by Darrell Bain
"That was a hard habit to break but I think I have it whipped now," she said.
"I do, too. How about moving back another twenty yards and firing another round?"
"Okay."
Again, she did well.
Ray gave her one of his rare smiles. "I think you've learned all I can teach you. Just be sure and practice now and then so you don't get rusty and you'll be fine."
"Thanks," she said and returned his smile.
"Oh yeah, Dad said to tell you thanks for sending him that list of safety rules for guns. He's real careful and he taught me to be careful, too, but there were a few points that neither of us had thought of."
"He's welcome but he really should thank my Dad. He's the one who compiled the list. Are you hungry yet, or do you want to clean the rifle first?"
"Let's get the cleaning behind us if you don't mind."
"I don't." There was a small stream bubbling from the ground nearby and Samantha had thought to bring soap and a towel, which Ray had forgotten. She shared and soon they had their picnic meal spread out on a blanket and were munching away on cold fried chicken, baked beans and rolls, with cold stream water to wash it down.
She gathered up the remains of the meal and tucked what they hadn't eaten or shared with the dog and crow back into the basket. She left the blanket for them to sit on, except she decided to lay down instead.
Ray glanced at her then looked quickly away. She couldn't understand why. She knew she was attractive, even in her simple attire of jeans and a pink blouse that had gotten rather tight on her the last few months as she continued to develop. Finally she decided that if anything was going to happen she would have to take the initiative.
She turned on her side facing him and touched his outstretched leg. "Ray?"
"Uh huh?"
"Do you like me?"
"Uh, yeah. I like you a lot."
"Then why don't you kiss me?"
"You really want me to?"
"Of course, silly. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."
If she had been exasperated before at him not displaying his interest, she was now surprised. He stretched out beside her and tentatively lowered his lips to hers. He kept them closed and it didn't do much for her. He started to lift his face from hers but she kept her hand on his neck and pulled him back. A moment later she parted her lips and attempted to slide her tongue between his. It appeared that he had no idea what to do next but she persisted until he caught on and their tongues connected. That felt much better but... he was slow and hesitant about touching her, as if he thought she might break or slap his face or something equally unrealistic, especially since she had asked for the kiss.
When it became clear that he intended to go no further, she took his hand and moved it to her breast. She hoped that would cause him to show more enthusiasm but he continued to be hesitant. He obviously didn't intend to do anything unless she first showed him it was alright. It became increasingly obvious that he'd had little if any experience making out, much less than she had, and she certainly hadn't had near as much as any of the other girls in her classes, at least to hear them talk. That could have been taken care of eventually, not that she intended to go a whole lot further yet. The main problem was that she didn't feel any spark, any real craving for him as she had expected. She did her best not to let it show and embarrass him. Perhaps it would get better in time, she thought. She hoped so, anyway.
Monday was a school day when she needed to physically attend classes. As usual, she petted Fussy and scratched behind his ears and told him what a handsome cat he was before she left with Shufus, with her Father driving. No one minded her bringing the dog with her because he was so well-behaved and Samantha was always able to calm any other dogs that might be present at the various homes. Elaine was still there with Fussy and Caw-Caw but she would also be leaving soon for work.
At her Sanctuary office she had barely settled down for the day with her first cup of coffee when she received a phone call from Gene.
"Gene! Nice to hear from you but what brings on a phone call this early in the morning?"
"Oh, nothing too unusual. I just wanted to let you know that I would be out of the area for a couple of weeks on some business. So far as I know there aren't any threats to Sammie, or you and Ron, and nothing on the horizon I can detect, so it seemed like a good time to get this done."
"We'll be sure and lock up tight when we're home. And you, Gene--why don't you try to relax and mix a little pleasure with your business. You've never taken a vacation that I know of."
He chuckled and said, "I believe you can safely say I'm going to have a little fun on my trip. I did want you to know that if anything unexpected comes up that you think I should be aware of, you can always give me a call on my regular phone. Okay?"
"Certainly, but I doubt seriously if that'll be necessary."
"Me, too, but I wanted to let you know just in case. Tell Sammie to be careful and watch out for strangers."
"She does that anyway but I'll warn her again."
"Good deal. I'll let you know when I'm back. Take care."
You, too, Gene. 'bye."
***
Boris Kristof came from the back of the Douglas home to his cohorts waiting in a van. The vehicle had signs on each side stating that it belonged to an appliance repair company. "It's clear. Let's get in and get this done before anyone comes by unexpectedly."
"Right," his companion, Chane Wister, agreed. He was dressed much like the other, in nondescript work clothes. Both carried small handbags.
"Don't be long. I don't like these daylight jobs," Kailey Ledbetter told them.
"We don't either. Just hang loose and keep watch," Wister ordered.
Once inside the Douglas home the two men got quickly to work. When they were finished the land phone had a bug placed in it and several voice-activated recorders were concealed in every bedroom, as well as the den and kitchen. The duo left as quietly and unobtrusively as they had arrived.
Fifty miles away and two hours later, in the same motel where Jennie had spent a few nights, the senior of the three made a phone call. When the ringing stopped he said one word. "Complete."
The next day Wister decided they might as well rent one of the kitchenette units of the motel for a month at a time and live there until Quinlon made up his mind to act. As far away from the Douglas home as they were, they could just as well have been right inside for all the privacy that remained to Samantha and her parents. All that was necessary was for one of the trio of NSA agents to drive by the Douglas home every few days and send a signal that would speedily download the contents of all the hidden devices. They could then be played back at their own leisure.
***
"Dad!" Samantha said loudly a few minutes after they arrived home.
"What's the excitement about, Sammie?" She had gone to her room but Shufus had run excitedly back and forth through the house as if searching for an intruder.
"Shufus just told me two strange men were in here while we were gone!"
"He did? How can he be sure?"
"Dad, he smells them. Or smells their scent, same thing."
"Oh. Duh. Sorry. Does he know how long ago?"
She asked but Shufus couldn't mark the time closer than to tell them it had been in the morning rather than the evening.
"Alright, Sammie, let's both start looking through the house and see if anything's missing."
When the search was as complete as a quick walk-through could make it, they found nothing had been taken but some reserve cash Ronald kept in the master bedroom, along with some of Elaine's jewelry. None of it was terribly expensive but the idea that someone had violated their home was extremely upsetting. It bothered Elaine even more when she was told about it a few minutes later upon her arrival.
"I guess you'd better call the Sheriff, Ron," she said.
"I already have, but he told us not to expect much."
They didn't, and no real evidence of the intruder or in
truders was found. The Sheriff advised them to change locks on the doors and install a security system but that was it.
Ronald debated with himself on whether or not to call Gene but ultimately decided he could do nothing to help even if he came back from his business trip. Instead, he kept his handgun beside the bed. To be safe, he detached the cylinder with its shells and placed it in a drawer on the same bedside table. He told Elaine and Sammie where the cylinder was located, just in case. After more than a week of quiet, he put the violation of their home in the back of his mind, somewhat like a windstorm that caused a little damage but not enough to worry about for long.
Chapter Thirty
"Hi," Gene said when Elaine answered the phone in her office at the Sanctuary. "When would it be convenient for Jennie and I to come by for a little while?"
"Why not this evening? We don't have anything special planned but Ron was going to grill some ribs. There's plenty if you'd like to stay and eat with us. I believe there might even be a beer or two on the menu if you're interested."
"Sounds like a helluva deal. About five thirty?"
"That'll be fine."
"Great. See you then."
It was Elaine who first noticed the broad white gold wedding band on Jennie's left ring finger as they were getting out plates and silverware and lots of napkins for the ribs, which were almost done. She pointed to it and grinned. "Is that what I think it is, Jennie?"
The other woman held up her hand. "Yup," she said with a broad smile. "Gene wanted to see how long it would take one of you to notice. I told him you'd be the first, and unless Ron has spotted the one Gene's wearing, he was right."
"I'll bet he hasn't."
"Who hasn't what?" Samantha asked as she came into the kitchen to begin pouring tea into glasses for her and her mother. Jennie had opted for a beer, same as the men.
"I was betting that your father hasn't noticed that Gene is wearing a wedding ring yet. I just spotted Jennie's myself."
"You're married? To Gene?" Samantha asked excitedly.
""Uh huh."
"That's wonderful! My two favorite people. Besides Mom and Dad, of course. How neat!" She put down the pitcher and hugged Jennie, then ran outside to congratulate Gene. "Dad! Dad! Guess what?"
"Whatever it is certainly has you excited. Why don't you just tell me and not make me guess?"
She grinned mischievously. "Look at Gene's left hand."
Obligingly, Gene held it out.
"You're married! I thought you said you were on a business trip."
"It was, sort of. Getting married to Jennie was serious deal for both of us since we've been single all our lives."
"Well, congratulations. Had we known we'd have bought champagne rather than beer!"
"This is fine," he said, tilting the bottle of Heineken to his mouth. "Besides, beer goes better with ribs."
"Have to admit that's true. And speaking of ribs, I do believe they're ready. I'll give Jennie my best wishes when I bring them in." He picked up the two-tined fork and began lifting the meat from the grill.
In the dining room he congratulated Jennie with a hug and a buss on her cheek, then after they were all seated, he said, "Just one question, you two."
Jennie looked to Gene, who had just picked up a rib. He paused with it halfway to his mouth but put it back on his plate. He raised a finger to his lips in the universal sign to be quiet or for secrecy. "What is it?"
"How long were you going to wait to tell us if no one noticed the rings?"
Jennie laughed. "That's an easy one. If you hadn't noticed we were going to disown you!"
Gene just grinned. "After how well our honeymoon went, I'm just sorry we waited so long." He winked at his new wife.
Jennie slapped his wrist playfully but smiled at him. It was apparent that the couple were truly in love.
Samantha picked that moment to put an unintentional damper on the festivities. "Hey, did y'all know our house was robbed while you were gone?"
"What?!" Gene's happy expression disappeared in a second and was replaced by a grim countenance. "When was this? When did it happen?"
"Oh, just a day or two after you left," Ronald said negligently. "They didn't take much, just some loose cash and some of Elaine's jewelry. The sheriff came out but he told us right up front that he didn't expect to catch them."
"Let me see if I have this straight. First you said robbers, as in plural. How did you know that?"
"Shufus," Samantha said simply.
"Oh. Yeah, he'd know, wouldn't he? But the sheriff was right. Burglars aren't caught very often. Just be glad that's all you lost." He made a motion, pointing to the outside of the house at the same time he mouthed the word silently.
A few minutes later Ronald said, "I'm finished. I guess I'd better check the grill and scrape it off before the grease hardens. I don't use it that often.
Gene followed him outside. Immediately, he said, "The burglars didn't take your computers or tablets or anything else? No display silver or tools or things like that?"
"No, just cash and jewelry. Why? Is it important?"
"It could be because it doesn't fit the pattern of a regular burglary. Tell you what, I'm going to run into town where I have some of my gear in storage and I'd like to come back tomorrow and check around the house myself. No disparagement of the sheriff, but he's a politician, not a professional. Would that be okay?"
"Sure, Gene. I'll give you our spare key. Come by any time. Just let the sheriff know you'll be here. He said one of his deputies would be patrolling the area more closely for a while but I don't know if they still are or not. But what are you going to look for?"
"If you don't mind, how about just giving me a note for the sheriff or deputy in case one of them shows up. I'd rather no one know just how good I am at security--although I might have problems convincing anyone else right now! As for what I'll be looking for, I suspect your home has been bugged."
"The hell you say! But why?"
"Same as always. Sammie and the potential threats to her. Unless I miss my guess, some group is getting real serious. I'll be here tomorrow when you get home. In the meantime, warn Elaine and Sammie not to say anything they wouldn't want those kind of people to hear. Same for you."
"Okay, but truthfully, how seriously do you think this is?"
The big man shrugged. "I'll be able to tell you more tomorrow. In the meantime, keep your gun handy." He thought for a moment. "Is that .38 revolver the only gun in the house?"
"For now. I was planning on getting Sammie a light rifle for target shooting on her birthday, but maybe I should get another hand gun so Elaine and I both have one."
"I've got a spare, same type, in my car. I'll leave it with you."
"Thanks."
"You're more than welcome. I'll talk to you again tomorrow."
***
Gene and Jennie both were waiting on the family the next evening when Samantha and Ronald arrived home just a few minutes in front of Elaine. Gene was seated on the porch in a padded lawn chair with Fussy ensconced in his lap. Jennie was on a chair next to him with Caw-Caw perched on her shoulder.
They each parked their cars then came in the garage door and through the house to the front porch with Shufus padding along very near Samantha. She knew he must sense the tension they were under for he had stayed very close to her all day. As soon as she appeared, Fussy and Caw-Caw abandoned the guests to gather around her. She sat sideways on the porch with her feet resting on the top step so that she could see everyone while she spoke to her animal and avian friends. Her parents took the two remaining chairs.
Gene began talking immediately, not even waiting until everyone was comfortably settled. "I'll make this quick. Your house is bugged. Since whoever planted them will be expecting the usual talk about supper and work and so forth, please just carry on as you usually do. There are voice-activated recorders all over your house. Land-line phone, den, kitchen, your office and all three bedrooms. I'd advise you to carry on your usu
al activities so that whoever did this won't suspect anything until we decide what to do. I can't promise to find out who the culprits are but from the equipment they used, I suspect they're our own people. If so, I wouldn't expect them to hurt any of you... no, I can't guarantee that. Since they've bugged you, they intend to take you all into custody sooner or later." His face bore a troubled expression.
"Our own people, you said," Ronald retorted. "Which ones do you suspect?"
"Probably Homeland Security or one of its agencies, rather. Most likely the NSA. Now don't say anything about knowing the bugs are there or that I'll be keeping an extra close watch on you from this day forward. Just go on about your activities inside like you usually do."
"Wait a minute!" Elaine said forcefully. "We can't live like this, Gene. Can't you report them and make them leave us alone?"
"First I'd have to know which little segment of the NSA is responsible. I'd give odds it's a rogue element but it really doesn't matter. They'll be set up to deny having anything to do with it."
"Damn it to hell, Gene!" Ronald exclaimed. "Elaine is right. We can't live like this and I damn sure don't want us taken into their so-called custody. We're going to have to move again, quick."
"It wouldn't matter. They'd find you wherever you went. If it will set your mind at ease, Jennie is leaving as soon as we finish up here. She'll be talking to the director of her agency. She wants to take you all to its headquarters as a safety precaution and fully expects to obtain approval for doing so. She hasn't told me who she works for, by the way. You can--"
Jennie interrupted by placing a hand on his arm. "If I may, sweetheart?"
"Oh. Sure, go ahead."
"I can't tell you who I report to, but I can tell you that I trust my superior implicitly. If you'll allow me to take you to my agency, I promise you'll be allowed complete freedom of action after they interview all three of you. If you want to leave after that, you'll be allowed to, subject to signing non-disclosure documents and having someone watching out for your safety from then on. I strongly recommend that you go with me just as soon as I get approval and listen to what they have to say."