taken him as some sort of hostage, or "orse #et, harme him in some "a#, snake thro!gh her% She h!rrie to her office, in search of her cell phone% She( 1!st ma e it to her esk "hen the oor slamme sh!t behin her% She t!rne , e$pecting to fin anger "ritten all over his face% the oor locke % Instea she fo!n 2ee ,

4'his is #o!r last chance% Go home, or I spank #o!, right no"%4

4Spank me, then% Beca!se I(m not leaving%4 0hen he a vance to"ar her she took a step back"ar % 46o! "o!l n(t are% 'he# co!l be here at an# min!te%4 4B!ll% It(s earl#% Last time the# i n(t sho" !p !ntil after ten% 6o!(re 1!st tr#ing to get o!t of #o!r spanking%4 Leslie trie to si estep him an open the oor b!t he grabbe her an mane!vere her !ntil she "as bent over the esk% He slappe her ass an she #elpe , fr!stration s!rging thro!gh her as he starte to spank her, har er an har er, his han lan ing in almost the same spot% 'he onl# consolation to her "as the fact she "as still "earing her slacks, an he ha n(t trie to take them off% She ref!se to scream an #ell or fight him this time, instea hol ing as still as possible as he slappe her ass% She "o!l n(t give him the satisfaction of fighting him back% 'he spanking ha barel# starte "hen his cell phone rang% Secon s later hers rang as "ell, an then the store phone rang% 2ee let her go imme iatel#, grabbing his phone an pointing at her to ans"ers hers% His c!rt, 40hat&4 ma e her la!gh, b!t secon s later he slamme the phone sh!t an p!lle her o"n !n er her esk "ith him, p!shing her in as far as she co!l go% 40hat are #o! oing&4 4H!sh, this is "h# #o! sho!l n(t be here% 'hat "as Chester% 'he#(re t!rning into the alle# no", an the police have eci e to b!st them here, no"%4 4)o"&4 She trie to cra"l o!t from !n er the esk, b!t the look on his face ma e her stop% 4.lease sta# p!t% Something has happene to make the police change their plans, an if .at an ,ark kno" "hat(s going o"n, the#(re angero!s% 'he# 1!st "ant their r!gs an the#(ll h!rt an#one "ho gets in their "a#% .lease sta#%4 /n then he grabbe her an kisse her, his lips eman ing, his tong!e arting insi e her mo!th an claiming her% Her heart race as he broke the kiss, then stole another one before arting o!t the oor an she co!l hear him r!nning !p the stairs% She kne" he "o!l be t!rning on the cameras, rea # to catch the t"o crooks in the act% She "ante to follo" him, felt the nee to follo" him, b!t she kne" he "as right% 'he best place for her right no" "as "here she "as at, safel# hi en a"a# from "hat might take place% Besi es, she co!l sit here an savor the kisses he( 1!st given her, the fantastic taste of him% 'he# f!ele memories of this "eeken an she "ante more% ,!ch more% She pra#e he( ma e it !p the stairs "itho!t being seen% ,!te noise filtere in from the back room: the so!n of a oor opening, an footsteps% She fig!re it m!st be .at an ,ark% She co!l hear m!ffle voices, an the rip of tape from a bo$% 'he# "eren(t being caref!l this time, that "as for s!re% 'here "as a lo! th! , an then all hell broke loose% She hear the "or s police an stop as sho!ting an the so!n s of heav# footsteps fille the air,

follo"e b# nois# th!mps as someone hit the floor% 5or once she i e$actl# as 2ee ha aske her to o, sta#ing in place !ntil the t!rmoil calme o"n% She cl!tche her knees an pra#e that no one, either ba g!# or goo g!#, "as h!rt, an "hen she hear Chester softl# calling her name she peere aro!n the esk an smile at him% 4Is it over&4 46!p% Come on o!t, "e nee a statement from #o!, an i entif# .at as the man #o! sa" in the store the other night%4 "e "ant #o! to

0hen she entere the back room her e#es "i ene , shock filtering thro!gh her s#stem% ,en an "omen m!lle abo!t, taking photos an going thro!gh bo$es% She kne" this "as more than 1!st the sheriff(s epartment, beca!se she( never seen these people before% / large man steppe for"ar an offere his han , intro !cing himself as ,r% Baker from the D+/% 'hen he starte to ask her *!estions in a i--#ing "hirl that ma e her hea spin% She ans"ere as best she co!l , an positivel# i entifie .at ,ichaels as the man she( seen taking "hat she( fig!re "ere packages of r!gs from the bo$es in her store last '!es a# evening% It all passe in a h!ge "hirl, an "hen it "as over several ho!rs later, ever#one "as gone b!t her an Chester% She looke aro!n , e$pecting to see 2ee come o"n the stairs, or thro!gh the main oor% B!t he i n(t appear, an Chester p!t his han on her sho!l er% 4He ha to go "ith the big g!#s to help p!t this thing in its place% 'his operation "as h!ge% O!r part "as 1!st a tin# sliver of it%4 She no e , a strange feeling of h!rt passing thro!gh her beca!se 2ee ha n(t st!ck aro!n to talk to her, or even sa# goo b#e% He( 1!st taken off% He(s oing his 1ob, she remin e herself% He(ll be back tomorro", 1!st "ait an see% 'hen he(ll tell #o! goo 3b#e an be gone% 5or goo % 99999 Leslie flippe the remote control for her ':, "on ering if there "as an#thing ecent to "atch% It "as Hallo"een night, an she( been b!s#, r!nning back an forth to ans"er the oor an han o!t treats% Her treats this #ear "ere co!pons for the store, offering t"o free cookies to the bearer% It "as a "in3"in sit!ation as far as she "as concerne % She( han e o!t *!ite a fe", an "o!l give a"a# lots of free cookies beca!se of it, b!t that "as 1!st fine "ith her% It got people into the store, an hopef!ll# b!#ing some of the trinkets she( bo!ght% )ot that she nee e to offer too m!ch incentive for people to eat, an shop, in the cafe% /fter ne"s of the b!st ma e its "a# across to"n, the store ha been b!sier than ever, "ith people coming in to see "here the action ha taken place% Sales "ere !p, an she( sol ever# one of the trinkets she( bo!ght, an "as no" on her secon batch% 'hings "ere looking !p, financiall#%

She "ishe she co!l sa# the same abo!t her personal life% 2ee ha phone the a# after the arrests, e$plaining he ha to go back to Dallas imme iatel#% He "as sorr# he co!l n(t come b# to talk to her, b!t he( keep in to!ch, he promise % Of co!rse he ha n(t kept his promise an she ha n(t hear from him since then% )ot that it mattere % She i n(t care% )ot reall#% She snorte o!t a 4#eah right, #o! on(t care,4 then reache for a cookie% 0h# sho!l she care& 7!st beca!se he spanke her, an then ran% 7!st beca!se he( bro!ght her to the most fantastic orgasms he( ever ha , an then ran% 7!st beca!se he( s!cke on her neck !ntil he( given her the first hicke# of her life, an then ran% 'ambi ha been ama-e to hear the "hole stor#, an she( been *!ick to efen 2ee , sa#ing he "as probabl# taking care of things an "o!l be back% 4I sa" the "a# he looke at #o!, an #o! forget, I "alke in on him spanking #o!, too% I(m telling #o! there "ere feelings there% He cares abo!t #o!%4 42ight,4 she respon e , 4cares eno!gh to leave the ne$t a#, call once, an then isappear off the face of the earth%4 She ate the cookie, reache for another one% If she "asn(t caref!l she "o!l sit here an eat the "hole platef!l% If she i that, her 1eans "o!l n(t fit the ne$t morning% / heav# sigh escape her lips as she roppe the cookie back on the plate% She( been !mpe , #es, b!t she i n(t nee to gain ten po!n s in her ang!ish% Her fingers hovere over the plate, an she looke !p as the oorbell rang o!t% / glance at her "atche sho"e it "as after nine% Sort of late for trick or treaters, b!t this "as a small to"n, an it i n(t s!rprise her too m!ch% She picke !p her co!pons an "ent to the oor, opening it "itho!t checking the peephole% Her e#es "i ene as 2ee t!rne to her an grinne , 4'rick or treat%4 / smile lit her face, an she *!ickl# tampe it o"n, fro"ning at him% 40hat o #o! "ant&4 4/ treat, of co!rse% Isn(t that ho" this "orks&4 4Go a"a#%4 She "alke a"a# from him b!t left the oor open% She hear him enter, then come !p behin her% 4I(m sorr#, reall# I am%4 42ight%4 She "heele on him% 46o! think #o! have the right to spank me not once, b!t t"ice, an then pla# "ith me, ph#sicall# an emotionall# an then 1!st leave& Go back to Dallas%4 40h#& )one of m# st!ff is there%4 He grinne at her, trie to capt!re her face in his han s b!t she p!she him a"a#% 40hat&4

4'he firm(s opening a branch in /marillo, an I(m the ne" irector% It took me a little bit of time to fin an apartment, get move , an then come back here% Sorr# I(m late%4 'his time she let him c!p her face in his han s, let his lips come o"n on hers gentl#, his tong!e sli ing into her mo!th an tasting like heaven% 4Does that mean #o!(re sta#ing here&4 40ell, in /marillo, #es, b!t it(s onl# a little more than an ho!r(s rive% I "ante to sta# here "ith #o!, in #o!r ho!se, b!t I tho!ght that "o!l be a bit pres!mpt!o!s on m# part to 1!st invite m#self to live "ith #o!%4 4Is this a trick&4 'here "as a tin# part of her that "on ere if this "asn(t tr!e, if he "as someho" messing "ith her% B!t the larger part kne" he "asn(t% 'hat "asn(t 2ee (s st#le, to get her hopes !p, an then cr!sh them% Still, she "ante to hear it from his lips% 4)o, it(s a treat, or at least I hope it is%4 He kisse her again, his th!mb caressing her cheek as he nibble on her lo"er lip% 4/re #o! going to kick me o!t&4 4)o%4 She la!ghe softl#% 4/ltho!gh I think I sho!l %4 4)o, #o! on(t% 6o! "ant me as m!ch as I "ant #o!%4 4,a#be% )o more spankings, tho!gh%4 4Behave then%4 He lifte his bro"s an then cocke his hea pla#f!ll#% 46o! kno" "hat& I never ha the chance to finish that last spanking% 0e "ere interr!pte %4 Leslie p!lle free from his grasp, p!tting her han s over her ass in a protective manner% 4)o more spankings%4 40e(ll see,4 he sai "ith a la!gh, an then he t!rne her aro!n , lifte her han s an s"atte her behin % He elivere several more slaps% 'he feelings "ere *!ite ifferent from the last ones% Someho" the fact that he( come back ma e all the ifference in the "orl % 4'ake o"n those 1eans so I can finish this properl#% Goo given on bare bottoms%4 4/n if I ref!se&4 4Bab#, I e$pect nothing less from #o! than to not o as I ask%4 He t!rne her in his arms, hel her close an kisse her again, a lingering kiss that ma e the tips of her toes c!rl in elight% 4)o", take (em o"n%4 She glance treaters%4 at the oor, then bit her lo"er lip% 4I might get more trick or spankings are

He kisse her again, his tong!e sli ing insi e her mo!th, "iggling gentl# !ntil she groane % 'hen he crosse to the front oor, sh!t an locke it, then t!rne off the light%

4'he streets are ea o!t there,4 he sai , t!rning back to her% He "alke back to her si e, then took her han % 4I(m going to make love to #o! tonight%4 4Is that m# treat&4 4'hat(s both o!r treats,4 he sai , nibbling on her lo"er lip% 4B!t first I(m going to finish that spanking%4 He le her to the hall"a# an she gla l# follo"e , anticipation soaring thro!gh her at the tho!ght of taking him insi e her, of sleeping, an "aking, ne$t to him% Once insi e the be room he sh!t the oor, then stoo in front of her% 4'ake o"n #o!r 1eans, #o! na!ght# girl%4 'he tone of his voice let her kno" this "as going to be one of the 4other spankings,4 an erotic one that "o!l bring them both pleas!re% 0itho!t arg!ment she !n i her 1eans, p!tting her th!mbs in the "aistban an stopping% 4Over to the be ,4 he sai , the tone of esire even thicker% 4'ake #o!r 1eans an #o!r panties o"n to #o!r ankles, then ben over%4 She i e$actl# "hat he aske , her e$citement gro"ing "ith step% She "as angr# "ith him for not calling or t"o "eeks, #es, b!t she "as thrille "ith his s!rprise% He "o!l be living in /marillo, 1!st an ho!r a"a#% ,a#be this relationship "o!l en !p "orking after all% He c!ppe one cheek an s*!ee-e , then c!ppe the other one an same% 4)a!ght# girl%4 /n then he slappe her ass% Leslie groane slappe her ass again, an again% i the as he

'he sting "as ro!gh, b!t the pleas!re, mi$e "ith the anticipation of taking him insi e her, the pleas!re of being "ith 2ee again, "as be#on an#thing she( ever felt before% He elivere five har slaps to each cheek, then gentl# traile his fingers over her cheeks% 4)ice an "arm,4 he m!rm!re % 4/re #o! going to be goo &4 4Do!bt it%4 She groane as he slappe her ass t"ice more% 4I(m happ# to hear that%4 He bent o"n an t!gge on her 1eans, instr!cting her "hen to move her legs to help him remove the clothing% 0hen her bottom half "as nake he caresse her, his fingers moving over the thighs an calves, leaving "hispers of pleas!re in their "ake% 46o!(re so bea!tif!l,4 he sai , his breath tickling her neck as he bent over her, r!bbing his 1eans against her nake backsi e% 4'hat(s the first thing I tho!ght "hen I "alke into #o!r cafe, ho" bea!tif!l #o! "ere%4 46eah&4 She stoo !nhooke her bra% an shivere as he lifte her s"eater over her hea ,

46eah%4 He c!ppe her breasts, p!lling her back into his har bo #% She co!l feel his cock straining against his 1eans, b!t "hen he let her go long eno!gh to strip, she tho!ght she "o!l ie%

0hen he spoone against her again she felt the length of him along her backsi e an she groane in pleas!re, moving her han s to grasp his hips% 4'ake me%4 He took a step back an slappe her ass t"ice more% 'hen he t"irle her aro!n before toppling them both onto the be % He "as insi e her in one s"ift stroke, her "etness paving the "a# for the har length of him% She "rappe her legs aro!n him as he rocke , the contract making her clit t"itch in appreciation% /s his movements picke !p spee he leane o"n to kiss her an she "rappe her arms aro!n his neck, hol ing him as tightl# as she co!l % 'he har thr!sts sent her soaring, her orgasm slamming into her like nothing ha ever one before% She felt him sei-e, an release insi e her an for a ver# fe" secon s she "orrie abo!t babies, an then she rela$e % She ha nothing to "orr# abo!t "ith 2ee here, "ith her% 4I "ant #o! to live here, !nless #o! /marillo%4 on(t "ant to rive back an forth to sa#

4I fo!n a ver# cheap, short3term lease apartment in the hopes #o!( that,4 he sai , his voice still heav# "ith e$ertion% 40ill #o! marr# me&4

4I think that(s m# line%4 He kisse her gentl#% 4B!t #es, I(ll marr# #o!, if #o!(ll marr# me%4 4/s long as there(s a part in the vo"s abo!t no spankings%4 'he grin he gave her ma e her giggle% 4Oh no, as a matter of fact, it(s going to sa#, to love, honor an obe#% Or be spanke % <n erstan &4 He nibble on the en of her nose an she sighe % 'hen he rolle them over, "rappe his calves aro!n hers an slappe her ass% 46es sir, I !n erstan % B!t I(m not s!re I can follo" the obe# part%4 He slappe her ass again, then kisse her so!n l#, ga-ing into her e#es "hen the kiss broke% 4I(m ver# gla to hear that% Beca!se I kno" #o! like being spanke %4 4I o not;4 She trie to p!sh a"a# b!t he hel her close% 4B!ll, remember, I have to see evi ence of things, an "hen I spank #o!, I can see evi ence of #o!r aro!sal% +ven "hen #o! "ere professing #o!r hate for me, #o! "ante me 1!st as m!ch as I "ante #o!% +ven "hen I spanke #o! for p!nishment, #o!r nipples got har %4 4Liar%4 4Shall "e test m# theor#& Let me get m# belt%4 He starte p!she him back% 46o!(re not going an#"here% I(m not one "ith #o! #et%4 to rise b!t she

4Bab#, I(m thrille to hear that%4 'he# both looke o"n at his erection, peeking !p at them% 4Beca!se I(m not one "ith #o!, either%4 She la!ghe % 46o! kno", I(ve been thinking of hiring a private etective% 'hose lights at Bla e are still bothering me% I "ant to kno" "hat the# "ere% /re #o! game&4 He "inke at her% 4Bab#, "ith #o!, I(m game for an#thing%4

'he +n