Cahill

CAHILL—Part 1 of 6 by Senorlongo

The characters in all of my stories are fictitious, but most—if not all—of the places are usually real. Included are towns, cities, roads, restaurants, and even menus. In this story, however, virtually all of the places are figments of my imagination. There is no Bascomb County, no Bascomb’s Landing, and no Lulubelle’s Diner. They are merely tools I have used to make the story realistic. As in all of my stories there is plenty of sex, but only when it fits into the plot of the story. If you’re looking one meaningless sex act after another I suggest you look elsewhere. If you are looking for sex, romance, mystery, and adventure, then stick around and read. It is a long story—154 pages--in six parts, so don’t be surprised if the story takes a while to develop. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Sr. Longo.

>>>>>>

Promise me forever part 1

I could hear the din from the bar as I exited my SUV and I was still almost a block away. What a shame! I knew from long experience that would change as soon as my foot crossed the threshold. I tend to have that effect on people. I’m six feet six inches tall and I weigh an even 250 pounds—all of it broad shouldered muscle. My Body Mass Index at my last physical was less than four percent. My light brown hair is styled exactly the way it’s been for the past fifteen years—ever since I first joined the Navy.

Sure enough, no sooner had I taken my first step into the bar than the noise died. When I turned left and stepped up to the bar the people there couldn’t back away fast enough. I took a stool in the middle of the empty space and sat down, waiting for the bartender to approach. “I’m not looking for any trouble.”

“Good...neither am I. Give me a ginger ale.” He reached under the bar for a glass and some ice. Twenty seconds later he slid the glass in my direction. I pulled a fiver from my pocket and dropped it on the bar. He ignored it and walked away to draw a few beers and pour some wine. It looked to me that this was a pretty cheap crowd. Checking up and down the bar all I could see were longnecks and drafts.

I reached into the lower left pocket of my cargo pants. Like almost everything else I was wearing they were a true deep navy blue. My heavy shoes were black as was my wide belt. My belt said as much about me as the bold white lettering across my chest. Just below the American flag over my heart were the letters that were my life—U. S. MARSHAL. On my right hip was my nickel plated. 44 Magnum Colt Python, just behind two speed loaders in addition to the twenty-four rounds on the belt. On my left hip was my ASP Talon baton—every bit as deadly a weapon in my hands as the revolver. A pouch at the back of my right hip held my stainless steel handcuffs and its partner on the opposite side held my radio—my link to my backup team.

I placed the photo flat on the bar as the bartender returned to me. “I’ll have another, ” I said in a loud voice, continuing soto voce so I wouldn’t be overheard. “Don’t pick it up and don’t make a production of looking at it. I’ve been told that he comes here a lot. Is he here tonight? If he is and he escapes because you’ve given me away I’ll see to it that you’re arrested for obstruction of justice.”

He gulped a few times but did as he was told, nodding slightly in response. I continued almost at a whisper. “If my nose is pointing to twelve o’clock, my right ear to three, the back of my head to six, and my left ear to nine, tell me where he is. Again, don’t point or do anything obvious and we’ll be fine.”

He pretended to wipe the bar as he whispered, “About 4:30 with his back to you.”

I picked up the reflection in the mirror then asked, “Red shirt with black and white stripes, looking away from me?” He nodded again. Now, in my normal tone of voice I asked, “Where’s the men’s room?”

He must have been a quick study because he caught on immediately. “Take the hallway to your right...last door on your right.” I turned, not to my right, but to my left so the people at his table wouldn’t see me loosen the leather strap from my holster, tucking it up and under the top edge where it wouldn’t interfere with my draw. I thumbed the safety off then I spun around and slowly walked toward the hallway.

I was only a few feet from him when I pivoted, my left foot crossing in front of my right. A fraction of a second later my big left hand was on his neck, pushing his head onto the table. “Michael Clifford, you are under arrest for kidnapping, rape, sodomy, murder, interstate flight to avoid prosecution, and violations of the Mann Act. Place your hands flat on the table. In fact, all of you...hands flat on the table.”

I was pleased to see the two at my left comply immediately as well as those seated at nearby tables. Clifford, however, and his buddy to the right needed a bit more persuasion. The sound as I cocked the hammer on my Python reverberated through the now silent room. “Listen carefully because I’m only saying this once. What you feel at the back of your head is the business end of a Colt Python—a. 44-Magnum. If I see either you or your friend pull any kind of weapon there will be about a half-inch hole in the back of your skull, but in the front there will be nothing but gore. It will blow your face half way across the room. NOW! Place your hands on the table.” I wasn’t at all surprised to hear something “clunk” as it fell to the floor.

Clifford’s hands came up empty. His friend, however, was either deaf or just plain stupid. I didn’t want to shoot him out of fear that the bullet might pass through his body then strike and injure one of the bar’s patrons behind him. I holstered the revolver quickly and pulled my ASP Talon baton. It’s roughly nine inches closed, but expands to almost twenty-eight with a flick of my wrist. I brought it down on his right wrist as soon as he moved to raise his hand. A switchblade rolled harmlessly onto the floor just a millisecond after my second blow, a backhand that blew out his bicep and badly bruised his upper arm.

I still had my left hand on Clifford’s neck when I kicked the knife away toward the bar. I grabbed his friend by the hair and pulled him to the floor. I turned now to face the door.

“You...in the green shirt.” I continued once he pointed to his chest. “Yes...you; open the door and hold it open, but don’t stand in the doorway.” I moved a thin brass tube to my mouth and blew twice. There was no sound—nothing we could hear, but less than ten seconds later people in the bar gasped as Max, a 130-pound German Shepherd, ran through the portal. He stopped at my side as I pointed down at Clifford’s friend.

“You’ll be fine as long as you don’t move, but he’ll tear you to ribbons if you even blink. Max growled and bared his fangs as the hairs on the back of his neck stood straight up. The guy laid there not even breathing. My attention returned to Clifford as I pulled his left hand behind his back, applying the handcuff with my right. I followed up by snapping the cuff tightly around his right wrist.

Digging into the right-hand cargo pocket I removed a plastic wrist cuff that I wrapped tightly around his friend’s crossed wrists. Max was only inches from his face when I told him, “You’re either the best or the stupidest friend I’ve ever encountered. Your actions tonight will cost you at least ten years of your life.” I pulled both prisoners to the bar where I searched them once I had them off balance—legs back and apart, leaning forward against the edge of the high wooden structure. Clifford had a switchblade tucked into the cup of his briefs. Under the table I found two. 38 caliber snub-nosed revolvers. I tucked them into my waistband. Only then did I radio my backup team. They ran in thirty seconds later with a team of EMT’s. I stood by while both captives were read their Miranda rights and were searched again. Both were wearing cowboy boots and, sure enough, both had large hunting knives hidden within their right boots.

We unloaded the pistols then tagged and bagged them before removing both suspects. I was the last one to leave and, as Max and I crossed the threshold, I turned to address the crowd. “I really am sorry to have ruined your evening. We’ve been chasing that bastard all over the Midwest for months. Believe me when I tell you this: you’ll sleep a whole lot better tonight knowing he’s behind bars.”

“How many women, Marshal?” A middle-aged man had stood to ask the question.

“Six...six beautiful young women kidnapped, raped, and sodomized before being brutally tortured and murdered—six families torn apart by their violent and senseless crimes. If all of you weren’t in potential danger I would have gladly exterminated vermin like him in a heartbeat. We thought he had an accomplice, but we weren’t sure. Now it looks like we were right.” I turned and strode into the dark starless night, Max walking easily at my side.

>>>>>>

I’d had a brief talk with the other two who had been at the table with Clifford and friend—one Jordan Smith. They had told me that they knew Smith from high school, but hadn’t seen him in years until tonight in the bar. They willingly gave me their ID’s and told me that they were graduate students—one in California and the other in Massachusetts. It was easy to verify their stories. I did the following morning. They were in the clear; both had been hundreds of miles away when the crimes had been committed.

Clifford and Smith had been trapped by DNA evidence. Clifford had briefly served in the U.S. Army after graduating high school. He had been in basic training only three weeks when he lost his temper and tried to punch his drill instructor—a big mistake on his part. The DI took him down in a heartbeat. He was court marshaled and spent six months in the stockade before receiving a dishonorable discharge. His DNA was on file with the Army and it was that file that had led to his arrest. Both switchblades had traces of their victims’ DNA in cracks in the cases and the mechanisms that opened the blades. Tracking them down had been a long and arduous job, but that’s why they pay me the big bucks. I left for home in eastern North Carolina the following afternoon, planning on taking a well deserved three week vacation.

The skies were filled with dark threatening clouds when I left around three in the afternoon. I hadn’t been on the road an hour when the heavens opened and traffic slowed to a crawl. Max walked aimlessly in the back seat before lying down for a nap, leaving me to navigate through the maelstrom on my own. I was driving my personal vehicle—a specially modified Ford Explorer. It was a good dependable SUV with four-wheel drive, that had been structurally changed to accommodate Max, but even with it the trip was challenging. I had hoped to be at least a third of the way home by the time I stopped around ten that night, but it wasn’t to be. The interstate was closed due to flooding and I had to take an alternate through back roads that weren’t any better. A deputy sheriff tried to give me directions for a detour, but I must have taken a wrong turn in the heavy downpour. It wasn’t until 12:35 that I spied lights ahead on the dark deserted road. I prayed it wasn’t the “Hotel California” as I approached. Those lights turned out to be a diner—Lulubelle’s, if the big sign in the parking lot was to be believed. The sign in the window said “OPEN” when I drove into the empty lot.

I pulled on my yellow rubber rain parka, raising the hood over my head as I exited, leaving Max in the dry car. The sign said open, but the door was locked when I reached it. Looking in through the windows I could see a woman behind the counter and, peering into her eyes I could see her fear. I was hungry and thirsty and I was getting wet below my parka so I opened the front of the jacket and stood as close to the window as I could so she could read the letters on my shirt.

It took a few seconds, but I could see her relief when she exhaled and began to relax. A minute later she had opened the door and I had hung my parka on a nearby hook. “I’m surprised you’re open at this hour, ” I said.

“I’m really not. That sign goes on automatically when I turn the lights on. I’m sorry, but I don’t have anything I can offer you.”

“How about a fountain soda and some chips or pretzels? It’s been a long difficult night.”

“Coke I can get for you and how about a couple of bags of chips? Think that will tide you over until tomorrow morning?” I smiled and nodded my appreciation as she went into the kitchen for the chips and a plate.

I was dumping potato chips onto the plate while she poured a large fountain Coke over ice. “Thank you, Ma’am. This plate was a good idea.”

“Well, when I saw the size of your hands I knew you’d never get them into one of those little bags.”

“I do appreciate it. Mind if I ask why you’re here at this ungodly hour?”

“My car doesn’t run too well in the rain and even if it did I still would have to drive through a big puddle to get home. Last time I tried, the damned thing stalled right in the middle and I was stuck until a tow truck pulled me out. I made a few calls, but nobody wants to come out in the rain. I think a lot of them are afraid of going through the puddle, so here I am.”

“Is there a motel anywhere nearby? I need a place for me and Max...my dog”

“Normally, I’d say you had about twenty miles to the nearest motel, but a deputy sheriff stopped in earlier and told me that the bridge over Bascomb’s Creek was closed. Apparently, it’s under water from flash flooding. Last time that happened, it was closed for two months while the state checked it out. It’ll be more than a hundred miles up north and around the lake and then another hundred back down. You’ll never make it in this weather. Half of the roads are probably flooded out.”

“Then I guess I’ll be sleeping in my car.”

“I wouldn’t do that either. The sheriff’s deputies will arrest you. There’s a county law about it. We had a problem with Gypsies a few years ago and that was the county’s solution. I guess it worked. They never returned”

“Surely, they wouldn’t arrest a federal officer.”

“You wouldn’t say that if you knew our sheriff. He’d take the greatest pleasure in locking you up. He’s a legend in his own mind. He’d brag about it for years. If you can get me home you can sleep on my couch. I’m Lucille; I own the diner.”

I laughed briefly before asking if she was also known as “Lulubelle.”

“That’s what my father called me when I was a baby. I thought it was cute when I was little, but I learned to hate it by the time I was ten. Unfortunately, he had opened the diner long before that and the name has stuck. And your name is...?”

“Matt...Matt Cahill.” Now it was her turn to laugh. “Don’t say it. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve heard someone say, ‘Cahill, U.S. Marshal?’ It’s probably more than five thousand times and in a bar it’s even worse. The more people drink the more times it’s repeated.”

We talked and joked around for about ten minutes while I ate and drank. I offered to pay, but was refused. “Register’s closed, ” she informed me with a smile as I donned my rain parka and led her out into the rain. She locked up and set the alarm as I led her to my car.

“You’ll need to give me your hand when I open the door.” I continued when she looked up in shock. “Max will probably attack you. He won’t understand that you’re with me the first time. Once he gets a sniff of the two of us together you’ll be fine.”

I took her hand as I opened the door. Max was right there—on the job—to make sure I was okay. “It’s all right, Max. She’s a friend.” Lucy was shaking a bit when I pulled her hand toward Max’s muzzle, but those concerns died when Max leaned forward first to sniff and then to lick. “Okay, Lucy...you can get in now. Max likes to have his head and ears scratched, don’t you, boy?”

I had just taken my seat and removed the parka when I asked, “Okay, where do we go?” She pointed me to the left—the direction I was headed in when I stopped for my snack. The heavy rain forced me to go slowly through the dark streets. I did see a sign that said “Welcome to Bascomb’s Landing—Population 27, 606. I could barely see the large puddle Lucy had warned me about. “Any idea how deep this is going to be?”

“Last big storm it was about seven inches...too much for my car.” I drove slowly, barely creating a wave as we passed through. Once on the other side she directed me through a series of turns until we turned off in front of a single-wide mobile home that looked like it had seen better days. Lucy must have read my mind because she immediately told me that it was much nicer in the daylight. Once I was dressed again for the weather I stepped out, opening the back door for Max. He followed Lucy to the door while I retrieved my bag from the back, slinging my two gun bags over my shoulder and grabbing Max’s bowls and a ten-pound bag of dog chow in my one free hand. I joined Lucy and Max less than a minute later.

Lucy considerately brought out an old bath sheet that I used to dry Max then I put out a bowl of water and a full bowl of food. He sat motionless despite his hunger until I released him to eat.

“Wow, he sure is well trained.”

“Yeah, I’ve had him since he was three months old. I was an MP in the Navy and I was involved in training several dogs there. Technically, Max belongs to the Marshals Service, but I’m the only person he’ll really obey. If something were to happen to me Max would have to be put down. He’s too big and too strong to adapt to another handler.”

Lucille looked at my two cases and asked, “Are those guns?”

“Yeah, the red one is a Winchester 12-gauge pump-action shotgun and—yes—it is loaded. The black one is an M-16 military rifle with a scope in case I have to be a sniper on a case. The last case where I used it was a bank robbery gone bad. Three robbers held twelve hostages until we figured out how to get to them. I never leave them in the car overnight for several reasons.”

“I guess you don’t want them stolen.”

“That’s one of the reasons. The other is that on occasion I’ve needed them during the night. I was in a motel in Mobile a few years ago when Max woke me. I heard a ruckus in the parking lot. It was late—almost 3:00 in the morning when I heard shots from an automatic rifle. It’s illegal for citizens to own fully automatic weapons so I was pretty sure it was some kind of criminal activity. I used the shotgun then, taking out three men who turned out to be members of a big Mexican drug cartel. Of course, I was shot in the process.” I pulled up the left sleeve on my shirt to show where the bullet had entered my bicep, commenting that it could have been much worse. Lucy reached forward to touch the slight circular indentation in my skin.

Max finished eating and drinking and walked to the door to be put out. “Don’t you need to put a leash on him?”

“No, I don’t even have one. He’ll be back in five minutes or less. Why don’t you tell me where we are while we wait?”

“This is Bascomb’s Landing, a small city in western Tennessee. I’ve lived here all my life. We were watching the Weather Channel in the diner and they said that I-40 was closed due to flooding. There are some low areas east of Memphis that are sometimes subject to flash flooding. Is that why you’re here?”

“Yeah, I was supposed to follow some detour, but it was all I could do to watch the road, let alone signs.”

“That figures. Hardly any strangers come here...no reason to. We’re pretty much off the beaten path here. Anyway, my folks met in the local high school and they still live here in an old house in the center of town. Dad sort of retired two years ago...or was it two and a half? Doesn’t matter; he’s retired and the diner is mine. It really is a good place to live. There’s hardly any crime although we have had a rash of armed robberies of some stores, mostly convenience stores, over the last three months—two men in raincoats with a shotgun and some kind of rifle. I hope that’s not a sign of the future. I love the city and just outside there are plenty of undeveloped wild areas where I like to hike and camp out. There’s some good fishing, too—small mouth bass and even trout in some of the streams.”

I had taken a good look at Lucy while she was speaking. Nobody would call her a ravishing beauty, but she had a pleasant wholesome appearance—tall and thin with smallish breasts and narrow hips. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail and it looked like she had incredible skin with only an occasional freckle. I thought that, with a little makeup and the right clothes, she’d look good—not great, but pretty good. More important than that—she had a positive upbeat personality, something that was a real asset in the restaurant business.

“What’s your story, Matt?”

“I’m told I was born in Brooklyn and that I lived with my parents in Nassau County, Long Island, but my parents took a long weekend to a resort in the Catskills in upstate New York when I was three. There was a fire and they were both killed because the sprinkler system didn’t work and they got trapped on the third floor. I was staying with friends at the time and I didn’t understand why my parents didn’t come back for me until my Uncle Chuck came to take me to live with him and my Aunt Nell. So I grew up with them in Wilmington, North Carolina. I went to the same high school as Michael Jordan, except that he was more than fifteen years ahead of me. I still live in the area in Carolina Beach.

“My uncle sued the hotel on my behalf and eventually they settled out of court for $950, 000. To my uncle’s credit he invested the money and never spent a cent until he turned it over to me when I turned twenty-one.

“I played high school football and put the shot and threw the discus on the track team and I was a decent student, but rather than college I joined the Navy once I graduated choosing the military police once I had completed basic training. I served for four years then attended UNC—North Carolina—earning my Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice in three years before joining the Marshals Service. I’ve been with them for the past ten years. I’m working toward a Masters in Criminology online. I should have it in another six months...a year at most. I usually work on the courses at night except when I’m on a big case like the one I just finished.

“Five years ago I was given the opportunity to train a dog, something I’d done in the Navy. Max is the result of that training. He’s the best partner I’ve ever had. I just closed out an investigation involving a team of brutal rapists who tortured and murdered young women they kidnapped. I had one under control when I whistled for Max. He ran in from the car and kept the second suspect on the floor while I cuffed mine.”

“How’d he get out of the car?”

“It’s equipped with a panic bar like you’d see in a building and the door is spring-loaded so it also closes automatically. All I needed was someone to open the bar’s front door. Speaking of doors....” I opened the door and let Max in, drying him again, saying good night to Lucy and brushing my teeth in the kitchen sink before lying down on the couch. It was small and not very comfortable. I was trying to get into a tolerable position when Lucy returned in a robe.

“I’m sorry, Matt. I should have realized that the couch would be too small for you. Come and sleep in the bed with me. I think I can trust you. Come on.” She reached down to pull me up, holding my hand while she led me to the bedroom. It held a queen-sized bed and I saw immediately that the right side had been turned down, I assumed to accommodate Lucy. After thanking her I started to climb into the opposite. I stopped when Lucy began to laugh.

“What?”

“Do you always sleep in your clothes?”

Um...no; I usually sleep in my boxers.”

“Well, why don’t you take everything else off? Don’t worry--I’m not going to rape you.” Then she laughed again and rolled over facing away from me. I stripped off my tee and my shoes and socks before dropping my cargo pants to the floor. A few seconds later I pulled my Colt from the holster, placing it on the floor where I could reach it easily if necessary. Max came to me for our nightly ritual of petting and ear-scratching before he walked to the foot of the bed and lay down to sleep.

>>>>>>

I slept like the dead—just as I always did—safe in the knowledge that Max would awaken at the slightest disturbance. He’d saved my bacon any number of times in the past. There was nothing but the steady drumbeat of the falling rain on the aluminum roof all night.

The rain continued into the following morning, even after Lucy woke me at 8:30. “Take a shower if you wish, Matt. There’s no hurry. I don’t have to go in until 11:30. Okay if I put Max out?”

“Sure...Max, go with Lucy. She’ll put you out.” Max rose and stretched before loping down the hall with Lucy. I walked toward the bathroom then turned around to take a clean pair of boxers and a clean tee from my bag. I also carried my Colt into the bathroom, leaving it on the vanity while I turned on the hot water.

I’d learned how to wash myself quickly while in the Navy so I was drying myself with a fluffy towel when Lucy knocked on the door. “I have coffee in the kitchen when you’re done and I’m afraid I have bad news. I’m watching the Weather Channel and all the roads are flooded out. Looks like you’ll be my guest a while longer.”

“I really don’t want to impose on your hospitality.”

“You’re not. I’m glad to have the company. I’m pretty lonely here.”

“I find that hard to believe. You’re an attractive woman with an upbeat personality. Surely, you must go on dates.”

“Keep in mind that I know almost everyone here—if not from the diner then from church or from the city government. I’m on the City Council. Unfortunately, all the guys want from me is my pussy. There doesn’t seem to be anyone who wants a serious relationship with me.”

“I find you an interesting, even intriguing, woman. I’m surprised you’re not married.”

“Intriguing? How?”

“You’re obviously a successful businesswoman who could act superior and aloof. Instead, you’re friendly and open—the kind of person who offers a total stranger a place to stay. People like you don’t come around every day. That’s the truth.” I smiled as she blushed from my compliment. Lucy looked into my eyes then smiled. “How about some breakfast? I can offer you bacon and eggs—any style.”

“Okay, but only if I can help you in some way.”

“You can set the table and get out the orange juice. I’ll handle the rest. I was one of the cooks when my dad ran the diner. You know what? I’m in the mood for an omelet. It’s just as easy to make two as one.” I smiled and nodded my agreement as we walked together into the kitchen. Max ignored us as he lay quietly on the living room floor.

I had to admit that the breakfast was one of the best I’d ever had. Not only was the food great, but the company was just as good. Lucy asked about the case I had just closed and was especially interested in how we had tracked down the two suspects. We cleaned up together then worked again to make the bed. I was dressed in another uniform tee and cargo pants when she asked what I would do today.

“I don’t really know, but I was thinking I might drive around town a bit.”

“That won’t take too long. Why don’t you come up to the diner? I’ll reserve a booth next to the door and we can talk or watch the TV news and weather. I’ll even buy you lunch.”

“I’ll gladly come, but I insist on paying my way. What will I do with Max? I can’t leave him in the SUV all day.”

“Bring him in with you. Is he okay with kids?”

“Oh, yeah; he loves kids. I sometimes think he’d play Frisbee all day if I’d let him. He loves going to my cousin’s house and playing with her girls.” We talked together for a while then Lucy went into the bedroom to dress in her diner uniform. There was a slight break in the rain when we left and Lucy was right—her home did look better in the daylight.

I paid close attention to the directions she gave me and five minutes later I pulled into the diner’s lot. She pointed me toward the town’s main drag and waved as she entered the doorway. No sooner was she inside than the heavens opened again.

>>>>>>

The town was pretty much deserted even though it was a Saturday, a day I assumed most people would be shopping. There were plenty of small shops of all kinds. The city was clean and I could see that an effort had been made to revitalize the area with large concrete boxes planted with colorful flowers and hanging baskets on the lampposts. The buildings were well maintained with gleaming paint even on a day that was gloomy at best.

There were three schools at the end of the broad avenue—elementary, middle, and high. The football field looked like it could hold 5, 000 people easily. This was clearly rural America at its best. I didn’t see even a single homeless person although they could be sheltering in a church or senior center or someplace I didn’t even know existed. All in all I was quite impressed by the city even though it looked more like a big town than an actual city. The entire commercial area wasn’t more than a half mile long by about three blocks on either side of the main road. I turned around, returning to the diner around 1:00. That was the routine I followed for three days, exploring different areas of the small city every day. In the end I had to agree with Lucy—it was a great place to live.

I had moved my rifle and shotgun back into the SUV as I did every morning and I had my marshal’s belt with pistol and baton under my rain parka as Max and I ran into the diner. As promised, there was a booth just to the right of the door with a sign that said “Reserved.” I sat with my back to the door and pointed Max to the opposing seat.

We weren’t there long the first day when a waitress approached to tell me that I couldn’t bring my dog into the building. “Actually, Lucy told me I could. Maybe you should check with her. How about a menu while you’re doing that?” She brought it a minute later and by then two young girls had approached us. That also became a regular part of our day.

“Could we pet your dog, Mister?”

“Sure, just hold your hand out first and let Max sniff you. It’ll be okay. He loves children and he plays with my cousin’s girls all the time.”

The older girl looked to be about ten and she obviously had some experience with strange dogs. Max sniffed her hand and then licked it a few times while she laughed. I had to tell Max to sit down because his tail had hit the people in the next booth several times. I tried to apologize, but they just brushed it off.

I was leaning over the table and as I did my jacket opened briefly. The girl gasped as she saw my revolver. “Is that a real gun, Mister? How come you have a gun?”

I waved her closer and opened the parka so she could read my shirt. “Oh, are you some kind of policeman?”

“Yes, I am honey, except I work for the federal government solving crimes that violate federal laws like kidnapping or drugs. Max is my partner. He’s a police dog when we’re working, but he’s just a big baby the rest of the time.”

They stayed with Max while I ordered a club sandwich on white toast with extra mayo and a Coke. When asked if I wanted fries or chips I opted for the chips. The ones I had that first night were great. Once the waitress had gone I looked aimlessly out the window. I didn’t like what I saw there. Two men got out of their car. They were wearing raincoats, which was to be expected considering the weather. What I didn’t like was seeing them go to the trunk and emerge with their right hands inside the other side of their coats as they looked up and down the street.

“Girls, you have to go back to your parents right now and stay there. You can play with Max again in a few minutes, okay? Go now.” Once they were gone I gave Max the command that would put him on alert. I also moved him to the floor under the table where he was less likely to be seen. I shrugged my arms out of the parka, but kept it over my shoulders.

Max looked up at me as the two walked through the outer door into the vestibule. I tapped him twice on his ear which put him at the ready. He would move at the exact instant I did. My pistol was ready with the leather strap undone and the safety thumbed off. I turned my body so I was sideways to the table just as they entered.

“THIS IS A STICKUP, ” the one to the right yelled as he stepped up to the counter right in front of us. He held a rifle in his right hand. His partner had a shotgun and both were pointed up at the ceiling. I made my move immediately and as I did, Max exploded from the booth. After a single step he leaped up wrapping his jaws around the man’s wrist. He screamed in pain and his partner would have come to his aid if only I didn’t have my revolver jammed into his ear. I spoke just as the rifle fell harmlessly to the floor.

“Don’t even think about it. One false move and your brains will be all over the ceiling. Move your finger away from the trigger and lay the weapon on the counter. Slowly, now...slowly. Lucy, get out of the way. I don’t want any accidents.” Once she had moved I grabbed the asshole’s collar and pulled him to the floor. My knee on his neck, I quickly handcuffed him and left him there while I attended to his partner.

Dogs were very successful hunters long before they were domesticated thousands of years ago and they killed their prey by grabbing it by the neck and shaking it violently, breaking the animal’s neck in the process. When Max bit into the perpetrator’s wrist his instincts told him to shake it as his ancestors had done ages ago. The action destroyed the man’s wrist, breaking several bones in his hand as well as his forearm within the first three seconds. Since then his wrist had been completely obliterated. “Off, Max...off, ” I said in a calm voice. Max released him and stepped away until I snapped my fingers and pointed to the one I had dealt with. “Hold, Max.” He ran to the other robber and wrapped his jaws around his neck, not biting, but holding him in place.

“Lucy, do you have a towel? Even a dish towel or two would be a help.” She returned a few seconds later with two dish towels. “Please call 9-1-1 and ask for police and EMT’s while I bandage this guy’s wrist.” I wrapped the first towel tightly around the area where the blood flowed freely from his wound. I tore about half of the second towel down its length then applied it over the other. Finally, I tied the two torn sections into a strong knot. Using two of the plastic wrist cuffs I was able to restrain him just above the elbows. He had some limited use of his hands although it was unlikely that he would do much with his right hand ever again.

Pulling the one I was working on up, I forced his legs apart then bent him over the counter while I searched him. He had a 9mm semi-automatic and a knife that I laid on the counter next to his rifle. “Don’t get any stupid ideas. Max will be right behind you in a second.” I left him then, returning to the one I had dealt with. Max rose when I got there and walked behind his partner, growling menacingly as he did.

I could hear sirens in the distance as I searched the remaining robber. He, too, had a 9mm and a knife. Leaving him over the counter I unloaded the shotgun and the pistol as I had his partner’s. I smiled as I spoke to the patrons. “I’ll bet you weren’t expecting all this excitement when you decided to eat out today, did you? I’m Matt Cahill, U.S. Marshal and this is my partner, Max. Right, buddy?” We’d done this several times before so Max woofed his agreement before returning to his guard duties.

I could hear sirens coming from two directions so I released Max. “Go and play with the girls, Max. I have this covered.” German Shepherds are among the most intelligent dogs and Max is the smartest dog I’d ever encountered. He woofed once and capered down the aisle until he had reached his two friends.

They were eager, but their father held them back. “Is this dog really safe?”

“What Max did here today he did on my exact orders, nothing else. Did you notice that he took this man’s neck into his mouth, but didn’t bite? I told him to ‘hold, ’ nothing more and that’s exactly what he did. He would have bitten and broken the man’s neck if I or any of you were seriously endangered, with or without my instructions. That’s just how good he is, but none of you are in any danger from him.” Then, looking at the older girl I told her, “Honey, put your arm into Max’s mouth. Go ahead. He won’t bite you. I promise.” She was a bit tentative as she slid out of the booth, but laughed when Max licked her face. Standing with him she pushed her arm between Max’s jaws then grinned wildly when he stood calmly with his mouth wide open.

That encouraged other kids and their parents to join her and soon Max was the center of attention as several dozen people were petting and rubbing him. That was the scene that greeted two sheriff’s deputies who entered the diner with their guns drawn.

My back was to them as they entered and they were justifiably cautious. “Put your hands up and turn around. Don’t do anything sudden or stupid.” Lucy was about to explain until I stopped her. I turned slowly so they could read the front of my shirt. “Got some ID, buddy? Anyone can buy a shirt and have it lettered.” He stepped forward so his pistol was only about three feet away from me.

“I’d like to suggest that you step back a bit. We’ll both be losers if you don’t. You’ll lose the use of your right hand for the rest of your life just like this asshole over here and I’ll lose my best friend. My ID is in my left-hand cargo pocket. Okay if I reach for it?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I pointed then behind them to where Max had come silently. He growled when they turned. “Oh, God—what is that thing...a wolf?”

“No, he’s my partner.” Kneeling, I called Max to me. “It’s okay, Max. Come here, boy.” I held him with my right hand even though he could pull away from me any time he wanted. Reaching with my left hand I opened and showed my official ID to the deputies. They holstered their weapons and stepped back. “Okay, Max; you can go back to the kids now.” He looked at me for reassurance then trotted away.

“What happened here, Marshal?”

“I was seated in the booth behind you with Max while two girls petted him when I saw these two drive into the parking lot. Their actions put me on guard. They went to the trunk and removed something I couldn’t see. They both had their hands inside the raincoats when they reappeared. I sent the girls back to their parents and put Max on alert. He’s a highly trained and experienced police dog. He attacked this one as soon as I stepped out of the booth, first biting his wrist and then shaking it until the guy dropped the rifle. I’d be amazed if he didn’t have half a dozen broken bones.”

We were interrupted then by three city patrolmen and two EMT’s who went straight to the injured man. “Who’s going to take custody of these two? It’s armed robbery, at least and I’ll bet that these firearms aren’t registered. I’m sure your DA can come up with a bunch of charges. I’ll also bet that these two are responsible for the other robberies in the area.”

“We’re in the city so it’s their case, but they always send their prisoners to the county jail.”

“Okay, then I suggest that some of you need to get the names and addresses of all of the witnesses.” The two deputies and two of the city police went to do that while the other started to remove my handcuffs so he could replace them with his own. What he did was all wrong, ass backward, and a potential disaster in the making. “What are you doing, ” I asked as he had almost removed one of the cuffs, stepping between him and the robber and ratcheting the cuff tightly on his wrist again.

“Um...I was removing your cuffs and replacing them with mine.”

“Give me your handcuffs, ” I instructed him. I placed them onto the perpetrator’s wrists just above mine then I unlocked mine and replaced them into their holder. “Never...ever remove handcuffs before putting yours on a prisoner’s wrists. There are potentially dangerous weapons here—steak knives, even forks—and plenty of potential hostages. These are violent dangerous men.”

The prisoner had a sickening smile on his face when I pulled him up and turned him around. “Too bad you were here. I would have gotten away from this hick cop for sure.”

“I doubt it. Max would have been on you before you went ten feet. Then you’d be as messed up as he is.” His smile disappeared in a flash as he realized what I said was the truth. Once again, Max was standing only a few feet behind me, fangs bared. Turning to the patrolman I told him to Mirandize both of these a-holes so it would be witnessed by dozens of people. I didn’t want either of them to get off on a technicality. Ten minutes later, both prisoners were removed—one to the hospital, the other to the jail.

Max and I were standing in the diner when Lucy walked up to me. “You both deserve a reward. Max is getting a big salmon steak, but I have something else for you.” Then she pulled my head down so she could kiss me. It was long and sweet as she pulled herself into my body. I responded by clutching her tightly, too. Breaking it, she whispered in my ear, “The rest will have to wait until later.”

>>>>>>

Lucy and I were in bed my second night with her when she moved over behind me. “How long since you last had sex, Matt?”

“You mean with another person?”

She laughed then jabbed me in the ribs. “Asshole!”

“Well, you asked! It’s been a long time...probably close to a year. The kind of work I do keeps me moving around a lot so I don’t get into very many relationships.”

“It’s been a long time for me, too. I don’t get very many dates, let alone relationships.”

“That doesn’t make much sense to me, Lucy. You’re an attractive woman with a great outgoing and upbeat personality. I’d ask you out. In fact, that’s exactly what I’m doing right now. Want to go out for dinner and maybe a movie. You pick the night. It looks like I’m going to be here for a while.” There was still a lot of flooding in the area and it was still raining.

“I accept. We can go out Thursday if that’s okay with you. However, I find that I have a real bad itch that needs scratching right now. Want to help me with it?”

I rolled over to face her. We were closer physically than we’d ever been and a second or two later we were even closer as I realized that Lucy was naked under the covers. “I don’t know, ” I replied, a huge grin on my face. “Exactly what did you have in mind?”

She pulled my hand to her breast as she whispered, “I was hoping you’d give me the fucking I’ve been wanting ever since we first met.” She leaned forward for our first kiss as her hand sought and found my hard-as-granite erection. It was already poking out the slit in my boxers.

The kiss was incredible as Lucy pressed her lips into mine, her tongue pushing insistently through the small gap between my teeth. That gap increased as I pushed back, our tongues wrestling and winding around each other like two snakes in their mating embrace. On and on it went as we clutched each other tightly. One of my hands teased her nipples while the other wrapped itself around one of the globes of her ass, pulling her pussy into close contact with my cock.

Lucy groaned into my mouth as she rubbed the spongy head into her clit. It was only a few seconds later that she pulled me onto her body, her legs spread widely. The kiss continued as she literally pulled me into her cunt. ‘I’m safe, Matt. I’ve been on an implant for years to help with my period. C’mon, give it to me hard. I want it...you...so badly.”

I pushed forward through her tightness, amazed at her wetness. Her pussy was gushing and we’d barely even started. She wrapped her legs around my waist as we began to move together. She rose to meet my every thrust, grinding her clit into my hard firm abdominals.

We moved together—faster and faster, harder and harder—until Lucy’s body seemed to explode, shaking and twisting wildly as she screamed into the night. Still, she moved with me even though we were humping at a frenetic pace that no human beings could long sustain. She began to shake again as I felt the rumbling deep within my core. I could almost feel my balls as they moved up to my body until the eruption drove six powerful bursts of hot slick cum deep into Lucy’s body. “Oh, God—Matt; I’m...I’m cumming again. Oh...Ooohhhh. Aaaaahhhh!” She seemed to collapse into the bed in exhaustion and, strong as I was, I wasn’t much better.

We were mutually destroyed, but what a wonderful experience it had been. I slid off to the side, pulling Lucy up onto my body, her head with her hair hanging now in long sweaty ribbons on my chest and her leaking cunt oozing onto my thigh. I pulled the blanket over us and seconds later we were sound asleep, our bodies intertwined. It was a glorious feeling.

>>>>>>

Lucy was awake and looking down at me when I opened my eyes the following morning. I smiled then pulled her down for a searing kiss that lasted for more than a minute. Our faces were covered in spit when she broke it. “Thanks, Matt; you answered my question.”

“What question?”

“I wanted to know if last night was a one-time thing or if it was more.”

“And, ” I asked, a twinkle in my eyes.

“It’s definitely going to happen again.”

“And again and again, as long as you want it. I thought it was incredible and I thought you were even better.” She must have agreed because she moved down first to kiss me again and then to slide down my body until she was able to lick the dried secretions from my rapidly engorging cock.

She was between my legs when she took me deep into her mouth. Up and down she went until I thought my cock had turned to stone then she moved back up until her beautiful trimmed cunt was just over me. She closed her eyes and groaned in her ecstasy as she slowly lowered herself down my pole. “I love this, Matt. You’re long enough to go all the way in and you’re so thick that you stretch me out until my entire cunt tingles with lust for more and more. I don’t think I could ever get enough of your cock, Matt. Oh God—you must think I’m a terrible slut.”

“Not at all; I’d never think of you that way. A slut would have fucked me our first night together and you would have had sleazy guys chasing you every day. I know you were telling me the truth about the last time you had sex. Why would you lie? There’s no reason to do that just as I had no reason to lie either. No, you’re definitely not a slut, but I’m really glad you like my little friend.”

Lucy was riding me slowly—taking me deeply into her velvet vault—her head back as she moaned and groaned in total rapture. “First of all, Matt—it’s not little. It’s just the perfect size for me. And I don’t like it, I love it. I love the way it makes me feel. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It’s not just in my cunt. It’s all through my body. I feel like I want to do it all day and all night—twenty-four hours a day every day.”

“I’m not made of steel, you know.”

“Yeah, and I have to go to work eventually, but now I have something to look forward to, don’t I?” My response was simple. I just pulled her down into an embrace that included yet another long wet kiss. It was mid kiss that we reached that same frenetic pace to our love making that we’d found last night, except this time Lucy was riding me like I was a bucking bronco. Lucy drove her clit into me like she was a woman possessed. She came quickly, the force of her orgasm breaking the kiss as her back arched forcefully. I thrust into her for another minute before my cock erupted.

I’m in outstanding physical condition, but after cumming the way I had I was wiped out. My breathing was deep and rapid as I gasped for breath, but still I clutched my lover to my body. We had both recovered about twenty minutes later as Lucy pulled me from the bed into the shower. She was giggling as she pushed me in. “You’ve got to be kidding. This thing is so small.”

“I know, ” she said still giggling then she stepped in behind me, her still hard nipples jutting into my chest. She reached around me for the soap. “I’ll go first if that’s okay with you.” She was still giggling when she first ran the soap over my body. I had to admit that she spent an awfully long time on my cock and balls before reaching around me again to soap up my ass. A few minutes later she handed the soap to me, laughing at the expression on my face. This was a completely new experience for me, but one I hoped I could do again.

Lucy pulled two towels out of the linen closet and I got the next shock of the morning when she began to dry my body. A simple expression on her face told me that I was expected to dry her. “Hell, ” I thought, “why not?” We were soon dry and back in the bedroom.

I was almost dressed when I told her, “I think I’d better buy some shirts and slacks and, maybe a decent pair of shoes or sneakers. All I have are uniforms.”

“I kind of like you in a uniform. It suits you.” Then she sealed the deal with another kiss. We walked to the kitchen, detouring briefly to let Max out. Rain was still falling, but not quite as hard as it had the prior two days. I dried him with the towel once he was back then we walked into the kitchen where Lucy greeted me with a mug of hot coffee—black and strong, just the way I liked it.

We had another great breakfast—French toast and sausage patties. I handled the dishes while Lucy changed the bed linens. We hung out a while before I drove her to the diner. She left me with a kiss that lingered for almost a minute then she petted Max and exited the SUV. She waved at the diner’s door and I waved back before backing out of the parking space and driving off the lot. A few minutes later I stopped at a no-name gas station, charging the gas on my personal credit card. I’d charge the gas to the government once I was headed home again.

I drove into town and turned left at the city center, parking on the street at a men’s store I had seen in my explorations. I opened the car door for Max and together we walked into the store. I was sure the owner was going to bitch about a dog in his store, but one look at my U.S. MARSHAL shirt and another at the determination in my face closed his mouth in a hurry. I led Max to a corner of the large room and told him to lie down. Then I opened my belt and let the pistol, baton, and handcuffs fall to the floor. Max put his head down on top of them, exactly as I had taught him. Knowing that my weapons were secure I addressed the store owner.

“I need some clothes—a couple of pair of decent slacks and a few shirts, at least. I’d also like a sports jacket if you think you’ll have something that would fit me. Some matching socks would help and I see that you also sell shoes. What do you have in 14EE?”

He came and carefully measured my chest and waist, keeping an eye on Max the whole time even as Max kept an eye on him. He finished by measuring my inseam. “Hmmm, do you have difficulty buying clothes, Mr. Cahill? You have an extremely muscular body.”

Somehow he knew my name--from the folks at the diner, I assumed. “Not in a big city where there are quality men’s stores, ” I replied.

“Well, we may not be a big city, but I can attest to the quality of my goods. Perhaps you’d like a sports jacket, as well. I can tailor it to fit you perfectly. Who knows, you may want to take Miss Lucille to a fancy restaurant like Carter’s or even to the theater.” Damn, but this guy knew an awful lot about me and my business.

“Let’s start with the basics first and then we can talk about the others.” He nodded and walked to a rack of shirts and then to another of slacks, motioning me to a dressing room once he had four of each. I tried on the slacks first, surprised that he had my size—36-35—waist 36 inches and inseam 35 inches. Surprisingly, they fit me well. I selected one pair of tan and another of light grey before trying on several lightweight shirts. They were made of an elastic material that promised to wick perspiration away from the wearer’s body. I liked three of the four so I kept them. Dressed again in my uniform I laid the clothes on the counter.

“Good choices, Marshal; why don’t we try on a few jackets now? You’ll need a size 52 Extra Long because of your muscular chest and back, but I’m sure it will need alterations because of your relatively small waist.” I found a nice one that I liked—mauve with silver plated buttons. It was a trifle snug, but I was promised that it would be altered for free and that it would be done by tomorrow afternoon. I walked out the door almost two hours later with my arms full and my wallet empty. I had spent almost $1, 000 on my new wardrobe. I justified the expense by telling myself that I wanted to look good for Lucy.

Max and I walked in to what was now our table at the diner at 1:30 on the dot. Lucy was busy with a customer so Amy who was by now our official waitress brought my menu as soon as Max had made himself comfortable in the booth. ”I don’t know what’s going on with you and Lucille, but I’ve never seen her so happy.”

“I think it must be the rain, ” I said jokingly, actually laughing when Amy looked totally confused. I ordered a cheese steak sub and a Coke then I sat back to check out the people in the diner. This was something I always did, but—not surprisingly—I saw nothing even remotely suspicious. I had just finished my inspection when Lucy slid into the booth with me. Max bounced up so she could pet him. He really was just a big baby when not on duty.

“Did you get everything you wanted?”

“Yeah, I went to George’s. Do you know where that is?”

Lucy laughed before answering, “Of course, remember that I’ve lived here all my life. I know George, too—have for years. I’m leaving early this afternoon. The rain is supposed to stop soon. I’d like to show you around while it’s sunny for a change. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, I think that’s a great idea. You can show me where all the kids go to make out.”

She leaned over to whisper in my ear. “I can show you, but I think we’re a bit beyond that, aren’t we? I much prefer a nice comfortable bed over a back seat every time.” My response was to kiss her cheek. Amy brought my lunch then and Lucy excused herself to deal with some customers. I ate the overstuffed sub, wondering if Lucy had told the cook to give me double. It was a great sandwich. I paid with my MasterCard, adding a tip, just as Lucy walked out of the kitchen to join me. We held hands as we walked out to the SUV.

She directed me through the town to a high point overlooking a beautiful pristine lake. I parked and stopped the car as we looked out the front window at the incredible sight before us. Lucy leaned across the console to kiss me. Her eyes were closed, but I swore I could still see all the way into her core. She broke the kiss a few seconds later to tentatively ask me, “Do you like me, Matt? I mean...really like me? I know you like fucking me, but....”

“I’ve never fucked you, Lucy. I have made love with you a few times, but I doubt that I would ever fuck you. Do I like you? No...I’d say it’s a lot more than that. I can’t say that I’m in love with you because we haven’t known each other long enough, but I could fall for you in a heartbeat. I do have one question for you, though. When I went to George’s this morning he knew just about everything about us. Do you have any idea why?”

She smiled and leaned up to kiss my cheek. “When I introduced myself to you I never mentioned my surname.”

“What difference does it make? You are who you are regardless of your name.”

“It would matter in this case, Matt. My name is Lucille Ann Bascomb.”

“You mean like Bascomb in Bascomb’s Creek and Bascomb’s Landing?”

“Yes, it was my great grandfather who first settled here and founded the town. I didn’t mention it because I wanted you to get to know me for who I am, not who I’m related to. I also misled you about the diner. I do own it, but—I’m not sure how to say this.”

“Just tell me the truth.”

“Okay, I’m a graduate of University of Tennessee and I have an MBA from Haslam, the Business School. All of that was so I could take over the family businesses when my dad decides to retire.”

“Businesses...as in more than one?”

“Yes, Matt, I’m sorry if I deceived you, but I couldn’t anticipate what has happened between us. I’m glad you feel the way you do, because I’m falling for you big time. I’m usually so level headed, but all I want to do is hold you and kiss you and make beautiful love with you.”

I was chuckling when I asked, “Is that so bad?” Then I looked into her eyes and I knew. We had a big future ahead of us.

She elbowed me as she answered me. “No, it’s not bad at all, but you learned this morning that everything I do is under a microscope. There is nobody here who doesn’t know me and now they know all about you, too. I’m sure that my father has checked up on you and he must approve because you’re still here.

“And that brings me to the second topic for discussion. Would you live here if you could get a good job?”

“All I know is law enforcement, Lucy. That’s all I ever wanted to do.”

“Good, because we’re going to be looking for a new chief of police in two months and none too soon as far as most of us are concerned. Our current chief has let things go for the past five years. He retired, but forgot to stay home. The City Council has agreed that we need someone from outside to shake things up. Think you might be interested?”

“I might be, but I’d want to think about it a bit. I’d need a decent salary and I’ll have to find a place to live. Say, if you’re so well off why are you living in a trailer?”

“Mobile home, Matt...mobile home--even though there’s not much difference. The truth is that my house is being painted and I can’t stand the fumes. I must be allergic because I always break out in a rash. The interior is done, but this rain has delayed finishing the outside. Okay, I’ve told you everything that matters about me now. I really am sorry for having deceived you. I promise I’ll never do it again.” She looked up at me with those puppy dog eyes that always drove me crazy with lust.

“Promise accepted, but I think we need to go back to the trailer now so we can become better acquainted.”

Lucy gave me a sly smile followed by a sweet kiss accompanied by a lot of tongue before settling back into her seat. Ten minutes later I was holding the door to the trailer...er, mobile home for Lucy and Max. Max lay down in front of the couch while Lucy took my hand and led me to the bedroom. I wholeheartedly agreed with her idea of getting better acquainted.

She turned down the bed then came to me with a devilish expression on her face. “Want to try my ass, sailor? I’ve never wanted it, but I’ll make an exception for you. What do you say? Hmmm?”

“Maybe some other time; I wouldn’t want to hurt you and I’m pretty sure I would. Besides—didn’t you tell me that my cock was just the perfect size for your pussy?”

“I did and it is, ” she whispered as she tiptoed up for another kiss while her hands began to remove my shirt. I dropped my heavy belt to the floor as Lucy began to lower my cargo pants. We were frantic for each other, so frantic that we actually took more time tripping over my pants and Lucy’s diner uniform. Eventually, she managed to push me back onto the bed and by then we were laughing crazily. The laughing continued until we looked into each other’s eyes and then as if by tacit agreement it stopped. I pulled Lucy’s slender body into mine, her breasts pressing into my muscular chest as her soft plump lips devoured mine. I was concentrating on holding Lucy so I was a bit surprised when she gripped my cock and led it to her gushing pussy.

She broke the kiss a few seconds later to whisper, “It was taking you too long. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“Yeah; like I’d ever object to making love with you. It’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done.”

“As much as I love hearing that I have to disagree. Bringing criminals to justice is the best thing you’ve ever done. I heard on CNN about what you did in St. Louis, arresting those two rapists all by yourself and with no shots fired and no innocent bystanders injured. I do have to say though that this is really special. Oh, Matt! Oh, dear God that is so good. Do me, Matt. Harder! Harder!”

Lucy wanted it harder and I aimed to please. I drove into her with increasing speed and force, lifting her several feet into the air with every thrust. My hands on her butt could feel the tremors emanating from her cunt. They built slowly but surely to what became a massive orgasm—undoubtedly the biggest I’d ever witnessed. I felt great knowing that I was able to give Lucy this wonderful experience.

When she came it was sudden and powerful. I held onto her for dear life as convulsion after convulsion ripped through her body. Somewhere in the middle of it she bathed my abdomen in what seemed to be a gallon of her ejaculate. It was the very first time I had ever made a woman squirt, although it was more a flood than a squirt. She was just coming down when I blew with such force and such volume that every thrust forced semen from her vault.

I was breathing hard when I looked up at Lucy and I was shocked at what I saw. Lucy had passed out, bringing a level of truth to what the French call “la petite mort” or “the little death.” I remained there with Lucy lightly snoring on my chest for more than fifteen minutes until she began to stir. It was during that time that I realized how perfect Lucy felt on me.

She seemed confused as she slowly regained control of her senses. “What happened, Matt?”

“Well, to start with you had the most incredible orgasm.”

She giggled as she said, “I think I remember that part.”

“Yeah, well—do you recall squirting all over me? Although I have to say—it was more of a flood than a squirt. We’re going to have to change the entire bed before we go out. Then you passed out. I was holding onto you so tightly I half expect you to have bruises on your butt and back. That’s how wildly you were thrashing about.”

“It must have been pretty good because I feel just wonderful right now—probably better than I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Can you understand that?”

“I can because I’m feeling exactly the same way." I kissed her then and pushed her up so we could shower together, change the bed, and throw the linens into the washing machine. It was after six when I led Lucy out for dinner.

>>>>>>

Thursday was the day we had set aside for our date. After getting Lucy settled in the Explorer and Max in the rear seat, I opened the rear hatch and leaned in toward the long box on the right-hand side. Including the lock, it was made of stainless steel primarily because stainless is an extremely hard metal that is difficult to dent with a hammer and impossible to cut with a hacksaw. The box was bolted to the vehicle’s frame with the nuts inside the box’s body. I placed my. 44 Magnum into the precut foam seat and removed my CZ 75 9mm pistol. A minute later it was nestled in my shoulder holster and my jacket was back on my body.

I had made reservations for Carter’s and Lucy obviously approved although she did giggle when she told me that it was one of the family businesses. “What don’t you own, ” I asked.

“Well, we own most of the buildings downtown and we own three gas stations in addition to the mining quarries. Mostly we mine sand and ball clay. That’s the stuff that’s used to make dinnerware and floor and wall tiles. We have more than five hundred employees working the mines. It’s interesting work and nothing like old-time mining. It takes place in huge pits. The trucks and power shovels are huge. There are crews that blast thousands of tons at a time.” I had an even harder time understanding why Lucy was still single so I asked her about it.

“Lucy, you’re a real catch. Why aren’t you married by now?”

“That’s a good question, Matt. I’ve been very suspicious of every suitor while I was in college and since then and my dad is even worse, but you’re the exception. I started to fall for you before you knew anything about me. You’re here by chance. You slept with me that first night and I never worried that you’d take advantage. Then when we made love the first time.... Well, all I can tell you is that sex with other men was never even close to what we shared. That was when I first felt that we share something special.” She reached across the table to take my hand. The she whispered, “My father will know everything that happened at dinner before we even reach your car.”

“Okay, so what? You’re an adult and so am I.” Lucy leaned forward to kiss me then. It was just a peck, but it told me a lot. I was sure that dear old dad was receiving a text before we even broke it. So what?

Dinner was as great as George had told me it would be. We each had the prime rib, although I did have the larger offering with baked potato while Lucy had fries. George and I had hit it off pretty well yesterday when I bought my clothes so I sounded him out on a number of things—the police force being my first issue. What he told me was revealing. He even invited several of his friends in to join us. They shared his opinions. Basically, they told me that the force was a joke. Almost half of the officers were hired as payback for political debts by the members of the City Council.

“Haynes is the worst. His son is on the force and he must be forty...fifty pounds overweight. If he ever had to run after a criminal he’d probably die of a heart attack.”

Later I stopped at a coffee shop with Paul, one of George’s pals, at their suggestion. There I heard the same arguments and the same sentiments. They were reinforced when two city police officers walked in to take seats at the counter. “That’s Jeremy Haynes, ” my companion whispered. “Watch what he does. He’s a real slob, but he makes up for it by being arrogant and obnoxious.”

I nursed my coffee while I watched Haynes and his partner spend almost forty-five minutes of the city’s time eating and drinking coffee. Their radios indicated four calls that they ignored. Haynes had four doughnuts; his partner only had three. “Now, watch this, ” my new friend whispered conspiratorially. I was still and silent as the two cops walked straight out the door without paying and without a word of thanks to the shop’s owner. I had to agree—Haynes was a real piece of work. He’d be first in my sights if I became chief.

When I shared those opinions with Lucy she surprisingly agreed. “That’s why most of us want a change. We want a strong independent police chief who will turn the force into something we can be proud of, not a running joke and a bad one, at that.” I spent the next morning at the library, preparing for my interview. I was going to review my plans with Lucy, but fate in the form of two armed robbers intervened. Virtually all of my afternoon was spent resolving the case and taking statements from the witnesses. As a result, Lucy and I grabbed a quick meal at a barbeque joint where we could sit outside and I could feed Max while Lucy and I ate.

I was in uniform and armed when I walked into the Council Room at 7:00 on Friday evening with Lucy and Max. She directed me to a chair at the foot of the table. I was quite pleased when Max followed Lucy to her seat just to the left of the chairman, Carl Haynes. I also learned then that Ms. Lucille Bascomb was the Vice-Chairperson. I looked around at the nine members of the council and was surprised to see that I had met several at George’s that morning. They smiled as Mr. Haynes introduced them.

I began the interview with a synopsis of my life—how I was orphaned at three, living in eastern North Carolina with my aunt and uncle, everything about my high school career leading to my experiences in the Navy. Finally, I described my career as a U. S. Marshal.

“Tell us about your dog.” It was one of the men I’d met at George’s this morning who had asked.

“I was involved in dog training in the Navy and I was given the opportunity with Max about five years ago when he was three months old. I spent an entire year with him and now he’s the best police dog I’ve ever met. Not only does he obey my commands perfectly, but he is capable of acting on his own if warranted.”

“I understand that he was a major factor in the arrests you made this afternoon.”

“That’s right. Without him I would never have been able to take those robbers down. I wouldn’t have even tried because there would have been an overwhelming probability that one or more of the bystanders in the diner would have been shot and possibly killed. I probably would have been one of them. The only alternative would have been to kill them before they had a chance to react.”

“How did Max know when to act?”

“Training, more than anything else; I gave him a signal that I won’t share with you now so he knew to go when I did. I saw that their weapons were pointed to the ceiling and the one I was going for was looking away from me.”

“What about the other one?”

“That never mattered. Max was on him in less than a second. He was off as soon as my foot hit the floor and his fangs were wrapped around the man’s wrist before the other robber could react. I was glad that mine followed directions. I never like to shoot anyone, even scum like them.”

“Would you actually have shot him?”

“Without a doubt--and especially if I thought that one of the customers or diner staff was in danger. That’s always my rationale when I use my weapon.”

“May I see your pistol?”

“NO! I’m sorry, but I never give my weapon to anyone, even in a setting like this.”

“I’d like to hear some of your thoughts on your becoming chief of police here. We have an outstanding force now. What would you do to improve it, ” asked Chairman Haynes.

“I wish that the citizens of this city shared that opinion, Sir. I’ve spoken with roughly fifty citizens here and the overwhelming majority thinks the police force here is a joke. In fact, they call it the ‘Keystone Kops, ’ that’s how poorly they think of the police force now. That will definitely change when I’m chief. I’ve put together some standards that are in use with the Marshal’s Service. They have been adopted by many local and state police.” I passed the sheet out to the council members. “Every member of the force, including me, will have to run a six-minute mile every six months. They will also have to lift and carry a 150-pound dummy fifty yards in thirty seconds or less and they’ll have to qualify at the range, striking the target at least 85 percent at fifty yards. Failure to achieve these targets will result in a sixty-day probationary period the first time, a ninety-day suspension the second time, and dismissal from the force the third time.

“As chief I will have full discretion to hire and fire.”

“We do that now. The law requires it.”

“Yes, Mr. Haynes, you’re absolutely right, but you are politicians so you make political decisions. Politics and police is a recipe for disaster. People get onto the force for all the wrong reasons. Every candidate should have to pass a competitive exam. That ensures that you get to pick the very best candidates, not the son or daughter of a friend or relative. Every candidate must have a psychological exam so you don’t wind up with a psycho on the force—someone who will go crazy under stress—and every candidate will have to pass their way through the Memphis Police Academy. That’s something you’ll have to pay for. I know the Chief there very well and he has agreed to take on our candidates if you pay their tuition.

“You currently have one lieutenant. That’s not enough. You need at least one on each shift. Your one lieutenant works days. Most crimes occur at night and your officers have no supervision and when they get into a problem they have no leadership to help them. God forbid they get a hostage situation or a serious crime like a rape or murder.

“And here’s another problem—I spent a few hours yesterday morning in a coffee shop here in the downtown area talking to people about your police force. While I was there your son and his partner came in. He ate four doughnuts and drank two cups of coffee. His partner ate three then he, and your son, walked out without paying. That will end the first day I’m chief. It’s a terrible practice that generates mistrust and negative relationships between the community and the police.

“And, while I’m on the subject, tell your son to go on a diet and start running. He’s at least forty pounds overweight and he was huffing and puffing when he struggled to get out of the patrol car. He’ll never pass the new standards unless he makes some major changes.”

We spent the next thirty minutes talking salary and benefits. They would match my current salary of $84, 697 and provide for veterinary care for Max as well as the use of a house they had recently foreclosed on for back taxes. I told the council that I hoped I wouldn’t need it very long. Before the meeting ended the vote to appoint me had been conducted with the vote going eight in favor and only one opposed. That one was, not surprisingly, Carl Haynes. I was congratulated by the group’s majority before Lucy and I walked out with Max at our heels. I would be formally appointed at a public meeting the following Tuesday evening and I would receive a formal contract with everything I had demanded included. The right to hire and fire was critical and I would never have accepted without it.

>>>>>>

We were in the SUV when Lucy asked, “What was that bit about hoping to need the house only a short time?”

“Well, I’ve realized that I made a big mistake earlier this week—a huge one, in fact.”

“Oh, when was that?” She had the beginnings of a big smile on her face.

“It was when we were talking about our feelings for each other. I told you it was too early to tell you that I loved you. That was the mistake. It’s not too early, after all. I love you, Lucy. I’m in love with you and I don’t give a damn about your money. I’ll make a decent salary and I have about three million from my lawsuit from my parents’ death.”

“Are you...asking...”

“Actually, I haven’t yet, but I am now. Lucy Ann Bascomb, will you marry me?”

“It is quick, but I’ve never been more certain that it’s the right thing for both of us. I will, Matt, but first you’re going to have to ask my father. I know it’s an old fashioned custom, but it’s something that must be done in my family.”

“What happens if he says no?”

“I don’t think he will. He’s been trying to get rid of me for years.”

“I’ll never believe that. Just tell me that you’ll still be mine.”

“I’ll always be yours, Matt...always. Now, let’s go home to seal the deal.” I started the engine as Lucy leaned across the console to kiss me. I wished then that I had a bench seat so I could hold her as close as possible to me. Unfortunately, that had to wait until we were back at the trailer.

Max scampered up the steps then turned to wait for us. Lucy opened the door and we quickly stepped inside. I dropped my gun bags to the floor as Lucy locked the door. Then she came to me, giving herself to me wholly and completely. I picked her up and carried her to bed. We were kissing passionately the entire time.

I tried to lay Lucy onto the bed, but she was having none of it. She stood next to me, her slender lithe body pressed into mine as I deftly removed her clothing. Removing mine was a bit trickier because of my pistol. Lucy knew by now that I never allow anyone to handle my weapons. It’s not that I’m picky or temperamental; it’s just a matter of safety. Handling any kind of gun is potentially dangerous. Every year there are dozens of injuries or deaths from people handling what they thought was an unloaded gun and then there are the accidents hunters have when they climb over a fence or trip on a log. There’s never a reason not to exercise the best safety practices when handling firearms.

I laid my belt and holster on the floor then Lucy almost tore my uniform from my body. We fell together onto the bed. My hands roamed her soft sensuous body, concentrating on her small, but sensitive, breasts and her muscular ass cheeks. There was no need to massage her pussy. She was grinding into my thigh and she was incredibly wet in her desire.

We must have rolled back and forth in our passion for each other for fifteen minutes or more before Lucy pushed me onto my back. Of course, I went willingly, knowing what she had in mind. She broke our kiss. Then, staring straight into my eyes, she straddled my hips and held my achingly hard cock to her slit. She rubbed it into her folds twice before slowly engulfing me into her heat...her wetness, her velvet vise.

Lucy rocked slowly as she savored the ecstasy in her cunt. Seconds later I took her hard nipples into my fingers, gently squeezing and rolling them as I massaged her breasts with my huge powerful hands. I thought for a second how ironic it was that hands I used to destroy criminals could also be used to express my love for this wonderful woman.

Very slowly we progressed to our mutual conclusion. We were eager—not for our own pleasure, but to share the rapture that only making love can create. I couldn’t speak for Lucy, but it was the most exhilarating experience of my life and when we both came at the exact same instant I knew it was as spectacular for her as it had been for me. Rather than just collapsing on my chest, she gripped my short hair in her fingers and laid her lips to mine. “I hope you’re in the mood, because I’m going to want that again as soon as you’re ready.” I groaned in mock annoyance, but couldn’t stifle a big grin.

Lucy next spoke when she broke the kiss several minutes later. Our faces were covered in spit when she asked, “Do you like kids, Matt?”

“I love them and I’d like to have a really big family—like ten or twelve.” I laughed crazily at the expression on her face. I kissed her first then suggested that three or four would be great. After a sigh of relief she told me that would be great and that the only thing greater would be to start as soon as we were married. I agreed immediately, just before Lucy took my secretion-encrusted cock into her mouth. Not surprisingly, I was ready for round two.

We spent most of the weekend in bed, but we did get up to shower around eleven Sunday morning. That’s when I learned that Momma and Daddy held a big barbeque every Sunday afternoon for their family and closest friends. If you live in the north you probably don’t know the difference between grilling and barbeque. Grilling is cooking anything other than pork shoulder. Spending a dozen hours to slowly grill a pork shoulder results in what we in the South call barbecue. Different areas have different kinds of sauce ranging from sweet and mild to smoking hot and extremely spicy. Personally, I preferred a tomato-based sauce even though that’s a sacrilege in North Carolina where they love vinegar-based sauce.

Promise me Forever part 2

I was clean shaven with a double dose of anti-perspirant in my pits and a new shirt with my wheat-colored linen slacks. I wore my shirt out so I could tuck my CZ into a holster in the small of my back. I had brushed Max before showering so the two of us looked really spiffy when we walked to my Explorer.

“Lucy, I have a feeling that you don’t drive an old clunker like you told me that first rainy night.”

“Umm...no, I don’t. I have a Mercedes AMG convertible. It was in the shop that day and I had a loaner I didn’t know anything about. I really was stranded there. Sorry; I won’t fib to you ever again. I promise.” She put her hand in mine and squeezed. Somehow, over the past ten days Lucy had become much better looking—either that or she was taking much better care of herself.

Lucy gave me directions and I turned left onto a private road that I had passed several times during my explorations. It was long and winding, more than a mile in length and we’d gone more than halfway before we saw a house off to the right and roughly a hundred feet from the street—Lucy’s house. It was big—no, it was imposing—with a huge front lawn that looked to be perfect for lawn bowling or tennis. It was perfectly flat and level and I couldn’t find even a single weed as I slowly drove past.

“How big is that house, Lucy?”

“Well, it has a big living room, a bigger family room, library, and dining room in addition to an eat-in kitchen. There are two powder rooms—one in the front of the house and one at the rear and there’s a big screened porch in the back that leads to a broad patio and pool. Upstairs there are six bedrooms and five full baths. I also have a three-car garage.”

“And working in the diner?”

“Um...I don’t really do anything much there other than say hello and talk to friends of my family.”

I laughed. That explained a lot—like why she could skip out on work whenever she wanted, not that I was complaining. A minute later I drove up a long brick driveway that turned into a broad curve in front of the house. It was even bigger than Lucy’s. She showed me where to park then I opened the doors for her and Max. He walked in at heel to Lucy’s left.

We were in a big vestibule—big enough to hold a grand piano where we were greeted by an older black man in a black suit and tie. I assumed correctly that he was the butler. “Samuel, this is Marshal Cahill and this is his dog, Max.”

“Welcome, Marshal, Miss Lucille. Your parents are on the patio, Miss.” He stepped aside and left us to greet another couple. Lucy took my hand and led Max and me to the rear of the house. I could have picked out her father even without Lucy as my guide. He was holding court and smugly stating his views on some hot controversy to the avid audience. He was tall with silver hair and he was wearing one of those shirts that are made to be worn un-tucked. Mine wasn’t tucked in either, but that was to hide my pistol.

Lucy led me over to meet her father. “Daddy, this is Marshal Matt Cahill. Matt, my father, Jonathan Bascomb.” We shook hands and he tried to squeeze my hand—an obvious attempt at dominance, but a failed one. Anyone else, I might have broken the bones in his hand, but I’d be asking this man an important question later so I wanted to stay on his good side.

“I always appreciate a firm handshake, Sir; a pleasure to meet you.”

“I’ve heard good things about you, Marshal. I especially appreciate the way you apprehended those criminals Friday afternoon and I assume this is your dog. Max, isn’t it?”

“Yes, this is Max, but don’t try to pet him unless I give him the okay.”

“Really? Is he that dangerous?”

“He can be and he will if he sees someone threatening either Lucy or me.”

“Lucy? I think you mean Lucille.”

“I’ve always called her Lucy and she has never objected. When she does I’ll call her something else...whatever she wants.”

“It sounds like you plan on sticking around, Marshal.”

I had to laugh. “I’ve heard you have an excellent network of informants so I’m sure you know that I’ve been offered the position of chief of police. I’m also sure you know that the official appointment will be Tuesday evening, so—yes—I am thinking of sticking around, probably for a long time. Meanwhile, why don’t you call me Matt?”

Now it was his turn to chuckle. “I like a man who’s direct, Matt. Come with me and I’ll introduce you to Lucille’s mother.” I walked with him to a group of women and, again, I was sure which one was his wife before the introduction. She looked almost identical to Lucy, except a trifle heavier.

“My dear, ” my future father-in-law began, “I’d like you to meet Matt Cahill...Marshal Cahill and this huge beast is his dog, Max.”

“I’m surprised, Mr. Cahill, that you would bring an animal to such a gathering, ” she said indignantly.

“I also took him into the diner all week and it was because of him that we apprehended two armed robbers and ensured the safety of almost forty people, including your daughter. Besides, Lucy told me to bring him.”

“Lucy? Lucy? Why would you take such liberties with my daughter?” I was serious on the outside, but inside I was laughing my ass off. I wondered what she would think of the liberties I had actually taken with Lucy.

“I have always called her Lucy, Mrs. Bascomb, and not only has she never objected, but she encouraged the familiarity.”

I might have continued, but Lucy stepped between us to intervene. “Really, Mother—what a stupid thing to argue about. Matt is right. I encouraged him to call me Lucy and I told him to bring Max. I think you’ll find him better behaved than many of your other guests. However, we’ll leave if you would prefer.”

“Well...I wouldn’t want you to leave, darling.”

“Matt brought me so I’ll be leaving with him.” From the expression on her mother’s face I gathered that she wasn’t accustomed to having Lucy—or anyone else—speak that way to her. Fortunately, her father intervened to say that we were welcome and that he hoped we would enjoy our afternoon. Lucy took my hand and walked me to the bar.

CHapter 9

I ordered a Coke with a lot of ice and Lucy asked for an iced tea. She then spoke quietly to the bartender who left, returning a minute later with a large bowl of water for Max. I placed it at the edge of the patio where it wouldn’t be in anyone’s way. Then Lucy took my hand again and we mingled, speaking with several members of the city council and a few folks I recognized from the diner. Apparently, my appointment as chief of police was an open secret. The council had met in what is known as “executive session” which is supposed to be private and confidential. Executive session is usually reserved for personnel and legal issues or negotiations with labor unions, few of which exist in the southern states.

The household staff served as waiters and waitresses, bringing boiled shrimp and little pieces of toast with brie and caviar, among other offerings. This was the most extravagant barbeque I’d ever been a part of. Several times someone dropped a canapé and jumped back expecting to see Max run over them to get a free snack. I hoped they weren’t too disappointed because he completely ignored them. Lucy rewarded him by holding several fried scallops out for him to sample. He looked at me for approval then lapped his treat off Lucy’s hand once I had nodded. She further rewarded him then with a hug that Max obviously enjoyed. His tail wagged wildly for several minutes while Lucy petted him and scratched his ears.

That was when a woman asked, “Isn’t that a dangerous dog? I can’t believe you would have anything to do with such a beast.”

Lucy looked up and replied, “He can be dangerous, but I’ve seen kids play with him for an hour or more and I know he’d never hurt me.” As if to prove her point Max licked Lucy’s face as she grinned and laughed, hugging Max even tighter. I put an end to it by helping Lucy to her feet and telling Max to heel. It was time to eat.

Lucy and I went in to use the bathroom while Max stood guard. I washed Lucy’s face then she reached up to give me a big wet kiss. “I knew you wouldn’t take my parents’ shit, Matt. They can be such jerks sometimes.”

“They’re parents; it’s to be expected. Think I should tell your father that his bartender is stealing from him?”

“Huh? What? How?”

“Your father obviously buys excellent quality booze, but the bartender is substituting cheap stuff. I saw him pouring Ardbeg—a cheap scotch—into a bottle with a Johnny Walker Blue label. I’ll bet he sells the good stuff to friends. I won’t do anything now during dinner, but I think your dad and I will have to check it out once we’re done.”

“Damn, Matt, you’re so smart.” Then she kissed me again and we walked out, startling an elderly woman as we passed her en route to the patio for dinner. I held Lucy’s chair for her then sat next to her, narrowly beating another man I’d seen talking with Mrs. Bascomb earlier. I wondered what that was about.

First course was a salad served family style with lots of tomatoes and green pepper in a vinaigrette dressing. I picked up the bowl, but rather than helping myself to a hearty portion I passed it to a woman to my right. I offered to toss it and serve her and she graciously accepted. Lucy introduced me and we had an interesting discussion about law enforcement. Mostly they wanted to know how I knew the two at the diner were robbers.

I explained that a lot of police work depended on one’s ability to observe people. “For example, Bill, I noticed that you have a limp in your left leg. You try to hide it and you do a good job, but to someone who is a trained observer it’s extremely obvious. I also noticed earlier, Jane that you’re left-handed, but you have trouble with your pinky, probably a problem with the nerves in your arm.”

“What did you notice about me, Marshal?”

“Well, one of your shoes has a thicker sole and heel than the other. I suspect that you either had a birth defect or an injury that impacted the length of your left leg.”

“My God! I think we have Sherlock Holmes at the table. You’re absolutely right. I was in an automobile accident when I was six and my leg was broken in three places. It’s now an inch shorter than the other. I doubt that anyone else ever noticed.”

“Well, I’m married to Adam and it was more than a year before I noticed. You’re quite extraordinary, Marshal. Or should we call you, Matt? I’ve heard some rumors you’re going to be our new chief of police.”

“I can’t comment one way or another, May.” I saw that Lucy was going to comment, but my hand on her leg told her not to say a word.

“I do have to say, Matt that your dog is extremely well behaved. I wouldn’t even know he was here if I didn’t see him. Is it okay to pet him?”

“Not now--if you don’t mind--and don’t try unless I’m with you. I had to hold Lucy’s hand the first time she got into my car. Max is extremely protective of me and now Lucy. Unlike me, he’s always on duty.” I received the salad bowl from Lucy and finally scooped a large portion into my bowl. It was as good as I had expected with fresh crisp vegetables and the dressing was just perfect in my opinion.

Dinner consisted of pulled pork and ribs along with a variety of fresh vegetables and baked potatoes. I noticed immediately that they had been cooked in salt. I’d always found that to be an excellent method because I enjoy eating the skin even more than the flesh of the tuber. I was also pleased to see a variety of barbeque sauces on the table. Lucy picked a mild sweet sauce, but I picked the hottest available. It was great on the tender pulled pork and even better on the baby back ribs. For my vegetables I took an ear of fresh corn and several grilled tomatoes.

Discussion continued during dinner and I found myself enjoying the company of the people at our table. Not surprisingly, Max sat behind Lucy, looking left and right to ensure our safety. Looking across the patio I noticed the man who had tried to usurp my seat engaged in a long whispering conversation with Lucy’s mother. I had a feeling that there would be a confrontation with him before I took Lucy back to the trailer—oops, mobile home.

Dessert was ice cream, almost a tradition at barbeques my aunt and uncle held with homemade pie running a close second. I asked for chocolate and strawberry and received a scoop of each. Once I was done I excused myself and went to speak with Lucy’s father. “May I have a word, Jonathan?”

“Of course, Matt, ” he replied, standing as he excused himself from the table. He had taken two steps away when I spoke next.

“I was wondering if you wanted to know that your bartender is stealing from you.”

“How? There’s no money involved, not even tips.”

“That much is true, but I’m sure you buy top shelf liquors and he’s pouring them into empty bottles and substituting cheap stuff. I’d bet he later sells the good stuff to friends at a discount. It’s a good way to make a few hundred bucks on every job and it’s hard to get caught.”

“How did you catch him?”

“I’ve seen this scam before, but usually on a grander scale. Shall we take a look behind the bar? I think we’ll find a bunch of empty bottles and a funnel or two in addition to the cheap stuff you’re actually drinking.” I signaled Max and he trotted to my side.

“Excuse us, ” I said to the bartender. “We just want to take a peek behind the bar.”

“I don’t think you should, sir. I doubt the homeowner would approve.”

“Well, ” Jonathan began, “I’m the homeowner and the one who’s paying you so I suggest you step aside.”

The guy’s nervousness gave him away and I thought he might try to run. “You can run, but do you really think you can outrun my dog? Keep in mind that he’ll stop you by biting your leg first and then your neck. Right, Max?” His low, barely audible growl settled the issue.

There was a cloth covering the rear of the bar and once I slid it aside we could see the evidence of his crime. There were more than a dozen bottles with homemade labels taped on. One said “JW Blue” and others said “Grey Goose, ” “Skyy, ” both excellent and expensive vodkas. Others said “Tanqueray” and “Bombay Sapphire.” Among the bourbons were “Jefferson’s Presidential” and “Kentucky Gentleman, ” both of which sold for more than $300 a bottle. There were also bottles for the expensive brandies and cognacs being held for after dinner. Also clearly visible were a number of ultra cheap store brand liquors.

Jonathan Bascomb’s face turned a shade of deep red, but before he spoke I whipped out my ID and began to recite the Miranda warning. “You can remain silent or you can tell us who is behind this plot. You’ve changed enough bottles for this to be considered grand larceny in most states. Something tells me you’re not in this alone.”

“Please...I’m a college student. If I get sent to jail my folks will kill me and I’ll lose my scholarship.”

“Fine, who are you working for?”

“Mr. Haynes.”

“Carl Haynes, the city councilman?”

“No, I think his name is Jeremy. He has a lot of scams he runs.”

“Like what?” I wasn’t about to let the matter drop until I had every bit of information I could get on this rat.

“I know for a fact that he deals pot and meth. My roommate bought some from him. I also heard you can get pills like Oxy from him.”

“Jonathan, I think we need to take this inside.” He agreed and as I turned I saw Lucy trying desperately to fend off her mother’s “friend.” Fortunately, I had just the solution. “Max, ” I said as I pointed at her. “Lucy...now.” Max looked, saw Lucy in trouble, and sprinted to her. A second later her “suitor” couldn’t back away fast enough. Even Jonathan laughed like crazy as we led the bartender into Jonathan’s office.

Chapter 10

His name was Jack Perkins and he was a student at Memphis University. He wrote a statement outlining his involvement, how much he was being paid, and how he would get the illegal bottles to Haynes. Once his statement had been dated, signed, and witnessed I took a photo of him and his driver’s license and sent him back to work. “We need to sit on this, Jonathan until I become chief. Then we’ll blow this asshole out of the water. I’m afraid if we do it now his father will use his influence to quash the entire deal.”

“I agree. This is exactly the reason why I’ve thought we needed an outsider in the position.” He began to walk out, but I asked for a few more minutes of his time.

“I think you know that I’ve been staying with Lucy and we’ve been seeing a lot of each other over the past ten days.”

“Okay.”

“Early last week she asked me how I felt about her and I told her that I could see myself falling for her big time, but it was too soon to tell her that I loved her. I was wrong. I am in love with her...very much.”

“I see. How does she feel about you?”

“The same, at least that’s what she’s told me.”

“Then I guess you’re not sleeping on the couch.”

“That’s a subject I’ll never discuss with you or anyone else. Bottom line is that I’ve asked her to marry me and she has agreed, but she told me that I had to ask you for her hand. That’s what I’m doing now.”

“What happens if I say no?”

“Nothing, except I’ll probably not get the chief’s job and Lucy will move to Wilmington, North Carolina to be with me. I have a small apartment in Carolina Beach. I’m sure you’d like to have her nearby because we’ve agreed to start a family as soon as possible. I’m sure you know that I have my own money so I have no interest in hers.”

“I guess I don’t have many options, Matt so welcome to our family.” He rose, shook my hand, and laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“My wife has been encouraging Donald Craig to pursue Lucille. He’s the one your dog chased away. Can I announce the engagement tonight?”

“I don’t see why not, but I would like to discuss it with Lucy first and you might want to mention it to Mrs. Bascomb.” He laughed at that then we shook hands again and, to my surprise, he hugged me. Of course, I hugged him back.

Lucy was seated on a cushioned love seat with Max at her side when I approached. She rose and I kissed her. “He approved and wants to make an announcement tonight. I told him I wanted to talk to you first. I see your suitor got cold feet.”

“He was panting worse than Max. You should have seen his eyes when I pointed Max out to him. They must have been as big as quarters. Max has been protecting me ever since. I got him a plate of pulled pork as a reward. I hope you don’t mind. He seemed to like it.”

No, I don’t mind. I’m glad he’ll eat for you. It shows that he’s accepted you. He’ll protect you now as much as he will me. Hopefully, Mr. Craig will be discouraged from chasing you, especially when your father makes his announcement.”

“Hopefully, my mother will be discouraged. She’s tried to shove that ass down my throat for the past two years. She thinks he’s a good catch. I think he’s a colossal bore.”

We heard Jonathan tap on his glass, asking for attention. “Please excuse me, but I have an important announcement to make. Marylou and I have waited a long time for this. We learned a few minutes ago that our daughter Lucille is engaged to Marshal Matt Cahill. We don’t have any details yet on the wedding, but I propose a toast to Lucille and Matt.” He held his glass up and there were a number of salutes. Lucy and I stood holding hands until she pulled my head down for a long kiss.

We received the congratulations of everyone present before we were allowed to leave. I had held the door for Lucy before allowing Max into the back seat. By the time I had walked around to my door, Lucy had slid up onto the console. I was greeted by a huge hug and an even bigger kiss as soon as I was seated. Lucy broke it almost five minutes later, only because Max had pushed his muzzle between us. He gave us a low “Woof, ” telling me how happy he was. Anyone who thinks that dogs don’t have emotions knows nothing about dogs. Lucy whispered, “I do love you so much, Matt. I loved the way you stood up to my parents. I didn’t tell you this before, but I’d never met anyone who I thought was strong enough to do it. My parents would walk all over anyone if they thought they could. You showed them today that they can’t—that you’re going to be your own man. I doubt that you can realize how important that is going to be for you...for us.”

I couldn’t think of anything to say in response so I stayed silent as I backed out and drove down the drive toward Lucy’s and my temporary home, Max’s massive head resting on Lucy’s shoulder.

>>>>>>

Lucy wanted us to shower together, but I was expecting an important phone call. Sure enough, I was barely in and wet when my cell rang. Lucy answered after the second ring tone. “Hello.”

“Um, I think I dialed the wrong number.”

“No, you didn’t, Daryl. This is Matt’s phone. He’s in the shower now, but I can hear that he’s turned it off. I’m Lucy, Matt’s fiancée.”

“Wow! I can’t believe it. You must really be something.”

“Well, I don’t know about that, but I do know that I love Matt terribly. He’s probably the strongest man I’ve ever met and I don’t mean just physically, although he’s strong that way, too.”

“Oh, he sure is. He’s also the straightest arrow I ever met.”

“Hold on, here’s Matt.” Lucy handed me the phone and took the towel to continue drying my body while I spoke with Daryl.

“I’m supposed to be appointed Tuesday night and they’ve agreed to give me authority to hire and fire. I’d like to hire you as my first lieutenant. That’s more important than you realize because there’s something rotten in Denmark.”

“Okay, so you’re not going to say anything with Lucy there. Congratulations on your engagement, you sly dog.” I spent the next fifteen minutes explaining what was involved. I was pretty sure the city would match his $65, 000 salary and give him decent benefits, plus I would arrange for him to live for free in the city’s house. I needed Daryl more than ever after learning about Jeremy Haynes. He would be the one person I knew I could trust in the department.

Lucy looked at me for a second before asking, “What’s wrong, Matt? Was it something to do with the bartender?”

“I don’t want to talk about it with you, Lucy—not because I don’t trust you, but because I want to protect you. You know so many people here in town that you might accidentally slip and say something to the wrong person. I don’t know yet how desperate these people may become. I have to ask you to trust me. Please!”

“Okay, you’re the expert; you know best.” She tiptoed up to kiss me then shook her booty on the way to the shower. I put a large bowl of Dog Chow on the floor for Max, giving him permission to eat immediately while I rinsed his water dish and refilled it. He attacked his food as he did every night—as though he hadn’t eaten in a month. I put him out and five minutes later he led me back into the bedroom.

Lucy was there waiting for me on the bed. She was wearing my favorite outfit—nothing, except for the sly smile on her face. I would have liked to brush my teeth, but I could see that Lucy was impatient. “I want to celebrate, Matt. It isn’t every day I become officially engaged.” She must have been really busy in the shower because I noticed that her pubic hair had been trimmed and shaved back from her thighs. She pulled me to her, taking a few seconds to reach to her left to pet Max. He leaned forward as far as he could to lick Lucy’s cheek. I rubbed the back of my hand under his chin then pointed him to his bed. Like dogs have done for time immemorial, he walked in a circle three times before lying down to rest. He might sleep, but it would be the shallowest sleep imaginable. He would hear the slightest sound outside.

I covered Lucy’s slight body with mine as she moved her legs apart to accommodate me. Instead, I rolled her onto her side so I was spooning behind her. Lifting her right leg over my hip opened her completely to me. Her cunt was oozing so I slid into her tightness relatively easily in spite of my length and girth. Lucy turned her head to kiss me while my left hand worried her nipples and my right rubbed, twisted, and pinched her clit. It wasn’t long before she had her first explosive orgasm. I needed all of my strength to keep her body on the bed.

I had continued thrusting into her so I wasn’t terribly surprised to find her shaking again as tremors emanated from her groin, running the length of her body. This time I was nearing my climax. All it took was a little control so we could reach our goal together. Her body was convulsing wildly when I erupted inside her. Our orgasms continued for more than ten seconds until we finally came to a sudden stop. We exhaled mightily as a signal that we were done for the night—well, for now anyway.

I had Lucy leaning her head on my chest with her right leg lying on my thigh when I spoke. “When your dad and I were talking he told me that he assumed I wasn’t sleeping on the couch.”

Lucy raised her head as she asked, “What did you say to him?”

“Basically, I told him it wasn’t his business. Of course, I was a lot more tactful, but he got the message.”

“Tell me about your friend.”

“Daryl Evans is probably the finest law enforcement officer I’ve ever met. His arrest rate is second only to mine, but there are some areas where he’s much better than me and he has a big advantage here.”

“What’s that?”

“He’s black. I find it hard to believe that almost half of the population here is black, yet you don’t have even a single black police officer. We’ll need to recruit some and Daryl will give me credibility with the black community. All I have to do is get him appointed.”

“Foolish boy; just leave that to me and my father. All I have to do is make a few phone calls and it will be done. I’m sure you understand that my father is the force behind the scenes. If he wants something, it happens. If he doesn’t....”

“I think we need to go to sleep. Somebody keeps wearing me out. I love you, Lucy and I plan to tell you every single day.” She cuddled into my body. We closed our eyes and we were gone.

>>>>>>

Lucy told me the following morning that she planned to move back into her house on Wednesday. “All I have to pack is one suitcase of clothes and a few toiletries, plus the food in the kitchen. Of course, I want you to come with me.”

“I have to go home sometime, but I can wait until Thursday or even Friday. I have to tender my resignation personally and I have my apartment to close up. I don’t know what to do with the furniture. Most of it is kind of old, but I do have a big flat screen TV I’d like to keep. Maybe we can find a place for it in your place.”

Lucy moved up to kiss me. “Our place, Matt...OUR place.” Then she kissed me again. “You need to see Martin Albright this morning. He was at the Council’s table, but he’s not a member. He’s our city attorney. I’ll bet he has your contract all but done. Don’t just accept what he shows you. Make whatever changes you think are necessary and make sure it says you have control over hiring and firing. I have a feeling you’re going to make good use of that provision.”

I did meet with Albright, walking right in with Max around 10:30. Lucy was right in that he had a contract for me, but not surprisingly it completely favored the city. I insisted on eight changes which he made without comment or complaint. When we were done it was ready to be signed and notarized and it would be right after I was appointed.

Max and I walked into the diner around noon and I could barely get into our booth just four feet from the door because of all of the congratulations I received from the patrons and staff. I finally joined Max who was already seated and was about to order when Lucy joined me. After a quick kiss I told her about my meeting with the attorney. She just smiled when I told her about the changes I had insisted on. She assured me that the Council would agree and that the vote would once again be overwhelmingly in favor. “I plan to ask that the Council formally approve your performance standards, too. I’ve been very busy calling everyone except Carl Haynes. You’ll have plenty of support for hiring your friend. A number of us have been trying to hire minorities for some time, but our present chief is a total bigot. We’ll be happy to see him go. Maybe knowing that we’re hiring a black officer will encourage him to go earlier.”

>>>>>>

Lucy and I spent the afternoon together in the booth talking about our wedding and reception. I told her I would leave those preparations to her and her family. I didn’t know enough about the city to comment one way or another about any arrangements and I wasn’t religious so I didn’t care what church we used. However, one thing I did know was that Lucy needed a ring. We left the diner at 4:00 and I let Lucy give me directions. I almost laughed when she told me to park in front of George’s Men’s Wear. Her family had used the jeweler next door for decades.

McMahon’s Fine Jewelry is what the sign said. I could tell by his body posture that it was Mr. McMahon who rushed to greet us. “Miss Lucille, I’m so happy for you. I just heard about your engagement this morning from George and, of course, he was told by his brother, Simon. And you must be the Mr. Cahill the whole city is talking about. I’d recognize you anywhere because of your dog. George told me he was the biggest dog he’d ever seen...best behaved, too. I’m Thomas Mc Mahon. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Call me Matt, Mr. McMahon. I’m pleased to meet you, too. We’re here to shop for some rings.”

“You’ve come to the right place, Matt. I have a great selection and I’ll give you a great price. Nothing is too good for Miss Lucille.” I had to agree. He led Lucy to the rear of the store and had her sit at the counter. Max curled up at her side, but anyone who thought he wasn’t alert and on the job was in for a big ugly surprise.

Thomas began by measuring Lucy’s finger. He tried three different sizes, asking Lucy if it was comfortable or too tight or loose. Apparently satisfied, he opened the big safe and removed three trays of diamond solitaire rings. “I have more with bigger stones, but I know that Miss Lucille doesn’t like to flaunt her wealth so she doesn’t like to wear big flashy jewelry.”

“You know me too well, Thomas, ” Lucy commented. “I’d like something special and elegant, but not gaudy.” He nodded as he set the trays in front of us.

“First, you’ll want to decide what type of stone you want—round, square, marquise cut? Do you want a ring with baguettes or just a solitaire? Once we have that we can look at size and quality of the stone.”

Lucy looked at more than a dozen rings before going back to three. Thomas laid them on a velvet pad then took a look at each with his loupe. “I won’t sell you this one, Miss Lucille. It’s only an average stone. There are a lot of occlusions in it.” I didn’t know anything about jewelry or diamonds so I just took his word for it. He did replace the one Lucy had chosen with a similar ring that he said was much better. She eventually decided on a two carat round stone with two baguettes on each side totaling another half carat. The ring was platinum which I knew was heavier and stronger than gold.

A platinum engagement ring also meant platinum wedding bands so they would match. Lucy selected simple bands after consulting me. I just told her to pick whatever she wanted. She gave me a look and shook her head, but then she kissed me and had me try on several rings, but I wasn’t much help. They all looked good to me. Thomas totaled the cost of the engagement ring and wedding bands at $13, 679 plus tax. “Of course, I’ll give you the usual family discount of fifteen percent. With tax I paid just over $11, 000. All I cared about was that Lucy loved her ring.

I drove us to a restaurant that Lucy had suggested. “Do you own this one, too, ” I kidded her.”

“No, we don’t own everything, silly. I just like the food here. Wait until you see the salads. They’re great.” As usual, Lucy was right. The salads were great and so were the ribs and barbequed beans. Lucy gave me a mock cringe when I told her that beans always made me fart. “Then you’d better give me some, ” she kidded. I asked myself what I had ever done to deserve the love of such a woman. We kept some of the scraps of meat and potato to add to Max’s meal.

Lucy fed Max while I moved my guns into the living room and checked the doors for the night. Once I had put Max out we’d be all set. She met me in the shower, pressing her naked body into mine. I was fully erect as soon as I walked into the bathroom and so hard that it ached once we were under the hot water. “Do me, Matt. Take me right here in the shower. I couldn’t want you any more than I want you right now.”

I took Lucy at her word and lifted her easily, pinning her body against the rear shower wall. I moved her legs up and over my shoulders while she guided me into her slit and, finally, deep into her womanly core. The shower was small, but still I pushed my right foot against the opposite wall so I wouldn’t drop the most precious thing in my life.

I drove into her slowly, letting the tension between us grow bit by bit until we were rutting like wild beasts. When Lucy finally came she screamed into the night and, much to my surprise, she squirted several times, bathing my abdomen and thighs in her aromatic nectar. I hadn’t cum, but I didn’t care even a little. I’d had more and much better sex during my two weeks with Lucy than I’d had in the past two years.

I realized that I had to be extremely careful with her now. She was out of it—completely and totally unable to coordinate her movements. I doubted that she could even stand. I slowly lowered her legs to the floor and held her while they slowly buckled under her weight. I quickly rinsed my body and carried my love out. Seated securely on the toilet, I carefully dried her hair, head, and body with my right hand while I supported her with my left. I gave myself a quick wipe with the towel and carried Lucy again, this time to the bed. She snuggled up to me as soon as I was on my back. I wrapped my arms around her slender body and was almost asleep when Max nudged my hand. I tousled the fur on his head for a minute or so then sent him back to the foot of the bed. I was asleep before he had lain down.

>>>>>>

I woke early as always to find Lucy smiling and looking down at me. “Good morning, my love. Mind telling me what you did to me last night? I just remember cumming something fierce and then I woke up here on top of you.” She moved down for a quick kiss then continued with a giggle. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you, ” she said with a winning smile on her face.

“Well, you did miss a few things. You did have a fierce orgasm and you must have squirted about a gallon onto my abdomen and thighs. I think you squirted three or four times and each one was heavier than the one before it. Good thing we were in the shower or we might have been forced to sleep on the floor. You also passed out in the shower so I dried you off and gave myself a few quick wipes and carried you here into bed. Even unconscious you snuggled up really close to me. That’s about it.”

“Wow! I can’t remember ever squirting before you, and you said it was a lot?” I laughed, nodded and pulled Lucy back for another sweet kiss. We rose and showered then Lucy put Max out and I shaved. Once we had dressed I took Lucy out for breakfast. We went to the little coffee shop where I’d seen Haynes and his partner. What a surprise—he was there again in uniform at the counter and eating a humongous breakfast—an omelet with what looked like a couple of side orders of bacon and breakfast sausage. Lucy and I sat in a booth behind him with Lucy and me facing his back and Max opposite. I wanted to see if he paid his check this time. I was in uniform because of something I had to do today.

Lucy and I ordered and then sipped coffee while remaining almost silent so I could hear what Haynes was saying to those around him. “So I heard from my old man that they got this new guy to be chief and he thinks he’s gonna reform me—make me run and lose weight. Well, he’s got a lot to learn. I’ll crush that little piss ant like a roach. Then I’ll send him back where he came from. Who the fuck he think he is?”

I slid out of the booth and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned with a look of disdain. “First of all, I’d love for you to take a poke at me. If there’s any crushing to do I’ll be the one to do it. Second, how you speak when you’re out of uniform is your business, but using profanity while in uniform will get you a suspension, at least. I warned your father that you needed to lose weight and shape up, but the rest is up to you. Maybe you don’t really want to be a police officer, after all.” I was about to turn back to the booth when I continued, “You can apologize now to everyone present for your profanity, but especially to my fiancée. And, I strongly suggest that you do a much better job cleaning and pressing your uniform. You look like a slob.”

He swung around on his stool as if to attack me. I held my ID up for him to see in case he thought the uniform was a fake. “I’d love for you to try to hit me. Even a dope like you should know that striking a federal marshal is a Class A felony, punishable by not less than ten nor more than twenty years, so make your choice.” He turned a deep shade of red then turned and started out the door. He stopped when I grabbed his arm, glowering at me until I said, “I believe you forgot to pay for your breakfast. Put a twenty on the counter. That ought to do it.” He pulled the bill from his wallet and threw it onto the floor then he trudged his fat sloppy body out the door. I was surprised when the other patrons and the wait staff began to applaud.

I was back in the booth with Lucy and Max when a man in a white outfit and apron approached. After saying hello to “Miss Lucille” he introduced himself to me. “I’m Nick Petrose, Mr. Cahill. I’m the owner here. Thanks for speaking up. It’s the first time I’ve ever gotten a penny out of that bum. Unfortunately, I can’t throw him out because of his father’s influence.”

“Well, that might change soon. What I’d like you to do is keep a record of what he orders, but doesn’t pay for. You can use one of the order sheets and a tape from the cash register stapled together. Have the waitress sign and date them. I believe I can make a good case for theft of services. That’s a misdemeanor for small amounts, but if it gets over a thousand dollars it will be a felony. Just hold onto them until I ask. Can you do that?”

“I sure as hell can, Mr. Cahill. I think a lot of us are thrilled that you’re going to be chief of police here. Haynes and a few others have gotten away with too much for too long.” The conversation would have continued had our breakfast not been delivered a moment later. We attacked our omelets—bacon and cheese for me and a western for Lucy, complete with three pancakes, each.

I was going to drop Lucy off with her mom and then they were on their way into Memphis to shop for a wedding dress. I had learned that they were Methodists and that the church would be available whenever they wanted it. I guess that’s what happens when you build the church and contribute thousands every year. I had no idea what was available for a reception, but I was sure that it would have to be big. Jonathan Bascomb had hundreds of business associates as well as a fairly large family according to Lucy. I even had a few relatives and friends I wanted to invite.

I was also driving to Memphis, but going separately because I had semi-official business to conduct and I had no idea how long it would take. My only concern was to be back in Bascomb’s Creek by 5:30 so we could go out for dinner before a brief executive session with the City Council prior to their official meeting.

Max and I arrived in Memphis just before ten and I stopped at a gas station to ask for directions to police headquarters. The attendant took one look at me in my uniform and another at Max before stuttering out an explanation I was barely able to follow. I did find the building, but only after asking for directions again. I parked in the restricted lot, placing a placard saying –U.S. MARSHAL on the top line and OFFICIAL BUSINESS on the bottom. Locking the doors, I led Max up the steps and through the entrance.

Of course, I was challenged immediately by an officer at the information desk. “You can’t bring that animal in here, Marshal.”

“Okay, if you can get him to leave that’ll be fine.” He was barely out from behind the desk when Max growled and bared his fangs. The sergeant was back behind the desk in a flash.

“Just tell me how to get to Paul McCormick’s office.”

“Do you have an appointment? I don’t see you on my list.”

“Don’t worry about that. Paul will see me. I saved his life twice when he was a Marshal, besides—it’s official business.” He pointed me to the elevator and I got off at the fifth floor, turning right and walking through the double glass doors.

I was met by a receptionist and I could see that the door to Paul’s office was open so I said in an extremely loud voice, “Tell that big jerk Paul McCormick to get off his fat butt and get you women some pastries to go with your coffee.”

As I expected, Paul came to his door and laughed. “I’ll have you know that I took the entire group out for lunch just last week. Jeez, but you’re even uglier than you were the last time I saw you. C’mon in, Matt. Hi there, Max.” Max loved Paul from the days when we were partners so he jumped the little railing and ran to be petted by Paul. I shook his hand and we hugged then he escorted us into the office.

“It might be a good idea to close the door, Paul.” I spoke again once we had privacy. I explained about the Bascomb family barbeque and the theft I had uncovered.

“That’s pretty high society up that way, Matt. How’d you ever wangle an invitation to something like that?”

“I proposed to their daughter and she accepted.”

A huge grin came to my buddy’s face. “You lucky S-O-B, you. Even here in Memphis the Bascombs are big time. They are one of the biggest businesses in the state. How on earth did you manage that?”

“Basically, I got lost in the rain about two weeks ago and she opened the diner where she was to give me a snack and a Coke. Then she took me to a mobile home so I’d have a place to stay. I wound up sleeping in the same bed with her, but nothing happened. I thought at the time that she was the owner of the diner, nothing more. A couple of days later I told her that I really liked her, but it was too soon to say it was love. Then a couple of days after that I realized that I was wrong. I was in love with her and, better still, she told me that she was in love with me. That’s when I found out who she was, but that’s not why I came to see you. I’ll be appointed as Chief of Police there tonight and I have a problem I’m going to need some help with. I’m hoping you can point me in the right direction.”

I explained about the theft of liquor and the bartender’s comments. “I’ve also seen this cop eat food at a coffee shop and leave without paying. My guess is that comes to a couple hundred bucks a month, at least. I have a feeling that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If there’s drugs involved I want it shut down and I want those responsible in prison.”

“You could go to the County Attorney, but I think the State Attorney here in Memphis would be a better choice.” I agreed and five minutes later we had a lunch date with Julia Adams of the State Attorney’s staff. “She’s the best criminal prosecutor on the staff. You’ll see. Other than that what do you see as their biggest problems?”

“Well...to begin with almost half the town is black and guess how many black officers I’ll have?”

“None?”

“That’s what they have now, but after tonight there will be one. We’re hiring Daryl Evans as a lieutenant. I need someone I know I can trust.”

“Good choice; I was thinking about him for the department here.”

“I’m also setting up the same performance standards as the Marshal’s Service. Lucy is on the City Council and she’s cleared the way. I anticipate that we’ll be looking for at least eight new officers...maybe more and I know where to find a lot of them.”

“Good thinking; sounds like you’re going to hit the ground running.” We laughed and then laid our plans for our meeting at lunch. That went very well. Julia Adams was a woman in her late forties and I could tell from her questions and responses to mine that she was tough as nails. She had some great ideas, beginning with a thorough interrogation of the bartender Perkins and from that perhaps a search of his dorm room to find the drugs he claimed his roommate had there. If the search was successful she would try to flip the roommate and possibly others. She had told me that I had made her day. She was looking forward to a big case and one about police corruption would be one of the biggest. Lucy had given me additional food for thought. Jeremy Haynes at age 31 still lived with his parents. Did that mean that his father knew about his allegedly illegal activities or was actually involved? I had a feeling we’d know in a month or less.

>>>>>>

I showed up at the Bascomb residence at 5:25 and was shown into the house by Samuel, the butler. Lucy’s parents were in the library having a drink. Knowing that I’d be in a public meeting later I declined their offer. Lucy joined us a few minutes later, greeting me with a quick kiss and Max with a ruffle of his head and ears.

“That’s a police dog, Lucille. Are you really sure he’s safe?”

“Really, Mother; I couldn’t possibly be safer than when I’m with either Matt or Max. Watch this.” She knelt down next to Max and pushed her arm into his mouth. The worst thing that happened was that her arm was slobbered on. She hugged Max and returned to the powder room to wash her arm and hands. We left a few minutes later, Max’s head resting on Lucy’s shoulder.

We returned to the barbeque restaurant where we had brisket and beef ribs with a big tossed salad. I would have preferred their barbequed beans, but I abstained out of consideration for those in the large meeting room. We left and arrived at the City Hall just before seven. Lucy and I walked into the same small room I had been in last Friday evening. Lucy had explained that this room was used for executive session and small group meetings while the Council’s open meetings were conducted in the large auditorium in the front of the building.

Carl Haynes called the meeting to order and Martin Albright was asked about my contract. He gave a succinct summary of the contract and the changes I had requested. Only Haynes had any questions. I answered those that were directed to me—why I felt they were essential and what purpose I was trying to accomplish. At one point several others criticized his comments and strongly suggested that we move forward.

Lucy then passed out sheets of Daryl’s resume to the Council members. I gave them a few minutes to review it before speaking in support. “I’ve known Daryl Evans for the past eight years and we have worked dozens of cases together. He has the highest integrity and is a natural leader. He also has one more advantage in that he is a black man. We need some black police officers to reach out to the black community.” If Haynes was upset before he showed his true colors now. He was obviously an avowed racist. He ranted and yelled for five minutes before I interrupted him. “Ms. Bascomb will present him for approval and the final decision rests with the Council. If they want him—fine. If they don’t I’ll have to find someone else.”

Then Lucy brought up the performance standards I had reviewed with the Council at my interview. “I also intend to ask the Council to formally approve the standards that Matt brought to our attention on Friday.”

“I don’t believe that is necessary, ” was Haynes’ reply.

“I do, Mr. Chairman. I feel that our approval will strengthen Matt’s enforcement of them with the police officers. We all want our officers to be physically capable of conducting their duties. That’s essential to the officers, but it’s more critical to the citizenry.”

“I understand that you are engaged to Mr. Cahill, Ms. Bascomb.”

“That’s right, Carl. I’ve made no attempt to hide it and that’s also why I will abstain on the vote for his appointment.” Apparently that was all the business to be conducted because a few minutes later we stood and walked into the main room.

Lucy had assured me that the whole thing was a fait accompli and it was. My appointment was approved by a vote of 7-1 with one abstention which Lucy explained to polite applause. Daryl’s appointment was approved by a vote of 8-1. And the performance standards were approved by the same vote. The rest of the meeting was routine—read “boring.” It broke up before 10:00 and I was congratulated by the Council members and many of the public present. Lucy, Max, and I left a few minutes later for our last night in the mobile home.

>>>>>>

Up early the following morning Lucy packed her mostly dirty clothes into her suitcase while I dumped mine into my duffel bag. A few minutes later I had the clothes and toiletries along with the gun bags in the back of the SUV with Max standing guard. I never made assumptions when it came to the handling of weapons. Lucy had cleaned out the refrigerator and cupboards and placed everything into a couple of cardboard boxes and paper bags. I followed her next door where we left everything with an elderly black woman who thanked Lucy profusely. Lucy explained that she had been a household servant for many years and now she lived here rent free, courtesy of her parents. I drove away a few minutes later wondering what our change of residence might hold for us.

>>>>>>

We ate breakfast at the diner and afterwards I had to walk Max so I took him out behind the building. We were there only a few minutes when Max’s ears stood up straight and he turned suddenly before running at top speed around the building. I turned the corner just in time to see Lucy being accosted by her erstwhile suitor from the barbeque. I barely had the time to yell, “Max...hold, ” a command that could have saved that idiot’s life.

Max ran up beside him and leaped forward, his 130 pounds of muscle and sinew knocking him flat onto the pavement. Less than a second later Max clamped his jaws around the man’s neck. I walked up slowly, taking my bawling Lucy into my arms. After soothing her for several minutes I crouched down next to Donald Craig so I could speak to him in the lowest possible voice. I’d learned years ago that it was far more menacing and powerful than yelling.

“I’m guessing that you haven’t quite learned how to take no for an answer so let me explain it to you in terms even you will understand. Lucille and I are engaged to be married. That means that I’m responsible now for her safety and it’s a job I take extremely seriously. I could just as easily given Max the command to kill you and I doubt that anyone would object given what I saw from the corner of the building and, I’m sure, numerous patrons could see from the windows. You had Lucy backed over the hood of my car and were standing between her legs while she was crying out for help. I could easily make the case that you were trying to rape her.

“So here’s your only warning—leave Lucille alone. Even her mother who encouraged you in the past has welcomed and is encouraging our relationship so you’re completely on your own. The next time I see you threatening her as you were today I will arrest you for violation of her civil rights and sexual assault. By the time you straighten it out it will have cost you thousands of dollars any you could be branded a sexual predator for the rest of your life. Max...back.”

Max released him and I strongly suggested that he get out of town...the sooner the better. Lucy hugged Max to thank him and we drove off, not to Lucy’s house, but to see her parents. Once again Samuel opened the door and showed us into the parlor where Mr. and Mrs. Bascomb were drinking coffee and reading the morning’s newspapers.

“Well, this is a pleasant surprise, Lucille...Matt.”

“It wasn’t one we planned, Jonathan. We had an altercation with Donald Craig outside the diner.” I explained what had occurred and Lucy filled in the blanks, including how she was terrified until Max came to her rescue.

I could see the fire in Jonathan’s eyes as the story unfolded. “I’ll be glad to straighten him out, Matt.”

“I hope you do, Jonathan, because if it happens again I’ll leave him to Max. Only my command that Max ‘hold’ him saved his life. Max has been trained to act on his own to protect me, and he will, but he knows how I feel about Lucy so she falls under his protection, as well. Craig would be well advised to leave town.”

“He will. He works for me and he’s about to be transferred to Wyoming. I have a mine out there in God’s country. It’s forty miles to the nearest town and it will be perfect for him. Of course, he could just resign, but then I’ll handle him a different way.”

“Don’t do anything illegal, Jonathan. I’d hate to have to arrest my future father-in-law.”

He laughed, but he also knew that I was dead serious. He showed that he understood because a few seconds later he told all of us, “I did tell you I liked a direct man, didn’t I? I wouldn’t respect you if you were any different.” He held out his hand and I shook it. Lucy and I left a minute later after her parents had petted Max. I had held each of their hands just as I had with Lucy. They were surprised at how gentle he could be. I hoped that was all they would ever see of Max.

Lucy directed me to the middle of the three garage doors then jumped out to open it. She stood aside as I drove my SUV into the large space. Sure enough, to my left was a new red Mercedes convertible. Laughing as I let Max out I said, “I can see you’ve been slumming over the past two weeks.”

“I’d ride in an old clunker if it meant I could be with you, Matt. C’mon, let me show you the house. Mi casa es su casa!”

“Be careful, Spanglish is my native language.” She laughed again then pulled my lips down for a long hot and wet kiss. Breaking it, she took my hand and led Max and me through the door to a mud room complete with a washer, dryer, ironing board, and laundry sink in addition to a long coat rack and shoe rack beneath. I thought at the time that this room was almost as big as my studio apartment in Carolina Beach.

Lucy led me into the kitchen where my senses were assaulted by the aroma of a pie being baked. I was introduced to the cook/maid, a Scandinavian woman named Ingrid. I was surprised to see a set of blue ceramic bowls on a rubber mat. Both said “Max.” She showed me the dining room, living room, library, and family room at the rear of the house with two sets of French doors leading to a huge stone patio and pool with a hot tub that looked like it could hold ten people.

“Now we’re coming to my favorite part—our bedroom.” She whispered as we walked up the stairs. I was sure that Max would have been capering at Lucy’s feet had he not been told to heel. There were more rooms here than I wanted to count. Lucy showed me where her home office was and told me that she’d have a second desk, comfortable chair and computer in place before I could return. The room, the smallest of the six bedrooms, was actually bigger than my studio, by far.

Finally, she led me to our bedroom. It was huge, at least 400 square feet with two big walk-in closets and big master bathroom with a separate commode room, twin basins, and a big Jacuzzi. “This is my favorite, Matt, ” Lucy said as she walked into the shower. It was the new kind with multiple heads on four walls and no door. “I can’t wait for you to do me in here, ” she whispered.

I met the other maid and the gardener and I insisted that they call me Matt rather than Mr. Cahill. Lucy giggled when they called me Mr. Matt and I let it go. It wasn’t worth arguing about. However, there was a major discussion when I was asked what I wanted for dinner. “What do you have, ” I innocently asked. Lucy giggled again, but harder than she had earlier. I looked at her and asked, “What?”

“What would you like for dinner, Matt, if you could choose anything, ” my bride-to-be asked.

I thought for about twenty seconds before answering, “It’s been a while since I last had chicken. Could I possibly get it southern fried?”

“Yes, my love—you can and will have chicken and it will be southern fried. I like it that way, too.” She sent the cook away then tiptoed up to kiss me. “I can see you’re not accustomed to living like this—with a lot of money and servants. All you have to do is ask and it will be done if humanly possible. Did you notice those two big stainless steel doors in the kitchen?”

“Sure, but I just figured they were for a big refrigerator.”

“Well, the one on the left is for a walk-in freezer and the one on the right is for a walk-in refrigerator. We always have a lot of food available and our beef is dry aged for more than three weeks before it’s served, just like at Carter’s or any other big fancy restaurant. Why don’t we put on some bathing suits and go for a swim?”

“I don’t have any trunks—only a pair of running shorts. I’m afraid I’ll hang out of them.”

She laughed like hell then she whispered, “Goody!”

She was leading me upstairs when I told her she was incorrigible. Then I laughed when she agreed. I expected to find my bag on the floor, but it was in the closet and it was empty. There was a large set of drawers along one wall and an open shelf with a mirror. Checking the drawers I saw that my clean clothes had been folded and put away. “I’m sure your dirty clothes are in the wash along with mine. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to being spoiled pretty soon.”

“Let’s not forget that I still work for a living and, hopefully, you’ll be pregnant soon. Being a mother will make you plenty busy, even with servants.” I closed the door and began to strip out of my clothes. I laid them carefully on the bed then shrugged into my running shorts. Lucy did the same, donning a relatively modest bikini. I had a really close look at her and I had to admit—money or no, she was looking better every day.

“I know what you’re thinking, Matt. I was kind of dowdy when we first met because I really had no reason to look any better. You’re bringing out my best. C’mon, let’s go get wet.” She took my hand and led me down the stairs and out the back through the family room. There was a fiberglass locker there with dozens of towels. Lucy grabbed two and handed them to me as she opened an electrical box and turned a dial. The hot tub sprang to life. I dropped the towels on a lounge and stepped into the hot bubbling water.

We sat there for several minutes when I saw Lucy doing something I couldn’t quite make out. I realized and was shocked a minute or so later when a gray striped piece of cloth fell from her hand to the pool deck. It was her bikini bottom. “Here? In the middle of the day where we can be seen?”

“Yes—right here and if anyone sees they’ll just be jealous. I don’t care. I love you and we’re engaged so we’re allowed some liberties. Besides, servants are supposed to be mostly invisible. Don’t worry, okay? I’m hoping we’ll be doing this a lot.”

“I’m not going to argue. I love you and making love with you is nothing less than spectacular. This is all going to take a lot of time for me to get used to. I have a tiny studio apartment in Carolina Beach about four blocks from the beach. Max and I love to run on the beach even though I’m not supposed to take him there in season. I do it anyway and I get away with it because I’m a marshal and we go really early. Speaking of Max....” I called him to me and pointed him to a place in the shade. He went immediately, curling up on the cool stone. “You might not know this, but dogs can get badly sunburned...even worse than people.”

While I was talking Lucy had run her hand up the leg of my shorts, finding my rapidly engorging cock easily. She stroked me then slipped onto my lap, spearing herself in a flash. I could see the rapture in her face as I began to thrust into her. We were into it only a minute when I saw the door from the house open and my future mother-in-law emerge. I tried to push Lucy off, but she clung to me as though for dear life.

“Lucille, if you can tear yourself away from Matt for a few minutes I have some details about the reception I want to share with you.” By then she had reached us and she saw Lucy’s bikini bottom with a gasp. “Lucille! Is this what I think it is?

“I don’t know, Mother. What do you think it is?”

“It looks suspiciously like a part of your bathing suit.”

“You’re right, Mother, and before you go any further I want you to know that what we’re doing was all my idea. Why don’t you go inside until we’re finished? We’ll be done soon...too soon so far as I’m concerned.” Mrs. Bascomb turned and left in a huff.

Lucy whispered, “I wasn’t kidding about the ‘too soon’ part. Damn, but I’m so hot for you.” And then she groaned a low feral growl as her body convulsed fiercely before coming to a stop, her head resting on my shoulder. “I’ll never tire of that, Matt...not if I live to be a hundred.”

I leaned down to kiss her before suggesting that we get out to meet with her mother. I helped Lucy up and together we walked to the towels. After drying each other I grabbed another two from the locker to sit on. I was embarrassed when we saw her mother, but Lucy just laughed once again. We sat on a leather loveseat while her mother was in a recliner.

“I’m hoping, Matt that you’ll be a good influence on my daughter who doesn’t seem to have grown up.”

“Mother, I’m thirty and this is my house, and I’m engaged so what’s the big deal?”

“Well, I don’t want to belabor the point so I’ll get right to it. Can you go to Desmond’s tomorrow morning and check out their facilities? Your father and I have started to put together our list of guests so we’ll need yours and Matt’s. Any idea how many you’ll invite, Matt?”

“Well, there’s Daryl who I expect will be my best man and his guest and my aunt and uncle and their daughter, my cousin Constance and Ted, her husband. I can think of maybe a dozen friends from the Marshal’s Service and the Navy so...probably thirty or so if that’s okay.”

“Of course it’s okay, Matt. I think there will be more than three hundred guests by the time we’re done. Matt, what name do you want to use on the invitations and I’ll need the names of your aunt and uncle.”

I noticed her pad in hand so I told her, “My legal name is Matt James Cahill, not Matthew and my aunt and uncle are Nellie and Charles Cahill of Wilmington, North Carolina. Is that okay?”

“Yes, thank you so much. What time should I tell Melvin that you’ll be at Desmond’s, Lucille?”

She looked at me for direction so I gave it by saying, “I think we can be there by ten.” Lucy nodded her agreement and her mother got up to leave, hugging first Lucy and then me and even petting Max before leaving. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool, sitting in the shade of an umbrella and drinking chilled bottled water. I gave Max some water before falling asleep for what I thought might be a short nap. Lucy had other ideas; she climbed onto my body just as we did at night, kissing my cheek and showing her love for me at least once every thirty seconds.

>>>>>>

The next two days were a blur of activities in preparation for the wedding, but on Saturday morning I knew that I had to leave. I had told Lucy that the sooner I left the sooner I could return, but she was still reluctant to see me go. After a big breakfast of my favorites I loaded Max into the SUV and kissed Lucy goodbye. Breaking our hug I kissed her tears from her cheeks. I promised to call her twice a day as I drove away.

It was a long drive, more than 850 miles south to Memphis and then onto the interstate to Wilmington. I did 550 miles the first day, stopping only to use the toilet or refill the tank, or walk Max or eat lunch. I was in uniform and armed so nobody bothered me about Max or a leash, even when I took him into the fast food restaurants en route. Finding a hotel that would accept Max was easier than I had thought. There was a lot of respect for the uniform.

It was mid afternoon when I answered a call from Julia Adams. She had interviewed Jack Perkins, the bartender/thief/student and, based on his statement had obtained a warrant to search his dorm room, finding enough pot and Meth to qualify as felony possession with intent to sell in the roommate’s drawers and clothing. She had no difficulty turning him and Perkins, promising immunity in return for their assistance with the case. She told me that the roommate had made an appointment with Jeremy Haynes to buy 250 Oxycodone tablets next Thursday. He had picked a public place where it would be easy to maintain surveillance during the buy. She thought the case was moving right along, but had no idea yet where it might lead.

As I had promised, I phoned Lucy right after leaving a barbeque place for lunch. The first words she uttered were, “I love you and I already miss you terribly.” I told her that she had stolen my line and we both laughed. She had a little news about the wedding and I told her my aunt and uncle would be shocked when I told them. Being with Lucy had fogged my mind and I had completely forgotten about phoning them. I’d take care of that after I had spoken with Lucy.

She asked me about the traffic and how far I hoped to get. “More than halfway, I hope. I’ve decided that I’m going straight to the office to resign. If I’m lucky I’ll run into Daryl while I’m there.” We spoke for about twenty minutes before I ended the call. I was glad that the SUV was equipped with hands-free phone technology so I could concentrate on driving instead of the phone.

I stopped for the night around 6:30 and phoned Lucy immediately. She wanted to know if I’d had any trouble finding a motel. “No, I let Max out of the car and we walked into the office. The woman behind the counter took one look at my shirt and another at Max then gave me the federal government discount. Some young girls were in the office with their parents and they asked if they could pet Max. He was in seventh heaven. You know how much he likes kids.”

“I’m really missing you, Matt. I’m not looking forward to going to bed tonight or any other night until you’re back here with me again. I’m really looking forward to our first night together.”

“Yeah, me too; I have to run so I can get some dinner and then I have to phone my aunt and uncle. I love you more than anything.” She told me that she loved me again and that she was looking forward to meeting my family. She kissed the phone then ended the call.

I phoned my aunt and uncle and I was a bit surprised when Uncle Chuck answered the phone. “Hi, Matt—we saw you on the news last week. That was some daring piece of work apprehending two rapists by yourself.”

“I wasn’t quite alone. I had Max to help me. Did you hear about the two armed robbers in a diner?” He hadn’t so I told the short version of the story leaving the part about Lucy and me until the end. “You can check out the diner when you get to Bascomb’s Landing, Uncle Chuck.”

“Where on earth is that and why would I want to go there?”

“Well, it’s in western Tennessee about sixty miles north of Memphis and I kind of assumed you’d want to attend the wedding.” I waited for a few seconds before getting the expected, “WHAT?”

“It’s a long story that started when I tried to drive home once the case in St. Louis was closed.” I went on to explain how I met Lucy and how I had stayed with her for several nights and how much I loved the town. Then I told him about the attempted armed robbery and how Max and I had taken the robbers down. I explained how Lucy and I had lived together for almost a week before I learned that her surname was Bascomb.

“You mean as in ‘Bascomb’s Landing?’”

“One and the same.”

“Holy crap!”

“Yeah, she was using this mobile home because her house was being painted. It’s not just big it’s imposing with six bedrooms that she wants to fill with kids. As big as it is, it’s small compared to her parents’ home. Best of all, she’s an incredible person who is liked and respected by everyone in the city. Oh yeah, I’m resigning from the Marshals Service to take the position of Chief of Police there. Daryl is going with me as a lieutenant.”

“You managed all this in two weeks?”

“Yeah, it’s kind of miraculous and hard to believe, but it’s true. I’ll be home tomorrow night and I’ll come by to show you a few photos on my phone. I’ll see you and Aunt Nell then. I need to get some dinner and turn in. It’s been a long day.”

“Okay, we’ll see you then. Come for dinner and bring your friend Daryl with you. I can’t wait to tell your aunt and Constance. Bye, Matt.” I walked with Max to a nearby Outback where I asked for a booth. Max sat opposite me while I ate a decent prime rib, saving him some fat and other scraps for his dinner. I was in bed with Max on the floor at my side before ten.

>>>>>>

I ate the complimentary breakfast hurriedly and left with a cup of coffee to check out. The desk clerk commented on how well behaved my dog was. “You don’t know the half of it. He’s the best police dog I’ve ever seen, but he’s also friendly and gentle with kids. He’s very protective of me and my fiancée. I pity anyone who tries to hurt either one of us.” I took my receipt and Max walked with me to the SUV.

I phoned Lucy around 11:00 to tell her that I loved her and that I was only an hour from Wilmington. Then I phoned Daryl and was pleased to learn that he was in the office. We agreed that we would both resign today. He had his letter and I had mine. The only question was how long we would have to wait before driving to Tennessee.

Max and I walked in just after noon and we walked straight to Daryl’s desk. He rose as soon as he saw me and we hugged. “There are a few things I want to discuss with you. Had lunch yet?”

“No, I was waiting for you. I want to hear about that case you wouldn’t talk about on the phone.” He took a folder from the desk and we walked to the commander’s office where we told his secretary, Maura, that we needed to see him ASAP. She called in on the intercom then told us to go right in.

Robert—call me Bob—Cunningham rose as we passed through the doorway. “Great job in St. Louis, Matt. Man, do you have one big pair of stones, pulling that off on your own even with Max to help you. I have another big case lined up for you and Daryl. Have a seat.”

“I think you might want to wait until you see what we have for you.” I passed my letter across the desk to him, followed almost immediately by Daryl.

“What’s this? You’re both resigning? Why?”

“I’ve accepted the position of Chief of Police in Bascomb’s Landing, Tennessee.”

“What’s your story Evans?”

“I’ve accepted the position of Lieutenant of Police in Bascomb’s Landing, working with Matt.”

“Where the hell is this place?”

“It’s about sixty miles northeast of Memphis. It’s a small city of about 28, 000 people. I met a woman there and we’re getting married.”

“Can’t you do that and stay with us?”

“I could, but I would like to settle down there. Her name is Lucille Bascomb. She’s a direct descendent of the city’s founder. I left her yesterday morning and I already miss her.”

“Okay, I guess there’s nothing much I can do about that, but what’s this about buying Max for $10, 000? We both know he’s worth about ten times that.”

“That’s true, but he’s only worth that if I’m here to work with him. He won’t accept commands from anyone else.”

“We’ll see about that. What are you doing now?”

“I just have to finalize the summary on the Michael Clifford and Jordan Smith case and file my expense report.”

“How about you Daryl?”

“Pretty much the same on the Robinson matter.”

“Very well; there’s no sense getting you involved in a new case now so just file the reports and go down to payroll then you can go. Matt, leave Max here. I’m sorry to see you go, but I understand.” I told Max to stay and Daryl and I left for lunch.

We were outside when Darryl asked where I wanted to go. “How about that chicken place? You know...the one with the great southern fried chicken?”

“Oh, yeah! Want me to drive? I’m sure you’re all driven out.” I was pleased to let Darryl do the driving. I needed to be able to think

“Two things—one good and one not so good; first, how’d you like to be my best man?”

“Really? Do they know I’m a spade?”

“No, but they do know you are black. So does Lucy and she’s good with it. So I’ll assume that was a ‘yes.’ The second thing isn’t so great. I caught a bartender at Lucy’s parents’ weekly barbeque serving the cheap shit and pouring the good stuff into some empty bottles.”

“Okay, but that’s small potatoes. Why all the need for secrecy?”

“Because he implicated one of the local cops. I met with a state attorney thanks to Paul McCormick who’s now the Chief in Memphis. She has already flipped the bartender and his roommate who claimed to buy drugs from the same cop. The roommate will wear a wire next week during a drug buy. Now...the really interesting part is that the cop’s father is Chairman of the City Council.”

“That’s why you didn’t want to say anything in front of Lucy.” I didn’t have to say a word. One look at my face said it all. “You’re worried about her safety if she was to slip and say the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time.”

“And they say your mother raised a fool.” Daryl laughed as he pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot. A few minutes later we were seated and had ordered—the Southern fried half chicken with fries for me and pulled pork platter for Daryl. “You’re going to love the Sunday dinners at Lucy’s parents’ house. They have a cook who makes her own barbecue—smokes it for eight hours according to Lucy.”

“Maybe, but will I be invited?”

“I won’t be going if you’re not and Lucy won’t either. She says they’ve had plenty of black guests in the past. I’m looking forward to meeting one of them—the pastor at one of the biggest black churches. I plan on enrolling him in my crusade to get some black officers on the department.”

“You have a lot of work ahead of you. I can already see the outgoing chief—a real cracker who hasn’t done shit for years. I’ll bet there’s no discipline in the ranks.”

“That’s one bet I’ll never take.”

“Okay, I have a question for you. How long before the boss realizes that Max won’t do a thing for him or anyone else?”

“I figure Max will go home with me tonight although Bob’s kind of stubborn so he could hold out until tomorrow morning. Max will move if he needs to heed the call of nature, but he’ll go right back to the same spot and he won’t move even if he’s starving.”

We enjoyed our lunch and I thought the chicken was just outstanding. I invited Daryl to dinner with my family once we were back at the office where I spent the afternoon writing my reports and filing my expenses and taking them down to payroll. I had a sly grin on my face when I was asked about my motel expenses on the way back from St. Louis. Normally, the Service would have taken care of any weather-related expenses, but I didn’t have any other than my breakfasts and I had decided the first time I had made delicious love with Lucy that I would stay with her as long as possible. I couldn’t ask for reimbursement for that.

I lounged around the office kidding with Daryl and one of the other marshals until just before 5:00. It was time to get up and go home. I was three steps from the desk when the intercom buzzed. It had a different ring than the phone. I picked it up and heard Maura tell me, “Bob wants to see you before you leave, Matt.”

Less than a minute later I was at her desk when the office door opened and Rob appeared, red-faced and furious. “Give me your check and take this god-damned dog with you. I’ve tried everything I can think of all afternoon and he hasn’t moved.” At another time I would have laughed and told him, “I told you so, ” but I decided to be a good winner. I handed him the check and demanded a receipt. Once I had it I called to Max. He was at my side wagging his tail seconds later.

“Good luck to you and Daryl, ” Bob told me. “Call on us any time you need help. I mean that.” I thanked him and shook hands then led Max out the door. Daryl was there waiting for us. He petted Max then we walked to our cars and drove to my family home in nearby Leland.

We’d had a really big house when I was growing up in Wilmington, but Uncle Chuck and Aunt Nell had downsized to a three bedroom townhouse in Leland, about five miles south of the Cape Fear River. It was just big enough to hold the grandkids for an overnight or holiday. Over the Memorial Bridge I drove on US 17 until I reached Leland then it was left into Carolina Forest and a few miles down the winding road to their new home.

Charles Cahill, Esq. was a very successful lawyer—what is known as a plaintiff’s attorney. He had successfully sued the hotel in the fire that had killed my parents. I had asked him about that a few years ago because I knew he wasn’t licensed in New York. “No problem, Matt; one of my law school buddies was in a high powered firm in Manhattan. I did all the work and he filed the papers under his name. This kind of thing happens all the time. I owed him a favor and he got it back when he sued one of North Carolina’s biggest tobacco companies a few years ago.”

Apparently, my engagement must have been big news because the whole family was there to greet me and Max. Well, my nieces greeted Max. So far as they were concerned I was also there although I did get a huge hug from Constance and Aunt Nell. I thought that was a great time to call Lucy.

“I have a few people here who want to talk to you and then I’ll give you my timetable. I’m giving the phone to Constance, my cousin.” I stepped aside while Constance and Lucy spoke for fifteen minutes. What is it about women? They can talk to total strangers like they were the best of friends. After Constance the phone went to Aunt Nell. I didn’t get it back for almost half an hour. Finally, I spoke quietly with Lucy, stepping outside into what my aunt and uncle called their back yard. If only they could see Lucy’s. “Hi, at last; I wanted to give you the news. Daryl and I are done with the Marshals Service. Technically, I’m still on duty and payroll for another twenty-three days and Daryl for another twenty-two, but we don’t have to go to work. I think it will take me four or five days to clean out my apartment and pack up my stuff. I’m going to rent a trailer that I can tow behind my SUV.”

“Is that going to be safe, Matt? It’s a long ride.”

“I know. Don’t worry. Daryl and I have already talked about it and he’s going to accompany me. He has more stuff than I have so he’s hired a mover and he’ll have his car transported, too. I think he’ll store everything there until he’s fully settled.”

“Did you tell him he can use the city’s house, you know—the one you won’t be staying in?” She was laughing the entire time and I knew exactly what she was thinking because I was thinking the same things. We told each other, “I love you, ” several times and then gave each other a long distance kiss. I walked inside to enjoy dinner with my family and my best friend.