MIKE: Voodoo Guardians: Book

Seventeen Mary Kennedy

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 MIKE

Voodoo Guardians

Book SEVENTEEN

Mary Kennedy
 Copyright © 2024 by Mary Kennedy
All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or
have been used fictitiously and are not to be constructed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events,

locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information
storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book
review.

Editing provided by: pccProofreading

 MAP of Belle Fleur and Cottage Assignments
G1-8 = Garçonnière
Big House = Belle Fleur – main house where Jake & Claudette now live

The Grove – where BBQs, picnics, and family gatherings take place
 Cottage Assignments
Gunner & Jalen & Stormy
1 M att & Summer 36 G3 97
Darby
2 Alec & Lissa 37 G4 Hex & Gwen 98 Chase & Kennedy
3 Gabe & Tory 38 Zulu & Gabi 69 Kiel & Liz 99 Sam & M ia
4 Kev & Tila 39 Doc & Bree 70 Joseph & Julia 100 M ilo & Lia
Raphael & Paul & Hiro & Winter
5 40 71 Wes & Virginia 101
Savannah Elizabeth
6 Jak & M attie 41 Luke & Ajei 72 Dalton & Calla 102 Ryan & Paige
7 42 Fitz & Zoe 73 Nathan & Katrina 103 Chase & M aeve
8 Ivan & Sophia 43 RJ & Celia 74 Keith & Susie 104 Duncan & Lindsay
9 Tristan & Emma 44 Carter & Ani 75 M arc & Ela 105 JT & Kennedy
Cowboy & Torro & M elanie
10 Christian & Winnie 45 Abe & Lyra 76 106
Autumn
11 King & Claire 46 Trev & Ashley 77 107 Bron & M ila
12 Sly & Suzette 47 Frank & Lane 78 Ian & Aspen 108 Fitch & Carsen
13 Rory & Piper 48 Tailor & Lena 79 Doug & M iguel 109 Bogey & Alice
14 O’Hara & Lucia 49 HG & M aggie 80 Dom & Leightyn 110 Irish & Lucinda
15 Titus & Olivia 50 Bryce & Ivy G5 Remy & Charlotte 111 Tanner & M ic
16 M ax & Riley 51 Wilson & Sara G6 M agnus & Addie 112 AJ & Skylar
17 Stone & Bronwyn 52 M ac & Rachelle G7 Chipper 113 M o & Ophelia
18 Jazz & Gray 53 G8 114
19 Ham & Sadie 54 Clay & Adele 81 Aiden & Brit 115 Ethan & Koana
Rush & Bone & Londyn
20 Phoenix & Raven 55 82 Callan & Juliette 116
Caroline
21 Noah & Tru 56 Lars & Jessica 83 Sean & Shay 117 Hoot & Scout
22 Griff & Amanda 57 84 Wade & Hannah 118
23 Gibbie & Dhara 58 Kiel & Noelle 85 Parker & Dani 119
Eric & Sophia Billy & Janine
24 Blade & Suzette 59 Jean & Ro 86 120
Ann
25 Skull & Avery 60 Nate & Harlow 87 Bodhi & Viv 121
Hunter & CC & Eva M oose & Ece
26 Axel & Cait 61 88 122
M egan
27 Sniff & Lucy 62 Cam & Kate 88 123 JB & Dana
M ichael & Red
28 Noa & Kelsey 63 Jax & Ellie 89 124
M iriam
29 Eli & Jane 64 Adam & Jane 90 Robbie & Carrie 125 Tobias & Gail
30 Grant & Evie 65 Ben & Harper 91 Cade & Cassidy 126
31 Hawk & Keegan 66 Carl & Georgie 92 Garrett & Celeste 127
32 Eagle & Tinley 67 Striker & Lucy 93 Tiger & Hazel 128
Eric Ryan &
33 Ace & Charlie 68 M olly & Asia 94 129
Rachel
34 Razor & Bella G1 95 130
Will & Brooke Ham, Sadie,
35 Tango & Taylor G2 96 IM Christopher, Ramey,
Patrick, M argo
Map of Belle Île & Cabin Assignments
Cabin Assignments for Belle Île
1 Trak & Lauren 18 Dex & Marie
2 Nine & Erin 19 Hannu &
Johanna
3 Miller & Kari 20 Otto & Robin
4 Luc & Montana 21 Teddy
5 Gaspar & 22 Kegger
Alexandra
6 Ghost & Grace 23 Pork
7 Ian & Faith 24
8 Mama Irene & 25
Matthew
9 Ruby and Sven 26
10 George & Mary 27
11 Whiskey & Kat
12 Angel & Mary
13 Antoine & Ella
14 Baptiste & Rose
15 Bull & Lily
16 Vince & Ally
17 Code & Hannah
Contents
MAP of Belle Fleur and Cottage Assignments

Cottage Assignments

Map of Belle Île & Cabin Assignments

Cabin Assignments for Belle Île

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

EXCERPT from DAN

SERIES AND FAMILY GUIDE

OTHER BOOKS BY MARY KENNEDY YOU MIGHT ENJOY!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 CHAPTER ONE
Michael Douglas Redhawk watched as his brother returned with the other men from the gas station. He knew where

they were, and why they’d gone to the station. His brother, Nate, had befriended a veteran who was in trouble. It had been
bothering him for weeks now. Every time he made deliveries to the gas station, he’d see the man and try to speak with him.

Today, he finally worked up the courage to ask their grandfathers a tough question.
For Michael, he was more likely to stay out of other people’s business, but learning about the man and his issues, he
wondered if perhaps he’d made a mistake. Had he ignored someone in trouble before? Had their story ended tragically?
More importantly, would his father, grandfather, or uncle have done the same?
He knew the answer to that question. You always, always stepped in for someone in need.
It wasn’t that Mike didn’t want to step in. He was just a bit more introverted than some of the other boys. He and his

twin possessed startling good looks thanks to their father’s Diné heritage and their mother’s Hispanic heritage. Combine that
with their grandmother’s lavender eyes, and the Redhawk twins were model-worthy young men.
Seeing his brother walk toward him, he raised his head, nodding at him.
“How did it go?” he asked.
“Good. Better than I thought. Wilson and Ghost got him to a treatment center. We’re going to help him.”
“I’m glad, Nate. I know you were worried for him.”
“Weren’t you? I mean, you knew about him. Weren’t you worried, too?” he asked. Mike thought about it a moment,
then nodded.
“I was worried about him, but honestly, I was more worried about you. You always take it all on and don’t worry
about yourself. He could have hurt you, Nate. I know you don’t think he would, but he could have.”

Nate stared at his brother, then hugged him. They weren’t afraid of showing affection to one another. Their mother and
grandmother had taught them the importance of showing their love for one another. Their father, uncles, and grandfathers
showed them that showing love was indeed a manly trait that should be expressed often.
“I know. You’re right,” he said, stepping back. “He had a knife. I don’t think he would have hurt me, but he had it, and
he could have pulled it on me. Grandpa was great with him. So were the others.”
Mike didn’t say anything, just staring out at the bayou in the distance. He loved this place. He loved it more than
anywhere on Earth. This was their home, their happy place, and he wanted to be a part of it forever.
“Are you okay, Mike?”
“I guess. I don’t know.”
“Do you need to talk to someone?” asked his brother. He was in a helpful, counseling mood today, and that extended to
his brother as well.
 “No. I don’t know.” His brother chuckled at him, and he grinned, shaking his head. “We’ll be leaving all this soon.

Everything. Mom and Dad. Our grandparents, friends, family. This is all we’ve ever known, and within a few months, we’re
going to be gone from it all. I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

“Yeah. That’s true. But you knew that. You’ve always known that we were planning on leaving. What’s bugging
you?”

“What if we can’t do it, Nate? What happens if we join the Army and don’t become Delta like Grandpa, Dad, and
Uncle Joseph? What if we fail?”
“Mike, we’re not going to fail. We’ve been training with all these men since we were old enough to walk. We’ve been
running with Grandpa for years, almost beating him,” snickered Nate. “You’re the best, Mike. I’ve seen you with the knife
training, and your ability to sneak up on others is amazing.”
“But what do I do if I can’t?” he asked again.
“You have a million options, Mike. You can stay in the Army. You can become a Ranger. You could transfer and
become a SEAL. You could do your time and come back here and work. We’re blessed with being able to do whatever we
want.” Nate stopped, staring at his brother. “Is this what you want, Mike?”
Mike started to walk toward the water, a silent signal for his brother to follow. Nate could feel his anxiety, his
uncertainty, and it was causing his heart to ache for him. They were brothers, but twin brothers that felt everything the other
was feeling.

“It is what I want. It’s all I’ve ever wanted my entire life,” he said, looking back at Nate. “But I also want this. I want
to come back to this. Our home.”
“We will. You and I will come back here together.” He gripped his brother’s shoulder. “I’m going to make you a
deal. If we become Delta, we become Delta together. If they won’t allow us to partner, then we’ll transfer. I won’t do it
without you.”
“I can’t ask you to do that, Nate.”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering. We’ll find a way to stay together, Mike. I can’t do this without you, either. We’ve
been beside one another since we were inside our mother. I won’t do life without you by my side.”
Mike smiled at his brother, feeling some sense of relief. They spent the rest of the school year helping one another to
achieve their goals. When it was time for senior prom, they made a vow that they would go as a group with the rest of the
guys. No dates. No distractions. No possibility of screwing up their lives or the lives of someone else.
Leaving wasn’t as difficult as Mike had made it out to be in his mind. He hugged his family, promised to be home soon,
then felt the excitement and adrenalin of starting his life as an adult on his own.
Thanks to the men of Belle Fleur, basic training was a breeze for Mike and Nate. Neither liked the yelling by the drill
instructors but knew it was all part of the training.
 They were seen as super-human by their peers and, as expected, by their command. When others were falling and

failing, the Redhawk brothers were whizzing past them, always returning to cheer on the others. Immediately seen as leaders,
the command knew they had something special in the Redhawk brothers. After all, it was in their DNA.

“Redhawk!”
“Sir?” answered Mike and Nate.

“Shit, I need to identify you better. Doesn’t matter. Both of you are wanted in the command center.”
The two men took off in a slow jog, knowing that they were expected immediately. When they stood before the panel of
men staring at them, they understood. They knew what was coming at them, and they were ready.
“I knew your father and uncle,” said the general. “He and his brother were the best Delta operatives we’ve ever had.
That is, outside of your grandfather, who is still somewhat of a mystery and legend to this day.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You requested to be a team.”
“Yes, sir.” Their voices echoed in the room, the men at the table shaking their heads. They were not only identical.
Their voices seemed to hit at the same register.
“It’s been the policy of the Army these last few years not to place siblings together in the same unit or command. We
don’t want to have to give bad news to a parent about their child, but to give it about two of their children would be even
worse.”

“Then we’d respectfully request a transfer, sir,” said Mike.

“Whoa, whoa, Redhawk,” smirked the colonel. “We didn’t say we weren’t going to let you serve together. You’re a
team. We’re not stupid. We see how well you two work together. It must be a weird twin thing, but we can almost see you
telepathically sending signals. I can’t explain it, but then again, I don’t want to.”
“What the colonel is saying is that we’re going to allow you to be a team and operate somewhat independently,” said
the general. “We’ll give you ops, send you to your locations, but you’ll be independent of a full team unless you need one. If
you need one, you’ll get to choose who you want.”
“If we need one,” said Mike, “we’d choose our cousins, JB and Tobias Redhawk.”
“Of course,” nodded the general with a smile. “I forgot that they were out there already. That makes sense, and God
help the enemy if he comes upon four Redhawks. Alright, gentlemen, you have your first assignment. You’ve got everything
you need, but if there’s something else, just contact command, and we’ll get it to you. One way or another.”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
The group of men watched as they jogged back toward their barracks, then looked at one another.
“I hope we’re not making a mistake by keeping them together,” said the colonel. “This could end disastrously. If
something were to happen to one or both of them, you know damn good and well their father and grandfather will be knocking
on our door. And I’m telling all of you right now, I will not answer the damn door.”

“We’re not making a mistake. Redhawk men don’t fail. We’ve seen it with their fathers, their cousins, and we damn
sure know the legend of their grandfather.”

“We should have separated them.”

“You do, and we’re going to lose the best warriors we have. I will not fuck with that. Let them do what they’ve been

trained to do.”

Nate kicked the foot of the man they’d been interrogating. Mike was standing beside him with a basin of water and
tossed it into his face. The man sputtered and coughed, shaking off the cold.
“Why are you here?” asked Nate.
“Fuck you,” smirked the man. Mike backhanded him with a doubled fist, sending his head sideways and blood spewing
from his mouth.
“Try that again. Why are you here?” asked Nate. The man started laughing as he straightened against the wall.
“You’re stupid, Redhawk.”
Nate and Mike both stiffened, unwilling to admit anything. They had no identification on them. None whatsoever.
They never carried anything that could identify them. Dressed entirely in black, they didn’t even identify as military. Both with
long, dark hair, it was usually tied up in a topknot or in a ponytail tucked beneath a cap.
“You think we didn’t know who you are? Why you were snooping around? We knew. He might be dead, but your

buddy Garvin was more than a little helpful. Happy to sell out the trash that belongs to REAPER or whatever you’re calling
yourselves these days. We truly appreciated that.”
“You’ve got ten seconds before I blow your brains out,” said Nate.
Suddenly, the sounds of trucks could be heard coming up the dirt mountain road. Mike peeked outside the shack door
and turned to his brother.
“We need to leave. Now.”
“Why are they here?” asked Nate.
“Stupid fuck! For you. For both of you!” Nate placed the end of his pistol against the man’s forehead and fired. As he

slumped over, Mike gripped his arm, pulling him out the back.
“We split up, Nate. Get to the main road, and we’ll meet at the drop point. Stay safe,” he said, hugging his twin. He
wanted them to travel together, but by splitting up, they were giving themselves a better chance.
Both men were in superior shape. More fit than ten men, their speed and agility were a great part of what had kept them
alive this long. They’d trained with the best, including their father, uncle, and grandfather. The Redhawk gene of stealth

flowed in their blood.

“Keep him safe, great-great-grandfather. Keep him safe so that we can both come home.”
 CHAPTER TWO
Sage Marshall stared at her grandmother as she knelt in front of the wooden coffins. One held her mother, the other her

father. Her grandmother was crying, but Sage couldn’t. She was done crying for them. Done being angry with them. Just
done.

For as long as she could remember, her parents had been arguing and fighting with one another. If it wasn’t about
money, it was about jobs. If it wasn’t about jobs, it was about other women or men. She never understood why they stayed
married.
That is until she turned eleven. That was the day her grandmother took her to work with her. Symphony Jewelers had
been in New Orleans for almost a hundred years. Started by her great-grandfather, her grandmother took over when she was
just a newlywed. Her husband died too young, and Loretta Brandenburg was suddenly a widow, a mother, and a business

owner. That was why her parents stayed together. The hope that it would all be theirs.
Although Loretta had high hopes for her daughter to take over the business, it was apparent that she couldn’t manage her
own life, let alone the life of the business. When Justine Brandenburg married Gus Marshall, everyone thought it was a match
made in heaven. Justine was wealthy, thanks to her mother’s jewelry shop, and Gus was wealthy, thanks to his father’s car
dealership.
Unfortunately, neither had the common sense God gave them. When Sage arrived two years into the marriage, it could
not have been worse timing. They were already arguing, fighting, drinking, and spending money. Fortunately, Loretta was
smart enough to restrict access to the business, and attempt to interfere where her granddaughter was concerned. Unfortunately,
Gus’s father didn’t do the same.
Burning through their inheritance and savings as if it were newspaper near an open flame, they were often broke. Then,

suddenly, miraculously, they would have money again. Just as suddenly, it would be gone once more. When the car dealership
was sold to someone outside the family, they no longer had a cash cow to rely on.
When they were tossed from their home, the bank foreclosing on the loan, Sage was sent to live with her grandmother
permanently.
At first, she thought it would be terrible. But learning the business of jewelry and gemstones was exciting. She studied
books about minerals and gemstones, how gold melts and reforms, the content of high silver versus cheap silver. It was
fascinating.
On the days her parents would actually show up to see her, she would often head out the back door and find somewhere
to have a quiet lunch alone with the money her granny had given her. She wanted nothing to do with them, and if they were
being honest with themselves, they wanted nothing to do with her. They came to the house only to keep tabs on Loretta and her
health, hoping to at least get something if the old woman died.
 So, it came as no surprise when the police showed up to let Loretta know that Justine and Gus had died, by one

another’s hands. That’s why Sage couldn’t cry. That’s why she didn’t see the point. It was wasted energy to cry about two
people who never gave a damn about her or her granny. Who hated themselves and life so much that they took their own lives,

not caring that they were leaving their only child.

When Loretta took the seat next to her again, she squeezed her hand.

“It’s alright to cry, Sage.”

“Why? They never cried over me,” she said, frowning. “They never cared how I was doing or what I was doing.
They left me with you and didn’t care about you or me. I will not waste my tears on them, Granny.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t mean it that way, Granny. I love being with you. It’s been the best part of my life so far. But they were my
parents and should have cared where I was or what I was doing. They never even showed up to my dance recitals or school
events.”
“I know, baby. You can’t hate someone who is sick, and I think they were both sick in their own ways. Now, well,
now it’s just you and me. You’re gonna finish school and go off to college. Study anything you like.”
“Gemology and geology. I want to know about jewels, rocks, minerals, all of it, Granny. I want to be able to come
home from school and really help you grow the business. I want Symphony Jewelers to live another hundred years.”
“That makes me very happy,” smiled Loretta, wiping the tears from her eyes. “The one good thing your folks did for

you, Sage, is that they never touched your trust fund. It was protected, but still, they coulda’ found a way had they wanted to.
You have plenty to go to school, travel the world, anything you want.”
“School,” she said, nodding at the older woman.
At the mansion in the Garden District, throngs of visitors came in and out, hugging her, giving their condolences, and
offering support to Loretta. There were dozens of casseroles lining the kitchen counters. So many, that Clara, their maid, had
to start putting them in the freezer.
For Sage, it was too much. She slipped out the back door, finding her favorite rocking chair on the back porch. It was
her favorite thing to do.
At seventeen, it shouldn’t have been her favorite thing to do, but she loved it. It was a warm summer evening, the pink
light of the sun started to fade behind the houses. Her granny’s long-time maid and companion walked out and handed her an
iced tea, patting her hand.
“Thank you, Clara,” she smiled.
“You alright, sweetie?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m good. Thank you.” Clara turned to head back inside, then stopped, feeling as though Sage was going
to speak again. “Clara? Do you think they ever loved me?”
 “You want me to be honest?” asked the old woman.

“I always want honesty,” she said. “Even if it hurts.”

“I’m not sure they knew how to love, Sage. They were both selfish, self-absorbed people who were in a lot of trouble.

They didn’t know anything about raisin’ a child. You’re lucky you had your Granny. She’s done right by you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sage turned away, staring off toward the back corner of the yard where the gazebo was.

“Alright, then. If you need somethin’, you call me. Folks are startin’ to leave. Hang out here a while, and they’ll be
gone soon.” She nodded at the older woman, glad that she was still around helping her grandmother. When the door opened a
few moments later, she didn’t even open her eyes.
“Are they all gone?” she asked.
“Almost, child,” said the strange voice.
“Oh,” she said, standing abruptly. “I’m so sorry. I meant no offense. It’s just all very overwhelming.”
“You got nothin’ to be sorry about. It’s a difficult day for everyone. I’ve known your granny a long time,” smiled the
woman.
She was short, very short, with white hair perfectly combed away from her face. She had a beautiful strand of pearls
around her neck, with matching earrings. Her dress was a classic black dress, her low-heeled black pumps matching her
stockings.
“I’m Sage,” she said, holding out her hand.

“Yes, baby, I know,” smiled the woman. She held her hand for a moment, tilting her head left and right. “You’ll be
leavin’ for school soon.”
“Yes, ma’am. I hope Granny will be okay.”
“Oh, she’ll be fine,” laughed the woman. “Your granny is a strong woman. She’ll be alright. When you come back and
help in the store, if you ever need anything you come and find me.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”
“It’s Irene, baby. Irene Robicheaux. If you need somethin’, just come out to Belle Fleur and tell ‘em I sent you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The tiny woman hugged her, filling her with a warmth and emotion she didn’t know existed. Before she could say
anything, she was gone. Leaving in a puff of vanilla and jasmine, she disappeared in the night.
Sage meant to ask her granny about the woman, but she never got the chance. After the funeral, it was sorting out things
in her parents’ tiny apartment, then rewriting her granny’s will, then making sure everything was set for college.
“Granny, it looks like things have been moved around in here. Are we sure that nothing’s been stolen? I mean, it’s been
a while since I was here, but everything looks different.” Sage stared at her parents’ apartment, looking at the indentations in
the carpet and the scratch marks on the floor, as if something had been dragged.
 “Well, you know how it is. You’re gone a while, and things don’t look the same. I promise, no one has been in here.”

Sage wasn’t sure how her granny could be so sure of such a thing, but she just shrugged, helping to box up the photos. She
expected there to be more. More of what, she wasn’t sure. The fact that there were only a few family photos and a couple of

dishes seemed strange even to her.

Leaving her granny alone with the jewelry store wasn’t something that made her comfortable, but most of the staff had

been there for years and were more than willing to help her. Feeling confident that her granny wasn’t alone, she headed to
New York to attend school.
Living and working in New York City was a dream. The hustle and bustle of New York City was vastly different than
the laid back vibe of New Orleans. Working part-time at one of the oldest jewelers in the diamond district, she was gaining
valuable experience, while going to school and learning her craft.
Mr. Silverstein was an excellent boss and teacher, and Sage learned more from him than all of her professors
combined. He even gave her a pair of pearl earrings when she left after graduation.
“You will always have a job here, Sage,” he smiled. “Good luck to you and your granny.”
Coming back to New Orleans was a wonderful feeling. No longer filled with anger and hate for her parents, she was
able to start at Symphony with a new sense of purpose. What surprised her most was the declining health of her granny. Just a
few months before, she’d seemed fit and ready to take down the world. Today, she looked weak and old.
“How long has she been like this?” Sage asked the salesclerk.

“A while, Sage. She didn’t want to call you and worry you. She’s old, honey. Almost ninety-one, I think. She’s just
tired.” It was obvious to Sage that time had taken its toll on her granny. She was moving slower, seemingly in pain when she
stood from her chair.
“Maybe I can get her to retire. I’ll see what I can do.”
But all the pleading in the world wouldn’t make Loretta leave her precious granddaughter and the store she’d struggled
to keep alive all these years. Within a matter of months, Granny was gone. The hard work, heartache, and pressure of life had
finally taken its toll on her.
“What do you want to do about the store, Sage?” asked Lennox, the assistant manager.
“What do you mean? I’m keeping the store open.”
“I know, but, well, it’s a lot of work, and there have been some men coming around asking about buying the store. It
could be very profitable for us, for you.”
“For us?” she frowned.
“Yes. Your grandmother gave all the employees small shares in the business. If it’s ever sold, we’ll get a piece of the
profit.” There it was. They probably wanted the store to be sold so they could get their shares in cash.
“I’ll buy your shares back,” she said with a sharp retort. He leaned back, staring at her in disbelief. “If I have to dip
into my own trust, I’ll buy all the shares back. I’m not selling the business, but I understand if you’re ready to move on.”

“I-I don’t know about the others,” said Lennox, “but I’d be willing to do that. I mean, I’m kind of ready for something
new, Sage. I’ve been working at Symphony for twenty-three years now. Business isn’t what it used to be. We’re competing

against high-end retailers, chain jewelry stores, and online stores. We can’t keep up.”
“We’ll keep up,” she said. “I’ll make sure everyone who wants to sell back their shares gets a fair price. I don’t plan

on going anywhere.”
It took Sage a while to get everything settled from her granny’s estate, but when the storm had calmed, she was able to
see that the store was in good shape. It wasn’t great, but they were still making a profit and still able to keep the doors open.
She would find ways to modernize their sales and keep the store going forward.
The computer and inventory systems were old and needed to be modernized. The interactions with potential vendors,
diamond and gem dealers, and other interactions all had to be improved for them to truly succeed.
When she received the invitation to the Mardi Gras ball at Belle Fleur, she stared at the name, wondering where she’d
heard it before. Tucking it in her bag, she didn’t think twice about it.
With Lennox gone, as well as two other staff members, Sage was forced to hire new staff. In her experience, men made
better jewelry sales associates than women. A man would listen to another man about what a woman would want in a ring. If
a woman gave the same advice, he’d think she was speaking about her personal preference. Of course, there was always a
woman there to give a female perspective.

Working with five men and two women seemed easy at first, but the men were pushy and often took meetings with
vendors without Sage’s approval.
Walking in to start her day, she noticed Smith speaking to two men, hovering over a piece of velvet holding an array of
stones.
When she hired him, she thought it was strange that his name was Smith Jones, but all of his identification verified that
it was a real name. He was knowledgeable about gems, seemed to have a great understanding of their computer systems, and
was good with the customers. Yet there was always something that nagged at Sage’s gut. Something she couldn’t put her finger
on. Something about him that made Sage always take a step back.
“Good morning,” she said, frowning at the men. Smith looked up at her and nodded. The other two men kept their
heads down. “What do we have here?”
“Nothing,” said one of the men, folding the velvet around the gemstones and pulling it toward him.
“It doesn’t look like nothing,” she said. “Since this is my shop, I know what comes in and out of my shop.” She placed
a hand over the velvet, and the man glared at her, sending chills up her spine.
“Boss, it’s nothing,” said Smith. “These guys were duped. That’s all. Bought some jewels for a Mardi Gras crown
and found out they’re fake. I was just confirming it for them.”
 “Why don’t I take a look?” she said, staring at the men.

“You heard him, doll. They’re fakes.” He glared at Sage, hoping to make her back up. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t
realize that Loretta’s granddaughter didn’t back down from anyone or anything.

“First off, don’t ever call me doll again. My name is Sage Marshall. Call me Sage or Ms. Marshall. But don’t call me
doll again. It’s offensive and sexist. As I said, this is my shop, and I know what comes in and out of here.”

The look on the man’s face made Sage’s stomach roil with disgust. He stared at her, looking up and down, then almost
through her.
“Meant no offense. Doll. You’re just so tiny, like a little doll. Little thing like you could get hurt real easy or break.”
Sage ignored the man, taking out her prized eye loupe that had belonged to her granny. She leaned over the jewels.
These were no fakes. These were diamonds of the highest quality, highest variety. Their cut and clarity were superb. If she
were right, they’d been removed from intricate settings.
They were stolen.
 CHAPTER THREE
“I’m glad you’re home, Mike,” said Nate. “We needed your help with the last op.”

“You didn’t need my help,” smirked Mike as he jogged next to his brother. “But I’m glad I was here anyway. I like
your girl, by the way. She’s great.” Mike stared at Nate, both of them with the same hairstyle today. The big mop of wavy

black hair tied in a topknot. They seemed to do it all the time. Dress alike. Groom alike. Act alike. They’d learned to live
with it, but it was often disconcerting to others.
“Thanks,” he smiled. “I can’t believe I found her like I did. Suddenly, she was just there.”
“I guess that’s how it happens.” He looked across the grove and toward the big opening between the live oaks.
“What’s the tent going up for?”
“The Mardi Gras celebrations for the family, brother. Mama Irene is as fierce as ever with the holiday celebrations,

and she’s creating an equal monster in Claudette. They are unstoppable. The ball will be held on Halo island, but she wanted
something just for us here. No clue why, but I don’t question that shit. We’ll be helping with the floats today, and then the ball
will be Saturday night.”
“What’s the theme?”
“Fairy tale couples,” grinned Nate. “Harlow and I are going as Antony and Cleopatra.”
“Didn’t they both die?” frowned Mike.
“Shut up,” laughed Nate. “Look, it’s just about having fun. Think of something fun to go as.”
“I fucking hate costumes, you know that. I don’t like not being able to see everyone in the room and identify them. It
seems counterintuitive to who we are. Besides, I don’t have a princess to partner with, and I don’t want one. I’ll just wear a
tuxedo and a mask.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” called Claudette, coming toward them.

“Shit, she sounds just like Mama Irene,” whispered Mike, staring at the ball of energy charging toward him.
“Yep, and I give orders like her,” said Claudette. “I’ve put a costume in your cottage. Everyone is dressing up this
year, and you’re no exception. Mama wants it to be a full-blown costume ball. Besides, it will help keep everyone
anonymous.”
“Fine. What fairy tale creature am I?” frowned Mike.
“Baby, you’re no creature. You’re Prince Charming,” smiled Claudette. “You don’t even have to wear a wig. Just tie
up that long hair, and you’ll be perfect.”
“What if it doesn’t fit?” he asked.
“Don’t insult me, Michael Douglas Redhawk,” she said with a hand at her hip. “I wouldn’t want to turn you over my
knee and use that wooden spoon on you again.”
 Mike smirked at Claudette, remembering the time he ate all the cookies on the plate in the kitchen before they cooled.

He burned his lips, but it was worth every bite.

Laughing, he stepped forward, lifting her off her feet and kissing her cheeks.

“I missed you, Claudette,” he chuckled.

“Put me down, you big overgrown child!” she laughed. “Go. Go put it on and make sure it fits. But I’ll bet my solid

silver jewelry box that it does.”

Mike retreated to his cottage, seeing the beautiful costume lying on the bed. He worried that he might have to wear
tights, but this costume seemed to at least have trousers beneath the beautiful brocade embroidered coat. The tall black boots
fit him like a glove, and the ornate mask made him feel as if he were hiding behind a painting.
“Well,” he said, staring at himself, “at least no one will know who I am.” Carefully taking the costume off and hanging
it against the door, he showered and changed, heading to the morning meeting with the others. The excitement for his
grandfather and the other seniors was palpable.
Gray Wolf Security was up and running, and they were already working their first case.
Knowing how hard retirement was for them, he wondered if he would feel some of the same as the days trudged on.
Would he be bored? Would he feel useless? There was an excitement you felt with each op, and he knew that if he didn’t feel
that here, he would miss it terribly.
He was finding it hard to believe. The last few weeks had been a wonderful respite from the constant barrage of

bullets and knives that normally came his way. Thrilled to see how happy Nate was, he was enjoying being back with all his
friends.
What was difficult was that all his friends were now married. Those that weren’t were still serving. He tried to stay
busy, tried to do things with the couples, but it was a constant reminder that he was alone.
For the first time in his life, he wondered if this was his destiny. To be alone.
“Mike? Mike, are you awake?” asked Eric.
“Sorry. Yes, I’m awake. I was just thinking about something.”
“I was asking if you’d be willing to help on a possible jewel theft case. It’s not something we normally work, but
apparently, it’s been happening all over the southeast. Megan, Ellie, and Ela can help you with identifying stones, quality, that
sort of thing.”
“It’s not just jewelry stores,” said Megan. “We think they’re stealing estate jewels, crown jewels, and more. This has
to be an inside job. It’s too big.”
“Yeah, it’s no problem. I don’t know shit about jewelry, but happy to help where I can.”
“Great, thanks,” said Eric. “We’ll be all hands helping to finish the Mardi Gras floats and the tent set-up. We’ve got
extra security at the gates on the dock across from Halo Island, for the ball. Only those with invitations will get on one of the
barges coming across to the island. The invitations have a hologram of our logo behind the print that can only be seen with one

of our laser blacklights. Foolproof.”

“Cool,” nodded Mike. Just as the meeting was about to adjourn, the doors burst open, and Mama Irene came in.

“Grandma, what’s wrong?” asked Luke.

“Luke, I need you to send some boys into the city for me.” She was wringing her hands, seemingly out of sorts, which

was unusual for Irene.

“For what, Grandma?”
“I just heard that my dear old friend who passed not long ago, her home in the Garden District was burned to the
ground. Arson. She was special to me, Luke, and her granddaughter is now home and runnin’ her business. Can you send
some boys to see if you can find her and help her?”
“Of course, Grandma.”
“I’ll go,” said Mike. “I don’t have anything to do today.”
“Take Dan with you. He’s home on leave.” Mike nodded at Dan as the two big men left the room. Mama Irene handed
them a piece of paper with the address and kissed their cheeks.
“Y’all be careful,” she said.
“We will,” they smiled.
“I didn’t know you were home,” grinned Mike.

“Got in late last night and crashed. It’s good to be home, brother. I’m ready for this to be a permanent situation. I’ve
loved being a SEAL, but damn, I just want to be in my own bed every night.”
“I know what you mean. Nate and I certainly shared a few dirt floors these last few years,” he smirked. “I’m just
ready to slide into something normal.”
They spoke casually on the way into town, remarking at how things had changed, yet stayed the same. As they wound
their way into the Garden District, it wasn’t hard to spot the smoldering billows of smoke coming from the remnants of a two-
hundred-year-old home. Sitting between St. Charles and Brittania, her once Greek Revival columns were now nothing more
than tiny stumps.
“Shit,” muttered Dan. “I hope no one was inside that house.”
“Only one,” said the fire chief, walking toward them. “Mornin’ boys. Eric and Luke said they’d be sendin’ someone.
The maid was in the kitchen, which is where the fire started.”
“Gas leak?”
“Nope.”
“She had opportunity to make it out. Why didn’t she?” asked Mike.
“She was beaten over the head with a crowbar. The flames were hot, nearly melted the whole damn thing. I doubt
we’ll get anything from it. Neighbors said she’s been arriving at five or so every morning for almost forty years. The woman

who owned this place, Loretta Brandenburg, owns Symphony Jewelers in the Quarter.”
“Symphony? I think that’s the jewelers that Mama Irene uses all the time,” said Dan. The fire chief nodded.

“Probably. Been around over a hundred years. Her granddaughter took over after her death, but we can’t find her
anywhere. She had no reason to burn the house down. Besides, neighbors said she’s gone on a buying trip to Los Angeles and

was supposed to return today. Hotel records confirm that she wasn’t here.”
“Okay, so we’ll wait for her here,” said Mike.
“I’d wait at the shop,” said the chief. “Our boys will stay close to the house for a while, but she’ll probably head right
to the shop.” Mike nodded at the man, then looked at Dan.
“Then I guess we’re going jewelry shopping.”
 CHAPTER FOUR
Sage watched the three men observing her. She pulled back and shook her head.

“I’d have to look further, but I think you’re right. Nothing but fakes.” She turned back to the other workers, giving them
instructions on what to do for the day. “Oh, and Smith? Don’t ever bring in jewels again, real or fake, without my approval.

This is my shop, and I make the decisions about who we work with. That was unprofessional of you, and I don’t appreciate
it.”
“Of course,” he said with a sardonic smile. He watched as she moved down the long corridor toward the back of the
shop.
“Does she know?” asked one of the men.
“I don’t know. She’s not usually so casual about these things. I think we just hide them, and then we’ll take them

somewhere to be looked at just to be sure of what we have. If it’s what we think, we’ll give them to him.”
“Fine. Where do we hide ten million in diamonds?” growled one of the men.
“Here,” smirked Smith. “We lock everything up at night when she’s not here. She’s leaving this afternoon for a buying
trip to Los Angeles. I’ll lock them up and get them on Saturday morning before she comes back. Even if the cops came, you
heard the lady. This is her shop and nothing happens without her knowing about it. She’d take the fall. Not me. Easy.”
“It had better be easy, or you’re going to be dead. Understand?”
“Perfectly.”
Sage didn’t say anything to anyone the rest of the day. She knew the diamonds were of the highest quality, and no one
just walks into a jewelry store with a velvet pouch full of jewels. Plus, no one in New Orleans was putting real diamonds in
their Mardi Gras crowns. That would be stupid!

While waiting on a customer, she noticed Smith walking to the back room where the safe was. She couldn’t stop and
check on it now, but she wanted to be certain he hadn’t stolen something from the vault.
At two o’clock, she gathered her bag and went to the office to grab a few notes. With Smith gone to dinner, she opened
the safe and checked to be sure everything was where it should be. In the far corner, she spotted the velvet pouch. Taking it
out, she looked at the diamonds and frowned.
“These are stolen,” she whispered to herself. She wasn’t about to leave them in her store. Taking her bag and the
diamonds, she left for Los Angeles. It was foolish to carry them with her, but she didn’t have time to run home and put them in
the safe there.
Two days of haggling with buyers, dealers, and gemologists to get the quality of what she wanted for her store, all the
while holding her breath that no one found the pouch in her bag.
With her final meeting of the day on Friday, she waited in the lobby of the Ritz Carlton hotel in Beverly Hills. When a
familiar face walked toward her, she smiled.

“Mr. Silverstein,” she laughed, hugging the man.

“Sage, my dear, dear, Sage. It’s so lovely to see you. I was sorry to hear of your grandmother.”

“Thank you. She was a wonderful woman. It was a surprise to learn that you’d be here in Los Angeles at the same
time as me. I’m so glad we were able to connect while we were both in the same place. Are you here with the family?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “My grandson is considering UCLA. We’re here for a little trip to visit universities.”
“That’s wonderful.”
They talked for a long while, catching up on friends and family, customers, and the great city they both enjoyed so
much. When there was a lull, she saw her opening. Looking around them, then back at her old friend.
“Between you and me, have you heard of any large jewelry thefts lately? Mostly loose stones?”
“I always hear of such things,” he said with a strange expression. “I know a few stores have recently been robbed,
mostly estate jewelry. Why do you ask?”
“I think one of my employees might be involved in something. I saw a bag of loose diamonds, and he tried to tell me
they were fakes. I pretended as if they were, but I assure you they were of the highest quality.”
“He believed you? He must be stupid to think that you wouldn’t know the difference. I have heard of two large thefts
recently. One was in Brazil, but it was all fully constructed pieces. Mostly emeralds and topaz. Loose diamonds are
something different. I’ve only heard of one such case, and it was stolen from Overman Jewelers in Prague. They’re

exceptional quality and possibly worth millions.”

Sage frowned at her old friend, nodding.
“Thank you for telling me that. Are you hungry?” she asked.
“I really must get going,” he said suddenly. He hugged her tightly, kissing her forehead. “Sage? Be careful. If these
men stole those diamonds, they won’t hesitate to harm anyone in their way.”
“I know. I’ll be careful,” she promised.
Waving goodbye, she retired to her room and ordered room service. Her three o’clock flight was going to come all too
early. But she’d be home by nine and head to the store, where she’d call the police and rid herself of the unwanted diamonds.

“Where the fuck are they?” growled the man.

“I-I don’t know! They were here! It’s not possible that she knew. She was gone.”
“Well, someone took them, and since she’s the only one who saw them and knew we had them, it doesn’t take a fucking
genius to figure this out.”
 “Where does she live?” asked the other man.

“Garden District.”
“Show us.”

The sun was barely peeking out from behind the morning clouds as they pulled behind the massive mansion. There was
one light on at the front of the house, but that didn’t bother them at all.

“We might have hit pay dirt,” smirked the man, staring up at the massive mansion. “Get our jewels and maybe a few
others.”
“She doesn’t keep anything here,” said Smith. “Her grandmother taught her that. Everything is kept in a bank
lockbox.” Smith was lying, but he didn’t want any more trouble than he already had. He had no beef against Sage. She was a
good boss and had been hit with a lot in the last few years. He didn’t love her. But he didn’t hate her either. Just get the
diamonds and leave the house.
Stepping up onto the back porch, they easily picked the lock, stepping into the mudroom. Hearing bustling in the
kitchen, the two men pushed him aside, forcing their way inside. The old woman screamed, but only for a moment as she saw
the huge crowbar rising above her. With all his strength, the man brought it down on the side of the head, knocking her to the
floor.
“Find the girl.” A few minutes later, the man returned with nothing.
“She’s not here. If she was, she’s long gone.”

“Where would she be?” he asked Smith.

“Still on her trip, I guess. She was supposed to come back last night, I think. Maybe she stayed for another night.”
“Burn the fucking house down. We’re heading back to the store. If she comes home, that’s where she’ll go.”

Driving slowly past her home, Sage knew instantly what had happened. The mansion had been completely retrofitted
with all the modern alarms and fire suppression systems years ago. This was no accident, and Silverstein was right. The men
who owned the diamonds were dangerous and would be coming for her next.
Racing toward the store, she decided to enter from the back instead of the front as usual. She removed everything from
the safe and then hung a sign in the window.
Due to a death in the family, we will be closed for one week.
One week. That would give her time to figure this mess out. Using her mother’s old identification, she booked a hotel
room and tried to figure out what to do. If they’d gone to the trouble of burning down her home, they wouldn’t hesitate to burn
down the store.
She stared at the suitcase filled with jewelry and cursed herself. How stupid! Millions of dollars worth of jewelry
from the store was now sitting in the hotel’s massive safe on the main floor, while millions of dollars worth of loose diamonds

were in the bottom of her purse. What a fool she’d been.

Digging in her purse to find the velvet cloth, she cut her finger on the fine cardboard of the printed invitation.

“Shit!”
She stared at the invite.

Annual Mardi Gras Ball – Belle Fleur

Belle Fleur. Where had she heard that name before? The woman. The old woman at her granny’s funeral. She’d said
that if she ever needed anything just to come to Belle Fleur.
“I don’t know who you are, lady, but if ever there was a time that I needed something. This is it.”
 CHAPTER FIVE
Mike was not happy to be here. He was happy to be home but not happy to be in the middle of the Mardi Gras ball.

They’d gone to the jewelry store only to find a sign saying it was closed. With no other leads on where Sage Marshall had
disappeared to, they returned to the compound to drown in purple, gold, and green.

“Don’t look so miserable,” laughed Nate. “Just find a woman and ask her to dance. At least pretend like you’re having
a good time. If you don’t, Claudette or Mama Irene will find you a woman, and you’ll be forced to spend time with someone
not of your choosing.”
“How the fuck am I supposed to know if I want to dance with someone if I can’t even see their face?” he growled to his
brother.
“Take it easy,” he laughed. “You sound superficial. All of these women are beautiful. At least they look beautiful in

their gowns. Just ask one to dance. Look, just make a good show of it and take a spin or two. That’ll keep Mama Irene and
Claudette happy, and then you can go back to your cottage.”
Mike frowned at his brother, slowly walking the periphery of the dance floor. Mama Irene and the wives had done an
amazing job with the ball. The colors, the music, and of course the food was prevalent everywhere.
He’d missed these parties. He bitched about attending them, but he missed them. Chuckling to himself, he shook his
head. It was great to see everyone having a good time. Halo Island had turned into the perfect venue for the ball.
Locals could use the barges owned by Belle Fleur to make their way to the island or bring their own boats and dock
them near the village. With a maze, gardens, a gazebo, and so much more on the island, it was like a mini-Belle Fleur.
Okay. Mission. Find a girl to dance with and leave.
Across the dance floor, he saw a smoking body, her breasts oozing from the top of her glittery, purple sequin gown.

The mask made it so he could barely see her eyes, covering her nose, and cheeks, but her body was damn near perfect.
This could work out well. He’d get a dance, maybe get lucky, and be done for the night. It might take the edge off his
already ill humor.
Moving slowly toward her, she turned, smiling at him. Suddenly, someone else stood in front of him, nearly tripping
over him. Her tiny body slammed into him, barely making an impact at all.
“I’m s-sorry,” she said in a hurried voice.
“It’s okay. Are you alright?” he asked. She turned, staring at the crowd behind her.
“Dance with me?” she said in a frantic voice.
“Oh, uh. Yeah. Sure,” he said, taking her hand. She practically pulled him to the middle of the dance floor. Mike
laughed, shaking his head. “In a hurry?”
“What? Oh, no. Sorry about that. I thought I saw someone.” She looked around her again, staring back at a crowd of
people behind them.

“Someone bothering you?” he frowned, looking around the room.

“It’s nothing,” she smiled.

Mike looked down at the woman. Her long blonde hair brushed the back of his hand that was resting at the top of her
beautiful ass. He’d been so enraptured by the redhead he barely looked at the drive-by that crashed into him. The gold gown

hugged her tiny curves, the mid-section see-through, showing her flat, taut stomach. He could see the glitter of a belly ring and
smiled inwardly.
Her eyes were a strange shade of blue and green, picking up the lights around them on the dance floor. Her neatly
trimmed nails were painted a rich purple color. The mask was painted with intricate, musical notes scattered around it.
“Do you like music?” he asked, smiling down at her. She was still scanning the floor.
“What?”
“Music. Do you like it? You have musical notes on your mask.”
“Oh, yes. You might say I like music,” she smiled. “I mean, everyone likes music. Don’t they? I used to dance. A
long time ago. In fact, I think the dance studio isn’t far from here.”
“We have a dance studio at the front of the property. My Aunt Lissa runs it.”
“Lissa Robicheaux? She was my instructor,” smiled the woman. Her smile quickly left her face, and Mike could feel
the panic rising in her.

“What’s your name? I’m Mike,” he grinned.

“Mike. I’m…” She looked behind him, released his hand, and stepped back. “I’m sorry, Mike, I have to go.”
“Wait! Wait, don’t go!” Before he could push through the throngs of dancers, the tiny woman had slipped away. His
eyes never left the direction she ran.
He noticed everything about her. Everything. Including the two men following her. Two men who were about to leave
the island the hard way.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” asked Dan.
“Come with me. I think we might have a problem.”
Mike took off in a jog out of the tent, looking both ways for the tiny woman. He caught a glimpse of the gown, running
toward the maze. But it was the dark figure in a cloak following her that pissed him off. He searched the grounds for the other
man, noticing that someone was running toward the river. Behind him, Hex had followed.
“Stop him from leaving,” said Mike. Hex nodded, running after the man.
“There! Get to him, and I’ll get her,” he said.
Dan nodded, taking off after the second man in the cloak. Mike circled to the opening at the western edge of the maze,
knowing that the woman wouldn’t be able to find her way out on her own.
 The minute he slid into the entrance, he froze, listening for the sounds of crunching gravel beneath someone’s shoes. He

heard it, but it was too loud. Too heavy. Those were a man’s shoes. Then listening like his grandfather taught him, he heard
it. The soft sound of tiny feet in heels padding against the gravel.

“I know you’re in here, Sage. Just give it to me, and I’ll leave.”
Mike could hear the quick, short breaths of the woman, edging along the hedge. Using his height to his advantage, he

peeked over the top, seeing the blonde head on the other side. With his long arms, he gripped her beneath her armpits and
lifted her over the hedge, covering her mouth.
She let out a yelp, but he whispered in her ear.
“Shhh, it’s me. Mike. Don’t move. My friend is stopping that man.” She nodded, turning to look up into his eyes. His
mask was gone, the deep rich brown of his eyes encircled by a ring of lavender. Mike stared down at her, pushing her mask
upward. Lowering his lips to hers, he kissed her softly, tasting the champagne.
Hearing a grunt and a male scream, he pulled back, smiling down at the woman.
“Sage, is it?” She nodded, confused. “I heard him calling your name. You wanna tell me what’s going on?”
“Mike? You out there? I got him.”
“Here,” he said, standing and bringing Sage with him. “Come on. Trust me.”
“I don’t know you.”
“Oh, there you are,” smiled Mama Irene. “I was worried for you, baby. I didn’t see you come in.”

“You know her, Mama Irene?”

“Why yes. This is Sage Marshall. It was her house that burned down the other day. I’m so glad you came. Is there a
problem?”
“You said you would help me. You said if I needed anything, you could help.”
“I did. And we will, baby. What’s wrong?”
“I think we need to sit down.”
 CHAPTER SIX
“The other one made his way back to one of the boats. He got off at the docks and took off in a rental car. We’ll find

him.”
“Who is that man?” asked Mike, still holding her hand.

“His name is Smith Jones. At least, that’s what his paperwork said. He was working for me at the jewelry store,
Symphony Jewelers. Last week, two men came in with a pouch full of loose diamonds. No one does that. Ever. Smith tried
to tell me that they were fakes, but when I looked at them, I knew they were real. The highest quality I’ve ever seen,” said
Sage.
“Did you call the police?” asked Luke.
“No. It was my plan to do that when I returned from my buying trip. Unfortunately, I found the house burned down and

knew they would head to the store next. I cleared out the store, put a sign in the window for a death in the family, and booked a
hotel room in my mother’s name.”
“Smart,” nodded Mike.
“Smith and two other men were outside the store when I was there. That other man that was with him tonight was not
someone I recognized. I went through the back of the store, which isn’t my normal way of opening the store.”
“Why?” asked Dan.
“It’s too dangerous. The alley is an easy place to get jumped or robbed. I always go in the front. He knew that. When
I was at the hotel, I was digging in my bag and found the invitation that woman gave me, the one with the white hair.”
“She’s my grandmother,” smiled Luke. “Irene Robicheaux.”
“Yes. Ms. Robicheaux. My granny spoke of her often. I’m sorry, I didn’t make the connection.”

“It’s alright, child,” smiled Irene. “You’ve had a lot going on these last few months.”
“Where are the diamonds now?” asked Luke.
“Inside my dress,” she said, looking at him. Their eyes went wide, and Mike leaned back, staring at the tiny, lithe body
and the very body-hugging dress.
“Um. Where?” he asked.
“It’s an old trick. You sew them into the seams or lining of a dress. I never buy a dress unless it has pockets. In this
case, my pockets have pockets filled with diamonds.” She stood, pulling the dress up around her thighs. Luke, Cam, Eric,
Hex, and Dan all turned, but Mike just stared at her. She blushed but kept lifting the dress.
Sure enough, sewn to the pocket was another pocket.
“Do you have a knife?” she asked. Mike took out a large pocket knife.
“Let me. It’s very sharp,” he said.
 She nodded, watching as his big fingers slid between the pocket and her leg. The heat of his fingers against her flesh

made her body feel like an inferno. Gently, he cut away the threads holding the inner pocket, setting it on the table. When he
heard a clearing of someone’s throat, he realized his hand was still lying against her warm flesh.

“Th-thank you,” she said. “Those are the loose diamonds. All of them. The jewelry from the store has been placed in
the hotel’s safe. I need to get that back.”

“We’ll send someone to get it,” said Hex.

“But, how?”
“Trust me, we’ll get it for you.”
“What about him? Smith?”
“You were right,” said Luke, grabbing the sheet of paper from Tanner. “His real name is Smith Jones. He’s worked in
jewelry sales his entire life, but never more than a few months at a time in any one place. There were no thefts at any of his
places of employment, but he always seemed to be in a city where there were large thefts happening.”
“Has there been one here?” asked Sage.
“Not yet,” said Eric, “but there are six major Mardi Gras balls with high-profile people attending over the next three
days. I would suspect there will be a lot of jewelry.”
“He knew those men,” said Sage. “They knew him, and he knew them. He must know something.” Mike stood from
beside her, nodding.

“And he’s about to know me.”

“Can I kill him?” asked Mike, staring through the glass of the conference room.

“Uh, well. We’re trying to cut back on that,” said Cam. “You know. New image kind of thing. Plus, the gators are
getting too big. Mama Irene asked us to cut back where we can.” Mike frowned but nodded, entering the room.
“You have no right to hold me!” he yelled.
“You trespassed onto our property,” said Tanner. “Cameras show that you hid between several couples with
invitations, sneaking onto the property without authority. That’s punishable by death around here.”
“Sh-she stole from me!” Mike walked in and slammed his fist against the table. The glass of water in front of the man
tipped, spilling the water everywhere.
“If I were you, I’d try that again,” said Mike. “You brought those stolen jewels into the store. Who were the other
men?”
“Th-there were no other men. It was just me!” he sputtered.
 “What did you want with her?” asked Mike.

“I want my stuff back. It’s mine! She stole it!”

“Buddy, you’re gonna need to write a different book. That one doesn’t have a happy ending for you. The sheriff is on

the way. Good friend of the family. He’s going to make sure that you’re in a cell with a few good old boys who get confused
about their bed partners.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Fine. Turn him over,” said Mike. “Let’s see if the sheriff changes his mind.”
As the sheriff hauled him away, he turned to Sage, sneering in her direction. She instinctively stepped back.
“You’ll be dead by Fat Tuesday, Sage. Give them what they want, or you’ll be dead.” She shook her head, tears filling
her eyes.
“Hey, it’s all good,” said Mike. “We’re going to protect you. You’re gonna stay here until we can solve this whole
issue.”
“What about my things?” she asked, sniffing.
“We got ‘em,” smiled Pigsty. “We work fast around here. The jewels are in our safe, and all your things are in
garçonnière one.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“That would be my cottage,” smiled Mike. “Come on.”

“Wait. I don’t know you. You don’t know me. We can’t stay in the same cottage. Can we?”
“I have two bedrooms. There is nowhere safer for you than being here, under our protection.”
“I don’t know who you are!” she said with a panicked expression.
“Okay,” he said calmly, holding up his hands. “Okay, listen to me. We are Voodoo Guardians. The premier security
agency in the world. I shit you not. In the world. We are all former military, agency, or para-military. We run several
businesses here on the property, including the dance studio you went to as a child.”
“Y-you own that studio? You really own the studio?”
“My Aunt Lissa owns it,” said Luke. “She’s married to my Uncle Alec.”
“Alec,” she whispered. “He’s really big, right?”
“Very,” laughed Mike.
“I’m feeling very overwhelmed and confused,” she said, shivering. Mike took off the brocade jacket and placed it over
her tiny shoulders. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“Honey,” said Mama Irene, taking her hands. “Listen to me. Your granny and me, we were friends for a long, long
time. Most of the engagement rings you see around you were bought from her.” Sage smiled at the older woman.
 “Why didn’t I know that? I mean, I knew the name, but I didn’t know of your friendship?” said Sage.

“Well, now. There were a lot of reasons we didn’t broadcast our friendship, but she was a special lady to me, and I
want to take care of the only thing she ever truly loved.” Sage sniffed back the tears, nodding at the older woman. Mama Irene

gave her a big hug, kissing her soft cheek.

“Listen to me, honey. My boys here, they’re gonna take care of this mess and keep you safe. Nobody is better than

them. Nobody. My Mike is a good boy.”

“He’s your grandson?”
“They’re all my grandsons,” laughed Irene. “I don’t distinguish between blood and non-blood, honey. They’re all my
boys and girls. Let Mike get you settled, and everything will be okay. Tomorrow is a new day, and we’re gonna help you.”
“Thank you,” she said, hugging Mama Irene. She felt and smelled just like her grandmother in that moment. It was
almost too much for Sage to bear. “Thank you.”
“Can you walk a distance in those shoes?” asked Mike, staring at the high heels.
“Yes,” she smiled. “I’m short, so I’m used to walking in high heels.”
“OH! There she is! I heard you were here!” said Lissa. “Sage Marshall! One of my prize students. It’s so good to see
you, honey!”
Lissa looked exactly the same as she had twenty years earlier. Almost six-feet tall, long lean legs, and gorgeous waist-
length blonde hair. In the shimmering white gown, she looked like an angel.

“Lissa! You really are here,” she said, walking toward the woman. Falling into her arms, she sobbed against her white
dress, burying her face against her body.
“What’s wrong? What happened to her?” asked Lissa, frowning at the room full of men. “What did you do?”
“Babe, let them speak,” smiled Alec. “Hi, Sage. Are you okay, honey?”
“Y-yes. N-no.”
“Let’s get her to the cottage, then we can all speak, okay?” said Mike. He grabbed her elbow, leading her down the
long path to the cottage. When she stumbled for a third time in her heels, Mike just picked her up and carried her.
“I’m too heavy,” she said, staring at his handsome face. He laughed, shaking his head.
“Sage, you don’t weigh as much as my laundry bag. You’re barely a hundred.”
“One-sixteen,” she whispered. “I’m small. I know.”
“Maybe I like small,” he said, staring at her as he artfully walked the path without even glancing at his direction.
“You kissed me in the maze,” she whispered.
“You don’t have to whisper,” he smiled. “We tend to know everything that goes on around here. The whole compound
will know by tomorrow that I kissed you, that I carried you, and that we slept in the same place.”
“B-but they’ll think that we’re a couple.” Her eyes were wide with shock.
 “Do you have a boyfriend? A husband? A fiancé?”

“No, no, and no.”

“Then we’re good. Besides, you have the most beautiful eyes of anyone I know. I’d like to drown in those for a while

if you don’t mind.”

“This is the strangest experience of my entire life,” she muttered.

“Hold on, precious. It’s about to get stranger.”

 CHAPTER SEVEN
“I know you’re feeling overwhelmed, Sage,” said Eric. “We’re here to help, not make it worse. Can you tell us

everything that happened? What brought all this about?”

“I’m not even sure I know,” said Sage. “As I said earlier, Smith had two men in the store with a velvet pouch filled

with loose diamonds. I knew immediately that they were real. Not just real, but probably the best quality I’ve ever seen. I
could tell that they’d been removed from their mounts. He tried to tell me they were fake.”
“Did you get a good look at the men?” asked Luke.
“No. Well, one. He was just evil-looking. His eyes were nearly black, and it was as if I could feel the evil coming
from his body. They both turned their heads down and looked the other way. But he got angry with me because he called me
doll, and I told him to stop.

“The whole thing made me nervous. While Smith was gone to lunch, I was scheduled to leave for Los Angeles on a
buying trip. I noticed that he put the pouch in the safe. When I’m there, I leave it open a crack in the office. He shoved it into a
corner of the safe, hoping I wouldn’t notice. I didn’t want to leave it there, so I took the pouch with me.
“I met with a mentor of mine, Hiram Silverstein. He owns the oldest jewelry store in the diamond district of New
York. He said there’d been two recent, large jewelry heists. One was in Brazil, but it was all fully constructed pieces.
Mostly emeralds and topaz. The other was in Prague. Loose diamonds of the highest quality.
“When I got back to New Orleans, I was going to drop some things off at the house, but when I saw it burned down, I
got scared. I should have stopped, but I was worried that they were there. I immediately went to the store and took everything
out.”
“Are those heists related to what you wanted us to look into?” asked Mike, staring at Eric and the others.

“Maybe. We didn’t have all the intel yet,” said Hex.

“Did you know that your maid was caught in the fire?” asked Mike. Sage covered her mouth, shaking her head as tears
began to fall.
“N-no. Clara. She was all I had,” she cried.
“She’s not all you have,” said Mike, hugging her to his body. “You have us.” Nate looked at his brother, staring into
his eyes. He didn’t want to say ‘us.’ He wanted to say ‘me,’ but he was scared that he’d frighten her.
“Do you have someone looking after the store?” asked Alec.
“No. I put out a sign that said it was closed due to a death in the family. I sent an e-mail to all my employees except
Smith. They know the store will be closed for a while.”
“That’s good,” nodded Alec. “We’re going to get back to the ball. You let Mike handle everything, honey. We’re here
if you need anything at all.”
 “Thank you,” she said, hugging them both as they left.

“We’ll talk more in the morning, Sage,” said Eric. “Get some rest, or better yet, come enjoy some great food and relax
for the night. It could be fun.” Sage stood from the kitchen table, watching as everyone left her alone with the big, handsome

man in front of her.

“Wh-what now?” she asked nervously.

“Well, we can go back to the ball if you want. I mean, you look beautiful, and I would hate to see that dress go to
waste.” Mike smiled at her, his dazzling white teeth nearly knocking her over. She wondered if he had any clue how handsome
he was.
“Do you always do that?”
“Do what?”
“Smile at women and make them confused.”
“I’m sorry if I’m confusing you,” he smiled. “I didn’t mean to do that. I’m trying to make you feel more at ease. More
comfortable. Listen, take a seat. Please.” He pointed to the sofa, and she moved with an elegant grace that made Mike
instantly see the childhood dancer.
“You won’t understand this, but we tend to find the one quickly around here.”
“Find the one? Mike, are you screwing with my head? I don’t have the energy for flirting tonight.” She stood, ready to
run out the door.

“No! Please, please don’t leave. Let me start again. Do you know how Lissa met Alec?”
“A little. I know she was injured or kidnapped. He saved her, is what she said.”
“That’s true. He did save her, but she really saved him. He was an ex-CIA operative. He’d been taken hostage by
Russians a long time ago. Somehow, it all tied together, and he found himself mixed up with them again. But so was Lissa.
“He would say this himself, but when he saw her, he knew she was the only woman for him. They fell in love almost
instantly. It was the same for my grandparents, my parents, my aunt and uncle, my brother. It’s the same for everyone on this
property.”
“Why are you saying this?” she whispered.
“Because when I saw you tonight, my heart stopped. My head was swimming, my mind racing. All I could think about
was taking that mask off of you so I could kiss you.”
“You did kiss me,” she said. “You took my mask off in the maze and kissed me.”
“Yes, I did. And I’d very much like to do that again.” In the distance, they could both hear the music coming from the
ball. She stared down at the dress and looked at him. He was a prince. That’s what he was dressed as. She’d chosen the
dress to look like a modern-day princess.
Standing, he moved toward her, towering above her. He pushed back the long blonde curls, placing his hand on her
lower back, gripping the other. Slowly, he moved from side to side, just a slight sway.

“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life. I cannot breathe when I’m near you.”
“I’m so confused right now,” she said, staring up at him. “Haven’t you looked in the mirror? You’re wearing a Prince

Charming costume, but you truly look like Prince Charming. I’ve never been around anyone so tall, strong, and handsome.
Your eyes are unbelievably beautiful. It’s like someone layered tiger’s eye and amethyst.” Mike chuckled, nodding his head.

“The jeweler speaks in gemstones,” he smiled.

“Yes, I suppose I do. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. It was perfect. I appreciate you saying that. But if I were going to speak the same language about you, it
would be peridot and blue topaz swirling like the sea after a storm. It was the first thing I noticed about you at the ball.”
“Not my height, or lack thereof?” she smirked.
“No. I like your height. And that dress makes me think things I shouldn’t,” he said, smiling down at her. They were
still swaying to the music in the distance.
“It’s early. We could go back to the ball,” she said softly.
“It is early. We could go back to the ball.” He kept moving from side to side, pulling her closer.
“I-I’m confused, Mike. Maybe we should be around other people until my head clears,” she pleaded, looking up at
him.
“I don’t mean to confuse you. Let me be perfectly clear, Sage. I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever

known, and I want to get to know you on every level. Just you and me. No other man. No other woman.”
“You don’t have a girlfriend?” she asked.
“Nope. Not even a little.”
“Well, I’m surprised by that. And happy. I am hungry, though,” she smiled. “Can we get something to eat?”
“Now that I can help you with,” he laughed. “Come on. It’s back to the ball we go.”
Mike wrapped a wool shawl that was hanging on the hook by the door around her shoulders, then took her hand,
walking slowly back to the tent. It wasn’t quite ten yet, but the party was in full swing, and everyone was having a great time.
He wasn’t sure who had done the planning on Halo Island, but it was truly a miniature of their own home. There was an office,
kitchen, meeting space, everything they needed.
Filling their plates with all the deliciousness offered at Belle Fleur, they took a seat at Nate and Harlow’s table. Mike
was pleased to see that Sage got along with Harlow right away. He and Nate always said they didn’t know what they’d do if
their significant others didn’t get along.
“This is so beautiful,” said Sage. “I’ve only been to one Mardi Gras ball, and it was mostly drunken frat boys with too
much money and no common sense.”
“We try to keep the drunken frat boys away,” smiled Mike. “Mama Irene likes to have fun and have a good time, but
never at the expense of others’ enjoyment.”

“I think my granny came out here a few times,” she said thoughtfully. “I’m not sure why all that didn’t register with me
when I met Mama Irene at her funeral. She always talked about the lady with all the children.”

“That would be Irene,” smiled Nate. “She envelops everyone as if they’re her own. Actually, her daughter Claudette
has been doing that a lot lately as well.”

“Sage, your gown is stunning. Where did you get it?” asked Harlow.
“Oh, it’s actually something a friend loaned me. She’s a clothing designer for the theater. This is a ballet gown at the
top, very risqué with the sheer whale boning.” Mike blushed, nodding at her. “The bottom is from a ballgown used in
Cinderella. I thought it was unusual. That, and it fit me. I’m kind of hard to fit.”
“Lucky you,” smiled Harlow. “I seem to be having trouble with fit lately as well, but I’m not sure why.”
“You’re beautiful,” smiled Nate, kissing his wife.
“Are you expecting?” asked Sage innocently. Harlow stared at the other woman, shaking her head slowly. Then she
placed a hand over her belly.
“Yes. But we haven’t told everyone. We wanted it to be a surprise.”
“That’s fucking awesome! Maybe it will be twins, like us,” laughed Mike.
“Twins,” whispered Harlow. “Oh, shit, Nate. I think we’re having twins. That’s why I’m so big already.”
“Twins,” smiled Nate. “Hell, yeah.” He turned to the crowd and shouted at the top of his lungs.

“We’re having twins!”

“Nate! We’re not sure.”
“I’m sure,” he smiled. “Come on, let’s get you home.” Sage waved at the happy couple as they left the tent, smiling the
entire time.
“That’s really sweet,” she smiled. Mike smiled, nodding at her. “Do you want children?”
“Yes,” he said quickly. “I mean. Yes. When it’s time. I’d like twins, just like them. It was great growing up with a
twin. I’d love to have that for my children.”
“I’m not sure it’s something you can control.”
“Well, my father is a twin. He had twins. My uncle had twins. It seems like a family trait if you ask me.” He watched
as Sage pushed the plate of food away, touching her stomach. “Had enough?”
“I’m stuffed, Mike. Thank you.”
“Well, it’s not over yet. The boats are about to parade through the bayou. It’s all locals who know us and where we
are. Do you feel up to it?”
“I’m not sleepy yet, so yes,” she said.
Once again, she was secure in his hand as he led her toward the dock area. Taking a seat on the beautiful wooden
benches, she curled into his warmth, happy to have his big body blocking the wind.

When the lights began to appear, reflecting off the water, the oohs and ahhs of the crowd showed that they were
enthralled by the spectacle. Revelers aboard the boats were dressed as kings, queens, and court jesters, all tossing beads,

candy, and other items to the spectators on shore.

“What do you think?” asked Mike, staring at her face. The expression of amazement and childlike wonder made him

smile.
“I think it’s the most wonderful thing in the world. I never had the time to do things like this before. Granny was
always busy with the store, and my parents weren’t around. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed out on in my own city.
Considering how my day started, I can’t believe I’m sitting here, watching this. With you.”
Mike turned to her, touching the gentle curve of her jawline. Lifting her chin, he touched his lips to hers, pulling her
closer and closer until she was seated on his lap. The rustle of the fabric of her gown sent chills up his spine for some reason.
Taking it off would be a chore he’d enjoy.
Sage wrapped her arms around his neck, tasting the flavors of their meal. He didn’t drink, so the taste of sweet tea
permeated her tongue, and that made her smile. His hand settled at her waist. The warmth of his fingers felt through the veil-
thin fabric. Pulling back, she stared at him.
“What now?” she whispered.
“Now, we go back to the cottage and talk about how I’m going to make love to you.”
 CHAPTER EIGHT
Sage was surprised to find a stack of clothing in the spare bedroom, neatly folded on top of the dresser. There were

blue jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts, t-shirts, coats, and more. Even undergarments. In the bathroom was a full cosmetic bag with
everything she could possibly need. There were two pairs of silk pajamas, but she felt self-conscious putting them on. Instead,

she walked back into the living room in her gown.

“Were there no clothes in the room?” asked Mike, confused that she was still in the ball gown.
“Oh, yes. I just, I mean, I didn’t want to come out in pajamas,” she said nervously. “I can put something on if you think
this is weird.”
“Sage, I don’t think anything is weird. I love that fucking dress on you. It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m a virgin!” She blurted it out, staring at him. “I’m sorry. I just had to get that out there. If that changes how you

feel, it’s okay. I’m a virgin, and I’m proud of it. I didn’t want to have a ton of babies running around and no father, and I didn’t
want to give myself to someone I didn’t truly have feelings for, and I was worried…”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” he laughed, shaking his head. He patted the seat beside him on the leather sofa. “Come here.
Please.”
“I didn’t mean to dump all of that on you,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m just nervous, and I’m having trouble
understanding why you would choose me. Am I just a one-night stand for you?”
Mike was almost angry at her statement, but the truth was, she didn’t know him and didn’t understand him and his
family. They were different. Different from the vast majority of men and women out in the world today. He needed her to
know that.
“Listen to me, Sage. You will not be a one-night stand for me. Not one night, not two nights, not ten nights if I have my

way. I tried to explain it earlier, but I didn’t do a very good job.” He took a deep breath, holding her hand. “You are my
future, Sage. I see us together for the next seventy-five years. I see our children running around the grounds. Our daughters
dancing in Lissa’s studio, our sons protecting as I have. I see us together for a lifetime, Sage.”
“How can you be so sure of that? I’m not sure of anything right now.”
“Are you sure of your feelings for me?”
She wanted to say no. She wanted to run and hide and ignore the burning in her gut. No, it wasn’t her gut. It was
lower. Her body was on fire for him, and she knew exactly why. She’d been waiting for this moment since she was old
enough to understand what it meant. Tonight, she was feeling it in multiple folds, and her body was telling her that this is the
man she was going to give herself to.
“I know that I’ve never had feelings like this for a man before. Not after a week, a month, a year. Especially not after,”
she looked at the clock on the wall, smiling at him, “five and a half hours. I’m terrified, and excited, and worried that you
won’t like the way I look.”

“Sage, I love the way you look, baby.”

She nodded, standing in front of him. She wedged herself between his knees, pushing them further apart. Reaching

behind her, she unzipped the skirt of the dress, the cloud of tulle pooling around her feet.
Standing in her high heels and the unbelievably sexy whale-boned bodysuit, she could see his chest rising and falling,

faster and faster. Her hand slid down the front of the bodysuit, between her thighs, and he heard the sounds of snaps being
undone. Pulling the top over her head, she tossed it behind her, standing completely naked before him.
Her flat stomach shimmered with a fine sheen of perspiration from her nerves. The small diamond belly ring glistened
in the light of the fire. Her pussy was smooth, shaved completely, and Mike smiled inwardly at that. Her small breasts were
perfect. The pink nipples hard and large.
“This is me, Mike. I can’t change it, and I won’t.”
“You better fucking not,” he said, gripping her waist and pulling her toward him. She straddled his lap, feeling his hard
length stretch from her opening to her mid-thigh.
“You’re very big,” she swallowed. “I can feel you.”
“I won’t hurt you,” he said, shaking his head. “Understand that above everything else. I would never hurt you, not
physically, not emotionally, if I can prevent it.”
He slowly lowered her to her back, kneeling before her. He removed his shirt, tossing it aside, revealing the

beautifully defined muscles of his chest and arms. When the trousers came down, Sage was filled with such excitement she
nearly touched herself.
“Are you on birth control?” he asked.
“No,” she said, shaking her head.
“I’ll wear condoms until you tell me not to,” he said.
She watched as he walked to the bedroom, then returned quickly, rolling the condom on as he walked. He was
perfection. Like a Greek statue, she couldn’t believe this was the man that would own her body.
“Open for me, sweet Sage,” he said in a husky voice. Spreading her thighs wide, he slid a finger inside her wet
opening, watching as her beautiful body arched toward him, moaning with desire. “That’s it, my girl. So fucking wet for me.
Two fingers now, Sage. Two.”
Mike continued to stretch her, his fingers moving in and out as his thumb strummed her hard nub, playing the song that
would send her over the edge. When her body shuddered with bliss, he touched his hard cock to her wetness, dipping the head
into her.
“Wow,” she moaned, looking down at them. “That’s big.” Mike smiled at her, shaking his head.
“You’re very small. I’m probably more than average, but it’s just that you’re really small, and I’m your first.” He
gently moved back and forth, not wanting to cause her pain. “Do you feel that, Sage? We belong together. We fit perfectly,

honey.”
“Mmmhmm,” she moaned, writhing beneath him. “God, you feel so good.”

“Oh, baby girl, nothing feels as good as you. I need you to hold on, okay? Wrap your legs around my waist so the angle
is more comfortable. Scratch me, squeeze me, whatever makes it better. I’m going to go all in now.”

She nodded at him, touched by his concern for her comfort. Linking her ankles behind his back, she lifted her hips to
him as he pounded forward, driving into her. Gasping, he covered her mouth with his own, tasting her, nibbling on her lips as
tears fell down her face.
“I’m so sorry, baby, but it’s done. It’s done. You’re mine, Sage. All mine, baby.”
“Yours,” she nodded. It was like a fairy tale, and she wondered if she’d made a mistake. What if he changed his
mind? “Truly? Am I truly yours, Mike?”
“Fuck yeah, you are,” he said, rocking inside her. She felt the wave of bliss creeping over her body again, wiggling
beneath him to speed it up.
“Mike! Mike!”
“Fuck, yes!” he growled. Filling the condom, he slowly eased back, taking it off and tying it before disposing of it.
When he returned, he lifted Sage, carrying her to his bed.
“I thought I was sleeping in there,” she said.

“Not in this fucking lifetime. You are in my bed from this day forward. Feel me, honey?” She grinned at him, wanting
to laugh at his possessiveness.
“I feel you. I’d like to feel you again. Is that possible?”
“Fuck yeah.”
 CHAPTER NINE
Nathan and Martha watched as Sage and Mike left his cottage the next morning. The glow about them told the two

ghosts all they needed to know. Martha smiled at Nathan, touching his thigh.
“Your great-great-grandsons are like you. Built for enjoyment and quite knowledgeable about the female body,” she

smiled. Nathan let a small grin slip from his lips.

“I only wish to be knowledgeable about your body, my delicious ghost.”
“You two need to learn to speak about something other than sex,” said Yori. “Or I need to find a mate in our kingdom of
ghosts.” Nathan and Martha smiled at their friend as he moved toward the gardens.
“Shall we introduce ourselves?” He nodded as they slowly moved toward Mike.
Mike looked up, seeing his ancestor and Martha coming toward them. He quickly stopped Sage, turning her to face

him.
“Uh, Sage, I need to tell you something, and please don’t think I’m crazy.” She turned, smiling up at him.
“I know. You love me, and there are ghosts here.”
“Wait. You know I love you?” he smirked. Sage could only laugh, shaking her head as she kissed him.
“Yes.”
“And the ghosts?”
“Mike, I lived in a two-hundred-year-old mansion in one of the most haunted cities in America. My grandmother was
always having conversations with the ghosts in the house. I only saw one. Mauricio was a man who worked at the house in the
late 1800s. I’m not sure why he couldn’t leave, but he seemed happy enough watching over the place.”
“Wait. Could you see and speak to him?” asked Mike.

“Yes. All the time.”

“We might have our first eye-witness to the crime,” he said, pulling her toward the cafeteria. “Morning, Martha.
Morning, Great-great-grandfather.”
“Good morning, my son,” smiled Nathan. “You’ve chosen well.”
“Thank you,” smiled Sage. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
“I like her,” said Martha. “She will be good for him.”
Mike heard the last comment, turning to give a wink to Martha. She’d been a confidante and counselor since he was a
child. Who knew you could have a two-hundred-year-old ghost as a therapist?
As they entered the cafeteria, all eyes turned to smile at the new couple. It was Nate and Harlow who stood,
applauding and giving a rousing ‘whoop’ with their fists in the air.
“Oh, my God, I’m going to die of embarrassment,” said Sage, turning a delicious shade of cotton candy pink.
Another random document with
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advantage over the propeller type in the removal of dust lies in the
fact that they overcome greater internal resistance, and a uniform
high velocity in a complicated system of pipes can thus more easily
be maintained.

Fig. 3 shows adjustable hoods and ducts fitting closely over rollers for mixing
coloured inks, and serving not only to prevent inhalation of lead dust by the
workers, but also the colour from one machine affecting that on another. In the
particular room where the installation is fitted there are thirteen separate sets of
rollers; the diameter of the branch duct of each machine is about 5 inches, and
that of the main duct close to the fan about 20 inches. The special points we
have considered as to entrance of all branch ducts into the main duct
tangentially, gradual tapering of the main trunk, and collection of the dust in
filter-bags, are noticeable. Further, when one set of rollers is not in use the
raising of the hood automatically cuts off the draught through it. (Drawing
supplied by the Sturtevant Engineering Company, Limited, London.)

Ducts.—The main duct should be of metal (steel, sheet-iron, or

zinc); it should be circular in shape, have as straight and short a
course as possible, and be tapered in such manner that the area of
cross-section at any point shall equal the combined areas of all the
branch pipes which have entered it at that point (Fig. 3). Proper
dimensions must be studied in relation to the size of the fan and the
work to be done. Wooden ducts, unless chosen for specific reasons,
such as the presence of acid in the fumes to be removed, are very
unsatisfactory, as it is difficult to maintain them in an air-tight
condition or to make branch pipes enter with rounded junctions.
Where several branch ducts enter a main duct, situation of the fan
midway between them has advantage, not only in saving metal in
piping, but also in causing the distance of the fan from the farthest
branch duct to be only half what it would be were the fan placed at
the end of the system (see Fig. 7, p. 217). Further, the sectional area
of the two collecting ducts will be less than that of one main duct,
and greater uniformity of flow thereby secured. Where the two ducts
join up into the single duct of the fan, the bends must be easy;
otherwise the draughts would collide and neutralize one another.
Branch ducts, if they cannot be made tangential to a rounded curve,
should enter the main duct at an angle of 30 degrees, as by so doing
equalization of the draught at different openings is made fairly
uniform. The very common defect of a right-angle joint diminishes
the draught by nearly one-half. Branch ducts should never be made
to enter a main duct on the outer side of a bend, because at this
point the pressure of the current of air inside the duct is increased.
They should join up on the inside of a bend, where the pressure is
reduced.
Hoods and Air-Guides.—As the object of hoods is to
concentrate the draught on the fumes or dust to be removed from
the worker, position in regard to origin of the fumes or dust requires
first consideration. The more restricted the opening consistent with
unimpeded work, the more effective is the draught, and the less
disturbed will it be by cross-currents in the workroom. Pendock lays
it down as a useful principle that the area of the front opening into
the hood should not be more than four times that of the exhaust
throat—i.e., the point of junction of the hood and duct (Fig. 4). Not
less important is it that the draught should operate below the
breathing level. Preference as to the direction to be given to the
exhaust current should be in the order named: (1) Downwards; (2)
downwards and backwards combined; (3) backwards and upwards
combined; and (4) upwards only. Use should be made, for the
removal of the fumes or dust, of any initial current of hot air set up
from a bath of molten metal or from a heated metallic surface, as in
vitreous enamelling. Hence under such circumstances only (3) and
(4) need be considered. Generally hoods applied err in having too
wide an opening, or they are placed too far away from the source of
danger. They require sometimes to be adjustable to suit different-
sized articles. Care is necessary to see that, when a hood has been
adjusted for large articles, it is readjusted for smaller-sized articles.
The principle of ventilation downwards and backwards is recognized
as right for grinding and polishing on a wheel, since the tangential
current set up by the wheel in its rotation is utilized. Pug-mills in
paint-works are perhaps best ventilated by applying the exhaust to a
dome-shaped hood covering the posterior half of the mill. Edge-
runners must be encased, with an exhaust pipe attached to the
casing and sliding doors or shutters for introduction or removal of
material (Fig. 5). A small negative pressure inside the casing is all
that is necessary, so as to insure passage of air inwards and not
outwards. Branch ducts must protect the casks out of which material
is scooped, and the receptacle into which it is discharged. In
scooping out dry colour from a barrel, it is unwise to attempt to
remove the dust created at every displacement of air on removal of a
scoopful by means of a hood suspended over the barrel. Instead, the
last joint of the duct should be a telescopic one, so that it can be
lowered into the barrel, and be kept at a distance of about 6 inches
above the material. The air is thus drawn downwards into the barrel
(Fig. 6).
Fig. 4 shows a well-designed arrangement of hoods, duct, and fan, in the packing
of white lead, and the filter-bags for collecting the dust so removed. An
additional safeguard is introduced, as the casks stand upon grids through which
a down-draught is maintained by connecting the space underneath with the
exhaust system. (Drawing supplied by the Sturtevant Engineering Company,
Limited, London.)

Processes such as colour-dusting, aerographing, ware-cleaning,

enamel-brushing, and the like, are best carried out at benches under
hoods with glass tops. Air will enter from in front, and carry the dust
or spray away into the exhaust duct placed at the back of the bench.
Fig. 5 shows a pan mill with edge runners fitted with casing (partially open). The
casing is connected to a powerful fan, and branch ducts with telescopic terminal
sections control the dust in scooping out from the barrel, in feeding into the mill,
and at the point where the ground material is discharged.

Collection of Dust.—Frequently no heed is paid to the

collection of the dust. Sometimes a dust chamber is arranged to
intercept it on the far side of the fan, or attempt is made to blow the
dust into a tank of water. The fine dust of which we are speaking
cannot be satisfactorily collected by either of these methods, nor
even by a cyclone separator, so useful for the collection of many
kinds of dust. In lead works generally, the dust removed by the fan is
best collected in filter-bags made of some porous fabric. Various
efficient filters constructed on these lines by Messrs. Henry Simon,
Ltd.; Messrs. Beth and Co., Ltd.; and the Sturtevant Engineering
Company, Ltd., are on the market.
Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of piping with balanced telescopic joints fitted to a
Sirocco dust fan for removal of dust, in an electric accumulator works, when
scooping out litharge from a cask into the receptacle prior to emptying the
weighed quantity into the mixing machine, also under a hood connected with the
exhaust system. (Illustration supplied by Davidson and Company, Limited,
Belfast.)

In collecting the dust, care must be taken to provide an adequate

outlet for the spent air, so as to prevent creation of a source of
friction in front which might destroy the effectiveness of the
installation.
Fig. 7.—Exhaust Ventilation on the Patent “Pentarcomb” Principle applied
to Linotype and Monotype Machines in Printing Works, as installed by
the Zephyr Ventilating Company, Bristol.
P, Patent “pentarcomb” for equalizing exhaust; V, patent “pentarcomb” for general
ventilation; D, main and branch ducts; F, fan; U, upcast from fan; M, hoods over
metal-pots of monotype machines, constructed to raise and lower, and swing out
and in with metal-pot; L, hoods over metal-pots of linotype machines,
constructed to raise and lower.
In the illustration “pentarcomb” grids connect the branch ducts over the metal-pots
of mono and linotype machines with the main duct. The “pentarcomb” grids are
arranged also elsewhere in the main duct itself to assist in the general
ventilation of the workroom. The hoods over the metal-pots are constructed to
be raised and lowered, and to swing out and in radially with the melting-pot arm.
(Drawings supplied by the Zephyr Ventilating Company, Bristol.)

In order to secure equality of flow from a number of branched

ducts, the Zephyr Ventilating Company apply a special grating of
curved and slanting inlets—the “pentarcomb”—to each branch duct.
The air passing through the comb is split up into numerous small
columns, and the inclination of the curve which each is made to take
is such as to reduce friction to a minimum. By means of this device
we have found, in a trunk with twenty branches, the draught at the
one farthest from the fan as serviceable as that next to it. The
method is illustrated applied locally to remove the fumes from
linotype machines, and generally in the main duct for removal of foul
air near the ceiling.
Where electricity is available as a motive power for driving the fan,
some modification in the views expressed as to the curvature of the
pipes and system of installation can be allowed. In a red lead plant,
for instance, it may be desirable to have the pipes leading to the
sifter or packing machine with sharp angles, so as to prevent
tendency of such heavy dust to collect in them. The electric current
allows a fan to be installed at any point desired; and if applied with
knowledge that the increased friction due to an acute angle has to be
overcome, the result may be quite satisfactory.
The various forms of vacuum cleaning apparatus with
mouthpieces designed to aspirate the dust from different surfaces
are sure to be increasingly used. In our opinion, wherever electric
power is available, they will obviate barbarous methods involving use
of hand-brushes to collect dust from machines, such as those for
litho-dusting or for sweeping lead dust from benches and floors, or
use of bellows to blow out the dust from compositors’ cases.
Finally, the carrying out of lead processes by automatic methods
and with the interior of the casing under a negative pressure, so that
the material is transported from one process to another by means of
worms or conveyors, is everywhere to be aimed at. Or, again, it has
been found possible on a commercial scale, by means of
compressed air in a closed system of receivers and pipes, to force
material in very fine state of division from one place to another, as,
for instance, of litharge from the cask into the mixing machine for
preparation of the paste for manufacture of accumulator plates,
without risk of contact.
Indication of the efficiency of the draught may be gained by
holding smoke-paper at the orifice of the hood. The definition of
efficient exhaust in some regulations for the removal of fumes, as in
the Tinning Regulations, is that it shall not be deemed to be efficient
unless it removes smoke generated at the point where the fume
originates. Accurate gauging, however, of the draught can only be
done with an anemometer, so as to determine the number of linear
and cubic feet passing through the throat per minute. Only rarely
does one find an occupier alive to the value of the use of such an
instrument. The importance of this point has been recognized in the
Regulations for Heading of Yarn, by the requirement that the speed
of each exhaust opening shall be determined once in every three
months at least, and recorded in the general register. We prefer to
use Davis’s[A] self-timing anemometer, which gives readings in feet
per second without the need of a watch. Other useful anemometers
—Casella’s or Negretti and Zambra’s—require to be timed.
[A] It is not available for velocities exceeding 1,200 linear feet per minute.

The details of all routine observations on localized exhaust

ventilation might well be entered on a card hung up in the workroom.
Such a card drawn up by our colleagues, Miss Lovibond and Mr. C.
R. Pendock, has the following headings:

FIRM .......... PROCESS ..........

Fans: No. .......... Kind ..........
Motive power ..........
Other load ..........
Screen ..........
Direction ..........
Periodic cleaning ..........
Hoods: No. .......... Kind ..........
Size ..........
Maker ..........
H.P. ..........
Method of driving ...
Condition of driving
Dust collection ..........
Size ..........
 Structure ..........
Distance between each ..........
Ducts: No. .......... Kind ..........
Size .......... Length ..........Section ..........
Structure ..........
Periodic cleaning ..........
Fresh-Air Kind ..........
Inlets: No. .......... Position ..........
Size ..........
Fixed or temporary ..........

Hood: Position Date ..... Date .....

Reference of Anemo- External External
Number. meter. Conditions ..... Conditions ..... Re
Area Volume Area Volume
of Speed C.F. of Speed C.F.
Throat. F. p.m. p.m. Throat. F. p.m. p.m.

Frequent cleaning and inspection of exhaust installations are very

important, as accumulation of dust greatly impedes the flow of air at
all points of the system. The person employed in cleaning the fan
should wear a respirator. Hoods and ducts should always be cleaned
with the exhaust in full action.

REFERENCES.
[1] Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1910, p. 172.
[2] Ibid., pp. 172, 173.
[3] G. Elmhirst Duckering: A Report on an Experimental Investigation into
the Conditions of Work in Tinning Workshops, and Appendices. Included in
Special Report on Dangerous or Injurious Processes in the Coating of Metal
 with Lead or a Mixture of Lead and Tin. Cd. 3793. Wyman and Sons, Ltd.
Price 1s.
G. Elmhirst Duckering: The Cause of Lead Poisoning in the Tinning of
Metals. Journal of Hygiene, vol. viii., pp. 474-503, 1908.
G. Elmhirst Duckering: Report on an Investigation of the Air of Workplaces
in Potteries. Included as Appendix XLIX. in Report of the Departmental
Committee appointed to inquire into the Dangers attendant on the Use of
Lead, and the Danger or Injury to Health arising from Dust and Other
Causes in the Manufacture of Earthenware and China, vol. ii., pp. 93-113,
1910. Cd. 5278. Price 1s. 9d.
[4] G. Elmhirst Duckering: Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of
Factories for 1910, p. 47.
[5] C. R. Pendock (one of H.M. Inspectors of Factories): Report on Systems
of Ventilation in Use in Potteries. Included as Appendix XLVIII. in vol. ii. of
Potteries Committee’s Report referred to under[3].
C. R. Pendock: Second Report of the Departmental Committee appointed to
inquire into the Ventilation of Factories and Workshops, part i., and
especially part ii., 1907. Cd. 3552 and 3553. Price together, 4s. 8d.
Other works referred to include—Construction des Usines au Point de Vue de
l’Hygiène, by Ingénieur-Architecte Maniguet. Ch. Béranger, Paris, 1906;
Hygiène Industrielle, by MM. Leclerc de Pulligny, Boulin, and others. J. B.
Baillière et Fils, Paris, 1908; and many excellently illustrated trade
catalogues issued by ventilating engineering firms, such as the Sturtevant
Engineering Company, Ltd., London; Henry Simon, Ltd., Manchester;
Davidson and Company, Ltd., Belfast; John Gibbs and Son, Liverpool.
 CHAPTER XIII
PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST LEAD
POISONING—Continued

Periodical Examination.—In various codes of regulations a

surgeon is required to make periodical medical examination of the
workers. The term “surgeon” is defined as the “Certifying Factory
Surgeon of the district, or a duly qualified medical practitioner,
appointed by written certificate of the Chief Inspector of Factories,
which appointment shall be subject to such conditions as may be
specified in that certificate.” The wording of the regulation varies
somewhat in different codes, but the intention in all is the same, and
the following example from the Tinning Regulations will indicate the
purpose and scope:
“Every person employed in tinning shall be examined by the surgeon once in
every three months (or at such shorter or longer intervals as may be prescribed in
writing by the Chief Inspector of Factories), on a day of which due notice shall be
given to all concerned. The surgeon shall have the power of suspension as
regards all persons employed in tinning, and no such person after suspension
shall be employed in tinning without written sanction from the surgeon entered in
the health register.
“Every person employed in tinning shall present himself at the appointed time for
examination by the surgeon. No person employed in tinning shall, after
suspension, work at tinning without written sanction from the surgeon entered in
the health register.”

Under the Special Rules for white-lead works, examination is

required at weekly intervals; under the Special Rules for
Earthenware and China, Manufacture of Litho-Transfers and Red
Lead, and under the Regulations for Electric Accumulators, and
Paints and Colours, monthly; under the Regulations for Tinning, Yarn
dyed with Chromate of Lead, and Enamelling, at quarterly intervals,
subject to the limitation or extension specified in the regulation
quoted.
The limitation as to quarterly examination is useful to meet
conditions, on the one hand, where special incidence calls for
increased safeguards; and, on the other, relaxation, by reason of
adoption of special processes or measures lessening risk. Thus, in a
yarn-dyeing factory, in consequence of occurrence of six cases
within five months, a weekly instead of a quarterly examination was
prescribed. After eight months, as no further cases were reported, a
monthly examination was substituted for the weekly, and eventually,
with continued absence of illness, the normal quarterly examination
was resumed.
An appointed time for the surgeon’s attendance at the factory has
been found necessary, because, in conformity with the literal wording
of the regulation, the occupier should not continue to employ a
worker who, for one reason or another, has not been examined by
the surgeon during the prescribed interval. With knowledge of the
date and hour posted in a conspicuous place in the factory, excuse
for absence becomes difficult. Alteration by the surgeon of his
appointed time should, whenever possible, be given beforehand.
Surgeons in the past frequently made examination of the persons
employed with the view of taking them unawares, and so of
precluding special preparation beforehand—a practice which had its
advantages; but they are outweighed by the hardship inflicted on
workers who were unavoidably absent, as, for example, night-
workers. A health register is supplied to all occupiers where
periodical medical examination is enjoined, the headings of which
and manner of entry are indicated later on in this chapter.
The objects which the surgeon should have in mind in making his
examination are:
1. To prevent lead poisoning and minimize lead absorption.
2. To obtain information for the occupier and Inspector of Factories
of the relative danger of one process and another with a view to
adoption of remedial measures.
In safeguarding the health of the workers, he should make effort to
gain their confidence, in order to be able to attach proper value to
statement as to subjective symptoms. Suspicion in their minds that
the examination is made solely in the interests of the employer
militates against success, and increases inclination to conceal
symptoms and to give untruthful answers as to the state of health
since the last examination. In our opinion, the surgeon will best carry
out the first object by attention to the second. The study of
thousands of reports on cases of lead poisoning convinces us that
90 per cent. at least are due to inhalation of dust and fumes. The
surgeon, therefore, should utilize the earliest sign of lead absorption
to warn the occupier and inspector of conditions favourable to the
development of plumbism, and due probably either to some
unguarded spot in the manufacturing process whereby dust or fumes
are not being removed completely, or to ignorance or carelessness
(often excusable in the absence of proper instruction) on the part of
the worker. He should direct, therefore, especial attention to new
workers, not only because of their need for guidance as to
precautions to be observed and greater liability to attack during the
first year of employment, but also because development of signs in
them constitutes the surest guide to defects in the process of
manufacture. Occasionally symptoms in a worker may be so
menacing as to demand immediate suspension, but generally before
the power is exercised attempt to rectify the condition which gives
rise to them should be made. The surgeon can do much by
influencing the foremen and forewomen, who will necessarily come
before him for examination, in insisting on the supervision by them of
care and cleanliness by the workpeople under their charge. Should
suspension, despite attention in the manner suggested, be
necessary, he will recognize that transference to a non-lead process,
if feasible, is preferable to entire cessation from work in very many
cases. The surgeon, therefore, should know what departments are
possible alternatives to lead work.
The fact that an examination is made on factory premises, is
directed to detection and prevention, treatment taking a subordinate
place, and is often made on persons who, unlike hospital patients,
seek to conceal their symptoms, causes it to be an examination sui
generis. Hence the surgeon must trust his sight more than his
hearing. A surgeon with experience of such work has said: “The
worker in lead must be surveyed as an individual, and idiosyncrasies
must be carefully studied and allowed for; the ‘personal equation’ is
of vital importance”[1].
For the examination a well-lighted room affording privacy is
essential. While it is desirable for the surgeon periodically to see the
processes and conditions under which work is carried on, systematic
examinations of workers should not be made elsewhere than in a
private room. The custom of marshalling workers in a queue,
although perhaps unavoidable in many cases, is liable to detract
from the seriousness of the proceedings, a sense of which it should
be one of the aims of the examination to arouse. In discussing the
method of interrogation and usual examination, Dr. King Alcock[2],
Certifying Factory Surgeon of Burslem, says: “Note the general
manner assumed in answering questions and any indications of
carelessness in dress and toilet. Inquire into the state of digestion,
existence of colicky pains, regularity of bowels, menses, history of
pregnancies and miscarriages, whether before, in the intervals of, or
during lead employment; existence of headache, diplopia, or
amaurosis. Note the type, facies, state of teeth and nails,
complexion, speech, tongue, strength of grasp (if possible, with
dynamometer), any tremor in outstretched hand, resistance to
forcible flexion of wrist.... If strabismus is present, note whether of
old standing or recent; and if ocular troubles seem imminent,
examine for optic neuritis, either at once or at home (this is very
important, as cases of acute and serious optic neuritis still baffle
examination by their intermensual development).” He recommends
the surgeon, apart from entry in the health register, which must
necessarily be very brief, to keep a private notebook, and to enter in
it as a matter of routine such details as name, process, age, duration
of employment, condition (married or single), pregnancies, state of
bowels and menses, dental toilet, and any special point worthy of
note in individual workers. A card index, if in use, might conveniently
serve for such entries.
In the actual routine examination it may be useful to describe the
procedure where a large number of workers pass before the surgeon
in a white-lead works every week. The points noted are:
1. The general appearance of the man as he walks forward,
especially the face with regard to anæmia, which in the majority of
cases of early lead absorption is not a true anæmia, but is due to
vaso-motor spasm of the arterioles of the face and eyes. Frequently,
on speaking to a lead-worker, the face, apparently anæmic, flushes
directly.
2. The brightness of the eyes, state of the pupils, and condition of
the conjunctiva and of the ocular muscles.
3. The mouth should next be examined, and search made for any
evidence of blue line around the gum.
4. The gait should be watched both on advancing to, and retiring
from, the surgeon. If necessary, the man should be made to walk a
few steps. Although the peroneal type of palsy is extremely rare, the
possibility of its occurrence should never be absent from the mind of
the surgeon.
5. The man should then be directed to stretch his hands out in
front of him, with wrists extended and fingers widely spread.
Presence or absence of tremor should be looked for, and the
condition of the finger-nails, as to the practice of biting, etc. The
extensor power should then be tested, firstly of the fingers. While the
hands of the workman remain outstretched, the surgeon places the
forefinger of his hand in the outstretched palm of the workman, and
the ball of the thumb upon the extreme tip of each finger, and by
gently pulling it down, noting the spring present in the muscles. This
test is probably the most delicate there is for detection of early
extensor paralysis. The condition of the lumbricals and interossei are
noted on movement of the fingers. The extensors of the wrist are
then further examined, the workman being directed to flex his arm at
the elbow and strongly pronate the wrist, so that the palm of the
hand is directed forwards. He is then told to close the fist when the
surgeon endeavours to flex the wrist, the workman at the same time
resisting by forcible extension of his wrist. Ordinarily the extensor
communis digitorum and minimi digiti are sufficiently powerful to
resist a very powerful pull upon the wrist; and if the wrist is found to
yield, it is a sign that the muscles are affected. Sometimes the
strength of the wrists and fingers is judged by the surgeon placing
his palms on the dorsum of the patient’s outstretched hands, and
seeing whether the patient can be prevented from lifting them
without flexing the wrists or finger-joints.
 The test detects (1) paralysis which has been recovered from to a
large extent; (2) commencing partial paralysis; and (3) weakness of
muscular power, especially in those who have worked in lead for a
number of years. This weakness appears to be an effect of lead
upon the muscular tissue or dependent on debility, the result of lead
absorption, and independent of nerve implication. We have known
the condition to remain unaltered for years, and also to undergo
alteration, being at times absent for months together. Occasionally
reports of definite paralysis refer to pre-existing weakness.
6. The pulse is next noted. The pulse-rate need not ordinarily be
counted, but if it is either very slow or fast careful examination at the
conclusion of the general inspection should be made.
It is well to make all these points before asking any questions.
After they are completed inquiry as to regularity of the bowels,
existence of pain or discomfort, would follow. The speech should be
noted, as slurring or hesitating speech is occasionally associated
with early lead poisoning.
All these points can be gone through quite rapidly, and at the
conclusion of the general examination, if judgment is in suspension,
careful examination in the routine medical manner should be made.
In some factories all new workers are examined by the surgeon
before they commence work in dangerous processes. At any rate, a
list of such persons should be given to the surgeon at his visit, as
naturally the question of personal fitness for employment should be
decided at his first examination. Conditions which should lead to
rejection are tubercular disease of every kind, idiopathic epilepsy, all
forms of mental disease or weakness (hysteria, feeble-mindedness,
and neurasthenia), obvious alcoholism, women who are pregnant or
who give a history of repeated miscarriages prior to work in lead,
persons with marked errors of refraction unless corrected by
glasses, kidney disease of all kinds, evidence of previous chronic
saturnism, and bad oral sepsis. Special attention will have to be paid
to casual labourers, and it should be the aim of the surgeon to
discourage this class of labour in lead industries. Work under special
rules or regulations requires to be carried out under strict discipline,
and this it is extremely difficult to maintain on other than regular
workers, who recognize the need for cleanliness and observance of
regulations.
Other aids to diagnosis cannot be carried out as a matter of
routine, but will necessarily be used in particular cases, such as
ophthalmoscopic examination of the fundus, electrical reactions of
muscles, analysis of the urine, and examination of the blood-
pressure.
A few words may be added on the significance of the two
commonest signs—the blue line and anæmia. It cannot be too
strongly insisted on that presence of the Burtonian line on the gums
is, as a rule, indicative of lead absorption, and not of lead poisoning.
As a danger signal its value is immense, and hardly less so its value
in clinching diagnosis in doubtful cases. Whenever the line is seen
risk is imminent, and poisoning (not necessarily of the individual in
whom it is pronounced) among the workers is inevitable in the
absence of adoption of precautions. Unfortunately, careful dental
toilet, which the surgeon will necessarily lay stress on, may prevent
development, or the practice, when adopted, cause disappearance
of the line after the lapse of a few months. Under these
circumstances, the merest trace will have all the significance of the
fully-developed line in a worker neglectful of care of the teeth.
Among new workers a commencing blue line should be strong
evidence of the need for dust removal at some point in the process
of manufacture. The line, in our experience, is dense in occupations
giving rise to fumes or to dust of compounds of lead, but
comparatively rare in those handling metallic lead or its alloys, as
compositors, tea-lead rollers, solderers, and the like.
Some degree of pallor is so commonly met with in adolescence
that it is the progressive development of the anæmia which the
surgeon must especially watch for. As a danger signal, therefore, it
has the same significance nearly as the blue line; but when lead
absorption has affected the elements in the blood, progressive
anæmia in new workers, attributable to the employment, and
showing no tendency to improve after watching for a few months, is
an indication for suspension or transference to other work. In older
workers, with a duration of employment of five years or more, there
may be a quasi-pathognomonic pallor which does not vary from year
to year. In them it must be supposed that an equilibrium has been
established, and development of other symptoms, such as tremor,
wrist weakness, or albuminuria, becomes significant. Attention has
already been directed to the distinct saturnine facies associated with
anæmia, and characterized by loss of fat, particularly noticeable in
the orbit and buccinator region of the face. “So far as the question of
any worker’s suspension is concerned,” says Dr. King Alcock, “I
prefer to make my instinctive primâ facie distrust of a saturnine pallor
the basis for action. The pallor of plumbism cannot be summed up in
hæmoglobin and corpuscular content; it is the expression of a
complex toxæmia resulting from defective assimilation and
excretion”[3].
The knowledge the surgeon should gain of the idiosyncrasies of
the workers by his periodical examination will enable him to appraise
at their proper value the nature and degree of the symptoms in
notified cases.
Sometimes a rule is made that no lead-worker who has suffered
from an attack of plumbism should be allowed to resume work. This
we consider too harsh a measure. It may be true for painters, but
when remedial measures, such as locally applied exhaust
ventilation, can be applied, with consequent removal of the danger in
the process at which the poisoning has arisen, prohibition of
employment seems an unnecessarily drastic measure.
The health register in general use where periodic medical
examination is required in pursuance of special rules and regulations
is divided into two parts, in each of which entries by the surgeon are
required at each visit.
Part I.

List of Persons Employed in Processes. Particulars of Examina

First Employed
Worker’s Name, in such Process. Date Date Date
No. in full. Process. Age. Date. Result. Result. Result.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
 Part II.

Particulars of any Directions

given by the Surgeon.
Reference to Any Certificate of Suspension
Part 1. Date of Number of or Certificate permitting
Examina- Persons Resumption of Work Signa
Page. Col. tion. Examined. must be entered here in full. of Surg
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

In Part I. of the register the surgeon should, at the times of

examination, enter the date at the head of one of the columns
numbered 6 to 9; and in the space below, opposite the name of each
person examined on that date, a brief note (see next page) of the
condition found.
In Part II. he should again enter, in Column 3, the date of
examination, with a statement of the total numbers examined on that
occasion (Column 4); and in Column 5 any certificate of suspension
from work, or certificate permitting resumption of work, and
particulars of any other direction given by him, appending his
signature in Column 6.
It is the duty of the occupier to enter in Part I. the following
particulars with regard to each person examined: (1) Name in full
(Column 2); (2) the process in which he or she is employed (Column
3); (3) age when first employed (Column 4); and (4) date of first
employment in that process (Column 5); and these particulars, in