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}{\info{\title Kathy Stark master.rtf}}
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{\field{\*\fldinst {\lang4105  SEQ CHAPTER \\h \\r 1}}{\fldrslt }}\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\*\bkmkstart BM_1_}{\*\bkmkend BM_1_}{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs48 \b\f2\fs48 Kathy}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\keepn\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs24 \b\f2 \'a9 1991, 1998, 2001 by Morgan. All rights reserved.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\keep\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs36 \b\f2\fs36 Book I}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 1}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy Smith was doing something different tonight, having just quit her job.  She \softline
visited Charley\'92s, a bar she owned in town.  Normally, she would sit at a table but \softline
tonight she wanted to talk to Charley.  She was sitting at the corner of the bar nursing \softline
a club soda with a lime.  It was nearly eleven o\'92clock on a Friday night in Norfolk, \softline
Virginia.  The crowd was, as usual, almost entirely Navy person\-nel.  Located across from \softline
the main gate of the Naval Base, it was a primary hangout for sailors.  After all, Norfolk \softline
was the headquarters facility of the entire U.S. Atlantic Fleet.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley, the manager and ostensible owner, was protective of Kathy.  He was \softline
tending bar while looking over the crowd.  Although he made a point of keeping the stool \softline
next to hers free, while he was at the other end of the bar a naval officer in uniform sat \softline
on the stool next to hers.  Although he wore the rank of com\-mander, he looked like a \softline
wreck.  His uniform looked like it had been slept in despite the man looking like he \softline
hadn\'92t slept in days.  Charley didn\'92t like it, but there wasn\'92t much he could do about it.  \softline
The officer looked dead tired, but he was still about six feet three, and appeared to weigh \softline
something better than two hundred pounds.  He was more than Charley cared to take \softline
on.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at the officer and felt a unique sensation surge through her.  Without \softline
conscious thought, she turned and said, \'93You look like you lost your last friend.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley saw what was happening and was astonish\-ed.  This was the first time Kathy \softline
had ever spoken to anyone in the place except for himself and a few of the staff.  For that \softline
matter, she seldom came in at all.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy Smith was a built like a dream: five feet seven, with a figure and movements \softline
like an athletic model.  Although not apparent from her present conservative dress, \softline
Charley knew she had a perfect figure.  Tonight she was wearing a camel\'92s hair skirt, \softline
cashmere sweaters, and a simple gold chain.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 As usual}{\plain \fs24 \f2 , Charley thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 she looks like \softline
a million bucks.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy continued looking at the stranger and feeling the strange sensation.  The \softline
officer tried to focus on her.  \'93I don\'92t like women!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why not?\'94 she asked quietly.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93They\'92re all bitches!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93All of them?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I guess so... at least my ex-wife is.  She\'92s a real bitch.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Have you eaten?\'94 Kathy asked.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God!  What am I doing!? }{\plain \fs24 \f2 she wondered.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I guess so, but I can\'92t remember exactly when.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Today?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m not sure.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Would you like to take a ride?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Let\'92s go.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy got up off her stool and gave Charley a private wink on the way out.  Charley \softline
just shook his head in amazement.  She and the officer went around the corner of the \softline
building to her car, a new BMW 635 CSi.  She unlocked it and said, \'93Hop in.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Is this }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 yours?}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The B-girl business must be better than I thought.  I had better warn you, though: \softline
I don\'92t have any money.  What little my ex-wife didn\'92t get, my lawyer did.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy gave him an icy look.  \'93Thanks a lot.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy started the BMW up and drove off, smoothly shifting up through the gears.  \softline
After leaving the Expressway, she drove in a circuitous route to an office-apartment \softline
complex in Virginia Beach.  At a gate, she reached for an electronic controller, pressed \softline
the button and the gate swung open.  Beyond the courtyard a garage door was \softline
automatically rising.  She drove into the garage and shut off the engine.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hop out.  We\'92re here.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Where is here?\'94 he asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My place.  Come on up.\'94  She took a key from her purse and put it into a wall \softline
switch.  The steel door in front of them slid open revealing a wood-paneled elevator car.  \softline
They got in and Kathy pushed an unmarked button.  As she did, she turned to her \softline
companion and held out her hand.  \'93Let me introduce myself.  My name is Kathy \softline
Smith.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hi.  I\'92m Ken Stark.\'94  He shook hands and was surprised at the firmness of her grip.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The elevator door smoothly slid open revealing a quiet\-ly decorated entrance hall.  \softline
To their right was the main entrance to the apartment.  They went on through the living \softline
room to the kitchen with Kathy turning on lights as she went.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What would you like?  I could whip up a couple of steaks and a salad, if that\'92s okay.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That sounds great,\'94 Ken replied.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy noticed that Ken was starting to relax.  She noticed laugh lines now appearing \softline
when he smiled.  It was obvious that his depressed attitude was not his normal \softline
condition.  \'93Why don\'92t you make yourself comfortable?  Would you like to fix yourself \softline
a drink?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sure.  What do you have and where do you keep it?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just about everything, and it\'92s in the bar over there.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked and saw a fully-equipped wet bar located between the living room and \softline
another room he guessed to be the library.  \'93I think I\'92ll just have a beer.  What can I get \softline
you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll join you.  There\'92s Sam Adams in the refrigerator.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He opened the refrigerator and found at least six brands of beer.  Most were \softline
imported.  He found the Sam Adams and open\-ed two bottles.  \'93Do you want a glass?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Please.  They\'92re in the cabinet right above you.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken found the beer glasses in a chiller paneled to appear to be a piece of furni\-ture.  \softline
He poured the beers and returned to the kitchen.  \'93All the comforts.  I\'92ve never seen a \softline
place with so many.  The B-girl business is }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 much}{\plain \fs24 \f2  better than I thought.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s the second time you\'92ve said that, and I didn\'92t ap\-pre\-ciate it the first time.  \softline
Actually, I\'92m a lawyer.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Business must be pretty good.  How old are you, any\-way?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Not that it\'92s any of your business, but I\'92m twenty-six.  How old are you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How old am I, or how old do I feel?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Both.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, I guess my driver\'92s license says I\'92m thirty-one; I just feel like I\'92m 110.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab While they talking Kathy was preparing two gor\-geous steaks.  \'93Do you like spicy \softline
food?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I guess so.  Why?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll try something different, then.  Tell me about your problems.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I would rather not.  It would just bore you and infuriate me.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Would you like to clean up a bit?  You look like you\'92ve been going for days.  Come \softline
on, I\'92ll show you where.\'94  Ken allowed himself to be led to the master bedroom and then \softline
into a bathroom off it.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Good grief!  I\'92ve never seen anything quite like this.\'94  He stopped and stared like \softline
a bumpkin.  The bathroom was larger than most bedrooms.  It had two sinks, a shower, \softline
a tub the size of a small swimming pool and opened out through glass doors to a private \softline
swimming pool area beyond.  The area was beautifully landscap\-ed and sur\-rounded with \softline
a palisade-type fence about ten feet high providing complete privacy in all directions \softline
except from directly overhead.  Ken turned to Kathy, \'93What floor are we on?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She grinned.  \'93The sixth.  Why?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just asking.  I thought it was impossible to put a swimming pool up this high.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It can be done.  It just takes money.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Obviously.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy left Ken alone in the bathroom after showing him where a full array of men\'92s \softline
toiletries were kept.  Ken continued to look around in amazement.  His wife had been \softline
a world-class slob, parti\-cularly in the bathroom.  There were always undies, makeup, \softline
tissues and other debris lying around.  Ken thought about taking a shower, but didn\'92t \softline
feel like getting back into his dirty clothes.  He realized he looked terrible.  Taking off \softline
his tunic \'97 he was wearing his officer\'92s whites \'97 Ken decided to settle on a wash and \softline
a shave.  A whore\'92s bath would have to do.  He noticed that all the men\'92s toiletries were \softline
Polo by Ralph Lauren.  Since every container was the same shade of green, it took a few \softline
moments to figure out which was which.  He washed, shaved, splash\-ed on some cologne \softline
and started to feel human again.  After dressing again he returned to the kitchen.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Feel better?\'94 Kathy asked.  \'93You certainly look and smell better, at least if you like \softline
the fragrance of Polo.  I do.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Who\'92s stuff is that?  Isn\'92t your boyfriend going to be pissed when he finds a \softline
stranger has been using his things?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t have a boyfriend.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then what is it there for?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93For you to use.  And you just did.  Let\'92s eat.  I didn\'92t think I was hungry until I \softline
started cooking.  Now I\'92m famished.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Good grief!  It\'92s almost two o\'92clock.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93As I said, let\'92s eat,\'94 Kathy repeated with a smile.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They sat down at a counter built as a part of the kitchen cabinets.  The two steaks \softline
looked beautiful; they had been Cajun blackened.  Along with baked potatoes, there was \softline
a beautiful salad.  Ken went to the bar and returned with two more beers.  The dinner \softline
passed without conversa\-tion.  When they finished, Kathy told Ken to go into the living \softline
room and sit down while she cleaned up.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He sat down on the sofa and that was the last thing he remem\-bered.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 }\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 2}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sat on the sofa in the living room with her legs tucked under her, trying to \softline
read a book.  She was wearing a man\'92s pajama top with only one of its buttons fastened.  \softline
She could see Ken still asleep in the bedroom.  She tried to analyze her motives, but \softline
could not.  She had picked up a man in a bar!  She had never done anything like it in her \softline
life!\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She remembered with a small smile how she had returned to the living room early \softline
in the morning to find Ken out like a light, the poor guy.  He had just collapsed.  She \softline
remem\-bered struggling to get him into bed, and she shivered as she recalled stripping \softline
off his clothes piece by piece.  The effect must be similar to men watching a stripper per\-
form with the excitement coming more from the anticipation than the reali\-za\-tion.  When \softline
he was fully naked she admired his body.  He had broad shoulders and narrow hips; in \softline
spite of its hard use his body was that of a trained athlete.  Just then Kathy saw Ken \softline
stirring on the bed.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked around and found that he was in the king-sized bed he had seen in the \softline
bedroom the previous night.  He was naked.  Looking around, there was no sign of his \softline
clothes.  Looking through the doorway he saw Kathy sitting on the sofa with her legs \softline
tucked under her wearing a man\'92s pajama top.  The bed showed the marks of shared \softline
occupancy.  He tried to remember what had happened.  He had the vaguest recollection \softline
of making love \'97 of achieving a marvelous physical release.  But was it all a dream?\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked up and saw him.  \'93Hi, sleepyhead.  Have you rejoined the ranks of the \softline
living?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think so.  I would get up, but I\'92m not dressed.  What do I do?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You get up.  How do you think you got into bed in the first place?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You did it?\'94 Ken asked incredulously.  \'93How?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m practiced,\'94 she said enigmatically.  \'93You\'92ll find a robe that fits in the closet.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken got out of bed, ignoring his nakedness.  Going to the closet he found a navy-blue \softline
flannel bathrobe.  It was a perfect fit and seemed to be brand new.  He put it on and \softline
went out to the kitchen.  Kathy was bending over the stove as he came up behind her.  \softline
Her pajama top was hiked up in the rear exposing a gorgeous little ass.  Ken couldn\'92t \softline
resist.  He put his hands over her asscheeks and squeezed.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy gave a little yelp and then seemed to melt.  He con\-tinued to gently squeeze, \softline
while she had her hands on the range, making soft mewing sounds.  His right hand \softline
continued around her body.  He put it on her prominent mound and received a sur\-prise.  \softline
Her mound of Venus was bare \'97 there was no pubic hair.  He slowly moved his hand \softline
and entered her cunt.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy straightened up slowly.  She didn\'92t turn nor did she try to move his hand.  She \softline
just leaned back against him.  By now both of his hands were around her body gently \softline
exploring it.  He found that her belly was flat while her breasts were perfectly 
proportioned and beautiful\-ly sized.  Ken loved nice boobs, but didn\'92t like cows.  He \softline
unbut\-toned the only fastened button on the pajama top Kathy was wear\-ing and let it \softline
drop to the floor, then gently turned her around to face him.  \'93You\'92re beautiful.  You \softline
know that, don\'92t you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, kind sir.  Can we go to bed now?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s supposed to be my line.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re too slow.  I\'92m tired of waiting.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken picked her up in his arms and carried her into the bed\-room.  Curiously, she \softline
seemed to be as light as a feather.  Her hair was medium length and tawny, gold in color \softline
rather than blond.  Her eyes were a brilliant blue and were focused on him.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When he slipped out of the robe and got into bed beside her, she rolled over on top \softline
of him.  Ken\'92s phallus was powerfully erect and had been ever since the kitchen.  She got \softline
astride him and slowly worked it into her vagina, moving her pelvis with slow motions \softline
to help.  As he entered her she continued to move her hips as his cock went in to its full \softline
length.  She gave a soft sigh, and slowly started to rotate her hips.  She began making \softline
small mewing noises as her pleasure mounted.  In the meantime, her loins were \softline
vibrating on his cock.  It was almost as if there was another pair of hands inside her, \softline
slowly squeezing him.  Her body barely moved.  There was just the slow pelvic motion \softline
and that wonderful inter\-nal movement.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then she started to move slowly up and down on his raging member.  To Ken it was \softline
exquisite\-ly tormenting.  He wanted to move quickly but Kathy wouldn\'92t let him.  \'93Just \softline
lie back.  I know what I\'92m doing,\'94 she said.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Her movements increased in tempo.  As Ken was about to release, she slowed her \softline
movements just enough to bring him down from his peak only to bring him back up \softline
again moments later.  He lost count of how many times he had been up and down.  His \softline
whole being started to scream for release.  But still Kathy maintained the tempo, nearly \softline
to climax then retreat.  Each time it seemed that the peak was higher than the time \softline
before, but still she wouldn\'92t let him cum.  Her moans, increas\-ing in intensity, showed \softline
she was reaching her own peak.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, he could contain it no longer and his phallus ex\-ploded.  It seemed that he \softline
would never stop cuming.  His release triggered an eruption at the heart of Kathy\'92s \softline
being.  It had never ever been like this before for her or for him.  She screamed.  Her \softline
climax was so powerful she lost conscious\-ness and collapsed on top of him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy awoke and found herself entwined on the bed with Ken.  She stretched her \softline
arms and legs languorously.  It had been so long since she had been with a man.  And it \softline
had never been like this.  She looked over Ken\'92s body.  It was beautiful, but scar\-red.  She \softline
continued the exploration of his body that she had begun the night before but the light \softline
was better this time.  She look\-ed again at the dimpled bullet scars on his upper arm and \softline
shoulder.  Feeling playful, she tweaked her nipples to make them turgid and then found 
that her stiff pink nipple just fit into the depres\-sions on Ken\'92s body.  She looked down \softline
and found him looking at her with his grey eyes.  His hair was brown, she thought, but \softline
it had been bleached by the sun to a color similar to her own.  He grinned up at her and \softline
she grinned back.  Slowly, she slid down his body, kissing it and running her nipples over \softline
it.  It was exciting to feel his body hair on her smooth skin.  Ken started to run his hands \softline
over her body.  \'93What are you doing?\'94 she asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s figure study by the braille method.  You\'92re beauti\-ful.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy moved up and kissed him.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Good grief,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 That\'92s the first time I\'92ve \softline
ever kissed him}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  The kiss lasted.  She heard bells and felt her body start to go limp.  It \softline
was as if her bones and muscles were turning to jelly.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Do you hear them too?\'94 Ken asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mm, Mm.  I guess you mean the bells?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Have you ever heard them before?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Nope.  Have you?\'94  Kathy slid down Ken\'92s body again.  When she got down to his \softline
sex, she stopped and studied it.  \'93You have a beauti\-ful cock,\'94 she said.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93And you have a beautiful body.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She took his member into her mouth.  Because of their earlier exertions, it was now \softline
flaccid.  She ran her tongue slowly over its head, and took the tip inside her mouth.  Ken \softline
lay back.  \'93What }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 are}{\plain \fs24 \f2  you doing?\'94 he asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just finding out what you taste like.  You taste of cum and, I guess, my cunt juices.  \softline
It\'92s wonderful.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she continued to run her tongue over his prick, it started to stiffen to atten\-tion.  \softline
Just then, with his prick in her mouth, Ken pivoted on the bed.  His face was opposite \softline
her cunt.  \'93It\'92s beautiful.  I don\'92t think I\'92ve ever seen a hair\-less cunt before.  Why did \softline
you do it?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy didn\'92t answer.  Instead, her head started moving up and down over what was \softline
now a full erection.  Ken watched in amazement as, without apparent effort, she took it \softline
all the way into her mouth.  The feeling was wonderful.  She was doing with her mouth \softline
and tongue what earlier she had done with her vagina: slowly squeezing and massaging \softline
his vibrant sex.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In the meantime Ken had spread Kathy\'92s legs.  He noticed that they were like \softline
dancer\'92s legs, smoothly muscled and firm, not soft.  He put his face near her cunt and \softline
extended his tongue causing Kathy to moan softly and spread her legs wider to give him \softline
easier access.  His tongue entered her and found her magic button.  He got it between \softline
his teeth and gently bit on it.  He ran his tongue in and out, slowly sucking in the \softline
accumulation of fluids.  It }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 did}{\plain \fs24 \f2  taste good.  As his tongue went in and out, her hips were \softline
undulating.  Ken was beside himself.  While his mouth was encountering exquisite \softline
tastes, he could feel his prick being massaged and his balls gently kneaded.  Again, he \softline
could feel himself taken to a peak where he felt he had to explode.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Each time Kathy eased back a trifle just before he had to come.  Finally, the \softline
excitement was too great for them.  Kathy\'92s mouth closed over his cock swollen to its \softline
extreme size but nevertheless, she had taken it all in.  Then he exploded.  He could feel \softline
her swallowing quickly as she took his dis\-charge.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At the same time, her hips moved violently; it was all he could do to hold her \softline
beautifully muscled body as her fluids gushed.  He licked and swallowed; they tasted \softline
great.  After licking out the final drops, he flipped Kathy\'92s body around so it was lying \softline
beside his own.  Then they dropped off to sleep together.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was the first to awaken this time.  He looked at the lovely girl he was holding \softline
in his arms.  He saw a girl with skin as smooth as satin and he wondered at his luck.  \softline
Being invited to her apartment by a beauti\-ful girl wasn\'92t the way his world worked.  He \softline
thought about his ex-wife, Sylvia.  She was different from Kathy in every way.  At its \softline
best their sex life together had been barely adequate.  Ken recalled that it was never as \softline
good after the wedding as it had been before.  She used to complain that his phallus was \softline
too big.  He couldn\'92t recall ever getting it all the way in.  As far as going down on him \softline
was concerned, she said the idea was repulsive.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He realized that Sylvia didn\'92t really like sex but knew he did.  In fact, he felt he had \softline
to have it so she used sex as a weapon to get what she wanted from him.  Now he \softline
wondered why he had ever bothered.  Ken guessed that it must have been his lack of \softline
exper\-ience with women going back to his Naval Academy days.  But while Sylvia was \softline
reluctant, Kathy was joyous.  She seemed to love sex and seemed to need it as much as \softline
he did.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As he studied her, Kathy\'92s eyes opened.  She murmured, \'93Hi.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He just grinned at her.  Although he thought that his grin must look dumb, she just \softline
grinned back.  She looked at him and said, \'93Let\'92s eat.  I\'92m starving to death, particularly \softline
with all of the exer\-cise we\'92ve been having.  Do you want me to melt away from starva\-
tion?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She got out of bed while Ken admired her sleek nakedness as she moved gracefully \softline
with apparent total unconcern for her nudity.  She went to the kitchen and Ken heard \softline
a few noises.  A moment later she reappeared and went into the bathroom.  After he \softline
heard the toilet flush and the water running, she reap\-peared, still nude.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Stopping at the bed she looked down at him with her hands folded into small fists \softline
on her hips.  \'93And what are you looking at?\'94 she asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just you.  Do you }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 really}{\plain \fs24 \f2  know how beautiful you are?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, and neither do you.  You\'92re just showing how little you know about women.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93And you\'92re just fishing for compliments.  You }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 are}{\plain \fs24 \f2  beauti\-ful, you know.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy pertly stuck out her tongue and then went out to the kit\-chen.  Ken got up, \softline
went into the bathroom and started to clean himself up.  He found a toothbrush, and 
then jumped into the sho\-wer.  When he came out, he put on the bathrobe and went out \softline
to the kitchen.  He stopped and laughed.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There was Kathy, nude, wearing only a small apron, with a hurt look on her face.  \softline
\'93What\'92s so funny?\'94 she asked with a wry little grin.  \'93How would you like it if bacon fat \softline
spat\-tered on your tit?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I wouldn\'92t know; I don\'92t have boobs.\'94  Ken went up to her, knelt down, and started \softline
running his tongue over her breasts and nipples.  He stood up and took her into his \softline
arms.  \'93I kissed it to make it better.\'94  He kissed her gently on the mouth.  She tasted \softline
deli\-cious.  And the bells sounded again.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Please, Ken, I really am starving.  I know your spend is protein, but I\'92ve never \softline
heard of it being tested for food value.  Besides, the bacon and eggs will burn.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She took them off the stove.  Ken was dazzled to find in addition to the bacon and \softline
eggs, orange juice \'97 freshly squeezed \'97 along with hash browns and toast.  The aroma \softline
of the coffee smelled delicious to a sailor who lives on it.  They sat down again at the \softline
counter side by side where they had eaten the previous night.  The food rapidly \softline
disappeared and he realized that Kathy wasn\'92t just picking at hers.  She was eating like \softline
a person with a real appetite who wasn\'92t afraid to show it.  When he asked her about it, \softline
she said, \'93I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 do}{\plain \fs24 \f2  like food, and I told you I was hungry.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As they had another cup of coffee, Ken asked Kathy, \'93By any chance, do you have \softline
a cigarette in the house?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What brand do you smoke?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Winston Lights, why?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy got down off the stool and went off to the other room.  Ken loved the way her \softline
firm little ass wiggled slightly as she went off.  A few moments later she was back with \softline
a pack of Win\-ston Lights and a lighter.  He opened the pack, took out a cig\-arette and \softline
lighted up.  \'93May I have one too, please?\'94 she asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m sorry.  I didn\'92t think you smoked.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I shouldn\'92t, and I guess I don\'92t really, but...\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But what?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It just seems to be the right thing to do after the love\-mak\-ing, the breakfast, and the \softline
second cup of coffee.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They smoked in silence for a few moments.  Kathy rested her head on Ken\'92s \softline
shoulder.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Feel good?\'94 she asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t know how I could possibly feel any better.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I do.  Come with me.\'94  Jim followed Kathy out of the kit\-chen and then into the \softline
bathroom.  As she left the kitchen Kathy dropped the little apron on the floor.  In the 
bathroom, she turned and took off Ken\'92s bath\-robe.  Standing up on tiptoe she kissed him \softline
gently on the lips.  \'93Come on.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went into the shower and beckoned Ken to follow her.  Although he had taken \softline
a quick shower earlier, he hadn\'92t realized how large the shower enclosure really was.  \softline
There was plenty of room for both of them.  Again, Kathy manipulated a set of controls \softline
that Ken hadn\'92t noticed earlier.  Warm water poured over them coming from every \softline
conceivable angle.  Kathy pressed a button and sud\-denly the flow of water stopped.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy picked up soap on a rope \'97 again it was Polo \'97 and started to soap Ken\'92s \softline
body.  She de\-lighted in the way his body hair caused the soap to lather.  She ran her \softline
hands all over his body paying particular attention to his prick and balls which she \softline
fondled tenderly.  Then she moved her fingers between his ass cheeks soaping all the \softline
while.  Finally, she went to her knees and soaped his long legs and feet.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken just luxuriated in the feeling.  At that point, Kathy stood up, gave him her own \softline
soap and said acidly, \'93You can do this, too, you know.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She stood there as he caressed her en\-tire body, paying particular attention to her \softline
gorgeous breasts.  Again, as he soaped them, her nipples started to harden.  He con\-
tinued, lathering her loins and her ass cheeks.  Then he bent over and soaped her legs \softline
and her feet.  At this point with her back to him Kathy pressed a button and again they \softline
were flooded with warm water from every direction.  She wriggled her hips and moved \softline
her ass against his prick.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken, just following his in\-stinct, bent her body forward.  By this time his prick was \softline
again fully erect and he moved it against her ass.  Kathy bent over, grabbed a rail, and, \softline
with the water flowing over them, spread her legs.  He put his phallus against her anus \softline
and it slowly went in.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Again, Kathy moved, this time using her ass, with body movements that Ken \softline
couldn\'92t even imagine.  His hand went around her body and was welcomed into her cunt.  \softline
Kathy put his finger on her tiny bud, while she continued to move her hips.  Again, Ken \softline
could feel the pressure mounting in his balls.  With so much sexual activity in such a \softline
short time, he did not believe he could possibly get hard again so soon, but he had.  He \softline
moved in and out slowly while her sphincter held his weapon like a tender vise, slowly \softline
massag\-ing it as it went in and out.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Once again he came and Kathy screamed her release.  It seemed to be even more \softline
violent than the times before but that was impossible.  They sagged slowly together to \softline
the floor of the shower as the warm water continued to flow over their bodies.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy got up with a groan, activated another switch and the water stopped.  She \softline
pulled Ken up and they got out of the shower.  Then Kathy picked up a huge terry cloth \softline
towel and started drying him off.  She again stood up on tiptoe and tenderly kissed his \softline
lips.  She gave him a towel and he carefully dried off her beautiful body.  \'93Come on, we \softline
need to get you cleaned off.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Cleaned off!  What was the shower for?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That just takes off the surface dirt and sweat.  I\'92ve got something else.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They went through a door in the bathroom, and entered a sauna.  As soon as he \softline
entered, Ken could feel the dry heat strike his body.  It was hot!  Meanwhile Kathy took \softline
a small dipper and poured water over hot rocks which caused it instantly to flash into \softline
steam.  Then she sat beside Ken on the wooden bench and leaned her head on his \softline
shoulder.  \'93You know, this sauna is much more fun with someone to share it.  I\'92ve had \softline
it for a year or so, but this is the first time I\'92ve had the chance to use it with a man.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The steam rose and Ken could feel his pores opening.  Then Kathy picked up a flat \softline
wooden stick and started scraping his skin.  Although he thought his body was clean, \softline
what Kathy was scraping off looked black.  When she was finished, Ken took another \softline
stick and star\-ted to scrape her flesh.  What came off appeared to be just the outer layer \softline
of skin with no dirt visible.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab About the time he was wondering if he was going to die of suffoc\-ation, Kathy took \softline
his hand and pulled him to his feet.  Opening the door, they went outside.  The \softline
swimming pool he had seen the night before was there but now he noticed a smaller \softline
circular pool near the sauna\'92s door.  Kathy let go of his hand and jumped into it feet first.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken realized that the pool was much deeper than it seemed.  Kathy\'92s head dis\-
appeared below the water\'92s surface before her feet touched the bottom.  She bobbed to \softline
the surface and floated vertically.  It was much too deep for her to stand on the bottom.  \softline
She ducked her head for a moment and then surfac\-ed.  She flipped her hair back off her \softline
face, and grinned up at him.  She looked as sleek as a seal.  \'93Come on in!  You saw how \softline
it\'92s done.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken dropped into the pool next to Kathy.  And he almost died.  The water was like \softline
ice.  Instantly, with a smooth, almost effort\-less motion, Kathy pulled herself from the \softline
pool.  As she got out, she put a foot on Ken\'92s head and pushed him under water again.  \softline
When his head popped up to the surface, Ken was sputtering and shiv\-ering.  He was \softline
freezing!  Meanwhile Kathy was laughing so hard she couldn\'92t even stand.  Finally, she \softline
controlled herself and gave Ken a hand, pulling him out.  Al\-though Ken didn\'92t think \softline
Kathy weighed more than 120, she seemed to pull him out without effort.  She grabbed \softline
a dry towel and, still giggling, wrapped it around him.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken took her in his arms, gave her a kiss which almost caus\-ed her knees to buckle, \softline
and then suddenly picked her up.  Dropping to one knee, he laid her over his leg and \softline
proceeded to spank her bottom.  The spanks were just hard enough to redden her ass \softline
cheeks.  Kathy struggled in his grip, but she might as well have been held by steel bands.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The spank\-ing continued as she con\-tinued to struggle.  She realized her clit was \softline
contacting his leg and was being stimulated by it.  Suddenly, she came in a flood that ran \softline
down Ken\'92s leg.  At that point he stopped and released her, helping her to her feet.  \softline
Again he gave her a melting kiss, tasting the salt from the tears rolling down her cheeks.\par
}\sect \sectd \sbknone\margbsxn1170\pgndec\headery1440\footery1440\endnhere\endnhere 
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\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Mourn\-ful\-ly, she backed away a step, rubbing her tender ass.  \'93You\'92re a brute!  You \softline
attacked a helpless woman!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You tricked me!  I almost froze to death in there.  And then you tried to drown me!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy\'92s grin broke through her tears.  \'93You know, I thought about doing that when \softline
I had the sauna and pool put in.  It\'92s refrige\-rated water: thirty-eight degrees Fahrenheit.  \softline
I use it al\-most every day, but I wasn\'92t sure I could keep from giving it away.  Usually, \softline
my teeth start chattering and I get goose-bumps all over.  I thought I handled it pretty \softline
well.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At that, Ken grinned.  \'93You did, you stinker!  You were per\-fect.  I\'92ll have to add ac\-
tress to the list of your tal\-ents.\'94  He started to laugh, then paused.  \'93I hope I didn\'92t hurt \softline
you.  I didn\'92t mean to.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned back.  \'93You injured my pride.  Now my bottom is tender, in a warm \softline
sort of way.\'94  She glared at him and said, \'93But you made me cum, you brute!  On the \softline
other hand, my loins are sore, my asshole can still feel you and my mouth and throat \softline
may never be the same.  I still can\'92t believe I was able to take in your full length.  You \softline
are a woman\'92s dream.  But if we keep up like this much longer, I\'92ll be a physical wreck.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They went back into the apartment and checked the time.  It was nearly five o\'92clock.  \softline
\'93What would you like to do this eve\-ning?\'94 Kathy asked.  \'93Do you have any plans?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken, standing naked looking like a Greek god, grinned at her.  \'93No, I have no plans... \softline
and I don\'92t have any clothes, either.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy gave a little yelp and left the room, returning in a few moments with what \softline
looked to be his uniform and a box.  She hung up the uniform and gave him the box.  \'93I \softline
hope it all fits.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken opened the box and found new underwear, socks, and every\-thing else he needed.  \softline
\'93How did you know my sizes?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I guessed.  Did I guess right?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You certainly did.  You make me a little nervous some\-times.  How did you know I \softline
like Polo toiletries?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I didn\'92t.  I bought them because I like them.  The frag\-rance really turns me on.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Oh.  And I thought it was just me.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy cocked her head and grinned.  \'93Well, maybe it\'92s a little bit of you, along with \softline
the Polo.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She squealed and jumped away, covering her reddened ass with her hands as Ken \softline
made a move towards her.  When he stopped and held out his arms, she came up to him \softline
and he kissed her.  Again, her knees seemed to buckle.  \'93Do you want to go out tonight?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken smiled at her.  \'93If you\'92re willing, I would like to show you off at the Officers\'92 \softline
Club at the Base.  Would you like to go?  I think they have a band playing on Saturday \softline
night.  I could try to make a reservation.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I would love to,\'94 she said.  \'93Let\'92s do it!\'94  Arm in arm they went into the bedroom.\par
}\page 
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\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 3}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Officers\'92 Club at the Naval Base in Norfolk is one of the largest clubs of its kind \softline
in the world.  Since Norfolk is the head\-quarters of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as well as the \softline
home of countless other military installations, the size of the club is no surprise.  Ken \softline
and Kathy drove onto the base with Ken wearing his uniform and driving Kathy\'92s car.  \softline
He received a snappy salute from the guard on the gate after showing his ID and then \softline
drove up to the en\-trance of the club.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why don\'92t you get out here?\'94 Ken asked.  \'93I\'92ll go park the car.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy said she would rather stay with him.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He put the car in gear and found a parking spot.  Opening Kathy\'92s door, he handed \softline
her out of the car.  Again, he was start\-led at how beauti\-ful she looked.  Tonight, she was \softline
wearing a white cock\-tail dress with a full skirt.  With her even tan and golden hair, she \softline
was exquisite.  Ken realized that she must use her private pool area to tan in the nude \softline
because he now knew she had a mark-free tan.  Her only jewelry was a large sap\-phire \softline
hanging from a golden chain around her neck.  The gem was the color of her eyes.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was pleased that they were the focus of all eyes as they entered the club, and it \softline
was Kathy\'92s astonishing beauty that was attracting the attention.  Looking at her \softline
closely, he realized she was blushing.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s just your beauty, Hon.  I keep tell\-ing you, but you don\'92t listen.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The headwaiter nearly fell over himself to seat Kathy at a very prominent table.  Ken \softline
took his seat and groaned.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at him with concern in her eyes.  \'93What\'92s the trouble?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m an idiot.  Here we are at the club and }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 now}{\plain \fs24 \f2  I remember I don\'92t have any money!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled at him an asked, \'93Have you check\-ed?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What do you mean, have I checked?  I left the ship last night with less than five \softline
bucks, and I spent most of that before I met you.  Good grief!  I don\'92t even remember \softline
paying the bill last night at Charley\'92s.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Don\'92t worry about it,\'94 she said, \'93I own the place.\'94  He gaped in amazement.  Then \softline
she said, \'93Why don\'92t you check your wallet anyway.  You never can tell.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken unbuttoned the flap on his hip pocket and took out his wallet.  Thinking about \softline
it, it had felt a little different when he had taken out his ID at the gate.  He looked in the \softline
bill compartment and received a shock.  He counted.  There were twenty $100 bills in it.  \softline
No wonder it had felt a little thick \'97 Ken had never had $2,000 in cash in his life.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at him with concern on her face.  \'93What\'92s wrong?  Isn\'92t it enough?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Enough!?  You\'92ve got to be joking.  This is the Navy, not Tokyo.  Of course it\'92s \softline
enough.  But where did it come from?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s mine, it\'92s honest money, and I love you.  Do you need to know any more than \softline
that?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I guess that\'92s enough.  By the way, I love you, too.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Very daintily, Kathy stuck the pink tip of her tongue out at him.  \'93The way you said \softline
that wasn\'92t very romantic.\'94  Then she held out her hand and said, \'93Let\'92s dance.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As they went towards the dance floor, Ken tried to conceal his reluctance.  With \softline
Sylvia he always felt like he had two left feet.  As a matter of fact he had felt that away \softline
about dancing ever since he was a plebe at Anna\-polis, but he took Kathy in his arms and \softline
moved out on the floor.  He couldn\'92t believe it!  He was moving with a fea\-ther in his \softline
arms.  In bed she had moved like a dancer.  On the dance floor she moved like a dream.  \softline
He grinned at her and she grinned back.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You didn\'92t like to dance before, did you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How did you know?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Call it another good guess.  Can we open up a little?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy moved away from him in time with the music.  It ap\-peared that Ken was \softline
control\-ling her feet, when in actuality she was somehow controlling his.  Other dancers \softline
on the floor moved away to give them more room.  Ken felt like he was lost on a cloud.  \softline
The music stopped.  Suddenly, there was applause from the dancers around them as well \softline
as the band members all of whom had been admiring their dancing.  Kathy made a quick \softline
curtsy and fled back to their table.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After seating Kathy and taking his seat Ken looked around for the waiter.  \'93What \softline
would you like, Hon?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think I\'92ll have my usual, club soda with a lime.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Do you mind if I have some\-thing stronger?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course not!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The waiter came over and Ken gave him the drink order, order\-ing a Beefeater \softline
martini for himself.  Ken looked at Kathy.  \'93What happened out there?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What do you mean?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You know what I mean.  I can\'92t dance like that!  What happened?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Obviously you can, because you did.\'94  Then she added with a note of alarm in her \softline
voice, \'93Some people are coming over.  Do you know them?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked over in the direction of Kathy\'92s eyes and grinned.  \'93It\'92s my parents.  I \softline
wonder what they\'92re doing here tonight.  They live on the Peninsula and almost never \softline
come down to Norfolk.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As he got to his feet, Kathy saw a man almost as tall as Ken approach accompanied \softline
by a matronly woman at his side.  He was wearing the uniform of a full admiral and \softline
appeared to be about forty-five years old.  When the couple reached the table and joined \softline
them, Ken reached out his hand to grip his father\'92s and then gave his mother a quick \softline
kiss.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Mother and Dad, I would like you to meet Katherine Smith.  Kathy, this is my \softline
father, Admiral Samuel Stark, and my mother, Betty.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Admiral Stark gave a courtly bow, smiled and bent to kiss Kathy\'92s hand.  She \softline
blushed.  Then she rose to greet Ken\'92s mother, an overweight woman who looked much \softline
older than her husband.  \'93I am delighted to meet you both.  Would you care to join Ken \softline
and me?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why thank you,\'94 Sam Stark replied, \'93Betty and I would be delighted.  We haven\'92t \softline
seen Ken to talk to in nearly a year.  After his marriage he seemed to disappear.  \softline
However, a nice thing about carry\-ing rank is that I\'92ve been able to keep track of him \softline
through the Navy \'97 but no thanks to him.  How have you been, son?  You\'92re looking \softline
very well.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy gets the credit for that one, Dad.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As the evening progressed, Kathy studied Sam and Betty Stark.  She was an expert.  \softline
Sam showed all the marks of an attractive man with a roving eye.  In fact, she saw a \softline
female lieutenant commander look\-ing at him from time to time with a possessive look \softline
that Kathy thought she recog\-nized.  Kathy was certain that Betty was dis\-play\-ing the \softline
telltale symptoms of a woman who is afraid of losing something of great value to her: her \softline
husband.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After a very pleasant evening, Ken and Kathy returned to Kathy\'92s apartment.  It was \softline
nearly two o\'92clock and they were both tired.  After taking off her dress Kathy went into \softline
the bathroom.  Ken could hear the noises as he undressed and entered the bathroom.  \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 What a joy to have facilities large enough for two to use at the same time!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Ken thought.  \softline
He looked at Kathy lovingly.  As usual, she was nude and was brushing her teeth at the \softline
sink.  He washed, brushed his teeth, and took her in his arms.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Again, like the morning \'97 could it have been only a single day?  \'97 he carried her \softline
to the bed.  This time, though, he laid her gently on the bed and lay beside her.  As he \softline
gently took her in his arms and held her, he could feel his arousal from their close \softline
contact.  While he felt for her moist spot, she spread her legs to make his access easier.  \softline
She was wet already.  Slowly, he straddled her and moved his phallus towards her moist \softline
cunt and entered it.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The previous times had been a near-frenzy.  This time it was slow and lovely.  She \softline
arched her back and hooked her ankles around his neck to get the greatest possible \softline
penetra\-tion.  As he moved in her, she started to moan softly.  Deliberately, he moved in \softline
and out while her hips moved slowly in the tempo.  He could feel that he was close to \softline
release and slowed his movements as Kathy had done earlier.  He looked into her face \softline
and saw a beautiful smile.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re wonderful,\'94 she whispered.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The movements continued.  He could feel her movements speeding up while the flow \softline
of her internal juices increased.  Suddenly, he let go in a flood.  Her pelvis was bucking \softline
in a frenzy as she, too, let loose a flood of fluid that nearly drowned his cock.  She 
lowered her legs and they lay side by side.  Almost immedi\-ately, they fell asleep in each \softline
other\'92s arms.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken awakened in the morning to find Kathy standing next to him fully dressed.  \softline
\'93Come on, lazy-bones, we\'92re going to church.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was surprised, but said nothing.  He took a shower, shaved, and got dressed.  \softline
Going out to the kitchen, he found Kathy had breakfast on the counter waiting for him.  \softline
After eating, Kathy led him down to the garage and then backed the car out.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Driving back towards the apartment after church, Ken looked around and sighed.  \softline
It was a magnificent early spring day in Tidewater without a cloud in the sky.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab While stopped at a traffic light, Kathy looked over at him.  \'93Okay, where are we \softline
going to play?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken, looking like the little kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, grinned \softline
sheepishly.  \'93Play what?  What are you talking about?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Golf, silly.  You have all the symptoms of a junkie depri\-ved of his regular fix.  Where \softline
are we going to play?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What do you mean, play?  You can\'92t play golf like that.  You\'92re dressed for church.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hah!  My clothes and clubs are in the trunk.  For the third time, where are we \softline
playing?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken gave up the act and grinned.  \'93How would the course at the Officers\'92 Club be?  \softline
But with the weather so nice, though, we might have quite a wait.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled.  \'93I have another idea.  Why don\'92t we swing by your club, pick up your \softline
things and play at mine?  I belong to a private club nearby.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Do you think we can get out?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Since our tee-time reservation is for an hour from now, I\'92m sure we can,\'94 Kathy \softline
replied.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken, still trying to salvage something from the exchange, asked her, \'93How did you \softline
know I play golf, or would want to play?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Because, silly, it\'92s as nice a day for golf as we will ever find.  Any golfer would want \softline
to be out, and you look like a golfer to me.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Driving up to Kathy\'92s club, an attendant came rushing out to greet her.  \'93Good after\-
noon, Miss Smith.  May I take your clubs?  Will you be walking or riding today?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, Jack.  Commander Stark and I will be walking.  Could you see that he \softline
is set up in the men\'92s locker room?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They met a few minutes later on the practice tee.  Kathy was already hitting balls \softline
with a very fluid swing.  After loosening up, Ken started hitting balls starting with his \softline
wedge and working up through his bag.  When he got to his driver he was pounding the \softline
ball almost off the range.  Kathy stepped back and admired his shots which were ripping \softline
off the club head with a small draw adding to the distance.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The caddies were waiting for them on the first tee.  Kathy turned to him, \'93Since this \softline
is my home course I won\'92t even ask you to give me strokes, but what are we going to play \softline
for?\'94  The idea of an even match with a girl had never occurred to Ken.  He didn\'92t know \softline
what to say.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at him.  \'93I\'92ll tell you what.  If you win, the $2,000 in your wallet is \softline
doubled.  If I win, you give me one wish.  It will easily be in your power to grant.  Fair?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sounds fine to me.  You\'92re on.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Before they had finished the match word of it had spread to the clubhouse and they \softline
had attracted a gallery.  Ken\'92s drives were straight and more than 250 yards off the tee.  \softline
Although Kathy\'92s were shorter, she was still hitting hers over two hundred yards.  But \softline
what she was losing off the tee she was making up around the greens.  She was deadly.  \softline
After seventeen holes the match was even with both golfers at one under par.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The eighteenth hole was a 460-yard par five played to an elevated green.  Ken led off \softline
and hit his best drive of the day.  It was over 300 yards, leaving him only 150 yards to \softline
the pin.  Kathy also crashed one nearly 250 yards.  After studying her posi\-tion on the \softline
fairway she took her three wood.  Her swing was straight from a golf video.  The ball \softline
cleared the lip in front of the green and disappeared from sight in the direction of the \softline
pin.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken approached his ball, selected a six iron, swung \'97 and pulled his shot.  It reached \softline
the green, but was well to the left of the pin.  They walked up the hill together.  \'93Where \softline
on earth did you learn to play golf like this?  Do you realize I\'92m playing the best round \softline
of my life against a girl I outweigh by about 100 pounds, and we\'92re still even?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled up at him.  \'93It\'92s a simple game.  After all, the ball just sits there on the \softline
ground looking at you.  It\'92s not even moving.  Besides, you got me warmed up \softline
yesterday.\'94  Her eyes glistened with love.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thanks a lot,\'94 Ken grinned resisting the temptation to take her into his arms.  \'93My \softline
regular partners who have trouble breaking ninety on their best days would kill you if \softline
they heard you say that.  But I love you anyway.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken\'92s ball was on the left edge of the green.  He had a forty-five-foot putt with a \softline
sharp left-to-right break on the green.  After carefully lining it up, he stroked the ball \softline
firmly.  Although his line looked good at first, the green broke more than he expected.  \softline
His ball passed below the cup and stopped about three feet away.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy\'92s ball was about twelve feet beyond the pin.  It was a very difficult putt, \softline
downhill, with a right-to-left break.  She lined it up carefully and stroked the ball firmly.  \softline
The ball, following the contours of the green that she had read perfectly, dropped solidly \softline
into the center of the cup for an eagle three.  Ken, although he had already lost the \softline
match, stepped up to his ball and sank his putt for a four.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ignoring the cheering spectators surrounding the green, he took Kathy in his arms \softline
and kissed her.  Her back was wet from sweat and her face glistened.  She put her arms \softline
around his neck as their kiss lingered.  Meanwhile, the cheering increased in volume.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Finally he let her go and whispered, \'93That was great.  It was the best round of golf \softline
I ever played: two under par.  And I lose to a girl!  I\'92ll never live it down.\'94  He faked a \softline
grimace.  Kathy, with her face hidden by Ken\'92s bulk, stuck out her tongue.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After showering at the club, they returned to the apartment.  Ken sprawled on the \softline
couch.  \'93Not so fast,\'94 Kathy said.  \'93There\'92s a small matter of our wager.  You lost!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I remember.  One wish.  You mean you want it now?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I sure do,\'94 Kathy replied archly.  \'93You are going to be my slave for the rest of the \softline
day.  Take off your clothes.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken stripped off his clothes, looking at her.  \'93Are you serious?  I\'92m afraid you are.  \softline
You want to get even for the span\-king.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Slave Ken, bring me a Sam Adams.\'94  she commanded imperiously.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken returned with the cold beer.  \'93You may have one, too, if you like.  But only one.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken returned with his beer and went to sit beside her.  \'93Remain standing, slave.  \softline
Better yet, kneel on the floor.\'94  Ken knelt and drank his beer.  \'93Slave, undress me.\'94  \softline
Kathy rose gracefully from the sofa and stood in front of him.  With trembling hands he \softline
carefully un\-dressed her.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As the clothing came off, once again her glisten\-ing beauty was revealed.  Kathy had \softline
an idea in mind.  When she was as naked as he was, she left the room and came back a \softline
few moments later with a feather quill.  She ordered Ken, \'93Spread your legs slightly, \softline
stand up straight, and don\'92t move.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She took the feather and started to run it over his chest, then his back.  She played \softline
with it over his buttocks as he continued to stand.  Kathy watched as his erection grew \softline
as large as it could possibly get.  Yet it continued to in\-crease in size!  Finally, using both \softline
the feather and its tip, Kathy turned her attention to his genitals while kneeling in front \softline
of him.  Ken\'92s body was starting to shake from his sexual tension.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re not standing still,\'94 she said sharply.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She continued to tease his organ, while the strain was showing on his face.  His body \softline
was crying for release but all she was doing was further exciting him.  He longed for \softline
release between her thighs, but failing that, release through masturbation.  She \softline
continued to torment him.  Finally, his system couldn\'92t take it any longer.  He erupted \softline
in spurts.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy, still on her knees caught it in her mouth.  He came in torrents, with most of \softline
it going into her mouth but also spraying her face, her hair, and her breasts.  When his \softline
orgasm finally subsided, Ken realized that Kathy was shaking.  He looked down and \softline
could see moisture running down her legs.  Orders or not, he collapsed on the floor.  \softline
\'93Please, Kathy.  Never again.  I don\'92t think I could sur\-vive.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab That night was like the previous night, one of the most tender lovemaking.  Ken was \softline
on a voyage of exploration on the body of this glorious girl he had found, or who had \softline
found him.  When Kathy fell asleep, her head was on his shoulder so he reached his hand 
around her body and gently cupped her breast.  She made a small mewing sound and \softline
snuggled her body even closer to his.  Ken fell asleep that way.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab On Monday morning, Ken awakened in Kathy\'92s bed.  Having the facil\-ity of being \softline
able to set his mind like an alarm clock, he awakened at five-thirty, since he had to take \softline
a cab back to the base in time to be back on board by 0800.  Beside him the bed was \softline
empty.  He went into the bathroom, shaved, showered, dressed, and went into the \softline
kitchen to find Kathy with another beautiful breakfast ready for him to eat.  She was \softline
wearing a flannel bath\-robe.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After eating, Ken looked at her.  \'93May I see you again, Kathy?  Soon?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy opened her bathrobe and held it spread wide like the curtains on a stage, \softline
reveal\-ing her gorgeous body.  \'93Is this soon enough?\'94 she grinned.  Ken moved towards \softline
the telephone.  \'93What are you doing?\'94 she asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Calling a taxi to get back to the base.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Don\'92t bother.  I\'92ll be ready in a second.\'94  As good as her word, she was back in the \softline
kitchen, struggling to button a pair of Levi\'92s that fit like a second skin.  She had on a \softline
wind\-breaker and held her car keys.  Ken couldn\'92t resist.  He had to give that lovely little \softline
ass a spank, and was rewarded with the little pink tongue being stuck out at him.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they arrived on the pier, Ken looked solemnly at Kathy.  \'93Kathy Smith, who \softline
are you, anyway?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 }\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs36 \b\f2\fs36 Book II}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 4}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy Smith stretched catlike on her bed.  As she did, she appeared older than her \softline
eighteen years.  She had been at Julie\'92s for as long as she could remember.  Looking \softline
around the small room, she didn\'92t much care for what she saw.  Although the room was \softline
as clean as she could get it, in an over-100-year-old house in Norfolk, that wasn\'92t very \softline
clean.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She got up and inspected her nude body in a mirror which was showing its age.  The \softline
silvering was smoked so her reflec\-tion appeared fuzzy.  Other girls in the house admired \softline
her figure which, they said, was like a dancer\'92s.  That surprised Kathy because she didn\'92t \softline
get much exercise except in bed with the johns.  She looked herself over and could find \softline
no blemishes.  Her breasts were beautifully shaped with small tip-tilted pink nip\-ples.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She looked down at her loins.  Her mound was hairless.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 God, pulling out her pubic \softline
hairs one by one had been tedious and pain\-ful}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  One of the girls had said that it was a \softline
good way to prevent crabs and reduce the chance of venereal disease.  She had done it \softline
slowly.  She could still remember the pain, sitting cross-legged on her bed, fighting the \softline
poor light, pulling the hairs out by the roots.  Her mound was still smooth and hairless.  \softline
The men loved her cunt.  They said it was made to be fucked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy didn\'92t have a bad life.  Julie liked her and gave her special treatment.  She \softline
never worked the parlor downstairs.  She didn\'92t fully understand her own attitude.  It \softline
wasn\'92t that she felt superior to the other girls.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I guess it\'92s the meat-market aspect that \softline
gets to me,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  Girls sitting around in attire ranging from diaphanous shorty \softline
tops, to negligees, to being naked from the waist up, or, with the redhead, Shirley, from \softline
the waist down.  Shirley often appeared in a tight red swea\-ter and red mules.  Her red \softline
pubic hair was combed and brushed with as much care as she devoted to her tresses.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Still, Kathy didn\'92t like to see the johns handling the tits of the girls, tweaking their \softline
nipples, jamming a finger \'97 or a fist \'97 up their cunts.  \'93Just trying you on, sis\-ter,\'94 one \softline
said.  Worst of all in Kathy\'92s view was the girls had to pretend to like it.  But maybe they \softline
did.  Most of the girls would grab at the john\'92s crotch to build up his ego.  They said they \softline
got better tips.  At any rate, Kathy never had to do that.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Perhaps it was because she looked so vir\-ginal in spite of having been a prostitute for \softline
years.  Her body didn\'92t show the wear and tear that she saw every day on \-most of the \softline
other girls.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy played a special r\'f4le in the house.  She was the house \'93virgin.\'94  Once in a \softline
while Julie would dress her up in a little-girl\'92s dress for a special customer.  Usually it \softline
was an older man.  He would come into the room and Kathy would pretend to be terri\-
fied as he slowly stripped off her clothes.  Then she would squeal as he placed his hand \softline
on her breast and fondled a nipp\-le.  She would pretend to draw away as he felt her cunt \softline
and her firm bottom.  Before he finally entered her, she of\-ten had to help while 
appearing to be trying to fight him off.  Kathy laughed to herself remembering how \softline
difficult entry was for some of them.  Their biggest problem was getting and maintaining \softline
an erec\-tion.  She couldn\'92t go down on them which always worked because it would give \softline
the game away.  After they spent inside her she would break a small vial of chicken blood \softline
in her crotch to make it appear the john had taken her maidenhead.  Although Julie \softline
never gave her any money, she used to say that she had earned a bonus for her work.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At least there was one thing she didn\'92t need to worry about.  The doctor who came \softline
regularly to inspect the girls had told her that she didn\'92t need to bother with birth \softline
control devices.  She could not become pregnant.  Kathy couldn\'92t remember the explana\-
tion he gave her but he had seemed certain and, unlike many of the other girls, she had \softline
never been pregnant.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy didn\'92t know who owned the house.  At first she thought it was Julie\'92s, but one \softline
of the other girls said she just managed it \'93for a man downtown.\'94  Once a month Julie \softline
would put on her best dress and take a taxi downtown to report the month\'92s results.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled to herself, thinking of some of the lines about whores she had heard.  \softline
\'93The only profession where you start at the top and work down.\'94  \'93Spread your legs and \softline
let the johns put money in your twat.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Julie took special care with Kathy.  She wore no makeup in contrast to the pounds \softline
of it that some of the other girls wore.  Occasional\-ly, she put on a little lipstick, and \softline
occasionally lightly rouged her nipples and her pubic lips.  When she did, she was very \softline
careful to be sure that it wasn\'92t noticeable.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy paced back and forth across her tiny room.  There was only room for her bed, \softline
a washstand and a tiny space that served as her clos\-et.  She had hung a curtain to hide \softline
the hooks and her negli\-gible wardrobe.  Finally, there was her dressing table and a chair.  \softline
It looked like what it was: a room in a mid-level Norfolk whore house.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She stretched again.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Today will be an easy one.  It\'92s Wednesday, and Sam Jenkins \softline
will be here soon}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  She glanced at the clock and saw it was almost eleven.  Never\-the\-less, \softline
the house was still quiet as the girls slept off their exertions of the night before.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy left her room and went down the back stairs looking for Ginny, the black \softline
maid.  She found her and got clean sheets for her bed.  Ginny used to give her a hard \softline
time about her foib\-les.  Changing the sheets once a week or so should be plenty, Ginny \softline
said.  Julie had told her that because Kathy was a great produ\-cer she was to give her \softline
whatever she wanted.  Returning to her room, she stripped the bed and remade it with \softline
the clean sheets.  The rest of the room was as neat and clean as Kathy could get it.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went down the hall to the bathroom.  As usual, it smelled of urine, cheap \softline
perfume and body fluids.  It was an odor and a sight Kathy was now used to but still \softline
didn\'92t like.  She climbed into the bathtub and tried to man\-euver what passed for a \softline
shower curtain to keep most of the water off the floor.  When she turned on the faucet \softline
the water started by running brown.  After letting it run for a while and adjusting the 
tempera\-ture, she climbed in and showered.  She carefully washed her hair \'97 shoulder \softline
length, golden and wavy \'97 which was her pride.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Stepping out of the tub, she dried her body and her hair and returned to her room.  \softline
Still naked, she sat in front of her dressing table and brushed her hair.  Next she took \softline
a pale rouge and delicately tinted her nipples and her nether lips.  She didn\'92t put on any \softline
lipstick.  Finally, she reached under the dressing table top and retrieved a small bottle \softline
that she kept taped there for safekeep\-ing.  It was a bottle of Chanel No. 5 that Sam had \softline
given her last Christ\-mas.  She wore it only for him.  Now all ready, she just sat in the \softline
chair waiting.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sam Jenkins was strange, but in a nice sort of way.  He was the oldest customer who \softline
ever came to the house.  She guessed his age at around seventy.  He had taken an \softline
interest in Kathy a long time ago.  For quite awhile now, he had had a standing \softline
reservation for Wednesday afternoon.  Normally he arrived at noon and stayed all after\-
noon.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The odd thing was that they never had sex.  He treated her like a granddaughter, \softline
sort of.  She grinned, thinking about it.  Grandfathers don\'92t usually spend their time \softline
with stark-naked granddaughters.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Usually they just talked.  Kathy gathered that Sam was a bachelor and a Navy \softline
veteran of World War II.  She didn\'92t have the slightest idea where his money came from \softline
but he seemed to have enough.  He lived very simply, Kathy gathered.  Probably most \softline
of his money came to her.  She didn\'92t know how much Sam paid Julie for the Wednesday \softline
afternoons, but it wasn\'92t cheap.  Julie handled all of Kathy\'92s arrangements and handled \softline
all the money.  Sam always arrived wearing a rather worn blue suit and a blue tie.  He \softline
was about the only customer who ever wore a tie in the house except for the occasional \softline
officer in uniform who would sneak in.  Mostly the officers came in civilian clothes.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sometimes there were other things.  Once, Sam had asked her to sit on her haunches \softline
at the foot of the bed with her hands forward on her knees.  Then he took a long feather \softline
from his jacket and slowly ran it over her nipples.  He delighted in the way they \softline
hardened up.  He then asked her to come closer, still kneel\-ing, and spread her legs wide.  \softline
He took the feather, and working with both the feather and the quill, started to play \softline
with her slit.  He searched for and found her tiny sentinel and teased it into life.  Kathy\'92s \softline
juices started to run but Sam wouldn\'92t let her move.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was exquisite torture as her young body screamed for release of some kind.  She \softline
just continued kneeling with the juices flowing slowly from her cunt, moaning softly.  He \softline
caught a drop on a finger tip and licked it slowly and smiled.  Another time he asked her \softline
sheepishly if he could touch her nipple.  He said she had the most beautiful breasts he \softline
had ever seen.  It felt strange to have his work-hardened finger touch her nipple in the \softline
gentlest possible way.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab But mostly, they just talked.  Sam asked about her education.  She didn\'92t go to \softline
school, but Sam would bring her books to read.  Although she didn\'92t know it, they were \softline
all classics.  It was as if she was being tutored, but with the tutor paying her.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab She always read the books he brought her because he would want to talk about them \softline
with her the next time he came.  The discus\-sions were fascinating because the books \softline
ranged from Herman Melville, to Adam Smith, to The Federalist.  The most recent book \softline
was a copy of Shakespeare\'92s }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Macbeth}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Promptly at noon, there was a knock on her door and Sam let himself in.  Kathy was \softline
lying on her back on the bed with her hair carefully arranged on the pillow.  Her right \softline
leg was raised to display its shapeliness, while her slit was in full view the way she knew \softline
Sam liked it.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He smiled at her and closed the door.  Today he looked tired as he took off his coat \softline
and carefully hung it on a hook in her closet.  Smiling at her, he held out his arms.  This \softline
time was very different.  \'93Kathy, would you please give me a kiss?\'94 he asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy hopped out of bed, ran to his arms and was surprised to find that she was \softline
almost as tall as he was.  It was the first time she could remember standing beside him.  \softline
Taking her into his arms, he gave her a tender kiss on her lips.  As he kissed her she \softline
could feel the rough material of his suit on her smooth skin.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was surprised.  Johns didn\'92t kiss whores, but this kiss was lovely.  It was \softline
exactly like a kiss one would share with a beloved grand\-father, utterly devoid of pas\-sion \softline
but full of love.  Sam sat down on the chair while Kathy returned to her bed, knelt on it, \softline
sat back on her heels with her back up straight and just looked at him.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I want you to know I love you.\'94  Sam said very softly.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Hearing the words, Kathy felt a twinge of fear.  There had never been anything like \softline
this before!  She didn\'92t know what to say, so she just said what she thought.  \'93I love you \softline
too, Sam.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, what are you going to do when I\'92m gone?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was scared.  Tears started to form in her eyes.  She didn\'92t know what to say.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You seldom leave the house, do you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93There\'92s no place to go, and Julie doesn\'92t like it very much when I do go out.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But the other girls do.  You don\'92t have any clothes of your own, either, do you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The house is always warm, and I don\'92t need clothes in my work.  I work on my \softline
back, Sam.  I\'92m a prostitute.  All of my bodily openings are for sale at different prices.  \softline
I have what I need.  Julie is good to me.  She keeps me away from the rough stuff.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy shuddered as she remembered how red-haired Shirley had been out of action \softline
for days.  It was after that ape had paid to have her tied up and suspended by her wrists \softline
so he could beat her with a dog whip.  In her mind Kathy could still hear Shirley\'92s \softline
screams as her body slowly rotated, suspend\-ed by her wrists from the hook in the ceiling.  \softline
He beat her on the thighs, on her ass cheeks and ac\-ross her breasts, but she really \softline
screamed when the john pulled out a handful of her glorious red pubic hair.  It was \softline
expensive for him because he had to pay Julie a lot extra for the loss of Shirley\'92s services.  \softline
Her pubic hair had only just return\-ed to normal.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy could vaguely understand the sadists.  The ones who really threw her were \softline
the masochists.  There weren\'92t many, but there were some.  They would pay to be bound \softline
in leather with their genitals tied tightly.  During her recovery, Shirley had the chance \softline
partially to get even by beating one of them who was hanging suspended from the same \softline
ring to which she had been tied during her torture.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \ul0 \tab \'93You spend all of your time here naked, don\'92t you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at Sam puzzled.  She tried to grin and said it was her working uniform.  \softline
\'93I don\'92t work downstairs, you know, and there isn\'92t anything to bother getting dressed \softline
for.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They continued to talk.  Then the conversation swung around to }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Macbeth}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  As they \softline
talked, Sam would occasionally ask her to change her position so he could look at her \softline
nude body from some other angle.  She wished he had the feather with him again.  It had \softline
felt wonderful: sexy but passionless.  It was like mastur\-bating alone.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab About four o\'92clock, Sam got up to leave.  After putting on his coat he turned to \softline
Kathy and asked plaintively, \'93Could you give me one more kiss?  Please?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went to his arms and he gathered her to him.  His coat was even rougher on her \softline
tender skin than his suit had been.  Instead of kissing her on the lips, though, he just \softline
hugged her closely.  Kathy was surprised at how strong he was.  She felt a tear roll\-ing \softline
from his eye onto her cheek.  When she looked up, he kissed her quickly but softly full \softline
on the lips, then let her go and fled out the door.  Kathy heard him talking with Julie \softline
down\-stairs and then heard the front door open and close again.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A few minutes later Julie came into the room and told her she wouldn\'92t be working \softline
the rest of the day.  \'93It\'92s all paid for,\'94 she said, handing Kathy a package.  \'93Sam asked \softline
me to give you this.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was a book still in its bookstore wrapping.  Because she had no storage space, she \softline
was able to keep only one or two books around her room.  The others Sam took away \softline
when he gave her a new title.  She unwrapped it and found that it was a copy of the \softline
Bible.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Lying on her bed she started to read.  Awhile later, she fell asleep.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 }\page 
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{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 5}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was awakened by the sound of her door opening suddenly as Julie rushed into \softline
the room.  \'93Honey, I just received terrible news!  I got a call from a man at the hospital.  \softline
Sam Jenkins has been admitted in critical condition.  They don\'92t expect him to live, and \softline
he\'92s asking for you.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy leaped out of bed.  \'93But that\'92s impossible!  He was here just a couple of hours \softline
ago!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, Sam knew he was in trouble.  He told me a little about it before he left.  He \softline
paid me to keep you off duty.  Do you want to go see him?  You don\'92t have to, you know.  \softline
He\'92s just another john.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy frowned.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Sam, another john?  Not in a million years!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 She suddenly realized \softline
she had meant what she said a few hours ago.  She }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 did}{\plain \fs24 \f2  love him and had to go to him.  \softline
She headed for the door.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Not so fast, Hon.  You can\'92t go out on the street like that!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Only then did Kathy realize that she was headed out the door stark naked.  \'93But I \softline
don\'92t have anything to wear!  Sam asked me about clothes earlier today.  I really don\'92t \softline
have any.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll see what I can find.  I\'92m sure we can get you some\-thing.\'94  Julie moved quickly.  \softline
She was a very large woman, about five feet ten inches tall, weighing almost two \softline
hundred pounds.  A few minutes later she came back with a dress over her arm.  \'93It\'92s not \softline
much, but I think it will do.  You have a pair of shoes, and we found a raincoat that you \softline
can wear.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy quickly put on the dress.  It was long enough, but was made for a woman at \softline
least twenty pounds heavier than she was.  On her it hung like a tent.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Julie looked her over.  \'93I think we can make do with a belt and some safety pins.  \softline
Let\'92s try.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A few minutes later, Kathy left the house and got into a taxi waiting at the curb.  \softline
Arriving at the hos\-pital she asked at the reception desk for Sam Jenkins and received \softline
a very strange look from the woman behind the desk.  After finding a note on her desk \softline
she asked, \'93Are you Kathe\-rine Smith?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, I am.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mr. Jenkins is in a private room on the fifth floor.  His doctor left word that you are \softline
to go to him as soon as you arrive.  The nurse on duty will show you to his room.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A few minutes later Kathy was shown into Sam\'92s room.  It was dark with only the \softline
night light burning along with a little light that spilled in from the hall.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Quietly, she made her way to the bed and found Sam lying on his back peering in her \softline
direction.  \'93Kathy, is that you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s me, Sam.\'94  she whispered.  \'93What\'92s happened?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I\'92m sorry to bother you like this, Kathy.  I guess you knew something wasn\'92t right \softline
when I saw you this afternoon.  I\'92m sorry.  I didn\'92t mean to go all gushy on you the way \softline
I did.  The doctor told me I\'92m very sick, and won\'92t be around much longer, but I didn\'92t \softline
realize it would be this fast.\'94  He looked at her with love in his eyes.  \'93Kathy, would you \softline
do me a tremendous favor?\'94 he asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course, Sam.  Anything.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Would you get in bed with me and just hold me?  The staff won\'92t know.  I\'92m \softline
supposed to be left alone if you came.  The doctor left word that you would keep an eye \softline
on me.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy hung up the shabby coat, slipped off her shoes and the dress and went towards \softline
the bed.  Since she was wearing no underwear, she was again completely nude.  Parting \softline
the covers she slipped into the bed beside him.  His body felt cold.  Sam was wearing only \softline
the stan\-dard short hospital gown that opened in the back.  She nestled up to him and \softline
pulled him close to her body to warm him.  His arms closed around her, and he kissed \softline
her lips and her hair.  Reaching down she found his genitals and gently caressed them \softline
with her fingers.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sam sighed and murmured, \'93Kathy, you\'92re wonderful.  Can you just hold me where \softline
you\'92re holding me now?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There was no sexual reaction from him, but his body seemed to warm from the close \softline
contact with hers.  After she kissed him softly on the lips his eyes closed, and he slept.  \softline
Awhile later, she was awakened by Sam\'92s hand gripping hers tightly.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He gasp\-ed, \'93Kathy, I love you!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab His grip loosened, and she felt his body go limp.  When he did, she pushed the \softline
emergency call button and leaped out of bed.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she quickly slipped into the old black dress, she heard staff rushing down the \softline
hallway towards them.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A doctor came in and quickly examined the old man.  \'93I\'92m afraid he\'92s gone,\'94 he said, \softline
raising the sheet over Sam\'92s head.  Turning to Kathy he said, \'93I\'92m terribly sorry, Miss \softline
Smith.  He was a wonderful gentleman.  I don\'92t know where we would be today if it \softline
hadn\'92t been for all his support.  I understand that you are his only living relative, so I \softline
imagine you will be making the neces\-sary arrange\-ments.  Please accept our deepest \softline
sympathy in your loss.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was stunned.  She now realized why it had been so easy to see Sam after hours \softline
in his private room and why she had been allowed to stay.  They thought she was his \softline
only relative!\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then another nurse came into the room.  \'93Miss Smith, follow\-ing Mr. Jenkins\'92 \softline
instructions, we\'92ve contacted Attorney Ferguson at his home.  We told him that you \softline
were here during Mr. Jenkins last hours.  He asked if you could please wait for him here \softline
at the hospital.  He is on his way.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy didn\'92t know what to do.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then a man entered the room and introduced himself as the senior duty hospital \softline
administrator.  \'93Would you care to wait for Mr. Ferguson in the Admin\-istrator\'92s office?  \softline
You look very pale, Miss Smith.  Could I send down to the cafeteria for some food for you \softline
while you\'92re waiting?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you so much.  That would be very nice,\'94 she replied.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They went down in the elevator to the Administrator\'92s off\-ice and a few minutes later \softline
an orderly appeared carrying a tray that he put on the desk.  Kathy suddenly realized \softline
she was starving.  She hadn\'92t eaten all day.  It was all she could do to keep from \softline
appearing ravenous to the duty administrator who con\-tinued talking about the way the \softline
hospital had just lost its greatest benefactor.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was bewil\-dered:  They couldn\'92t be talking about the Sam she knew.  He just \softline
existed on his pension and Kathy had always felt guilty.  She thought he was spending \softline
more money with Julie for her time than he was spending on himself}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 .  What is going on? \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 she wondered.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Minutes later, there was a knock on the door.  A well-dressed man came into the \softline
office and approached Kathy with his arms outstretched.  When she rose from her chair, \softline
he folded her into them.  \'93Kathy, it\'92s so good to see you again.  My deepest sympathies \softline
on your uncle\'92s passing.  I\'92m so glad you were able to be here during his last moments.  \softline
How are you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My uncle? }{\plain \fs24 \f2 thought Kathy.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I don\'92t have an uncle.  In fact I don\'92t think I have any \softline
relatives at all.  Who }{\plain \fs24 \b\i\f2 is}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2  this man?}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I think the staff has everything under control as far as your late uncle is \softline
concerned.  Since you just got into town and have no place to stay, why don\'92t you come \softline
out to my house for the rest of the night.  I know my wife, Belle, will be delight\-ed to see \softline
you again, and she asked me specifically to extend the invitation.  Will you come?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy allowed herself to be led away.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At the main entrance a big limousine was parked with its motor idling.  When the \softline
driver saw them approach, he jumped out of the car and rushed around to open the door \softline
for them.  She got in followed by Attorney Ferguson.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As the limousine slowly moved away, Ferguson turned to face her.  \'93Do you drink?  \softline
No?  Well, I think you need one anyway.\'94  He opened a compartment behind the front \softline
seat and pour\-ed a drink for Kathy and one for himself.  \'93It\'92s fine cognac.  I think we both \softline
need it.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took a sip.  She had never had cognac before.  In fact, she could count the \softline
number of drinks of liquor she had ever had on the fingers of one hand.  Julie felt that \softline
drinking was very bad for Kathy\'92s image.  Some of the other girls drank heavily, and at \softline
least a few were alcoholics.  Nevertheless, she found that the cognac warmed her insides.\par
}\sect \sectd \sbknone\pgndec\headery1440\footery1440\endnhere\endnhere 
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{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab The lawyer continued, \'93I\'92m sorry about the charade in there.  Sam said you could \softline
do it, and you pulled it off magnificently in spite of wearing a dress that looks like a \softline
Salvation Army reject.  Sam loved you deeply.  He said you would pass for a queen \softline
wearing rags.  You know what?  You just did!  By the way, my name is Bob Fer\-guson, \softline
Kathy.  As you\'92ve undoub\-tedly gathered, I\'92m Sam Jenkins\'92 attorney.  As far as we can \softline
find out, you are not related to Sam in any way.  For that matter, neither is anyone else, \softline
so you are his sole beneficiary.  But we\'92ll discuss all that after the funer\-al.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The car rolled up a winding driveway to a majestic home.  The door opened and a \softline
matron\-ly woman rushed out.  Folding Kathy into her arms she said, \'93Welcome, Kathy.  \softline
I\'92ve heard so much about you from Sam.  I\'92m Belle Ferguson, Bob\'92s wife.  Bob, have \softline
Saunders bring Kathy\'92s baggage up to the guest bedroom while we get acquainted for \softline
a few minutes.  Good Heavens!  It\'92s nearly six o\'92clock.  Kathy, would you like some \softline
breakfast while we talk.\'94  Turning back to her husband she said, \'93Bob, the poor dear \softline
hasn\'92t even been to bed yet!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bob Ferguson looked at Kathy and then looked at his wife in amused exasperation.  \softline
\'93Honey, Kathy has no luggage.  What she has, she\'92s wearing, and it isn\'92t much.  Kathy, \softline
our daughter, Sandy, is about your size.  Although most of her clothes are with her at \softline
school, I think there may still be a few things around.  Belle, would you mind taking a \softline
look?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy followed Bob up the stairway into a beautiful bedroom with its own private \softline
bath.  A few moments later, Belle entered the room.  \'93All I could find were some tennis \softline
outfits.  Would you mind, Kathy?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course not,\'94 said Kathy, hugging the old raincoat around her, \'93I\'92m sure \softline
whatever you found will be just fine.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took the garments from the woman and the couple left the room closing the \softline
door after them.  Since Belle had suggested that Kathy might want to freshen up a bit \softline
first, she went into the bathroom and found the Fergusons were equipped for unexpected \softline
guests.  In the medicine cabinet Kathy found a new toothbrush, toothpaste and all of the \softline
other cleansing essentials.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Stripping off the coat and dress she flung them back into the bedroom.  After \softline
brushing her teeth she luxuriated in the shower.  She hadn\'92t felt so good in years in spite \softline
of her lack of sleep.  Returning to the bedroom she hung the coat and dress in the closet \softline
and picked up the tennis outfit.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Uh, oh}{\plain \fs24 \f2 , she thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I have no underwear.  But I guess \softline
it\'92s better than walking around the house naked.  This isn\'92t that kind of house.}{\plain \fs24 \f2   She \softline
slipped on a pair of shorts and put on the tennis top.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Looking at herself in the mirror \'97 a good one, for a change \'97 she examined herself \softline
critically.  The shorts looked great with her long legs.  The top fit all right but her \softline
nipples protruded.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Oh, well, they feature underwear that isn\'92t supposed to show lines.  \softline
Mine is just extra good.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She found the Fergusons in the breakfast room.  In spite of the early hour, the cook \softline
was about to serve.  Belle com\-mented on how beautiful Kathy looked, making no \softline
comment about her underwear or lack of it.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Following breakfast, Bob asked her to join him in his study.  \'93Please sit down, \softline
Kathy.  There are some things I have to talk to you about.  First, you are now a very rich \softline
young woman.  Sam had a great deal of money.  Over the last few years I think he saw \softline
the end was near, so he liquefied his estate.  Now it\'92s composed almost entirely of cash \softline
and marketable securities.  I don\'92t expect any problems with its valuation or the probate \softline
of it.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ferguson smiled warmly and continued, \'93Kathy, Sam asked me to look after you.  \softline
I hope you will allow me to.  Incidentally, I am more than amply taken care of.  Sam also \softline
made some specific bequests.  For example, the hospital where we were tonight will \softline
receive a very pleasant surprise.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I know a bit about your background, but I\'92m the only one who does.  Belle thinks \softline
you are Sam\'92s niece and she knows you are his only heir.  It might be a good idea if you \softline
let her take you clothes shopping later today.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Incidentally, I have one very confidential telephone call to make to a woman named \softline
Julie, who I believe you know.  I\'92ll be making the call very soon.  I would like to drive you \softline
over there to clean out your room, if its all right with you.  And I think it would be much \softline
better to go in my car rather than having Saunders drive us, don\'92t you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy\'92s head was spinning.  She didn\'92t know what to say and wasn\'92t in any \softline
condition to say anything.  She just nodded at his comments.  \'93I think I need some \softline
sleep,\'94 Kathy said finally.  She went up the stairs and into her room.  Stripping off her \softline
clothes, she crawled into bed and was almost immediately asleep.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She was awakened in the late afternoon by a knock on her door.  \'93It\'92s me,\'94 Bob \softline
Ferguson said.  \'93Do you feel like taking a ride?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Give me five minutes, please, Mr. Ferguson, and I\'92ll be right with you.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy raced into the bathroom, took a quick shower and put on the tennis outfit \softline
again.  Taking the old coat out of the closet, she carried it over her arm.  Ferguson was \softline
in the hall\-way waiting for her as she descended the stairs.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Good thinking.  Tennis shorts would be a little out of place where we\'92re going.\'94  \softline
They went out and got into Ferguson\'92s car, an inconspicuous Chevrolet Cavalier.  \'93I \softline
thought that this car would be a bit less obtru\-sive,\'94 he said.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They arrived at Julie\'92s.  Kathy had noted that Ferguson needed no directions to get \softline
there.  It was just as well because she left the house so seldom she wasn\'92t sure she could \softline
have found it her\-self.  He waited in the car while Kathy went into the house.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The first person she saw was Julie who gathered her into her arms.  \'93I heard about \softline
Sam, Hon.  I\'92m very sorry.  Mr. Fergu\-son tells me we\'92re losing you, and I feel badly.  \softline
Badly for me, not for you.  You\'92re much too good for this business.  Kathy, I truly love 
you.  I don\'92t know how you do it.  It\'92s a dirty business, but somehow you always stayed \softline
clean.  We\'92ll miss you.  Now, is there anything you want to take with you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I would like to check my room, please, Julie.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went upstairs and entered the room in which she had spent so much time.  She \softline
took the little bottle of Chanel and the new Bible that Sam had given her the day he died.  \softline
There was nothing else worth taking.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she went back downstairs, Julie was waiting with a fat brown envelope.  \'93This \softline
money is for you, Kathy.  You may not want it or need it, but you certainly earned it.  I\'92ll \softline
miss you.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A couple of the other girls came in and said goodbye.  Then Kathy opened the door \softline
and went back to the car.  With the closing of the car door, Kathy closed a chapter in her \softline
life.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 }\page 
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{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 6}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A short time after Sam\'92s funeral, Kathy met with Ferguson in his law office \softline
downtown.  The girl his secretary showed into his office appeared to be typical of the \softline
upscale clientele he culti\-vated.  She was exquisitely groomed and dress\-ed, obviously a \softline
youn\-ger member of the Junior League of Norfolk, she thought.  The secretary couldn\'92t \softline
tell she was wearing almost nothing under her tailor\-ed suit.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ferguson greeted her warmly.  \'93Kathy, we\'92re here this morning for the reading of \softline
Sam\'92s will.  We have already taken care of the mechanics.  The will has been filed in \softline
probate with all of the usual witness affidavits, so we\'92re ready to go.  Would you please \softline
be seated?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sat down.  Although she appeared composed, she was scared and nervous as \softline
a cat.  The Fergusons had been very nice to her, but she wanted to be by herself.  She \softline
was amused at the thought, really.  She had \'93lived alone\'94 in the whore house, but at the \softline
Ferguson\'92s she felt like she was on stage.  She couldn\'92t really relax.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ferguson put on a pair of reading glasses and unfolded a will, recognizable by its \softline
characteristic blue wrapper.  Kathy noticed that it was quite thin.  He looked at the \softline
document and then looked over his glasses at Kathy.  \'93Kathy, there\'92s no sense in my \softline
wasting your time.  There are only three important elements to the will.  First, you are \softline
the primary beneficiary.  Except for some specific bequests that I mentioned, it all goes \softline
to you.  Second, there is some identification material to be sure that the money goes to \softline
the right person.  As trustee of the estate and as an officer of the court I have satisfied \softline
that requirement.  Finally, Sam wanted you to know that he loved you very deeply.  If \softline
you were his own flesh and blood he could not have loved you more.  Finally, there are \softline
a couple of special contin\-gent provisions which are not operative at this time, but the net \softline
of all this is, Kathy, that you now have $55 million.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sat in the chair, stunned.  She already felt wealthy with the more than \softline
$20,000 she had received from Julie.  She had used some of her money to buy clothes and \softline
was now looking for an apartment.  But }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 millions}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \'97 fifty-five }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 million! }{\plain \fs24 \f2  Her brain tripped \softline
out like a circuit breaker that had been overloaded.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, the fact is that you can expect a spendable income, after taxes of four to five \softline
million dollars a year.  That\'92s in the neighborhood of $400,000 a month.  I think you are \softline
set for life financially.  Now what are you going to do?  Sam gave me a letter to pass on \softline
to you.  In it he urges you to get a formal education.  Are you interested?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course I\'92m interested, but I\'92m too old.  I don\'92t have any of the things you need \softline
to go to school.  I don\'92t have a school record, and I don\'92t know who my parents are.  I \softline
don\'92t even know where I was born.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy started to cry.  Deep down, even as her tears flowed, she was struck by the \softline
irony of her position.  She had just learned that she was wealthy \'97 so wealthy she could \softline
never s\-pend the money she already had in her lifetime \'97 but she was crying about the \softline
lack of a birth certificate.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ferguson, who like so many men became totally helpless in the presence of a woman \softline
in tears, did nothing.  As Kathy started to fumble in her new purse, he handed her a \softline
tissue.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Even though she\'92s crying, she\'92s beautiful!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 He studied her \softline
face and realized there was no makeup to run.  The women he knew spent hours to \softline
achieve the appearance of no makeup but when on the face it would still run under tears.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy composed herself, and gave him a small smile.  \'93I\'92m sorry.  I realize how \softline
ridiculous I must look.  You must think I\'92ve lost my mind.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Don\'92t worry, Kathy.  Perhaps money can\'92t buy happiness, but there isn\'92t very much \softline
else it can\'92t buy.  I have your birth cer\-tificate here.  At least, a birth certificate that will \softline
serve.  It says here that you were born in a small town in western Vir\-ginia eighteen years \softline
ago.  Unfortunately, the court house records were lost in a fire about ten years ago.  You \softline
will find the re\-cord of birth of Katherine Smith in the reconstructed files to\-day.  She is \softline
you.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He grinned and continued, \'93As for the school record, it is all set to go pending your \softline
approval.  You see, Sam was person\-ally taking care of your education.  Arrangements \softline
have been made for the proper representations to be made by an accredited tutor who \softline
will vouch for your prior education.  You will be admitted as a junior at Hillsdale \softline
Academy in New Hampshire.  It\'92s a coed boarding school with an excellent reputation.  \softline
Believe it or not, I have a special admissions test in the office ready to administ\-er to you.  \softline
Are you interested?  Would you like to try it?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab By this time, Kathy had fully regained control.  She was very impressed by \softline
Ferguson\'92s competence and was awed by the amount of thought that Sam had devoted \softline
to her future.  \'93Sure,\'94 she replied with a grin.  \'93They can only say no.  Let\'92s do it.  Can \softline
I take the test now?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bob Ferguson picked up his phone and buzzed his secretary.  \'93Mrs. Wilson, could \softline
you come into my office, please.\'94  Moments later his secretary appeared and Ferguson \softline
gave her a folder con\-tain\-ing the test materials.  \'93According to the instructions, you have \softline
two hours for the test.  Mrs. Wilson, could you supervise Kathy\'92s test without ruining \softline
any lunch plans?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane Wilson said that would be no problem, and asked Kathy to follow her to the \softline
office law library.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab For a moment, Kathy started to get nervous.  She hadn\'92t thought about a test, let \softline
alone prepared to take one.  Then she realized that any prepara\-tion would be futile; she \softline
either knew it or she didn\'92t.  \'93Let\'92s go.  I\'92m ready.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Less than two hours later she turned in the last of the test sections.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 It had gone \softline
quickly,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 And was very easy}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  Mrs. Wilson took the test back to her desk, and \softline
Kathy went back into Ferguson\'92s office.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Let\'92s wait a few minutes, Kathy.  There\'92s a scoring sheet that came with the test.  \softline
The official grading is done at the school, but you can get some idea of how well you\'92ve \softline
done.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Moments later Mrs. Wilson returned with a big smile.  \'93Kathy, you\'92re in!  Mr. \softline
Ferguson, I can\'92t grade the essay questions, but Kathy had no mistakes on the short \softline
answers.  Not even one!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ferguson looked at Kathy.  \'93Kathy, that seems to take care of Hillsdale admissions.  \softline
Now the question is, do you want to go up there?  We never even talked about it before.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mr. Ferguson, obviously I\'92ve never been there.  I\'92ll take your word that it\'92s a good \softline
school.  Did Sam know about Hills\-dale?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, he did, Kathy.  He thought it would be a good school for you, but as in \softline
everything else, he absolutely insisted that the final decision be yours.  What about it?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mr. Ferguson, I think you\'92re looking at the newest member of next year\'92s Junior \softline
class at Hillsdale Academy!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 }\page 
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{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 7}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy Smith was settling into her apartment close to the Yale University campus \softline
in New Haven.  She smiled to herself as she thought back over the last three years.  She \softline
had liked it at Hillsdale which was located in a small town in rural New Hampshire.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She had taken the opportunity to learn to ski.  Kathy couldn\'92t quite understand why \softline
sports came so easily to her, but really, it was so simple.  You put on the skis and let \softline
gravity take you down the hill.  Yet she knew it couldn\'92t be quite that simple for most \softline
people, or the spills wouldn\'92t be so frequent.  She had made the Hillsdale ski team skiing \softline
the slalom in her senior year.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The academic work had been fun.  Although she had been a little scared at first, she \softline
had had no problems.  Undoubtedly her confidence had been helped by the fact that the \softline
headmas\-ter con\-gratulated her on having the highest admissions test scores in the \softline
history of the school.  As a result of the advanced placement courses she could take, \softline
coupled with her combined SAT scores of sixteen hundred, she was admitted to Yale with \softline
advanced stand\-ing.  Al\-though she was still a little older than her average class\-mate she \softline
was catching up fast.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was glad to be back in an apartment of her own after a year in the dormitory.  \softline
It wasn\'92t that she minded the other girls so much, but the communal living was a drag.  \softline
She smiled to her\-self thinking how similar were the living styles of her dorm mates and \softline
her fellow prostitutes at Julie\'92s.  The only apparent difference was the social position of \softline
the families the two groups of girls came from.  The more she dwelled on the idea, the \softline
funnier it seemed.  Comparing the pampered darlings to prostitutes was a joke.  But like \softline
all good jokes it contained more than an element of truth.  One difference was the cost \softline
of the cloth\-ing thrown into corners of the rooms.  The clothes cost more, but they were \softline
treated the same and stank the same.  The odors around the dorm and the house were \softline
about the same, too, except her dorm mates\'92 perfumes were more expen\-sive.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She finished putting her clothes away and again she smiled to herself.  It had been \softline
so much simpler at Julie\'92s when she never wore any.  There was nothing to buy or store \softline
or clean.  Now she had to be careful that they didn\'92t overflow her room.  She looked \softline
around and liked what she saw.  Perhaps it was the years spent wearing no clothes and \softline
having no possessions, but Kathy hated a clut\-tered room.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab If anything, her apartment was somewhat under furnished and the decor was quiet \softline
and under\-stated.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Old habits die hard,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, as she moved around nude.  It made \softline
her feel freer, and was something she had missed in the dorm.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sat on the edge of her bed and picked up a pair of tweezers.  Swinging around \softline
toward the light, she studied her mound of Venus for any sign of hair growing on its \softline
smooth surface.  There had been a reason for keeping it bare when she was at Julie\'92s.  \softline
Now there was none.  But it was fun keeping the secret from the other girls at Hillsdale, \softline
and now here at Yale.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab She really didn\'92t know why she kept her pubic area hairless.  Perhaps it was a form \softline
of egotism, constant\-ly reminding her of where she had come from.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 At any rate,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she \softline
thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I don\'92t have to worry about a bikini \'97 any size bikini; there\'92s nothing to show \softline
except my slit}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  Kathy went into the bathroom and took a cold shower.  After getting \softline
dressed, she put on a jacket and walked over to the campus.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Walking across the Old Campus she met Jennifer Crown, one of her dormmates from \softline
the previous year.  \'93Hi, Kathy!  Good to see you.  When did you get back?  Where are you \softline
living now?  I didn\'92t see you at the College.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy and Jennifer were both assigned to Calhoun College, but Kathy had her own \softline
apartment.  It was a fact she wasn\'92t anxious to advertise to Jennifer.  Telling Jennifer \softline
was as good as taking out a full-page ad in }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The Yale Daily News}{\plain \fs24 \f2  and Kathy wanted to \softline
maintain her privacy as much as possible.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What are you doing this weekend?  Do you know Bill Johnson?  Bill, this is Kathy \softline
Smith, my roommate last year.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Johnson shook hands and stripped Kathy naked with his eyes.  Obviously, he liked \softline
what he saw, but Kathy didn\'92t like him.  \'93Kathy, I\'92m delighted to meet you.  We\'92re \softline
having a party at my fraternity house on Saturday.  Jennifer has already agreed to come, \softline
and I hope you\'92ll come, too.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thanks for the invitation, Bill.  I\'92m not sure of my plans yet, but could we leave the \softline
invitation open?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course!  I\'92m at the Alpha house on York Street.  You know where it is, don\'92t you?  \softline
If you can make it, just tell the guys at the door that you\'92re my guest.  They\'92ll let you \softline
right in.  Sure hope you can make it.  Jennifer, let\'92s go!  We\'92re going to be late.\'94  With \softline
that the couple strolled off across the campus and Kathy watched them go.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy thought about the chance meeting.  Jennifer was friendly enough, but her \softline
behavior worried Kathy.  Jennifer was a redhead who reminded Kathy of poor Shirley \softline
back at Julie\'92s.  Shirley\'92s figure was slimmer, though; Jennifer showed signs of running \softline
to fat.  Kathy smiled to herself as she realized what really re\-minded her of Shirley.  Like \softline
Shirley, Jennifer had a full bush of red pubic hair.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She worried about the girl.  By reputation, she was a careless drinker.  The word was \softline
that she regularly drank far more than was good for her.  She seemed to be the type who \softline
could easily lose control.  Bill Johnson was good looking and knew it.  He was also a \softline
lecher.  Kathy chuckled to herself.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Give him another twenty years or so and he will be \softline
a dirty old man.  If that is so, what does that make him now? }{\plain \fs24 \f2 she wondered.  The \softline
combina\-tion of Bill and Jennifer was poten\-tially explosive: She could easily lose control, \softline
and he would just as quickly take advantage of the situation.  Kathy walked on over to \softline
the Sterling Library.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab On Saturday, Kathy remembered the invitation to the party at the Alpha house.  She \softline
worried about Jennifer.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 It\'92s curious\-,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Jennifer is about my age, but I think \softline
of her as a kid.  I feel like I\'92m her mother.  I just don\'92t think she could handle the 
aftermath of a bad scene}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  With that thought, Kathy resolved to go to the Alpha\'92s party \softline
that night.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab That evening, Kathy showered and carefully dressed.  It was a warm day as it can \softline
still be in New Haven in September.  She put on a skirt and sweater.  For some reason \softline
she couldn\'92t explain \'97 a premon\-ition, perhaps \'97 she put on her most serviceable bra \softline
and briefs.  After eating her dinner and studying for a while, she set out for the Alpha \softline
house, plan\-ning to arrive about midnight.  There was a reason for her arrival time.  \softline
Reflecting on it, she had realized subconsciously if there was going to be any trouble, it \softline
would likely start about then.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she walked up to the door of the fraternity house she could hear the party noises \softline
spilling out through the opened windows.  It sounded like the party had already passed \softline
its peak.  As she walked up to the door she passed a few couples already leaving.  Since \softline
the two members on duty at the door showed more interest in their beer than in her, she \softline
was happy to leave it that way.  From their appearance the beers were not their first of \softline
the evening, more likely their tenth.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She told them that she was Bill Johnson\'92s guest and one of them waved in the \softline
general direc\-tion of the door leading down to the basement where the remains of the \softline
party seemed to be concentrated.  Kathy descended the stairs and watched the action \softline
from a darkened corner.  At the other end of the room there were a bunch of young men \softline
with Jennifer who was standing topless on a strong table holding a glass of beer in her \softline
hand.  Her breasts were large and, because of her youth, still firm.  Her nipples were \softline
large and flaccid.  While a tape deck played }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The Stripper,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she bent at the hips and tried \softline
to rotate her tits.  Kathy didn\'92t think she had the coordination to do it under the best \softline
of circum\-stances and these were not the best.  Jennifer gave up and sat down hard on \softline
the tabletop.  Bill Johnson was standing near the table egging her on.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jennifer had sat down on a table puddled with beer and splashed the liquid under \softline
her.  \'93Oh, the hell with it,\'94 she cried, strip\-ping off her skirt and panties.  Kathy didn\'92t \softline
think that the knee-high stockings she was wearing enhanced her sexiness.  Struggling \softline
back to her feet, she stood on the table with her body swaying.  She stuck out her hips \softline
and, drunkenly proud of her figure, swung her head back and ran her hands up and \softline
down her body.  Finally, she drew a finger up her slit.  Swaying a bit, she sat down on \softline
the edge of the table and spread her legs as wide as she could.  \'93You\'92re all a bunch of \softline
wimps,\'94 Jennifer slurred.  \'93There\'92s not a man in this house.  I\'92m all woman, and I\'92ll take \softline
you all on, one at a time or in bunches!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The inchoate fear that had been bothering Kathy all week jumped into sharp focus.  \softline
This was exactly what she had been fearing even though she hadn\'92t been able to put it \softline
into words.  In her drunken state Jennifer was asking for a gang-bang.  In spite of her \softline
talk, Kathy doubted that she had nearly the experience with men that she was \softline
advertising.  Jennifer could be badly hurt physically and at the very least there would \softline
be serious emotional scars.  Nevertheless, some men, led by Bill Johnson, were starting 
to shed their clothes.  Kathy had no clear idea what to do but if she did not do something \softline
now it would be too late.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Pushing through the group of men Kathy reached Jennifer.  Her chin had lolled \softline
down on her chest and she was only moments away from passing out.  Kathy was sure \softline
that at least a few of the guys weren\'92t above fucking Jennifer even if she were \softline
unconscious.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Grabbing the girl by the hair, she lifted her head up.  The girl\'92s eyes were glassy; she \softline
was about to pass out.  The men, taken by surprise, stood motionless.  Facing the group \softline
Kathy sneered, \'93What do you want to fool around with a drunken slut for?  Aren\'92t you \softline
afraid of getting some\-thing contagious?\'94  She allowed Jennifer\'92s head to drop to the \softline
table.  Although her movements were apparently disdainful, she took care that \softline
Jennifer\'92s head didn\'92t hit the table hard.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The men looked at Kathy and for the first time realized what a gorgeous woman had \softline
entered the room.  If they were willing to fuck Jennifer, they dreamed of a girl like \softline
Kathy.  She took ad\-vantage of their inaction.  \'93Do any of you guys shoot pool?  I see a \softline
pool table here.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The guys looked at one another in amazement.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Is this girl crazy?  What is she \softline
thinking about?\par
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \f2 \'93Jennifer challenged your manhood.  I\'92ll challenge your skill.  I\'92ll take on the house \softline
champion or anyone else in a game of rotation.  Every time a ball is sunk the other \softline
player has to take off an item of cloth\-ing.  When we run out of clothing, we do what the \softline
other player wants.  Is anyone interested?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They all looked at Bill Johnson.  He leered at Kathy and said, \'93I\'92ll take you on.  I\'92m \softline
the house champ.  Since you challenged, I get to break.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Drinks were cleared off the pool table that was standing in the middle of the room.  \softline
The cover was removed and tossed towards the corner while another member brought \softline
over the balls and racked them up.  Kathy went over to the wall to select a cue.  As she \softline
examined the bedraggled collection, she could see Johnson putting together what was \softline
obviously his personal cue stick.  It looked like it cost more than the rest of the cues \softline
combined.  It appeared to be very well-made and to have beautiful balance.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was worried.  She had issued her challenge without any prior thought.  It was \softline
just the first thing that came into her head as a possible way out of a danger\-ous \softline
situation.  She looked at the boys who had all undressed her with their eyes.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Oh, well,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I can physically handle them all if it comes to that.}{\plain \fs24 \f2   Kathy found one cue \softline
that was reasonably straight and still had a tip on it.  It was the only one that appeared \softline
even close to being usable.\par
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{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bill stood at the end of the table crouched over his cue.  He lined up his shot and let \softline
fly.  The cue ball crashed into the point ball at the head of the rack.  The balls flew \softline
around the table, and she heard one drop, fol\-lowed by another.  Calmly she stripped off \softline
her sweater and stepped out of her skirt.  Careful\-ly she hung them over a stool where 
it appeared they wouldn\'92t get soaked.  The boys cheer\-ed.  They stared at her gorgeous \softline
body now clad only in a bra and briefs.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy relaxed as she realized she had an advan\-tage.  She was used to being naked \softline
around men who were dressed, but they weren\'92t used to being close to a nude woman.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bill stared at Kathy and then look\-ed back at the table for his next shot.  He found \softline
the one-ball at the opposite end of the table from the cue ball.  He had a shot.  After \softline
carefully lining it up, he stroked.  Kathy could see his hand trembl\-ing slightly as he did.  \softline
The ball dropped into the corner pocket.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy calmly removed her bra and put it on the stool with the rest of her clothes.  \softline
Now all she was wearing was a pair of loafers and her pan\-ties.  To heighten the impact \softline
of her body on Johnson, she reached out her arms and stret\-ched.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The boys audibly groaned as she just stood waiting with her back straight and her \softline
breasts with their small nipples erect.  Bill Johnson was just watching with his mouth \softline
agape.  His blood pressure had been rising as he watched Kathy\'92s performance.  He \softline
looked back at the pool table in an effort to regain his concentration.  When he had taken \softline
his previous shot, he had been so busy trying to control his shaking hands, he had not \softline
really paid attention to the location of the two-ball.  In rotation, the balls must be hit in \softline
order, starting with the one.  A player gets credit for any ball sunk as long as the cue ball \softline
hits the correct target ball first.  Johnson didn\'92t have a shot.  The two-ball was in a \softline
nearly unreachable posi\-tion.  His only hope was a shot off the cushion and then to the \softline
two-ball.  His shot missed.  His miss caused the one-ball to come back on the table to be \softline
spotted on the mark.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Now it was Kathy\'92s turn, and she had a clear line to the spotted one-ball.  Calmly she \softline
lined up her shot and stroked the cue.  The cue ball struck the one-ball perfectly; it sank \softline
in the corner pocket, while the cue ball caromed off and sank the fifteen-ball in the other \softline
corner.  She looked at Bill who took off his jacket and tie.  The other men booed.  Their \softline
sympathies were already start\-ing to shift towards Kathy.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Johnson just shrugged off their jeers with the comment,  \'93You said two pieces of \softline
clothing.  You didn\'92t say we had to start with the same number of articles on.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy just smiled and looked back at the table.  She had a good shot on the two-ball \softline
at the far corner.  She delicately rolled the cue ball down the table.  It struck the two \softline
which caromed into the nine which dropped while leaving the two-ball sitting at the edge \softline
of the pocket.  Bill took off his shirt.  Kathy sank the two with sufficient spin on the cue \softline
ball to take it back up the table to give her a shot on the three.  She sank the three-ball \softline
in the corner; the cue ball ran back on the opposite side of the table and sank the twelve \softline
in the side pocket.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bill let his pants drop and took off a shoe.  The boys cheered.  \'93Go get him, Kathy.\'94  \softline
They had learned her name from Bill as they set up the table.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy lined up her shot on the four-ball.  With six balls off the table it was getting \softline
easier to set up clear shots.  Calmly she dropped the four-ball into the side pocket with \softline
the cue ball rolling to a stop, set up on the five.  She watch\-ed as Bill took off his other 
shoe.  The five-ball sank; off came a sock.  The six-ball rolled into the corner; off came \softline
the other sock.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Now there were just six balls left on the table.  Johnson was down to his shorts and \softline
was starting to shiver.  It was a combination of the chill in the air, but even more it \softline
reflected his increasing embarrassment.  By this time everyone still in the house had \softline
gathered downstairs with their atten\-tion divided between Kathy\'92s body and the pool \softline
table.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Calmly, she stroked the cue ball.  It struck the seven-ball sharply driving it into a \softline
corner pocket; the cue ball came back setting up on the number eight.  Kathy stood up \softline
from the table and watch\-ed Bill.  He dropped his shorts, and stood up.  Kathy had \softline
thought that he was well built when he took off his pants.  With noth\-ing on it was \softline
obvious that he was.  Surrounded by now-jeering fraternity brothers, he didn\'92t know \softline
what to do.  He was blushing crimson in embarrass\-ment.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy turned back to the table and sank the eight; the cue ball caromed off it and \softline
sank the fourteen as well.  \'93I\'92m sorry guys, but it looks like the game\'92s over.  Bill, my \softline
first wish is for you to pick up Jennifer, get her dressed and get her back home... without \softline
doing anything else to her.  My second wish is to get dressed again and go home myself.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s not fair, Kathy!  Those weren\'92t two wishes; those were five,\'94 Johnson \softline
protested.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy glared at him and picked up her cue stick again.  In a matter of moments the \softline
last three balls were off the table, leav\-ing only Kathy\'92s cue stick where she had placed \softline
it down beside the cue ball that was still slowly spinning.  \'93Okay.  Now I have five \softline
wishes.  Go to it, Buster!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Calmly, Kathy walked over to where she had left her clothes; the boys moved back \softline
to give her room.  She picked up her bra and secured it, then stepped into her skirt and \softline
slipped on her sweat\-er.  \'93Is there a mirror around somewhere?  I need to fix my hair.  \softline
And by the way, can a girl get a beer in this place?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The men cheered.  One rushed up with a bottle of beer and a clean glass he had \softline
found somewhere.  In spite of being nearly naked in front of them she now had their \softline
respect.  Someone wiped off a stool carefully with a towel to be sure it was dry and \softline
offered her a seat which she accepted gratefully.  She was delighted at the way things \softline
had finally worked out.  When she had arrived the situation was turn\-ing ugly.  Now, a \softline
more-normal collegiate good humor was res\-tored.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked towards the end of the room where Bill and a friend were struggling \softline
to get Jennifer dressed.  Getting off her stool she went and joined them.  Jennifer could\-
n\'92t stand up.  The two boys were ignoring her nakedness but were not making any \softline
progress in dressing her.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Again, Kathy grabbed Jennifer by her hair and raised her head.  \'93Wake up, Jennifer.  \softline
It\'92s time to go home.\'94  Her head felt like it was unattached to her body.  Kathy could tell \softline
that if she released her hold on the girl\'92s hair her head would just drop.  Firmly, she \softline
slapped her face, once, twice, three times.  Jennifer\'92s eyes blinked.  Kathy slapped her \softline
twice more.  Her eyes opened as she started to come to.  \'93Come on Jennifer.  It\'92s time 
to get dressed and go home.\'94  By this time the girl had revived enough to be able to stand \softline
with support from the two men.  Kathy got her panties on and got her skirt up to her \softline
waist.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 At least she\'92s back to the topless condition I found her in,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Where is her bra and top?\'94 Kathy asked.  Someone produced the girl\'92s bra.  It was \softline
the lacy sort of thing that provided no support but was the kind she thought Jennifer \softline
would be wearing tonight.  She fastened the clasp and then got the girl\'92s blouse back on.  \softline
For\-tunately, it buttoned.  Kathy didn\'92t have to try to get it on over her head.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93She\'92s all yours, guys.  Be sure she gets home safely.  Does anyone know where her \softline
shoes are?\'94  She was only wearing short stockings.  The shoes were found and two boys \softline
led Jennifer up the stairs.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy returned to her beer.  \'93Thanks for keeping it for me.  Can I buy a second?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Two hours later Kathy left the Alpha House.  Two of the brothers insisted on \softline
walking her home pointing out that downtown New Haven wasn\'92t the safest place in the \softline
world at three in the morning.  The night at the fraternity house had ended with \softline
drinking songs and football fight songs.  The finale was Cole Porter\'92s }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Boola Boola}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .\par
}\page 
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\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 8}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Thinking it had been a good year, Kathy stretched on her bed like a cat.  It was \softline
Thursday and it was spring.  Pulling aside the covers, she hopped out of bed and went \softline
to the bathroom where she spent a few minutes study\-ing her body in the mirror.  She \softline
felt her flat belly.  Was there fat creeping in?  She turned slowly, looking at her reflec\-tion \softline
critically from every angle.  Was she starting to age?  She knew that women reached \softline
their physical peak in their late teens.  Was she over the hill?  As she reflected critically, \softline
she decided that she had a few good years left.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was just as well because she had a lot to do.  After talking with her advisor, she \softline
was now confirmed in her de\-sire to go to law school.  Although she thought about calling \softline
Bob Fer\-guson to ask for his help, she decided not to.  Bob had not been the same since \softline
his wife, Belle, and daughter, Sandy, had been killed in that tragic plane crash.  She was \softline
sure that Bob would help her, though, since she wanted to go to University of Virginia \softline
Law School which was his school.  In addition to his alumni connections Bob was very \softline
well connected around the state.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After dressing she went out to get the mail even though she didn\'92t get very much.  \softline
Most of her bills were paid directly from Norfolk.  Mrs. Wilson, Bob\'92s secretary, took care \softline
of them.  Most of her personal mail came to her Yale Station post office box because she \softline
didn\'92t nor\-mally give out her home address to fellow students.  Even her tele\-phone was \softline
listed with Yale as the address.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She walked over to the Yale Station post office, opened her box, and took out a single \softline
letter.  The paper was Crane\'92s and there was no return address.  As she walked out onto \softline
the Old Campus still looking at it, Kathy laughed at herself.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 There is one easy way of \softline
solving the mystery.  Open it!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 She finally did.  It was written in calligra\-phy.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Someone \softline
is a beautiful penman or paid someone else who is.}{\plain \fs24 \f2   It was formally addressed to Miss \softline
Kather\-ine J. Smith.  While still in prep school she had adopted Jenkins as her middle \softline
name.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She skimmed the let\-ter and then started over and read it again slowly.  The presi\-
dent, officers and members of the Alpha Frater\-nity earnestly requested that she accept \softline
the nomination as queen of their fraternity, and to represent them in the campus-wide \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Queen of Yale College}{\plain \fs24 \f2  con\-test.  She thought for a moment and grinned.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 It will drive the \softline
lesbians at Yale absolutely crazy.  And it couldn\'92t happen to a nicer bunch of guys}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Instead of writing, she decided to walk over to the house and accept the invitation \softline
personally.  At the same time she could find out what was expected of a fraternity queen.  \softline
It was almost five o\'92clock when she reached the Alpha house.  After ringing the bell she \softline
walked into the entrance hall.  Knowing the usual disarray around the house, she \softline
stopped and yelled, \'93Anybody home?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Moments later, male bodies started to appear from every direc\-tion.  \'93Hey, guys, it\'92s \softline
Kathy,\'94 someone yelled.  In no time there was a crowd in the hall.  For some reason, she 
felt like Snow White with the seven dwarfs.  \'93Did you get our invita\-tion?\'94 asked one.  \softline
\'93Will you do it for us, Kathy?\'94 asked another.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The president of the house, a senior named John Robinson, came up to her.  John \softline
was one of the two members who had walked her home after the September party.  She \softline
was shocked as he took her in his arms and gave her a big kiss.  When she started to \softline
blush under her tan, John\'92s face fell and he suddenly looked like a little boy who had \softline
done something wrong.  \'93I\'92m sorry, Kathy.  I was just so glad to see you!  I didn\'92t mean \softline
to insult you.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Don\'92t be silly, John.  You just took me by surprise.  I came over after receiving your \softline
wonderful invitation to find out what it\'92s all about.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s great, Kathy.  Say, could you stay for dinner?  Tonight the members have \softline
to wear jackets and ties, so they\'92re less likely to act like the slobs they really are.  Will \softline
you join us, please?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There was a loud chorus of pleas from the group around her.  \'93Sure, I would love to,\'94 \softline
she replied.  \'93When do we eat?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, dinner will be served at six-fifteen.  As you can see, most of these guys have \softline
a lot of cleaning up to do before they come down to dinner.\'94  John verbally underscored \softline
his last words to make sure his fraternity brothers got the message.  \'93Would you like to \softline
join those few of us who are dressed for a drink before dinner?\'94  John led the way \softline
downstairs to the bar.  When Kathy stopped at the foot of the stairway and inspected the \softline
scene, John reddened.  \'93I\'92m sorry, Kathy.  I shouldn\'92t have brought you down here... not \softline
after that night.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy brightened and grinned at him, \'93Maybe I earned the invi\-tation to be your \softline
queen that night.  Most of your members know what I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 really}{\plain \fs24 \f2  look like.  Don\'92t worry \softline
about it.  You saw only a few square inches more of me than you would at the beach.  I \softline
really don\'92t mind.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John smiled and seated her on a stool while he went behind the bar.  There were \softline
only two other members with them.  John looked at them quickly, then at Kathy.  He \softline
swallowed hard and said, \'93Kathy, thank you for what you did.  From the bottom of my \softline
heart, thank you.  The next day, when the guys sobered up, we real\-ized what might have \softline
hap\-pened.  We could all be headed for prison right now, convicted of rape.  The other girl \softline
\'97 Jennifer, wasn\'92t it?  \'97 was in no condi\-tion to consent to anything.  I guess she\'92s \softline
probably legal age, but it still would have been rape.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, something has been bothering us for months.  You did the bravest thing \softline
we\'92ve ever seen.  It may have been too late, but the next day we realized that you did it \softline
deliberately.  We were con\-vinced that had it worked out differently you would have been \softline
lying on that pool table with your legs spread wide.  You }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 were}{\plain \fs24 \f2  going through with it, \softline
weren\'92t you.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy blushed.  \'93I didn\'92t really think that far ahead,\'94 she lied.  \'93But I just couldn\'92t \softline
allow Jennifer to wreck her life and a lot of other lives as well.  Anyway, it all worked out 
and I didn\'92t even catch a cold!  By the way, are you reneging?  I only let you lure me \softline
down here with the promise of a drink.  Where is it?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John smiled at her.  \'93Anything in the house is yours, mademoi\-selle.  The finest \softline
cham\-pagne, the best imported liquors, the...  Anyway, the beer\'92s cold.  And Kathy, we \softline
want you to know that we know we can never thank you enough.  I hope you understand \softline
that we really do love you.  You are the sweetheart of the Alpha house.  Now how about \softline
a beer?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was looking down at the bar counter after hearing the heartfelt statement.  \softline
When she looked up, there were tears roll\-ing down her cheeks.  \'93Thank you.\'94  She \softline
grinned through her tears and added, \'93But what\'92s a girl gotta do to get a drink around \softline
here?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The beer and a clean handkerchief were both quickly produc\-ed.  The members found \softline
all sorts of fascinating things around the room to absorb their attention as Kathy dried \softline
her eyes.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At dinner she was seated on John\'92s right as the guest of honor.  She looked up in \softline
surprise to see Bill Johnson sitting across from her.  \'93Kathy, I don\'92t want to embarrass \softline
you but I\'92m sitting here because I\'92m vice-president of the house... and because I want \softline
to.  Kathy, you saved my life that night.  It cost me a little embarrassment \'97 and I\'92m \softline
afraid it cost you a great deal \'97 but it saved me twenty years in the Connecticut State \softline
Peni\-ten\-tiary.  Thank you, Kathy.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She looked at him and saw tears forming at the corners of his eyes.  Impulsively, she \softline
reached across the table and took his hand.  \'93Bill, I had an unfair advantage.  My body \softline
is reasonably attractive.  When I had almost all of my clothes off, it wrecked your \softline
concentra\-tion.  With our clothes on, Bill, you would beat me ten times out of ten.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She turned towards John and said, \'93Before this evening gets completely out of hand, \softline
could you tell me what this queen busi\-ness is all about.  What is the queen supposed to \softline
do?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bill and John both visibly relaxed.  John said, \'93It\'92s brand new, Kathy.  Bill and I will \softline
try to fill you in.  There is a competition in three parts: brains, looks, and athletic \softline
ability.\'94  He looked straight at Kathy.  \'93Please don\'92t take this the wrong way \'97 none \softline
of the brothers know you very well \'97 but you }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 are}{\plain \fs24 \f2  pretty smart, aren\'92t you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy blushed again.  \'93This isn\'92t my night.  I\'92m starting to resemble a lobster, I\'92ve \softline
been blushing so much.  But yes, I guess I am reasonably intelligent.\'94  They both \softline
continued to look at her.  \'93Okay, I\'92ll admit it.  I was just informed that I have been \softline
elected to Phi Beta Kappa.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Aren\'92t you only a junior, though?\'94 Bill asked.  Kathy just nod\-ded.  Bill stood up and \softline
tapped on his glass for attention.  \'93Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to announce \softline
to you that Miss Katherine J. Smith has consented to be our queen this spring.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The dining room ex\-ploded with the members\'92 cheers and whist\-les.  When order was \softline
partially restored, Bill tapped his glass again, and they quieted down.  \'93I have also just 
learned that our queen, Miss Smith, a junior here at Yale, has just been elec\-ted to Phi \softline
Beta Kappa.\'94  Before he was drowned out by the shout\-ing he yelled, \'93We\'92ve got the \softline
brains side locked!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab All the bro\-thers crowded around Kathy\'92s chair.  She finally stood up and set up an \softline
impromptu receiving line.  After shaking hands, kissing or hugging each member, they \softline
all sat down.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy,\'94 John said, \'93I hope it\'92s obvious to you that the brothers love you.  By the \softline
way, you aren\'92t in a fraternity or sorority, are you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No.  Why?\'94 she replied, puzzled.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John didn\'92t reply.  Instead, he stood up and tapped his glass again.  \'93Gentlemen, I \softline
have an announcement to make.  As you know, our national By-Laws have recently been \softline
revised to permit the induction of women into Alpha.  I hope you will all join me in \softline
extending a bid to Miss Katherine J. Smith to become the first female member of Alpha \softline
fraternity here at Yale!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Again, the dining room exploded.  This time, a line formed snaking around the room, \softline
singing the fraternity\'92s song.  Kathy just sat in her chair, stunned.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John motioned for her to go into the next room with him.  He turned and looked into \softline
her eyes.  \'93Kathy, I\'92m sorry.  I wasn\'92t thinking.  As you know, the Alpha\'92s are champion \softline
non-thinkers.  I just want you to know that we may be inept but we are sincere.  There \softline
are a thousand reasons why we would like you to be a member.  I wish I could think of \softline
even one reason why you might say yes.  I can\'92t.  But please say \'91yes\'92 anyway, Kathy?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, John.  I would be proud to pledge the Alpha frater\-nity.  What happens now?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just a minute.  I\'92ll be right back.\'94  John tore out of the living room and went up \softline
stairs.  Moments later he was back with a small box in his hand.  \'93Kathy, this is your \softline
pledge pin for Alpha.  Will you put it on?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Would you pin it on please, John?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He opened the pin and came up to her.  He was so nervous, his hands were shaking \softline
so the point of the pin went into her left breast.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ouch!\'94 she yelped.  \'93Maybe it would be safer if I did it.\'94  She attached the pin to \softline
her sweater and then, going up on her toes, kissed John soundly on the cheek.  John\'92s \softline
face reddened with embar\-rass\-ment as he slowly rubbed the spot she had kissed.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, you know us well enough to know that we aren\'92t the most suave fraternity \softline
on campus.  We mean well most of the time but we don\'92t often get it right.  I don\'92t think \softline
I want to mess with a lot of pledge garbage with you.  I\'92ll give you a book to read with \softline
all the stuff you are supposed to know.  Maybe we could have the initiation tonight?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She agreed immediately and said, \'93Come on, John.  The cook will kill us both if his \softline
dinner gets any colder.  He must wonder what\'92s going on out here.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They returned to the dining room where the members were returning to their seats.  \softline
\'93Gentleman, Kathy has consented to pledge Alpha.  Her pledge period has begun.  It will \softline
end at the initiation following dinner.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With food now on the table, the members settled for a loud cheer.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When dinner was over, John took Kathy into the living room while the other \softline
members changed.  \'93What happens now?\'94 she asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John looked pensive.  \'93I really don\'92t know.  Things are moving too fast.  Just about \softline
an hour ago we were wondering if you would consent to be our queen.  Thanks again for \softline
saying yes.  Most of the brothers were certain you would say no.  One of the guys was \softline
pretty graphic in his description of what you would say we could do with our invitation.  \softline
But the house decided to invite you anyway because you are the only girl we really \softline
wanted.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93As far as the initiation goes, I just don\'92t know.  We\'92re a pretty rowdy crowd with \softline
the reputa\-tion of being drunken jocks.  Unfortunately, the description is too often \softline
accurate.  It extends to our initiations.  Things come close to getting out of hand.  No one \softline
had even }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 thought}{\plain \fs24 \f2  of inviting a woman to join the house.  It\'92s never even been discussed.  \softline
When we got word of the National\'92s action, the guys just had a big laugh.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked at her and added, \'93Kathy, I can\'92t promise you won\'92t be embarrassed a \softline
little, but you won\'92t be hurt.  You are the most courageous girl any of us has ever met, \softline
so it should be okay.\'94  As they were talking, the members were trooping back downstairs \softline
wearing older clothes.  \'93Come on, Kathy.  I guess it\'92s time.  We\'92re going downstairs \softline
again.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the members assembled in the base\-ment room, it was strange\-ly quiet.  The \softline
members were looking at each other wondering what to do next.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What about the initiation uniform?\'94 a member called out.  John blushed.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What\'92s the initiation uniform, John?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s a fraternity tradition here at Alpha.  Pledges are only allowed to wear their \softline
underwear.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went over to the bar and stepped out of her loafers.  After stripping off her \softline
sweater, she stepped out of her skirt.  Now she was wearing only a bra and a pair of \softline
bikini briefs.  There was a gasp from the members.  \'93Okay, John, I\'92m in my initiation \softline
uniform.  What\'92s next?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How about the honey?\'94 a member suggested from the back of the room.  Again \softline
John reddened.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It doesn\'92t sound like that could hurt,\'94 Kathy said, \'93I don\'92t know what he means, \softline
but let\'92s do it.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A couple of the members slid small square tables togeth\-er.  Three tables formed a \softline
surface about two feet wide and six feet long.  Kathy went towards them.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Kathy, you have to lie on your back on the table.\'94  Members steadied the tables \softline
while Kathy sat on one and gracefully swung her legs around and lay down.  \'93Reach \softline
down and back and hold on to the legs with your hands.\'94  With her arms reaching down, \softline
her breasts jutted out.  There was another gasp from the members.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A member produced a large jar of honey.  He uncapped it and passed it to John.  \softline
\'93This will be an eating contest.  We pour the honey over you, and members lick it off.  \softline
Are you ready?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy remembered some of the strange requests at Julie\'92s.  At Julie\'92s though, the \softline
substances were usually put on the girl\'92s breasts and cunt.  Although it had never been \softline
done to her, the girls reported that it was sort of kinky but nice.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She gripped the table legs as John let the honey run in a stream.  He began at the \softline
bottom edge of her bra and started pouring.  He went over her navel and down her right \softline
leg to her foot.  Righting the jar, he returned to her navel and followed a line down her \softline
left leg.  Then he went back to her belly and let the honey form large circles as he went \softline
around and around her abdomen, belly and up to her breasts again.  Then he moved back \softline
a step to examine his handi\-work and decided to pour more on her chest and shoulders.  \softline
Finally, he poured it on her face, chin, forehead and ended with honey on her lips.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy felt that it had been like a Chinese water torture, as the honey slowly flowed \softline
across her body.  Although she couldn\'92t see anything, she could feel her body heat thin \softline
the honey and allow it to flow across her bodily curves.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then she heard John call out, \'93I guess it\'92s time, guys.\'94  With that, he bent over \softline
and started to lick the honey around her lips, ending with a kiss.  She could feel other \softline
tongues all over her body licking up the sweet sticky substance.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Thank God,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy thought.  It was the end of her period and she was still wearing \softline
a super-absor\-bent tampon.  As she felt her sexual juices start to flow she fought to keep \softline
from writhing on the table tops.  She could sense members changing places as they took \softline
turns on her body and she could hear the sounds of their licking the full length of her \softline
body.  One spread her legs slight\-ly so he could chase the honey that was flowing between \softline
her thighs.  When he did she could feel his tongue rasping on her sensitive inner flesh.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Have you ever seen skin like this?\'94 she heard one member ask.  \'93She is flawless.  \softline
I don\'92t know what to do.  I could run my tongue over her body all day long, but I can \softline
handle only so much honey.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Meanwhile, her juices continued to flow.  It was an exqui\-site form of torture as she \softline
fought to keep from moaning and crying out.  She wanted to writhe on the table top but, \softline
with an effort of will, managed to remain still.  After what seemed like hours it was over \softline
and they helped her up to a sitting position on a table.  Kathy stretched and massaged \softline
her aching shoulder muscles to work out the kinks from having her arms outstretched \softline
below her.  She could still see some honey on her bikini.  The fabric at the hips was so \softline
narrow that John hadn\'92t stopped pouring as he went across.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I should be flattered,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she \softline
thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The guys would rather lick the honey from me than from fabric.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A member gave her a glass of beer.  She took it gratefully and drank it, suddenly \softline
realizing how thirsty she was.  Again the members were looking around at one another \softline
obviously trying to figure out what to do next.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think that\'92s about enough, guys, don\'92t you?\'94 John said in a voice loud enough to \softline
carry across the room, \'93What do you say?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A voice called out, \'93No one has ever been initiated into Alpha without being paddled.  \softline
It\'92s tradi\-tion!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John blushed again.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I guess you have to do it, John.  This is Yale and tradi\-tion must be observed.  Let\'92s \softline
do it!\'94 Kathy said, making a little face and touching her bottom.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A few moments later some members appeared carrying a strange object draped with \softline
a sheet.  Kathy was puzzled as others put the tables back against the wall and positioned \softline
the object where the tables had been.  One stripped off the sheet and threw it towards \softline
the corner.  The object was a strange-shaped leather-covered piece of furniture.  It had \softline
a sloping top covered with a leather pad and it seemed that the height of its legs was \softline
adjustable.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Come with me, Kathy,\'94 John said softly.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She followed him over to the object and studied it.  She thought she knew what was \softline
coming next as members looked at her long legs and made tentative adjustments to its \softline
legs.  She realized how it worked.  To save John from further embarrassment she went \softline
over and lay over the higher end.  \'93Is this the right way?\'94 she asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You got it, but the height isn\'92t quite right.\'94  he replied.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She straightened up and stepped away to give them room to work.  Final adjustments were made on the object\'92s legs and then they were solidly tightened.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy bent over it again, her toes just touched the floor and there were hand \softline
grips that she could just reach.  She realized there were handcuffs which could be \softline
secured.  As she lay on it she could feel the stickiness of the vestigial honey against the \softline
object\'92s leather.  Because of its stickiness, her body couldn\'92t easily slide.  She could feel \softline
the contact from her abdomen to her shoulders.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Do you want the handcuffs, Kathy?\'94 she heard John say.  \'93If you move, we have to \softline
wait and start over, so they\'92re there to help you if you want.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thanks, John.  I think I can hold on.  Let\'92s go.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy realized that in her present position her ass was her body\'92s highest point.  It \softline
was up in the air and exposed to anything.  She just lay there with her hair cascading \softline
over her head towards the floor, waiting.  She didn\'92t know what would happen, but she \softline
knew about fraternity paddles and assumed that one would be used on her.  Then a \softline
stroke hit her almost-bare cheeks lightly.  Was he just trying the range?  There was \softline
another and another.  Kathy was surprised.  They weren\'92t at all hard, but they kept \softline
coming.  She could feel her ass cheeks reddening as the light blows continued.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Then she felt something else.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I\'92m a masochist!  This spanking \softline
is turning me on!\par
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Still it contin\-ued, not hard, but with increasing frequen\-cy.  She gripped the \softline
handholds and gritted her teeth to silence the moans that she was sure would come.  She \softline
knew that, were it not for the tampon, her cuntal juices would be running down her legs \softline
in a river.  Faster and faster the paddle came down on her small bottom.  She realized \softline
that she was being struck harder but it didn\'92t really hurt.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My bottom must be cherry red \softline
by now,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Now aren\'92t you sorry you don\'92t have a well-padded ass?  It may not \softline
be pretty, but it sure would be useful right about now!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Still the beating con\-tinued.  She \softline
had no idea of the passage of time.  It seemed like she had been in this position for hours, \softline
but it couldn\'92t have been more than a matter of a few minutes.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Now she realized that her clit was being stimulated from contact with the sharp \softline
curve on the leather top.  With a supreme effort of will she tried to keep herself from \softline
writhing in ecstasy.  The spanking continued and now her insides were in agony from \softline
the sexual stimulation.  Kathy realized she was suffering not from physical pain but from \softline
the sexual pleasure she was trying so desper\-ately to control.  Her sweat was running \softline
down her back and into her hair and she was in agony.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was no use.  She felt her pelvis shake as her release came.  Although she kept from \softline
crying out, she knew that her juices had overwhelmed the tampon and were flowing \softline
down her legs.  As she clung to the hand grips she hoped that the light in the cellar \softline
wasn\'92t good enough for the members to see what had happened to her.  Suddenly, it was \softline
over.  The assault of the paddle on her nether cheeks stopped and Kathy collapsed on the \softline
device.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, you were great,\'94 she heard John say, \'93I hope I didn\'92t hurt you.\'94  He helped \softline
her straighten up and then held her as a wave of dizziness passed over her.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She pulled her damp hair back from her face with one hand and looked at him.  His \softline
eyes were bright.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 He knows what hap\-pened,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy thought.  She touched her bottom \softline
which was stinging now and was hot to the touch.  \'93Ouch, I\'92ll be crippled for life,\'94 she \softline
said as she ruefully rubbed her tender bottom.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think you might like to clean up now, wouldn\'92t you... Sister Kathy?\'94 John said \softline
softly.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I certainly would.  Where can I go?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hey, guys,\'94 John called out, \'93Kathy wants to get cleaned up.  Make sure no one is \softline
wandering around on the main floor and get most of the junk out of the good bathroom.  \softline
Let\'92s go!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The members rushed for the stairway.  When they heard the coast was clear, John \softline
and Kathy followed them up with another member carrying Kathy\'92s clothing.  She \softline
smiled her thanks as she was shown into a typical fraternity bathroom that showed signs \softline
of a hurried attempt at cleanup.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Oh, well,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I\'92m used to places like this.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The boy hung her clothes on a hook where they wouldn\'92t get wet and carefully closed \softline
the door as he left.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took off her bra and looked down at her bikini.  Turning on the shower she \softline
ad\-justed the water temperature and then stepped in.  Using the soap she washed the \softline
bikini she was still wearing.  She shrug\-ged, reached out for her bra, put it back on and \softline
wash\-ed it as well.  Then she stepped out of the shower, stripped her underwear off again \softline
and hung them over a towel to dry.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Step\-ping back into the shower she soaped her body.  Between the honey, her sweat \softline
and her sexual juices she felt grubby.  One of the boys had supplied a bottle of shampoo \softline
which she used to soap her hair.  Strands still stuck together as she worked the lather \softline
in.  She repeated the process until it was as clean as usual.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 There is no conditioner, but \softline
a girl can\'92t have every\-thing,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  Finally she pulled out the tampon and soaped \softline
her cleft.  She worked her fingers in and let the water pour on it.  Gently, she massaged \softline
her bottom which was sore, but didn\'92t really hurt.  She was reasonably sure that it \softline
hadn\'92t been bruis\-ed.  Shifting the water to cold, she let it run over her body, then stood \softline
shivering as it flowed over her nipples causing them to harden.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, after running her hands over her body be sure she hadn\'92t missed anything, \softline
she shut off the water and stepped out.  Picking up a clean bath towel, she rubbed her \softline
body vigorously.  There was no sign of a hair dryer so she used the towel.  Since her \softline
golden hair had a natural wave to it, all she had to do was comb it.  It would be almost \softline
back to normal when it finally dried.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she picked up her undies, she found the bikini was wearable because there was \softline
so little to it.  Her bra was still too wet to put back on so she put it in her purse.  Then \softline
she slipped on her skirt and sweater and combed her hair.  She felt good as she ran a \softline
comb through her thick hair.  Leaving the bathroom she received a warm smile from the \softline
two brothers who had been guarding the door.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she went down the stairs, she found the members waiting for her.  As she \softline
appeared on the steps, one of the brothers yelled, \'93Three cheers for Sister Kathy!  Hip, \softline
Hip...\'94  There was a thunder\-ous roar as the cheer continued.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stood on the steps and watched.  When the cheer ended, she said, \'93Thank you \softline
so much.  I was just thinking that I never had any brothers.  Now I have dozens.  I\'92m \softline
honored that you asked me.  Normally, brothers and sisters just appear.  We don\'92t have \softline
a choice.  I\'92m flattered to be chosen as your sister.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She con\-tinued down the stairs and was met at the bottom by John.  \'93Kathy, the last \softline
time I did this, I stuck you with the pin.  I have a fraternity pin for you.  The brothers \softline
voted to buy you a jeweled pin as our gift to you.  Will you wear this for us in the \softline
meantime?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course I will, John.  After all, I earned it... or at least my bottom did.  Thank you \softline
all so very much.\'94  Carefully, she took off the hours-old pledge pin and replaced it with \softline
her new member\'92s pin.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab She had pitched her voice loud enough to be heard by the members.  Now she spoke \softline
quietly to John, \'93Can we go somewhere and talk?  I have a very sore bottom, thanks to \softline
you.  I\'92m now a brother \'97 sister?  \'97 in the house, after possibly the shortest pledge \softline
period in history, but I still haven\'92t found out what I came for.  What is this queen \softline
business all about?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Let\'92s go to the dining room.  We can talk there.  I\'92ll get Bill to join us.  He knows \softline
more about it than anyone else in the house.\'94  John located Bill and the three went back \softline
to the now-empty dining room.  The boys grinned as Kathy very gingerly seated herself \softline
on the chair.  John looked concerned.  \'93I hope I didn\'92t hurt you.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She smiled at him, \'93No, you didn\'92t.  But I\'92ll remember it for a long time.  Now, \softline
what\'92s the story?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s a new event, Kathy,\'94 Bill said, \'93And it\'92s still evolving.  At dinner I indicated the \softline
three parts of the competi\-tion.  The brains and beauty you have in spades.  But what \softline
about the athletic part?  Excuse me for saying so, but the guys were creaming in their \softline
jeans watching you tonight.  You have an athlete\'92s muscles and an athlete\'92s way of \softline
moving.  Have you had dance training?  You look like you have.  There\'92s one other thing \softline
that I almost hate to bring up.  You know there are a lot of lesbians at this school?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy made a face.  \'93Are there ever!  Around here a girl would be afraid of being ac\-
costed in an all-girl dorm.  This must be the only school in the country with multiple \softline
lesbian organiza\-tions.  There are three different ones, aren\'92t there?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think that\'92s about right,\'94 Bill responded.  \'93As you know, the lesbians don\'92t like \softline
us very much.  First, we\'92re men...  Well, most of us are.  Second, we sexually exploit girls; \softline
we hold them up as sex objects.  I have to say it, Kathy: you are the most gorgeous sex \softline
object I\'92ve ever seen\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy gave a mock bow, and grinned.  \'93Thank you, kind sir.  I am only here to serve \softline
my lords and masters.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John winked at her and grinned at Bill.  \'93She\'92s got that right.  I wonder who\'92s been \softline
training her?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93At any rate, Kathy,\'94 Bill continued, \'93We have reason to believe there will be \softline
demonstra\-tions, disruptions, and possibly an all-around mess.  Frankly, this house is in \softline
enough trouble with the administration.  We don\'92t want any more.  On the other hand, \softline
we would like to do it.  But look, Kathy, maybe it would be better if you with\-drew?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Not on your life!  I\'92m in it whether you like it or not.  I\'92m now a brother in the \softline
house.  Our honor is at stake.  Look, let me know as soon as you get more details.  By the \softline
way, I don\'92t think you have my telephone number.  Let me give it to you.  But I would \softline
appreciate it if it wasn\'92t broadcast around.  I normally keep pretty much to myself.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She gave them the number and John wrote it down on a slip of paper that he then \softline
stuck in his wallet.  Kathy looked up at a clock.  \'93Good heavens, is that time right?  The \softline
clock says it\'92s almost three!  If it is, I have to dash.  I have a nine o\'92clock class.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Once again John walked her home, this time alone.  As they walked along the \softline
darkened streets, John looked at her.  \'93Kathy, I know what happened tonight.  I was \softline
swinging the paddle.  I didn\'92t know anyone could have the physical control you did.  You \softline
came, didn\'92t you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stopped and faced him, looking up at the tall young man, \'93Of course.  I could \softline
feel my cum running down my legs.  Could you see it?\'94  John nodded.  She stepped into \softline
his arms, kissed him lingeringly on the lips, and then stepped back.  John looked like he \softline
had been hit by a truck.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I just wanted you to know, John, I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 do}{\plain \fs24 \f2  like men.\'94  She looked at him with concern, \softline
\'93Are you okay?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John ran his hand slowly across his lips.  \'93If being hit by a truck is okay, then I\'92m \softline
okay.  My God, what a kiss!  Kathy, there\'92s a volcano inside you.  What I saw tonight was \softline
like a lava flow.  When there\'92s an eruption \'97 and there will be, sooner or later \'97 the \softline
poor guy that makes it happen won\'92t have a chance.  You know that, don\'92t you?  I\'92m \softline
sorry it isn\'92t me.  But that was the hottest sisterly kiss I could imagine.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He visibly brightened and added, \'93You are my sister, now, anyway.  Come on, Sis, \softline
let\'92s get you home.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 }\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 9}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was sitting in her easy chair reading a history book.  Although several weeks \softline
had passed since her initia\-tion, she still couldn\'92t quite categorize the evening.  It had \softline
reddened her bottom but hadn\'92t hurt her.  She had come to orgasm in front of the \softline
members, but John had assured her that he was the only one who knew.  She had been \softline
repeatedly cheered to the raf\-ters by her new brothers and they had all had a taste of her \softline
honey-covered body.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Every time one of the brothers saw her, if he felt he was unobserved, he would lick \softline
his lips and murmur, \'93Yum!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Yet all in all, the net of it was pleasant.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then the phone rang.  It was Bill calling: \'93Kathy, I have more information on the \softline
queen contest.  The group running it called around today and said the date is being mov\-
ed up to this weekend.  It was supposed to be in four weeks, but the word is out that the \softline
lesbians are planning a gathering of the sisterhood from around the whole Northeast to \softline
pro\-test.  We hear the group even chartered a bunch of busses to bring lesies down from \softline
Boston.  The organizers are trying to derail the protest by chang\-ing the timing.  Can you \softline
handle the change in date, Kathy?  I\'92ve got to get right back to them.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course, Bill.  I wouldn\'92t miss this for the world!  What am I supposed to bring?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93There are three parts, you know.  I guess you wear whatever you want to for the \softline
\'91brains\'92 part.  You\'92ll need a bathing suit for the beauty part.  You have a choice of type.  \softline
I\'92m not really sure about the athletics.  I guess you ought to have a sweat suit, good all-purpose athletic shoes, shorts and a top.  Does that sounds like it covers it?\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93By the way, there is something you should know.  Before they got word of the date \softline
change, the les\-bians, citing the campus-wide nature of the contest, entered contestants, \softline
too.  Each organiza\-tion has only a single nominee.  The rumor is that they got a bunch \softline
of radical organizations to sign blank nominat\-ing papers.  Person\-ally, I don\'92t think they \softline
care about winning; I think they just want to wreck the competition.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thanks for the warning, Bill.  The clothes sound about right.  Let me know if you \softline
hear anything more.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Saturday was a brilliant spring day in April that comes to New Haven every ten \softline
years or so.  Kathy dressed, picked up the small bag that held her clothing changes and \softline
walked to Strath\-cona Hall in time to be there at nine o\'92clock.  As she walked down the \softline
hall towards the designated room, she met Bill and John.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, it\'92s apparently working the way we thought,\'94 Bill said.  \'93The test is the \softline
GRE that they got from the folks in Princeton.  There are a couple of girls down there \softline
we recognize as Phi Bete\'92s.  They\'92re ugly as sin but they\'92re smart as hell.  The regular \softline
contestants are mostly looking bewildered.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy entered the hall which was normally used for large lectures.  There appeared \softline
to be nearly one-hundred girls present and it was obvious at a glance which were which.  
The minority appeared to be very attractive girls who were real contestants.  She saw \softline
the brains that Bill had spoken of, but there were other girls there who puzzled her.  A \softline
few were built like men.  Then she remem\-bered the athletic competition.  Although she \softline
didn\'92t know what events would be contested, she figured that was what they were there \softline
for.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girls took alternate seats as if it was a normal exam.  But because of the \softline
competition, there would be no cheating on this one.  The answer sheets were passed out \softline
followed by the test book\-lets and then the contestants were instructed to open their \softline
books and begin.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy started through the examination.  Although she did not realize it, her brain \softline
worked like a computer on tests of this nature.  She went through the sections, marking \softline
her machine-readable answer sheet.  Finishing the two-hour test with time to spare, she \softline
turned it in and left the room.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bill and John, joined by some of the other brothers, were sitting against the wall \softline
waiting for her.  \'93How did it go, Kathy?\'94 John asked anxiously.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think I did all right.\'94  She smiled at them.  \'93I under\-stand that the grades will be \softline
posted at one o\'92clock.  The ath\-letic contests, whatever they turn out to be, will start at \softline
two-thirty out at the Bowl.  The beauty contest is this evening.  Tell you what!  How \softline
about if sister buys her brothers a lunch at Mory\'92s?  Anybody interested?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They gathered up their gear and went over to Mory\'92s on York Street.  At eleven-thirty, it was just opening for lunch so they were able to get a large table.  When they \softline
were all seated, the brothers looked at her sheepishly.  One of Mory\'92s famous surly \softline
waiters appeared to take their orders.  Kathy ordered steak sandwiches, medium rare, \softline
for everyone along with pitchers of beer.  The boys looked startled.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What did you expect me to order?  Watercress tea sandwiches?  Mory\'92s doesn\'92t \softline
make them.  I asked before.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The immediate laughter broke the ice.  When the meals came, they enjoyed the lunch \softline
thoroughly.  Kathy signed the check and they went back towards Strathcona.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was nearly one o\'92clock when they got back to the examina\-tion room.  There were \softline
obvious signs of excitement as the people who were running the testing scurried around.  \softline
John cornered one of the men and asked what was going on.  There was some irregu\-
larity with the scoring but he didn\'92t really know what it was.  He did know that some \softline
people were trying to reach the Princeton examina\-tion people even though it was a \softline
Saturday.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Alphas looked at each other, puzzled by the explanation.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A few minutes later the man in charge spoke up.  \'93Ladies and gentlemen, the results \softline
are final and will be posted in a moment.  We apolo\-gize for the delay, but we had to \softline
check with Princeton.  As you know, the test administered today is a variant of the \softline
Graduate Records Examination \'97 the GRE.  Of course, we are not scaling scores.  We \softline
had been told that raw test scores run in a specified range.  One of our contestant\'92s 
scores was significantly above this range.  Princeton confirmed that, although it is rare, \softline
it does occur.  We were able to pro\-vide assurances to them about testing security, both \softline
before and during the test.  I will post the official results in a moment.  However, I am \softline
pleased to announce the winner of the Scholarship Competition is Katherine Smith of \softline
the Alphas!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My God, Kathy, you blew out the exam!  Guys, I ask you.  Can I pick \'92em or can I \softline
pick \'92em!?\'94  Bill grinned at Kathy who faked a punch at his jaw.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They heard some ugly noises down the hall and turned to look.  The man who had \softline
just posted the stand\-ings was surrounded by a group of angry women.  \'93The lesbians \softline
look unhappy.  I can see that at least one of their brain types looks like she\'92s about to \softline
cry.  Let\'92s get out to the Bowl and avoid any trouble here.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Although there was shuttle bus service to the Yale Bowl from Payne-Whitney Gym, \softline
they chose to take their own cars.  They arrived at the athletic area and found a group \softline
gather\-ing around a practice track.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They walked over, took a schedule of events and then went over to a row of trees to \softline
look it over.  John read it out to them.  \'93Good heavens, there\'92s a sadist loose!  Kathy, the \softline
first event is the 100-meter dash.  Then comes riflery at the Armory, then back to the \softline
track for the 1,500 meter run, followed by what\'92s called a strength competition, \softline
whatever that is.  Can you handle it?  Have you ever fired a rifle?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I never have, Bill.  But I\'92ve seen enough shooting in old war movies that I think I \softline
know how it\'92s done.  You just look through the sights, squeeze the trigger and the bullet \softline
does the rest.  I\'92m so proud of myself.  I even remembered that you don\'92t pull the trigger, \softline
you squeeze it.  Any tips?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Another member of the group, Chris, spoke up.  \'93I used to do a lot of shooting at \softline
camp, Kathy.  You have the procedure right, but a lot depends on the type of sights on \softline
the weapon you\'92ll use.  I suspect they will give you closed sights, but I\'92ll tell you about \softline
the various sight patterns.\'94  Chris proceeded to run through ring sights, post sights, and \softline
open sights.  He ended with a final tip.  \'93Kathy, one more thing.  When you have the \softline
target fixed in your sights, take a breath, release a little of it and hold the rest as you \softline
squeeze.  You\'92ll do just fine!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went off to the dressing room to put on her shorts and then joined the other \softline
girls assembling for the 100 yard dash.  The event organizer was looking around in \softline
dismay at the size of the group.  With over ninety girls and only eight running lanes they \softline
would have to have twelve heats, followed by two semifinals of six, followed by the finals.  \softline
They would never get through the first event.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He explained the problem to them and asked if any girls wanted to drop out.  Kathy \softline
looked around.  The rather small number of real contes\-tants all chose to stay but a \softline
bunch of others dropped out.  The field was cut to forty girls who were divided into five \softline
heats.  Kathy was placed in the second.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Yale track had a runway, so 100 meters was run on a straightaway.  Without \softline
turns, lane position was not a factor.  When the first group of runners approached the \softline
starting line, she paid particular attention to one of the girls who seemed to know what \softline
she was doing.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl backed into the starting blocks, got out and adjusted the block position \softline
slightly, then tried again.  When the blocks were adjusted to her satisfaction, she stood \softline
up and awaited the call.  Although the competition was supposed to be for fun, it was \softline
obvious that great care was being taken in running the events.  Obviously, someone was \softline
paying attention to the lesbian threats and wanted to be sure that the competitions were \softline
fairly run.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The runners were called to the line, took their positions and were off at the start\-er\'92s \softline
gun.  As Kathy ex\-pect\-ed, the girl she had been watching moved quickly ahead of the pack \softline
and just pulled away.  Kathy could see her continuing to drive at the far end of the \softline
course as she crossed the finish line.  She was the winner by more than ten yards.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then it was Kathy\'92s turn.  Although she had watched the exper\-ienced girl, she \softline
wasn\'92t sure what the blocks should feel like.  She concluded that the idea was to get a \softline
powerful drive off the blocks, accelerate out and slowly straighten up as the race prog\-
ressed.  She went to the blocks and tried her stance.  The blocks provided the support \softline
for the leg drive that she expected they would.  She adjusted the spacing, tried them \softline
again and was satisfied.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The starter called.  \'93Take your marks...  Set...\'94  The gun fired.  Kathy drove off down \softline
the track trying to keep her back straight.  Her arms were driving as she burned down \softline
the track looking straight ahead.  Her legs were driving as she passed the halfway mark \softline
and she maintained the pace until her breasts broke the finish tape.  Then she turned \softline
off the track and slowed down.  When she looked up, the guys were all around her.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, you did it!  You had the next girl by a good ten yards!  Why, in God\'92s name, \softline
didn\'92t you tell us you were a sprint\-er?  It should have been obvious, I guess, with your \softline
muscles, but... but you haven\'92t been in training.  How did you remember your block \softline
positions?  You didn\'92t even look at the scale!\'94  Bill was ecsta\-tic.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was standing with her hands on her knees catching her breath.  Someone \softline
handed her a towel which she used to wipe her face.  She wrapped it around her neck \softline
and put on her sweat suit.  She looked up at Bill, grinning.  \'93That was the first race I \softline
ever ran in my life!  I\'92m glad you liked my maiden performance.\'94  She sat down on the \softline
grass and looked at their incredulity.  \'93Honest, guys.  It really was.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bill looked at John.  \'93Is there no end to this girl\'92s tal\-ents?  I want to believe her, but \softline
I can\'92t.  You can\'92t get a start like that the first time out of the box.  My God, Kathy, \softline
sprinters work on their starts constantly.  They rehearse their drive off the boards over \softline
and over.  How did you do it?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I just watched the girl who won the first heat.  She seemed to know what she was \softline
doing.  Watching her movements, I guess I figured out the physics of the start.  After \softline
that, I just had to keep the wheels turning.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93All she did was figure out the physics of a sprint start from a single observation.  \softline
Good Heavens!  By the way, Kathy, that girl is the best female sprinter at Yale.  She \softline
burns every other sprinter in the Ivy League.  I think she\'92s one of the lesbians.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy lay down and closed her eyes.  She could hear the sounds of the other heats \softline
being run as she fell asleep.  It seemed like only a second later when someone shook her \softline
shoulder.  She opened her eyes and looked into John\'92s face.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He said, \'93That\'92s what worries me about you, Kathy.  You can\'92t seem to relax.\'94  He \softline
grinned and added, \'93You\'92ve been asleep for about half an hour.  They\'92re about to call the \softline
finals in the 100, and you\'92re in second place.  Your time is only fractionally off Mary Sny\-
der\'92s.  She\'92s the sprinter who provided your coaching on the starts.  Let\'92s go!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He pulled Kathy to her feet and they walked over towards the starting line.  Kathy \softline
took off her sweats and a brother Alpha took them.  Then she started her stretching \softline
exercises to warm up again.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The race was called.  Kathy was in the second lane, next to Mary Snyder in lane one.  \softline
After setting her blocks she stood up.  Mary had finished her preparations and was \softline
standing beside her.  Kathy had an inspira\-tion.  Turning to Mary she said, \'93That was a \softline
great race you ran in the first heat.  Congratulations and good luck in the finals!\'94  She \softline
stuck out her hand to shake.  Mary, in the process of getting mentally prepared to run, \softline
was taken aback.  She mumbled some\-thing, looked at Kathy and then at Kathy\'92s hand \softline
still out\-stretched.  She took her hand in a weak grip and turned away.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then the starter called the field.  Kathy took her crouch and rolled her weight \softline
forward with her back straight.  The gun sounded and she was off.  It was an even better \softline
start than the first time.  It could have been filmed and shown as a demon\-stra\-tion of a \softline
perfect sprint start.  Her weight was just where it should be as she came out of the \softline
crouch and dashed up the track with her legs driving like pistons.  As she approached the \softline
finish line, Kathy called up her last bit of energy to try to force her legs to drive even \softline
faster.  The finish line came up in a blur and she could feel her breasts breaking the tape.  \softline
Coasting down, she jogged off the track and collapsed on the grass.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The guys who had been waiting at the finish line came run\-ning up to her, with Bill \softline
in the lead.  \'93My God, Kathy, you won!  You beat Mary Snyder!  I don\'92t think she\'92s lost \softline
a race in New England in years.  You left her at the post.  Your start was ab\-solutely \softline
perfect and she blew hers.  She was gaining on you at the end but there was too much \softline
distance to make up.  She couldn\'92t do it.  What do you suppose happened to her start?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was sitting on the grass laughing.  \'93My God, it worked!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What worked?\'94 Bill asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93When we were getting ready to get into the blocks, I saw Mary putting on her game \softline
face.  I realized that she was mental\-ly preparing, so I just stuck out my hand and wished 
her good luck.  It must have broken her concentration.\'94  They heard the announcement \softline
of Kathy\'92s victory.  Her time had equaled Mary\'92s in the first heat and had beaten her \softline
own.  It was one of the fastest female times Yale had ever recorded.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then it was time for the shooting competition, so they went over to the rifle range \softline
in a group.  Once again many of the competitors took advantage of the offer not to com\-
pete.  This time some of the real candi\-dates passed, too.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I guess they\'92re afraid of guns,\'94 Kathy remarked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The field was only nineteen girls.  They were shooting small-caliber rifles on an \softline
indoor range at fifty feet.  The competition was based on the total score on five targets, \softline
five bullets at each target, fired from the prone posi\-tion.  The maximum possible score \softline
would be 250.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was in the last group to shoot and elected to go outside to wait.  As they sat \softline
under a tree, Chris reviewed the sight patterns with her.  Each rifle was fitted with a \softline
rear peep sight and a hooded post sight on the front.  \'93Just remem\-ber, Kathy, you put \softline
the bulls-eye right on top of the post and squeeze.  Don\'92t forget to take a breath, release \softline
a bit and hold the rest as you squeeze.\'94  Again, Kathy lay down and was instantly asleep.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Chris tugged at her shoulder to awaken her.  \'93Come on, champ, you\'92re up.  Let\'92s go!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The guys followed her into the range.  Chris had borrowed a spotting scope which \softline
he set up behind her posi\-tion as the rangemaster called the contestants to the line.  They \softline
were given their targets and five bullets each in a wooden block.  They took their \softline
positions and Chris showed her how to adjust the sling.  Kathy was wearing a shooting \softline
jacket with padded elbows and a padded shoulder.  She put a pair of sound-absorbing ear \softline
protectors over her ears and took her posi\-tion.  The targets had been run down to their \softline
position on the range.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The range master gave his orders: \'93Five shots, prone position.  Remain in position \softline
until all weapons have been fired and placed down on the mats with bolts open.  Load \softline
and lock.  Fire at will.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sighted through the eyepiece.  It was the first time she had ever sighted on a \softline
target and was surprised to see how small it looked.  She remembered what Chris had \softline
told her.  Being careful to keep the weapon upright, she positioned the post right under \softline
the bulls-eye.  She took a breath, let out a little and started to squeeze gently.  The gun \softline
fired.  She hadn\'92t known what to expect but was afraid that the recoil would smash her \softline
shoulder.  She was surprised and pleased at how little recoil there was.  She sighted and \softline
fired again.  And again.  And again.  This was fun!  The last bullet flew down the range \softline
and she opened the bolt ejecting the last shell.  Putting down the weapon she care\-fully \softline
picked up her spent brass.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Looking around, she saw the other girls were still firing.  Only one other girl in her \softline
group seemed to know how to shoot.  When the firing stopped, they retrieved their \softline
targets using a motor-driven wire that carried the targets back and forth on the range.  \softline
She unclipped her target and looked at it.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Chris was looking over her shoulder.  \'93Just keep doing that, Kathy, and we have it \softline
locked!  That\'92s a fifty!  You just shot out the center of the target!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A judge came by and picked up her target after putting her name on it.  The \softline
competition went on.  Kathy was having fun.  It seemed so easy to her.  Position.  \softline
Breathe and hold.  Squeeze.  Finally the compe\-tition was over and again Kathy was \softline
announced as the winner with a score of 248.  The girl in second place had a 231.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They left the range and walked back towards the track with Kathy still wearing her \softline
warmups.  Chris spoke to the group as they walked.  \'93Okay.  I give up.  We recruited \softline
Wonder Woman.  Kathy, talking to you earlier, I would have sworn you had no \softline
experience with target shooting.  Would you please tell me how you do it?  I\'92ve been \softline
shooting for years and I\'92ve never had a 240!  And you get a 248, for God\'92s sake.  By the \softline
way, why did you pull those two 9\'92s?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned up at him.  It was great.  She was having a lot of fun!  She felt that \softline
she really did have a bunch of broth\-ers looking out for her.  \'93It was easy, Chris.  I just \softline
did what you said.  Isn\'92t that what I was supposed to do?\'94  She looked up at him in \softline
feigned inno\-cence.  The others howled with laughter.  \'93As for the nines the judge blew \softline
the scoring on one and the bullet must have had a slight defect on the other.\'94  She stuck \softline
out her tongue at Chris and raced away before he could hit her.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The other guys just howled.  At the track, Kathy took off her sweats.  One of the boys \softline
kidded her about \'91Kathy\'92s strip show\'92 so she rolled her hips, gave a little bump, and \softline
stuck out her tongue.  She did her stretching exercises careful\-ly.  The 1,500 meters was \softline
the metric mile.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was massaging her calf muscles when Jack, another Alpha, came hurrying up \softline
carrying a blanket.  He spread the blan\-ket and had her lie down on her stomach.  He \softline
opened a bottle, poured some liquid onto her legs and started kneading her muscles \softline
gently but firmly.  \'93You\'92re tightening up, aren\'92t you, Kathy?  I worked as a team trainer \softline
in high school and here at Yale.  You can\'92t do the kind of job you need on yourself.  The \softline
1,500 is a bitch.  If you get a leg cramp in the middle of it, it\'92s all over.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jack contin\-ued to work on her leg muscles.  \'93Watch your pace in the race.  There is \softline
a very good middle-distance runner in it.  I\'92ll point her out to you.  The trick is to \softline
maintain the right pace.  If it\'92s a fast pace, try to stay close to the front and use the lead \softline
runners as a wind screen.  It\'92ll save a lot of ef\-fort.  Watch the girl I\'92ll point out, Charlene \softline
Brown.  If she\'92s close to the front, try to stay with her.  I know you can sprint.  It\'92s \softline
important to have a finishing kick, which is a sprint at the end of the race.  Look out for \softline
the start, though.  There could be some accidental rough stuff with everyone jockeying \softline
for position.  You can start from blocks, but a lot of runners go from a crouch.  Now how \softline
do you feel?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mm,\'94 said Kathy who was now almost asleep.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The race was called and they went out on the track.  The field had increased in size \softline
again; there were about thirty girls standing around preparing to run.  Charlene Brown, 
a tall black girl with long legs, was pointed out to her.  Jack was certain that she was the \softline
competition in the race.  The race was nearly four full laps on the 400-meter track.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girls lined up with Kathy taking a position midway across the track.  The starter \softline
gave his commands and the gun sounded.  They were off.  Kathy broke quickly and \softline
moved to the inside.  A couple of girls were ahead of her as they reached the first turn.  \softline
Coming out of it, she glanced back and saw Char\-lene was on her shoulder.  Kathy was \softline
pleased to find that she could main\-tain a long stride without a great deal of effort.  They \softline
went through the second turn together, maintaining relative position.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As they passed the 400-meter mark, Kathy sensed that one of the girls ahead was \softline
starting to fade.  She eased over to the right to pass, still maintaining her pace.  As she \softline
came up, she saw the second girl stumble into the back of the first.  They both went \softline
down on the track as Kathy swept by.  Once into the turn she looked over her left \softline
shoulder.  There was a mass of bodies down at the point where the two girls had fallen.  \softline
Apparently others had tripped over the girls sprawled on the track.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy realized with a start that she was right where she didn\'92t want to be: in the \softline
lead.  She could hear footsteps over her shoulder she assumed were Charlene\'92s.  She was \softline
doing exactly what Kathy had been trying to do, staying on the shoulder of the lead \softline
runner, using her as a wind screen.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Unfortunately,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The lead runner is \softline
me!\par
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy concentrated on her posture and maintaining her stride.  She swept the next \softline
turn and came up to the 800-meter mark.  With her head up and striding with her long \softline
legs she could see girls spread out ahead of her.  There was a cluster of people on the \softline
infield gathered around the girls who had gone down.  Going into the turn she \softline
maintained the pace while the sound of footsteps con\-tinued just over her right shoulder.  \softline
Kathy guessed that she and Char\-lene were moving stride for stride.  She was being \softline
pursued by a choco\-late shadow.  Coming out of the turn she was surprised to see that she \softline
was closing on the stragglers.  Entering the next turn she went out to her right because \softline
she was about to lap some of them.  Remem\-bering what had happened at the 400-meter \softline
mark she allowed plenty of room.  They closed the 1,200-meter mark and started into \softline
the turn.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Now the race was getting dicey.  As if her shadow wasn\'92t enough, she had to pick her \softline
way around struggling runners she was lapping.  Ob\-viously, the idea of passing runners \softline
beginning at 1,000 meters hadn\'92t occurred to Jack.  They entered the final turn.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 It is \softline
now or never,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Charlene has been run\-ning the ideal race.  I\'92ve been breaking \softline
the wind for her and finding our way around the other runners.  All she\'92s had to do is \softline
maintain position.  And she has, perfectly}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was time.  Kathy leaned forward, shortened her stride a little and picked up the \softline
pace.  She drove around in the middle of the track as she passed run\-ners.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Just a few \softline
more steps,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 A few more steps}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  Dimly she could hear cheering in the \softline
distance.  She was going as fast as she could.  She looked out and saw the tape across the 
track.  She broke it and kept on going, slowing carefully.  She slowed to a walk, looked \softline
to the inside, stepped up onto the infield grass and collapsed.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She was lying there on her back panting when her brothers fell all over her.  They \softline
were hugging and kissing her and shout\-ing.  Kathy smiled and stretched out an arm.  \softline
\'93Help me up, someone.  There\'92s something I have to do.\'94  A hand grabbed her and pulled \softline
her to her feet.  Jack appeared with her sweat suit and a towel.  \'93Thanks, Jack.  You \softline
know, a sweat suit is well named.  I\'92m dripping.  I must have run off fifteen pounds.  And \softline
it\'92s all your fault,\'94 she said with a grin.  She went up, wrapped her arms around him and \softline
gave him a big smack on the lips.  He turned crimson, while Kathy went off.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She looked around and found Char\-lene sitting on the grass still trying to catch her \softline
breath.  Kathy picked up a sweat suit and a towel lying on the ground and went over to \softline
the girl.  Reaching out her hands she helped her stand up.  Then she took her in her \softline
arms and gave her a big kiss.  The Black girl looked startled.  \'93I\'92m Kathy Smith.  You\'92re \softline
Charlene Brown, aren\'92t you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes,\'94 came the soft reply.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It was you on my shoulder through the whole race, wasn\'92t it?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charlene smiled warmly.  \'93It sure was.  I\'92ve never run such a race and lost.  It was \softline
perfect.  I was right on your shoulder.  Then on the last turn you kicked in the after\-
burner and you were flying.  I\'92ve never seen such a powerful finishing kick.  But, hey, \softline
you\'92re the girl that won the 100 meters, too, aren\'92t you?\'94  Kathy nodded.  \'93How is it I \softline
haven\'92t seen you before, then?  I pride myself on knowing all the other middle-distance \softline
runners, but I don\'92t know you.  I knew you could run, but I was certain I was going to \softline
burn your little pink ass at my distance.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She grinned and hugged Kathy, \'93Instead you fried my black ass like Cajun-fried \softline
chicken.  By the way, I surely admired the view!  You were really moving that little ass.  \softline
It was beautiful to watch.  That was a great race!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy put the towel she was carrying around Charlene\'92s neck and used it to pull \softline
Charlene\'92s head towards hers.  She whispered in her ear, \'93It was the first mile I ever ran \softline
in my life.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Char\-lene took her by the shoulders and held her at arms length.  She studied Kathy: \softline
the golden hair now caked with sweat, the bril\-liant sapphire-blue eyes, the velvet \softline
complexion.  \'93My God!  I believe you.  But no one else will!  That was a professional race \softline
you ran.  And you had to run it through an obstacle course of amateurs!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She studied Kathy up and down.  \'93I can tell you\'92re straight and I know I am.  The \softline
lesbians talked to a black organ\-ization and I agreed to run for them.  Kathy, you\'92re made \softline
to be loved by a man, not handled by some dike.  It looks like you\'92re going to win today\'92s \softline
competition in a walk.  The word around is that you will win the beauty contest, but \softline
could be beaten with points picked up everywhere else with ringers.  Kathy, I ran the \softline
best race I could run.  I don\'92t know what my time was but I expect it\'92s my per\-sonal best.  
I couldn\'92t have run a better race, so I\'92m not ashamed.  In fact I\'92m proud to have lost to \softline
a person like you.\'94  She wrapped Kathy in her arms and hugged her.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy hugged her back.  The two bodies, one white and one black, were locked in a \softline
womanly embrace.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Charlene pushed back there was a single tear rolling down one cheek.  \'93I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 am}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
proud.  Kathy, there\'92s just one thing.  Look out for a girl named Sophie Stotz in the \softline
strength event.  It\'92s supposed to be secret, but our group found out it\'92s going to be arm \softline
wres\-tling.  Sophie can break your arm in that event, she\'92s so strong.  She\'92s a bull dike \softline
and she hates girls like you and me.  If you like men, she }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 hates}{\plain \fs24 \f2  you.  Now she\'92s got \softline
incentive.  The people know you\'92re going to win the crown, but they would settle if you \softline
had to compete in the beauty contest with a broken arm in a sling.  Believe me!  She\'92s \softline
capable of doing it.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Say, why don\'92t you just take a pass on that one?  It would blow their minds!  They\'92d \softline
be so mad they would spit bullets.  Kathy, you have so many points, you can\'92t possibly \softline
lose.  Do it!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thanks, Charlene.  I\'92ll think about it.  By the way, where are you from?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Charlotte, North Carolina.  Why?\'94 the girl replied.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Because I\'92m from Nor\-folk.  I thought you were a good old South\-ern gal like me.  \softline
Charlene, Norfolk\'92s a tough town.  We\'92ll see what happens.  But thanks for the \softline
thought... and for the great race.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went off to look for the Alphas.  She found them hudd\-led together reading a \softline
paper.  \'93What\'92s up, guys?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They turned to look at her.  \'93Kathy, we got trouble.  Guess what the strength event \softline
is?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Arm wrestling?\'94 she asked quizzically.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My God, there is no end to this kid\'92s talents.  Guys, this girl is scary!  She\'92s smart \softline
enough to put you in jail.  If you come after her, she\'92ll put a bullet in your eye at twenty \softline
paces, or she can run your tails off at short or long distance.  Now she reads minds, for \softline
chrissakes!  Kathy, how }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 do}{\plain \fs24 \f2  you do it?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at them.  Then she pointed her toes sharply inward, put her hands \softline
behind her back forcing her belly out and crossed her eyes.  \'93Cause Charlene told me.  \softline
That\'92s how!\'94 she exclaimed in a little-girl voice, making sure she sprayed spittle around \softline
with the last words to underscore her little-girl act. \par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The guys cracked up with laughter.  \'93Okay, Kathy.  We give up.  We }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 really}{\plain \fs24 \f2  give up.  \softline
Guys, they say if you can\'92t beat \'92em, join \'92em.  We went one better.  We got \'91them\'92 to join \softline
us!  Kathy, I suppose it will just bore you, but your 1,500-meter time was the best at Yale \softline
this year.  And Char\-lene Brown, the girl you beat, is the top middle-distance runner in \softline
the school.  But I guess you already knew that, too.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Guys,\'94 said Kathy, now being serious, \'93Charlene did tell me.  She says that it\'92s a \softline
setup.  There\'92s a girl named Sophie Stotz who Char\-lene warned me about.  Does anyone \softline
know her?  No?  Well, let\'92s go see about the luck of the draw.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The final athletic event was to be held back on campus at the Payne-Whitney gym.  \softline
They piled into the cars and returned to downtown New Haven.  After entering the gym \softline
they took the elevator up to the weight floor.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They were in luck.  Looking over the elimination pairings they found that Sophie \softline
and Kathy were at opposite ends of the draw.  If they met at all, it could only be in the \softline
finals.  Arm wrestling is a match of strength, leverage and timing, but psychology can \softline
enter into it.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy made it a point to try to see as many of Sophie\'92s matches as she could.  The \softline
schedule permitted her to see Sophie in action before her own first competition.  Sophie \softline
was big.  She appeared to stand nearly six feet tall and weigh about two hundred pounds.  \softline
She had broad shoulders and biceps that would look nor\-mal on a longshoreman.  She \softline
looked like one of the Soviet or Bul\-garian women shot-putters.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Like them,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy \softline
thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Sophie would have trouble with both steroid and sex testing}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  She smiled to \softline
herself.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 At least,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 She won\'92t be much trouble in the beauty competition.  If \softline
I\'92m still alive, that is.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sophie\'92s first match was called.  She sat down across from a real contestant who \softline
looked terrified.  When the referee signaled the start, Sophie just looked into the eyes of \softline
her terrified victim, and kept her arm in the starting position.  Then she grimaced and \softline
slammed her oppo\-nent\'92s hand down on the mat with a crash.  The loser jumped up \softline
crying from the competi\-tion table and fled from the room.  Sophie slowly got up and \softline
stretched.  Her breasts were no more visible than a man\'92s.  She smiled like the cat that \softline
swallowed the canary and was now looking for a new victim.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kevin, another Alpha brother, came up to Kathy and smiled.  \'93I\'92ve been elected to \softline
be your strength coach.  How do you feel?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hi, Kevin.  I feel fine.  Look, I just watched Sophie\'92s first match and I\'92m planning \softline
to see as many more as my schedule per\-mits.  I want you to do something for me, but \softline
first, what do you think of the competition on my side of the draw?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93A piece of cake, Kathy.  You\'92re a cinch to meet Sophie in the finals.  And I don\'92t see \softline
anyone on her side who could possib\-ly take her.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s what I thought, too.  Now, here\'92s what I want you to do...\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went off to get ready for her first match.  When she sat down across from her \softline
opponent she realized that it was timing and leverage as much as strength that made a \softline
difference.  She grip\-ped her opponent\'92s hand and then appeared to relax.  She look\-ed \softline
away from the girl and allowed her hand to relax in the other girl\'92s grip.  The signal to \softline
start was given and Kathy suddenly and smoothly took her opponent\'92s hand backward \softline
to the table.  It was a quick win.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Her opponent jumped up saying, \'93That wasn\'92t fair!  You weren\'92t ready.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The referee looked at the girl in amazement.  Was he hearing things?  \'93I beg your \softline
pardon, young lady, but did you say that you weren\'92t ready when the match began?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No.  I said my opponent wasn\'92t.  She was relaxing and looking away on the start \softline
signal.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was struggling to keep from rolling on the floor with laughter.  Valiant\-ly, she \softline
tried to maintain a straight face as she listened to the backwards pro\-test.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, then,\'94 the referee said, \'93if I understand your pro\-test cor\-rectly, the match \softline
should be redone because the winner wasn\'92t ready.  Is that cor\-rect?  Did you wonder how \softline
Miss Smith could have beaten you if she hadn\'92t been ready?  The match is official: Kathy \softline
Smith is the winner.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy saw John and Bill standing back from the table.  They left the competition \softline
room, went out into the hall and around a corner.  Then they cracked up.  Kathy was \softline
laughing so hard she couldn\'92t stand.  Tears were rolling down her cheeks while John and \softline
Bill were pounding on her back and howling with laughter.  Finally, side by side they sat \softline
down against the wall.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John looked at Bill.  \'93Now you have to add comedienne and act\-ress to Kathy\'92s list \softline
of talents!  Hold on!  Kathy only gets the prize for actress.  The loser of the match wins \softline
the comedy prize.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was late afternoon, getting close to six o\'92clock.  They had heard the beauty contest \softline
was scheduled for nine but might be pushed back if the arm wrestling ran late.  The \softline
people making up the schedule never dreamed there could be nearly ninety com\-petitors.  \softline
Except for the written test, the large numbers meant running more heats and more \softline
elapsed time.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy commented to Bill, \'93Good grief.  If there hadn\'92t been dropouts this afternoon, \softline
this competition would be running nonstop into tomorrow afternoon.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She continued to win her matches and was able to see one more of Sophie\'92s.  It was \softline
a replay of the first.  Kathy won her semifinal match and moved into the finals.  Then \softline
she went off to find Kevin.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He was waiting for her outside the competition room where the finals were going to \softline
be held.  \'93You have it absolutely right, Kathy.  Sophie }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 is}{\plain \fs24 \f2  the cat swallowing the canary!  \softline
She likes to terrify her opponents before whipping them; I think she\'92s sick.  I think she \softline
gets a sexual charge out of her opponent\'92s terror.  I can\'92t be certain, of course, but I \softline
don\'92t think a single opponent even tried to move!  I think they were all scared shitless.  \softline
She is a monster and a real sadist.  I would hate to meet her alone on a dark night!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The final match was called.  Sophie was sitting in her as\-signed position glowering.  \softline
Kathy came up and gave Sophie her most dazzling smile and stuck out her hand.  \'93Hi!  \softline
I\'92m Kathy Smith.  You must be Sophie Stotz!  I\'92ve heard }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 so}{\plain \fs24 \f2  much about you, and I\'92ve \softline
been simply }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 dying}{\plain \fs24 \f2  to meet you!\'94  Kathy thought that even the most hardened Junior \softline
Leaguer would have been sickened by her gushing.  It seemed to be having its effect, \softline
though, because Sophie looked puzzled.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Kathy took her position at the table.  Where she had been gushingly friendly when \softline
she came in, she now appeared bored.  While their hands were being placed in position \softline
by the referee, Kathy appeared to concentrate on a fascinating spot on the side wall.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The referee yelled, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 \'93Go!\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In a split second, Kathy came to life.  Concentrating all her thoughts and all her \softline
strength, she smashed Sophie\'92s hand back against the table.  Then she leaped into the \softline
air with her arms upthrust.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sophie jumped up and rushed at Kathy, determined to destroy her.  She screamed, \softline
\'93I\'92ll kill you!\'94 and charged with her arms outstretch\-ed, intending to crush Kathy in a \softline
bear hug.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy surprised her.  She stepped inside the outstretched arms and slammed the tips \softline
of the fingers of her right hand into Stotz\'92s solar plexus.  Her hand was rigid so her \softline
fingers drove into the girl\'92s belly like a knife blade.  Kathy thought she could feel \softline
Sophie\'92s back\-bone with her finger tips as the woman doubled over in agony.  As her head \softline
came down it exposed the back of her neck.  Kathy had withdrawn her hand.  Now it \softline
came down on the back of Sophie\'92s neck like an ax.  The female giant just continued over \softline
and crumpled in a heap on the floor.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The spectators were stunned.  The whole fight \'97 both fights \'97 had only taken \softline
seconds.  Suddenly, there was a thunderous roar from the crowd.  Kathy was surrounded \softline
by screaming, cheering spectators.  The Alphas, screaming like lunatics, fought their way \softline
to Kathy, picked her up and carried her out on their should\-ers.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they finally put her down, she looked around, found Kevin and gave him a \softline
warm hug and a long kiss.  \'93You did, it, Kevin!  It worked.  She didn\'92t know what to do!  \softline
I think she\'92s so used to terrifying opponents that she\'92s forgotten how to fight.  She \softline
wasn\'92t ready when I put her arm down.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But Kathy, what happened then?  Suddenly she was coming at you like a bear.  It \softline
looked like she was trying to kill you.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93She was!  That\'92s why I had to get a little rough.  Sorry about that.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But where did those moves come from?\'94 Kevin asked.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s easy,\'94 Kathy replied.  \'93It comes from a youth mis\-spent watching Kung Fu \softline
movies!\'94  She ducked and wrapped her arms around her head as the Alphas pummeled \softline
her.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bill had the last word on the afternoon.  \'93John, I hope you paid attention to what \softline
happened to Sophie.  She didn\'92t touch Kathy and look what Kathy did to her!  You were \softline
spanking her with a wooden paddle for hours!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Everyone howled with laughter as they headed back to prepare for the beauty \softline
contest.  Because she lived away from the campus, Kathy had brought her things to the \softline
Alpha house.  When they entered, her companions were mobbed by other brothers trying \softline
to find out what had happened.\par
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{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Guys,\'94 John announced, \'93We\'92ve done it.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Kathy\'92s}{\plain \fs24 \f2  done it.  With ninety competitors \softline
including a bunch of ringers for particular events, she won it all.  Everything!  If she \softline
dissolved into a glob of protoplasm on the stage tonight, she\'92d still win!  Kathy is so far \softline
out in front, I don\'92t think there }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 is}{\plain \fs24 \f2  a second place.  If there is, God knows who\'92s in it or \softline
what her score is.  Fel\-lows, it was like the Olympics but with one person winning every \softline
event.  It\'92s unheard of.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The house shook with the cheers.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Meanwhile, as Kathy was standing in a corner she could feel her knees start to sag.  \softline
Seeing what was happening, Jack went up to John and whispered in his ear.  \'93Two more \softline
things, guys,\'94 John announced.  \'93First, the base\-ment lounge is closed and off-limits for \softline
at least the next hour.  Second, Kathy is changing for the beauty contest here at the \softline
house.  I want some of you slobs to be sure the bathroom is as clean for Kathy as you can \softline
get it.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jack put an arm around Kathy and put hers over his shoulder.  \'93Come on, kid.  I \softline
know the signs.  You need help, don\'92t you?  I just realized that John was abso\-lutely right.  \softline
You had a full Olympic sched\-ule in one afternoon.  And you\'92ve done it on nothing but \softline
adrenaline and one steak sand\-wich.  Let\'92s go.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Exhausted, Kathy smiled up at him.  \'93Lead on.  I\'92ll try not to collapse.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They went down to the basement room.  Kathy was startled to see three tables \'97 \softline
probably the same three \'97 arranged together, covered with towels.  Jack helped her off \softline
with her sweat jacket and supported her while she took off her pants.  \'93Kathy, get up on \softline
the table and lie on your stomach.  I\'92ve got to get a few things.  Just take off your \softline
clothes, and I\'92ll be right back.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jack left, and Kathy slowly stripped off her top, then her shorts, and finally kicked \softline
off her shoes.  She didn\'92t have the energy to bend over, so she worked off her socks with \softline
her toes.  She thought for a moment then stripped off her bra.  Care\-fully she positioned \softline
herself on the table and was almost instant\-ly asleep.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As Kathy drifted out of her sleep strong hands were working on the muscles in her \softline
upper thighs.  Whatever Jack was using was warm and penetrating and she could feel \softline
her mus\-cles respond.  Hiking up her hips, she allowed him to work off her bikini.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Oh, \softline
well,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I tell myself I like to be in the nude.  Jack has probably seen just about \softline
all of me, anyway}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She could feel his strong fingers working on her buttocks.  She remembered what \softline
Charlene had said about moving her ass.  The ache in those mus\-cles said that she had \softline
been moving it fast.  Jack worked up her spine and finally started working on her \softline
shoulders, neck, and upper arms.  It felt }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 so}{\plain \fs24 \f2  good.  Then he gave her two towels and \softline
turned his back asking her to roll over.  She did, position\-ing the towels across her breasts \softline
and loins.  Jack started to work on her legs, and then her stomach muscles.  He devoted \softline
particular attention to her right arm and biceps.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Finally, he pulled over a chair and straddled it.  He rested his chin on his folded arms \softline
and just looked at Kathy\'92s body.  Feeling his eyes on her she opened hers.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, there\'92s no one else like you.  I\'92m convinced.  For\-get the muscles and the \softline
pain.  I could work on you for hours.  There are no blemishes \'97 no imperfections \'97 \softline
anywhere.  Your body is perfect.  Do you feel better?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She quietly smiled at him.  \'93I\'92m fine.  I thought I was just tired until you started \softline
working on my body.  I didn\'92t realize I had so many muscles.  And they all ache!  Thanks \softline
Jack.  It felt great.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She lifted her head and studied his face.  \'93Jack, there is just one thing.  Do you think \softline
I could get a ham\-burger?  A big, red, juicy hamburger?  With everything, so it drips all \softline
over?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93One big, red, juicy, dripping hamburger with everything coming right up!  Kathy, \softline
here\'92s a robe you can put on.  It\'92s not much, but I don\'92t think you want to put your other \softline
things back on.  I\'92ll be right back.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When he left, Kathy carefully got off the tables, stood up and stretched.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 With a little \softline
food and a shower,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I\'92ll probably feel human again}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She ran her hands over her breasts and cupped them.  Kathy decided that they \softline
would do.  They weren\'92t as big as some, but were beautifully shaped and needed no \softline
support.  She picked up the bathrobe and put it on.  It must have been made for a man \softline
at least six inches taller and a hundred pounds heavier than she was.  It carried a \softline
masculine smell which she breathed in hungrily.  As she wrapped it around herself Jack \softline
reappeared with a tray.  Putting it on the counter he strip\-p\-ed the towels off the tables, \softline
pulling one away from the others.  Then he retrieved the tray and served with a flourish.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dripping sloppy red hamburg\-ers for mademoiselle.\'94  He put them on the table \softline
along with one for himself.  They were followed by two bottles of beer.  To Kathy they \softline
looked beautiful.  When she picked up one and started to eat, the juices started running \softline
down her chin.  Not having a napkin, she wiped her chin with the back of her hand.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jack just looked at her.  \'93God, you\'92re cute.  I know that\'92s a stupid thing to say, but \softline
you really are.  I\'92ve never met a girl as natural as you are.  You have a style and grace \softline
and beauty... even with juice drip\-ping down your chin.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned at him and pertly stuck out her tongue.  \'93Thank you for the \softline
compliment, kind sir.  I think!  Now eat your ham\-burger before it gets cold.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They finished eating and Kathy went up to shower.  On the first floor she met John \softline
and Bill.  \'93Do you know any details about this evening?  I was going to put on my \softline
bathing suit instead of underwear and then wear the sweater and skirt I wore this \softline
morning over it.  What do you guys think?  I was plan\-ning on wearing a bikini.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John looked at Bill, who nodded.  \'93That sounds fine with us.  How long will it take \softline
you?  It\'92s nearly eight o\'92clock, and, as far as we know, the contest is still scheduled to \softline
start at nine.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I\'92ll be ready,\'94 Kathy said.  She grabbed the small bag with her things in it and raced \softline
up the stairs into the bathroom.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My God,\'94 Bill said to John, \'93Kathy says she\'92ll be ready for a beauty contest that \softline
starts in about an hour.  The girls I go out with couldn\'92t be ready for a movie date, for \softline
chrissakes, in less than three.  And then I would be waiting for at least half an hour.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Unlike the first time, Kathy now had her own things with her.  As the water flowed \softline
over her body she started shampooing her hair and then applying conditioner.  She \softline
carefully soaped her body trying particularly to remove the odor of whatever Jack had \softline
been massaging her with.  After letting the water rinse off the soap, she stepped out of \softline
the shower and toweled herself dry.  Then she plugged in her hair dryer and worked on \softline
her hair, wiping the steam off the mirror first.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After studying her face for a mo\-ment, she decided that extreme measures were in \softline
order.  She carefully applied a small amount of lipstick.  Going into her bag, she \softline
extracted two small scraps of fab\-ric that together made up a white bikini.  It was \softline
absolutely plain and pure white.  Turning around she viewed herself in the mirror.  Then \softline
she put on the skirt she had worn in the morning substitut\-ing a cardigan for the pullover \softline
to avoid mussing her hair.  After putting her things in the bag she went down\-stairs to \softline
where the boys were sitting.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They stood up as she approached.  Bill glanced at his watch.  \'93Guys, that was \softline
thirty-three minutes, 23.2 seconds.  I think Kathy has set another world\'92s record.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He ducked away as Kathy swung her bag at him.  She took up a model\'92s pose: hand \softline
behind her thrown-back head, breasts jutting and one leg forward.  \'93How do I look, \softline
guys?\'94  The boys just look\-ed at her in silence.  Kathy dropped the pose and looked at \softline
them with concern showing in her eyes.  \'93I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 do}{\plain \fs24 \f2  look okay, don\'92t I?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John looked at the others and then at Kathy.  \'93No, you don\'92t look okay.\'94  He \softline
frowned.  \'93You look spectacular.  Like a dream.  Like an angel.  Definitely not just okay.  \softline
Right, guys?\'94  He grinned and the brothers applauded.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled her relief.  \'93Thank you, kind sirs.\'94  She made a deep curtsy.  \'93On the \softline
other hand, it\'92s a well-known fact that Alphas have their taste in their feet,\'94 she grinned.  \softline
\'93Come on!  We\'92re going to be late.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They arrived at Woolsey Hall where the competition was to be held.  While Kathy \softline
went in the back door, her brothers went around the front to get the best seats they \softline
could.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She walked in and found a large group of girls primping.  Many were wearing \softline
dressing gowns over their bathing suits.  Most of the suits were one piece.  Kathy noticed \softline
that several them were the highly-engi\-neer\-\-ed models capable of concealing various \softline
bodily imperfec\-tions.  She noticed only a few other two-piece suits.  While some were \softline
small, none were as revealing as her own.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went over to a board where the sched\-uled order of appearance was posted.  \softline
There were also instructions for the girls:  The contestants were to enter from the rear, 
stage left.  They were to proceed to center-stage front, go to the left, across to the right, \softline
back to the center, and exit stage right in the rear.  Kathy was surprised to find that she \softline
was scheduled to be the last contes\-tant.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Shortly after nine o\'92clock, the master of ceremonies walked out on the stage.  \softline
Musicians, who had been playing as the audi\-ence got settled, played a fanfare.  \'93Ladies \softline
and gentlemen.  Wel\-come to the final event of today\'92s }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Queen of Yale College}{\plain \fs24 \f2  competition, \softline
the beauty contest.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There was an immediate chorus of boos from parts of the audience where the \softline
lesbians and their friends were seated.  The lesbians consider beauty contests to be \softline
sexual\-ly exploitative of females but their boos were quickly drowned by cheers from the \softline
rest of the audience.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The MC went on to explain the procedure.  Since there had been no rehearsal, the \softline
band played music of its own choosing as the first contestant was announced.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went to the back, slipped off her sweater and skirt and changed shoes.  In \softline
addition to the bikini she was wearing plain white pumps.  She went to see what was \softline
happening on stage.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After parading around the stage, as each contestant paused at center stage, the MC \softline
called for applause.  It was then measured by applause meters rigged up by the electrical \softline
engin\-eers.  A large dial at each side of the stage measured the applause and a group of \softline
judges seated in front recorded the readings.  As the contestants paraded one after the \softline
other, Kathy noticed that the readings were mostly in the first quarter of the applause \softline
scale although one girl reached the midpoint.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stood there, apparently oblivious to the looks of envy and jealousy aimed her \softline
way.  Since she had brought no wrap, she was grateful for all of the time she had spent \softline
nude.  Her exposure didn\'92t bother her in the slightest.  One after the other the names \softline
were called.  Finally it was her turn.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ladies and gentlemen,\'94 the MC announced, \'93Representing Alpha fraternity, Miss \softline
Katherine Smith!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy walked out to the center of the stage.  There was an audible intake of breath \softline
from the audience.  She was holding her back straight and her head up.  At the center \softline
of the stage, she paused for a moment and posed with her head back slightly.  She turned \softline
in a complete circle and moved to the left.  She posed again and slowly walked across the \softline
stage.  She saw a concentra\-tion of Alphas and gave them a quick wink, turned, and \softline
returned to the center of the stage.  She struck the same model\'92s pose she had at the \softline
Alpha house as the MC said, \'93Miss Katherine Smith!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The applause roared and increased in intensity.  As men rose to their feet and \softline
cheered the needles on the applause meters reached the stop at the end of their scales \softline
and stuck there.  The cheering continued and then slowly subsided.  Kathy quickly \softline
walked off the stage.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab As a number of girls led by Char\-lene surrounded her with congratula\-tions, Kathy \softline
could hear the master of ceremonies making an announcement.  \'93Ladies and gentle\-men, \softline
it is my pleasure to present the Dean of Yale College who will announce the results.  \softline
Ladies and gentle\-men, Dean Charles Mansfield.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charlene folded Kathy in her arms.  \'93You were spectacular.  This couldn\'92t happen \softline
to a more deserving girl!\'94  She patted Kathy on her bottom.  \'93Go get \'92em, tiger!\'94  Kathy \softline
moved closer to the stage to hear what was being said.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Dean had taken a small mike out to center stage.  He was speaking without \softline
notes.  \'93Ladies and gentlemen, I am here this evening to crown the new Queen of Yale \softline
College.  I\'92m sup\-posed to talk for a while to allow time for the judges to total the scores \softline
and try to determine a winner.  It won\'92t be necessary.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I know that some of you in the audience oppose this con\-test.  You consider it \softline
exploitative.  You believe that a girl appearing in front of you is presenting herself as a \softline
toy \'97 a sort of sexual plaything.  Frankly, up to this morning, I was bothered by the \softline
same thing.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But there was more.  I heard that efforts were made to disrupt the compe\-tition.  I \softline
heard that a number of contestants were entered, not with an intention of competing in \softline
the full range of events, but rather to dominate a par\-ticular one.  If there was such a \softline
scheme, it didn\'92t work.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93This morning the judges found it necessary to communicate directly with \softline
Princeton.  One of the contestants\'92 scores on the GRE was so high it seemed to be off the \softline
top of the scoring scale.  It counted.  In the 100-meter dash, the winner had the fourth \softline
fastest women\'92s time ever recorded on that track.  In the riflery competition, the winner \softline
achieved a score of 248 out of a possible 250.  For the ignorant \'97 and I include myself \softline
in that group \'97 that is twenty-three bulls-eyes in twenty-five shots.  The other two shots \softline
were nines.  I have it on good authority that a person believes there was a slight defect \softline
in one of the bullets, otherwise it would have been a ten.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There was laughter from the audience and Kathy could feel herself blushing.  She \softline
was amused at the thought of what a blush must look like when wearing a tiny bikini.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Dean continued.  \'93The 1,500 meters \'97 the so-called met\-ric mile \'97 was one of \softline
the best middle distance races our track experts have ever seen run.  Not only did the \softline
winner have to beat one of the finest runners who has ever attended this school, but she \softline
had to do it while threading through runners she was lapping on her way to the finish \softline
line.  And still the time was close to the record for the distance on our track.  In wrist \softline
wrestling the winner defeated a woman rated by the experts as unbeatable.  She also \softline
quelled a slight disturbance at the end of the final match before the spectators were \softline
aware there was one.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Laughter rippled through the audience.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That brings me to tonight.  I\'92m not an engineer.  However, it took only a minimum \softline
of consul\-tation with my distinguished col\-league, the Dean of the School of Engineering, 
to determine that when the needle on the applause meter bends on its end stop, it\'92s a \softline
high reading.  I shouldn\'92t say this I suppose \'97 I\'92m sup\-posed to be impartial \'97 but I was \softline
applaud\-ing so hard myself I had a hard time focusing on the meter.  Fortunately, I was \softline
able to focus while the needle was still stuck on its stop.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Another thing I\'92m not is a mathemati\-cian.  However, it doesn\'92t take a degree in \softline
higher mathematics to compute an overall winner when the winner of every event is the \softline
same person.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ladies and gentlemen, I am truly delighted to present the Queen of Yale College, \softline
Miss Katherine Smith!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy felt a gentle push in the small of her back.  She joined Dean Mansfield at \softline
center stage while the applause thundered from the audience.  Virtually everyone was \softline
on his feet applauding.  As she stood there, someone came up behind her and held up a \softline
blue academic gown.  Kathy slipped her arms in and turned to allow the girl to fasten it.  \softline
As she turned back a man came across the stage and presented her with an armful of \softline
roses.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Dean Mansfield, watching the proceed\-ings, smiled at her warmly.  She saw him \softline
switch off his mike as he said to her softly, \'93At graduation I\'92ve always wondered what \softline
some of the girls are wearing under the gowns, particularly if it\'92s a hot day.  Kathy, what \softline
is under your gown is breathtaking.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He switched the mike on again as a man brought out a crown set on a blue pillow.  \softline
At the same time the other contestants were filing onto the stage behind them.  \'93Kathy, \softline
it is indeed an honor to crown you Queen of Yale Col\-lege.  In one body you combine all \softline
of the things we want to have here at Yale and which God so seldom combines in a single \softline
person.  Congratulations!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The applause roared out again.  Just then, the band played a fanfare followed by \softline
Yale\'92s alma mater, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Bright College Years}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  The entire audie\-nce stood and sang.  Holding \softline
her head up proudly, Kathy could feel tears of joy rolling down her cheeks as she joined \softline
in.  Other girls crowded around to offer congratulations as the audience filed out.  She \softline
accepted them gracefully and looked around for someone to take the crown.  No one was \softline
interested, so she gathered that it and the robe were hers to keep.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Oh, well,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 they can always add it to my Bursar\'92s bill}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  Finally, she re\-trieved her skirt and sweater \softline
and put them on.  After changing her shoes for loafers, she carefully folded the gown and \softline
left the theater.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Alphas were waiting for her at the door, and mobbed her when she emerged.  \softline
They all wanted to hug her, kiss her and tell her how proud they were.  Kathy was \softline
mauled.  Finally they backed off and just smiled at her.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She shook her head like a terrier and ran her fingers through her hair to get it back \softline
together.  She grinned at the guys.  \'93This calls for a celebra\-tion.  Let\'92s go back to Mory\'92s.  \softline
I\'92m buying.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The celebrating group marched up to Mory\'92s.  One of the mem\-bers was carrying her \softline
crown, another had her gown, while a third carried her roses.  It was almost eleven \softline
o\'92clock when they entered.  Kathy was immediately recognized by people near the door \softline
who began to applaud.  As word of who had just arrived spread through the old building, \softline
Kathy could hear the sound of applause flow around and fill the struc\-ture.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The headwaiter ushered them up to the Whiffenpoofs\'92 room.  Mory\'92s unique \softline
concoction known as a Green Cup passed from hand to hand until closing time.  As she \softline
took a sip, Kathy real\-ized that she had left Mory\'92s less than twelve hours earlier.  It \softline
seemed like years with so much happening between trips.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 }\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 10}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Bright college years with pleasures rife, the shortest, gladdest years of life.  How \softline
swiftly are ye gliding by...\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy could feel tears forming in her eyes as the Yale Alma Mater was played.  She \softline
was standing, singing it with her graduating class\-mates, \'93...In after years should \softline
troubles rise, to cloud those bright and sunny skies...\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She thought of her life\'92s reversal.  It wasn\'92t \'93after years\'94; for her they were prior \softline
years.  Just a few short years earlier she had been a prostitute with no fut\-\-ure at all.  \softline
Now, the President having formally conferred de\-grees, she was a graduate, with highest \softline
honors, of one of the world\'92s most pres\-tigious universities.  She wondered what Julie \softline
would think of her now.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The song continued towards its conclu\-sion.  Kathy shook out her handkerchief in \softline
preparation for the last lines.  She waved in time with the rest as they sang \'93...for God, \softline
for Country, and for Yale!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 This is my graduation,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, standing straight.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 These were good years.  The \softline
diploma I receive back at Calhoun College reads, \'93artium liberalium baccalaur\-ei, summa \softline
cum laude.\'94  My final class standing is number four.  Maybe I should have majored in \softline
math or engineering.  The liberal arts faculty won\'92t ever give grades as high as the \softline
engineering and math guys do}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  She smiled at the thought.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally the ceremony ended and the crowd scattered towards the residential colleges.  \softline
Kathy went to Calhoun College where diplomas would be dis\-tributed.  When the master \softline
called her name, she walked over to receive her dip\-loma.  Calhoun is one of Yale\'92s Gothic \softline
colleges.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 A true \'93ivy covered hall,\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy thought as she reached out her hand.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The master, after giving her the diploma, put out his arms and pulled her into a \softline
powerful hug.  \'93Kathy,\'94 he said softly, \'93having you here at Calhoun has been one of my \softline
real pleasures at Yale.  I\'92m only sorry you didn\'92t spend more time with us.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He kissed her on the cheek, and raised his voice, \'93Ladies and gentlemen, could we \softline
have a round of applause for the Queen of Yale College and Cal\-houn\'92s top graduate this \softline
year, Katherine J. Smith!\'94  Her class\-mates stood and applauded as, red-faced, she \softline
walked back to her seat.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bob Ferguson had come up for commencement and was seated next to her.  \'93Kathy, \softline
Sam would be so proud.  I know I am.  Every\-thing he hoped you would do, you have \softline
done... and far more besides.  You\'92re wonderful, hon.  And I think you have some visi\-
tors.  There are a group of guys standing back there waving at you.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She turned in her seat and looked back.  There were John and Bill who had \softline
graduated the previous year; Jack, Kevin and other class\-mates still wearing their \softline
academic gowns; and other underclass frater\-nity brothers who had stayed on for \softline
graduation.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab When she went back to see them she kissed Bill and John and held their hands, \'93I \softline
missed you big lugs!  Thank you so much for coming.\'94  Again she could feel tears starting \softline
to roll down her cheeks.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab John took her into his arms, hugged her, and stroked her hair.  \'93I wouldn\'92t miss it \softline
for the world!  For our baby sister to be graduating without Bill and me here to see it is \softline
ridiculous.\'94  He held her at arms length.  \'93You still look great, babe.  But look out for \softline
that erup\-tion,\'94 he added in a whisper.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When John released her, Bill took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.  He \softline
whispered with his lips close to her ear, \'93Kathy, I still remember that pool game.  You \softline
were so beautiful.  You stood there like an Amazon defending your world.  I guess you \softline
know it changed me.  I\'92ve met a wonderful girl who I want to introduce to you.  We\'92re \softline
planning on being married in a couple of years when I finish business school.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy gave him a warm kiss and then held him away, \'93Bill, I\'92m so happy for you!  \softline
That\'92s wonderful news!\'94  She lowered her voice to a whisper and added, \'93But can she \softline
shoot pool?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bill grinned and faked a swing at her.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then Bob Ferguson joined the happy group.  Kathy proudly intro\-duced the men to \softline
Bob.  Handshakes were exchanged all around.  Bob said, \'93So you\'92re the guys I\'92ve heard \softline
so much about.  It sounds trite, I know, but Kathy has told me all about you.\'94  He saw \softline
some faces redden.  \'93Well, maybe not quite all.  She was or\-phaned some years ago and \softline
has no brothers and sisters of her own.  I know, though, that she loves you as much as \softline
she could possibly love real ones.  I want to thank you all for everything you\'92ve done for \softline
Kathy while she\'92s been in New Haven.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The boys laughed.  \'93I don\'92t know what Kathy\'92s been telling you,\'94 said Jack, \'93but it \softline
couldn\'92t be the truth.  What we\'92ve done for }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 her}{\plain \fs24 \f2 ?  Or }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 to}{\plain \fs24 \f2  her?  The reality is what she\'92s \softline
done for us.  Aside from winning every award for us there was to win, she whip\-ped us \softline
into shape.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab His expression suddenly changed, \'93Good Heavens!  I didn\'92t realize.  You must be the \softline
Mr. Ferguson who...\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ferguson smiled, \'93Guilty.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jack looked at John.  \'93Maybe you didn\'92t hear.  Last fall, we got the word from the \softline
University about our house: Clean up or close up... and fast.  It was all the structural \softline
work: the fire safety stuff, and the bathrooms.  The cost was nearly a mil\-lion dollars.  \softline
Then we got a call from a man named Ferguson \'97 Mr. Ferguson, here, obviously \'97 who \softline
is trustee of a foundation in Norfolk.  He said we won an award for capital projects of a \softline
mil\-lion...\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He stopped in the middle of his sentence and looked at Bob Ferguson, whose head \softline
was bent as he studied something fascinating on the ground.  Then he looked at Kathy \softline
who was trying to disap\-pear into the shrubbery.  \'93Of course, it was you!  My God, how \softline
dumb can we be.  Kathy\'92s from Norfolk and by a coincidence a Norfolk-based charitable 
foundation decides that an impoverish\-ed fraternity in New Haven \'97 damnyankee \softline
territory, if you will \'97 needs money to fix its joint up.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Katherine Smith, don\'92t you dare try to hide!  Stand up straight in front of the Alpha \softline
Council.  What do you have to say for yourself?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stood up straight in front of him.  Tears started to form in her eyes.  \'93I\'92m \softline
sorry.  I didn\'92t mean...  I didn\'92t want...  I don\'92t know what I mean.\'94  She continued to \softline
stand with her head up straight and her arms at her sides as the tears started to pour \softline
down her cheeks.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jack took her in his arms and held her.  He could feel her body shaking with sobs as \softline
she nestled into his shoulder.  He stroked her hair which was silken gold.  \'93God, Kathy, \softline
I\'92m sorry.  Look at you!\'94  He held her out at arms length.  \'93You\'92re sorry for getting us \softline
more money than we could ever think about \'97 and on a single phone call, I\'92ll bet!  \softline
Right?\'94  Kathy nodded her head.  \'93You lovely little idiot.  You\'92re standing there crying \softline
because you saved our house, for chrissakes.  That\'92s really something to be ashamed of.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then he took her into his arms and kissed her hard.  When he released her, the other \softline
brothers took her and kissed her, too.  Soon Kathy\'92s head was swimming.  Some of the \softline
kisses were decidedly unbrotherly.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jack looked at Ferguson.  \'93It }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 was}{\plain \fs24 \f2  only a single call, wasn\'92t it?  It had to be.  The \softline
timing was too quick for anything else.  I\'92ll bet we got your letter only a couple of days \softline
after Kathy knew.  My God!  What did she tell you?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bob Ferguson looked a little sheepish.  \'93Well, she said that you fellows had a \softline
financial emergency, and... well...  Oh hell, it\'92s all her money anyway!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The boys spun on Kathy who was glaring at Bob Ferguson, \'93You promised!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ferguson looked miserable, \'93I\'92m sorry, hon.  It slipped out.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Katherine Smith, are we to understand that you made a gift to the house of one \softline
million dollars }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 of your own money!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Is that true?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy nodded once.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93She\'92s done it to us again, guys!  She really has.  John, I think it was your idea to \softline
pledge Kathy into the house, wasn\'92t it?  What a dumb move.  All we got out of that deal \softline
was a house full of trophies, a crown or two, a jump in our academic standing, a few \softline
athletic records and a million dollars.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He took Kathy in his arms and kissed her again.  He kept his arm around her waist \softline
as he turned towards his friends.  He started to laugh.  \'93This reminds me somehow of \softline
that old story about the shotgun marriage to the beautiful nymphomaniac whose father \softline
owns a liquor store... but I\'92m not sure why.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \tab He looked at Kathy as he laughed harder.  She started to laugh, too.  Everyone else \softline
joined in.  Soon they were rolling on the grass, with everyone piling on Kathy.  Someone \softline
started to tickle her; another joined in.  Then her arms and legs were held as Jack tickled \softline
her ribs.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I\'92m not ticklish,\'94 Kathy said in a voice that carried no conviction.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She was laughing harder and trying to roll into a ball to escape but her arms and legs \softline
were trapped.  Jack knew how to use his hands and was able to control his fingertip \softline
pressure.  It was just the right pace and pressure to maximize Kathy\'92s torment.  Tears \softline
of laughter streamed down her cheeks.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally she yelled, \'93I give up!  I\'92ll be good!  I\'92ll never do it again, I promise!\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The friends holding her limbs had to let go because they were laughing too hard to \softline
hold on any longer.  The laughter slowly subsided.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy got to her feet and looked down at her academic gown, now covered with dirt, \softline
leaves and grass clippings that she rather ineffectually tried to brush off.  There were \softline
leaves in her hair, a dirt smudge and tear stains on her cheeks.  While trying to wipe off \softline
a tear she left a grubby finger mark.  Jack thought she was the most beauti\-ful girl alive.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She gave up the effort.  \'93How many of you guys can join us for lunch?\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A group of seven including Jack, Bill, and John agreed.  The others had to get back \softline
to relatives and fri\-ends up for their own graduation celebrations.\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Come on, guys, we\'92re off to Mory\'92s to celebrate!\'94  She looked at herself rueful\-ly.  \softline
\'93Provided they\'92ll let us in looking like this.  It\'92s my treat.\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No it\'92s not,\'94 said Jack.  \'93You see, the fraternity has this mysterious benefactor who \softline
gave us a million dollars and the repairs have all been paid for and we still have a few \softline
bucks left, so...\'94\par
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They walked arm in arm up Elm Street.  Kathy thought about University of Virginia \softline
Law School in Charlottesville, her next stop.  Thomas Jefferson\'92s school...}}\pard \fs24\qj\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 

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\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 11}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was a sunny June day in Norfolk.  The temperature was in the mid-90\'92s with \softline
humidity to match, and Kathy was lying on her bed staring out at the sky.  She was lying \softline
nude, reflecting on recent events.  She supposed that she should do something about \softline
studying for her bar exam, but she couldn\'92t bring herself to do it.  She had just \softline
graduated from UVA law school and wanted to leave the books alone for a while.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She thought about her decision to refuse the editorship of the Law Review.  She \softline
had earned it, but she really didn\'92t feel like working that hard.  She accepted the position \softline
of Note Editor instead.  As at Yale, she had graduated with highest honors.  It was still \softline
unclear to her why her studies came so easily to her.  She really didn\'92t believe that her \softline
scores on the LSAT\'92s were indicative of her ability.  She had heard all the stories about \softline
the cultural bias on aptitude tests so she didn\'92t believe the evidence of her own \softline
experience that, biased or not, they were certainly directional\-ly accurate.  Kathy\'92s \softline
direction was the top.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The law school recruiting season had been funny.  After her first year in law \softline
school she had interned with an appellate-court judge in Virginia.  She spent the summer \softline
after her second year working for a Federal Appeals Court judge in Richmond.  When the \softline
representa\-tives from the nation\'92s top law firms came to Char\-lottes\-ville to interview, they \softline
all tried to interview Kathy Smith.  Aside from it being good for their image to hire \softline
young women, Kathy had become a legend at Virginia.  Her grades were distin\-guished \softline
as were the recommendations from both faculty and the judges for whom she had \softline
worked, so she was considered the top employment pros\-pect in her class.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she absolutely could not refuse, she would attend a cocktail party or \softline
dinner sponsored by one major law firm or another.  Young law\-yers in the firm, brought \softline
to Charlottesville because they were thought to be able to \'93relate well\'94 with students, \softline
were swarming like studs around a bitch in heat.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Now, at age twenty-four, Kathy was a truly stunning woman.  Her face, figure, \softline
skin and hair were all flawless.  However, she treated them all with a subtle amuse\-ment \softline
that they didn\'92t understand.  Women were supposed to be flooding around and fawning \softline
all over them.  In the meantime, the senior partners \'97 used to standing around, \softline
impressing the rabb\-le, and sitting in judgment over whom they should deign to invite to \softline
visit their Firm\'92s offices \'97 struggled to get close to Kathy without too-obviously \softline
elbowing their juniors aside.  Kathy main\-tained her poise and appeared to be an ice \softline
goddess.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Accidentally, she had discovered the most effective way of playing the recruiting \softline
game: Ignore them.  The results were hilarious.  At school she had a drawer-full of \softline
invita\-tions to visit top law offices in cities around the country.  In spite of never having \softline
taken an interview she receiv\-ed eight firm offers of employment.  Most were from top \softline
firms offer\-ing top money.  She wrote polite notes of refusal to both the invita\-tions and \softline
the offers.  Idly, she wondered if she had even bothered to save the letters.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Her classmates never knew how she obtained her position.  While representatives of the top firms were swarming all over her, she had written to the District \softline
Attorney of Norfolk County applying for a position.  The next day she received a call \softline
from him at her apart\-ment.  After convincing himself that it was not a prank, that she \softline
really was who she said she was, he offered her a job on the spot.  She accepted his offer \softline
and then asked how much the position paid.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She remembered the silence at the other end of the phone.  \'93The position pays \softline
$17,500 per year to start,\'94 he said in an absolute\-ly flat voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s fine,\'94 Kathy replied brightly.  \'93Could I start Sep\-tem\-ber first?  I would \softline
like to rest this summer and get the bar exams out of the way, if that\'92s all right with \softline
you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Miss Smith,\'94 the District Attorney said, \'93I don\'92t get it.  Top graduates from top \softline
schools are getting up to $75,000 a year to start.  Clearly, you\'92re a top graduate and UVA \softline
is a top school.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re right, sir.  As a matter of fact, I just turned down an offer at $80,000.  \softline
I didn\'92t mean to upset you about the money; I was just curious.  May I call for an \softline
appointment to meet you the next time I\'92m in town?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I\'92ll be available to see you any time you can make it, and I will leave \softline
standing instructions with my secretary to that effect.  You may be one of the great nuts \softline
of the Western World, but I am looking forward to meeting you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had an ap\-pointment to see the District Attorney that afternoon.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Idly, she glanced around her apartment.  The decorating wasn\'92t quite finished \softline
but it was pretty close.  The apartment was on the top floor of an apartment complex.  \softline
Through a hidden door it connected to an exercise room and through that to her \softline
personal law office.  The office and the exercise facility were actually in an adjacent \softline
building.  The office building fronted on a commercial avenue in Virginia Beach while \softline
her apartment opened on a residen\-tial street to its rear.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab No one knew of the connec\-tion except the architect, the builder and Kathy.  Of \softline
course, it helped to own both buildings.  She was pleased.  Both buildings were almost \softline
completely rented out.  It was going to be quite a moneymaker, even if she paid no rent \softline
herself.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She was particularly pleased with her pool and deck.  Walking through her \softline
bathroom, she slid open the door and stepped outside.  The terrace was surrounded by \softline
a ten-foot palisade-type fence for privacy.  The pool was a narrow rectangle 25 meters \softline
long.  Diving in, she swam in long, power\-ful strokes to the far end, did a racing turn and \softline
came back.  Al\-though she hadn\'92t intended to swim, she was enjoying it so she kept on \softline
going back and forth.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy thought about the problems with the architects and engineers.  They had \softline
insisted that a pool of the size she wanted couldn\'92t possibly be suspended.  She pointed \softline
out that the Payne-Whitney Gym at Yale had a 50-meter pool a lot wider than hers up 
in the tower.  The architect said there was no way such a large area could be provided \softline
with the privacy she in\-sisted upon.  She told them to consider it a challenge.  The eng\-
ineer finally allowed that it could be done but it would be too expensive.  She archly re\-
mind\-ed him that cost was her problem, not his.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In the end, the architect was proud of his design, and the engineer of his accom\-
plishment.  Now both were miffed because she refused to allow it to be photographed for \softline
the shelter magazines or the engineering trade books.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She pulled herself out of the pool and picked up a huge bath towel.  Why did she \softline
derive such a sensuous pleasure from something as mundane as a large, fluffy towel?  \softline
Glancing at a clock she saw it was time to get ready to meet Peter Mahoney, the District \softline
Attorney of Norfolk County.  She wondered if she would have to live in Norfolk.  Both \softline
Norfolk and Virginia Beach were city/counties.  The borders of the cities and their \softline
respective counties were co-terminus.  She dressed in a cotton seersucker suit she \softline
thought would be appropriate for the weather.  Then she got in her car, drove to the \softline
Expressway and headed for Norfolk.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter Mahoney came out of his office to greet her as soon as she was announced.  \softline
Kathy was pleased.  She hated officious people who kept visitors waiting just to show \softline
they were very busy.  Peter shook hands and ushered her into his office and into a chair.  \softline
Going behind his desk, he sat down and studied Kathy intently.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sat upright in her chair and waited.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My God, everything I\'92ve heard about you is true!  After you wrote and we \softline
talked, I checked at the law school.  At first some of my friends thought I was joking \softline
when I said I had hired you.  They confirmed the $80,000 offer, by the way.  In fact, the \softline
guy I talked to said that firm was willing to go to $100,000 to get you.  You are a \softline
graduate of Yale University and University of Virginia Law School, both summa cum \softline
laude.  You are a beauti\-ful girl.  What, in the name of God, are you doing here?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mr. Mahoney...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Everyone calls me Pete or Peter.  I don\'92t answer quickly to \'91Mr. Mahoney.\'92\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Peter, I want to be involved in criminal law.  I grew up in Norfolk.  I heard that \softline
you have trouble hiring staff attorneys.  I thought I could help.\'94  Kathy looked down at \softline
her hands which were folded in her lap.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Mahoney stared at her.  \'93You scare me, Kathy.  May I call you Kathy?  You are \softline
the most beautiful girl to come into this office since I\'92ve been here at least, and probably \softline
forever.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, the DA\'92s office deals with the scum of the earth: the rapists, the robbers, \softline
the muggers, the drug dealers.  You name it.  If it\'92s a felony, we get them.  And Kathy, \softline
they aren\'92t nice people.  A cheap hoodlum kills two people knock\-ing over their grocery \softline
store and I hear these bleed\-ing hearts bleating, \'91How did soc\-iety fail this poor boy?\'92  I \softline
could vomit!  Society didn\'92t fail him.  There are exceptions, of course, but there is an 
English word that isn\'92t used much any more, but which fits: The word is \'91evil.\'92  Kathy, \softline
there\'92s a lot of evil that ends up in this office.  I\'92m not sure you can take it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy showed concern.  \'93Are you withdrawing your offer, then, sir?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter smiled.  \'93Kathy, I\'92m not completely crazy.  Of course not.  You are the \softline
most highly qualified lawyer to join our staff, probably in this century.  I take that back.  \softline
There have been some good ones just passing through on their way to a career in politics.  \softline
Are you headed for politics?  I think you would get every male eligible to vote.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course, I\'92m not sure of the wo\-men\'92s vote,\'94 he added with a grin.  \'93Are you \softline
a libber?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93By that do you mean do I burn bras and kick a man in the groin if he opens a \softline
door or holds a chair?  No, I don\'92t.  I believe God made man and woman equal, but he \softline
sure didn\'92t make them the same!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I think you may do,\'94 he said with a grin.  He opened a desk drawer and \softline
pulled out a bottle of bourbon and two not-very-clean glasses.  \'93Will you join me in a \softline
drink to our associa\-tion?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I certainly will!  With pleasure,\'94 she replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter reached across the desk extending his hand.  Kathy took it in a firm grip \softline
and they shook on it.  Peter poured two stiff drinks, and lifted his glass in a toast, \'93To \softline
the newest assistant district attorney of Norfolk County.  Effective Septem\-ber first, of \softline
course.\'94  He drained his glass in a gulp.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy lifted her cup, \'93Thank you, sir.  I\'92m looking forward to it.\'94  She raised her \softline
glass and drained it without a sound.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter\'92s mouth formed a silent, \'93Wow.\'94  He continued to study her.  \'93You\'92ll need \softline
to get a weapon.  We\'92ll take care of the carry permit.\'94  He expected to get a strong \softline
reaction.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab What he got was the same reaction she would have given if he said she needed \softline
a new dress.  \'93Would a .38 with a 4-inch barrel be okay?  Hammerless, so it won\'92t hang \softline
up in my purse?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, do you know what you\'92re talking about?  I don\'92t think you\'92ve ever fired \softline
a weapon in your life!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93May I use your telephone for a credit-card call, please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Mahoney just nodded.  Kathy punched \'91O\'92 followed by a ten-digit num\-ber; \softline
following a pause, she punched in her credit card number.  A few moments later the \softline
telephone was answered.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hello, this is Kathy Smith calling.  By any chance is Dean Mansfield free?  \softline
Thank you very much.\'94  A few moments later she said, \'93Dean Mans\-field, it\'92s good to talk \softline
to you.  I\'92m calling because I have a favor to ask.  I\'92m in the office of the Norfolk, \softline
Virginia, Dis\-trict Attorney.  I will be starting in September as one of his assistants.  
However, I\'92m afraid he thinks I\'92m breakable.  Could you take a few moments and tell \softline
him about the contest?  Thanks so much, sir.  He\'92s right here.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy handed the receiver to Peter, sat back in her chair, and listened to the \softline
one-sided conversation.  First there was a period of silence after the opening hellos as the \softline
dean told about the contest.  She smiled to herself as expressions of incredulity passed \softline
over Peter\'92s face.  Then there were a series of questions: her times in the races, her score \softline
on the range: \'93Twenty-three bulls-eyes in twenty-five shots!  Unbelievable!\'94 and the \softline
encounter with Sophie: \'93How big did you say she was?  In two blows and fewer seconds.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He thank\-ed the Dean for his time and for the information and hung up.  \'93I give \softline
up.  The Dean says you are the most remarkable person he has ever met.  Incidentally, \softline
I think he loves you like a daughter.  As far as the weapon is concerned, I was just \softline
teasing you, but now I think it is a good idea.  I\'92ll check with the plainclothes force and \softline
see what\'92s good in women\'92s weapons these days.  I ga\-ther, you\'92re not interested in a bra \softline
or garter holster?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy laughed and relaxed again.  \'93Peter, I\'92m single.  What do you think a guy \softline
would do if he was groping at my bra and came up with a .38?  I really don\'92t want to find \softline
out.  The purse will do just fine.\'94  She got up to leave.  \'93I hope to pass the bar before I \softline
report for work.  In the meantime, let me know what type of weapon you want me to \softline
have and where to get it.\'94  She stuck out her hand, \'93I\'92m looking forward to working for \softline
you.  And thank you for giving me the opportunity.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter shook her hand and opened the door.  He realized that he usually made a \softline
point of }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 not}{\plain \fs24 \f2  opening doors for women.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 What is there about Kathy that makes it seem to \softline
be the most natural thing in the world?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 He scratched his head in puzzlement while he \softline
watched her ass subtly swing as she walked away down the hall.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As long as she was downtown, Kathy decided to drop by Bob Ferguson\'92s office.  \softline
It was in a bank building overlooking the Omni and Harborside with Portsmouth across \softline
the bay.  After parking near the bank she walked past the monument to the last encamp\-
ment of the Confederate War Veterans in the square behind the bank.  She paused and \softline
looked up at the statues of the Confederate soldiers on the monument and the names of \softline
some of the battles in which they fought.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She thought of that time long ago when so many young men lost their lives each \softline
fighting for what he thought was right: preservation of the Union for the North, and \softline
States Rights for the South.  She reflected on the war.  She had studied it in school, of \softline
course, but later her interest had deepened.  She used her spare time while at \softline
Charlottesville to visit many of the battlefields spread all over northern Virginia.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 There is scarcely a square foot of land here over which men\'92s blood has not been \softline
shed,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  She turned away thinking that about the only thing the war had \softline
established was that Lee\'92s Army of North\-ern Virginia was the best damned light \softline
infantry the world had ever seen.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 These men were the crackers, the rednecks, the poor \softline
white trash.  But God, could they fight!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Coming back to the present, she realized that 
the descendants of those men still made the most loyal friends and most implacable \softline
enemies.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Anyone who unneces\-sarily gets crosswise with one of these people is four\-teen \softline
kinds of fool!}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Entering the building, she went up to Ferguson\'92s office.  She knew Bob was out \softline
of town on vacation but she was sure Mrs. Wilson would be there.  Ferguson maintained \softline
an office for Kathy\'92s use which she used mainly as a place to keep her files and records.  \softline
She walked in, smiled at the reception\-ist and walked back to Bob\'92s office.  His was in the \softline
corner while Kathy had an adja\-cent office with a view of the harbor.  Mrs. Wilson took \softline
care of any secretarial services Kathy needed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she walked down the hall, Mrs. Wilson rose from behind her desk.  She \softline
greeted Kathy warmly and followed her into her office, carry\-ing her ever-present steno \softline
pad.  Kathy went behind her desk, sat down and started to thumb through the mail \softline
waiting for her while Mrs. Wilson sat in a chair opposite.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy heard a sniffling noise and looked up.  Mrs. Wilson was holding a tissue \softline
to her face and was obviously crying.  Kathy rushed around the desk, knelt in front of \softline
her and asked, \'93What\'92s wrong, Mrs. Wilson?  What\'92s happened?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At that, the woman broke down completely.  She was crying as if her heart would \softline
break.  Kathy helped her up and took her over to the couch.  They sat down and she held \softline
the older woman as she cried.  Finally she cried herself out and stopped, but Kathy \softline
continued to hold her until she could feel the heaving stop and her breathing return to \softline
normal.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What is this all about?  Please tell me what\'92s wrong.\'94  Kathy found a box of \softline
tissues and passed one to Mrs. Wilson along with the rest of the box.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s Mr. Ferguson, Miss.  I\'92m scar\-ed.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Before we go any further, my name is Kathy.  What\'92s your first name?  I\'92m \softline
ashamed to say I don\'92t even know.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s Jane, Kathy.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now, Jane,\'94 continued Kathy, \'93What about Bob?  What\'92s he done, or what is \softline
he about to do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93He\'92s getting involved with a woman.  She\'92s the wrong type.  She\'92ll ruin him.  \softline
I don\'92t know what to do,\'94 Jane wailed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Come on, Jane.  Don\'92t turn on the waterworks again or you\'92ll get me started.\'94  \softline
Kathy suddenly understood.  \'93You love him, don\'92t you?\'94  Jane nodded, miserably.  \'93Well, \softline
what are you doing to trap him, for God\'92s sake!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane\'92s head jerked.  \'93I don\'92t understand.  What do you mean?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy replied, \'93If I loved a man the way you obviously love Bob Fer\-guson, I \softline
wouldn\'92t be sitting here at a desk while he\'92s on vacation.  I would be chasing him.  \softline
Where is he anyway?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93At the Greenbrier,\'94 Jane replied softly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Is this other woman with him?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93She\'92s not staying in his room, but I think she\'92s at the hotel,\'94 she repli\-ed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You still haven\'92t answered my question.  What are you doing to catch Bob \softline
Ferguson and marry him?  I want an answer,\'94 Kathy demanded.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked up in alarm.  The poor woman didn\'92t know what to say.  Kathy \softline
asked her about her background.  All she only knew was that Jane Wilson was a widow.  \softline
She learned that Jane\'92s husband had been a navy fighter pilot who had been killed in a \softline
training crash.  She had started to work for Bob Ferguson shortly before Sam Jenkins \softline
died and had worked for him ever since.  Kathy re\-membered that Jane had been wearing \softline
black the first time she met her but had not previously made the connec\-tion.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy said, \'93Jane, those fighter jocks are supposed to be hot tickets.  They fly \softline
and they fuck.  I hear that every minute they\'92re ashore, they\'92re either in a bar or in a \softline
girl\'92s body.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At that comment, Jane shyly smiled and nodded, keeping her head down.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy continued, \'93So you were married to a fighter jock and kept him happy in \softline
bed.  What happened to you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked up, startled.  \'93What do you mean, what hap\-pened?  He was killed.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy could see Jane\'92s eyes showing signs of new tears.  \'93I know that,\'94 Kathy \softline
said brutally.  \'93I mean what happened to you?  Just look at yourself.  I can\'92t believe that \softline
you caught a Navy fighter pilot looking and acting like you do now.  Stand up and take \softline
off your clothes!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane\'92s head jerked up as if she had been slapped.  She looked at Kathy as if she \softline
could not believe what she had just heard.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy repeated, \'93Stand up and take off your clothes!  All of them!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Taking Jane\'92s hand, she pulled her to her feet.  Jane looked panicked as Kathy \softline
started unbuttoning her blouse.  Looking frightened, Jane released her skirt and let it \softline
slip to the floor.  Kathy had already removed Jane\'92s blouse while the woman stood there \softline
in a slip.  Glaring at her, Kathy motioned for her to take it off.  Jane, looking terrified, \softline
pulled it over her head.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The rest,\'94 Kathy ordered as she started to take off her own clothes.  She moved \softline
over to the door and locked it.  Kathy put her seersucker suit on the desk, slipped off her \softline
bra and bikini and stood proudly nude.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane hesitated but finally unfas\-tened her serviceable bra.  Then she stood there \softline
with one arm over her breasts and her head downcast.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy could see that the woman was unable to go on.  \'93All of it, I said.  Take \softline
everything off!  Now!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Really scared now, Jane slipped her cotton panties down to her ankles and \softline
stepped out of them.  Kathy asked Jane what her late hus\-band\'92s name was.  The answer \softline
was Bill.  Jane stood bent over with one arm over her breasts and her other hand \softline
covering her pubic area.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My God!  Is that the way Bill saw you?  I can\'92t believe it.  He must have seen \softline
something I haven\'92t seen.  Jane, you\'92re lying to me.  There\'92s no way you could have been \softline
married to a fighter pilot.  It\'92s absolutely out of the question!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy succeeded in provoking the response she was seeking.  Jane\'92s fury \softline
overwhelmed her fear.  She stood up straight, raised her head, and screamed, \'93You little \softline
bitch!  What do you know about a marriage?  Bill and I were good together.  Why, the \softline
night be\-fore he died, neither of us slept a wink.\'94  With the memory of the night, Jane \softline
started to sink back into tears.  She covered her face with her hands and started to cry \softline
again.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at her.  She saw a middle-aged woman who could have been very \softline
attractive, but who had allowed herself to go to seed.  Jane had brown hair pulled back \softline
into a very severe style.  Her clothes were utilitarian and businesslike.  Her figure could \softline
have been good; her breasts were still well-shaped and firm, her pubic hair was a darker \softline
shade than her head.  Kathy noticed it was silky rather than curly.  Her legs were long \softline
but were showing fat in the thighs.  Her hips were slim and her bone structure was fine.  \softline
Jane was five feet six and Kathy estimated her weight at between 135 and 140.  She \softline
could easily spare ten pounds.  Kathy realized that her worst feature was her pos\-ture:  \softline
Her head was normally carried tipped forward.  As a result, her shoul\-ders slumped \softline
allowing her breasts to droop and her belly to protrude.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy decided on the spot to make Jane Wilson her summer project.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Jane,\'94 said Kathy, removing the harshness from her voice, \'93stand up straight \softline
with your back against that wall.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane look\-ed up and moved to obey.  Kathy was standing up straight looking like \softline
a statue whose sculptor could not come up with an interest\-ing pose.  As usual, she stood \softline
erect with her shoulders squared and her breasts jutting.  Suddenly it registered on Jane \softline
that Kathy was also nude.  She stared at the younger girl.  Her eyes traveled over \softline
Kathy\'92s face and hair, her breasts and slight\-ly rounded belly, the smooth swell of her \softline
hips.  Her eyes moved down her slim legs and came back to focus on her loins.  \'93You... \softline
You have no pubic hair!\'94 Jane exclaimed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled at her warmly.  Jane was the only person to see her bare in years.  \softline
\'93No.  I keep it plucked.  I\'92ve grown accus\-tomed to it this way.  Now stand up straight \softline
and let me look at you.\'94  Kathy\'92s nudity seemed to relax Jane.  When she finally put her \softline
back against the wall and stood up straight, Kathy went over and looked at her critically.  \softline
\'93Move your should\-ers back.  Feel the wall at the tips of your should\-ers.  Roll your hips \softline
back.  Squeeze your butt against the wall.\'94  All this time Kathy\'92s hands were pulling and \softline
pushing.  \'93Lift your head up straight.  Look straight ahead.  Now hold that position!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Kathy stepped back for a better look.  She went back to the older woman and \softline
cupped one of Jane\'92s breasts in her hand as if she were weighing it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane jerked away and went back to her fright\-en\-ed crouch and looked at Kathy \softline
in horror.  \'93What are you }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 doing?\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at her calmly, \'93I\'92m feeling one of your tits.  What did you think I \softline
was doing?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With that, Jane took her position against the wall.  Her head was up straight, \softline
her shoulders were back, her hips were back, and her breasts were jutting out, proudly \softline
this time.  She was inviting Kathy\'92s explo\-ration.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 It\'92s going to work!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy approached her again and put her hand under Jane\'92s \softline
breast in the same way she had before.  This time she felt a little shiver but Jane held \softline
her position.  She delicately moved her fingers up to her nipples and tweaked them.  She \softline
felt them harden under her fingers and she could feel the older woman shake.  Still she \softline
didn\'92t move.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy backed away to allow Jane to regain control while she contemplated the \softline
woman pensively like a sculptor looking at a piece of uncut stone.  \'93Okay,\'94 Kathy said, \softline
\'93that\'92s enough.  Sit down over here and relax.  I think we can do something.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy retrieved her purse, extracted a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, returned \softline
and sat down.  She offered one to Jane who automatically started to re\-fuse, then took \softline
one.  Kathy lit them and they both took deep drags.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Good grief,\'94 said Jane, \'93a couple of more steps and I\'92ll be in the gutter!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned and jumped to her feet.  She opened the bottom drawer of her \softline
desk and retrieved a bottle of Cardhu, a 12-year-old single-malt Scotch.  She poured two \softline
stiff drinks into glasses from the credenza and brought them back to the couch.  She \softline
handed Jane one of the glasses and said, \'93Now what\'92s the last step?\'94  The two girls \softline
started to laugh.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy noticed that Jane was now ignoring her nakedness.  After taking a small \softline
sip of the Scotch, she put her head back and took a deep breath.  \'93This }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 is}{\plain \fs24 \f2  good!  What \softline
is it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy told her.  Then Jane put her head back on the sofa.  Her hair had fallen \softline
free and was much longer than Kathy had realized.  With her head back, Jane\'92s breasts \softline
were jutting out.  \'93Now that\'92s more like it.  I\'92m start\-ing to see you as a fighter pilot\'92s \softline
wife.  You\'92re a passionate woman, Jane.  Why did you crawl into a shell?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I guess it was the shock of Bill\'92s death, Kathy.  God, did I love him!  Would you \softline
be\-lieve, we spent hours together naked }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 in broad daylight?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 We would make love \softline
everywhere!  On the floor, in the kitchen...  Once, in the summer we went out on our \softline
terrace in the middle of the night and made love where people could see us.\'94  Thinking \softline
about it, Jane turned brick red and added, \'93Bill used to say that I was made to be fucked.  \softline
Isn\'92t that }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 awful!\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stretched and lifted her legs out straight in front of her.  Slowly, she \softline
spread them until her legs were nearly 180 deg\-rees apart.  She held the position for a \softline
moment, slowly brought them back together, and then lowered her feet to the floor.  \softline
\'93No, I don\'92t think it\'92s awful.  I think it\'92s great.  Do you know what I dream of doing?  \softline
Going out with my husband naked and making love on our terrace with all our neighbors \softline
watching.  I can see it in my mind.  They go bananas!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked at her.  \'93Do you really?  Don\'92t you think it\'92s...  Well, it\'92s...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy finished the sentence for her, \'93Perverted?  No, I don\'92t.  I think it\'92s a \softline
physical expression of two people\'92s love for each other.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I believe you mean that.  You know, it sounds beauti\-ful when you say \softline
it.  You don\'92t think it\'92s sinful?  Bill used to say that if two married people were giving \softline
such pleasure to each other it couldn\'92t be sinful.  I guess I was never that certain.  What \softline
should I do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Jane, now comes the sixty-four-dollar question.  Do you love Bob Ferguson?  \softline
Or are you just used to him?  Please be honest.  Your answer is impor\-tant.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked at Kathy steadily.  \'93I love him more than life itself.  When Belle and \softline
Sandy were killed in that crash, it near\-ly killed him, too.  I was in agony.  I wanted to \softline
hold him close and tell him I understood.  I wanted to hold him, to comfort him...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93To fuck him?\'94 Kathy added softly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane sat up straight.  \'93Yes, damn it!  To fuck him.  To warm him inside me.  Yes, \softline
damn it, I wanted to fuck him!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Do you still?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, I do.  I would do it right now in front of you on your carpet if he were \softline
here.\'94  Jane stood up and started pacing the office like a caged tiger.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Or tigress,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy \softline
thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Maybe this will be easier than I first thought.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sit down, Jane.  We have to plot and scheme.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane return\-ed to the couch, sat down, and idly picked up the cigarettes and \softline
lighted one.  She suddenly looked guilty.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy said softly, \'93Wel\-come back to the human race, Jane.  As for the cigarette, \softline
I think you need it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane grinned.  Kathy realized that she really had a lovely smile and probably had \softline
a good sense of humor that was starting to resurface after so many years.  Kathy \softline
continued, \'93There are a few ground rules.  First, you are my project.  You are going to \softline
be my wedding gift to Bob.\'94  She started to laugh at the thought of the bride being the \softline
wed\-ding gift to the groom.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane realized instantly the reason for Kathy\'92s laughter and joined in.  They were \softline
soon howling.  The tension was now gone com\-pletely.  \'93Back to the ground rules.  Be\-
cause you\'92re my gift, we\'92re playing with my money.\'94  Kathy put up her hand as Jane was 
about to protest.  \'93Jane, you pay most of my bills for me.  As a result, you know better \softline
than anybody else that my bank balance just grows by itself.  Right?\'94  Jane nodded.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Okay, that\'92s settled.  The next thing is that you\'92ll have to trust me and do as \softline
I say.  I think you\'92ll quickly see what I\'92m doing, but you have to trust me.\'94  Jane nodded \softline
again.  \'93Okay, then, let\'92s get started.  When is Bob due back?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Next Monday,\'94 Jane replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93We\'92ve got to get him to change his plans.  I have an idea!  Haven\'92t I seen Bob \softline
entering some of those sweepstakes that come in the mail?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Every one,\'94 she replied with a grin.  \'93I tease him about it, but he says that \softline
sooner or later he\'92s going to get lucky and win one.  And besides, he says, it only takes \softline
a first-class stamp.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went to her desk, checked her Rolodex, and dialed a number.  \'93Mike, it\'92s \softline
Kathy.  How\'92s the travel business?  Good.  Mike, I have a favor to ask.  Don\'92t worry, it \softline
will even make you some money.  Mike, I need the longest cruise combination you can \softline
put together for one person.  It has to be full deluxe, every\-thing included.  Ideally, it \softline
should run into August.  The vital thing is, though, the client must leave this Sunday.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think there is a com\-bina\-tion of cruises that can be put together in the Med \softline
operating on the QEII that could work.  If you have to send the client on a wild goose \softline
chase through Europe to get the sail\-ing dates right it\'92s okay, but he must leave this \softline
Sunday.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Another thing.  Take all the time you need, but I must have confirmation that \softline
it can be done within thirty minutes.\'94  Kathy was silent for a few minutes smiling at the \softline
reaction from Mike on the phone.  \'93Of course it\'92s not easy!  If it were easy, I would do \softline
it myself and pocket the commission.  Thanks, Mike.  I\'92m in my office downtown.  I\'92ll \softline
wait here to hear from you.\'94  She put the phone back on its hook.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mike will be back to us as you heard.  Then you are going to put on your Mrs. \softline
Wilson professional voice and call Bob at the Greenbrier.  He\'92s won the grand prize in \softline
the...  Oh well, we\'92ll make up something.  It\'92s a good thing he enters so many con\-tests.  \softline
He couldn\'92t possibly remember the prize structures of all of them.  Now here\'92s the trick.  \softline
He\'92s the }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 substitute}{\plain \fs24 \f2  grand prize winner.  The trip must be taken now, all arrangements \softline
are made, but he must leave Sunday.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy got up from behind her desk and started pacing.  Jane watched the grace \softline
with which she moved and felt a bit jealous.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 She\'92s so fluid, so unconcerned,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  \softline
Then, with a start Jane realized that Kathy was absolutely unaware of her nudity.  It \softline
was a revelation to Jane to see a woman who could be as self-assured without clothes as \softline
with them.  Jane got off the sofa and stretched.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at her specu\-latively.  \'93We might as well use the time while we\'92re \softline
wait\-ing.  I want you to walk around the office.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane tried to emulate Kathy\'92s walk.  She straightened her back, tried to keep her \softline
shoulders back and her head up straight.  It felt like her breasts were jutting out miles.  \softline
She thought about Kathy\'92s walk and looked at her.  Kathy\'92s rump was on the edge of the \softline
desk and she was looking at her thoughtfully.  Her breasts were standing out proudly \softline
but Kathy was both unaware and totally unconcerned.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane glanced down at her chest.  She was proud to see that her breasts were \softline
nicely shaped and were not sagging at all.  The older woman started walking back and \softline
forth.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled, then grinned.  \'93My God, you\'92re walking like me.  I\'92m flattered!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane stopped and turned towards her, putting one leg a little ahead of the other.  \softline
She then did a classic Southern curt\-sy, lacking only clothes.  \'93I\'92m trying, mademoiselle.  \softline
Do you approve of your humble and obedient servant?\'94  To finish the act, Jane lowered \softline
her head until her forehead touched her leg.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s perfect, Jane.  Absolutely perfect!  You\'92re getting used to not wearing \softline
clothes and you\'92re developing pride in your body.  It\'92s the pride that does it.  Now keep \softline
it up,\'94 Kathy said as she moved to answer the phone.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was the travel agent with word that the plans were set.  Kathy motioned to \softline
Jane to go to her own desk and pick up so she could write down the itinerary.  Jane \softline
retrieved her steno pad and pencil and returned to her desk.  When Kathy told Mike that \softline
Jane was on, he rattled off the dates and places.  Kathy was pleased that Jane was her \softline
usually poised self on the phone in spite of being naked at her desk.  Mike hung up, and \softline
Kathy could hear the sound of Jane\'92s typewriter.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then she looked up in surprise to see Jane proudly walking past her door \softline
towards the copier.  A few moments later she came back to the office and closed the door.  \softline
Her shoulders were sagging forward slightly as she stood in front of Kathy\'92s desk.  Kathy \softline
moved her shoulders back.  Jane gave a small start and squared hers, too.  Her breasts \softline
jumped to attention with the posture change.  She grinned.  \'93How did I do, coach?  Did \softline
I do okay.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You were great, Jane.  I was surprised to see you go down the hall, though.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane blushed.  The color rose from her belly, over her breasts to her face.  \'93When \softline
you motioned me to the phone, I just went to pick it up from force of habit.  It wasn\'92t \softline
until I felt the chair seat on my bare butt that I realized I was naked.  Then I just said \softline
to hell with it and went ahead.  Kathy, it was fun walking down the hall naked even if \softline
people are seldom at this end of the office with Bob away.  Was it wicked of me?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Personally, I think it\'92s great.  I\'92m amazed at the self-confidence you\'92ve \softline
developed in such a short time.  Now, let\'92s see how good an actress you are.  You have \softline
to call Bob at The Green\-brier.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was surprised to see Jane return to her desk to make the call.  Kathy \softline
punched the light to listen to the call with her Speaker button on so she could hear the \softline
conversation.  Jane asked for Mr. Robert Ferguson\'92s room.  When there was no answer, 
she told the hotel operator that it was an emergency.  She said she was Mr. Ferguson\'92s \softline
private secretary and it was vital she contact Mr. Ferguson at once.  Could he be pag\-ed?  \softline
The Greenbrier\'92s paging system is as extensive as it should be for one of the Nation\'92s top \softline
resorts for business gath\-er\-ings.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took advantage of the break in the conversation to go out to see how Jane \softline
looked at her desk.  Jane\'92s desk was to the left, in front of Ferguson\'92s office.  Jane was \softline
sitting with her back to Kathy\'92s office.  Kathy watched Jane sitting up very straight in \softline
her secretarial chair, pulling her shoulders back.  As she watched, the older woman was \softline
looking down at her breasts which were jutting out proudly.  She could see Jane smile \softline
to herself in satisfaction.  Kathy went back to her phone in time to hear the Greenbrier \softline
operator say that Mr. Ferguson had been located and would soon be on the line.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A few minutes later Bob Ferguson picked up the phone.  Jane was perfect.  She \softline
behaved exactly the way a breathless secretary would behave when passing on such \softline
exciting news.  As she relayed the itinerary, Kathy switched off the speaker, pushed the \softline
Pri\-vacy button and dialed a call.  She spoke for a few minutes, received confirmation that \softline
her request would be carried out and then hung up.  She resumed listening in on Jane\'92s \softline
conversation as the arrangements were completed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane hung up and came running back into the office.  Kathy met her half way \softline
and the two women embraced.  As they did Kathy took the opportunity to reach down \softline
and squeeze the older woman\'92s buns.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked startled.  Kathy told her that her breasts were in good shape but her \softline
buns and thighs needed work.  She ran her hand over her belly and told her it was \softline
rounder than it should be.  \'93Overall, Jane, you show promise, but you still need work.  \softline
Let\'92s go to my place.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As the two women put on their clothes, Kathy saw Jane frown at hers, \softline
particularly at her underwear.  Obviously, the woman\'92s atti\-tudes had changed \softline
dramatically.  Jane ensured that the office was locked and then they went down to \softline
Kathy\'92s car and got in.  Before starting the car Kathy faced the older woman.  \'93Jane, I \softline
want to swing by your place and get some clothes.  For this project to work best you\'92ll \softline
have to live with me.\'94  Jane looked startled but readily agreed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They drove out the Expressway to Virginia Beach where Jane owned a small \softline
house.  It was a long distance from Kathy\'92s and re\-flected the fact that it is one of the \softline
nation\'92s largest cities in area.  Kathy waited in the car while Jane went inside.  A short \softline
time later she reappeared with one medium-sized suit\-case.  When she put it in the back \softline
seat and climbed back in, Kathy expressed surprise that she had only a single bag.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane grinned.  \'93Maybe I\'92m taking a lot for granted.  I have a business wardrobe \softline
that is sort of drab, but serviceable.  As for the rest, the less said the better.  And \softline
somehow I got the feeling that I won\'92t be wearing many clothes around you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned back, but didn\'92t answer.  When they reached her apartment, \softline
Kathy pressed the appropriate buttons and switches.  They were soon in the private 
elevator going up to her apartment.  When the door whooshed open and they stepped out \softline
into the hall, Jane looked around and gaped.  She put her bag down and started walking \softline
through the apartment.  Kathy stopped her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93We have a new house rule for you, Jane.  No clothes.  Come on, I\'92ll show you \softline
your room, and you can change.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy led her to a guest bedroom.  It was large and furnished with a king-size \softline
bed.  It had its own bath only slightly smaller than Kathy\'92s own.  Like Kathy\'92s, it too \softline
opened out to the pool deck.  Jane put her bag in the closet and glanced at Kathy.  Then \softline
she stripped off her clothes and hung up her business suit.  Kathy laughed as Jane took \softline
off her slip, bra and panties and threw them into the waste\-basket.  Then she slipped off \softline
her shoes, put them away and closed the closet.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane threw back her arms forcing her breasts out and up.  \'93How do you like my \softline
new uniform?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It shows promise.  Let me get into my own and we\'92ll take it from there.\'94  Kathy \softline
went into her room, took off her clothes and returned to the living room where she had \softline
left Jane.  \'93Come on, let\'92s eat.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane was surprised at dinner that night.  Kathy prepared a full meal, while Jane \softline
found herself looking at a diet special.  By the time dinner was over they realized it was \softline
late so they went to bed.  Jane, exhausted by the day\'92s physical and emotional excite\-
ment, was asleep instantly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next morning Jane was rudely awakened when Kathy stripped the covers \softline
from her.  She blinked awake and was momentarily confused by her sur\-roundings.  \softline
When she realized where she was, her features relaxed, she stretched luxuriantly and \softline
just lay there, her eyes on Kathy.  \'93If this scheme doesn\'92t work out, would you consider \softline
an alternative proposal?  Could I apply for the position of your maid, or slave, or \softline
whatever?  The only requirement is that this room has to be my compensation in the \softline
deal.  No money.  Just this room.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With her hair spread on the pillow, she looked lovely, and Kathy said so.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked at Kathy standing at the foot of the bed, \'93Kathy, I know this is going \softline
to sound dumb, but you are my inspira\-tion.  I look at you standing there like a young \softline
goddess with an awe-inspiring figure.  I can\'92t get there, but I\'92m going to try like hell to \softline
get as close as I can.  Let\'92s get with it.\'94  With that Jane bounded out of the bed and \softline
headed for her bath\-room.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was eating her breakfast when Jane came out.  She made a little face \softline
when she saw how little there was for her to eat.  Then she ran her eyes over Kathy\'92s flat \softline
belly, her slim hips and thighs.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Inspiration!  I guess I\'92ll live on black coffee,\'94 she said with a grin.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab After breakfast, Kathy led the way into her bathroom and opened the shower.  \softline
She set the con\-trols and motioned for Jane to get in.  Jane looked puzzled as Kathy \softline
followed her in.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93By the way, Jane, how old are you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll be thirty-five this Fall, Why do you ask?\'94  Kathy watched as a kaleidoscope \softline
of expressions ran across Jane\'92s face, accom\-panied with a pantomime of gestures.  \'93Of \softline
course!  How old did you think I was?  Forty?  Forty-five?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With the water pour\-ing over her, she slid down to the floor crying.  The intensity \softline
of her sobbing increased as she slid down into the corner of the shower and just huddled \softline
there.  Slowly her sobs sub\-sided, and Kathy helped her up while the water from the \softline
shower\'92s myriad sprays continue to pour over them both.  Pulling Jane into her arms, \softline
she held her tightly as the sobbing ran off into hiccoughs and finally stopped.  Jane just \softline
stood there with her head nestled in the younger woman\'92s shoulder.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy reached down and gave an available soft buttock a hard pinch.  Jane \softline
jumped with a yelp.  \'93That\'92s for going soft on me and turning on the waterworks,\'94 Kathy \softline
said softly.  \'93And in my very own waterworks, yet!  The reason I asked is that I had put \softline
your age at forty to forty-five until yesterday.  Then I saw how firm your breasts are.  \softline
This morning I saw you bound out of bed, but I figured you couldn\'92t have been widowed \softline
eight years ago and still be only twenty-five.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Those fighter jocks are notorious cradle robbers, but allowing for having been \softline
married for three years, you would have had to be fifteen when you were married.  Even \softline
those guys have }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 some}{\plain \fs24 \f2  standards.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy started to leave the shower when she was pinched hard on her bottom.  \softline
She jumped with surprise and wheeled on Jane who was standing behind her and \softline
grinning.  \'93Why did you do that?\'94 she wailed, trying to sound hurt.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That was for all of the gratuitous insults you\'92ve directed at Navy fighter pilots!  \softline
Cradle robbers, indeed!\'94  Jane replied in the haughtiest voice she could muster.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They both laughed heartily and went out to the pool deck.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As they stood poised at the end of the pool, Jane asked, \'93What do I do now?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just stay beside me.  Don\'92t drop back, though, or my pet shark will get you!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With that, Kathy smoothly entered the water in a rac\-ing dive.  She heard Jane \softline
enter with a much greater splash, and she continued to glide while she waited for the \softline
older girl to catch up.  When she did, Kathy reached out with long arm strokes while she \softline
established a powerful kick.  She found that Jane had to take at least two strokes to her \softline
one to maintain her position.  Up and down the pool they went.  Kathy was sorry to see \softline
the older girl struggling so hard to keep up, but she didn\'92t relent.  It was only when she \softline
saw Jane flail\-ing and getting close to the point of exhaustion that she stop\-ped.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She came to the end of the pool, and in one continuous mo\-tion, touched the wall \softline
and pulled herself out of the pool.  Then she turned and saw Jane just hanging on to the 
side wall gasping for breath.  She waited until Jane\'92s breathing returned to a sem\-blance \softline
of normal, adn then reached out her hand.  When Jane grasped it, she smoothly pulled \softline
the older girl out of the pool.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane took two steps and collapsed on the deck.  Finally, she raised her head and \softline
peered at Kathy, \'93Are we there, yet?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Are we where?\'94 Kathy replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93China, turkey.  That\'92s where you were going, wasn\'92t it?  By the way, I\'92ll have \softline
you know I resent the fact that here I am dying \'97 I\'92m not sure whether from drowning \softline
or exhaustion \'97 and you\'92re not even breathing hard.  It\'92s not fair!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93As our late president, John F. Kennedy, once said, \'91Who says the world is fair?\'92  \softline
Come on, we have work to do!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked at her.  \'93You can\'92t be serious.  That was six weeks worth in the last \softline
hour!  What do you mean, work?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at Jane affectionately.  She was developing a deep respect for her \softline
spirit and good humor.  \'93Work.  We have to get you into shape.  That was just a warmup \softline
to loosen up your muscles a little.  Come on, let\'92s go!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy tried to maintain a straight face as she led the way to her exercise room \softline
in which there was a wide range of exercise equipment.  She set Jane up on a tread\-mill \softline
and later on machines to exercise her thighs and but\-tocks.  Finally, she set up weights \softline
for Jane to use on her shoulders, back and chest.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The regimen continued day after day with Kathy giving Jane pointers on her \softline
technique.  After a while, combining her exer\-cises and weight training with improved \softline
technique, she was keeping up with Kathy in the pool.  She continued her low-calorie \softline
diet while she enviously watched Kathy devour large meals.  Period\-ically, Kathy would \softline
steal away to a bar exam cram course she was taking.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab One morning, Kathy came into Jane\'92s room to awaken her in her usual fashion \softline
by stripping off the covers.  Jane stretched like an awakening tigress and then got out \softline
of bed.  Kathy studied her closely and led her into her bathroom.  The mirror covered the \softline
entire wall to the ceiling.  \'93Jane, look at yourself.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked in the mirror carefully for the first time in several weeks.  She \softline
scarcely recognized the reflection as herself.  There was a girl there, studying her \softline
carefully.  The girl had a flat belly, tip-tilted breasts, slim hips and slim but powerful \softline
legs.  The carriage was erect and the face was lovely.  The girl\'92s face looked a bit thin, \softline
as if she had been missing meals.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane\'92s eyes widened in amazement at the apparition.  \'93My God!  That\'92s me.  I \softline
can\'92t look like that.  I can\'92t, can I, Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That girl looks a little thin to me,\'94 said Kathy.  \'93I think she needs a good \softline
breakfast.  Let\'92s eat.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Jane followed Kathy out to the kitchen.  There on the counter were two man-sized break\-fasts of orange juice, ham, eggs, hash brown potatoes, toast with real butter, \softline
coffee, and real sugar.  Jane sat down and star\-ted eating with relish.  When they were \softline
fin\-ished, Jane poured another cup of coffee, pivoted her stool half around and leaned her \softline
head back against the wall.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sensuously, she rubbed her long, slim fingers over her now-flat belly.  \'93God, that \softline
tasted good.  Kathy, that was the most delicious meal I could imagine.  Do you have a \softline
cigarette to make it per\-fect?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy produced cigarettes.  Jane lighted hers and took a deep drag and slowly \softline
let it out.  \'93Okay, I\'92m ready.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ready for what?\'94 Kathy asked, puzzled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The firing squad, the slaughter house...  Whatever,\'94 Jane replied airily.  \'93That\'92s \softline
why you\'92ve been working on my body this way, isn\'92t it?\'94 she asked with mock \softline
seriousness, desperately trying to maintain a straight face.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My God!\'94 exclaimed Kathy, picking up on the gag.  \'93It\'92s all over.  I\'92ve failed!\'94 \softline
she wailed.  \'93I forgot.  The Sheik who\'92s buying you insisted that your pubic hair be curly.  \softline
What can we do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked down with great unconcern and ran her fingers through her silken \softline
pubic hair.  Her expression was intent as she rolled some pubic hair around a finger.  \softline
\'93How about a permanent?  Do you think that would fix it?\'94 she asked in wide-eyed inno\-
cence.  At that point, she and Kathy dissolved in laughter in each other\'92s arms.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was just about over.  After making several phone calls Kathy told Jane to get \softline
dressed.  It was the first time in weeks she had had clothes on.  Jane ignored underwear \softline
and put on the suit she had been wearing the night she arrived.  She was shocked.  The \softline
suit was the best she owned and had been hand-tailored for her.  Now the shoulders were \softline
tight.  When she put on the skirt, it wouldn\'92t stay up.  It just slid down over her now-slim hips.  She called to Kathy who came in to see.  The two girls rolled together on the \softline
bed in laughter.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took Jane to a hair salon where she had made an appoint\-ment.  Jane\'92s \softline
hair was restyled to be off her face and shortened so it was just below her collar.  A new \softline
wardrobe was assembled.  Jane delighted in the lingerie.  She had noticed that Kathy \softline
characteristically wore bikini briefs, so she bought those.  There were no slips, but some \softline
half slips.  Finally, Kathy bought her several diaphanous shorty nightgowns which were \softline
essen\-tially transparent and reached only to her hips.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the girls returned to the apartment, they went back to the exercise room.  \softline
After her workout, Kathy had Jane get on the massage table where she went to work on \softline
the older woman, massaging the muscles that did not ache nearly as much as they had \softline
a few weeks earlier.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Jane,\'94 Kathy asked the next morning, \'93did you ever go down on Bill when you \softline
were married?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The question, coming from out of the blue, took Jane by surprise.  Again, a \softline
kaleido\-scope of emotions passed over her face.  Finally, she answered, \'93Yes, a few times.\'94  \softline
She blushed scarlet.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why are you blushing?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Because I\'92m embarrassed, silly.  Nice girls don\'92t do that.  That\'92s reserved for \softline
prostitutes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why is it reserved for prostitutes?\'94 asked Kathy.  \'93And if it is, why did you do \softline
it with Bill?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked confused.  \'93Well... Because... Because we would be together, and I \softline
looked at his male organs and...  I just wanted to weigh his balls in my hand and...  His \softline
prick looked so soft and vulnerable because we had just made love.  I just wanted to kiss \softline
it to show my love.  And I...  And I...  did.  I mean I went to kiss it, and I tasted the juices, \softline
accidentally, and... and it went in my mouth, and I guess I licked it.  And I guess I sucked \softline
it...  And then it was all hard again and in my mouth.  So I... I started to go down on it.  \softline
Kathy, he just exploded.  I absolutely lost control, sucking him dry.  Kathy, it was \softline
marvelous.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Did you like the taste?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The taste of what?  Oh!  You mean... You mean... Bill\'92s semen?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes,\'94 said Kathy, \'93Did you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course not... I mean...\'94  Then Jane raised her head defiant\-ly and replied, \softline
\'93Yes!  Damn it, yes, I did.  It was wonderful: warm and a little salty...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then why are you ashamed?\'94 Kathy asked quietly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m not ashamed.  I mean... I mean, good girls don\'92t...  Damn it, Kathy, I don\'92t \softline
care what good girls do.  I was just a fight\-er jock\'92s hot cunt, damn it.  I was great, and \softline
he was great, and...  Yes, damn it, I loved it.  I like the taste.  I like the feel of it.  I can \softline
still remember it explod\-ing in my mouth.  Kathy, it was magnificent.  It was nearly as \softline
good as our explod\-ing together with him inside me.  But yes, damn it!  I like it.  I\'92ll leave \softline
now.  I\'92ll get my few things together and...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93And what?\'94 Kathy asked.  \'93And most particularly, why?  Why would you \softline
possibly want to leave now?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked confused.  \'93Why because... because I\'92ve had a man in my mouth... \softline
and I swallowed it, and.... and I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 liked}{\plain \fs24 \f2  it.  Of course I have to go.\'94  Jane started to get up, \softline
and Kathy, gently but firmly, pushed her back.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You didn\'92t ask me.\'94  Kathy said in a matter-of-fact voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Didn\'92t ask you what?\'94 Jane asked, obviously puzzled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You didn\'92t ask me if I liked it.  I\'92ll tell you anyway.  Yes, I like it.  I love the \softline
taste.  I like to feel the explosion in my mouth.  I like to pretend my mouth is my vagina.  \softline
I like it, too!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93But Kathy, you can\'92t!  You\'92re not even married!\'94 Jane wailed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Jane, honey, we\'92re talking about sex, not marriage.  Let\'92s face it.  They may be \softline
related but they aren\'92t synonymous.  You had your experience in the context of what I\'92ve \softline
gathered was a fabulous, loving marriage.  I haven\'92t been mar\-ried, but I have had the \softline
experience.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Listening to you, Jane, I have been awed.  You were making love to Bill in every \softline
way you knew how.  Worshiping his body, if you will.  Listening to you tell the story was \softline
beautiful.  You were expressing your love for Bill and his body.  Jane, I\'92m convinced that \softline
Bill was a very lucky guy.  And you know something else?  I\'92m sure he knew it.  Now, can \softline
you do it again with Bob Ferguson?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane now understood what Kathy had been doing.  She started to beam.  It was \softline
like the sun coming out from behind a cloud after a summer shower.  \'93Kathy, you mean \softline
that going down on a man \'97 on your lover \'97 is an expression of the love you feel for \softline
him.  And God, it does feel so good, and leads to...  Kathy Smith, you are wicked!  You \softline
led me along and all along you... you... you wanted me to see how stupid my attitudes \softline
have been.  You didn\'92t say it was awful, I did.  Kathy Smith...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane drew Kathy into her arms and hugged her.  \'93Kathy Smith, you are a piece \softline
of work!  I\'92ve been working for you for years and I liked you.  You have always been \softline
thought\-ful and generous.  But now... now, I love you like a sister, but even that isn\'92t \softline
good enough.  Kathy, one of these days the right man will come along.  We\'92ll be able to \softline
hear the explosion for miles!  You are a wonderful person!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, Jane Wilson, for that fine testimonial!  Now, Mrs. Wilson, ma\'92am, \softline
would you please get that lovely little ass of yours in gear!  You\'92ve got a plane to catch.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ve got a }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 what?\'94 }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Jane exclaimed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You know.  Airplane.  It has wings and engines and...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Katherine Smith, I take back everything I just said.  You are impossible!  For \softline
God\'92s sake, what plane?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy acted like she was talking to a small girl, telling her how to go to the \softline
grocery store.  \'93The plane to Kennedy Air\-port in New York, connecting to the Swissair \softline
flight to Zurich, which connects with another Swissair flight to Athens.  Then you take \softline
the limousine that will meet you to the port of Pir\'e6us where you meet Bob\'92s ship.  What \softline
other plane would you be tak\-ing?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy ducked as Jane swung at her.  \'93By the way, you and Bob have connecting \softline
staterooms.  I expect that you won\'92t be using separate rooms for too long, so, Jane, when \softline
you move in with Bob, would you please tell the purser?  That way, I can get a refund on \softline
the unused portion of your ticket.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was grinning broadly until Jane gathered her in her arms and hugged her \softline
tightly.  Kathy could hear small whimpering noises coming from Jane and could feel the 
tears flowing down the older girl\'92s cheek to her shoulder.  Kathy held her until the \softline
woman\'92s shaking stopped.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she pushed back, Jane\'92s eyes were gleaming with tears.  \'93I should have \softline
known!  You\'92re the girl who gives her fraternity a million dollars.  You rescue stray dogs \softline
and kittens.  I should have known.  You know, Kathy, I can\'92t thank you?  How can you \softline
thank a person who can re-instill youth, love, feelings, beauty...  Yes, damn it, beauty.  \softline
You\'92ve made me more beautiful than I ever dreamed I could be!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93For God\'92s sake, knock off the maudlin chatter and get your ass in gear!  You\'92ll \softline
miss the damn plane and wreck my beautiful plans.  And one more thing.  If I\'92m not the \softline
maid of honor when you marry Bob, I will shoot you!  And I\'92ve got a gun and a carry \softline
permit now, too.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was so proud of Jane at the Norfolk airport.  After checking in on the \softline
Piedmont flight to New York, she saw her walk down the concourse towards the security \softline
checkpoint with her small ass wiggling just a bit.  Kathy smiled as she saw men\'92s heads \softline
turn to follow her progress.  At the gate checking in for her first class seat, the gate \softline
agent saw the radiance in her face.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I only wish she was thinking of me,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was late August in Norfolk.  The day was steaming when Kathy dressed for \softline
the wedding.  She was to be the maid of honor at Jane\'92s wedding to Bob Ferguson.  She \softline
smiled as she remembered meeting Jane and Bob at Kennedy Airport on their return \softline
flight.  As they came out of the Customs area at the Inter\-national Arrivals building, Jane \softline
was beautiful and self-assured, walking with her head up, her shoulders back and her \softline
breasts standing out proudly.  Bob Ferguson looked wonderful.  He, too, was trimmer, \softline
stand\-ing taller and obviously madly, head-over-heels in love with the apparition by his \softline
side.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bob was the first to see Kathy and came running over.  Kathy noticed that Jane, \softline
too, ran with a smooth runner\'92s stride.  He hugged Kathy and burbled, \'93You wouldn\'92t \softline
believe what happened.  Here I am on this wonderful cruise, but absolutely bored to \softline
tears, when who should board the ship at Pir\'e6us but Jane.  She said it was quiet at the \softline
office and you told her to get out so you could concentrate on the bar exams, so she found \softline
this cruise.  You see, the Queen Elizabeth runs a whole mess of cruises with different \softline
designa\-tors, depend\-ing on where you board and where you get off.  Jane never dreamed \softline
it was the ship I was on, but anyway, we were in adjoin\-ing cabins.\'94  Bob suddenly \softline
blushed.  \'93After a while, we... uh, we... well it was stupid to waste money on two cabins \softline
so... uh... well Jane talked to the purser, and we got a big refund on her ticket.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane was standing behind Bob.  As Kathy looked up Jane gave her a broad wink.  \softline
Kathy had chartered a plane to fly them down to Norfolk.  As the plane reached cruising \softline
altitude, Bob fell asleep.  Jane unbuckled her belt and came back to sit next to Kathy.  \softline
She was absolutely radiant.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Kathy, I feel so good.  These have been the most thrilling weeks of my life.  \softline
Kathy, some days we never got out of bed.  We had our meals brought to the stateroom \softline
and just made love.  Kathy, there\'92s one thing you should know.  Do you remember when \softline
we talked about going down on a man?  Well, it tastes great when you wash it down with \softline
champagne!  I think Dom P\'e9rignon is the best.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane and Bob were radiant as they took their marriage vows.  At the reception, \softline
she got Bob aside to ask about the honeymoon plans.  He said that Jane had found a \softline
small island in Hawaii that was very quiet.  Because of the cruise, they were only going \softline
to be gone for a week.  He hadn\'92t been in the office for months and really had to get \softline
back.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab  It was the last weekend in August.  Kathy had just received word that she had \softline
passed her bar exams with the highest grade on the test.  It was Saturday and she had \softline
to take care of a few things at the office before starting work as an assistant dist\-rict \softline
attorney.  After signing in with the security guard at the bank building Kathy went up \softline
to Ferguson\'92s offices.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she let herself into the outer office she found it was very hot, very stuffy \softline
and very quiet.  Then she remembered that the building\'92s air conditioning and ventilat\-
ing systems were shut down over the weekend so the heat of the sun coming through the \softline
windows raised the temperature sub\-stantially.  The office was eerily quiet.  Kathy real\-
ized for the first time how much noise was generated by the ventilation, type\-writ\-ers, \softline
office machines and the hum of human voices.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Quietly, she walked down the corridor and turned the corner heading for her \softline
office.  She stopped when she saw a nude female form bent over an open filing drawer.  \softline
It was Jane.  Kathy slip\-ped off her shoes and put them next to a desk.  Her feet made no \softline
noise on the carpet as she came up behind the girl.  She was intently flipping back and \softline
forth through files searching for some\-thing.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy couldn\'92t resist.  Sneaking up behind the girl, she pinched her bottom hard.  \softline
Jane gave a yelp and jumped up, rubbing her bun.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then Bob appeared at the office door, wearing only his trousers.  He looked \softline
at the two women he loved most in the world.  Kathy looked down and noticed signs of \softline
dampness on Jane\'92s pubic hair.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bob blushed.  \'93We had some work to do today.  It\'92s awful hot in here on \softline
Saturday, so, no one\'92s around, so...  Besides, Jane likes it this way.  She\'92s even got me \softline
not wearing clothes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy could look past Bob and see Jane smiling.  She was standing with her \softline
breasts jutting proudly.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 12}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was eleven o\'92clock on September 1 and Kathy was sitting upright in a chair \softline
facing Peter Mahoney across his desk.  While Peter glared at her as he talked on the \softline
phone, she was a picture of alert innocence, exactly what one would expect of the newest \softline
member of the District Attorney\'92s staff.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter looked away from Kathy as he spoke.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 this girl could \softline
excite passion in a plaster saint!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 As noises continued from the end of the phone, he \softline
glanced in Kathy\'92s direction.  She was sitting across from him with her hands folded in \softline
her lap.  Her dress appeared to be the same one she had worn when they met before.  It \softline
was as neat and conservative as one could wish, the sort of thing featured for the bright \softline
female professional on the way up.  She wore no jewelry of any kind except a watch.  He \softline
had noticed earlier that it was a woman\'92s gold Rolex.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Clear\-ly,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 this girl doesn\'92t need money or she wouldn\'92t be giving up \softline
about eighty grand a year to work for me}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  He reflec\-ted on her Rolex.  He decided that it \softline
was typical of Kathy: beautiful, expensive, and understated.  He also realized that it was \softline
a high\-ly functional timepiece: accurate, shockproof and water\-proof, with a very legible \softline
face.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With all of that, why was she so disturbing?  The person on the other end of the \softline
phone was the mayor.  Kathy had just return\-ed to the office.  She had been patiently \softline
standing at the office door that morning waiting for someone to come to let her in.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Mahoney prided himself on opening the office, and yet here it was, the Friday \softline
before the Labor Day weekend, and this lovely girl is stand\-ing at the door waiting for \softline
him to open up.  He sent her off to Person\-nel to complete the forms beloved of \softline
bureaucrats everywhere.  He had blown his stack when he found out that Kathy had \softline
been in the day before to complete the paperwork but had been told that she wasn\'92t an \softline
employee until the next day.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Earlier, the personnel director had called to complain.  He was angry because \softline
Kathy was starting the day before the Labor Day weekend.  He wanted to stop the \softline
processing and change the start date to the fifth so Kathy would not be paid for the \softline
weekend.  Peter smiled to himself remembering the call.  He hoped the bu\-reaucrat had \softline
a ruptured eardrum.  He delighted in telling the director that Kathy had turned down \softline
a $100,000 job to come to work for him at seventeen-five.  A couple of bucks wouldn\'92t \softline
break the bank, particularly since he had just learned that Kathy stood number one on \softline
the Commonwealth of Virginia bar exam.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The bar exam was the reason for the mayor\'92s call.  His phone had been ringing \softline
off the hook all morning.  The mayor must have been at least the fifteenth caller.  The \softline
results of the test had been released late the previous afternoon.  Rarely do bar-exam \softline
results make news, but this time they did.  The listing at the top read Katherine J. \softline
Smith, District Attorney\'92s Office, Norfolk.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Rou\-tinely, the top scorer would be affiliated with one of the state\'92s top law firms, \softline
or a national firm\'92s Washington office inside the Beltway.  An assistant DA heading the \softline
list was obviously a \'93man bites dog\'94 sort of story.  He had quickly reviewed Kathy\'92s \softline
background for the mayor and was accepting his congratulations on his recruiting coup.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The mayor\'92s last words were, \'93I don\'92t know how you did it Peter, but persuading \softline
her to join your office has to be the greatest thing you\'92ve ever done.  I\'92ve always told \softline
people that you could talk the birds out of the trees, but now even I believe it.  Give her \softline
my best wishes, will you?\'94  Peter had not told the mayor that Kathy had found him.  He \softline
hung up the phone and turned to face her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That was the mayor.  He asked me to extend his congratula\-tions on your bar \softline
exam, and welcome you.  So, welcome.  You have been on the payroll less than three \softline
hours, and already you\'92re turning this office upside down.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The Virginian & Pilot}{\plain \fs24 \f2  is \softline
sending over a photogra\-pher for a picture.  He\'92ll be here in a few minutes.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy Smith, you are a very interesting person.  I still don\'92t know why you \softline
joined this office.  I do know that you im\-press people.  While you were at personnel, the \softline
director of the police pistol range called and asked if you could serve as his wo\-men\'92s \softline
pistol instructor.  It seems that you shot out the lights over there, erasing every mark \softline
in their book.  Incidentally, he wants to send you to the FBI facility at Quantico for \softline
compe\-tition.  It seems you are unerring in separating the good guys from the bad guys.  \softline
You only gun the baddies apparently, and with lethal effect every time.  So much for \softline
being scared by fire\-arms.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He picked up his telephone in response to an intercom buzz, and was told the \softline
gentlemen of the press had arrived, so he and Kathy went out to meet them.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The paper had sent over a reporter and photo\-grapher.  The reporter led off by \softline
asking Kathy what she was going to do to stop crime.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy, ignoring the snide intent of the question, responded brightly.  \'93I\'92m so \softline
glad you asked!  District Attorney Mahoney has named me to a special task force to fight \softline
violent crime.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went on to say that, using a crime-control computer installed with Federal \softline
Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) money, they had completed a study \softline
of dangerous criminals.  Dan\-gerous criminals were defined as those with three or more \softline
felony convic\-tions or five or more felony arrests.  A run had been made of the persons \softline
matching these criteria in Tidewater and the comput\-er came up with a listing of 163 \softline
persons.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The list was being distributed to all law enforcement agencies in the area.  Steps \softline
were being taken to prosecute immediately anyone on the list to the fullest extent of the \softline
law with minimum delays in going to trial.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy star\-t\-ed speaking, a passing police reporter heard the phrase, \'93spe\-
cial task force\'94, and perked up his ears.  He ran to the phone and made a few calls.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter Mahoney was listening to Kathy\'92s recital in growing amazement.  He was \softline
concentrat\-ing on not letting his jaw drop when his secretary ran in with the news that \softline
film crews from the three lo\-cal television stations were on there way over.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mr. Mahoney, they asked if you could take a break for fifteen minutes or so to \softline
give their crews time to get over here and set up.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter felt circumstances had taken events out of his control.  He glared at Kathy \softline
who returned the glare with a sweet smile.  The photographer took the break as an \softline
opportunity to get pictures of Kathy.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy,\'94 he said, \'93I would like you to turn a little and put your foot up on that \softline
chair, then hike your skirt up on your thigh.  You seem to have pretty good legs.  Then \softline
unbutton your jacket and turn your body.  Let\'92s see some chest.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at him with an expression that almost caused Peter Mahoney to \softline
crack up.  It was a cross between what one would expect after stepping on dog feces on \softline
the sidewalk and the response to the suggestion that she perform a lewd and lascivious \softline
act at noon on the sidewalk of the Harborside Mall.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 beg}{\plain \fs24 \f2  your pardon,\'94 Kathy said disdainfully.  \'93I am a mem\-ber of District \softline
Attorney\'92s professional staff.  You may take an appropriate photograph of me, or, if Mr. \softline
Mahoney is willing, of the two of us together.\'94  She looked at Peter, who nodded.  \'93As \softline
the most junior member of his staff, I would be proud to stand next to him.  This never \softline
would have happened had he not so gra\-ciously invited me to join his staff.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The pictures were duly taken with Peter smiling proudly at his new recruit.  To \softline
some degree or other all DAs are politi\-cal, and it never hurts to get your picture in the \softline
paper, partic\-ularly under flattering circum\-stan\-ces.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After the picture-taking, the group moved to a small auditorium that had been \softline
comman\-deered for the impromptu press conference.  In addition to the TV news crews \softline
Kathy saw that representa\-tives of other news-gather\-ing organizations were also present.  \softline
Meanwhile, Peter had been unable to get Kathy alone to find out what she had been talk\-
ing about.  On the other hand, he was impressed with her aplomb.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She handled the news confer\-ence as if she had done nothing else for years, so \softline
Peter decided to go along for the ride.  With the news crews ready, Kathy apologized for \softline
not having prepared visuals.  The program was too new and they had not expected \softline
television coverage.  After repeating what she had said earlier to the single reporter, she \softline
elaborated on special arrangements that were in place to expedite the handling of the \softline
listed criminals.  Then she opened the conference to questions from the floor.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Miss Smith, when can we get a copy of this special watch list.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m sorry, sir, you cannot.  The list is considered highly confidential.  However, \softline
when it is distributed, all of the law enforcement agencies will have a copy.  I think it\'92s \softline
fair to say that those on the list know who they are.  The announcement we wish to \softline
make is that Norfolk is going to be a safe city.  The criminals preying on our citizens \'97 \softline
all the muggers, the rob\-bers, the rapists, the burglars\- \'97 know who they are.  They now 
face three choices: go straight, get out of town or go to prison.  Norfolk is going to be the \softline
safe city we all want it to be!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The reporters were impressed with the obvious sincerity in Kathy\'92s speech, even \softline
if they were skeptical about its prospects for success.  A reporter turned to Peter, \softline
standing beside Kathy.  \'93Mr. Mahoney, I\'92m Jim Smith of WTAR.  Would you please tell \softline
us who is going to be in charge of this special unit in your of\-fice?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thanks, Jim, I would be delighted to.  The answer is Kather\-ine Smith, of \softline
course.  I would like to say a few words about Kathy.  She is new to our staff, as you \softline
know.  Officially she only started today, yet I\'92m sure it\'92s obvious to you all that she has \softline
been doing her homework before reporting aboard.  She repre\-sented this office in the \softline
creation of the Dangerous Crim\-in\-als list and is fully conversant with the way we intend \softline
to operate.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93We are proud to have Kathy with us.  To show the caliber of talent this office \softline
has been able to attract, I would like to acquaint you with her background.  She \softline
graduated from Yale Uni\-versity with highest honors after being elected to Phi Beta \softline
Kappa.  She was number one in her class at University of Virginia Law School, and you \softline
all know that she achieved the top grade recorded on the recent bar exam.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93This office recognizes talent.  I am proud to announce that Katherine Smith is \softline
my special assistant in charge of our newly-formed Dangerous Criminals unit.  I won\'92t \softline
repeat Kathy\'92s warning to our criminals.  I will only add, Amen!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There were many more questions that Kathy fielded, detailing how the unit \softline
would work.  The crews finally packed up quickly after near\-ly ninety minutes of \softline
questioning to get back to their studios to edit their tape for the evening news shows.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the crews left, Peter motioned Kathy to come into his office.  After she \softline
entered, he closed the door and took his seat behind the desk while Kathy sat upright in \softline
a chair facing him, looking attentive.  \'93Miss Smith, would you }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 kindly}{\plain \fs24 \f2  tell me what that \softline
was all about?  And, Kathy, for God\'92s sake, no injured innocence, please.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2  \tab Kathy grinned, dropping her pose.  \'93I thought it went well, didn\'92t you?  I think \softline
we\'92ll get a good play on tonight\'92s news.\'94  She frowned and continued, \'93It\'92s a shame it\'92s \softline
the Friday before Labor Day.  The audience for tonight\'92s TV news and tomorrow\'92s \softline
papers will be aw\-ful.  It\'92s one of the slowest news days of the year.  Peter, you should \softline
have waited and announced it next Tues\-day or Wednesday.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She ducked as Pete hurled an eraser at her head causing it to miss.  She \softline
straightened up quickly and assumed her atten\-tive look as if nothing had happened.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked at her and started to chuckle.  It turned into laughter.  Soon he was \softline
roaring with laughter, leaning back in his chair.  Kathy joined in.  \'93Slow news day, \softline
indeed.  Young lady, we will get more time on the news tonight than we\'92ve had in the \softline
last five years com\-bined.  I\'92ll settle for a slow news day!  Now, young lady, you are going \softline
to have to deliver!  Seriously, Kathy, I hope those numbers were real.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Kathy went into her briefcase, pulled out a file, and pulled her chair around to \softline
Peter\'92s side of the desk.  He sent out for sand\-wiches as they reviewed the voluminous \softline
data together.  Kathy explained to him how the data were set up, the definitions used \softline
and the limitations.  She stressed that the key was felony ar\-rests and convictions.  She \softline
pointed out that only a small frac\-tion of crimes resulted in arrests.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was after five-thirty when Kathy finished her presenta\-tion, \'93Pete, the key is \softline
the number of arrests against the number of reported crimes.  Either the guys on the list \softline
are the dumbest, unluckiest criminals in this city, or \'97 much more likely \'97 we\'92re \softline
looking at the tip of the iceberg.  For every arrest, the guy actually committed ten, \softline
twenty or even more crimes.  In business there is an eighty-twenty rule.  It means that \softline
20 percent of the customers produce 80 percent of the business.  Is it possible that it \softline
applies to crime, too?  Twenty percent of the criminals commit 80 percent of the crimes?  \softline
I think they do, and I\'92m going to get them!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter looked at his watch.  \'93Come on Kathy.  Tonight I really want to see the Six \softline
O\'92clock News!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They closed up the office quickly and went to a nearby bar.  They entered just \softline
as the evening news was coming on the air.  They were surprised to hear that the \softline
Danger\-ous Criminals Task Force, as the media now dubbed it, was the evening\'92s lead \softline
story.  Kathy was amused at the way she appeared in the news footage while Peter was \softline
impressed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The station they were watch\-ing \'97 WAVY \'97 had obviously dug deeper.  \softline
Although they did not have names, they had gotten numbers from the police computer \softline
that they had used to make graphics for the show.  They agreed that the station had \softline
done an excellent job with its coverage.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When it was over and the station broke to commercials, they received a shock.  \softline
First, the patrons in the bar had been paying close attention to the story.  Second, they \softline
recognized Peter and Kathy.  The crowd which was very large for the Friday before a \softline
long weekend started cheering.  They crowded around and wished Kathy luck.  She \softline
heard comments like, \'93It\'92s about time!\'94  \'93It\'92s the first crime program I\'92ve ever heard \softline
about that makes sense.\'94  \'93Kathy, throw \'92em in prison and lose the key.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They left the bar and took a booth in the corner.  Peter wiped his forehead with \softline
his handkerchief, put it away and looked at her steadily.  Then he asked to see her \softline
weapon.  Kathy slipped a stainless steel .38 out of her special purse and passed it to him \softline
butt first, making sure to keep it out of the sight of the other patrons.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter examined it carefully.  \'93What is this?  I can\'92t ever recall seeing a piece like \softline
this before.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s a new weapon from Smith & Wesson called the LadySmith.  As you see, it \softline
has a four-inch barrel and stainless steel cons\-truction.  I carry it in this purse I ordered \softline
from Texas.  It\'92s designed to keep the gun away from the other junk I carry.  How do you \softline
like my lethal new friend?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Kathy, I just hope you never have to use it!  After watch\-ing the news film, \softline
though, I\'92m glad I got that call from the po\-lice pistol-range officer.  Kathy, you\'92re set up \softline
as a target, now.  You declared war on the worst of the scum infesting this city.  And you \softline
did it on television, yet.  Remember, young lady: They\'92re scum and they\'92re vicious.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, do you remember what I said when you were in my office in the spring?  \softline
They are evil.  I wouldn\'92t be surprised if at least some of those maggots decide that the \softline
best way to end this war is to gun down its commanding officer.  That\'92s you!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy realized that Pete wasn\'92t trying to scare her, but was expressing how he \softline
really felt.  She replied, \'93Pete, I understand, and I appreciate your concern.  I promise \softline
I\'92ll be careful.  I won\'92t say something stupid like, \'91They can\'92t touch me.\'92  I know they \softline
can.  So I promise to stay out of trouble as much as I can.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I believe you.  I sort of expected some show of bravado, I guess, but \softline
you\'92re too smart for that.  You are brave.  Period.  You know something?  I think this \softline
Task Force idea might work.  I am certain, though, win or lose you are the best person \softline
for the job.  Shake on it?\'94  Peter extended his hand and was pleasantly surprised at the \softline
strength of Kathy\'92s grip.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, Peter, for giving me the chance.  I promise I\'92ll do my best.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Let\'92s go home, Kathy.  It\'92s a long weekend, remember?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was at home in her library playing with her electronic toys.  There was \softline
a normal-appearing television set on a shelf in built-in cabinets, but it wasn\'92t normal.  \softline
Pressing a button raised a sliding panel above the set.  Behind the panel were two \softline
additional TV sets.  Using a remote control unit, Kathy could watch the three network \softline
channels simultaneously; the audio came from whichever channel was displayed on the \softline
main screen.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was after eleven o\'92clock and she was using the device to watch the three \softline
newscasts for coverage of the Dangerous Criminals Task Force.  At the same time, a \softline
bank of videotape machines in the ventilated cabinet below were recording all three \softline
programs.  Kathy smiled to herself thinking about her electronic overkill.  The three \softline
operating tape units were in a bank of six.  The other three \'97 now idle \'97 were there \softline
against the possibil\-ity that she might want to tape cable channels as well.  She was \softline
surprised to see that the coverage was even more extensive than she had seen at six \softline
o\'92clock.  If broad publicity could be of value to her program, she was getting the best that \softline
could be hoped for.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then the tele\-phone rang and Kathy picked it up.  A familiar woman\'92s voice \softline
was on the phone, but Kathy couldn\'92t immedi\-ately place it.  It certainly wasn\'92t Jane.  \softline
\'93May I speak with Katherine Smith, please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93This is Kathy Smith,\'94 she answered, sounding puzzled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, this is Julie.  Do you remember me?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Memories came back in a flood.  How could she ever forget the large woman with \softline
whom she lived for so many years.  How many years?  For some reason Kathy had never \softline
been sure.  \'93Of course I remember you, Julie.  How have you been?  Where are you?  \softline
How are the girls?  Are you still in the business?\'94  The questions just bubb\-led out.  This \softline
was the first time she had spoken to Julie since she left the house \'97 how long ago? \'97 \softline
in eight years.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She heard the familiar laugh she had not heard for such a long time.  \'93Slow \softline
down, honey.  I\'92m fine.  I\'92m in a new house.  Or at least at a new location.  You may not \softline
know it, but the old house was leveled for urban renewal five years ago.  I don\'92t think \softline
you want to know where I am now.  With your new job you\'92d close me down and I\'92m too \softline
old to go into another line of work.  As far as the girls go, there aren\'92t any who were here \softline
when you were.  This is not a business where a girl ages gracefully.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I saw you on television tonight and I had to call you.  Honey, you are so \softline
beautiful!  And I\'92m so proud!  There was the district attorney himself introducing his \softline
new special assistant, Katherine Smith.  Kathy, your achievements!  Yale University, and \softline
University of Virginia Law School.  My God!  And in only eight years.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93There\'92s more.  First, I\'92m the only one around who knows where you came from.  \softline
The }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 only}{\plain \fs24 \f2  one.  And I\'92m not saying anything to anyone.  Second, I want you to know that \softline
you\'92re doing a wonderful thing, and I sure hope you succeed.  I know you have a hard \softline
time believing this, but it\'92s true.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll bet you never thought of it this way, but those vicious scum wreck my busi\-
ness.  Face it:  Places like I run aren\'92t in the best part of town.  We\'92re in their territory.  \softline
They attack my girls and they attack my customers.  I hope you put \'92em all in prison!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I guess you know by now that we oper\-ate pretty much in the open.  My girls \softline
aren\'92t hoity-toity call girls; customers come here.  Payments for certain people to look \softline
the other way or not see certain things are a cost of doing busi\-ness.  The owner takes \softline
care of things like that.  I don\'92t know who\'92s involved and I don\'92t want to know.  But, \softline
Kathy, we hear things.  We\'92re not on the right side of the law but it\'92s in our interest to \softline
get these dangerous scum off the streets.  If I hear anything that sounds useful, I\'92ll pass \softline
it on.  Do you have an answering machine on this line?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, I do,\'94 Kathy replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Great.  Now that I\'92ve talked to you again, you\'92ll recognize my voice.  I won\'92t \softline
leave any iden\-tification, just the message I think you should hear.  Be careful, Kathy!  \softline
They might come after you.  I still love you, baby.  Good night.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The connection clicked off.  Kathy reflected on the conversation.  Julie must \softline
have some very well-connected friends to obtain her unlisted phone number.  However, \softline
she was not sure that even the phone company knew where her telephone was really \softline
located.  Her line ran to another address blocks away.  A private wire linked to her \softline
apartment.  She tried to summarize her feelings about Julie but could not.  She did \softline
believe that she could and would maintain her secret.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The weeks following Labor Day were busy ones.  Pete assigned two assis\-tants \softline
to work with her.  Because of the public announce\-ment of her appointment, there was \softline
no question raised about her authori\-ty; they did their work.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After the List had been circulated to police units, Kathy scheduled a series of \softline
meetings including both unit commanders and patrol units.  She quickly discovered that \softline
she would have to pro\-duce a success quickly or lose them.  The police \'97 both male and \softline
female \'97 fully supported the effort.  They sin\-cerely wanted to protect the people and the \softline
men on the Danger\-ous Criminals list were immediately recognized as the ones to get.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab However, Kathy discovered what she started to think of as the \'93Washday Mir\-
acle\'94 syndrome: Yet another new laundry detergent is introduced to the disdainful \softline
reaction, \'93Oh boy.  Another washday miracle.\'94  The officers wanted to put these targeted \softline
men away but had been trying to do so for years.  Any number of spec\-ial campaigns, \softline
usually announced with great fan\-fare, had started... and failed.  Worst of all, she sensed \softline
a per\-vasive attitude, \'93The good guys are losing.\'94  She felt she had to have a success.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The first break came on September seventh, a Thursday.  Kathy had just \softline
finished her first week, although Monday had been Labor Day.  She received a call at her \softline
apartment from one of the district stations.  One of the men on the List had been picked \softline
up by a patrol unit responding to the silent alarm in a jewelry store.  Kathy was at the \softline
station twenty minutes later.  She super\-vised the questioning and personally handled \softline
the bail hear\-ing.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the judge was about to release the accused, Horace Brown, on his own \softline
recog\-nizance, Kathy contested his release on the grounds that Brown was already out \softline
on parole.  He had been released from prison less than six months before.  Furthermore, \softline
Brown was already free on his own recog\-nizance awaiting trial on an Armed Robbery \softline
arrest only six weeks before.  Accordingly, the State wanted Brown held without bail to \softline
await trial, or failing that, wanted cash bail set at a minimum of $100,000.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The judge recessed the court for ten minutes and went to his chambers.  A few \softline
minutes later the court reconvened.  The judge ordered Brown held in jail pending the \softline
posting of cash bail set at $100,000.  Bail was not produced and Brown went to jail.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy wondered who the judge had called from his office but it didn\'92t matter.  \softline
The publicity of the previous weekend was working.  Better still, the news media, \softline
sensing strong public interest and support \'97 and hence ratings or circulation \'97 were \softline
maintaining their interest.  Kathy saw a couple of reporters race for the telephones when \softline
the high bail was set.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she returned to her apartment she saw there was a mes\-sage on her \softline
answering machine.  She recognized Julie\'92s voice, \'93Hon, I thought you would like to \softline
know.  Word on the street is that Horace Brown is pissed.  He was trying to make a score \softline
to pay the lawyer who\'92s supposed to defend him in his armed robbery trial!  Keep it up, \softline
kid!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy laughed and fell into bed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab The morning news led off with the story of Brown\'92s arrest.  The morning news \softline
anchorman reported, \'93Authori\-ties will neither confirm nor deny, but the report is that \softline
Brown is a name on the Dangerous Criminals list.  Assis\-tant District Attorney Kathe\-rine \softline
Smith, director of the unit, personally appeared to contest Brown\'92s release from custody \softline
on his own recog\-nizance.  Such a release without posting bail has been the procedure \softline
that informed observers tell us is normal in such cases.\'94  A still picture of Kathy had \softline
appeared when her name was mentioned.  There was also a mug shot of Brown along \softline
with a review of his recent arrests.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy arrived at the office in the morning, Pete gave her the thumbs-up \softline
sign from his office while he was talking on the phone.  Kathy met quickly with her \softline
assistants and assigned one to the Brown case.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Jerry, there will be no plea bargains, nor will the State ask for any continuances.  I want you to prepare for trial as soon as possi\-ble and file this morning for the \softline
first available trial date.  After you do that, check on his robbery bust.  Let\'92s see if we can \softline
take over that prosecution, too.  It\'92s a heavier rap than bur\-glary.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next morning Kathy saw a squib in the paper that caused her to chuckle.  \softline
It seemed that the attorney scheduled to repre\-sent Brown in his armed robbery trial had \softline
withdrawn from the case which had been reassigned to her unit.  Kathy person\-ally \softline
handled the prosecution and obtained a conviction.  Brown was sentenced to twenty \softline
years to life on the robbery charge and the burglary charge was still awaiting trial.  \softline
Kathy refused to drop it.  She was delighted at the effect of the Brown case on the police.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A few days later, everyone \'97 including the press and the public \'97 was delighted \softline
when one of the men on the List was ar\-res\-ted for littering, and with an assistant district \softline
attorney appearing for the State, was given the maximum punish\-ment, a $100 fine.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab This was the subject of the lead editorial in the paper the next day.  The editorial \softline
writer commented that the word was that Kathy Smith was going after the people on the \softline
List and would prosecute every\-thing.  Going after littering and insisting on the \softline
maximum penalty suggested she was serious.  The names on the list were never released, \softline
but Kathy and her assistants were considered the bloodhounds.  Whenever they ap\-
peared the indivi\-dual was considered to be on the Danger\-ous Crim\-inals List.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy met with Peter Mahoney.  Pete was grinning at her.  \'93Kathy, you are \softline
getting it done.  It is absolutely brilliant.  You started with that press conference.  You\'92ve \softline
been playing the media like a keyboard virtuoso.  You have the public behind you and \softline
the media supporting you.  Most important of all, Kathy, I think you have the cops on \softline
patrol starting to believe in you.  They are the hardest ones to sell because they\'92ve heard \softline
so much talk and seen so little action.  You know, I\'92m really proud of the selling job I did \softline
to get you in here!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He grinned broadly.  \'93But then His Honor, the mayor himself, said I can talk the \softline
birds out of the trees.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stuck out her tongue at him, and he howled with laughter.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The program moved ahead.  By mid-November, they had regis\-tered two \softline
convictions and had twenty-three others awaiting trial.  A local paper started running \softline
a Target Scoreboard with the num\-ber, 163, in the center of a target.  Below was a bar \softline
chart with three bars.  The first was the number on Kathy\'92s list, 163.  Below was a bar \softline
for those awaiting trial, now standing at twen\-ty-three, and one below for convictions, \softline
now numbering two.  Below that was a space for acquittals, dismissals, etc., show\-ing a \softline
zero.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab On a Friday night in late November, Kathy got home to her apartment at seven-thirty.  She smiled to herself thinking that, given the hours she had been keeping since \softline
starting the job, she had only worked half a day.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She thought of her lunch with Jane Ferguson earlier in the week.  They had a \softline
window table at a lunch\-eon club on the top floor of the bank building where Jane \softline
worked.  Kathy was seated with her back to the window with Jane facing her.  She \softline
looked at her and smiled warmly.  \'93I have never seen you look so beauti\-ful, Jane.  You \softline
are positively radiant!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane was wearing a light grey wool dress with a white cash\-mere cardigan.  Kathy \softline
was certain there wasn\'92t much under\-neath it.  The older girl was sitting upright in the \softline
chair with her shoul\-ders back and her head up.  In spite of the date, she still had a nice \softline
tan.  Her brown hair showed golden sun streaks which looked beautiful.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane smiled warmly.  \'93Kathy, I just want to state the obvious.  First, I love you \softline
and consider you my closest friend in the world.  By the way, I never had the chance to \softline
thank you adequately for giving me a key to your apartment.  I\'92m a little concern\-ed, \softline
though,\'94 she added with a mock frown.  \'93I offered to be your maid, or your slave, or \softline
anything else if I could only keep the room.  Since I still have the room, am I your slave?  \softline
I\'92m only asking, and it really doesn\'92t matter much \'97 maid or slave \'97 but I haven\'92t told \softline
Bob yet.  What should I tell him?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In view of their very proper surroundings, Kathy was doing her best to swallow \softline
her laughter as Jane went through her very straight-faced comic recital.  When Jane \softline
finished, Kathy gave her the sweetest possible smile and said, \'93It\'92s lucky for you, dear, \softline
there are so many people here, or I would throw a roll at you!  And you know how hard \softline
they are!\'94  Jane grinned broadly and Kathy added, \'93Fur\-thermore, it\'92s unfair!  You\'92re \softline
sitting with your back to the room.  They can\'92t see you so you can get away with mur\-
der!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab That crack caused Jane to laugh as she was taking a sip of water.  The result was \softline
that the water sprayed in Kathy\'92s face.  While Jane laughed even harder, doing her best \softline
to remain still in her chair, Kathy wiped her face with her napkin.  \'93Boy, I can\'92t take you \softline
any\-where!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The two friends just grinned affably at each other.  \'93Seriously, Jane, I wanted \softline
to thank you for tak\-ing such care of my business affairs.  I honestly don\'92t know how my \softline
bills would be paid if you didn\'92t do it for me.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane thought for a moment and then appeared to be thinking out loud, \'93Well, \softline
let\'92s see...  She gave me back my self respect, took about ten years off my appearance...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy inter\-rupted, \'93Twenty years.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, fifteen maybe,\'94 Jane continued, \'93got me married... but...  I don\'92t know.  \softline
Now there\'92s been a dramatic increase in internal wear and tear, so there\'92s an offset...  \softline
Let\'92s me use her private pool, exercise equipment, apartment...  Yeah, that\'92s about right.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now, against that I write her checks at least once a month...  Some\-times more.  \softline
Or at least the computer does, but I have to push the buttons all by myself... and... and \softline
I have to sign them all }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 by hand.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Jane appeared to come out of her rever\-ie.  \'93You know Kathy, you\'92re absolutely \softline
right!  Please buy me a check signer with a signature plate?  You can\'92t appreciate how \softline
hard it is to sign your name... by hand... }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 in ink}{\plain \fs24 \f2 !  It wears a girl out.  It really does.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy shook her head and grinned.  \'93Okay, I know when I\'92m licked.  I\'92ll let you \softline
know about the other thing.  I think \'91slave\'92 sounds kind of nice, though, don\'92t you?\'94  \softline
Jane daintily stuck out her tongue.  \'93See, there you go again!  Next time I get to sit \softline
facing the window.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then Jane\'92s facial expression changed as she changed the subject: \'93Seriously, \softline
Kathy, there are some things I wanted to talk about.  First, Bob and I would like you to \softline
spend Thanksgiving with us.  Would you please?  It\'92s our first Thanksgiving togeth\-er \softline
and it\'92s special.  All kidding aside, you made it happen.  And Bob is looking younger \softline
every day.  He claims it\'92s the exer\-cise.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Second, we are so proud and impressed with what you\'92re doing in the DA\'92s \softline
office.  You know Bob\'92s well-connected politi\-cally around the state.  Some people who are \softline
never impress\-ed by anything are starting to be impressed by you.  You know the ones: \softline
the court house types who are always there.  The guys who never change are starting to \softline
think about changing.  Bob is really im\-pressed, and not just because it\'92s you, Kathy.  \softline
Honest.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Finally, Kathy, a new subject:  Bob got a call early this week from a man named \softline
Charley McCann who owns a bar near the Naval Base.  It does a great business with the \softline
sailors, I under\-stand.  Of course, I don\'92t know anything about sailors.\'94  Jane rolled her \softline
eyes and continued, \'93At any rate, he needs some fin\-ancial help, and he called because he \softline
was an old friend of Sam Jenkins.  Bob remem\-bers Sam speaking of him as his oldest \softline
friend.  Do you think you might be able to do something for him?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course, Jane.  Give me his name, address, and phone number.  I\'92ll go see \softline
him.  By the way, are you going to continue to be Bob\'92s secretary?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane, who had been neatly writing out Charley McCann\'92s name and address, \softline
looked up at Kathy as if she had a screw loose.  \'93Lady, are you crazy?  Do you think for \softline
one minute I would quit and let my oversexed husband bed someone else on the office \softline
sofa every after\-noon?  Speaking of which, I better get back.  Bob is very easygoing 
provided I\'92m there for my principal duties of the day.\'94  Jane gave a big wink and allowed \softline
Kathy to see her rubbing her groin.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she returned to her apartment, Kathy stripped off her clothes, and took \softline
a quick shower.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My Lord, I have this beautiful shower but it has been months since I\'92ve \softline
been able to really enjoy it,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  With her hair wrapped in a towel, she picked up \softline
the phone and called Charley McCann.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The phone was answered with the words, \'93Charley\'92s place.\'94  Kathy asked to \softline
speak to Mr. McCann.  An older voice came on the phone, \'93This is Charley.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mr. McCann, this is Kathy Smith calling.  I understand that you spoke with Bob \softline
Ferguson earlier this week.  He suggested I call you.  I\'92m Sam Jenkins\'92 niece.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Miss Smith?  Good heavens!  Are you the Kathy Smith I see all the time on \softline
television?  I\'92m honored.  I would be proud to meet you any time you say.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Would it be convenient if I came by tomorrow afternoon?  Perhaps about four-thirty?\'94 she replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s fine!  I\'92ll be here and it should be kind of slow then.  I\'92m looking forward \softline
to it.\'94\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 13}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next afternoon Kathy drove to Charley\'92s place and park\-ed in the lot.  Most \softline
of the spaces were empty.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Before going in, she carefully looked around.  It was a perfect location for a bar, \softline
across from the main gate of the Naval Base.  The building was large but visibly needed \softline
work.  Paint was peeling and the neon sign needed refur\-bish\-ing The parking area was \softline
pot-holed and in need of resurfac\-ing.  There was no plant\-ing, and the place looked barren \softline
and uninviting, particularly in the daylight.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy walked in and stood at the entrance.  The establishment was really a \softline
single very large room.  A partition rose to the ceiling beginning about ten feet back from \softline
the entrance which separated the bar and lounge area on the left from a table area on \softline
the right.  There were a substantial number of customers around the bar, but com\-pared \softline
with the large size of the place Charley\'92s appeared almost empty.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As Kathy walked up to the bar, an older man tending bar at the back saw her.  \softline
He wiped his hands on his bar apron, and came hur\-rying down to greet her.  Kathy saw \softline
there were two bartenders work\-\-ing even with the small crowd; Kathy estimated there \softline
could be five or more working when the place was busy.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley lifted a hinged section of the bar and came out to greet her.  He stuck \softline
out his hand in greeting, \'93Hi!  I\'92m Charley McCann, and I certainly recognize you as \softline
Kathy Smith.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took his hand in a firm grip, while Charley studied her.  He slowly shook \softline
his head.  \'93Some people are going to be very sur\-prised.  We see you a lot on those \softline
television news shows and talk about you.  We thought that it was the TV makeup and \softline
lighting that made you look so good.  Boy, are the guys going to be sur\-prised when I tell \softline
them that TV doesn\'92t do you justice!  You\'92re much more beautiful in person.  Can I get \softline
you something from the bar before we sit down?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled warmly, and Charley could feel his heart start to melt.  \'93You\'92re an \softline
Irish flatterer, Charles McCann!  That\'92s a lot of blarney!  But I would love a cold beer.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley blushed, retreated to the bar and returned with two bottles of Sam \softline
Adams and chilled glasses.  He led the way around to the empty table section.  After \softline
seating Kathy at a table he sat down across from her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Miss Smith, you must be Sam Jenkins niece.  I just don\'92t under\-stand why he \softline
never mentioned you to me, though.  He was my closest friend.  But you are just like \softline
him.  You\'92re so warm and friend\-ly...  so natural.\'94  Charley thought about the gloomy \softline
pros\-pects for his place and his face fell.  \'93I guess you looked around when you came in?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy just nodded.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m afraid it doesn\'92t look too good.  I made a mistake a few years ago.  I don\'92t \softline
take any money to speak of out of the business.  The whole thing\'92s paid for.  Sam gave \softline
me some money to help me get going, but I paid him back a long time ago.  But then I 
didn\'92t notice that the old place was showing its age until it was too late.  I guess I kept \softline
the prices too low for too long.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93When I realized I needed to fix it up, I got some esti\-mates.  I almost fell over \softline
when I learned what the cost would be.  Now I don\'92t feel I can raise prices un\-til I fix the \softline
place up, and I can\'92t fix it up until I get money.  Everyone knows it\'92s a great location.  \softline
I have had some good offers to buy the property from some big operators.  Their idea is \softline
to tear the place down and put up a new, much fancier place on the property.  I guess \softline
word of their interest got around.  When I went around to the banks, they didn\'92t want \softline
to lend, they wanted me to sell.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley looked at Kathy with sorrow visible in his eyes.  \'93Kathy...  Do you mind \softline
if I call you Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took has hand warmly and said, \'93Please do.  And may I call you Charley?  \softline
I really feel I should call you Uncle Charley.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley blushed and continued to hold Kathy\'92s hand.  \'93I would love it!  Imagine \softline
having a niece like you.  But Kathy, I don\'92t want to sell!  It\'92s not the money.  The offer \softline
is a very good one.  But what can I do with money?  Kathy, I\'92m a bachelor like Sam.  This \softline
is my life!  These are my friends!  I just don\'92t want to give it up.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley\'92s head dropped and Kathy could see tears forming in his eyes.  She went \softline
around the table and took the older man in her arms.  Charley started to cry in earnest \softline
as if his heart would break.  She continued to hold him while he regained con\-trol.  Then \softline
he sniffed and reached into his pocket for a handker\-chief.  He wiped his eyes and blew \softline
his nose, then looked up at the girl.  \'93I\'92m sorry, Kathy.  That was awful!  My God, I don\'92t \softline
think I\'92ve cried since I was six years old.  I certainly didn\'92t mean...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled at him warmly and held his hand in both of hers.  \'93I understand, \softline
Charley.  I really do.  It\'92s your life.  Look, can I make you an offer?  Will you let me give \softline
you the money to fix the place up?  I would like to help you make Charley\'92s the best \softline
damned Navy bar in the world!  Would you like that?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley started to smile.  It grew like the sun coming out from behind a summer \softline
cloud.  \'93You would do that?  For me?  But my God, Kathy, you don\'92t know what you\'92re \softline
saying.  The estimates are for over $750,000!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy replied, \'93That\'92s light for what I have in mind.  I was thinking between a \softline
million and a half and two.\'94  Charley\'92s jaw dropped.  \'93I would like to see the exterior \softline
completely redone.  You ought to have the area landscaped.  Put in some grass and \softline
shrubs and trees.  This is a naval base, Charley.  Except for the sea, all the sailors get to \softline
see is asphalt!  We need to have some green things around.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now the kitchen:  The swabbies like to drink, but they love to eat, too.  Nothing \softline
fancy, but the kitchen has to be serving as long as the bar is open.  The only places you \softline
can get something to eat after ten o\'92clock are the top hotels that the sailors can\'92t afford, \softline
or the fast-food joints.  And you need a car to get to most of them.  Then...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley interrupted her.  \'93How long have you been studying this place, Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy reddened with embarrassment, realizing that she didn\'92t know the first \softline
thing about running a bar or a restaurant.  She had never seen the place in her life until \softline
a few minutes earlier, and here she was trying to tell the man who had built it and run \softline
it for years how to do it.  \'93I\'92m sorry, Charley.  I was out of line.  I haven\'92t studied your \softline
place at all.  I never even saw it until I came in this afternoon.  I apologize.  Forget I said \softline
any\-thing.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The hell I will forget!  I just heard more sensible ideas from you in two minutes \softline
than from these dumb, so-called hospi\-tality consultants over the last two years.  Honest, \softline
Kathy, you never saw the place before?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honest, Charley.\'94  Kathy smiled.  \'93I just tried to put myself in the position of \softline
the sailors.  We want to give them what they want to buy.  Now, about the money.  I\'92ll \softline
loan it to you and you pay me back when you can, the way you did with Sam.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She reached into her handbag and pulled out a check that she had prepared at \softline
Ferguson\'92s office on her way over.  \'93I didn\'92t know how much you would need, but I \softline
brought a check with me that you can use to get started on.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The check, payable to Charles McCann, was for $1 million.  She passed it to \softline
Charley who glanced at it, then stared.  \'93This check says $1 million,\'94 he said, overcome \softline
with awe.  \'93Are you crazy?  I mean...  I mean...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Charley, what\'92s the trouble?  I\'92m only doing what my uncle would have done \softline
if he were still alive.  He loaned you money to get started, didn\'92t he?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But Kathy, that was a few thousand dollars.  This is one million!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But that was before inflation, Charley,\'94 Kathy said with a big grin.  She put out \softline
her hand.  \'93Is it a deal?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley looked at the extended hand and then down at the check.  \'93No,\'94 he said \softline
firmly, \'93It\'92s not.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy\'92s face fell.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I just don\'92t know how to handle money.  I\'92ve hurt this poor \softline
man\'92s feelings, and I\'92ve wounded his pride,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  Tears started to form and then \softline
roll down her cheeks.  \'93I\'92m sorry, Charley.  I was just trying to help,\'94 she said soft\-ly.  \'93I \softline
didn\'92t mean to hurt your feelings.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab This time he held her while her shoulders shook with sobs.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley smiled.  \'93I didn\'92t want to make you cry, Kathy.  But it is a great excuse \softline
to get to hold you.  It\'92s not the money, it\'92s the deal that\'92s no good.  You are buying the \softline
place for that money.  Of course, I would like to stay on and run it for you...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled brilliantly.  She hugged him and then gave him a warm, soft, \softline
lingering kiss on his lips.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley reddened like a beet.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God, what a kiss! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 he thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 This girl is a \softline
volcano.  I wonder if I\'92ll be around when she finds the right guy?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Aloud he asked, \softline
\'93Kathy, do you have a boyfriend?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was visibly startled by the question.  \'93No, I don\'92t.  Why do you ask?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Because you will!\'94 replied Charley.  \'93When the right guy comes and you hear \softline
the bells, there\'92s going to be a volcanic eruption.  I hope I live to see it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had an eerie feeling.  Charley had almost exactly repeated John \softline
Robinson\'92s words the night of the fraternity initia\-tion at Yale.  \'93Charley, I have a favor \softline
to ask?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Anything!\'94 he said.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I would like to work as a bar waitress tonight.  I could put on one of those \softline
super-short little strapless outfits.  My legs are good enough, don\'92t you think?\'94  She \softline
swung her chair so around so she could extend her legs out straight.  She pulled her skirt \softline
up to the tops of her thighs so Charley could inspect them.  \'93My bottom\'92s small, but it\'92s \softline
firm.  I\'92m not as big on top as I should be, but the construction of the outfit usually \softline
pushes a girl\'92s boobs up so she looks bigger than she is...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley was scandalized.  \'93Not on your life!  Is your figure passable, indeed!?  \softline
Kathy Smith, you idiot!  Your figure could win the Miss Universe contest, for chrissakes!  \softline
Do you think I want to start a riot?  The Shore Patrol would put the place Off Limits.  \softline
Your bottom would be so black and blue from pinches, you couldn\'92t sit down for a week.  \softline
No!  You may not work as a bar waitress!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was prepared to argue when he added, \'93Besides, how would it look?  Do \softline
you think you\'92re invisible?  You may be the best-known woman in Tidewater with all the \softline
television coverage you\'92re get\-ting.  How do you think it would look for the Assistant \softline
District Attorney of Norfolk County in charge of the Dangerous Criminals Task Force \softline
to be seen working as a bar waitress?  I ask you!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy pouted at him like a little girl.  \'93You\'92re just saying that to keep from \softline
hurting my feelings.  My body isn\'92t up to your standards.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93And you, young lady, are just fishing for more compliments.  \'91Vanity, thy name \softline
is woman.\'92  Besides, you know I\'92m right.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned at him.  \'93Okay, you win, I guess.  But seri\-ously, I would like to \softline
look at the crowd tonight.  Could I sit at a table and just watch?  Please?  I\'92ll be real \softline
good!  Honest.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley nodded and smiled.  \'93I guess I can\'92t stop the new owner from keeping \softline
an eye on the place she just bought,\'94 he said.  Charley grinned.  \'93Of course, that assumes \softline
she pays for her own drinks...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At eleven-thirty that night, Kathy was sitting at a small table in the back of the \softline
room on the bar side.  She liked the friendly atmosphere of the place.  She had been \softline
interested to learn that most of the employees were off-duty naval personnel, including \softline
a number of the waitresses.  She was recognized and word of who she was spread \softline
quickly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Kathy was embarras\-sed when a pretty young waitress came up and asked for her \softline
autograph.  The girl said that she was a yeoman first class assigned to the base legal \softline
office.  She told Kathy that she wanted to go into law when she got out of the Navy, and \softline
Kathy was her personal hero.  In response to Kathy\'92s ques\-tion, she said her name was \softline
Sally.  As Kathy wrote the autograph she looked at Sally.  The girl was wearing a \softline
uniform exactly like the one Kathy had been describing to Charley earli\-er; she hadn\'92t \softline
realized she was being prescient.  Out of curiosi\-ty, she asked Sally about pinches.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl rubbed her bottom ruefully and grinned.  \'93They mean well.  If they give \softline
you a really hard pinch, they usually end up sticking some money down your top.  \softline
Besides, it improves my agil\-ity.  I think of it as an obstacle course.  A hard pinch is when \softline
I didn\'92t clear the obstacle.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally moved off to serve the customers that were crowding the place.  Moments \softline
later, two men entered the bar.  For some reason, Kathy sensed that they didn\'92t belong.  \softline
Responding to her premoni\-tion she unobtrusively placed her purse on the table in front \softline
of her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The pair went up to the bar and suddenly guns were brandished.  \'93This is a \softline
holdup!\'94 one of the men yelled.  \'93Nobody move!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At that instant a sailor sitting opposite the bar against the wall, got up and \softline
started towards them.  \'93Hey, wait a minute, you can\'92t...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The gunmen were about fifteen feet away from the sailor when both weapons \softline
fired.  Kathy was sitting to their left out of their sight line.  She slipped her weapon from \softline
its holster and squeezed off four shots in rapid fire.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Suddenly it ap\-peared that their weapons had become too heavy to hold and their \softline
bones turned to jelly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Before they hit the floor, Kathy was running towards the sailor who was on the \softline
floor.  \'93Call the police and get an ambulance.  This man\'92s been hit,\'94 she yelled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She found that he had been hit in his right arm at a point just below the \softline
shoulder.  The slug was imbedded in the muscle; there was no exit wound.  Although she \softline
couldn\'92t be sure, Kathy didn\'92t think the bone had been hit.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The young waitress, Sally, came running up quickly with a first-aid kit.  She \softline
seemed to know what she was doing as she cut away the sailor\'92s sleeve to prepare to \softline
bandage the wound.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The sailor tried to smile at her.  \'93That\'92s not fair, Sally.  Why did you have to cut \softline
off my sleeve like that?  These are my best tailor-made blues!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally finished bandaging his arm and then gave the sailor a soft kiss full on the \softline
lips.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In the meantime, Kathy had moved to where the two gunmen lay crumpled on \softline
the floor.  Other sailors were keeping curious people away from the scene.  Moments \softline
later, sirens were heard responding to the shooting report.  At the same time a siren with 
a different pitch could be heard moving in their direction from the Naval Base hospital.  \softline
Two policemen entered the bar with their guns drawn.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they realized that everything was under control, they holstered their \softline
weapons and examined the bodies on the floor.  Both men were dead so they were left \softline
untouched await\-ing the crime team.  Navy corpsmen came in with a stretcher and \softline
carefully removed the wounded sailor to the ambulance out\-side.  A moment later its \softline
siren screamed as it rolled back towards the base hospital.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley and his people moved the customers around to the table side of the \softline
establishment to clear the area for police who were now arriving in numbers.  A \softline
detective lieutenant took charge and asked what happened.  Kathy went up and \softline
introduced herself.  She drew her .38 and gave it to the officer.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After relating what had happened so suddenly, she concluded her story by \softline
saying, \'93They started shooting, so I returned fire to protect lives.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The lieutenant wrote down the serial number of Kathy\'92s LadySmith in his \softline
notebook and gave it back to her.  Surrepti\-tiously, he dropped four fresh .38 rounds into \softline
her hand along with the weapon.  \'93You may need it again, Miss Smith.  Please keep it \softline
fully loaded.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Television news crews arrived and set up their lights and cameras out front.  The \softline
lieutenant had conclusively identified one of the dead men as a person high on the \softline
Dangerous Criminals List.  Since over two months had passed since the list was placed \softline
in broad circulation among law enforcement agencies, all of the media now had copies \softline
of their own.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was pleased that, even though they had obtained copies, no one had \softline
published it.  The other dead man was identified as an associate of the first whose crimi\-
nal accomplish\-ments were not yet numerous enough to make the list himself.  Kathy put \softline
on a coat and went outside to meet the press.  She quickly related the events of the \softline
evening.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A TV repor\-ter identified one of the gunmen by name and asked Kathy if he was \softline
on the List.  Kathy decided to break precedent by conceding what both she and the \softline
reporter knew.  \'93Yes, he was,\'94 she said without elabora\-tion.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab By this time, things were winding down at Char\-ley\'92s.  The morgue wagon had \softline
taken the bodies away, and the crime lab people had finished their work.  One was \softline
overheard saying to the other that it was a waste of time.  The whole thing was open-and-shut.  Two dangerous hoodlums had been gunned down, and it couldn\'92t happen to \softline
nicer guys.  The other replied that they still had to fill out all the forms neatly to keep \softline
the paper-pushers happy.  The last vehicle moved out and things started to get back to \softline
normal.  Kathy whispered to Charley who announced that the bar was open and drinks \softline
were on the house until closing.  Then he raced around filling orders.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Meanwhile, Kathy went back to her table and sat down.  Suddenly she felt her \softline
knees turn to rubber and she started to feel sick.  As she did, Sally quickly came over and \softline
held her.  Kathy absently noticed how clean the girl smelled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, Kathy.  They were going to kill Jim, you know.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked up, slightly dazed.  Just then Charley came up with a glass filled \softline
with an amber liquid which he gave to her.  He asked Sally when she needed to be back \softline
at the base.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Not until 0800 on Monday.  Why, Charley?\'94 she asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sally, I would appreciate it if you would drive Miss Smith back home.  I really \softline
don\'92t think she\'92s in any condition to drive now, and she certain\-ly won\'92t be after she \softline
drinks that cognac.  I\'92ll keep your time running on the clock until Monday.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Charley McCann,\'94 Sally exclaimed angrily, \'93That\'92s an in\-sult!  On the clock, \softline
indeed!  Look, she saved Jim\'92s life!  I don\'92t know if I\'92ll marry him, but I sure want him \softline
to stay alive while I make up my mind.  Miss Smith, I would be honored to take you \softline
home if it\'92s all right with you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sally, it would save my life.  Thank you so much!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl went back to the dressing room to change out of her uniform.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley sat down at Kathy\'92s table while they were waiting.  \'93Kathy, I just don\'92t \softline
know what to say.  Don\'92t take it the wrong way, but when those guys pulled their guns, \softline
I looked your way to be sure you were safe.  Then I heard the firing.  Kathy, I don\'92t think \softline
a cobra can strike as fast as you moved.  You were sitting with your hand on your purse.  \softline
The next instant there\'92s flame coming from your right hand and those shits are on the \softline
floor.  Sam and I were buddies during World War II and saw a lot of action together.  He \softline
would have been very proud!\'94  He held her in his arms until Sally re\-turned.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The two girls went out to the car with Kathy still carrying her cognac.  Charley \softline
had told her that it was one of the best in the world, R\'e9my Martin\'92s Louis XIII.  All she \softline
knew was it was delight\-fully smooth and was calming her down.  Sally headed out the \softline
Virginia Beach Expressway.  Kathy could hardly stay awake to give Sally the intricate \softline
directions to her apartment.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy showed Sally to the guest room, went to her room, removed her clothes \softline
and fell into bed.  She was so tired that she left her clothes in a pile on the floor where \softline
they fell.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 14}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy awakened in her bed with sunlight streaming through the window.  Sally \softline
was standing at her bedside looking unhappy.  After stretching luxuriantly, she said \softline
brightly, \'93Good morning, Sally.  What time is it, anyway?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Good morning.  It\'92s nearly eleven and I\'92m very sorry I awakened you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Don\'92t be silly.  I haven\'92t slept this late in months,\'94 said Kathy as she got to her \softline
feet and disappeared into the bathroom.  She emerged a few minutes later after brushing \softline
her teeth.  \'93Why are you looking so unhappy?\'94 she asked with the concern showing in \softline
her voice.  \'93I hope you didn\'92t get bad news about Jim!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally brightened.  \'93Oh, no!  I called the hospital and he\'92s fine.  I am going to see \softline
him tonight.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was seeing Sally for the first time in good light.  The girl was wearing \softline
skin-tight blue jeans, a loose sweater, and a pair of moccasins with no socks.  The girl \softline
had beautiful auburn hair, brilliant green eyes and lovely features.  Kathy studied her \softline
carefully.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally reddened under her gaze and continued, \'93It\'92s not Jim, it\'92s your apartment.  \softline
He\'92s the electronics technician, I\'92m not.  I\'92ve never seen such a place.  Everything is \softline
electri\-cal!  I\'92m so inept, I couldn\'92t even figure out how to draw your drapes.  I tried to \softline
draw them so you could sleep longer.  Then I decided to try to fix breakfast, but the \softline
kitchen scares me.  And I couldn\'92t even figure out how to make my shower work.  And \softline
I know I look like a slob, but...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m so sorry.  I was just admiring your beauty.  Sally, I think you\'92re a doll.  It\'92s \softline
none of my business, but are you wear\-ing anything under those jeans?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally blushed crimson and shook her head, no.  \'93I was going to work and we \softline
wear those little uniforms.  They\'92re built sort of like a girdle and they\'92re strapless with \softline
kind of a built-in bra.  With the side cut, you can\'92t be sure even bikini briefs won\'92t show \softline
so...\'94  She held her head up straight and finished the speech.  \'93No, Miss Smith.  I am not \softline
wearing any underwear.  I\'92m sorry for embarrassing you.  I\'92ll leave now.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled fondly.  She liked this lovely little sailor.  \'93Sally, you will like hell \softline
leave!  First, for God\'92s sake, it\'92s Kathy, not Miss Smith.  Miss Smith sounds like a \softline
maiden 64-year-old school teacher.  Second, you seem like a bright girl.  I hope you\'92ve \softline
noticed what I\'92m wearing... or not wearing.  I apologize to you.  I seldom wear clothes \softline
around my apartment.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You probably noticed that there is no view into the apartment except from \softline
straight overhead.  You\'92ve noticed that I have no pubic hair.  It\'92s a foible I have and I\'92ve \softline
gotten used to.  I hope I\'92m not embarrassing }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 you}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You men\-tioned breakfast, which reminds me, I\'92m starv\-ing.  And it\'92s Sunday.  \softline
I love a big breakfast on Sun\-day.  How about you?  I\'92ll start cooking while you check at 
the front door for the Sunday paper.\'94  By the time Kathy finished her recital, Sally was \softline
smiling happily.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy padded off to the kitchen while Sally retrieved the paper.  She asked if she \softline
could help and was told that the biggest help would be to sit down and let the demon \softline
cook work.  Kathy made a breakfast of omelettes with pecan-smoked bacon, and waff\-les \softline
with butter and pure maple syrup.  \'93Since you\'92re in the Navy and surviv\-ing, I assume \softline
you drink coffee?\'94  She nodded and Kathy poured it.  \'93Sally, I\'92m embarrassed.  I don\'92t \softline
even know your last name.  I gather Jim is a boyfriend, and I don\'92t know his, either.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally put out her hand, \'93I\'92m Sarah Fitzgerald, but I am called Sally; Jim is \softline
James O\'92Rourke.  I am very pleased to meet you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took the girl\'92s hand and was pleased with the firmness of her grip.  She \softline
hated limp handshakes from anyone.  Glancing at the front page of the paper, Kathy \softline
noticed that the temperature was expected to reach the upper seventies.  She looked at \softline
Sally speculatively.  \'93Do you swim?\'94  Sally looked puzzled but answered that she did.  \softline
\'93Come on then, let\'92s take advantage of the day!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She led the way through her bathroom, opened the sliding door to the pool deck, \softline
and checked the temperature.  For a change, the weather man had got it right.  \'93I don\'92t \softline
think you want to swim in those do you?  Those sweaters get terribly heavy when they\'92re \softline
wet,\'94 she said with a grin.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally had long since become accustomed to Kathy\'92s nud\-ity and had guiltily \softline
wanted to be bare as well.  She lost no time in strip\-ping off her sweater and jeans after \softline
kicking off her mocs.  She stood in front of Kathy with a question in her eyes.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Turn around slowly,\'94 Kathy said absently.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally was a smaller girl than Kathy, standing five feet four inches tall.  The \softline
uniform she wore at Charley\'92s may have been made like a cor\-set, but obviously Sally \softline
Fitzgerald didn\'92t need one.  White\-ness across her loins showed where they had been \softline
covered by a bikini.  There was no similar mark across her breasts.  Like Kathy\'92s, Sally\'92s \softline
breasts were high and firm but not overly large.  She had a small patch of red pubic hair.  \softline
Sally blushed with the color beginning at her loins and rapidly spreading upward.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She had seen that Kathy had noticed the remains of an even tan cov\-ering her \softline
breasts.  She answered Kathy\'92s unasked question.  \'93I looked every\-where but I couldn\'92t \softline
find a suit whose bra matched the line of my uniform at work, so I just leave the bra off \softline
when I can.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned.  \'93You look perfect to me.  What does Jim think?\'94 she asked, \softline
guessing that Sally\'92s relationship with the young man was more serious than she would \softline
admit even to herself.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she asked the question, she manipulated the controls on her shower.  The \softline
water flooded out from all directions.  She motioned to the smal\-ler girl and they both \softline
stepped in.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab This time, Sally didn\'92t blush.  \'93He always wants me to take the bottom off, too, \softline
but usually I won\'92t.\'94  She jumped a little as Kathy turned down the water flow and the \softline
girls started soaping themselves.  When Sally reached her buttocks, Kathy noticed there \softline
really were bruises showing.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy probed a particular\-ly dark one with her fingers and Sally yelped.  \'93You \softline
weren\'92t kidding about the pinches, were you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, I wasn\'92t,\'94 she said ruefully.  \'93I try to keep Jim from seeing them.  He gets \softline
furious.  I try to face him which usually works okay.  He\'92s a boob man, and he really likes \softline
mine.  He likes to weigh them in his hands.  Anyway, concentrat\-ing on my boobs keeps \softline
him from looking at my bottom.\'94  Sally started to laugh, remembering a scene from the \softline
past.  \'93Once, a guy gave me a really hard pinch and I yelped.  Jim got mad and decked \softline
the guy!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That doesn\'92t sound funny.  What did you do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I decked }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 him}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  I told him that I worked there, and it was bad for business to hit \softline
the customers.\'94  While Sally was talking, Kathy was soaping her own body.  \'93Kathy, you \softline
really are magnifi\-cent, you know.\'94  When she finished, Kathy activated all the jets again \softline
and the girls moved under the sprays.  \'93This is heaven,\'94 Sally said.  \'93I could stay in here \softline
forever.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93We can finish later.  Let\'92s go.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She led the way to the pool and dove in.  Sally followed moments later.  They \softline
stroked side by side up and down the pool.  Sally was a smooth and powerful swimmer \softline
and had no difficulty keeping up.  As they moved, Kathy could feel the tension in her \softline
muscles ease.  She figured it was the aftermath of the events of the previous night.  \softline
Finally exhausted, she hauled herself out of the pool with the smaller girl following \softline
smoothly behind her.  After hauling out two mats, the girls soaked up the November \softline
sunshine.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy awakened feeling cool.  She and Sally had almost im\-med\-iately fallen \softline
asleep.  It was the drop in temperature caused by the late hour that had awakened her.  \softline
The smaller girl was still sleeping on her back, but Kathy could see the girl shiver a little \softline
in her sleep.  \'93Come on sleepyhead.  Let\'92s go!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally opened her eyes and shivered.  \'93Good Heavens.  What time is it?  I must \softline
have slept for hours!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy replied, \'93Judging by the sun, I guess it\'92s about three.  You\'92re cold!  Let\'92s \softline
warm up.\'94  Earlier, Kathy had acti\-vated the sauna so it was up to temperature as the \softline
girls entered the room with its dry heat.  Kathy poured water on the rocks which \softline
instantly flashed to steam.  She joined Sally on the bench and they leaned back to enjoy \softline
the moist warmth.  After sweat had been pouring from her pores for a while, she showed \softline
Sally how the scraping technique worked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, Sally said, \'93Can we leave, now?  There\'92s not nearly as much of me as \softline
there is of you, and I think at least half of what was there just melted!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy laughed at the quip.  \'93Do you feel brave, Sally?  Do you want to go the \softline
whole hog with a sauna?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What do you mean?\'94 the girl asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93In Finland where they originated this device of torture they do it in the winter.  \softline
They also beat each other with birch twigs in the sauna, but we passed on that and \softline
settled for scrap\-ing.  In the winter, before going into the sauna they cut a hole in the ice \softline
of the lake outside.  When they get out of the sauna they jump into the freezing water.  \softline
It closes the pores in a hurry!  I think there is some religious significance to the whole \softline
thing, but I\'92m not sure.  I don\'92t have a frozen lake, but I do have a cold water pool that \softline
I\'92m going to jump into.  Do you want to join me?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Lead on, boss!  I\'92ll try almost anything once,\'94 the small girl replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy opened the sauna door and jumped feet first into the circular pool.  After \softline
the instantaneous shock, the water felt good and then cold.  She let her head break the \softline
surface.  Sally was looking in the water with concern showing on her face because Kathy \softline
had stayed under so long.  When her head bobbed to the surface, Sally smiled in relief \softline
and jumped.  She, too, stayed under, emulating Kathy\'92s performance.  When she bobbed \softline
to the sur\-face, Kathy said, \'93What do you think of it, Sally?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think I\'92m freezing my boobs off, is what I think.  Can we get out now?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The two girls quickly emerged and went back to Kathy\'92s shower.  In an instant, \softline
warm water flooded over them.  This time Kathy produced shampoo and conditioner.  \softline
As their bodies recover\-ed from the thermal shock, they washed each other\'92s hair.  \'93I love \softline
your hair, Sally.  The color is glorious.  You\'92re the first redhead I\'92ve ever met who can \softline
tan.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you.  I appreciate the comment from a girl whose hair is 24-carat gold!  \softline
Yours is magnificent.  Why don\'92t you just let it grow?  I couldn\'92t imagine anything sexier \softline
than letting that gold flow over your breasts and over your man\'92s chest and...  I\'92m sorry, \softline
Kathy.  I\'92m getting carried away.  Who\'92s your boyfriend, by the way?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t have one yet.  I\'92m still hoping,\'94 said Kathy.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally looked at her thoughtfully, \'93Have you tried a classi\-fied ad?  That works \softline
sometimes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With that, she fled from the shower, but not before Kathy landed a hard swat on \softline
her rump.  When Kathy got out of the shower, the smaller girl was ruefully rubbing her \softline
bruised rump and talking to herself.  \'93When are you going to learn, Fitzgerald?  When \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 will}{\plain \fs24 \f2  you learn not to anta\-gonize big brutes when you have a bruised ass?  When?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Follow me,\'94 Kathy said with an impassive expression on her face.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They made their way to the exer\-cise room where Kathy had the girl lie face down \softline
on a massage table.  Kathy went to her supply of lotions and found the one she was \softline
looking for.  Gently, she worked it into the girl\'92s bruised buttocks.  Then she mas\-saged 
the rest of her body.  When she fin\-ished, she covered the girl with a soft blanket and let \softline
her sleep.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At five-thirty she went back to the exercise room.  Sally was just waking up.  She \softline
looked like a small girl with her eyes full of sleep.  Tenderly, Kathy lifted the blanket and \softline
lightly ran her fingers over the girl\'92s bruises.  \'93Does that feel any better?  I apologize.  \softline
I forgot the bruises.  Lady, I\'92m going to see about armoring the uniform bottoms with \softline
Kevlar when we reorder.  You are hurt.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally sprang lightly from the table without saying a word.  She motioned Kathy \softline
to take her place on the table.  A little fearfully, she did, lying on her stomach.  Sally \softline
motioned her over on her back.  The girl examined the massage lotions.  Her eyes lit up \softline
when she found what she wanted.  Then she started to work on Kathy with strong yet \softline
gentle fingers.  Kathy could feel her muscles warm and relax as the fingers did their \softline
work.  Sally rolled her over and started to work on her legs, moving up her thighs to her \softline
buttocks.  As the warmth spread Kathy fell into a sound sleep.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At seven-thirty she opened her eyes to see Sally studying her face.  \'93Smith, I \softline
hate you!  Not only are you beautiful when you sleep, you\'92re even beautiful at the \softline
moment of awakening!  That\'92s disgusting!  It\'92s... It\'92s... It\'92s sinful!\'94  Her words and her \softline
tone were belied by the lovely smile on her face.  \'93Come on sleepy head.  Time to move.  \softline
I called the hospital and they said I could see Jim until eleven.  I have to get going.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at her.  \'93May I visit, too?  I\'92m driving you back to the base.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally looked surprised but nodded.  After a quick dinner, Kathy sat the girl down \softline
and went to work on a hairdo that she had thought of.  Sally was delighted with the \softline
result.  \'93I don\'92t know what you did, but it makes me look like a pixie in a very seductive \softline
way.  And that\'92s a contradic\-tion in terms, I know.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With reluctance, she pulled on her jeans.  Kathy helped with her sweater to avoid \softline
spoiling her new hairdo.  Then she went to her room and came back tugging on a pair \softline
of skin-tight Levi\'92s of her own which she topped with a Yale sweatshirt.  She put on a \softline
pair of moccasins and they were off.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab While driving toward the base, she probed Sally\'92s plans.  \'93Sally, last night at \softline
Charley\'92s you said you wanted to be a lawyer.  Were you serious?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honestly, Kathy, I was more hoping than planning.  I\'92m going to be twenty-two \softline
when my enlistment is up.  Jim will be twenty-two, also.  He wants to study electrical \softline
engineer\-ing at Cal Tech.  The big lug is smart enough to do it, too.  But there\'92s just not \softline
enough money, I\'92m afraid.  I\'92m saving a lot of my Navy pay and we get good educa\-tional \softline
benefits.  As you gather\-ed, Jim doesn\'92t like me working at Charley\'92s and getting mauled.  \softline
The only reason he hasn\'92t hauled me off by my hair already is that the money is good \softline
and I save it all.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they arrived at the hospital, Sally showed her Navy ID, and Kathy \softline
identified herself.  They went up to the ward where Jim was lying in bed.  Kathy realized 
the talk today had helped Sally sort out her feelings.  When they reached his bedside, \softline
Sally looked beautiful and Jim said so.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She said, \'93Jim, I would like you to meet my friend, Kathy Smith, who saved your \softline
life last night.  Kathy, this is Jim O\'92Rourke, who keeps asking me to marry him.  Can \softline
you imagine marrying a big lug who\'92s so dumb he thinks he can walk through bullets?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With a soft cry, Sally cradled his face in her hands and kissed him lovingly on the \softline
lips.  Ignoring Kathy, Jim put his hand under her sweater and cupped a breast.  Sally \softline
continued to kiss him while mewing softly.  Then she put her hand over his and held it \softline
there.  Finally she pulled herself away.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The previous night Kathy had not had a good look at Jim.  He was big and \softline
powerfully muscled, standing about six feet three, and weigh\-ing over 200.  He had dark \softline
hair and blue eyes, which didn\'92t leave Sally.  Kathy approached the bed and extended her \softline
left hand so he could grip it with his.  When he smiled at her, he showed even white \softline
teeth.  Kathy thought he was a very handsome young man.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Miss Smith,\'94 Jim said, \'93I owe you my life.  The guys I was with last night said \softline
that I would have been a dead man if it hadn\'92t been for you.  I was looking at the \softline
gunmen.  They had a kill-craze in their eyes when they started shooting.  I thought I was \softline
gone for sure.  Suddenly, they folded up like puppets with their strings cut.  Thank you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As he spoke, Kathy could see tears forming in his eyes.  By the time he finished, \softline
they were streaming down his cheeks.  He turned toward Sally who had a tissue and \softline
started gently drying his eyes.  \'93As for you, young lady!  I spent all day thinking about \softline
you and about us.  I love you so much, Sally!  I decided something.  You admire Miss \softline
Smith enormously and want to follow in her footsteps.  I wouldn\'92t be alive if it weren\'92t \softline
for her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93We\'92re going to pool our money, and we\'92re going to use it for you to go to USC \softline
and then on to USC Law School.  There are a lot of jobs in Southern California for a top \softline
electronics technician and I am one.  We\'92ll do just fine.  When you finish, you can \softline
support me!\'94 he said with an attempt at a grin.  He continued.  \'93Miss Smith, would you \softline
believe this little twit has combined SAT\'92s of almost 1550?  She really does.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was trying desperately to keep from crying.  These two young people were \softline
obviously so deeply in love and now Jim was prepar\-ing to sacrifice his career for his \softline
future wife\'92s.  She managed to control herself and speak without her voice cracking.  \'93If \softline
you call me Miss Smith one more time, James O\'92Rourke, I\'92ll hit you right where the \softline
bullet went in.  Ask your future wife if I can hit.  She\'92s still rubbing her cute little ass.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At that point Sally spoke up firmly.  There was not even a quiver in her voice.  \softline
\'93No, you will not, Jim O\'92Rourke.  I\'92ll be barefoot, pregnant and home with the kids.  \softline
Kathy, he didn\'92t tell you he got an even 800 on SAT math...  And 800 on AP Physics...  \softline
And 800 on AP Math B&C.  Of course, we don\'92t talk about his SAT English scores.  The \softline
poor dear is only marginally liter\-ate.  That\'92s why I feel sorry for him and have to take \softline
care of him.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Jim,\'94 Kathy asked changing the subject, \'93is it true that Sally decked you at \softline
Charley\'92s one night after you flattened a customer?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jim grinned and rubbed his jaw.  \'93I\'92m afraid it is.  I was on the floor.  She has \softline
an absolutely wicked right cross!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally went back into Jim\'92s good arm and was kissing him passionately when \softline
Kathy quietly left the room.  Neither knew she had gone.  Kathy wondered how long it \softline
would take them to figure out how to make love in the hospital bed without hurting his \softline
wounded arm.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 15}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she returned to her apartment after leaving Jim and Sally, she turned on \softline
the VCRs and rewound the tapes to see the evening news shows that she had recorded.  \softline
The three network stations had major coverage of the shootings the night before.  One \softline
of the anchors commented that the two gunman had been convic\-ted of three kill\-ings \softline
between them.  He continued by saying that, regardless of what one may think of the \softline
deterrent value of the death penalty, those two men would never kill again.  Overall, \softline
Kathy was pleased with the tone of the newscasts.  The next morning she glanced \softline
quickly at the morning paper while she ate a quick breakfast.  It, too, played the \softline
Saturday-night shooting prominently.  There were sidebars with eyewitness inter\-views \softline
coupled with statements from several officials.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab On Monday, Kathy had no idea how the staff in her office would act.  When she \softline
walked in, everyone dove for the floor.  Her laughter broke whatever tension there may \softline
have been.  Pete motioned for her into his office.  She sat down in her customary chair, \softline
adopting her usual pose.  He looked at her.  \'93Knock off that Junior League shit, for \softline
Christ\'92s sake!  It looks natural, but it\'92s an act.  A very good act, under\-stand, but an act.  \softline
Saturday night was }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 not}{\plain \fs24 \f2  an act.  Kathy, you could have been killed.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stuck out her tongue.  \'93I rather like my Junior League bit, too.  You\'92re \softline
mean!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Pete ignored her and went back to the papers on his desk.  \'93We have a bunch of \softline
stuff that hasn\'92t been released to the press, yet.  Some of it never will be.  The medical \softline
examiner\'92s report is interesting.  I\'92ve never seen one quite like it.  Instead of the usual \softline
technical jargon written in a studiedly dispassionate tone, this one was written with \softline
overtones of awe.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It seems the cause of death was identical in both cases: two .38 caliber bullets \softline
entering the chest cavity from the left on a slightly rising trajectory.  Both bullets passed \softline
through the heart and imbedded in the upper right quarter of the body, in or near the \softline
shoulder.  All four bullets have been recovered.  They match the rifling of your \softline
LadySmith and the spent brass retrieved from its cylinder.  Death was instantaneous.  \softline
Either bullet in each body would have been immediately fatal.  The two reports are \softline
identical.  Do you have any explanation?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The place was crowded with people.  I wanted to be sure bullets wouldn\'92t be \softline
ricocheting around the room.  Did they find and recover the other bullet fired by the \softline
gunmen?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The police dug it out of the wall panel separating the rooms.  The Navy turned \softline
over the slug extracted from O\'92Rourke\'92s arm.  The guy on our List gunned O\'92Rourke.  \softline
His buddy\'92s bullet hit the wall.  The police can\'92t recreate the scene with accuracy good \softline
enough to determine how close it came to hitting him, but it isn\'92t important anyway.  \softline
Paraffin and other tests were run on the bodies.  Results are conclusive:  Each man fired \softline
his weapon once before he was hit.  The recovered bullets match up, and so forth.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Mahoney stopped and looked up.  \'93Never in my years in law enforcement have \softline
I encountered such a clear-cut case.  It\'92s so good, even the usual gun-control nuts \softline
haven\'92t opened their mouths.  As soon as the inquest can be scheduled, there will be a \softline
finding of justifiable homicide in the line of duty to prevent further injury or death.  The \softline
mayor is waiting for the official finding to award you a commen\-dation for exceptional \softline
performance.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93For chrissakes, Kathy, even the damned Navy wants to get into the act!  For \softline
some un\-fathomable reason the Admiral command\-ing the Naval Base wants to present \softline
a commenda\-tion at a formal Admiral\'92s inspection and review next Sunday.  It seems \softline
some of his people who were at Charley\'92s Saturday night stated that the two gunman \softline
started firing with a crazed look in their eyes.  They said the guys were going to keep \softline
shooting and would have wasted a lot of highly-trained naval personnel.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The governor is watching developments.  He would like to do something \softline
dramatic but hasn\'92t figured out just what to do yet.  To top it all off, just before you came \softline
in I get a call from that dumb-ass head of the police pistol range!  He wants to see you \softline
as soon as possible; he had you shooting at full-face targets and didn\'92t fill you in on \softline
target areas of the body from other angles.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy continued sitting, but her face looked grim.  She waited for Mahoney to \softline
speak while he waited for her.  He broke the silence.  \'93I\'92m sorry, Kathy.  Damn it, I\'92m \softline
scared!  The best assistant in the whole damned state, and possibly the whole country, \softline
in a shootout!  The experts are unanimous.  It was the finest police work they\'92ve ever \softline
seen.  It is the only ex\-c\-hange that went }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 exactly}{\plain \fs24 \f2  by the book.  One shot each from the bad \softline
guys and they\'92re wasted.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The District Director of the FBI won\'92t stop talking about }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 two}{\plain \fs24 \f2  shots.  \'91Not one, \softline
two.  Right by the book.  Fire at least two to make sure \'97 a double tap.  Every bullet \softline
lethal.\'92  Kathy, I am proud.  Scared as hell for you, but proud.  I find myself believ\-\-ing \softline
what the Dean told me:  You }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 do}{\plain \fs24 \f2  get the job done.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He rose and went around his desk.  Kathy also got up, think\-ing they were leaving \softline
the office.  Instead, Pete stopped, took her in his arms and kissed her.  Kathy calmly \softline
kissed him back.  When he released her, she heard a barely-perceptible, \'93Wow!\'94  Peter \softline
started muttering about getting a lot of shit from Personnel for sexual harassment.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The hearings and paperwork were handled in record time.  About all Kathy \softline
remem\-bered later were people with their hands out congratulating her.  Often they were \softline
trying to get into news photo\-graphs with her.  As soon as she could, she got away from \softline
the office after ensuring that her assis\-tants were staying on top of their cases and \softline
pushing ahead as fast as possible.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went out to visit some police stations to check on morale, the critical \softline
variable in her law-enforcement equa\-tion.  On her first set of visits announcing the \softline
program she had been received with skeptical support.  \'93We\'92ll give it a try, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 but}{\plain \fs24 \f2 ...}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 \'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2   Left \softline
unsaid was the thought that it wasn\'92t going to work.  The atmo\-sphere she found on this 
visit was totally different.  She was treated with the deference accorded Queen Elizabeth \softline
of England on a state visit.  The attitude was shared from the newest rookie to the most \softline
senior watch officers.  \'93Kathy, you\'92re one of }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 us.}{\plain \fs24 \f2   You\'92ve been there.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In spite of always being armed, the typical police officer spends his entire career \softline
without ever firing a shot in anger.  Some observers feel it\'92s a good thing considering \softline
what all too often happens: Dozens, and at times hundreds of rounds are fired without \softline
hitting the person at whom the shots were aimed.  Gun battles in which more passers-by \softline
are hit than bad men occur all too often.  It is not frequent but often enough to hurt the \softline
police self-image.  Police officers detest, most of all, appearing to the public to be a bunch \softline
of Keystone Kops.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had been involved in the most dangerous possible sit\-uation encountered \softline
in police work: shots fired in a location crowd\-ed with innocent civilians, with the \softline
civilians as the tar\-get.  Her response was instantaneous, exactly correct and most of all \softline
deadly accurate.  All the officers knew this.  None of them put it into words.  Kathy had \softline
buried two of the worst gunmen in Tidewater.  The po\-lice appreciated it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went into a small station in East Norfolk.  The desk sergeant saw her come \softline
in and did a double-take.  Instantly, he was out from behind his desk to shake her hand.  \softline
\'93Miss Smith, what you did was perfect, simply perfect.  Thank you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy, without thinking, said simply, \'93Thanks, Sergeant.\'94  and kissed him full \softline
on the cheek.  The sergeant turned bright red and glowed.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Kathy Smith kissed me on \softline
the cheek,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought.  At that moment he would have cheerfully died for her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went back to the small squad room.  A single detective stood up, came \softline
over and shook her hand.  He didn\'92t say anything but just kept shaking her hand.  A pair \softline
of patrolmen entered the station and saw her.  One stiffened to attention and saluted \softline
smart\-ly.  The other\'92s jaw dropped.  Kathy heard him mutter as she passed, while \softline
returning the salute of the first, \'93It\'92s her!  It\'92s Kathy Smith.  She\'92s here.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At the end of the day, she sat in her library and tried to evaluate the day.  She \softline
couldn\'92t.  It had certainly boosted her ego.  On the other hand, the tributes she receiv\-ed \softline
were genuine and heartfelt.  There were no fancy speeches.  There were people who \softline
respected her for what she had done and were grateful for the opportunity to show this \softline
respect.  She finally decided that the day was positive for both her and for the uniformed \softline
forces.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she entered her apartment, her answering machine showed twelve \softline
messages.  It was an extraordinary number since so few people knew her phone number.  \softline
When she played back the tape she found no messages at all.  Because her machine \softline
marked the time of each call, she did notice that they came about every thirty minutes, \softline
begin\-ning about six hours earlier.  The most recent call had come in about fifteen \softline
minutes before she returned home.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 If the caller follows his schedule,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The \softline
next call is due about now.}{\plain \fs24 \f2   At that instant the phone rang and Kathy picked it up.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, it\'92s Julie.  I\'92ve been trying to reach you for hours!  How are you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I\'92m fine, Julie.  What\'92s the trouble?\'94  Clearly something was very important to \softline
cause Julie to maintain her call frequency.  For some reason she wanted to deliver a \softline
message personally with\-out placing her trust in a machine.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I told you once before that we hear things.  I also told you that you have \softline
important support in surprising quarters.  Well, Hon, \'91the surprising quarters\'92 just about \softline
declared today a holiday in your honor!  Those creeps you burned are not missed.  In \softline
fact, their passing was greeted with cheers.  Inciden\-tally, you have achieved a level of \softline
respect with some people who, uh...  use weapons in their profession.  One man with \softline
particularly good firearms skills believes it was perfect shooting.  He kept repeating, \'91Not \softline
good...  not great...  Perfect!  It can\'92t get bet\-ter than that!\'92\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93At any rate I have been asked to pass on a warning.  A rumor has reached town \softline
that some special talent may have been imported to take you out.  This rumor has \softline
started activity in very high councils.  It\'92s a matter of turf, you understand.  No one \softline
knows if the rumor has substance, but I was ordered to tell you, \'91For God\'92s sake, keep \softline
your head down and be careful.\'92  Honey, you were unbelievable.  Good-bye.\'94  The circuit \softline
went dead.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had noted particularly Julie\'92s use of the word, order\-ed.  It said to her that \softline
this was a direct communication from the top of the organi\-zation in Tidewater.  It was \softline
interesting.  She took out her gun-cleaning kit and cleaned and oiled her pistol.  She \softline
replaced the bullets the lieutenant had given her with four from her box of special \softline
match-grade ammunition.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next day was Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.  Kathy felt she had \softline
to bring a gift to Jane and Bob when she visit\-ed on Thanksgiving.  As she headed out of \softline
the building, she was preoc\-cupied trying to think of an appropriate gift.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she walked slowly toward the curb her brain registered something wrong.  A \softline
car was moving slowly down the line of parked cars as if looking for a curbside parking \softline
space to open.  Kathy was at a spot on the curb where parking was not permitted.  The \softline
curb in front of her was clear for a space of about two car-lengths.  Just then the \softline
approach\-ing car accelerated.  Kathy hit the sidewalk, rolled once, drew her pistol and \softline
fired one shot as a shotgun blast went over her head.  The car sped away but Kathy \softline
thought she had hit the gunman sitting in the passenger seat.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She got to her feet and looked down.  Foolishly, all she could think of was that \softline
wonderful medical phrase, abrasions and con\-tusions.  She assumed the doctors felt \softline
better treating abra\-sions and contusions than they would treating scrapes and bruises.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab While she stood there wool gathering, the sounds of sirens were heard coming \softline
from all direc\-tions.  The glass door in her building had been destroyed by the shotgun \softline
blast.  Made of safety glass, it had disintegrated into thousands of pieces.  The force of \softline
the blast had driven most of the broken glass back into the building\'92s lobby.  Fortunately, no one was hit by either the pellets or the flying glass.  In moments, police \softline
cruisers screeched to a stop at the curb.  Officers jumped out with their guns drawn.  The 
first arriving officer immediately recognized Kathy.  At the same instant she felt faint \softline
and went down on one knee.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The officer grabbed his radio micro\-phone and screamed, \'93It\'92s Kathy Smith!  \softline
Someone tried to kill Kathy!  Send an ambulance!\'94  He followed with the address of the \softline
district attorney\'92s office, grabbed his first aid kit and ran to Kathy\'92s side.  He took off \softline
his coat, folded it to make a pillow for her head and made her lie down.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She tried to get up but the officer insisted that she remain flat on the sidewalk.  \softline
The officer started to weep, \'93The dirty bastards tried to kill Kathy.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Other patrol units had arrived by this time.  A second officer took off his coat \softline
and gently put it over Kathy as a blanket.  In moments, there was a phalanx of police \softline
surround\-ing Kathy with drawn weapons in case another attempt were made on her life.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The ambulance arrived.  Emergency Medical Technicians quickly determined \softline
that she had not suffered a life-threatening wound requiring on-the-spot attention.  \softline
Carefully they trans\-ferred her to their stretcher, covered her with a blanket, and loaded \softline
her in their vehicle.  The two officers retrieved their coats.  As the ambulance roared \softline
away towards the hospital it was accom\-panied by four police cruisers, two leading and \softline
two trail\-ing.  The police were taking no chances.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At the hospital, she was rushed into an emergency treatment room.  The time \softline
lying on her back, both on the sidewalk and in the ambulance, had allowed her faintness \softline
to pass.  Although she wanted to get up, the staff wouldn\'92t let her.  They carefully \softline
undressed and examined her.  She had bruises and abrasions on her right arm, elbow, \softline
hip, knee and calf from hitting the sidewalk.  The doctors found two shotgun pellets had \softline
ripped through the back of her dress.  Idly, Kathy wondered if she could write off the \softline
now-destroyed garment as a business expense.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After the sustained seriousness following the shooting she appreciated the \softline
trauma specialist who examined her.  He was a young physician of about thirty.  Kathy \softline
looked at him, smiled to relieve the tension she felt and asked him how she was.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The doctor frowned, and looked very serious.  \'93Miss Smith, I\'92m sorry.  I\'92ve \softline
treated girls with more serious injuries sus\-tained jumping rope!\'94  At this he grinned and \softline
started to chuck\-le.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had felt a sinking sensation when she had seen how serious he looked.  \softline
When he finished his statement, she yelped.  Then she started to laugh.  The doctor held \softline
her in his arms as her laugh\-ter turned to tears when post-trauma shock hit her.  He just \softline
held her as she slowly calmed down.  Finally, she pushed away and really smiled.  \'93How \softline
much do you charge for holding patients in hysteria, Doctor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked very thoughtful for a moment before he answered.  \'93Well, it depends \softline
on how attractive they are with rates inversely proportional to beauty.  I\'92m afraid, Miss \softline
Smith, I would be paying you a great deal.\'94  He stuck out his hand, \'93I\'92m Charles Miller, \softline
Miss Smith.  I\'92m delighted to meet you, but I wish it had been under more pleasant \softline
circumstances.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy gripped his hand firmly, \'93Please call me Kathy, Doc\-tor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She had become more aware of her surroundings.  She was seated on an \softline
examining table wearing the standard hospital gown that is both very short and open in \softline
the back.  She looked down at her\-self and then at the doctor.  \'93I wonder...  I think this \softline
is the perfect dress for the Thanks\-giving party tomorrow, don\'92t you?\'94  They both \softline
laughed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A nurse came in to assist Charley \'97 \'93If I\'92m supposed to call you Kathy, you \softline
damn well can call me Charley\'94 \'97 with cleaning and dressing the abrasions.  \'93Kathy, \softline
I would like you to meet my wife, Cindy.  Cindy, this is Kathy Smith.\'94  Cindy Miller \softline
shook hands, and the two then set about carefully cleaning the abrasions of dirt, cement \softline
particles, and other debris.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was regularly \'93ouch\-ing\'94 as they worked.  She finally said, \'93Look, I know \softline
you Millers are sadists.  I know you have to use scouring powder to be sure its clean.  But \softline
for God\'92s sake, do you really need to use Bril\-lo, too?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Millers laughed but were relieved she was well enough to crack jokes.  While \softline
Charles fin\-ished, Cindy left the room for more supplies.  When she re\-turn\-ed, she had a \softline
lovely robe that fit Kathy well.  She also brought some facial soap and washed Kathy\'92s \softline
face, as well as a hair brush which she used first to brush out dirt and dust and then to \softline
arrange her hair neatly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy Miller looked at Kathy and said softly, \'93Wow!  Kathy you don\'92t use any \softline
makeup at all, do you?\'94  Kathy shook her head.  \'93And your hair:  You just wash it, brush \softline
it, and comb it.\'94  She nodded.  \'93Kathy, if I let this information out, half the women in \softline
Virginia would be after you.  With all the garbage the rest of us have to go through...  \softline
And after all that agony, we can\'92t hope to look half as pretty as you do on your worst \softline
day...\'94  Cindy cocked her head, then grinned, \'93Which just might be today.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Cindy, this is your bathrobe, isn\'92t it?\'94  The nurse nodded.  \'93It\'92s a very nice one.  \softline
A present from Charley?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Another nod.  \'93Kathy we\'92re a trauma team and our hours can be weird.  So I \softline
keep some things I need here at the hospi\-tal.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thanks, Cindy.  I am very much obliged.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Dr. Miller had checked outside and returned.  \'93How do you feel, now?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93About like the girl who tripped jumping rope in the playground at recess.  \softline
Why?\'94 Kathy replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Because I can\'92t even count the number of people waiting for you out there.  I \softline
don\'92t think there\'92s been such a mob since President Reagan was shot!  How do you want \softline
me to handle it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, for openers I want to get out of your hair so you can treat some injured \softline
people.  Then I guess I\'92ll try to sort out the guest list.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Kathy, I have just been told in no uncertain terms that you are the primary \softline
concern of this institution right now.  I just realized you probably don\'92t even know where \softline
you are.  This is the hos\-pital where your uncle, Sam Jenkins, died.  He built the damn \softline
thing by himself.  His generosity will never be forgotten.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Fur\-ther\-more, you are the hottest news item on the East Coast and have been \softline
for months.  We like basking in your reflected glory.  Speaking professionally \'97 and \softline
seriously \'97 I don\'92t want you out of my sight just yet.  I\'92m pretty sure you\'92re okay.  But \softline
I want to be absol\-utely certain.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter Mahoney was the first one in the door.  He was reas\-sured that Kathy \softline
wasn\'92t seriously hurt and she was soon grateful for his presence.  He directed traffic and \softline
set the interview sequence.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There were detectives who had been assigned to the case.  They checked her \softline
pistol, extracted the empty cartridge case and put it in an evi\-dence bag.  A police \softline
stenographer joined them and re\-corded her statement.  Finally \'97 at Kathy\'92s insistence \softline
and against Pete\'92s better judgment \'97 the press were allowed to see her.  Dr. Miller had \softline
arranged to use the room in the hospital set up for press briefings.  The TV cameras \softline
were set up and the crews were ready.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy walked out on the podium alone to field questions.  As she appeared the \softline
press applauded and cheered.  Kathy blushed.  She realized that the gentlemen of the \softline
media \'97 regardless of whatever else they might be \'97 are the most cyn\-ical audience \softline
around.  They like to believe that they\'92ve seen it all and believe almost nothing.  Their \softline
applause was a tribute from their hearts.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She briefly described the events, which were few enough.  No, she was not \softline
seriously injured, just scrapes and bruises.  There was absolutely no way she would \softline
change the Dan\-gerous Criminals Task Force approach.  She was strangely proud of this \softline
attempt on her life.  It was proof that the program was work\-ing.  Then, from memory, \softline
she gave the press a comprehen\-sive progress report on the program.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When it was over she called Jane Ferguson.  She had pre\-vious\-ly called to \softline
reassure her that she was all right.  When she finished, she asked the Millers if they were \softline
on duty on Thanks\-giving.  When they said no, she extended Jane\'92s invitation to join \softline
them for Thanks\-giving dinner.  The invitation was accepted.  Kathy checked the time.  \softline
It was three o\'92clock.  She made another call to Jane to ask for her help, quickly giving \softline
her a list of things to buy.  Jane was used to getting strange re\-quests but she repeated \softline
back the list because this one was particularly odd.  Kathy then accidentally caused a \softline
near-brawl.  She asked a group of police officers if someone would give her a ride home \softline
and a fight almost erupted over who would get the pri\-vilege.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab While Kathy was being treated, the law enforcement agencies in the area \softline
mobilized.  In only moments the message had spread that parties unknown had try to \softline
gun down their Kathy.  Three hours after the shoot\-ing there was a break.  A rental car 
was dis\-covered abandoned in the woods near the airport.  It was messy: There was a \softline
corpse in the passenger seat, and a shotgun was on the floor by his seat.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then the crime lab people swarmed into action.  The cause of death was \softline
determined after autopsy to be one bullet in the head.  It had entered at the bridge of the \softline
nose and ricocheted inside the skull making jelly out of the brain.  Death was \softline
instantaneous.  Only one shot had been fired from the shotgun and the corpse tested \softline
positive as the shooter.  The bullet recovered from his skull was the one bullet fired from \softline
Kathy\'92s gun.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab That evening the TV news shows rearranged their planned story sequence.  The \softline
stories began with the shooting, shifted to the body in the car and then to Kathy\'92s press \softline
conference.  The story tone was one of awe.  Today, the girl who killed two gunmen Sat\-
urday night shoots and kills a killer who is shooting at her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab One local news show featured an interview with a Marine small-arms expert.  \softline
The Marine officer was an instructor in a special program developed to train men in \softline
urban fighting.  The officer said that Kathy\'92s shot was nearly impossible.  However, he \softline
pointed out that her reactions reflected extraordinary train\-ing and practice.  \'93Hit\-ting \softline
the gunman had to be luck.  But her prior reac\-tions showed training and practice.  Miss \softline
Smith saw the dan\-ger, dropped to her right, rolled, drew her weapon and return\-ed fire \softline
in a single continuous motion.  That was not luck, nor could it be.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The reporter asked how the officer could be sure.  State\-ments from passers-by \softline
were, as usual, conflicting and incon\-clusive.  The officer replied, \'93It\'92s a matter of \softline
physical evi\-dence.  From the location of the broken glass ballistics experts reliab\-ly placed \softline
the car at a point on the street where the shot\-gun was fired.  At the same time, a forensic \softline
pathologist esti\-mated where the car was when Kathy fired.  The two spots were vir\-tually \softline
identical.  With the maximum margin for error, the two points were only a few feet \softline
apart.  There\-fore,\'94 he concluded, \'93It had to be highly-trained reaction.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The main story was trans\-mitted by satellite to network news control in New \softline
York.  It was then re-transmitted to all affilia\-ted sta\-tions for discre\-tionary use on their \softline
local news shows.  Because of the pervasiveness of violent crime in cities around the \softline
country, many local stations used the story, and some used it all.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab That night Kathy received a tele\-gram from Chris who had given her shooting \softline
point\-ers in the Yale competi\-tion.  Chris was now working in Minneapo\-lis where the story \softline
had been played.  The telegram read,}{\plain \fs24 \f3  SAW YOU ON TV TONIGHT.  YOU STILL LOOK \softline
GREAT.  GLAD TO SEE YOU\'92RE STILL SHOOTING 10'S.  STORY SAYS 5 10'S WITH \softline
5 SHOTS.  LOVE, CHRIS, ALPHA HOUSE, YALE.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sat on her sofa assembling the energy required to get up and go to bed.  \softline
She had absolutely refused the police offer to have policewomen in her apartment \softline
overnight.  Just then the phone rang.  It was Julie again.  After reassuring the woman \softline
that she really was all right, Julie said, \'93I was ordered to thank you for keeping your \softline
head down.  The dead gunner has been identi\-fied and steps are being taken.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab They talked a few more minutes and Julie hung up.  Kathy smiled to herself.  \softline
Clearly some sources were faster than others.  She knew for a fact that the body lying \softline
in the morgue was still John Doe as far as the law enforcement agen\-cies were concerned.  \softline
Officially, the body was still unidentified.  Yet she had just heard \'93from a well-informed \softline
source\'94 that others had identi\-fied the body and \'97 ominously for someone \'97 \'93steps were \softline
being taken.\'94  She stumbled into bed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next morning \'97 Thanksgiving Day \'97 Kathy eased herself out of bed and \softline
limped into the bathroom.  She turned to look at her right side which was a mess.  The \softline
bruises were now turning color and the abrasions were oozing lymphatic fluid.  Of \softline
course, they looked far worse than they were.  She went to her closet to find something \softline
to wear.  Her clothes were all tailored to her figure and would be very uncomfortable \softline
over the bandage on her hip.  In the corner she found a wild muu-muu she had bought \softline
on a trip to Hawaii.  It hung from her shoulders like a tent.  It was perfect.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She arrived at the Ferguson mansion before the Millers.  Jane and Bob were \softline
waiting at the door as she walked up, concern in their faces.  Jane had talked with Kathy \softline
and they had seen her on the television news, but it wasn\'92t the same as being reassured \softline
by the woman in person.  Kathy realized there was an unfore\-seen advan\-tage in wearing \softline
her muu-muu.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Jane saw what Kathy was wearing she started to laugh.  The incongruity \softline
of the mansion setting, a Thanksgiving dinner and the multicolored muu-muu were too \softline
much.  The older girl started laughing so hard she could no longer stand.  She collapsed \softline
onto a living room sofa.  When she recovered her composure, Jane took Kathy upstairs.  \softline
They went into a bedroom so Jane could inspect Kathy\'92s injuries first hand.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she did Kathy smiled down at her, \'93The big prob\-lem today is going to be how \softline
to maintain modesty.  It\'92s the only thing I own that I can wear that doesn\'92t put pressure \softline
on the band\-age on my hip.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane stood up and held her friend.  \'93It\'92s disgusting...  It\'92s not fair...  Kathy \softline
Smith, you are the only person alive who can put on that wild-looking tent and still look \softline
gorgeous!\'94  She smiled, and kissed the girl.  \'93Kathy, we\'92ve been so worried!  Please don\'92t \softline
use up all your luck.\'94  Jane then told Kathy she had been able to obtain all the items on \softline
the strange list Kathy had given her the day before.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A short time later the Millers arrived.  Kathy had the op\-por\-tunity to see Cindy \softline
Miller out of her nurse\'92s uniform for the first time.  She was a beautiful girl with brown \softline
hair.  Her size and build were very similar to Kathy\'92s.  Then it turned out that Charley \softline
Miller and Bob Ferguson knew one another from the Hospital board on which Bob ser\-
ved as a member of the Executive Committee.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Drinks were ser\-ved followed by a sumptuous dinner.  After the blessing, cham\-
pagne was poured and Bob offered a toast, \'93To Kathy Smith!  Without Kathy, Jane and \softline
I wouldn\'92t be together today.  I would not be the happiest, most contented man in the 
world today.  This is a day for giving thanks, Kathy.  Thank you for being with us, and \softline
thank God for allowing you to be with us.\'94  They all drank.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After dinner, they adjourned to the living room.  The butler and chauf\-feur \softline
appeared carrying a stack of large boxes which they placed, without instructions, beside \softline
Kathy\'92s chair.  Kathy said, \'93There are a few things here I want to present.  I know it is \softline
Thanksgiv\-ing, not Christmas, but these are in the way of thanks\-giving.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She shoved two large boxes over to where the Millers were seated, looking very \softline
puzzled.  Cindy and Charles each star\-ted to strip the festive paper off the two boxes.  \softline
Charley\'92s turn\-ed out to be a case of Comet cleanser; Cindy\'92s was a case of Brillo.  They \softline
were dumbstruck; they were about to open the cases, when Kathy said, \'93Don\'92t bother \softline
opening them.  They are what they appear to be.  I know you exhausted the hospital\'92s \softline
supply on my body yesterday, so I thought it only fair for me to replenish it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Millers started to laugh, remembering Kathy\'92s com\-ments of the previous \softline
day.  Then Kathy carried over two more boxes and gave them to the couple.  Again they \softline
started to unwrap the packages.  Cindy opened hers first.  She took out a beautiful \softline
natural-tan cashmere bathrobe.  As she unfolded it, feeling the wonderfully soft fabric, \softline
Charley finished opening his box.  It was a dupli\-cate in his size.  At that moment the \softline
maid appeared with Cindy\'92s bathrobe that she had lent Kathy.  It had been cleaned and \softline
re\-finished to a like-new state.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy looked up at Kathy.  \'93I don\'92t know how to thank you!  But it\'92s so \softline
unnecessary.  Charley and I saw you on television last night.  I was so proud that the \softline
robe Charley gave me was on television.  Honestly, Kathy, I only wish it looked half as \softline
good on me as it does on you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At this point Jane entered the conversation.  \'93Cindy, I know, and you\'92re right.  \softline
But please accept Kathy\'92s gifts in the spirit intend\-ed.  I can tell you from glorious \softline
personal exper\-ience that Kathy makes a life\'92s work out of being nice... of doing things \softline
she isn\'92t expected to do... of being nice to others.  Cindy, she does it because she wants \softline
to.  She\'92s Kathy.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Naval review on Sunday was memorable.  Kathy felt strange wearing the \softline
maternity clothes she and Jane had picked out on Friday.  They were constructed \softline
appropriately for her injuries, even if they did appear odd.  Kathy was on the reviewing \softline
stand as sailors and marines passed in review.  With the formation at Parade Rest facing \softline
them, the admiral began his address.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today to honor Katherine Smith, Assistant \softline
Dis\-trict Attorney of Norfolk County.  As I\'92m sure you all know, through her skill and \softline
bravery she prevented serious loss of life in a very dangerous shooting incident.  An \softline
establishment was crowded last Satur\-day night with sailors and marines.  Two gunmen \softline
entered to commit a robbery.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93One of our sailors, demonstrating more bravery than good judg\-ment, tried to \softline
intervene and was shot for his pains.  We have statements from over a dozen eyewitnesses.  They all agree on one crucial point: The gunmen were about to empty their \softline
weapons into the crowd.  At this point I can only conclude Providence inter\-vened in the \softline
form of Katherine Smith who was sitting there at the time.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93She drew a weapon and fired four shots.  Each gunman was hit twice in the \softline
heart, dying instantly.  Experts here at the base are still shaking their heads in utter \softline
disbelief.  Each shot would independently be considered miraculous.  There are no \softline
numbers large enough or small enough to determine the probability of four-for-four.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The Congress has acted on the recommendation of the Presi\-dent.  Katherine \softline
Smith, please step forward.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy faced the Admiral and stood straight, as he continued.  \'93It gives me great \softline
pleasure to award to you, on behalf of the Congress and President of the United States, \softline
the Medal of Freedom.  It is the highest award the Government can present to a civilian.  \softline
I have asked Electronics Technician First Class James O\'92Rourke, the sailor whose life \softline
you saved, to present it to you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy hadn\'92t seen Jim before.  He came forward, smartly saluted the Admiral \softline
with his left hand \'97 }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 He must have been practicing, }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy thought \'97 and received the \softline
award.  He faced her and put the medal hanging from its ribbon around her neck.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At this point he departed from the script.  He kissed her on the cheek and \softline
whisper\-ed, \'93Thanks, Kathy!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The assem\-bled troops cheered.  The Navy band struck up a march and the troops \softline
were dismissed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then the Admiral came over to Kathy and kissed her.  He echoed Jim in a \softline
whisper, \'93Thanks, Kathy!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Off the reviewing stand, Jim O\'92Rourke caught up to her.  Sally Fitzgerald was \softline
at his side wearing her uniform as a yeoman first class.  Kathy thought she looked \softline
beautiful.  Kathy could see Sally\'92s eyes glowing whenever she looked at Jim.  The small \softline
girl gave Kathy a warm kiss and thanked her, too.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took the opportunity to whisper, \'93I assume you brilliant kids were able \softline
to figure out how to make love last Sunday?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally started to blush but then just grinned.  \'93Sure did!\'94 she replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Three weeks later Jim and Sally each received registered letters.  Jim\'92s was from \softline
California Institute of Technology in Pasadena informing him that he had been admitted \softline
to the class starting the following September.  He read the next lines, blinked, read them \softline
again and yet again.  The words didn\'92t change.  Due to a special grant, his education had \softline
been prepaid through the completion of his doctoral studies.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally had a similar experience.  Hers was from the Univer\-sity of Southern Cali\-
fornia informing her that she was admitted to the class starting the following fall.  Her \softline
education had been prepaid through completion of Law School.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The letters arrived on Friday, the week before Christmas.  They celebrated \softline
together over the weekend.  They never got out of bed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab On Christmas Eve, Sally saw Kathy at Charley\'92s.  She ran to her, gathered her \softline
into her arms and kissed her.  Tears flowed down her cheeks.  \'93Kathy, there\'92s no way \softline
Jim and I can ever thank you, let alone repay you, for what you\'92ve done!  You saved his \softline
life and made ours.  All we can do is name our first daughter, Kathe\-rine, after you.  So, \softline
of course we\'92ll do that.  There\'92s nothing more we can say.  Merry Christmas, Kathy, and \softline
may God bless you!  I pray that you find the guy you\'92re waiting for.\'94  She dabbed at her \softline
tears and tried a small grin.  \'93And don\'92t forget to try the classified ads.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy gave her a very light pinch on her bottom and left the bar.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab That night, when Sally took off her uniform she found five $1,000 bills in her \softline
bosom.  In her locker was a small box with Christmas wrapping.  The gift was a box of \softline
birth-control pills with a little note, \'93Don\'92t be in a big rush to have Baby Kather\-ine.  I\'92m \softline
patient!\'94  The note was unsigned\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 16}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Spring had arrived in Norfolk.  Kathy was in her ac\-customed pose and in her \softline
usual chair in Peter Mahoney\'92s off\-ice.  He was looking at her with a wry smile, while she \softline
looked at him with what he termed her \'93bright little Junior League face.\'94  Their \softline
respective atti\-tudes had developed to the point of being a joke shared between them.  In \softline
the six months since Kathy had joined the staff, they had developed a mutual fondness \softline
and respect.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter masked his affec\-tion with gruffness, while Kathy screened hers with her \softline
little smile.  Pete was impressed.  For the first time in memory, the momentum in the \softline
war on crime appeared to have shifted to the law enforcement agencies.  All the reports \softline
he received were that po\-lice morale was the best it had ever been.  They were attack\-ing, \softline
rather than fighting a rearguard action.  And it was Kathy who had done it.  He saw his \softline
job as being to get her the tools she needed and keep others out of her way.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked at her steadily.  With a deadpan expression he said, \'93I hear WTAR is \softline
changing the name of it\'92s news show.  It\'92s going to be \'91Eyewitness News Starring Kathy \softline
Smith.\'92  For chris\-sakes, they can\'92t }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 have}{\plain \fs24 \f2  a show without footage of Kathy to open on.  \softline
Kathy at the courthouse after a conviction.  Kathy at a police sta\-tion handling a \softline
booking...\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Come on, for chrissakes!  There }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 are}{\plain \fs24 \f2  other things happening in the world outside \softline
Norfolk!  Keep this up and the first mention of war being declared would follow the first \softline
commercial break!\'94  Peter grinned and added,  \'93You are doing a great job.  I understand \softline
that we\'92re close to 100 arrests of people on the list.  By the way, when are you going to \softline
put out a new one?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s a good question, Pete, and I\'92m glad you brought it up.  We started with \softline
a list of 163 names.  There are fewer than seventy left at large.  The police are really \softline
going at it.  For the first time a list is }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 shrinking}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  They\'92re used to stacks of cases that just \softline
grow larger.  New files are added at the top of the stack faster than they come off the \softline
bottom.  The pile just gets bigger.  This pile is shrinking and they\'92re charged up.  I don\'92t \softline
want them to lose that momentum.  It\'92s the most powerful weapon we\'92ve got!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93On the other hand, intelligence reports that some guys on the list haven\'92t been \softline
seen around town in weeks.  Presumably, they\'92ve moved out of town to what they hope \softline
to be more hospitable sur\-roundings than Norfolk has provided lately.  Obviously, we\'92re \softline
not going to get those guys unless they come back just to help us close our files.  It\'92s a \softline
fine line, Pete.  What do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Mahoney was impressed.  Kathy never just did things, she thought about them.  \softline
Her observations were dead accurate:  It }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 was}{\plain \fs24 \f2  a fine line.  Police were gung ho.  \'93Let\'92s \softline
sleep on it Kathy, and see how it goes.  I agree with your analysis, as usual.  Damn it, \softline
girl!  All I\'92ve done since you got here is agree with you.  Who\'92s in charge around here, \softline
anyway?\'94 he demanded.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With her usual grace Kathy went down on her knees on the floor and bowed \softline
from her waist until her forehead touched.  She folded in half like a jackknife and slowly \softline
straightened with a smile.  \'93You are, oh mighty lion!  You are in charge here!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Pete grinned and threw an eraser at her which, as usual, she effortlessly ducked.  \softline
\'93Just so you don\'92t forget!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab That evening the news led with the story that the 100th man on the list had \softline
been arrested.  He had been surprised by a police stakeout team while trying to rob a \softline
liquor store at noon.  Kathy appeared on the screen announcing the arrest and praising \softline
the great police work.  Every available local politician was there to take a bow for the TV \softline
cameras.  She went into the kitchen to fix her dinner when the phone rang.  It was Julie.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I\'92ve got a huge favor to ask.  Honey, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 no one}{\plain \fs24 \f2  knows about this call.  There \softline
is a terrible miscarriage of justice in progress.  This afternoon a boy was arrested for \softline
rape.  It seems he and his girl were in a sleaze-bag motel.  You know the kind: where \softline
they rent rooms by the hour?  Anyway, they were in their room going at it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab What they didn\'92t know was that the operator was making money on the side by \softline
hiding TV cameras in the rooms.  It\'92s sort of a do-it-yourself porno movie without hiring \softline
the talent.  We resent that, by the way... all these damned amateurs.  Anyway, they have \softline
this girl on videotape saying \'91no, no, it hurts.\'92  You know the stuff.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The girl was all confused and sign\-ed all sorts of things.  One of the things she \softline
signed was a rape complaint.  I don\'92t know what really happened but I\'92m damned sure \softline
it wasn\'92t what that idiot, Hannigan, thinks.  They\'92re throwing the book at the guy and \softline
trying to wrap it into your Dangerous Criminals thing.  That sleaze bag is trying to horn \softline
in on your act.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, it\'92s bigger than those clowns know.  The guy is the son of the top boss \softline
here in Norfolk.  The girl is the daughter of the top man in Philadelphia.  She\'92s a house \softline
guest of my boss and the shit has hit the fan!  The kids are engaged to be married.  \softline
Kathy, you could prevent a major war!  The kids are good kids, by the way.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I have to level with you, Hon.  There are big risks for you.  If you get involved, \softline
the story may come out and you would look like you are washing Mafia linen.  It could \softline
wreck your oper\-ation.  I don\'92t have to tell you that the people, the press and the police \softline
are all on your side.  But there are scum out there who resent being moved out of the \softline
limelight.  They would cut you down in two seconds if they thought they could.  If this \softline
blows, they\'92d be on you like the pack of jackals they are.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy didn\'92t hesitate.  \'93I need some more information, Julie.  Where are they \softline
holding the boy, and where is the girl?\'94  Julie named the station house in South Norfolk.  \softline
She said that Hannigan was even holding the girl in custody as a material witness.  \'93I\'92ll \softline
do what I can, Julie.  Keep in touch, though.  I may need to commu\-nicate with your man \softline
through you and I don\'92t know your phone number and don\'92t want to know.  Now I\'92ve \softline
got to move.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy knew Mike Hannigan.  He was Pete\'92s least-liked assis\-tant.  As Peter told \softline
her once, \'93He crawled out of the wood\-work the day I arrived.  I can\'92t get rid of him so \softline
I just ignore him.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy called Pete at home.  He came to the phone at once and knew it was \softline
important.  Kathy never called him at home unless it was.  He sensed, too, that this was \softline
no time for jokes.  \'93What\'92s up, kid?\'94 he asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy said, \'93I have a favor to ask Pete.  There\'92s a rape case in South Norfolk \softline
Hannigan is running.  I would like you to move him out and let me take over.  It\'92s \softline
important.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Pete asked no questions.  He trusted Kathy to have good rea\-sons and knew she \softline
had good judgment.  He said, \'93Gee, Kathy, I\'92m glad you called.  There\'92s a very impor\-tant \softline
rape case in South Norfolk I want you to handle person\-ally.  Hanni\-gan\'92s on it now, but \softline
I have to use him on something else.  I hate to spoil your evening, but I would appreciate \softline
it if you could get down there right away.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned, and played along.  Pete couldn\'92t keep from joking.  \'93The guy \softline
who\'92s trying to get into my pants won\'92t like it chief, but for you, anything!\'94  She knew \softline
that Pete could hear laughter in her voice.  She became ser\-ious, \'93Thank you very much, \softline
Pete.  I appre\-ciate your trust and will respect it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had recently purchased a new BMW.  Tonight, with the highways clear \softline
of traffic, she opened it up and nearly flew to the South Norfolk station.  When she \softline
arrived, Hannigan was on the phone.  He was obviously arguing with Peter, an argument \softline
he couldn\'92t win and didn\'92t.  He slammed the phone back in its cradle.  \'93Pete has taken \softline
me off the case for something bigger.  It\'92s yours, now.\'94  He stalked out of the station \softline
without another word.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy wondered what \'93more important case\'94 Pete had cooked up.  She didn\'92t \softline
worry.  He could be very creative.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She met Ser\-geant Tucker who had led the vice squad raiding party.  The es\-teem \softline
in which Hannigan was held by the police was as low as Kathy\'92s was high.  It was \softline
obvious he was pleased to see Hannigan off the case.  \'93Miss Smith, it\'92s a genuine \softline
pleasure to meet you.  I think you\'92re doing a wonderful job, and I don\'92t have to tell you \softline
that we think you walk on water.\'94  Kathy sat down and asked him about the case.  \softline
\'93Honestly, Miss Smith...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s Kathy, Sergeant.  At least all the officers who stop me for speeding on the \softline
Expressway call me Kathy.  But I guess they see me enough so we should be on a first-name basis by now.\'94  She smiled and Tucker melted.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My name\'92s Tom, Kathy.  And this case stinks to high heaven.  Hannigan was \softline
on the raid \'97 why I\'92m not sure \'97 and he ran every\-thing.  The trouble is all the damn \softline
wheels are turning.  If it had been me I would have sent the kids home with a spanking \softline
but Hannigan said it\'92s rape, so now it\'92s rape.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93The problem is, Ka\-thy, it can stick.  We have the video tape with the girl saying \softline
\'91Stop, Tommy, stop!  You\'92re hurting me.\'92  Tests taken \'97 against her will, by the way \'97 \softline
show traces of semen.  That\'92s really all it takes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Tom, who are the kids?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s another thing that\'92s funny.  The girl\'92s name is Cynthia Agnelli.  She \softline
won\'92t give an address.  The boy is booked as Tom Doe on the strength of the tape.  No \softline
last name.  She won\'92t say, and he refuses to answer any ques\-tions.  I told him he could \softline
make a telephone call when he was booked, but he refused.  The kid is scared shitless \'97 \softline
pardon my language \'97 but won\'92t say a word.  The girl just sits in a holding cell, crying.  \softline
What do you want me to do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I want to get this case on track, Tom.  If it\'92s really rape I\'92ll throw the book at \softline
him.  If it\'92s a miscarriage of justice, I\'92ll stop it.  May I see the girl, please?  And let\'92s get \softline
her the hell out of this shit-hole right now.  Pardon my language,\'94 she said with a grin.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tom grinned back at her and started to relax.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Kathy Smith might be young,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he \softline
thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 but she\'92s a real pro.  She has all the ink and TV time she can handle.  She\'92s not \softline
going to let this turn into a three-ring cir\-cus!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy and Tom went to the sergeant in charge of the holding tank.  He \softline
immediately recognized Kathy.  \'93Sergeant, I am taking custody of the witness and will \softline
be responsible for her.  What do I sign?\'94  Kathy signed for the prisoner and waited.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A few min\-utes later a terribly frightened girl was escorted out.  Kathy held out \softline
her hand.  \'93Hello, Cynthia.  My name is Kathy Smith.  I\'92m an assis\-tant district attorney \softline
for Norfolk County.  I\'92ve been assigned to handle your case.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cynthia was obviously frightened, but her training came out, \'93How do you do, \softline
Miss Smith...\'94  That was as far as she could go as she looked around.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Are you looking for something, Cynthia?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That man...\'94 she said with hatred audible in her voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Oh!  You must mean Mr. Hannigan.  He\'92s been taken off the case.  I hope you \softline
don\'92t mind?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The relief in Cynthia\'92s face was obvious.  She even tried a small smile.  \'93Not at \softline
all, Miss Smith.  What are you going to do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The first thing I\'92m going to do is get you out of here.  I\'92m afraid Tom will have \softline
to spend the night.  He\'92s booked on a felony charge.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she said the words, Cynthia broke down in tears.  It was obvious to Kathy \softline
that the poor girl had spent most of the day in tears and was an emotional basket case.  \softline
She led her to the car, helped her in and drove back to her apart\-ment.  After showing the \softline
girl where things were in her room, she found a high necked flannel nightgown for her \softline
to wear, and helped her into bed.  Then Kathy called Jane\'92s private number.  A few \softline
moments later a passion-filled voice answered with, \'93 Uh... Hello?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned to herself.  \'93For chrissakes, don\'92t you and Bob do }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 anything}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
besides imitat\-e rabbits!\'94  No words were spoken as she heard the two reach orgasm \softline
together.  Kathy put the tele\-phone on speaker while she undressed and waited for Jane \softline
to come back on the line.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Minutes later Jane spoke on the phone, \'93The answer to your question is no.  \softline
Unlike some other people I know, we\'92re poor.  We can\'92t afford a 25-meter swimming pool \softline
outside our bathroom.  A girl\'92s got to get her exercise somehow!\'94  Jane\'92s voice became \softline
ser\-ious, \'93What\'92s up?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy quickly filled her in, knowing that the secrets would be safe.  Finally, she \softline
got to the point of the call, \'93Look, Jane, you understand the situation.  Could you babysit \softline
my guest in the morning while I play girl DA?  Could you get here at seven?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane said of course she would and then continued teasing Kathy.  Before she \softline
hung up the phone, Kathy could hear her say lovingly,  \'93Come over here, Bob Ferguson!  \softline
I\'92m not through with you yet.\'94  The connection was broken.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane was in the apartment at seven, using her own key.  As Kathy gulped her \softline
breakfast, Jane stretched like a tigress and lightly ran her fingers over her loins.  \'93I had \softline
to miss my wake-up this morning!  I hope you appreciate the sacrifice I\'92m making for \softline
you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As Kathy ran for the elevator, she wheeled and stuck out her tongue, \softline
\'93Abstinence is good for you!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The hearing was scheduled for nine o\'92clock.  Kathy had made sure that hers \softline
would be the first case called.  \'93The People vs. Thomas Doe, please.  The People vs. \softline
Thomas Doe.\'94  Wearing handcuffs, Tom was led out by the bailiff and was shown where \softline
to stand.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy swallowed hard and thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Here goes nothing!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 She approach\-ed the \softline
bench.  \'93Your Honor, the state is dropping its charges against the defendant.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There was an audible gasp from the spectators in the courtroom.  Many of them \softline
were court watch\-ers, people who spent their time attending trials and hearings.  They \softline
were to jurispru\-dence what the knowledgeable fan is to base\-ball: they knew the players \softline
and they knew the game.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab This was a \'93man bites dog\'94 story.  It was the first time Kathy Smith had ever \softline
dropped a charge.  She was always going for the throat.  And she was death on violent \softline
crime, certainly including rape.  As word of this reversal quickly spread, reporters \softline
started to sidle into the courtroom.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy continued, \'93The com\-plainant, Miss Agnelli, has withdrawn her complaint.  \softline
The state believes the withdrawal is sincere.  Accordingly, the state is withdrawing its \softline
charges.\'94  Kathy had her fingers crossed as she looked at the judge.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He knew Kathy professionally and had developed a thorough respect for her.  He \softline
looked at her thought\-fully for a few moments and then banged down his gavel.  \'93The \softline
case of the People vs. Thomas Doe is dis\-missed!  Next case.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went over to Tom Donetti who was standing utterly bewildered at the \softline
change in fortune, while the bailiff unlocked his handcuffs.  \'93Tom, I\'92m Kathy Smith.  \softline
You\'92ll have to collect your things and sign out before you go.  I can see I\'92m going to have \softline
to meet the press.  Please wait for me.  I must talk with you before you leave.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Donetti went out the way he had come in to sign out, while Kathy walked out the \softline
courtroom\'92s main door.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she expected, the press was waiting in force.  She led them into a room she \softline
often used for these press conferences and closed the door.  \'93You seem to have a bunch \softline
of ques\-tions.  Let\'92s hear them,\'94 she said.  \'93There\'92s just one thing.  This session is \softline
entirely off the record.  You\'92re free to take any notes you want.  When we finish, we\'92ll \softline
see what goes on the record, okay?  Questions?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There were none.  Kathy had called in a chit she knew she had with the press.  \softline
In her career she was always available and always on the record.  She knew how to tell \softline
a story complete with headlines.  She was also spectacularly photogenic, whether for still \softline
or TV cam\-eras.  She knew the press owed her and, more importantly, they knew it too.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What happened in there, Kathy?\'94 a reporter asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93A miscarriage of justice was just averted, is what hap\-pened.  A couple of kids \softline
were fooling around where they shouldn\'92t have been.  The motel operators were getting \softline
free porno movies without having to pay the talent.  All the rooms in that by-the-hour \softline
horror show are wired with TV cameras.  If the action is good, the operator has a \softline
pornographic video to sell.  If it isn\'92t, he reuses the tape with the next sucker.  The book \softline
is being thrown at the operator, by the way.  Anything else?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I just learned that Thomas Doe is Tom Donetti, the son of the top Mafia man \softline
in town.  Why did you walk away from organized crime?  You\'92re not afraid of them, are \softline
you, Kathy?\'94 another re\-porter said.  There had been a gasp when the Mafia connection \softline
was mentioned.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy ignored the buzz.  \'93I believe the name you have is correct.  However, I \softline
think that\'92s the only thing you said that is.  Thomas Donetti is vice president of Eastern \softline
Virginia Truck\-ing Company.  It is an ICC-regulated common carrier which, I under\-\-
stand, is known for good service and good prices\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93And good Mafia connections,\'94 someone interjected.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy ignored the interruption.  \'93Mr. Donetti is a college graduate.  He has no \softline
arrest record of any kind, not even a speed\-ing ticket.  His father has been the subject of \softline
more grand jury and other investi\-gations than anyone other than his lawyers can count.  \softline
He has never been indicted.  You people are far closer to the libel laws than I am.  Are \softline
you sure you want a libel suit on your hands?\'94  Kathy had shot her bolt.  Now the \softline
question was whether the press would buy what she was selling.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93What about the girl?\'94 someone asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What about the girl?  The poor kid is scared out of her wits!  And }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 she\'92s the \softline
victim,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  for chrissakes.  Good question.  What about the girl?  She comes down to Norfolk \softline
to visit her fianc\'e9 and his family.  She\'92s busted and held in a stinking holding tank in \softline
that shit-hole in South Norfolk for nearly twelve hours.  Yeah, what about the girl?  \softline
She\'92s terrified for her lover.  It\'92s a great way to plan for a wedding, isn\'92t it!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It worked!  She could see the reporters looking down at the floor.  They knew \softline
their papers\'92 lawyers would have a fit if they thought the word, Mafia, let alone printed \softline
it.  The boy certain\-ly didn\'92t look like a criminal.  They could hear \'93press persecu\-tion\'94 \softline
already.  And then there was the poor girl.  No story.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What would you like us to print, Kathy?\'94 a friendly report\-er asked.  \'93How \softline
about a tiny police-blotter line saying that charges against Thomas Doe have been \softline
dismissed?  Full stop.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy turned on her most dazzling smile.  \'93Thanks, guys!  I really owe you!  I \softline
think that would be a fine story.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The reporters smiled back.  They really liked this girl, and she was doing a hell \softline
of a job.  They trusted her.  She came off the podium and circulated, shaking hands and \softline
individually thank\-ing them.  As he was leaving, one reporter was thoughtful.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I didn\'92t \softline
get a story.  It\'92s all dead.  So why do I feel so good about it? }{\plain \fs24 \f2 he wondered.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went out and found Tom Donetti waiting for her.  \'93Where is Cindy?\'94 he \softline
asked.  \'93Where have they taken her?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy liked him at once.  His first words were for his fianc\'e9e.  \'93That\'92s what I \softline
had to see you about, Tom.\'94  She put out her hand and he took it in a firm grip.  She \softline
liked the shape of his hands.  \'93She\'92s at my apartment.  If it\'92s okay with you, I think it \softline
would be better if she stayed there awhile.  What do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tom Donetti was a little under six feet tall with dark hair and a dark tan.  He \softline
held her hand and looked into her eyes.  He liked what he saw.  \'93I think it\'92s a great idea.  \softline
My dad\'92s going to have my hide,\'94 he said starting to grin, \'93and the sight of my skin \softline
coming off would make Cindy cry.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93There\'92s one thing, Tom.  Can you get her clothing over to my office fast?  The \softline
poor kid has nothing to wear.  And I need a number where I can reach you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He gave her a set of numbers for various times.  \'93Miss Smith, could you do me \softline
a favor?  Could you lend me some money for a phone call?  Mine disappeared somewhere.\'94  He smiled at her warm\-ly and added,  \'93This favor is in addition to the minor one \softline
you just carried off: getting me out from under 20-to-life on felony rape, of course.\'94  \softline
Then he shud\-dered and said, \'93You just met with the report\-ers.  What\'92s going to \softline
happen?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy fished some coins out of her purse and passed them to Tom.  \'93They\'92re \softline
going to report the news, of course.  It will be in the fine print on the police blotter 
column: rape charges against Thomas Doe were dismissed.  What did you expect them \softline
to say?  And the name is Kathy.  I think we\'92re about the same age and you act like I\'92m \softline
some old woman!  You\'92re disgusting!\'94  Her accom\-pany\-ing smile took the sting out of her \softline
words.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tom looked at her in utter disbelief.  Then his expression changed to a beaming \softline
smile as he said, \'93Kathy, I owe you!  I\'92m not really as dumb as I act.  And yesterday I was \softline
all-galaxy dumb, I\'92m the first to admit.  But that\'92s the story they\'92re going to print?\'94  \softline
Kathy nodded.  \'93That\'92s all of it?\'94  She nodded again.  \'93What about Cin?  What are they \softline
going to say about her?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at him and frowned.  \'93What do you mean, \'91say about her?\'92  They\'92ll \softline
say abso\-lute\-ly }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 nothing}{\plain \fs24 \f2  about her.  She\'92s the }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 victim}{\plain \fs24 \f2  for chrissakes!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 know}{\plain \fs24 \f2  what you\'92ve just done.  Not only are the charges dropped but you \softline
made them disappear!  How many chits did you call in to make that happen?\'94 he asked \softline
shrewdly.  \'93Kathy, I swear to you, you will }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 never}{\plain \fs24 \f2  be sorry for what you did today!  Never!  \softline
Now I gotta dash.  I\'92m going to be late for my skinning.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy waited for him to return.  His call took awhile.  Kathy was nervous and \softline
wanted to get home.  While she waited, she called the office and quickly filled in Peter \softline
on what she had done and then said she would be taking a few days off.  He told her to \softline
remind him to dock her pay.  She said baggage was going to be dropped off for her and \softline
she would be by to pick it up.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tom came back shaking his hand as if it were burned.  \'93That receiver got }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 hot!  \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 I thought Dad would explode.  He was about to start tearing the city apart to look for us.  \softline
While I was talk\-ing he got word that I was being held on a rape charge, and he exploded \softline
again.  I told him that you had taken care of it.  He went off again!  \'91Who did }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 what?\'92 }{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
God, I\'92ve never heard him so upset.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93So I told him that Kathy Smith had dropped all charges and taken steps so that \softline
there would be nothing in the papers.  He said to tell you that I\'92m a no-good bum but \softline
you knew that anyway.  But you, Kathy, are a genius and a wonder worker.  He told me \softline
to be sure to thank you.  Cindy\'92s clothes will be at your office by the time you get there.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I have to agree with everything Dad said.  Particularly the parts about \softline
me being a bum and you being a wonder worker.\'94  He shook her hand and left the court \softline
house.  A black limousine arrived for him as he reached the curb.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab By the time Kathy retrieved Cynthia\'92s luggage and returned to her apart\-ment, \softline
she was surprised to see it was not yet noon.  It had been a very eventful morning.  She \softline
went in and found Jane sitting in a chair reading a book.  She looked up and smiled, \'93Hi.  \softline
That was fast.  How did it go?  Cynthia is still dead to the world in there.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy quickly recounted the morning\'92s events.  Jane regarded her fondly, \'93I\'92m \softline
glad to see you\'92re still picking up fallen sparrows and returning them to their nests.  \softline
Kathy, you joked about it, but they were serious and I am too.  You are a wonder worker!  \softline
Working wonders comes so natural\-ly to you it doesn\'92t seem like such a big deal.  It is a 
big deal!\'94  Jane glanced at her watch and yelped, \'93Gotta dash!  I\'92ll be late for my major \softline
work of the day!\'94  She gave Kathy a big grin and a wink as she ran out of the apartment.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went to her room and changed into her favorite Levi\'92s and a Yale sweat \softline
shirt.  With her feet bare she entered the guest room where Cynthia was just starting to \softline
awaken.  Kathy accele\-rated the process by opening the drapes to allow the sunlight to \softline
spill into the room.  The girl stretched and opened her eyes.  Sudden\-ly, she looked \softline
terrified and jumped out of bed.  \'93We\'92ve got to help him...  We\'92ve got...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Calm down, Cindy.  It\'92s all taken care of,\'94 Kathy said.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl looked startled.  \'93How did you know?\'94 she asked quizzi\-cally, \'93Tommy\'92s \softline
the only one who calls me that.  Have you seen him?  How is he?  Tell me!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Relax,\'94 said Kathy giving Cynthia a bathrobe to wear.  \'93Let\'92s eat, and I\'92ll tell \softline
you all about it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went out to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast.  Cynthia joined her \softline
and she poured the fresh coffee Jane had made.  \'93Tom is on his way home.  Charges were \softline
dismissed this morning.  I have your luggage downstairs.  It was agreed that you might \softline
be better off here for a few days.  Tom wants you to stay here, too.\'94  She grinned at the \softline
girl and added, \'93He said to tell you his father is going to skin him alive and the sight of \softline
him losing all his skin and screaming might make you cry.  He wanted me to emphasize \softline
how considerate he is of your feelings!  So there!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Taking the joke as a sign that things were all right, Cynthia smiled.  It was the \softline
first smile Kathy had seen on the girl\'92s face and it lighted up her features like sunshine.  \softline
Cynthia looked at her shrewdly.  \'93You did this for us, didn\'92t you, Kathy?  I\'92ve only been \softline
down in Norfolk for a few days, but I already feel I know you... or at least know about \softline
you.  I must have seen you on every newscast that\'92s been on since I\'92ve been here.  Why \softline
did you do it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What do you mean, why did I do it?  You and Tommy were in trouble and \softline
needed help.  I helped.  Big deal.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy pursued it, \'93The Mafia connection, Miss Smith.  You\'92ve heard of the \softline
Mafia.  It\'92s an organiza\-tion that runs things.  Why did you do it?  You are the straightest \softline
straight arrow alive!  I think you\'92re incapable of doing anything dishonest.  Why?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Do you mind if I call you Cindy?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl smiled and said, \'93Not at all.  I love the name, even if Tommy and I are \softline
the only ones who do.  I would love it!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy continued.  \'93Where are you in school?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I graduated from Rose\-mont College last June.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How about Tommy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93He graduated from Lafayette College three years ago.\'94  Cindy was puzzled at \softline
the line of questioning.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93What have you been doing since gradua\-tion?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I loafed during the summer.  Now I\'92m involved in the Junior League on the \softline
Main Line.  And I\'92m getting ready for the wedding, of course.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93When is the wedding?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93In June... in just two months!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Do you like Tommy?\'94  Kathy chose her words with care.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, Miss Smith.\'94  Cindy replied coldly, \'93I don\'92t \'91like\'92 Tommy!  I love him!  I \softline
adore him, perhaps...  But no, Miss Smith, I don\'92t just like him.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Before she could move, Kathy had the younger girl in her arms.  \'93I\'92m sorry.  \softline
That was nasty of me.  I had to know and you answered my question.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab By this time the girls had finished their meal.  \'93Cindy, I may shock you.  I am \softline
dying for a swim, but I don\'92t wear a suit in the pool, so I hope you don\'92t mind being \softline
around a naked woman.  You probably wouldn\'92t care to, but you\'92re welcome to join me.\'94  \softline
With that Kathy went to her room, stripped off her clothes and stepped into her shower.  \softline
She was interested to hear the sound of the shower running next door as well.  She \softline
stepped out of the shower dripping and made for the pool.  The April day was glorious \softline
with the temperature in the eighties with low hum\-idity.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then she saw Cindy emerge from her bathroom, also dripping from the shower \softline
and also nude.  Kathy could see that the younger girl was quite tentative, like a young \softline
bird just trying its wings.  Kathy dove in and strok\-ed back and forth.  She heard the \softline
other girl hit the water an instant later.  They continued swimming laps companionably \softline
until Kathy pulled herself from the pool with Cindy following.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy dragged up two mats.  As she did, she could feel the younger girl\'92s eyes \softline
follow\-ing her as she moved.  When they were settled on the mats, Kathy asked, \'93Do you \softline
approve?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy jumped.  \'93Approve of what?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Me.  I could feel you study\-ing me.  What do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy smiled and relaxed.  \'93I think you are the most beauti\-ful district attorney \softline
in the country, is what I think.  No wonder you don\'92t wear clothes!  I would never wear \softline
clothes, either, if my body was like yours!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned, \'93Well, it just goes to show you.  If you fish for compliments long \softline
enough, you\'92ll eventually get one.  Thank you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That wasn\'92t a compliment, it\'92s the truth!  Just look at me and look at you.  I \softline
didn\'92t think I was too bad, but compared to you I\'92m ugly!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy accepted the invitation and studied the girl.  She was about five feet three.  \softline
Kathy guessed her weight at less than 110.  Her face was oval with sensuous lips.  Her \softline
breasts were propor\-tion\-ately fuller than Kathy\'92s giving way to a small waist with very \softline
trim hips and beautiful legs.  Her hair was light brown and \'97 judging by her pubic hair 
which was a slightly darker shade \'97 it was her natural color.  Her body was lightly \softline
tanned with the tan accentuated by the white strips across her breasts and loins.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy got up and returned a moment later with tanning lotion.  \'93If you\'92re going \softline
to lie in the sun like this, you\'92d better use some.  It\'92s obvious you never lie in the sun \softline
nude and, believe me, you can burn in a hurry.\'94  She grinned at Cindy, \'93You better \softline
believe it\'92s embarrassing when you can\'92t sit down because you fried your ass and your \softline
breasts are jiggling like Jell-O because you can\'92t possibly wear a bra!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy took the lotion and started spreading it on her breasts and loins.  When \softline
she rolled over, Kathy applied it to her bottom which was trim and firm.  Cindy started \softline
laughing.  The laughter grew in intensity as Kathy looked at her.  \'93What\'92s so funny?\'94 \softline
she asked, puzzled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy rolled over on her side to face Kathy.  \'93I was think\-ing about what you \softline
said.  The more I thought about it, the funnier it seemed!  I can just see myself with fried \softline
boobs!  And they would wiggle like Jell-O!  I\'92m bigger than you, Kathy, but not nearly \softline
as firm.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She made a startled face.  \'93What was that?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That was Tommy squeezing one of my burned buns!  He\'92s an ass man.  At least \softline
that\'92s what he says.  Whenever he thinks he can get away with it, he takes my buns in \softline
his hand and gives a gentle squeeze.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What do you do when he does it?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, the first time he did it I slapped his face hard and started to cry.  Then I \softline
progressed to slapping his hand away.  Now...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now, what?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now, I just melt!  Kathy, I\'92m awful, but I do.  I try to move his hand away \softline
because... because...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at her with understanding and said, \'93Because you feel that if he \softline
doesn\'92t take his hand away you\'92re going to melt.  Your loins are on fire.  Everything is \softline
getting wet.  If he doesn\'92t move his hand you\'92re going to want more...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You know!  Oh God, Kathy, I want him so...  I just want him inside so badly it \softline
hurts!  I\'92m on fire here,\'94 she placed her hand on her crotch.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy could tell she was feeling the sensa\-tion as they spoke.  She said softly, \softline
\'93Your cunt\'92s on fire.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy\'92s eyes widened for an instant, then relaxed.  She lay on her back with her \softline
right hand still over her moist slit.  \'93My cunt\'92s on fire...\'94  She went back up on her \softline
elbow.  \'93I said it!  It\'92s true: my cunt\'92s on fire.\'94  Kathy lay back to soak up the sun.  The \softline
two girls slept.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy awakened the sleeping girl at four o\'92clock.  Several times while Cindy \softline
slept, Kathy had applied more lotion to her breasts and loins.  Cindy was still half asleep 
as Kathy led her into her oversized shower.  They showered and soaped and rinsed.  At \softline
that point when Kathy cut the hot water, the shower was sudden\-ly ice cold.  Cindy \softline
jumped and squealed.  Then she just turned in the sprays, seemingly oblivious to the \softline
goose bumps that appeared all over her body.  Kathy turned off the shower, gave Cindy \softline
a towel and took one herself.  After toweling off her body and towel-drying her hair, she \softline
ran a comb through it and left the bath.  She noticed that Cindy had put down the towel, \softline
reentered the shower and shampooed and conditioned her hair, too.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was sitting in the library cross-leg\-ged watching the evening news when \softline
Cindy padded in and joined her.  Kathy had made herself a martini and had left the \softline
pitcher at the bar.  There was no mention of the rape arrest.  It was what Kathy had \softline
been watch\-ing for.  She turned off the television set.  \'93I made myself a Beefeater martini.  \softline
There\'92s more in the pitcher, but I have almost anything else.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93May I try one, please?\'94  I\'92ve never had the nerve before.  I had to wash my hair.  \softline
After the day in jail yesterday I would like to be skinned to get rid of that... that...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy held her tightly.  \'93It\'92s over.  Don\'92t think about it.  Think about your \softline
wedding!\'94  She released the girl and went to the bar.  She returned with the drink and \softline
raised it in a toast, \'93To you and Tommy: Long life, love and happiness.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy blushed.  \'93Thank you, Kathy.\'94  She took a sip of the martini and beamed.  \softline
\'93I like it!  It\'92s good.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93And they can be lethal,\'94 Kathy added.  \'93I think it\'92s a bet\-ter drink than what \softline
I see a lot of girls ordering today, though.  I\'92m talking about those alcoholic milk shakes \softline
with every possible mixture of strange cordials.  Some of them taste pretty good but you \softline
have no sense of the alcohol content in what you\'92re drink\-ing.  With the strange mixtures, \softline
it can be a good formula for getting sick, passing out or both.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy went into the kitchen to prepare steaks for dinner, Cindy followed \softline
with her drink.  Kathy said she needed no help, so she sat down and watched the \softline
preparations.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You are a strange and wonderful person, Katherine Smith.  You don\'92t normally \softline
wear clothes in your apartment, do you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked over at the girl, startled.  \'93You\'92re very percep\-tive, Cindy.  How did \softline
you know?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy smiled fondly at this tall girl who had become her friend.  \'93Two reasons.  \softline
First, you move so naturally around the apartment.  You are not only uncon\-cerned about \softline
your nakedness, you\'92re unaware of it.  Second\-ly, the furnishings \'97 I love your taste, by \softline
the way \'97 feel good on my bare skin.  I figured they were chosen with that in mind.  I \softline
was serious, earlier.  You have a perfect female body.  Not a good figure, not good boobs, \softline
not pretty: Perfect, as in perfection!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Cindy, how do you feel, by the way.  I put more lotion on you while you slept.  \softline
Are you okay?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy put a finger on a breast and pushed.  The finger mark indicated that the \softline
breast had received sun, but was not burned.  \'93I\'92m fine,\'94 she said and started to laugh, \softline
\'93I wonder what fried boobs would taste like?  Speaking of which, I\'92m ready to eat a \softline
horse.  Will we be ready to eat soon?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab For reasons she could not explain even to herself, Kathy served the dinner in the \softline
dining room.  The meal was served on fine china and eaten with sterling tableware.  She \softline
dimmed the lights and they ate by candlelight.  When dinner was finished, she served \softline
coffee and cognac.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That was exquisite, Kathy.  Is there anyth\-ing you can\'92t do well?  And may I see \softline
your pistol I heard so much about on the news?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy returned with her purse-holster.  She withdrew the gun, unloaded it and \softline
passed it to Cindy.  The girl studied it with care, Kathy noticed, not as if it were some \softline
form of snake and passed it back after deftly flipping it to pass it butt first.  \'93It\'92s a nice \softline
weapon.  You used this to burn three men with five shots.  Utterly incredible!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re familiar with firearms, I see,\'94 said Kathy.  \'93Frank\-ly, I\'92m surprised.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy grinned, \'93Shh!  For God\'92s sake, don\'92t tell my father!  He would absolutely \softline
freak out!  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 His}{\plain \fs24 \f2  daughter handle a .38?  The idea!  The fact is, Kathy, I like to shoot.  You \softline
know, I\'92m really looking forward to being married.  Tommy\'92s different.  I don\'92t think he \softline
would particularly like me to handle guns, but he would go along if there were a reason.  \softline
It\'92s like the sun.  My father would freak out over tanned boobs!  With Tommy, it would \softline
depend how they looked.  I like yours, Kathy.  They look so much... so much healthier \softline
when they\'92re not pasty-white like mine.  Do you mind if I try to tan mine?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course not!  In fact, I\'92m flattered, I guess.\'94  Kathy refilled the coffee cups \softline
and cognac glasses, and sat down again.  \'93Cindy, do you feel like talking?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course,\'94 she replied.  \'93About what?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93About what you were doing in that dump yester\-day with Tommy.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She could see the younger girl start to tense and then relax.  Cindy smiled, \'93You \softline
are a master of psychology, too, whether you know it or not.  You ask }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 the}{\plain \fs24 \f2  sensitive \softline
question!  But first, we swam God knows how many laps.  That\'92s a great pool for \softline
swimming, by the way.  Then we soak up the sun, have a magni\-ficent dinner eaten while \softline
we\'92re still nude, then have a couple of cognacs that taste like ambrosia.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now how in hell can I say \'91I can\'92t talk about that:  It\'92s too personal.\'92?  The fact \softline
is, Kathy, Tommy was trying to help me lose my vir\-ginity!\'94  The statement was made \softline
defiantly with a toss of her head.  Her eyes were bright as she watched for a shocked \softline
reaction from Kathy.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There was no reaction, as Kathy continued to swirl her cognac in its snifter.  She \softline
looked up, \'93The way you say that, I gather it didn\'92t work?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, damn it, it didn\'92t!\'94  Cindy suddenly started to cry.  \'93Why me, for God\'92s \softline
sake!?  Every girl I know lost hers at age fifteen.  Or at least it sounds that way.  In the 
dorm at school these dumb bitches lie around in bra and panties and talk about how \softline
wonderful it was when Charley stuffed them or some\-thing stupid.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She looked up at Kathy forlornly, \'93That\'92s unfair and unkind.  They\'92re nice girls, \softline
really.  It\'92s just that I\'92m so jealous!  Every time I hear this stuff, I get upset.  Kathy, I \softline
have a very strong hymen.  The damn thing just won\'92t rupture.  I\'92m pleased, really, that \softline
I\'92m a virgin for Tommy.  I want to pop it but it hurts so damned much.  Then I had to \softline
watch that tape with that obscene man, Hannigan.  We watched the tape of me and \softline
Tommy in bed together.  That shit was creaming in his pants... and he made me watch \softline
it, too, the bas\-tard.  I feel dirty, thinking about it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What can I do, Kathy?  Tommy\'92s sex is so long and massive!  I want it inside me \softline
desper\-ately but when we tried the pain nearly killed me!  Kathy, I\'92m like a girl dying of \softline
thirst, inches away from a crystal-clear lake, stopped by this awful membrane that I \softline
can\'92t penetrate.\'94  The poor girl started to cry like her heart would break, \'93Kathy, please \softline
help me!  Please!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy held her until the sobs quieted down.  Finally she said, \'93You\'92re serious, \softline
aren\'92t you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy\'92s head jerked up, with her eyes lighting with hope, \'93Can you?  Could you \softline
help me...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stood up from the table and asked, \'93Would right now be soon enough?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy jumped up, \'93Last year wouldn\'92t be soon enough!  Let\'92s do it!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy led her into the exercise room and had her lie on her back on the massage \softline
table with her legs spread wide.  Kathy went to a cabi\-net, put on a pair of sterile surgical \softline
gloves and took out a scalpel and a supply of surgical cotton.  She returned to the table.  \softline
\'93Cindy, you know what\'92s going to happen.  I\'92m going to need your help as much as \softline
possible.  Open yourself as wide as you possibly can.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy spread her thighs wide apart to open herself and used her fingers to open \softline
her vagina as wide as she could.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy inserted her fingers with the scalpel tip exposed.  She encoun\-tered the \softline
expected resis\-tance, made a slit and withdrew.  \'93You can put your legs down now, \softline
Cindy\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy was crestfallen.  \'93I was all ready.  What went wrong?\'94  She looked like she \softline
was ready to cry again.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Nothing went wrong.  It\'92s done.  See.\'94  She showed Cindy the blood on the \softline
cotton.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy\'92s eyes got as big as saucers.  \'93That\'92s all there is?  It can\'92t be.  I didn\'92t feel \softline
a thing.  With Tommy it feels like my insides are being torn out.  Why?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, it\'92s the difference between a scalpel tip and a male member.  The scalpel \softline
just cuts.  The member, in conditions like yours, batters.\'94  Cindy still looked skeptical.  \softline
Kathy went off and came back with a vibrator that looked like a combination of a male 
sex organ and a flashlight.  Cindy was sitting on the table cross-legged watching with \softline
fascination as Kathy assembled her gear.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab  \'93Here,\'94 said Kathy, \'93Do something productive.  Put this condom over the \softline
head.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was obvious in an instant that the girl had even less exper\-ience with condoms \softline
than she did with male sex organs.  Notwith\-standing, she did it.  She unwrapped the \softline
condom and examined it carefully.  She looked up at Kathy and smiled brightly, \'93Do you \softline
charge for educational services?  This is wild!  Whenever I\'92m with Tommy, we\'92re both \softline
so hot and anxious for something to happen that nothing good ever does.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Here I\'92m relaxed, the light is good and most of all, Kathy, you don\'92t treat me \softline
like I\'92m a little fool.  Kathy, this is the way it unrolls, isn\'92t it?\'94  She showed the condom \softline
to Kathy who nodded.  The girl looked so proud as it neatly rolled down the imitation \softline
organ.  \'93What now,\'94 she asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now you put K-Y over it and put it into your vagina.  You haven\'92t got all sexed \softline
up so you\'92re probably very dry in\-side.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Once again the girl approached the task with great serious\-ness, smearing K-Y \softline
jelly over the condom and then putting as much of the lubricant into her vagina as she \softline
could.  \'93Now what?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned and then laughed.  \'93Now you insert imitation male member (A), \softline
into real Cynthia Agnelli\'92s vagina (B).\'94  Cindy grinned, and carefully started to insert.  \softline
Since she had spread the lubricant generously, the fake slid in easily to its handle.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy asked earnestly, \'93What do I do now?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy could no longer control herself.  She started to laugh and her laughter \softline
continued and increased in intensity to the point she could no longer even stand.  Tears \softline
of laughter started to roll down her cheeks.  Cindy lay on the table with her thighs \softline
spread wide looking bewildered.  She obviously didn\'92t under\-stand.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally Kathy regained control.  \'93I\'92m so sorry, but I couldn\'92t help myself.  Look \softline
at your cunt, Cindy.  What do you see?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy quickly extracted the device, then she, too, started to howl with laughter.  \softline
She was laughing so hard Kathy had to catch her to keep her from rolling off the table \softline
and falling to the floor.  The girls returned to the apartment still laughing.  They went \softline
back to the dining table where Kathy poured more cognac and coffee.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, how did you do it?  You kept a straight face for so long while this \softline
hopeless idiot has an imitation cock all the way up her cunt and wonders what to do \softline
next.  My God, it\'92s like that Polish sex manual that reads (1) Insert, (2) Withdraw, (3) \softline
Repeat, if necessary.  I\'92m so sorry, Kathy!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I thought it was so cute!\'94 Kathy exclaimed.  \'93You are such a sweet girl, Cindy.  \softline
You\'92re a virgin who doesn\'92t want to be one.  You\'92re going to your husband untouched.  
Yet, it\'92s so obvious that you have physical needs that you desperately need to satisfy.  I \softline
think you two will do just fine.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93By the way, before I forget, Cindy, you don\'92t have to worry about that tape you \softline
were forced to watch.  I got a call today at the office from Sergeant Tucker, the officer \softline
who led the raid.  He personally destroyed it.  It won\'92t come back to haunt you.  But \softline
there\'92s one question that\'92s been bothering me.  Why, in the name of God, did you go to \softline
that rat-hole with Tommy?  You are a girl with exquisite taste, and I would expect \softline
everything in that damn place to crawl away.  Why there?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But Kathy,\'94 Cindy wailed, \'93we\'92re not married yet!  We won\'92t be for two whole \softline
months!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You travel a lot don\'92t you, Cindy?\'94  The girl nodded.  \'93Have you ever checked \softline
in at a hotel by yourself?\'94  The girl shook her head.  \'93Has Tommy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy looked puzzled, but said, \'93I don\'92t really think so.  He\'92s supposed to do \softline
some traveling on business, but he hasn\'92t yet.  I guess he travels pretty much like I do.  \softline
Why?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Cindy,\'94 Kathy replied, \'93I love you!  Please don\'92t lose that lovely innocence.  But \softline
Hon, what do you think happens when you and Tommy check in to a hotel?  Do you \softline
think they ask to see your marriage license?  Cindy, they really don\'92t!  They couldn\'92t care \softline
less, and if they }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 did}{\plain \fs24 \f2  care they wouldn\'92t do any\-thing for fear of being sued.  All they really \softline
care about is being paid.  Honey, Tommy could register, \'91Thomas Donetti and friend\'92, \softline
and as long as his credit card is accepted by their machine, you\'92re in!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy\'92s reaction took Kathy by surprise.  \'93Do you mean to tell me that after \softline
Tommy and I get married, he could take any bimbo off the street into his hotel?  That\'92s \softline
not fair!  I\'92ll... I\'92ll... I\'92ll make him wear a chastity belt, that\'92s what I\'92ll do!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then Cindy looked up and smiled forlornly.  \'93Kathy Smith, do you mean to say \softline
Tommy and I could have just walked in off the street and had a suite at the Omni?  With \softline
room ser\-vice.... and champagne... and breakfast in bed...?\'94  Cindy jumped out of her chair \softline
and started pacing the floor.  \'93I\'92ll kill him!  I\'92ll castrate him!  I\'92ll never speak to him \softline
again...  Kathy, it\'92s not right!  Men are supposed to know how to do those things!  After \softline
what he put me through...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think it\'92s wonderful, Cindy,\'94 Kathy interjected quietly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy stopped short and wheeled on Kathy, \'93What do you mean?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I mean,\'94 Kathy replied, \'93that Tommy hasn\'92t been shacking up with every \softline
bimbo he could get his hands on.  If he had been, he\'92d know what to do.  And Cindy, \softline
Tommy is a }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 very}{\plain \fs24 \f2  handsome man.  He could have dozens, and we both know it!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy Smith, you\'92re some kind of wonderful person, you know that?  I\'92m a \softline
dimwit for not thinking of that.  You mean while I\'92ve been so hung up on being a virgin, \softline
Tommy\'92s been waiting for years, too?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy asked, \'93How long have you two been going out togeth\-er?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Eons!  My God, I can\'92t remember the first time.  Kathy, you know about the \softline
family connection.  Well, our families have been talking about it for as long as I can \softline
remember.  I live in Bryn Mawr, and Tommy went to Lafayette which is just up in \softline
Easton, so we could be close.  When I was at Rosemont, poor Tommy was practical\-ly \softline
com\-muting from Norfolk.  And all this time...  Of course!...  Oh, the poor dear!\'94  Cindy \softline
took Kathy in her arms and kissed her.  \'93Thank you, Kathy.  I\'92ve been such an idiot!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next day was a repeat of the first, except it lasted longer.  The weather was \softline
holding so they swam, soaked up the sun, swam some more and just relaxed.  That \softline
evening, Kathy called Tommy.  He picked up anxiously on the first ring.  \'93Tommy, this \softline
is Kathy.  How are you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m fine, Kathy.  I even have my skin.  How... how\'92s Cindy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Aside from being madly in love with you, she\'92s fine.  Why?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Could I speak to her, please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy couldn\'92t resist teasing him.  \'93I\'92ll see if she\'92s free to come to the phone.  \softline
Just a moment please.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy passed the phone to Cindy and sat down across the room.  She watched \softline
Cindy open up like a flower while she talked to Tom.  It was a pleasure to watch because \softline
they were obviously so madly in love.  She put the phone down and looked at Kathy, \softline
\'93Tom would like to know if you would have dinner with us tomorrow night.  Please say \softline
yes!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Tell him I would love to,\'94 Kathy replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They met Tom at the Omni Hotel where he had reservations in the Promenade, \softline
an elegant restaurant overlooking the main dining room and Portsmouth harbor.  Tom \softline
looked ill at ease.  \'93Kathy, I have to say something that you\'92re not going to like:  My \softline
father wants to meet you.  He said to tell you anytime, anywhere, but he really wants to \softline
meet you.\'94  Tommy carefully examined the design of the service plate in front of him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I would be delighted,\'94 she answered quietly.  \'93What time would be conve\-
nient?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tommy looked up at her, stunned.  \'93You }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 will?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 You really will!  That\'92s \softline
wonderful.  When might you be free?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How about ten o\'92clock tomorrow morning?  Would that be convenient for him?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tommy rose from his seat and excused himself to make a phone call.  When he \softline
was out of earshot, Kathy said to Cindy in a low voice, \'93I think you\'92ll find the \softline
accommodations here significantly better than at your prior hotel.  What are you doing \softline
this weekend?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy excused herself and went after Tommy.  Awhile later they came back arm \softline
in arm.  They both glowed.  When they were seated, Tom said, \'93Ten o\'92clock tomorrow 
would be fine.  My father asked me to thank you for taking the trouble to see him.\'94  He \softline
went on to provide directions.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy was bubbling.  \'93We have reservations for this weekend!  Tommy and I \softline
discussed with the clerk the merits of various suites before we chose one!  Kathy, she \softline
said they are looking forward to having us!  Do you think she really means it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned at her.  \'93Of course she means it!  Wouldn\'92t you mean it if it was \softline
a choice of having paying guests who look like they\'92ll spend a lot of money with room \softline
service against having an empty suite?  That\'92s the hotel business these days, Hon.  \softline
There\'92s just no business on weekends.\'94  Cindy had blushed when Kathy mentioned room \softline
service.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93There\'92s one more thing,\'94 Cindy said.  Like Tommy earlier, her eyes were \softline
focused on the service plate in front of her.  \'93I would be deeply honored if you would be \softline
the maid of honor at my wedding.\'94  Cindy did not look up as she extended her invitation.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The poor thing!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 She believes I won\'92t accept but she wants to \softline
make the offer anyway.}{\plain \fs24 \f2   Kathy looked at Cindy and smil\-ed, \'93Cindy, I am truly honored.  \softline
You shouldn\'92t ask me and you know it.  You only met me for the first time two days ago.  \softline
The maid of honor is the bride\'92s best friend, but I\'92ll accept on one ma\-jor condition.  The \softline
condition is that your parents approve of your inviting me.  Cindy, I am deeply touched.  \softline
I will fully un\-der\-stand if they say no, and I want you to promise that you\'92ll accept their \softline
decision.  Agreed?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy\'92s eyes were glowing at her good fortune.  She nodded, jumped up from the \softline
table and ran out to the telephones.  A few minutes later she returned, glowing with joy.  \softline
\'93My parents would be deeply honored to have you as a member of our wedding party.  \softline
My father asked me to say that were it not for you, there could be no wedding.  The \softline
groom would be facing 20-to-life for rape.  He is arrang\-ing a suite for you at The Barclay \softline
on Ritten\-house Square, unless you have some other hotel preference.  There will be a car \softline
and driver at your disposal, of course.  Also, my mother would like to know what date \softline
would be convenient for her to send the dressmaker down to take your measure\-ments.  \softline
Oh, and your plane tickets will be delivered to your office tomorrow, if that\'92s satisfac\-
tory?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Cindy, I\'92m overwhelmed!  Of course, the answer is yes!  I can be available \softline
whenever the dress\-maker wishes to come.  Oh, Cindy!  I\'92m so excited!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy and Tom just glowed.  They dined that night on baked stuffed lobster, \softline
done in Tidewater style.  The lobster was three and a half pounds; the stuffing was lump \softline
crab imperial... about a pound and a half of it.  When they finished dinner, Kathy felt she \softline
could roll home to Virginia Beach without having to drive.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Promptly at ten the next morning, Kathy arrived at the add\-ress Tom had given \softline
her and asked for Mr. Donetti.  A guard took her purse, noticed the LadySmith, and put \softline
it aside.  He was carefully patting down her body for more weapons when Anthony 
Donetti appeared.  \'93What in hell are you doing!\'94 he yelled.  \'93Get your hands off that \softline
woman!\'94  He came hurrying up to Kathy with his hand outstretched.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took it in a firm grip, \'93How do you do, Mr. Donetti.  I\'92m Katherine Smith.  \softline
I\'92m very pleased to meet you!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tony Donetti beamed.  \'93Miss Smith, I\'92m honored.  Will you please come with \softline
me?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy hesitated, and Donetti noticed the hesita\-tion.  \'93Is there something \softline
wrong?\'94 he asked with concern in his voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The guard has my purse.  I don\'92t like it out of my sight.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Give the lady her purse.  Now!\'94  There was steel in his voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But boss, she\'92s packing!  It\'92s in her purse!\'94 the guard protested.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course she is, you idiot!  This is Kathy Smith!  The weapon in that purse has \softline
buried three men in the last six months!  Do you want to try for four?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At the mention of her name, the guards jumped.  The guard in\-stantly returned \softline
the purse.  \'93I\'92m terribly sorry, Miss Smith.  I didn\'92t recognize you.  I won\'92t ever make \softline
that mistake again!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Donetti ushered Kathy into his office and into a chair.  He went behind the desk, \softline
sat down and looked at her steadily.  Fin\-ally, he spoke.  \'93I agree with Tom.  You }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 are}{\plain \fs24 \f2  an \softline
angel.  Miss Smith, I asked you to come in for two reasons.  First, because of who you are \softline
and what you\'92re doing for Norfolk.  The people you\'92re putting away are the scum of the \softline
earth, the predators: evil men who prey on the weak.  God knows, I\'92m no saint.  We\'92re \softline
into things that are illegal.  But we don\'92t do drugs.  They\'92re lethal.  They corrupt \softline
everyone who gets close, not just the users.  They corrupt and destroy the dealers, too.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Our biggest business is gambling.  I laugh whenever I hear those clowns talking \softline
about \'91the billions the gamblers take in.\'92  What a joke!  First, we don\'92t gamble; our \softline
customers do.  We just make the book.  Miss Smith, let\'92s say the Giants are playing the \softline
Redskins.  You bet $10 on the Redskins and another guy bets $10 on the Giants.  You \softline
win.  I pay you $10.  I never saw your $10 \'97 that was credit \'97 and the other guy pays \softline
me $11.  I make }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 one dollar}{\plain \fs24 \f2  on twenty.  The clowns talk about the $20, but I only get the \softline
dollar.  That\'92s 5 percent of the handle.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The sad part is the same clowns sing the praises of the state lotteries.  Do you \softline
know what they keep?  Upwards of 50 percent!  It\'92s a rip-off!  Why do you think we still \softline
sell num\-bers, even when the state has a numbers game?  Our payoff is bet\-ter, our service \softline
is better and we\'92ll take smaller bets.\'94  He smiled sheepishly and said, \'93I\'92m sorry.  I \softline
didn\'92t mean to run off at the mouth like that.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy said, \'93Mr. Donetti, I would appreciate it if you would call me Kathy.  I also \softline
want to tell you that you have a fine son!  I was very impressed by him.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Donetti smiled, \'93Kathy...  I like the name, and I\'92m honored.  Kathy, you \softline
mentioned my son.  I\'92m very proud of him, too.  Did you know that he was an honors \softline
gradu\-ate at Lafayette?  He was... and his old man barely finished high school.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ve been hearing about you.  You put all the Kathy Smith stories together and \softline
you\'92re a cross between Joan of Arc, Wonder Woman and Venus.  I think they\'92re right, \softline
directionally, but I still think they\'92re missing a few things.  I got a call from Sal Agnelli \softline
this morning.  He was very excited.  He wanted me to know that you had agreed to be \softline
the maid of honor at his daughter\'92s wedding.  His daughter loves you like a sister and \softline
worships the ground you walk on.  My son tells me that if it weren\'92t for you, he\'92d be \softline
looking at 20-to-life.  He\'92s right.  They had him cold, and you walked in and dismissed \softline
the case.  Why?  Why did you save my son, Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Tony...  I\'92m sorry.  May I call you Tony?\'94  Donetti beamed and nodded while \softline
Kathy continued.  \'93I couldn\'92t do anything else.  There was no crime committed!  Two \softline
good kids \'97 and I\'92ve been amazed to learn how good they really are \'97 are in the wrong \softline
place at the wrong time.  They have the bad luck to meet a bum who happens to be a \softline
colleague of mine.  For that, my boss, the District Attorney \'97 who knows we\'92re meeting, \softline
by the way \'97 has asked me to express his deepest personal regrets for the humilia\-tion \softline
your son has suffered.  Tony, if Hannigan\'92s political in\-fluence were neutralized, he would \softline
be history in a matter of se\-conds.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m sworn to uphold the law.  I take my oath very serious\-ly and try to discharge \softline
it to the best of my abilities.  I\'92m out to get rid of the violent criminals who make people \softline
afraid to walk the streets after dark.  Your son and future daughter-in-law love each \softline
other very deeply.  I swear to you, rape was impossible in that situation.  I am sworn to \softline
prosecute criminals.  There can be no criminal if there was no crime.  There was none.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I believe you, Kathy.  But you\'92re overlooking a few things.  You not only \softline
dropped the charges, but at least as impor\-tant, you kept it out of the papers.  As far as \softline
the media are concerned, it didn\'92t happen.  Kathy, I happen to }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 know}{\plain \fs24 \f2  that you called in \softline
a lot of chits that morning to keep it out of the news.  There\'92s noth\-ing in that oath of \softline
yours about that.  Right?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy blushed under his gaze and replied, \'93No, there\'92s not.\'94  Then she looked \softline
into his eyes with her blue eyes blazing and exclaimed, \'93But there\'92s no way in hell I \softline
could just stand there and watch two fine kids dragged through the mud!  It may not be \softline
illegal but, by God, it is certainly immoral!  I will not allow it!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tony Donetti beamed, \'93That\'92s what I said: I owe you!  Kathy, I\'92m going to give \softline
you a telephone number.  If you need me for any reason \'97 }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 for any reason at all}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \'97 call \softline
the number and say it\'92s Angel.  I will speak to you within thirty minutes.  That is a \softline
solemn pledge, too.  My son loves you.  My future daughter-in-law loves you.  Let me join \softline
the crowd, Kathy.  I love you, too.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He stood up and came around the desk.  Kathy suddenly realized that he was \softline
only about five feet eight inches tall, about her own height.  He had an aura of power, 
she realized, that made him seem taller than he was.  He stopped in front of her, held her \softline
and kissed her on both cheeks.  The guards were standing at attention as she left.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab On Monday, Kathy drove to the Omni to pick up Cindy and take her to the \softline
airport.  She already had the rest of the girl\'92s luggage in her car.  As she swung up to the \softline
entrance, the two young people waved.  They knew that Kathy was taking more time \softline
away from the office so they had assured her they would be waiting.  Tom took Cindy in \softline
his arms as Kathy got out of her car.  She smiled as Cindy lifted one small foot off the \softline
ground while she kissed her fianc\'e9.  It reminded Kathy of paper starting to roll just \softline
before igniting into flame.  She could hear small noises coming from the girl.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s disgusting!\'94 Kathy said with a wry grin.  \'93Haven\'92t you two had \softline
enough?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At the sound of her voice, they turned toward her.  Both sets of eyes looked \softline
glazed with passion.  At the same instant they both said softly, \'93No,\'94 and went back into \softline
each other\'92s arms.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Cynthia Agnelli, if you don\'92t get in the car this instant, you\'92ll miss your plane!  \softline
Your father will skin you alive.  And I\'92ll be there to help!\'94  Reluctantly, they parted, and \softline
Cindy climbed in.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tom turned to Kathy and kissed her softly on the cheek.  \'93Thanks, Kathy!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She grinned at him, shook her head in mock exasperation, got into the car and \softline
rolled it out of the lot and up to the Express\-way.  As the car headed towards the airport, \softline
Kathy stole a glance at Cindy.  \'93Well, how was your weekend?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The look on Cindy\'92s face was beatific.  \'93Heavenly!  Oh, Kathy, it was like being \softline
in heaven!  We did everything.  It was a dis\-covery.  We would make love and.. and sleep \softline
a little...  Then one of us would start running fingers lightly over the other\'92s body... and \softline
then we\'92d be awake, and Tommy would be aroused... and then we\'92d make love.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was shaking her head slowly and smiling a tolerant little smile.  \'93No, silly, \softline
I meant the important stuff.  You know, the food in the restaurants, shopping at Harbor\-
side \'97 Damn!  I forgot to tell you about this }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 darling}{\plain \fs24 \f2  new shop \'97 the museums...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy was startled for an instant and then realized that she was being teased.  \softline
\'93Kathy Smith, you are ter\-rible!  It\'92s a good thing you\'92re driving or I would push you out \softline
of the car!  Oh!\'94  Con\-tinuing her mock anger, she folded her arms and stared straight \softline
ahead.  Kathy thought she looked cute and said so.  The younger girl grinned, and ran \softline
her tongue over her lips as if she were a child licking off ice cream, \'93Delicious!  That\'92s \softline
the word for the weekend...  Deeelicious!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She swung in the seat and turned serious.  \'93Kathy, can I ask you something?  I... \softline
I... I feel so sore!  I ache...  I mean my thighs, my groin...  Kathy, my cunt is so sore!  And \softline
Tommy!  This morning, he could hardly get it up the second time.  I... I had.. I had to \softline
help him by taking him in my mouth!  Do we need to see a doctor?\'94\par
}\sect \sectd \ds1\sbknone\pgndec\headery1440\footery1440\endnhere\endnhere 
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\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy felt a wonderful warm feeling as she listened to the girl.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 She\'92s so \softline
innocent,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy thought.  Then quietly she asked, \'93How many times did you do it over \softline
the weekend?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy watched the girl smile softly and wriggle her hips slightly as she tried to \softline
count.  Finally, she answered, \'93I can\'92t count...  I don\'92t remember.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93More than ten?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy looked startled, \'93Oh God, yes!  But why do you ask?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Because you\'92re getting a wonderful husband and he\'92s getting a wonderful wife!  \softline
That\'92s why.  Cindy, Tommy is human!  He\'92s not a machine, and neither are you.  My \softline
God!  What I\'92m hearing is seventy-two hours of near-con\-stant lovemaking.  I\'92ll bet the \softline
only sleep you got was when you both collapsed!  Honey, there\'92s nothing to worry about.  \softline
But be careful!  I\'92ll bet your parents will recog\-nize the signs.\'94  She smiled at her warmly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, there\'92s something else.  When we were making love...  when Tommy was \softline
inside me, I felt these waves in my loins.  They would just build up and up and up...  I \softline
kept going higher, un\-til... until I exploded.  My body was going crazy!  My hips were \softline
moving by themselves...  I was moaning and then... and then I screamed.  Kathy, I \softline
blacked out!  What can I do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Did you like the feeling?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Like it!  I can\'92t describe it.  It was so wonderful!... hot...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then enjoy it, silly!  It sounds like you and Tommy were reach\-ing orgasm \softline
together.  Cindy, that\'92s what it\'92s all about!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But Kathy...  when the girls talked, I never heard anything that sounded like \softline
what I was feeling.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled and delight\-ed in the girl\'92s innocence.  \'93Obvi\-ously, I should have \softline
given you an instruction manual.  That\'92s the trouble with these damn marriages.  The \softline
marriage license doesn\'92t come with a set of instructions.  Honey, you may not have heard \softline
it because they may never have felt it!  The thing about sex is that when it\'92s good it\'92s \softline
great, and when it\'92s not, it\'92s still good.  With you and Tommy it was great!  By the way, \softline
when you went to check in at the front desk, did the clerk ask to see your Learner\'92s \softline
Permit?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy looked startled and Kathy continued her teasing.  \'93Well, you and Tom \softline
don\'92t have a marriage license, so you need a Learner\'92s Permit.  They sell them at the \softline
next window...\'94  Kathy was pulling up at the Piedmont gate.  With the transmission in \softline
neutral and the brake set Cindy had her chance.  She hit Kathy on the arm with her \softline
small fist and started to laugh.  Kathy, startled, began laughing, too.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You are terrible!\'94 said Cindy with a mock pout.  \'93I\'92m being very serious, and \softline
all you do is laugh at me.\'94  She smiled ruefully and asked, \'93Is it really so funny?  Am I \softline
so hopelessly na\'efve?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy\'92s face had a loving expres\-sion.  \'93No, it\'92s not funny.  It is beautiful.  I envy \softline
you.  And I\'92m so happy to have the oppor\-tuni\-ty to be in your wedding.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy impulsively leaned over and gave Kathy a kiss.  \'93And I\'92m so happy my \softline
best friend can be there!\'94  She dashed off into the terminal.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy entered the office, she met Pete who had a big smile on his face.  \softline
He was so happy he didn\'92t even bother to tease her about arriving late.  \'93Guess what!  \softline
I can\'92t believe it!  What do you suppose I found on my desk this morn\-ing?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy cocked her head and looked thoughtful.  \'93A dead mouse?... a turkey?...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Pete grinned.  \'93Hannigan\'92s resignation!  It seems he\'92s decided to go into private \softline
practice.  For him, that has to be ambulance chasing.  My secretary just delivered my \softline
acceptance.  Damn!  I knew I forgot something!  I forgot to say, \'91accept with regret\'92.  \softline
That girl should have reminded me!\'94  Kathy gave him a big kiss on his cheek.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she reached her desk, she found a plain white envelope in the center of her \softline
blotter.  It was unmarked and unsealed.  She took out what was obviously a story torn \softline
from a Detroit newspaper.  She read it quickly.  It reported that a body had been found \softline
in a ditch beside the highway leading to Detroit\'92s Metropolitan Air\-port riddled by a \softline
shotgun in classic gangland fashion.  From dental records it was identified as the body \softline
of a known gunman with numerous arrests for violent crimes in the Greater Detroit \softline
area.  The report concluded by saying that the victim was a known associate of a man \softline
found dead in Norfolk after having made an attempt on the life of Katherine Smith, an \softline
assis\-tant district attorney.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy brought the clipping in to Peter who read it quickly.  \'93My, my!  What do \softline
you know about that?  Reading this suggests that the word is out in unmistakable terms \softline
that Kathy Smith is not to be confused with one of the ducks in a shooting gallery.  How \softline
interesting!\'94  He looked at her speculatively.  \'93Kathy, how did your meeting with \softline
Donetti go last week?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Fine.  But why do you ask?\'94 said Kathy, looking puzzled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just asking.  You know,\'94 said Mahoney thoughtfully, \'93this supports something \softline
rumored on the street.  There are strange things going on.  It seems there are some \softline
unexpect\-ed people sup\-porting your crusade.  Remember that stakeout that produced the \softline
100th arrest?  Honey, police weren\'92t there by accident.  There was an anonymous tip \softline
phoned in.  I think you can feel a lot safer now!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy arrived in Philadelphia, she was made to feel like a princess.  Cindy \softline
was waiting for her as she passed airport securi\-ty and gave her a big kiss.  Two big men \softline
were waiting behind her.  \'93They\'92ll bring your bags to the hotel.  There is nothing you \softline
need from them right now, is there?\'94  Kathy shook her head.  Cindy led the way down \softline
to the closer Depar\-tures con\-course and out to a waiting limousine.  While the driver \softline
remained behind the wheel, another big man was waiting to open the door for the girls.  \softline
They got in and the big car smooth\-ly pulled away.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy had last seen Cindy two months earlier in Nor\-folk, she didn\'92t think \softline
the girl could ever look happier but now she did.  She was joyous.  \'93Kathy, my father \softline
says I\'92m a big girl now, so he let me meet you in his personal car!  Look!  She opened a \softline
panel behind the driver and took out a cocktail shaker containing a clear liquid.  She \softline
poured it into two glasses containing ice and olives, and passed one to Kathy.  The girl \softline
was so intent on her task it made Kathy smile.  She waited expectantly as Kathy took a \softline
sip.  \'93Is it all right?  I\'92ve been practicing, but I have trouble getting the amount of \softline
vermouth just right.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled at her warmly.  She noticed that the privacy window separating \softline
the girls from the men in the front was opaque.  \'93Cindy, I didn\'92t think you could ever \softline
look happier than you did when I left you at the airport, but you are now!  What\'92s hap\-
pened?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I feel joyous!  I\'92ll be with Tommy tomorrow night!  You were right, by \softline
the way.  When I got home, my parents watched me carefully.  I tried so hard to move \softline
normally.  I was in such deli\-cious pain.  It reminded me of him whenever I moved!  \softline
Kathy, I miss him so much when I\'92m in bed at night that I hurt...  I honest-to-God hurt, \softline
I want him so.\'94  Suddenly, Cindy showed concern, \'93Is that sick or something...  I mean... \softline
a girl shouldn\'92t...  I mean men...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled, \'93Shouldn\'92t like sex?  Why, in hell, not?  How do you feel now?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Wonderful!  When I met Tommy at the airport and I kissed him, I started to feel \softline
that wonderful wetness inside.  Oh God, Kathy, I can hardly wait!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The car pulled up smoothly to the door at The Barclay.  The girls alighted and \softline
went in.  Cindy went straight to the eleva\-tors.  She commented that Kathy was already \softline
registered and she had her key.  Cindy still had her virtually untasted and now watery \softline
martini in her hand.  She sipped it and thumbed through a magaz\-ine while Kathy \softline
changed for the evening\'92s rehearsal and dinner.  Kathy was back fifteen minutes later.  \softline
She spun in front of Cindy and asked, \'93How do I look?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy, recognizing the opportunity to get even for some of Kathy\'92s teasing, \softline
looked up idly and airily replied, \'93Okay, I guess.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy\'92s face fell.  She was wearing a blue dress in a shade that exactly matched \softline
her eyes.  With her golden hair and tanned body, she thought she looked good.  Now she \softline
was crushed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she stood there, Cindy jumped to her feet and hugged her.  Kathy looked up \softline
and saw the wide grin on her face.  \'93I did it!  I did it!\'94 the girl cried.  \'93Kathy Smith, you \softline
dish it out enough, but...  You look gorgeous, as usual.  You dunce!  You\'92re exquis\-ite, and \softline
you should know it!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The car took them to Bryn Mawr.  Although the privacy window was still up, it \softline
was now transparent.  Kathy realized there were two, with one providing complete \softline
privacy in the passenger com\-partment.  She saw the man in the passenger seat make a 
call on the car phone.  As the car pulled to a stop at the door, Kathy saw a couple waiting \softline
for them.  Cindy introduced Kathy to her par\-ents.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Salvatore Agnelli took her hand and said, \'93Miss Smith, we are deeply honored.  \softline
Welcome to our home!  This is my wife, Theresa.\'94  Cindy\'92s mother stood on tiptoes and \softline
kissed Kathy on her cheek.  The older woman was about five feet two.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They entered the house and Cindy flew up the stairs to change with Kathy \softline
moving to follow.  Agnelli took her arm.  \'93Miss Smith, please.  Could I speak to you for \softline
a few moments alone?  Cynthia can take care of herself for a few minutes.\'94  He smiled, \softline
and led the way into a book-lined study.  He carefully closed the door, seated the girl in \softline
a comfortable wing chair and went behind his desk.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Miss Smith...  Kathy... may I call you Kathy?\'94  Kathy smiled and nodded.  \'93As \softline
you probably know, Tony Donetti and I are... business associates.  We\'92ve been friends \softline
for years.  Our children \'97 our only children \'97 grew up together.  Kathy, I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 know}{\plain \fs24 \f2  what \softline
you did for our children.\'94  He smiled warmly.  \'93I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 suspect}{\plain \fs24 \f2  what hap\-pened the weekend \softline
before she came home.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Agnelli held up a hand, as Kathy blushed.  \'93I don\'92t want to know.  I do know \softline
that Cynthia was so happy she could have floated home without an air\-plane.  Please \softline
don\'92t breathe a word of this to my wife.  She would die!  And, Miss Smith, my daughter \softline
was moving rather stiffly.  In one of my businesses, I\'92ve become sensitive to the signs.  \softline
Kathy, without you this could not have happened.  Our children owe their happiness to \softline
you.  They know it.  They are all we have... all we live for...  My daughter\'92s happiness is \softline
the most important thing in my life.  Because of you, she is over\-flow\-ing with happiness!  \softline
She is joyous!  Seeing our daughter\'92s joy fills us with great happi\-ness... \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m trying to say, Kathy, that you\'92ve made }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 me, }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Sal Agnelli, the happiest man \softline
alive!  Anything that you ever want, if it\'92s in my power to provide, you will get.  That is \softline
a solemn promise.  Tony gave you a number to reach him.  You can reach me through \softline
the same number and in the same manner.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at the man.  She realized that he was what he claimed to be: a \softline
proud father on the eve of his daughter\'92s wedding, rejoicing in her happiness.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 And he \softline
gives me all the credit,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  She looked at him speculatively.  \'93Mr. Agnelli,\'94 she \softline
began.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sal, please!\'94 he interjected.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She smiled, \'93Sal, may I ask you a question?  You know an attempt was made on \softline
my life?\'94  Agnelli nodded.  \'93A man was found dead in a ditch near Detroit.  Do you know \softline
anything about that?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Agnelli smiled.  \'93I think I heard something about that.  I wondered about it.  So \softline
violent!  Has anyone bothered you since, Kathy?\'94  She shook her head.  \'93I thought not,\'94 \softline
he continued.  \'93I don\'92t think it would be considered a healthy activity.  Now shall we join \softline
the others?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At the rehearsal dinner that evening, Kathy was sitting at Tom\'92s right with \softline
Cindy on his left.  She couldn\'92t resist a dig.  \'93Thomas Donetti,\'94 she whispered, \'93would \softline
you please keep your hand in your }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 own}{\plain \fs24 \f2  lap.  Can\'92t you wait just a few more hours?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tommy looked at her and grinned.  \'93I\'92m trying!  I\'92m trying!\'94  He slid his chair \softline
back so Kathy could have a clear view of Cindy.  \'93Cindy,\'94 he said, \'93Guess what?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She looked over, \'93What?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I learned something a few days ago.  Kathy may be your best friend, but she\'92s \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 my sister!\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy frowned, puzzled.  \'93What are you saying?\'94 she asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tom grinned at his bride-to-be and at Kathy.  \'93Hon, you know I was an Alpha \softline
at Lafayette?  Well, I learned that Kathy is an Alpha from Yale!  She\'92s my fraternity \softline
sister.  And did I ever learn a lot!  She was elected Queen of Yale College, representing \softline
the Alphas.  Honey, they had this contest \'97 sort of an Olympics \'97 in three parts: \softline
brains, athletics and beauty.  Kathy won it all!  I mean, she won every single event.  \softline
They\'92re still talking about it up there.  And she\'92s your maid of honor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A toast had already been offered to the bride and groom when Tony Donetti, who \softline
was hosting the dinner, stood up.  \'93Ladies and gentlemen: I would like to offer a toast \softline
to a young lady that many of you have heard about but few of you have met.  I\'92m speak\-
ing for my wife and me and for Sal and Theresa Agnelli when I say that, were it not for \softline
this young lady we would not be here to\-night.  This young lady has made an impact in \softline
Norfolk where I come from.  Single-handed, she has caused street crime to drop by 60 \softline
percent in less than one year.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93She courageously stopped a wholesale slaughter of innocent people by killing \softline
gunmen who had already opened fire in a crowded establishment.  She escaped an \softline
attempt on her life and in the process killed the man who had fired on her.  Ladies and \softline
gentlemen, please join me in a toast to our dearest friend, the maid of honor, Miss \softline
Katherine Smith.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sat blushing with her eyes downcast as the guests rose and warmly \softline
applauded.  She looked up and out at the crowd and realized that many of the guests \softline
were out-of-town \'93business associ\-ates\'94.  She was surprised to see expressions of \softline
understand\-ing and respect in their faces.  Suddenly, Kathy under\-stood.  She had just \softline
been publicly taken under the protection of the Don\-ettis, the Agnellis, and all of their \softline
associates.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After the toast had been drunk, Kathy rose.  She heard intakes of breath, not \softline
realizing that it was a tribute to her extraordinary beauty that many were seeing for the \softline
first time.  She said simply, \'93Mr. and Mrs Donetti.  Mr. and Mrs. Agnelli.  Thank you.  \softline
I am honored to be here tonight and deeply grateful for your hospitality and very kind \softline
words.\'94  She sat down as applause echoed through the room.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next morning she was alone with Cindy.  The other bridesmaids had been \softline
asked to wait downstairs.  Before beginning to dress, Cindy was standing nude, critically 
inspecting herself in the mirror.  Kathy saw that her loins and breasts were now tanned, \softline
although with the differences in shade her bathing suit marks still showed.  She turned \softline
slowly for Kathy\'92s inspection.  \'93Do I pass?  What do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well...\'94  said Kathy thought\-fully, taking advantage of the opportunity to tease \softline
Cindy for the last time, \'93Okay, but...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But what?\'94 said Cindy with concern sounding in her voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s your left breast...  It doesn\'92t seem...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy ran back to the mirror and cupped her breasts in her hands.  Suddenly, \softline
she released them and spun on Kathy, \'93Katherine Smith, I hate you!\'94  She grinned at \softline
Kathy as she started to dress.  \'93I may be slow, but I am learning.\'94\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 17}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy walked into Peter Mahoney\'92s office and sat down in her usual chair.  \softline
\'93Pete, I have to talk to you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Mahoney looked up startled by the serious, almost sad, tone in her voice.  He \softline
show\-ed his concern.  \'93Mr. Mahoney, today I am submitting my resignation as assistant \softline
district attorney.\'94  Peter was shocked and showed it.  As he started to speak, she held \softline
up her hand.  \'93Peter, this is hard enough.  Please don\'92t interrupt.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was sitting up\-right looking at him, as she continued, \'93You are up for \softline
reelection this year on the Democratic ticket.  The Republican committee in town \softline
approached me.  They asked me to run against you.  I am a registered Republican, you \softline
know.  They said that I have achieved a great deal in the ten months I\'92ve been in the job.  \softline
They said I\'92m the best-known public official in town and have had extraordinary impact \softline
reducing street crime.  They want me to run against organized crime.  Close down the \softline
gamblers, the whorehouses, the after-hours clubs... you know, all the targets beloved of \softline
reformers everywhere.  They said I could neutralize your position on violent crime and \softline
beat you on sin.  What do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Mahoney\'92s face was expres\-sionless.  \'93It makes sense.  I agree with the analysis \softline
except I\'92m not so sure you could beat me.  Probably you could, but so what?  What did \softline
you say?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy did not lower her head.  Pete could see tears form in her eyes and start \softline
to roll down her cheeks.  She ignored them.  \'93I told them everything I knew about \softline
fighting crime I learned from you.  I said you were the most honest, most honorable man \softline
it\'92s ever been my good fortune to meet.\'94  The tears were flowing in twin streams now \softline
and her voice was cracking, but she did not lower her head.  \'93Running against you would \softline
be the dirtiest, most underhanded thing I could imagine.  You focused on danger to the \softline
people: violent street crime and drugs.  If someone wants to place a bet, big fucking deal!  \softline
I\'92m not going to lose any sleep over it.  I couldn\'92t be so two-faced!  The idea of a 26-year-old girl, less than one year out of law school, trying to run this office is absurd.  I told \softline
them...  I told them...  I told them to take their offer and stick it!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy couldn\'92t go on.  She just sat in the chair with her head still up\-right and \softline
bawled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Pete went around the desk, took her in his arms and could feel her shoulders \softline
shaking from her sobbing.  He continued to hold her while she slowly quieted down.  \softline
Then he helped her back to her chair, produced a box of tissues and sat down in a chair \softline
next to her.  He sat silently while she regained her com\-posure and dried her eyes.  \'93What \softline
do you plan on doing, Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I live in Virginia Beach, you know.  I\'92m even set up with an office out there,\'94 \softline
She looked at him with a rueful little smile.  \'93You know, lined with the law books that \softline
every lawyer thinks he has to buy.  I think it\'92s kind of cute...  Anyway, I guess I\'92ll try the \softline
private practice of law.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Is there any way I can get you to change your mind?\'94 he asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, Pete.  I\'92m afraid not.  What happened was the thing furthest from my mind.  \softline
Me?  Becoming a threat to your career?  It\'92s absurd!  I can\'92t stay Pete.  I\'92m sorry.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, can I tell you something?  Do you remember when you came in here for \softline
the first time?  Right out of law school?  I told you that I had been doing some checking.  \softline
Well, one of the guys said that you were so good you would be able to take my job.  I \softline
don\'92t think he had just a year in mind, but never mind.  He said he thought you could, \softline
but you never would.  He said you were the most personally loyal person he had ever \softline
met.  His last words to me were, \'91You\'92re the luckiest guy alive to get Kathy Smith.\'92\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93He was absolutely right, Kathy.  You are the best thing that ever happened to \softline
me or to this office.  I am proud!  You made me proud, Kathy!  If anyone had said that \softline
this office could accomplish what it has in the last twelve months, I would have said he \softline
was crazy!  But it\'92s happened, Kathy, and you did it.\'94  He took her in his arms and kissed \softline
her warmly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The news of Katherine Smith\'92s resignation stunned the city.  A major press \softline
conference was called.  In addition to all the local media, the wire services were present.  \softline
In the absence of advance warning, the local TV stations were alerted by their respec\-tive \softline
network news centers to prepare a story for possible network broadcast.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter Mahoney handled the press conference: \'93Ladies and gentlemen, this \softline
morning I received news that shocked me and will shock you, too: Katherine Smith has \softline
just resigned her position as Assis\-tant District Attorney of Norfolk County, effective \softline
immedi\-ately.  The reasons for the resignation were given to me but I am treating them \softline
as confidential.  She can tell you if she wishes.  I tried to get her to reconsider, but I did \softline
not succeed.  Perhaps you will.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I want to make another announcement.  Kathy Smith has bent over backward \softline
to give me public credit for the Dangerous Crimin\-als project.  She claimed that I did the \softline
analysis, worked out the program and was ready to put it into action when she started \softline
work in this office.  What garbage!  When we met in this very room one year ago, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I}{\plain \fs24 \f2  was \softline
hearing it for the first time, too.  The only credit I deserve is for acting ability.  I didn\'92t \softline
let my aston\-ishment show... and I had the good sense to put in charge the person who \softline
con\-ceived the program in the first place.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It was Kathy\'92s program from the beginning.  All of its success is hers, not mine.  \softline
The program has been running for one year.  Have any of you ever had a hint of what \softline
I just told you?  Of course not!  I was enjoying the limelight, so I sure wouldn\'92t talk!  \softline
That leaves Kathy.  Politics is often a game of leaks and planted stories.  Never with \softline
Kathy!  She is the most loyal, dedicated and effec\-tive public servant I have ever met or \softline
heard about.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ladies and gentlemen, Kathy Smith represents the true es\-sence and meaning \softline
of the term, public servant, that is all too seldom seen.  I am proud, ladies and 
gentlemen!  She comes from the great tradition of service in Virginia: George Wash\-
ington, the Lees, and the founder of her recent school, Thomas Jefferson.  Personally, \softline
I think Mr. Jefferson is very proud right now.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I have been honored to be associated with this woman.  You know, you hear a \softline
lot about women\'92s lib: how men won\'92t give them a chance, and all the things men have \softline
and women haven\'92t.  Some of you may not have noticed, but Kathy Smith is a woman.  \softline
She is a beautiful woman.  And look what she has done in just one year.  There\'92s one \softline
more thing.  In the year she has been in the job, she has been paid $17,500.  Kathy Smith \softline
is the biggest bargain in the history of government!  My God!  Did we ever get our \softline
money\'92s worth!  Thank you!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At this emotional moment, with tears running down his cheeks, he turned to \softline
Kathy.  Tears were in her eyes as well.  He embraced her, while strobe lights flashed like \softline
continual light\-ning and the TV cameras recorded it on film.  The TV news people, \softline
normally glib with instant analysis, were stunned into silence.  The shock of Kathy\'92s \softline
resignation was coupled with Mahoney\'92s public announcement giving her credit for the \softline
entire program.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The press was in a turmoil as Kathy clung to Peter and whisper\-ed, \'93Why did you \softline
do it Peter?  I don\'92t want the credit.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He whisper\-ed, \'93I know that, but you earned it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They faced the press.  \'93Kathy,\'94 a TV anchor asked, \'93I won\'92t ask why.  I will say \softline
\'97 and I think I\'92m speaking for every\-one else here, and throughout Tidewater \'97 please \softline
stay.  We need you!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stood up straight with her head high facing the press the way she always \softline
did.  Except tears were pouring down her cheeks.  \'93Ladies and gentlemen, thank you!  \softline
I\'92m sorry I cannot stay in this position.  Before I leave, however, I want to thank you for \softline
all your support over the last year which helped make our success possible.  Thank you \softline
for the many personal and professional cour\-tesies extended to me.\'94  She tried to smile \softline
and almost made it.  \'93Thanks to the photo\-graphers and camera\-men who kept me from \softline
looking like a witch.  Thanks to the report\-ers and news people who kept me from \softline
sounding like a fool.  Thank you all, very much!  Good bye!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A policeman, tears blurring his eyes, helped Kathy off the stage.  She needed the \softline
help because tears were blinding her.  The cheers and ap\-plause were ringing in her ears.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She cleaned out her desk and put the material in a box.  She told Pete she would \softline
pick it up on Monday if it was all right.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He kissed her softly.  \'93Keep in touch, kid.  We\'92ll still be here.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy couldn\'92t face her apartment right now.  She didn\'92t want to watch what \softline
would be on TV.  She decided to swing by Charley\'92s.}}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 

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\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs36 \b\f2\fs36 Book III}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 18}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was waiting for Ken Stark when he saluted the quarter\-deck and left his \softline
ship.  Something was wrong.  Then she knew what it was.  He had no luggage, not even \softline
a small bag for a shirt and toilet\-ries, but he had a newspaper folded under his arm.  Ken \softline
opened the car door and got in.  He intended just to give Kathy a peck of a kiss, but when \softline
his lips touched hers he tasted the sweet\-\-ness and fire... and heard those damned bells.  \softline
He was piss\-ed and he was going to really tell her off tonight.  He reluc\-tantly ended the \softline
kiss, sat back in his seat and stared straight ahead.  Kathy put the car in gear and rolled \softline
off in the direction of Virginia Beach.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The ride to her apartment was silent.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Uh oh, he\'92s pis\-sed!  Am I going to get it \softline
tonight,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  She shiver\-ed in\-voluntarily as she remembered the spanking he \softline
had given her after the freezing-pool episode.  Her loins were getting hot now that she \softline
was close to him.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 God,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 how I love this guy... and I\'92ve only known him for \softline
three days}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  Kathy was wearing the same Levi\'92s she had on in the morning along with \softline
her Yale sweat\-shirt.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They went into the apartment and Kathy led the way back to the library.  She \softline
motioned for him to sit down while she prepared drinks for both of them.  \'93I think this \softline
is a martini night, Ken,\'94 she said softly.  \'93Will you join me?\'94  He nodded and she made \softline
the drinks and joined him on the sofa.  She offered him a cigarette which he accepted.  \softline
She took one and he lighted them both.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then he sipped his martini... and got madder.  He didn\'92t want the martini to be \softline
perfect, exactly the way he liked it, but it was.  He was not surprised.  But the time had \softline
come.  He turned to face her.  \'93Kathy Smith, you lied to me!  You deceived me!  You \softline
tricked me!  You... you...\'94  he yelled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was hurt, but she knew what he was referring to.  She responded softly, \softline
\'93I\'92m sorry, Ken.  I certainly didn\'92t mean to lie to you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked at the girl and was baffled.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 How, in the name of God,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 can \softline
you stay mad at a girl who looks like an angel?  Who responds to his yelling in a soft \softline
voice?  Who seems to be apologizing to him for... for what?  What had she done, anyway?  \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 He realized that his anger had evaporated like a puff of smoke.  He looked at her serious \softline
face just looking at him waiting for him to continue.  She was expecting and prepared to \softline
accept punishment for... for nothing.  He smiled at her and watched as she blossomed \softline
under his smile.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 God, she\'92s beauti\-ful! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 he thought.  Aloud, he said softly, \'93Will you give \softline
me a kiss?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She leaped across the sofa and into his arms.  She kissed him lovingly and \softline
lingeringly.  It was soft... warm... and almost worshipful.  He heard the bells.  He looked \softline
into her eyes and saw a wonderful warmth and love.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 For me...  Kathy really loves me!  
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 He let her go, and straightened her body parallel to his.  They had their long legs resting \softline
on the cocktail table.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She rested her head on his shoulder and snuggled.  She whispered, \'93Ken, let\'92s \softline
neck.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Could we talk first, hon?  I feel like such an idiot, jump\-ing on you like that.  But \softline
darling, it\'92s been such a wild day.  My phone\'92s been ringing off the hook!  A guy I went \softline
to school with saw us together on Saturday night and called.  I didn\'92t notice him, but he \softline
saw us.  I asked him why in hell he didn\'92t come over, and he said \'97 in a hushed and \softline
reverent tone, for God\'92s sake, \'91But you were with Kathy Smith!\'92  I thought he had lost \softline
his mind.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then I did something I never do: I looked at a newspaper.  What do I find?  A \softline
major news feature on Kathy Smith and her sudden resig\-nation as Assis\-tant District \softline
Attorney.  It had a full biographic back\-ground: summa cum laude from Yale with a Phi \softline
Beta Kappa key, summa again from University of Virginia Law School graduating \softline
number one.  How you turned down megabucks to be an assistant DA.  It reviewed your \softline
one-year career in detail.  Then my father called.  He asked me to apologize to you for \softline
not recog\-nizing you at the club.  Nice guy, my father!  He says it was because he couldn\'92t \softline
believe I could move so far up in class.  He says you are the kind of girl that every son \softline
should bring home... and leave with his father.  What a lecher!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken grinned, and Kathy said with mock thoughtfulness, \'93I like your father!  He \softline
shows discern\-ing judgment and good taste.  No wonder he has four stars!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She grinned and Ken continued, \'93Do me a favor?  Bring me your purse.\'94  Kathy \softline
hopped up, got the purse, and handed it to him.  He opened it, drew the Lady\-Smith, and \softline
looked at it carefully.  \'93So this is it.  It saved a lot of lives.\'94  He looked at her and held \softline
out his arms.  \'93Come here, doll.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at him fondly but didn\'92t move.  \'93Ken, play a game with me?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked puzzled.  \'93What game?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Could we just neck?  No touching below the waist?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s no game, Kathy.  You know what\'92s going to happen as well as I do!  In \softline
no time, I\'92m going to be screwing you right here on the couch!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned and shivered, \'93That\'92s the game.  Whoever cracks first and goes \softline
below the waist loses!  Want to try?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken grinned and said, \'93Sure.  Let\'92s do it!\'94  They both stood up.  Kathy carefully \softline
hung up Ken\'92s uniform coat and took off his tie, followed by his shirt.  She held her arms \softline
up and Ken lifted off her sweatshirt revealing her unencum\-bered breasts.  He started to \softline
take off his pants but Kathy shook her head.  \'93But they\'92ll lose their crease,\'94 he \softline
complained.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned.  \'93What a stinking shame!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He sat at the end of the couch with his legs on the table.  Her upper body was on \softline
his lap with her head resting on the arm of the couch.  As he gently ran his finger tips \softline
over her beautifully formed breasts, she wriggled slightly and purred in his arms.  \softline
Meanwhile she nuzzled his chest, and explored it with a feather-light touch of her fin\-
gers.  Then he lifted her head and kissed her.  Ken intended it to be light and delicate \softline
and it was.  He could taste the sweetness of her lips as her tongue probed his mouth and \softline
tongue.  At the same time his sex was desperately trying to harden, but it was trapped \softline
by his underwear, trousers and Kathy\'92s body.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She felt it, too.  When he shifted his weight and tried to relieve the constriction, \softline
she disengaged from his lips, smiled lovingly and said no.  It wasn\'92t completely one-sided, \softline
though.  He derived some satisfaction from seeing her nipples become hard and her body \softline
start to writhe in passion.  He could see that the denim in the crotch of her jeans had \softline
darkened with moisture.  He was in an agony of desire but holding on.  He could see her \softline
hand flutter in the direction of her crotch only to be quickly withdrawn.  He realized that \softline
he was moaning with her.  It was going to be over very soon.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He broke first.  When he pulled off her pants and slipped out of his own, he \softline
heard her whisper in ecstasy, \'93Thank God!\'94 as he entered her.  They were soon lying in \softline
each others arms resting as their breath\-ing slowly returned to normal.  She had her eyes \softline
closed with her head on his shoulder murmuring happy sounds.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He whispered, \'93May I see it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Her eyes fluttered open \'97 }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 God, what a dazzling, brilliant blue,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought \'97 \softline
and she looked puzzled.  \'93See what, hon?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The commenda\-tion,\'94 he said.  She smiled, got up, opened a drawer and came \softline
back with the framed citation for the Medal of Freedom.  He read it carefully.  \'93Dad \softline
mentioned this.  He said I should ask to see it.  You know, Kathy, you\'92re entitled to wear \softline
the ribbon at any time?  Can I pin it on your breast now?\'94 he asked teasingly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Pin it right here?\'94 she asked as she pointed to her left nipple.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God}{\plain \fs24 \f2 !  he thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 She\'92s serious.  She would pin it through her nipple if she \softline
thought I wanted her to}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  He was starting to develop an appreciation for her depth of \softline
feeling for him.  He felt very humble.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Suddenly Kathy jumped up and exclaimed, \'93Oh, my God!  I completely forgot!  \softline
Ken, I\'92m having a couple for dinner tonight.  They\'92ll be here in...  Holy shit!  In ten \softline
minutes!  And absolutely nothing\'92s done!  Ken, could you do me a favor?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sure, honey!  What do you want me to do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hon, would you mind taking a shower now so you\'92ll be ready to greet our \softline
guests, while I get some hors d\'92oeuvres together and try to figure out how we\'92re going \softline
to avoid starva\-tion?  I\'92ll try to make it up to you some\-how.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken went to the bedroom with his clothes.  As he was taking a shower, he \softline
reflected on what Kathy had just said.  He realized that she meant it.  She gave 
everything and asked nothing, so some\-thing as trivial as greeting guests was important \softline
to her.  He was dressed and back in the kitchen in five minutes.  Miraculous\-ly, wonderful \softline
cooking odors were rising towards the vent hood while a large platter of hors d\'92oeuvres \softline
was waiting on the table.  She looked up at him and carefully straight\-ened his tie.  Just \softline
before running to the bathroom, she said quickly, \'93The guests are the O\'92Rourkes.  \softline
They\'92re just out of the Navy!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She ran toward the bathroom, while Ken went to retrieve their drink glasses \softline
from the library.  He found Kathy\'92s still full and only a few sips out of his own.  He \softline
emptied the glasses in the sink and put the glasses in the dishwasher.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Moments later at seven o\'92clock the doorbell rang.  He opened the door and \softline
welcomed a very pretty little auburn-haired girl with a very big and handsome dark-haired man.  \'93Welcome!  Please come in.  You must be the O\'92Rourkes.\'94  They entered \softline
the apartment, and it was obvious to Ken they had been here before.  \'93I\'92m Ken Stark, \softline
a friend of Kathy\'92s.  She\'92ll be out in a few minutes.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl stuck out her hand.  \'93I\'92m Sally O\'92Rourke, until today yeoman first class, \softline
Commander.  I\'92m very happy to meet you.  This big lug is my husband, Jim, until today \softline
electronics techni\-cian first class.\'94  Sally looked at Ken and noticed the love light in his \softline
eyes.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Can it be?  Has the prince ap\-peared to awaken Sleeping \softline
Beauty?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 As the men shook hands, Sally said quickly, \'93Commander, I see from your ring \softline
that you\'92re Annapolis.  Would you mind talking with Jim in equations or something?\'94  \softline
She looked lovingly at her husband and winked.  \'93He\'92s great in math and electronics, but \softline
he\'92s not much on words.  But he\'92s great in bed, so I keep him around.  I want to check \softline
out Kathy.\'94  She grinned, and flew around the corner to the bedroom.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jim\'92s eyes followed his wife as she left.  \'93Lovely little ass, don\'92t you think, \softline
Command\-er?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken smiled his agreement.  \'93Please, Jim, it\'92s Ken.  And you\'92re right, it sure is.  \softline
You\'92re a very lucky man!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken,\'94 Jim replied, \'93on that last you\'92re more right than you may ever know!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally came bursting into the bedroom as Kathy emerged from the bath.  The \softline
small girl studied her friend carefully.  Then she gave a little yelp.  \'93Kathy, it\'92s \softline
happened!  That\'92s your man, isn\'92t it?  Don\'92t even bother to answer.  I see it all over you.  \softline
I couldn\'92t see how you could possibly be more beautiful, but you are.  You glow!...  You\'92re \softline
radiant!\'94  Kathy regarded her friend with a quiet smile.  Sally gathered the older girl in \softline
her arms and hugged.  \'93I\'92m so happy, Kathy!  You know I mean it when I say it couldn\'92t \softline
happen to a nicer per\-son.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy slipped on her blue dress that matched her eyes and ran a comb through \softline
her hair.  \'93Let\'92s go join the party!\'94  It was only seven-ten.  They sat in the living room \softline
and had drinks with Ken serving as bartender.  He liked the O\'92Rourkes very much.  \softline
They were a hand\-some couple and obviously very much in love.  Sally asked Ken about 
his ship, something that had not occurred to Kathy.  She was abashed that she had not \softline
even thought to ask.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally grinned and said, \'93Kathy, never forget.  The correct sequence is to ask a \softline
sailor about his present ship, his last ship, his mist\-ress and finally, his wife.  That also \softline
pretty well tracks the regard in which they are held.  Christ!  I had to get Jim out of the \softline
service so I could move up in the pecking order.  Particular\-ly when I lost rank by \softline
changing from his mistress to his wife.\'94  She grinned and stuck out her tongue at her \softline
husband.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Please don\'92t mind my wife, Ken.\'94  Jim said with a grin, \'93She really isn\'92t house\-
broken yet, so I have to be careful who I allow her to meet.  With Kathy, it\'92s already too \softline
late!  She knows the truth, so to hell with it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now that you\'92re out of the service,\'94 Ken asked, \'93what are your plans?  \softline
Although I\'92ve just met you two, it\'92s easy to see that you\'92re the kind we can\'92t afford to \softline
lose.  Sally, what was your most recent duty assignment?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The base legal office, Ken.  Why do you ask?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Because it\'92s going to be a very different place without you.  Much quieter!\'94 Ken \softline
replied with a grin.  Sally faked a pout and grinned back.  Ken really liked the little girl.  \softline
\'93What about those plans?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally suddenly turned serious and looked down at the floor.  \'93Ken, I want to tell \softline
you a little story.  Once upon a time there were these two dumb kids.  They were madly \softline
in love, but the girl was particularly dumb and didn\'92t know it.  Then one day in a place \softline
where the girl worked some bad men came in waving guns.  The boy thought he was \softline
Superman and could stop a bullet.  He did... with his arm.  Just then the fairy princess \softline
appeared and made the bad men dead.  She took the dumb girl in and made her see how \softline
much she loved the dumb boy.  The fairy princess wasn\'92t finished with the dumb kids, \softline
though.  She knew that they both wanted desperate\-ly to go to col\-lege.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93There wasn\'92t enough money, so the dumb boy says he\'92ll work and the girl will \softline
go.  The girl says she would be barefoot and preg\-nant and the boy will go.  The fairy \softline
princess doesn\'92t say any\-thing but she waves her magic wand.  The dumb boy gets seven \softline
or eight years of education paid at the Cal Tech castle.  The girl gets seven years paid at \softline
the USC castle.  The fairy princess visits the dumb girl at work.  The dumb girl finds \softline
$5,000 in her boobs.  The dumb kids get married and the fairy princess doesn\'92t know \softline
what to do so $25,000 appears to tide them over while she thinks about it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The kids are dumb but not so dumb they don\'92t worship the ground the fairy \softline
princess walks on.  And they lived happily ever after.\'94  Sally looked up at Ken with her \softline
eyes shining with tears.  \'93You don\'92t look dumb, Ken.  Would you like to guess the name \softline
of the fairy princess?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked at Kathy.  He could see tears running down her cheeks.  \'93The fairy \softline
princess\'92s initials wouldn\'92t be \'91K S\'92, would they?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally grinned through her tears and said to her husband, \'93See, Jim, I told you \softline
he didn\'92t look dumb.\'94  She went to Kathy and kissed her.  \'93We never had the chance to \softline
thank you properly for the wedding gift.  Ken, to show you the kind of person the fairy \softline
princess is, the dumb broad writes a long letter apologiz\-ing for not buying a gift, for \softline
chrissakes!  Thank you, dear Kathy.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Before things get so maudlin the tears soak my beautiful carpet, could we take \softline
a break for dinner?  Ken, would you please serve the wine.  I decanted it to let it brea\-
the.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was stunned.  At six-fifty in the evening, this girl was lying naked on the \softline
floor.  There had been no thought of eat\-ing.  At seven, hors d\'92oeuvres are served that \softline
appear to have been in prepara\-tion since noon.  At seven forty-five, a gourmet feast \softline
appears featur\-ing roast filet of beef, sauce P\'e9rigord, and Chateau Mouton Roths\-child, \softline
1959.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 she is a fairy prin\-cess!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Dinner was followed by crepes \softline
Suzette, followed by coffee and cognac.  Ken had spent the evening watching the \softline
beautiful girl facing him across the table.  Clearly, she loved good food, good wine and \softline
good cognac.  His eyes widened as Louis XIII was poured from its Baccarat decanter.  \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The only thing standing between this meal and utter perfection is the lack of a great \softline
cigar,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy appeared with a cigar humidor.  Jim took one, Sally was tempted, but \softline
declined.  Then Kathy brought the box to Ken.  \'93I think you\'92d like one of these Corona \softline
coronas.  They are really very good.\'94  He took one, lighted it and savored it with the \softline
cognac.  Kathy lighted a panatella for herself.  See\-ing her take one, Sally reconsidered \softline
and took one, too.  Sally decided that the mild cigar made a perfect accompa\-niment to \softline
her coffee and cognac.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken said quietly to Kathy, \'93If I were to die right now, I would be in heaven \softline
without moving an inch!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy raised her glass.  \'93I\'92m sorry,\'94 she said, \'93I should have done this earlier \softline
with the wine, but better late than never!  Sally and Jim, I would like to offer a toast to \softline
you both: Your love for each other lights up this room!  Your selflessness leaves me \softline
breathless.  Two brilliant people willing \'97 no, anx\-ious! \'97 to sacrifice his interest for the \softline
other\'92s.  May your love burn forever as brightly as it burns tonight!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken could feel his eyes burn with tears as he listened to Kathy\'92s words.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 But the \softline
words are true,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought looking at the young couple.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 They\'92re really true!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 As they \softline
were preparing to leave, Ken said, \'93By the way, I should have asked.  How long have you \softline
kids been married?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally brightly replied, \'93Almost two months, Commander, sir, and I love it!  She \softline
looked at Jim and licked her lips lascivious\-ly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93In that case,\'94 Ken asked, \'93May I still kiss the bride?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally jumped at him and kissed him softly on the lips.  When they parted, she \softline
held him, looked into his eyes and whispered so softly he could scarcely hear, \'93Ken, be \softline
good to her!  She\'92s the very best there is!\'94  Ken agreed with her judgment.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the O\'92Rourkes left, Ken looked at Kathy, \'93Hon, how do you feel?\'94  It was \softline
nearly eleven-thirty.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I feel great.  Why?  How do you feel?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy,\'94 he said, \'93I feel about one inch tall.  I would like to tell you another \softline
story.  There was this little kid who met a fairy princess.  He was angry because the \softline
princess had a secret.  Of course, if he knew what the secret was, he would\-n\'92t have \softline
believed it.  Then he read a story about the fairy prin\-cess.  Of course, even if he wouldn\'92t \softline
have believed the princess, he did believe the story.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then he met a giant and a pixie who told him more about the fairy princess \softline
they had come to love.  The little kid shrank until he was only one inch tall.  The only \softline
thing that can change the little kid back to normal is a kiss from the princess.  Will the \softline
princess kiss the little kid?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy came to him and tenderly kissed him.  He held her as the love flowed \softline
between them.  Finally, they separated.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, fairy princess!  Kathy, can you help me?  I have to go back to the \softline
ship.  The dumb little kid was so pissed off at the fairy prin\-cess he didn\'92t even bring a \softline
change of underwear.  If the fairy princess were smart, of course, she would just kick the \softline
little kid the hell out of her house.  But then the fairy prin\-cess is known for her kindness, \softline
not her brains.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy kicked him lightly in the shin and grinned.  \'93Come on, little kid.  We have \softline
to go get your toys.\'94  He took her in his arms and kissed her again.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The BMW was speeding west on the Expressway.  Ken noticed the speedometer \softline
needle pass 100 mph on a 150-mph dial.  Suddenly, he heard a siren wail behind them.  \softline
\'93Oh, shit!\'94 Kathy exclaimed.  \'93Of all the damn times to hit a Smoky.\'94  She pulled over \softline
well to the right in the breakdown lane.  The patrol car, blue lights revolv\-ing and \softline
headlights flashing, pulled up behind, but the trooper stay\-ed behind the wheel.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken assumed that the trooper was running Kathy\'92s plate through the police \softline
computer.  He noticed Kathy impatiently drum\-ming her finger against the wheel.  The \softline
trooper finally got out of the cruiser and approached the driver\'92s side.  Ken was aston\-
ished at what happened next.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The tall trooper towered over the low sports sedan.  \'93Damn it, Kathy!  You gotta \softline
knock off this shit!  It makes us look bad!  Why once we even got a grumble from the \softline
captain... \'92til we told him who it was, o\'92 course.  How fast this time?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93A hundred-ten, Will.\'94  she replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy?\'94 the trooper said skeptically.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Oh, shit!  A hundred-twenty, okay?  You happy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then, Ken ducked his head low and leaned over to the left so he could see \softline
the trooper\'92s face.  \'93Is there some problem, officer?\'94 he asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He could see the trooper\'92s face turn bright red as he recog\-nized him as a naval \softline
officer.  He heard the trooper mutter under his breath, \'93Damn it, Kathy, why didn\'92t you \softline
tell me you had company?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then, following a very snappy salute, he said in his normal voice, \'93Commander, \softline
would you mind stepping out of the car and coming back here with me?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken said, \'93Of course, not, offi\-cer.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As he stepped out he heard Kathy mutter, \'93Oh shit!  Here it goes!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken followed the trooper back to his patrol cruiser.  The trooper introduced \softline
himself, \'93Trooper William Stockdale, Comman\-der.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken said, \'93Ken Stark, trooper.  I\'92m glad to meet you, but I would have liked to \softline
do it in happier circumstances.  I don\'92t understand what I just saw over there.  You \softline
haven\'92t even started to write Miss Smith\'92s ticket.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The trooper broke into gales of laughter, as if Ken had just told the funniest joke \softline
he had ever heard.  In fact, he had.  \'93Write a }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 ticket!  On Kathy!?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 I\'92m sorry, sir, but \softline
maybe you just don\'92t understand.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Understand what, trooper?  I understand Miss Smith was driv\-ing at an \softline
excessive rate of speed.\'94  Ken was be\-coming annoyed.  He looked at the car ahead.  \softline
Kathy had her hands at the top of the wheel, with her forehead resting on her hands.  \softline
She appeared dejected.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Commander, the only trooper that would ever give Kathy a ticket would be the \softline
guy who\'92s lookin\'92 to get off the force in a hurry.  That\'92s assumin\'92 o\'92 course, he lives long \softline
enough to }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 get}{\plain \fs24 \f2  off.  Commander, sir, this is a game!  We love to haul her down!  It reminds \softline
her we\'92re still around and it gives us a chance to talk to a real, live angel!  O\'92 course \softline
there\'92s a little more to it: the speed thing, for example.  We always ask her and she \softline
always fibs a few miles light.  Ya know, Commander, thinkin\'92 on it, I don\'92t rightly know \softline
who\'92s checkin\'92 on who.  Us checkin\'92 her speed, or her checkin\'92 our radar!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Trooper, on behalf of Kathy, we apologize for such speed.  it\'92s very...\'94  Aside \softline
from sounding pompous as hell, Ken stopped because Stockdale was looking at him like \softline
he had a screw loose.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Commander, what\'92d Kathy admit to?  One hundred twenty?  Sir, is Jackie \softline
Stewart a dangerous driver?  Is Dick Petty?  Why Comman\-der, that girl\'92s better in that \softline
car at 140 than the average driver is out here at forty!  I mean, she\'92s that good!  Why one \softline
day some buddies and I were with Kathy down in South Virginia Beach... down by the \softline
Carolina line, you know?  Well damned if...  Com\-man\-der, have you ever heard of a \softline
bootlegger\'92s turn?\'94  Ken shook his head.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No?  Well, it was developed out west o\'92 here in the hill country.  See, a \softline
bootlegger with a full load bein\'92 chased by Revenue?  Well he\'92d roar down this two-lane 
road bein\'92 chased.  Then he\'92d touch the brakes just right, and turn the wheel just right, \softline
and shift the gears just right, an\'92 all of a sudden he\'92s made a 180 and he passes the \softline
Revenue goin\'92 the other way.  Fol\-low?  Well, some o\'92 those good ol\'92 boys could do that \softline
trick at seventy or sometimes, if he was real good, at eighty.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, Command\-er, I\'92m here to tell ya that Kathy did it at 110!  And that\'92s radar \softline
speed, not her braggin\'92 at us.  That lady can handle a car, sir!  She truly can!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93O\'92 course there\'92s the other thing.  You ever see that little gun she carries?  You \softline
did?\'94 he asked, as Ken nodded.  \'93Well, sir, that li\'92l weapon has fired five times in anger.  \softline
Sir, four rounds penetrated the targets\'92 hearts, and the fifth entered a target\'92s brain.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now sir, you could think o\'92 Kathy as sort of a Virginia police mascot.  You could \softline
o\'92 course, but you\'92d be dead wrong!  We truly admire that woman!  She\'92s one of }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 us!  \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 She\'92s been there.  But more, sir, we love her... like a beautiful sister, I guess.  Sir, when \softline
those bastards took a shotgun to her, well...  As you know, sir, she burned one of them.  \softline
She was rollin\'92 on the deck and fired one shot right between the eyes!  Then this other \softline
creep turns up in a ditch near Detroit weighted down with buck\-shot.  Sir, if we had \softline
gotten there first, there wouldn\'92t a bin enough left to bury!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93God, we love that girl!  Commander, one more thing!  I don\'92t know why, but I \softline
think she\'92s special interested in you.  You\'92re the first man she\'92s ever been seen with.  I \softline
got somethin\'92 you might like to see!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Stockdale opened the door of his cruiser and returned with his clipboard.  He \softline
lifted the forms clipped to it.  Underneath them, protected by acetate, was a photograph \softline
of Kathy wearing a tiny white bikini.  Her breasts were thrust out, her back was arched \softline
and one arm was behind her head.  \'93Sir, that was taken at Yale University the night she \softline
was elected Queen of Yale!  O\'92 course, that\'92s a Yankee school an\'92 all, but damn, those \softline
boys do have good taste!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s a lovely picture, Stockdale.  Does Kathy know you have it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The trooper blushed.  \'93O\'92 course she doesn\'92t!  At least, I hope she doesn\'92t...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Stockdale,\'94 Ken said, \'93Want to make a deal?  I\'92ll get Kathy to autograph your \softline
picture if you tell me where I can get one.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Com\-mand\-er,\'94 the trooper replied, \'93that\'92s the kind o\'92 deal I like!  Let\'92s go!\'94  The \softline
two returned to Kathy\'92s car.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken got in, while the trooper stood by Kathy\'92s window.  Ken held the clipboard.  \softline
\'93Honey, will you do me a favor?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course!  I told you before: anything,\'94 she replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken reached over Kathy\'92s head to the overhead light control and turned on the \softline
dome light.  \'93Kathy, look at me,\'94 he asked.  \'93I have a picture of you that\'92s very \softline
important to him.\'94  He dropped his voice to a whis\-per.  \'93Hon, he loves you very much.  \softline
Would you sign it for him?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Her eyes widened as she saw the picture.  She didn\'92t know such a photograph \softline
existed.  She took a pen out of the glove compartment and wrote, \'93To my dear friend, \softline
Trooper William Stockdale, Vir\-ginia State Police, with great respect and affection.\'94  she \softline
signed it and gave the board back to the trooper.  He read it and blushed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The trooper was so overwhelmed, his back-country origins sounded even stron\-
ger in his speech: \'93Thank you, Miss Kathy!  If y\'92all pardon my sayin\'92 so ma\'92am, you\'92re \softline
the most beautiful woman in the world!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He passed Ken a slip of paper with a name and address written on it.  Stockdale \softline
saluted smartly, \'93Good night, y\'92all.  I apologize for keepin\'92 you so long.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy put the car in gear, and after checking for traffic, smoothly pulled away.  \softline
\'93Ken, I\'92m embarrassed.  What did Will tell you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, I guess you have the track record for a bootlegger\'92s turn.\'94  Even in the \softline
red-orange light coming from the dash he could see her blush.  \'93And, of course, he and \softline
every other law enforcement officer love you like a sister!  Kathy, he\'92s sincere.  And \softline
honey, if you\'92re good enough to gain the respect of men like that, you have it made.  I \softline
think they invented the word, loyal\-ty.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After retrieving his things from his ship, the destro\-yer }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2 , they headed back \softline
to Virginia Beach.  Glancing over, he was sure that the needle on the speed\-ometer passed \softline
130 but, after his talk with the trooper, Ken relaxed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Their lovemaking that night was soft and gentle.  After reaching their climax \softline
together Ken and Kathy fell asleep still wrapped in each other\'92s arms.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 19}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was a warm afternoon.  Kathy was parked near the brow of Ken\'92s ship, the \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 USS Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  She was out of the car facing the ship with her rump on the front fender.  \softline
As Ken requested she was wearing her skin-tight Levi\'92s and a Yale T-shirt.  Her golden \softline
hair was being blown by the wind off the water but she made no effort to control it \softline
knowing that a flip with a comb would put it right.  It was three forty-five \'97 1545 in \softline
Ken\'92s language.  Her behavior was totally consistent with respect to people she loved.  \softline
If she was asked to do something, she did it if it was within her power to do.  And she \softline
loved Ken desperately.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She reflected on this man who had captured her heart.  She had not known him \softline
for even a week but could not face the prospect of life without him.  She accepted as a \softline
matter of indisputable fact that he was the man she was made for.  It was very simple \softline
and straightforward.  He had telephoned earlier in the afternoon and asked her to wear \softline
her jeans and a top that revealed her figure.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He asked her to stand outside her car where she could be seen from his ship, and \softline
to please be there at 1545.  She looked down at her chest and decided with a grin that \softline
she just needed water and she was ready for a wet T-shirt contest.  Ken had offered no \softline
explanation for the strange request nor had it occurred to Kathy to ask for one.  Her \softline
lover had asked her to do something and she was doing it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She occupied her time by examining the ship.  She identified the hull, of course, \softline
and the bridge.  There were single gun mounts fore and aft.  Then there was a \softline
bewildering array of antennas that seemed to occupy every available inch of superstructure.  She was surprised at the size and boxiness of the structure below the bridge.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It appeared to her there had been two different designers at work.  The one who \softline
designed the hull had had a sense of aesthetics.  It was sleek and beautiful.  The other \softline
designer then put a big metal box on the hull.  It was like a packing box shaped to hold \softline
a lot of people and equipment, but a box nonetheless.  She thought the second designer \softline
had ruined the sleek look begun by the first.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Although she was totally unfamiliar with the Navy, it seemed there was a \softline
greater-than-normal amount of activity topside since it so close to liberty at 1600.  She \softline
wished the O\'92Rourkes could be with her to explain what was going on.  She thought of \softline
them fondly; the young couple were now on their way to California.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was never far from her thoughts these days.  She found herself wondering \softline
about his marriage and divorce.  In the few minutes they were together without being \softline
consumed by their passion, a single question kept recurring with increased intensity \softline
each time:  How had Ken been financially ruined?  These days such a thing almost never \softline
happened.  In the rare cases in which it did happen, there had to be overwhelming fault \softline
on one side coupled with legal representation so poor as to amount to malpractice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She had been hearing the General Announcing System in action ever since she \softline
arrived squawking announcements, most of which were totally unintelligible to her.  She 
made a mental note to learn more about the Navy.  Finally, she heard an announcement \softline
she did understand: Liberty was announced for three of four duty sections.  The sailors \softline
started streaming off the ship, most in civilian clothes.  She was surprised when those \softline
in uniform saluted her in a most military fashion as they passed.  This caused her to \softline
stand up straight and smile in return.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then Ken came running over.  She wanted to laugh as she watched to poor man \softline
try to run with a large suitcase in each hand.  She went to the back of the car and opened \softline
the trunk for him.  He smiled gratefully and threw the bags in and shut the lid, then \softline
took her in his arms for a hello kiss that \'97 as usual \'97 became more than that.  With \softline
Ken, she decided, she had a very short fuse.  When he reluctantly pulled away, they were \softline
both breathless.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She blushed as she heard what seemed to be the ship\'92s entire duty section lined \softline
up at the rail cheering their captain and his girl.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Oh, well,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I might as well \softline
make the best of it.}{\plain \fs24 \f2   As she went towards the driver\'92s door, she waved at the ship and \softline
smiled.  She was rewarded by a redoubling of the cheers.  They got in the car and Kathy \softline
drove away.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well,\'94 said Ken with a grin, \'93So much for another of the dumb captain\'92s great \softline
ideas.  I\'92m sorry, honey.  I didn\'92t think it would work out this way.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What way?\'94 Kathy asked, puzzled, as she concentrated on threading her way \softline
out of the base and back towards the freeway to Virginia Beach.  It was rush hour and \softline
slow going.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, in the Navy there\'92s a reference to \'91the 10 percent that never gets the \softline
word.\'92  It\'92s kind of a standing joke.  Well, it\'92s pretty embarrassing when the captain is \softline
in the 10 percent, and particularly when the word concerns his... his...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mistress is the word you\'92re searching for, dear.  I am your mistress,\'94 Kathy said \softline
with a warm smile.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93...lady,\'94 Ken finished.  \'93It seems that everyone on the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  but me knows who \softline
you are and what you are.  I kept hearing these snatches of conversation all day, so I \softline
thought they might like to get a better look at you.  It was a disaster.  The Exec was \softline
afraid guys were going to fall overboard staring at you, or maybe cause the ship to \softline
capsize with all the weight on the shore side of the vessel.  There were comparison made \softline
between you and the top Hollywood beauties...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stole a glance at Ken\'92s face.  \'93How did I do?\'94 she asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It was terrible, Kathy.  Simply awful!\'94  He concealed a smile as he watched her \softline
face fall.  \'93The others were dismissed out of hand.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The guy who thought a particularly beautiful star was almost in your class was \softline
accused of having his taste in his feet.  Kathy, aboard }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 USS Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  you are the most \softline
beautiful girl in the world.  By the way, I didn\'92t say \'91considered\'92, I said \'91are\'92.  It is \softline
established fact, like the sun rising in the east.\'94  He smiled at her warmly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Kathy smiled, basking in his love.  \'93And where does the captain of the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
stand on the question?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Where can the captain stand?  With his men, of course!\'94  He grinned and added, \softline
\'93I am their leader, after all.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She glanced at him and saw his face become serious and show concern.  \softline
Haltingly, he continued in a voice that initially worried her.  \'93Kathy...  Those bags in the \softline
trunk...  Kathy, I have no right, but... you...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re moving in with me.  That\'92s wonderful!\'94 she exclaimed with a bright \softline
smile.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But Kathy...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken,\'94 Kathy asked, \'93what characteristic does the Navy look for in its officers?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked puzzled.  \'93I don\'92t understand your question...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, officers \'97 particularly commanding officers \'97 are supposed to exercise \softline
initiative.  You just did.  There is a girl with a big apartment.  She meets this handsome \softline
man and instantly falls in love.  Her love for him is so intense, when he\'92s near her he\'92s \softline
the only thing in color.  The rest of the world is black-and-white.  She wants him to live \softline
with her so badly that she would give him the bedroom and sleep on the floor except \softline
when he wanted to use her body.  She is much too fright\-ened to ask him because she\'92s \softline
afraid he\'92ll laugh at her.  When he says he\'92s moving in, the girl\'92s body just starts to melt.  \softline
She thinks, \'91Maybe he cares for me, just a little, too.\'92  Thank you, Ken, for having me.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she concentrated on her driving, Ken studied her.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 he thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I \softline
can\'92t believe what I\'92m hearing!  This girl, who has an abundance of everything a man \softline
could possibly want in a woman, feels unworthy!  Of }{\plain \fs24 \b\i\f2 me}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 !?}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken,\'94 Kathy asked, changing the subject, \'93Why were those sailors saluting me \softline
when they came off the ship?  I mean...  I\'92m not an officer or a flag or anything.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken smiled.  \'93Yes you are.  Those guys, unlike their ignorant commanding \softline
officer, know all about you.  They were saluting your beauty, Kathy.  More than that, \softline
they were saluting a hero.  When a man is awarded the Medal of Honor \'97 the nation\'92s \softline
highest award for valor \'97 he is saluted first, regardless of his rank or the rank of the \softline
person rendering honors.  As a civilian you can\'92t receive that award.  Furthermore, it\'92s \softline
only awarded in wartime, and, thank God, we\'92re not fighting anyone right now.  You \softline
received the Medal of Freedom which is the closest we can come for a civilian.  They \softline
know you saved the lives of their shipmates, Kathy.  Several of them were in Charley\'92s \softline
that night.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, I need to learn about the Navy.  Are there some good books I could read?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, please don\'92t,\'94 he protested.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She looked hurt.  \'93Why not?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Because in no time flat you would be second guessing the Chief of Naval \softline
Operations... and more than likely }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 you}{\plain \fs24 \f2  would be right!  Honey, people have been talking \softline
about street crime for years and it just gets worse.  You come along right out of law \softline
school and it starts to recede here in Norfolk.  You would be trying to shape up the Navy, \softline
too.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They had exited the Expressway and were making their way towards the \softline
apartment when Ken saw a sign in the next block.  \'93Kathy, could you stop at that flower \softline
shop in the next block, please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She pulled into a parking space and he said he would be right out.  A few \softline
minutes later he was back with a long large box which he just managed to fit across the \softline
back seat.  When they reached the apartment, Kathy carried the box while Ken carried \softline
his suitcases.  She was waiting for him in the kitchen when he emerged from the \softline
bedroom.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You didn\'92t open it,\'94 he said.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy thought she heard a note of disappointment in his voice and said, \'93Open \softline
what?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The box, silly!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But... It\'92s for me?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Who else would it be for?\'94 Ken asked.  \'93Of course it\'92s for you!\'94  Ken got \softline
another insight into this remarkable girl.  Nothing was ever too good for her friends or \softline
too much trouble for her to do for them but she could not seem to understand that \softline
others might ever want to do something for her.  He realized that Kathy Smith was the \softline
most unselfish person he had ever met.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy opened the box, revealing dozens of red roses.  \'93Oh, Ken!  They\'92re \softline
beautiful!  But there are so many...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Do you really like them?\'94 he asked diffidently.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 \'93Like}{\plain \fs24 \f2  them!?  Oh, Ken, I adore them!\'94  She looked up at him sweetly and added, \softline
\'93No one has ever given me flowers before!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He took her in his arms and kissed her.  As he did, he wondered how there could \softline
be so many stupid guys in the world.  Kathy should be walking on flowers coming from \softline
thousands of admirers.  What was wrong?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was only five o\'92clock, Kathy noticed, much too early for dinner.  She thought \softline
she would get started on a project she had been mulling over in her mind.  In the \softline
meantime, Ken had changed into a golf shirt and slacks and asked her if she would like \softline
a drink.  She told him there was something she wanted to do first and led him through \softline
the exercise room.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab His eyes widened as he saw all of the equipment for the first time.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 he \softline
thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 A fully equipped gym, too}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab At the far wall Kathy inserted a key and activated a switch.  A motor-driven door \softline
opened slowly away from them, and they walked into an office.  Ken hadn\'92t realized it, \softline
but when they entered the gym they had entered the office building fronting the main \softline
street.  He was in a lawyer\'92s office.  Kathy activated another concealed switch and a \softline
section of the wall of bookcases slid back in place.  She excused herself while Ken looked \softline
around and was puzzled.  It was a beautifully furnished office suite.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The sort of \softline
surroundings,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Ken thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 designed to extract maximum fees from clients with the \softline
minimum of complaint}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Going through to the outer office he found a desk for a secretary-receptionist and \softline
a good-sized conference room next to it.  Something bothered him, but...  It suddenly \softline
came to him.  The office was unoccupied and had never been occupied.  Of course!  There \softline
were no magazines in the reception area, no files on the desk \'97 nothing!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy emerged from the bathroom, Ken was stunned.  A lovely hoyden \softline
wearing jeans and a T-shirt had gone into a room.  A lovely young attorney reappeared \softline
in her place.  As she smiled at him, Ken saw the unspoken question in her eyes, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Do you \softline
approve?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 She was wearing her favorite warm-weather outfit: a man-tailored cotton cord \softline
suit.  The blue in the material\'92s vertical stripes complemented the blue of her eyes and \softline
Ken whistled appreciatively.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After blushing with pleasure Kathy turned surprisingly businesslike.  He \softline
reflected that, given her accomplishments, she had to be good.  He smiled to himself.  \softline
Behind her on the wall were the usual lawyer\'92s trappings: an array of framed diplomas, \softline
all honors degrees from top schools.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Commander, I would like to review the facts surrounding your recent divorce.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was shocked.  Kathy was being absolutely serious and businesslike.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Exactly \softline
the way Knight never was,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Ken thought.  \'93Let\'92s do it!  Miss Smith, what would you like \softline
to know?  And may I call you Kathy?\'94 he asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He melted under her warm smile, \'93Of course, Commander.  Now tell me some \softline
basics.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab His ex-wife\'92s name was Sylvia.  \'93Kathy, the easy way to describe Sylvia is to say \softline
that two people could not be greater polar opposites than you two.  You\'92re totally \softline
unselfish while she\'92s totally self-centered.  You rejoice in lovemaking; Sylvia hates it.  \softline
You are bright and gold while Sylvia is dull and dark.  I could go on but you get the idea.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93We had only been married for a few months when Sylvia tells me she is filing \softline
for a divorce.  I\'92m certainly stupid, I freely admit, but not a complete idiot.  The marriage \softline
was a disaster from the beginning, so it was an opportunity to cut my losses.  Who \softline
knows?  I might meet a golden goddess who melts my insides...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Commander, the subject is law, not love.\'94  She grinned at him and added, \'93If \softline
you\'92re good, the love will come later.  In fact, even if you\'92re not so good...  But what was \softline
the outcome?  I gather you were serious when you said you were financially wiped out?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Ken smiled wryly.  \'93I was all }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 too}{\plain \fs24 \f2  serious.  Everything I had, she got.  Except for \softline
what my lawyer took, of course.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Who was your lawyer and how did you find him?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93He is a lawyer named Homer Knight with an office in Norfolk.  I retained him \softline
because he was cheap.  Also, he was recommended to me by Sylvia\'92s attorney.  Because \softline
of the nature of the action, her lawyer initially was going to represent us both but \softline
decided it would be better if I had my own counsel.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, you\'92ve just learned something.  Sometimes the lowest-priced lawyer can \softline
be the most expensive.  I smell a rat \'97 a very big rat \'97 that\'92s really stinking up this \softline
office.  I\'92ll explain in a minute.  But first, what were the grounds for divorce?  General \softline
incompatibility or something like it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re right, but...\'94  Ken stopped, looking puzzled.  \'93But that\'92s not the way it \softline
ended up...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What was Sylvia\'92s maiden name?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It was Black.  Why?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just asking.  Ken, were you present at the divorce hearing?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No.  We were on an extended Med deployment.  Homer said that it was all \softline
routine and everything would be taken care of when I got back.  Well, the way it worked \softline
out, it wasn\'92t.  I was!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93When did you get back to Norfolk?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Early last week... Monday, I guess.  Then the roof fell in.  When I met you at \softline
Charley\'92s, I had just finished signing over everything at Knight\'92s office.\'94  Ken blushed, \softline
remembering.  \'93Kathy, I want to apologize to you again for what I said to you that night.  \softline
I would rather forget it, but I can\'92t.  What I said to you was unforgivable.  Christ!  I \softline
think I even accused you of being a whore!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Your words were \'91B-girl\'92,\'94 she said with a warm smile.  \'93But there\'92s absolutely \softline
nothing to forgive.  After all, I did pick you up in a bar.\'94  Getting back to the subject she \softline
asked, \'93Ken, do you have the final papers on your divorce?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93They\'92re on the ship.  I didn\'92t even look at them.  Homer told me what \softline
happened, and I was just stunned... in a state of shock.  I just never expected...  Kathy, \softline
can you explain to me what did happen?  You seem to have some idea...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, I think you were set up.  You were fattened, killed, stuffed, roasted and \softline
served as the main course for dinner.  I need to check this out before I can be sure, but \softline
I\'92ll give you my theory.  All the known facts fit it, by the way.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had a sudden inspiration.  \'93Ken, I don\'92t want there to be any secrets \softline
between us, but could you be a dear and wait out in the reception room for a minute?\'94  \softline
She grinned and added, \'93There are lots of law books you can read.  They don\'92t have any \softline
pictures, but you can admire the big words we lawyers love to use.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Ken was puzzled but complied.  He even took a law book at random off the shelf \softline
out with him.  Realizing Kathy wanted privacy, he closed her office door.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When he left, she picked up the phone, checked in her wallet and dialed a \softline
number.  The phone at the other end was picked up on the first ring.  A deep male voice \softline
said a single word, \'93Yes?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93This is Angel.  I need to speak to Tony.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The voice changed instantly from boredom to respect.  He sounded like he had \softline
been jerked to attention.  \'93Yes, ma\'92am!  Immediately.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab An instant later she heard Tony Donetti\'92s voice.  \'93Can you give me a minute, \softline
Angel?  We were in the middle of a conference and the boys are leaving the office so we \softline
can talk.\'94  She could hear the sound of movement and then a door closing.  \'93Now how \softline
can I help?\'94 he asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Tony, I have a problem perhaps you can help me with.  A friend \'97 a very close \softline
friend \'97 is a naval officer.  He was just cleaned out in a divorce action that sounds like \softline
a scam.  I thought maybe you could ask around...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93He\'92s the one, isn\'92t he?  He\'92s the man you\'92ve been waiting for.  I can hear it in \softline
your voice!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She smiled at his perceptiveness.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I might as well advertise \softline
it in the papers! }{\plain \fs24 \f2  Aloud she said, \'93He\'92s the one for me, Tony, but I don\'92t...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Angel, unless he\'92s a hopeless idiot, he\'92s yours.  Now, what do I need to know?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93There are only a few things now.  The officer\'92s name is Commander Kenneth \softline
Stark.  His wife\'92s maiden name was Sylvia Black.  He was represented by a conniving \softline
creep named Homer Knight.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Give me a phone number.  I\'92ll get right back.\'94  He hung up and Kathy looked \softline
at her instrument.  He had been as good as his word.  He had said anytime.  It was \softline
obvious he had stopped a meeting in progress to take her call.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went out to the reception room to get Ken.  When they returned to their \softline
former seats, she smiled at him lovingly.  \'93My theory is this:  You were filing for a \softline
straight uncontested incompatibili\-ty divorce \'97 very short duration, no children.  It can \softline
be easily done for a few hundred dollars by any attorney.  It could have been done, in \softline
fact, by a single lawyer representing both sides.  I think it\'92s a terrible practice, but it\'92s \softline
done every day, particularly in cases such as yours.  The tip was when you said that you \softline
were starting in that direction, when her lawyer...  Who is he, by the way?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93His name is Holmes.  Edward Holmes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy continued, \'93Holmes gets his buddy, Knight, in on the scam.  He has to, \softline
Ken.  They then shift to a fault action.  The way you were cleaned out it had to be all \softline
fault: adultery, wife-beating, the whole nine yards.  A single lawyer \'97 Holmes, in this \softline
case \'97 couldn\'92t represent both parties.  The judge would smell a rat stinking up his 
courtroom.  After reading the bill of particulars I\'92m almost certain he would refuse to \softline
hear the case if the defendant were not represented by personal counsel.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, our system of jurisprudence is grounded on the adversary system.  It\'92s not \softline
perfect, heaven knows, but the theory is that when each side presents its best case, the \softline
truth will out.  Unfortunate\-ly, it can be defeated if there aren\'92t two sides.  If, rather, two \softline
attorneys are representing a single side: in this case, the plaintiff, Sylvia.  Does it make \softline
any sense?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken had gone white.  She could see perspiration on his forehead in spite of the \softline
climate-controlled environment.  \'93Perfect sense!  My God!  Everything I know fits.  Can \softline
we do anything now?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think so.  I\'92ll be right back.\'94  Kathy got up and went to the outer office.  He \softline
heard a file drawer open and close, then the sound of a typewriter.  He went out to look.  \softline
Kathy was at the typewriter rapidly filling out a form.  The way her fingers flew over the \softline
keys Ken knew she could be a top-flight legal secretary.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Yet another of her skills,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he \softline
thought.  Then he heard a copier warming up.  Kathy spun the form out of the \softline
typewriter and marched back into her office.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, give me one dollar, please.\'94  He looked puzzled, but opened his wallet.  He \softline
still had almost all of the $2,000 she had put in it on Saturday night.  He was amused at \softline
the idea of giving her back one dollar of the $2,000 she had given him.  He handed her \softline
the dollar.  \'93Thank you.  Now please sign above your name at the bottom.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He saw the indicated position and signed, then passed the form back to her.  She \softline
signed also, went to the outer office and came back moments later with two copies.  She \softline
gave him one of them.  \'93What\'92s this?\'94 he inquired.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, you have just signed a form retaining me to act as your attorney in all \softline
matters relating to your divorce.  The form, a copy of which will go to Homer Knight, \softline
certified mail, removes him as your attorney of record, effective immediately.  The \softline
money was my full fee for services.  I acknowledged receipt of the fee and accepted the \softline
appointment.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93One dollar?  That\'92s all?\'94 he said in a bemused voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy shook her head sadly and said, \'93After all the damned trouble you got \softline
yourself into, would you do me a big favor?  For God\'92s sake, will you read a paper }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 before}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
you sign it?  If you had read the damned form you would have seen \'91$1 and other \softline
valuable considerations,\'92 the nature of said \'91other valuable considerations\'92 I\'92ll leave to \softline
your imagination,\'94 she replied smiling lasciviously.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The telephone rang and Kathy picked it up.  It was Tony.  She glanced at the \softline
clock and found it had been less than thirty minutes since they first talked.  He must \softline
need more information.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Angel, you got it right.  No wonder you did the job you did for the DA!  Sylvia \softline
Black \'97 we\'92ll call her that because that\'92s the name you know her by \'97 is a small-time \softline
grifter.  She has a good little business going fleecing sailors.  Angel, I\'92m embarrassed.  
We provide certain... services to the fleet, but this was never intended to be one of them.  \softline
Apparently she works it by acting like she has... connections... I can absolutely assure \softline
you she does not have!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93She works with a sleaze named Holmes, but she\'92s the brains.  I haven\'92t got it \softline
all yet, but I have already found at least three other guys she\'92s cleaned out in less than \softline
two years.  They\'92re always sailors and it always works the same way.  Your man was out \softline
on a long cruise, wasn\'92t he?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy answered, \'93Yes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I thought so:  He had to be.  They always are.  The sucker... I\'92m sorry, Angel... \softline
the man thinks he\'92s going for an uncontested divorce.  There\'92s always another lawyer \softline
in it with them representing the guy.  The guy is served with papers, which \'97 if he \softline
bother to read them and they never do \'97 say uncontested, no-fault and all that other \softline
good stuff.  Then the papers are switched.  There is a new filing replacing the others.  \softline
The new filing alleges physical cruelty, adultery and anything else her creative mind can \softline
add.  And she }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 is}{\plain \fs24 \f2  creative, I\'92m told.  There\'92s sewer service on the new papers and off they \softline
go.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93They try to time the trial for just after the guy sails so everything is all wrapped \softline
up with a big red bow by the time he gets back.  Then he\'92s just told who to sign over \softline
what to.  The poor guy doesn\'92t even know what hit him.  And even if he smells a rat he \softline
doesn\'92t have a dime left to use for another lawyer.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93There\'92s more, Angel.  It\'92s embarrassing to me!  They use some of my people.  \softline
Girls to testify... that sort of thing.  Kathy, Sylvia may be a masochist.  One of our people \softline
whipped her so she could show the fresh marks on her back.  It was done close enough \softline
to the time of the split that the colors would be right and all that.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How much more do you need, Angel?  If you agree, the word is going out that \softline
she is not protected and the judge will be amenable to reopening the case.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s all I need.  I agree,\'94 she said cryptically.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93He\'92s sitting with you, isn\'92t he?  You don\'92t need to answer.  Thank you, Angel!  \softline
I appreciate it very much.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What do you mean?\'94 she asked, very puzzled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The opportunity to help you.  I was hoping, but frankly, I couldn\'92t really think \softline
of how I could.  Call me if you need any more.  By the way, Tom and Cindy \'97 he\'92s calling \softline
her Cindy, not Cynthia, now \'97 are back from their honeymoon.  My God, they just \softline
radiate happiness.  I still owe you... big!  And so does Sal.  We love you Angel.  Good bye.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After hanging up, she looked at the instrument.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Good heavens!}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 He \softline
got it all and in only thirty minutes.  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 She looked at Ken and said, \'93I won\'92t tell you, yet, \softline
who was on the end of that call, but I will tell you...  Please wait one more second!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She hit the redial button.  The same voice answered the same way.  \'93This is \softline
Angel.  I need to speak to Tony.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab An instant later he was back on the line.  \'93What did you forget?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I need the name she used in her previous marriage, the court in which the \softline
divorce was filed \'97 that sort of thing.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Wait one second,\'94 he said.  He was almost as good as his word.  \'93It was Collins.  \softline
She was Mrs. Edward Collins.  It was in Newport News on...  May 15 of }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 this year!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Angel, \softline
you did it!  I didn\'92t know before, but I\'92m starting to see the way your mind works.  I\'92ll \softline
bet you\'92ve got her on bigamy!  I am prepared to have my girls recant their testimony \softline
with Stark, testify about whipping Sylvia and all of that stuff.  I still will without a \softline
second\'92s thought if you need it, but with bigamy it all blows away, right?  Let me know.\'94  \softline
Tony hung up.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, when did you marry Sylvia?  It\'92s important.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The second Day of Infamy?  It was March...  Of course!  The ides of March: \softline
March 15!  Me and Julius C\'e6sar,\'94 He replied with a smile.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Bingo!\'94 Kathy shouted and rushed around the desk to launch herself into his \softline
lap.  She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him joyously \'97 and then passionately.  Slowly she pulled away and allowed her head to clear from the effects of his kiss, \softline
but stayed on his lap.  \'93Honey, you\'92re home free!  You get it all back.  Every dime!  She \softline
was a bigamist.  On March 15, she was still legally married to a guy named Edward \softline
Collins.  Your marriage never took place!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked at the lovely girl he was holding in his arms.  Somehow she was \softline
feather-light on his lap.  In less than one hour and two phone calls she had put his life \softline
back together.  After kissing her softly he asked, \'93How did you know?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken,\'94 she replied, feeling almost childlike in his arms, \'93Sylvia was running a \softline
racket.  My source \'97 who is unusually reliable \'97 found three marriages and is confident \softline
there were more \'97 possibly many more.  She always worked with Holmes although the \softline
other lawyer changed from time to time.\'94  She went on to explain what she had learned \softline
and its significance.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally she said, \'93Can I stop playing lawyer now?  Can I take you up on the drink \softline
offer?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was amused.  Instead of wearing her suit back to the apartment she went \softline
back into her washroom and reappeared moments later in her jeans and T-shirt.  He \softline
made drinks while she made dinner.  That night they went to bed early with Kathy \softline
jumping in first.  The covers were up around her neck when he emerged from the \softline
bathroom.  She flipped them back to welcome him, revealing her beautiful golden body.  \softline
\'93Now about those \'91other valuable considerations\'92...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They got very little sleep that night as they took turns waking each other for \softline
more lovemaking.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 20}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next morning Kathy was dressed in her lawyer suit as she drove Ken back \softline
to his ship.  Then she crossed the bridge to Newport News and went to the courthouse \softline
where she was immediately recognized as she entered.  After obtaining a copy of the \softline
Collins divorce papers she found a pay phone and called Tony Donetti.  Once again he \softline
picked up immediately after she identified herself.  \'93Tony, I\'92m clear to talk.  I\'92m at a pay \softline
phone in Newport News and I\'92m getting ready to see our sleazy friend, Mr. Holmes.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93One thing I\'92ll need is names of people who will testify that Sylvia was Sylvia \softline
Collins.  I also need her current address.  She\'92s the kind who changes identities as fast \softline
as a chameleon changes its color.  Also, if you have Holmes office address it would save \softline
me from walking my fingers through the telephone directory.  And Tony, I hope you \softline
don\'92t mind if I go for disbarment on Homes, and Homer Knight, too, if I can prove \softline
collusion.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Angel, why would I possibly mind?  Go get \'92em, tiger.  The names of the people \softline
are easy to get.  Do you need them now?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, Tony.  I was pretty sure but I wanted to check with you first.  I want to be \softline
sure there }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 are}{\plain \fs24 \f2  some witnesses in case Holmes tries to bluff it out.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Donetti gave Kathy Holmes\'92 address, Sylvia\'92s address and the assurance that she \softline
would not be able to hide.  Getting back into her car she drove to her old office in \softline
Norfolk.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she walked in, she found Peter there.  He closed his office door, looked at \softline
her steadily and then exclaimed, \'93Katherine Smith, you are in love!  And on you it looks \softline
great.  It happened over the weekend, didn\'92t it?\'94  Kathy blushed and nodded.  \'93Who\'92s \softline
the lucky guy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She told him about Ken and his divorce.  \'93Pete, this stuff is new to me.  I don\'92t \softline
really know what it takes.  What evidence do you need to move?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I\'92ll help you all I can.  What we need is an admission from him that he \softline
knew Sylvia had already married Stark while he was working on the Collins divorce.  \softline
Hon, even though its almost never prosecuted, bigamy is a felony.  If he admits to \softline
knowledge, he\'92s an accessory after the fact.  Of course, there could be other marriages \softline
worked this way.  Then you not only get disbarment, you get felony prosecution on \softline
conspiracy to commit fraud, bigamy...  It could be a very interesting indictment!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I have one question, though.  It\'92s Wednesday.  You only met the guy on the \softline
weekend, yet you seem to know everything there is to know about the scam already.  \softline
Wait!  Don\'92t answer!  I\'92ll hear about Kathy Smith, girl wonder-worker, and feel \softline
inadequate again.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He grinned at her and she gave him a warm smile in return.  After the emotion-filled day the previous Friday she was glad his sense of humor was still intact.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Kathy, I have an idea, if you\'92ll go for it.  Carry a wire when you meet him.  If \softline
he says what I\'92m confident you\'92ll get him to say, he\'92s dead meat.  Do you want to try?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Let\'92s do it!\'94 Kathy exclaimed with delight.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter called a police technician.  While waiting, Kathy said, \'93Pete, one thing \softline
occurred to me.  I have a carry permit for my gun in connection with my DA\'92s job which \softline
I no longer have.  Is the permit still good?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No.  As a matter of fact, it was revoked this morning.  May I have it, please?\'94  \softline
Pete\'92s voice was flat as he spoke.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was hurt but she said nothing.  She found the permit in her wallet and \softline
gave it to him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After glancing at it, he tore it up and dropped the pieces in his wastebasket.  \softline
Then he reached into his desk, took out two laminated cards without looking and flipped \softline
them across the desk to Kathy.  \'93These are yours,\'94 he said.  As usual, his face was totally \softline
expressionless.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy picked up the cards which both looked very official.  One was headed \softline
United States of America, while the other said Commonwealth of Virginia.  Both had ID \softline
pictures of her identical to the one formerly on her District Attorney\'92s identification.  \softline
\'93What are these?\'94 she asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m not really sure,\'94 Pete answered, appearing bored by the subject.  \'93The \softline
Federal one is some sort of junior G-Man, or junior federal marshal, or something stupid \softline
like that.  The other is something similar from the State.  I guess it gives the overpaid \softline
bureaucrats something to do with their time.  At any rate, it amounts to a Federal gun \softline
permit.  By the way, I asked where the junior G-Man badge and cap gun were that \softline
usually come with this junk.\'94  His face broke into a wide grin.  \'93Kathy, they didn\'92t seem \softline
to be amused!\'94  At that they both burst into laughter.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93By the way, I can\'92t think what the Virginia one does that the Federal one \softline
doesn\'92t do on a broader scale.  I finally came to the conclusion that the Governor looks \softline
on you as one of his people, and he won\'92t back off for the Feds.  Of course, I seem to \softline
recall a certain unpleasantness a hundred years or so ago when Virginia didn\'92t back \softline
down, either.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As Pete was talking, Kathy had been idly examining the card.  Then she looked \softline
at its Virginia counterpart.  \'93Pete, this is strange.  It says I am a special U.S. Marshall; \softline
Virginia says I am a special agent of the Virginia Bureau of Investigation.  It may be a \softline
weird way to get a pistol permit, but I think I may have accidentally picked up some \softline
arrest powers.  If I\'92m right, they\'92re concurrent.  Federal or state charges, I can pick them \softline
up.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Pete was suddenly interested.  \'93Kathy, could I see them again, please?\'94  He read \softline
them carefully and then spun in his chair to pick up a phone on the credenza behind \softline
him.  His back was to her and he was speaking in a low tone of voice which was unusual 
for him.  She could not hear what he was saying or to whom.  As he was talking, there \softline
was a knock on the door.  She got up and opened it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A conservatively dressed man was at the door.  \'93Miss Smith?  I\'92m sorry to \softline
interrupt, but I\'92m here to see you.  My name is Joe Peters.  I\'92m Special Agent in Charge \softline
of the FBI office here in Norfolk.  May I come in?\'94  He took a seat in the chair next to \softline
Kathy\'92s.  Meanwhile, Pete was continuing his phone conversation.  \'93Miss Smith, I don\'92t \softline
quite know how to begin.  Did Pete give you a card this morning?  One with your picture \softline
identifying you as a special U.S. Marshall?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy nodded.  Things were getting interesting.  Peters continued, \'93I\'92ve known \softline
Peter Mahoney for years, and I know his sense of humor.  However, I guess some folks \softline
inside the Beltway make careers out of taking themselves very seriously.  At any rate, \softline
Pete made some crack about a junior G-Man badge and they came all unglued.  Miss \softline
Smith, I have something for you that came down from Washington in a special pouch.  \softline
I was asked to deliver it to you personally.\'94  He reached into his briefcase and pulled out \softline
a small rectangular box.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy opened it.  It was a gold badge with the legend, United States of America, \softline
on top and Department of Justice below.  There was a shield which she assumed to be \softline
the seal of the Justice Department.  It also said Special Marshall.  Turning it over she \softline
saw engraved on the back Katherine J. Smith.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Agent Peters was smiling now.  Going back into his case he pulled out a thin \softline
black leather wallet, then tapped Peter on the shoulder.  Pete nodded and passed him \softline
a card.  Then the agent asked Kathy for the badge.  After taking it from her, he fumbled \softline
for a few moments, then passed the case back to her.  \'93Open it,\'94 he said.  She did.  The \softline
badge was pinned to one side of the wallet and the ID card to the other.  With a grin he \softline
said, \'93Us real G-Men carry ours that way, so I guess Junior G-Men should, too.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Miss Smith, will you please stand?\'94  Kathy did so.  Peter had completed his call \softline
and was watching the proceedings with amusement.  \'93Raise your right hand and repeat \softline
after me: I, Katherine J. Smith, do solemnly swear that I will uphold the Constitution \softline
of the United States and its laws as a Special Marshall of the United States Department \softline
of Justice, so help me God.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy did so, and was moved.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 This is no joke,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Miss Smith...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Please call me Kathy, Mr. Peters.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, then \'97 and please call me Joe \'97 there are some papers to fill out and \softline
that sort of garbage.  Please don\'92t forget your social-security number.  They need it for \softline
your paycheck.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Paycheck!  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 What}{\plain \fs24 \f2  paycheck?\'94 Kathy nearly screamed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Your Department of Justice paycheck, of course,\'94 Peters replied looking very \softline
amused.  \'93I\'92ve heard about you from Pete, of course.  You\'92re the girl that doesn\'92t do 
things for money, so you didn\'92t even ask what the job pays before you let me swear you \softline
in.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But I don\'92t want any money!\'94 Kathy wailed.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 This is getting out of hand! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 she \softline
thought.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Mahoney could no longer control his laughter.  He held up one finger and Peters \softline
grinned and nodded vigorously.  Pete finally controlled himself enough to say, \'93Kathy, \softline
it pays one dollar per year \'97 and you have to take it.  It\'92s a Federal offense to work for \softline
the U.S. Government for nothing!  As the two men were laughing, Peters was nodding \softline
his head to what Mahoney had just said.  Kathy joined in their laughter.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the laughter died down, Pete said, \'93While you two were laughing it up, I \softline
was talking to Richmond.  You were absolutely right, Kathy.  You have the }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 full}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Junior \softline
G-Man kit, complete with arrest powers.  Believe it or not, those two sets of idiots \'97 \softline
Washington and Richmond \'97 are still debating whether special legislation is needed for \softline
concurrent powers of arrest.  It\'92s a bureaucratic classic.  They don\'92t know if it\'92s needed \softline
at all, but if it is, is it Federal of state?  Or both?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, you may have generated enough work to keep full departments busy in \softline
both places for a year!  And I hope you\'92re satisfied.\'94  By the time Mahoney finished his \softline
speech, both Kathy and Peters were howling with laughter.  Tears were rolling down her \softline
cheeks.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then I told Richmond that the FBI\'92s SAIC was in my office preparing to swear \softline
you in as a special Federal marshal.  They made me write down the words so I could \softline
swear you in now, too.  Of course, the State\'92s more frugal with its money.  They\'92re not \softline
paying you.  You }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 can}{\plain \fs24 \f2  work of the State for free.  In fact, they prefer it, so you are.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Turning serious, he swore her in as a special agent of the Virginia Bureau of \softline
Investigation.  After she took the oath he added, \'93By the way, they asked me to apologize \softline
that your badge isn\'92t ready yet.  I gave them your address and it should arrive, registered \softline
mail, within a week.  It also comes with its own wallet.  I told them the Federal wallet \softline
was black and to get a different color so you can pull the right one.  The jerk thanked me \softline
for the information, would you believe?  It would be a helluva note if you try to make a \softline
Federal collar and pull a State badge!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Mahoney\'92s intercom buzzed.  His secretary told him that Police Sergeant \softline
Kowalski was in the office to see him by appointment.  Kowalski was shown in and \softline
introduced.  As Peters was preparing to leave, Mahoney had an idea.  \'93Joe, do you have \softline
another minute?  It just occurred to me that what Kathy and I were talking about could \softline
concern you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Pete, would you excuse me a moment?\'94 Kathy asked.  \'93Could I use my old office \softline
to make a phone call?  It\'92s important.  You can brief Joe while I\'92m gone.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went back to her old office, closed the door, and was relieved to find that \softline
nothing had been changed.  She had a direct line there that did not go through the office 
switchboard and had no extensions which she used to call Tony Donetti again.  Moments \softline
later he was on the phone.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Tony, I\'92m on a secure line.  By any chance, do you have any other names, dates \softline
and places on Sylvia\'92s marriage scam?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Donetti chuckled, \'93I sure do, and I was wondering what to do with them.  I don\'92t \softline
feel right calling you.  Anyhow, it\'92s like that Walt Disney thing when the buckets start \softline
bringing water and Mickey Mouse can\'92t turn them off?  Well, the guys heard it was for \softline
Angel so they won\'92t quit.  Do you have paper?  Good.  I\'92ll read them off to you.\'94  He did.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Before she hung up, Tony had given her twelve names over a four-year period.  \softline
She was only missing a few dates.  Tony gave her an organized list with name, date of \softline
marriage, date and place of divorce \'97 but not all the blanks were filled.  But it was \softline
enough \'97 more than enough.  She had to study the dates more carefully, but she was \softline
reasonably sure that at one point Sylvia was married to three men at the same time.  She \softline
thanked Donetti and then changed the subject.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Tony, something just happened that you should know about.\'94  She filled him \softline
in on the badges she was now carrying and ended by saying, \'93It nets out that I have full \softline
arrest powers, but no one can tell me to do anything.  I just wanted you to hear it direct \softline
from me.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Donetti laughed and said, \'93I think it\'92s great, Angel.  You now have the ultimate \softline
carry permit.  You know, I think they did a very smart thing.  You can use that weapon \softline
of yours better than anyone else carrying a badge!  They gave it to the right girl.  No one \softline
else knows this, right?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re right, Tony.  One more thing.  There may be a Federal charge against \softline
Sylvia.  Were all the names you just gave me Navy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sure were \'97 and they were all officers.  Need anything else?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, Tony.  And thanks...  Just thanks!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Good bye, Angel.  One more thing.  The boys and I are getting a real kick out \softline
of being on the right side of the law for a change.  Just thought you might like to know.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she hung up, she called Holmes\'92 office and made an appointment to see \softline
him there at two o\'92clock.  Then she returned to Mahoney\'92s office where the men were \softline
waiting for her.  \'93Kathy, Joe thinks there is a Federal angle, but he had better tell you \softline
himself.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peters said, \'93This is all from memory, and I\'92ll check it back at the office to be \softline
sure, but it works like this:  Back in the Second World War several servicemen\'92s \softline
protection laws were passed.  You can\'92t garnishee a serviceman\'92s pay, for example.  Were \softline
these guys out of the country?  Pete said he thought they were, but wasn\'92t sure.  If they \softline
were, I think that\'92s the hook.  You can\'92t act against a serviceman if he can\'92t be present \softline
to defend himself.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Kathy brought out Donetti\'92s list.  \'93I have a surprise for you.  While you \softline
important law-enforcement types were in here shooting the shit...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Eyebrows were raised at Kathy\'92s use of the phrase.  Pete commented, \'93How \softline
unladylike!  Joe, you can see how she\'92s gone to the dogs in less than a week away from \softline
the office!  Shame!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Shooting the shit!\'94 Kathy repeated, with emphasis, \'93the loyal girl detective was \softline
working her fingers to the bone for her munificent Federal wage.  I have a list of twelve \softline
names with most of the dates and all of the places.  This is four years\'92 worth.  They are \softline
all naval officers.  None was present at the trial that cleaned him out.  All were deployed \softline
overseas, mostly to the Med.  Did I do good?  Huh?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The men laughed with her, but quickly turned serious when they looked over her \softline
sheet.  She had made copies for each of them before she came in.  Joe Peters was the first \softline
to speak.  \'93Kathy, let me check something.  When did you first start this investigation?\'94  \softline
She replied that it was the night before, about five o\'92clock.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peters whistled appreciatively.  \'93I knew it was quick, but...  My God, that\'92s only \softline
about fifteen hours, and almost all of it was nighttime.  I don\'92t suppose you want to tell \softline
me the source?\'94  Kathy shook her head, no.  \'93I didn\'92t think so.  Pete, this girl is tapped \softline
into the finest intelligence network around.  You know that the FBI cracks a lot of cases \softline
by digging around in dusty ledgers, old bank records, court files... that sort of thing.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Believe me, I\'92ve been there and I know how tedious and time-consuming it is.  \softline
If I had put my entire office on this project, I don\'92t think they could have produced this \softline
in less than eight weeks.  And after eight weeks, I doubt if our list would be nearly this \softline
complete.  This was put together in less than twenty-four hours!  What I wouldn\'92t give \softline
for your sources...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He continued with a grin, \'93Kathy, you earned your Junior G-Man badge... and \softline
at least half of your year\'92s pay.  Well... maybe one-third.  But it\'92s definitely a good start!\'94 \softline
he said brightly.  Everyone laughed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Joe,\'94 Pete said, \'93Am I correct in assuming that it should be a very simple \softline
matter to complete the sheet?  Obtain the missing dates?  All the divorce dates are here \softline
along with the courts.  How long would it take to get the corresponding wedding dates?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hell, Pete, one of my girls ought to be able to fill in the blanks this afternoon.  \softline
Let\'92s do it!  If you don\'92t need me any longer, I\'92m going to put this show on the road.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at Pete and then at Sergeant Kowalski.  \'93I have an appointment \softline
with Holmes in his office at two.  What do I do?  I assume Mr. Mahoney told you I\'92m \softline
going to be wired.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kowalski quickly reviewed the various forms of recording devices.  The smallest \softline
one available was cylindrical in shape and a bit smaller in diameter and a little shorter \softline
than a long cigar.  They talked about Holmes.  Although no one knew him, they assumed \softline
he would be wary and sensitive to the possibility of recording.  As they talked, an idea \softline
occurred to Kathy.  \'93Sergeant, how small is the smallest microphone you have?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93It\'92s tiny,\'94 he replied.  \'93Look.\'94  He took out a tiny mike about the diameter of \softline
a shirt button but much thinner.  She asked if it could be taped in place.  He answered \softline
that with special sound-conductive tape he had, yes.  Finally, she asked about wire and \softline
was told that he had some that wasn\'92t much thicker than sewing thread.  Kathy was \softline
excited.  Her idea might work.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Guys, listen and tell me how this sounds.  Let\'92s assume that he\'92s as sensitive \softline
as we think he is.  I go in wearing a skin-tight dress.  He\'92ll ask, and I\'92ll leave my purse \softline
with his secretary so when we go into his office, there\'92s just me.  He spills and I record.  \softline
What do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ma\'92am, it would work fine, but where do we put the gear?  Solve that, and I \softline
think we\'92re there.  But how do we solve it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy checked her watch and found there was just enough time to get to her \softline
apartment and then back to the office.  \'93Sergeant, get that cylindrical thing, the thin \softline
wire and a button mike.  I\'92ll meet you back here at one.  The target\'92s office is only a two-minute walk from here.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After racing back to her apartment, Kathy ran to the closet.  After stripping, she \softline
put on a plain white dress with a \'93V\'94 neck.  The fabric outlined her body contours \softline
clearly.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Perfect! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 she thought.  It even showed the outline of her bikini briefs.  Then she \softline
picked up one other item from the apartment and finally in the interest of modesty \softline
grabbed a lightweight tan raincoat on her way out.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Promptly at one o\'92clock she met Sergeant Kowalski.  When they went into her \softline
old office, she immediately closed the blinds.  \'93Sergeant,\'94 Kathy said with a grin, \'93Since \softline
you are about to know me intimately, we ought to be on a first-names basis.  You know \softline
mine, but what\'92s yours?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s George, ma\'92am...  I mean, Kathy.\'94  He grinned.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, here goes!\'94 she said as she lifted the tight-fitting dress over her head.  \softline
Now she was standing nude in front of him except for her shoes and bikini.  Kowalski\'92s \softline
eyes bulged and he let out a low, appreciative whistle.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then he blushed red as a lobster.  \'93I\'92m terribly sorry, Kathy, but I have never \softline
in my life seen a body like yours!\'94  Regaining control, he asked, \'93What do we do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I want you to tape the mike to the inside of my breast.  But first, let me see the \softline
transmitter.\'94  Reaching into her pocketbook, she took out a corona cigar enclosed in an \softline
aluminum cylinder.  \'93Will it fit in this?  And is it heat sensitive?  To body heat?  By the \softline
way, George, you\'92re welcome to the cigar if you smoke them.  It\'92s a very good one.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kowalski examined the cylinder and took the transmitter from his pocket.  It fit \softline
easily.  After wrapping it in padding, he put it into the empty cigar tube.  The tiny device \softline
combined a short-range transmitter and a battery with a three-hour transmitting life.  \softline
The antenna was the third wire in the strand of threadlike wire connecting the \softline
transmitter with the microphone.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93But where are you going to put it?  It\'92s small, but not invisible.\'94  She told him \softline
and his jaw dropped.  \'93Kathy, you can\'92t be serious...  I mean... I mean the wires...  My \softline
God, Kathy, I couldn\'92t...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I can, George, but thank you for caring.  Now, can it take body heat and \softline
moisture?\'94  He nodded yes.  \'93Okay, here\'92s what we do.  Connect the wires and seal the \softline
cylinder.  I\'92ll put it in and then you tape the wires and the mike.  Okay?\'94  He nodded and \softline
reluctantly did what she asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took off her bikini when George left the room.  Sitting on the edge of the \softline
desk with her thighs spread wide she gently inserted the cylinder into her vagina.  With \softline
her finger she pushed it up as far as she could, being careful not to jar the wire.  \softline
Carefully, she slid into her briefs and knocked on the door, the signal to George that he \softline
could come back in.  After locking the door again he got out his tape.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I think the less we use the better.  He looked over her body critically.  \softline
\'93Kathy, I think we ought to...  I need to see the dress for a second,\'94 he said, excited.  She \softline
handed it to him and he flipped it inside-out.  \'93Shit!  I should have known.  It\'92s knitted, \softline
not sewn.  I was hoping I could follow a seam, but there aren\'92t any.  Well, back to the \softline
drawing boards.  How about if I follow the curve of your abdomen and belly up to the \softline
inside of your right breast?  The mike is omnidirectional, so it really doesn\'92t matter a \softline
whole lot, but try to have your left shoulder a bit towards Holmes.  If you do that, he\'92ll \softline
be talking directly into the mike.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Carefully, he executed the plan.  He had been utterly amazed at Kathy\'92s cool \softline
unconcern about her nudity.  She allowed him to work on her body as if she were a \softline
department-store dummy.  But, as he carefully placed the mike on the inside of her right \softline
breast, he could see her nipple start to harden.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, he helped her on with her dress.  It was only one-thirty; the whole \softline
process including the discussion had taken only thirty minutes.  For the final test they \softline
went to Peter\'92s office.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My God,\'94 he said, \'93Kathy, you look like a dream.  But you\'92re late!  You\'92ve got \softline
to be wired.\'94  He turned to George.  \'93Come on, Kowalski!  Let\'92s get this show on the \softline
road!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy ignored him and made a model\'92s turn.  \'93See anything?  I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 am}{\plain \fs24 \f2  wired!  \softline
Listen!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With that Kathy closed the office door as she went out to chat with Mahoney\'92s \softline
secretary.  As she was leaving, George plugged in and activated the combination receiver-recorder.  Kathy approached Peter\'92s secretary, apologized for interrupting her, but said \softline
she needed a woman\'92s opinion.  She said she loved Peter Mahoney dearly but he had his \softline
taste in his feet.  She told the girl that she had been invited to a big dance at the Officer\'92s \softline
Club on Saturday night with a }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 very}{\plain \fs24 \f2  special guy.  Would the dress she was wearing be \softline
appropriate?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Peter\'92s secretary was a young Black girl named Grace Washington.  Grace was \softline
only one year out of high school and she worshiped Kathy.  Grace looked at Kathy \softline
carefully, then said, \'93Miss Smith, he\'92s the one, isn\'92t he?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy knew what Grace meant but feigned ignorance.  \'93The one what, Grace?  \softline
I don\'92t understand.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Grace fairly beamed.  \'93Yes you do, Miss Smith.  You are the most beautiful girl \softline
I\'92ve ever seen.  But now... now you beam like the sun, you\'92re so radiant!  Ma\'92am you \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 must}{\plain \fs24 \f2  have met the man you\'92ve been waiting for all this time.  Miss Smith, before I \softline
answer your question about the dress, you have to answer one of mine.  Are you \softline
planning on sleeping with him Saturday night?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy nodded shyly but said, \'93Grace, why do you ask a question like that?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Because wearing that dress with no intention of sleeping with the gentleman...  \softline
Why, Miss Smith, that\'92s as good a definition of \'91cruel and unusual punishment\'92 as I can \softline
imagine.  It surely is cruel, and it has to be unusual.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy asked the girl about her schooling.  She knew Grace was enrolled in night \softline
school.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I got straight \'91A\'92s\'92 last term, Miss Smith!\'94 the girl said proudly.  \'93I\'92m going to \softline
take more courses next term.  I want to go to law school some day.\'94  The girls continued \softline
to talk about Grace\'92s plans.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Meanwhile in his office Peter was listening in amazement.  \'93She\'92s wired!\'94 he \softline
exclaimed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s what I said, sir.  She\'92s wired,\'94 Kowalski said.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But where, in the name of God, is it?\'94 Peter nearly shouted.  \'93She can\'92t be \softline
wired in that dress!  You can see }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 everything}{\plain \fs24 \f2  and there\'92s no bug.  It\'92s a trick!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kowalski shook his head and told him where it was.  \'93It\'92s Kathy, sir.  I never \softline
would have thought of it, and if I had thought of it I wouldn\'92t have dared even mention \softline
it to her!  She is }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 some}{\plain \fs24 \f2  woman!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Meantime, Peter was listening to the girls talk about school.  When he heard \softline
Grace Washington mention her grades, he exclaimed, \'93Oh, shit!  I\'92m going to lose a \softline
secretary in January... and a damned good one, too!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kowalski looked at Mahoney as if he had lost his mind.  \'93What do you mean?  \softline
Why would she quit?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter looked at him sadly and replied, \'93Because, Kowalski, Kathy\'92s going to pay \softline
for her full-time college education.  That\'92s why.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But... But that\'92s ridiculous!  College is expensive these days, and...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter interrupted.  \'93I happen to know there are two kids just out of the Navy \softline
driving across country right now.  They\'92re headed for California, and school.  The girl \softline
\'97 who\'92s cute as a button, I hear \'97 is going to USC, and then on to USC Law.  Her 
husband is going to Cal Tech for the eight years or so that it will take him to get his \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 doctorate,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  for chrissakes.  It\'92s all paid.  Kathy paid it!  Kowalski, we\'92re talking big money \softline
now.  Kathy\'92s loaded.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab One day Kathy gave me a check for something \'97 maybe ten dollars or so \'97 \softline
drawn on United Virginia Bank.  As a joke, I called the bank and said I had a check from \softline
Katherine Smith, and was it good?  The answer was, \'91It\'92s good.\'92  I said that I hadn\'92t told \softline
him the amount.  He repeated, \'91It\'92s good.\'92\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kowalski, how much money do you have to have for UVB to say, \'91It\'92s good,\'92 \softline
without asking the amount?  I guess $10 million or more.  She\'92s going to pay for Grace \softline
Washington\'92s education, as sure as you\'92re sitting there!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But...  But Grace Washington is black!\'94 George blurted out.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kowalski, to Kathy she is a }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 person}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  Kathy doesn\'92t care if the girl is green, \softline
orange, or yellow with purple polka-dots!  She sees a girl who is working hard \'97 \softline
struggling \'97 to get ahead.  Kathy helps those people.  Why do you suppose every person \softline
who knows Kathy Smith }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 loves}{\plain \fs24 \f2  her?  Look at you, for chrissakes!  What word did you use?  \softline
I forgot.  But I think you meant courageous... guts...  She\'92s Kathy, and that says it all!  \softline
She\'92s coming back.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy entered the room and asked, \'93How did it go?  Could you hear?\'94  Turning \softline
to Kowalski she asked, \'93George, don\'92t these things have some way so the wearer knows \softline
she\'92s being heard?\'94  George nodded.  \'93Great!  Try it, so I\'92ll know.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, on this unit it transmits a small shock.  I don\'92t want...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93George!  Do it!  Now!\'94 Kathy commanded.  He did.  Peter watched and Kathy \softline
didn\'92t move or jump, but just smiled.  \'93Great!  It works!  Be sure you hit it when I get \softline
into Ed Holmes\'92 office.  I don\'92t want my upcoming Academy Award performance to be \softline
lost to posterity.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Edward Holmes came out to his reception area to great her.  He was obviously \softline
impressed \'97 and wary.  He saw her purse and then he looked over the girl.  The white \softline
dress she was wearing fit like a second skin.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Holmes thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I can even see the \softline
line of her underpants!  And from the look of those nipples, she can\'92t be wearing a bra!  \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 He wasn\'92t at all sure about her purse, though.  \'93Miss Smith, welcome!  I\'92ve seen you on \softline
television so often, I feel I know you.  What can I do for you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I am representing Commander Kenneth Stark, Mr. Holmes.  I have come to get \softline
his money back.  Since you are representing the former Mrs. Stark, I thought I would \softline
start with you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m delighted to talk with you.  But would you mind leaving your purse with my \softline
secretary?  I\'92m sensitive to certain things.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Not at all,\'94 replied Kathy.  \'93There\'92s nothing in it I need.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab She gave her purse to the secretary, entered the office and seated herself in a \softline
chair.  Its location positioned the mike perfectly.  She waited for Holmes to be seated and \softline
then began.  There were a few moment of pleasantries during which she again felt the \softline
curious shock in her vagina.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 In fact,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 it\'92s really quite a pleasant sensation.  \softline
Now, since we have the broadcast audience, let\'92s get with it!}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mr. Holmes, let\'92s get to the point of this meeting.  I said in your reception area \softline
that I want Commander Stark\'92s money back.  I do.  I should have added, I suppose, that \softline
I want you, Sylvia Stark, and that clown who represented Commander Stark, Homer \softline
Knight, in jail.\'94  Holmes was shocked at her statement and showed it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I have evidence that Sylvia \'97 I\'92ll call her Sylvia, because only God knows what \softline
her real name is \'97 that Sylvia\'92s divorce from Edward Collins was not final until May 15 \softline
of this year.  Unfortunately, she had attempted to marry my client on March 15, sixty \softline
days earlier.  As we both know, counselor, bigamous marriages don\'92t count.  One cannot \softline
obtain a divorce if one is not married.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93In my purse on your secretary\'92s desk is a list of twelve marriages Sylvia entered \softline
into and twelve divorces she has gone through }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 in the last four years!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 You can ask her to \softline
bring in the list if you\'92re interested in the details.  The interesting thing is, Mr. Holmes, \softline
you represented her in every action.  The defendant\'92s attorney changed from time to \softline
time, but you and Sylvia were constants in all the equations.  You represented her in \softline
every one!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mr. Holmes, I am sure that you know that bigamy is a felony in this state.  It \softline
is not often prosecuted, but it remains an active statute.  Knowledge before the fact \softline
makes you at least an accessory, and more probably a co-conspirator.  Then, of course, \softline
there are the Federal charges.  They\'92re still being researched, but I think they\'92ll prove \softline
very interesting.  Some fascinating protective legislation was enacted during World War \softline
II.  It applies particularly to servicemen on duty outside the continental United States.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Every one of Sylvia\'92s victims was outside the country when your charade played \softline
out.  The FBI\'92s SAIC in Norfolk is looking into the law now using the services of the U.S. \softline
Attorney\'92s office.  Then, of course, there are witnesses.  My favorite is the girl who \softline
whipped Sylvia at an appropriate time so she could have the marks to show in court.  \softline
That person is convinced that Sylvia is sick and is anxious to testify.  Then there is...  \softline
But need I go on?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Holmes had been sitting behind his desk listening to Kathy\'92s recital.  He felt a \softline
horrible sinking sensation as he felt his world disintegrate beneath him.  It was only \softline
through an extraordinary effort of will that he remained impassive.  He was sweating \softline
profusely, though, and could feel perspiration forming on his forehead and his scalp, and \softline
feel it running down his back between his shoulder blades.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy mentioned the whipping, it was too much.  Holmes cracked.  He \softline
jumped to his feet and screamed, \'93You can\'92t prove that!  They would never testify!  \softline
Sylvia promised me.  She\'92s connected.  That\'92s how we were able to get all of the 
witnesses in the first place.  Of course I knew about it.  I\'92m her partner!  The whole idea \softline
was mine.  Sylvia has the connections to get the people we need.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He started to calm down a bit as he continued, \'93I think you\'92re right about one \softline
thing, though: I think Sylvia is a masochist.  I was with her when...  By God, it was for \softline
your Commander Stark\'92s divorce!  She had this girl with a whip \'97 a big long bull whip, \softline
for God\'92s sake.  Sylvia braced herself against a wall with her arms outstretched, stripped \softline
to her panties.  She had this girl whip her.  After each stroke, she would just shudder a \softline
little \'97 it was almost a sexual thing \'97 examine herself in the mirror and then tell the \softline
girl where the next whip stroke should be applied.  You know, I think it carried the trial.  \softline
It was so effective when Sylvia bared her back and showed the whip marks.  A finding \softline
of fault was in the bag.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was growing concerned.  Strangely, Holmes\'92 confidence seemed to grow \softline
as he told how the scheme had worked.  There was probably enough to convict them on \softline
the tape already, but she wanted to be sure.  Then she had an idea.  \'93Counselor, when \softline
did you contrive this scheme?  As I said earlier, we have twelve cases over the last four \softline
years, but we really haven\'92t looked very hard.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Holmes puffed up in importance.  \'93I started it eight years ago.  Of course, you \softline
missed some.  The total is thirty-two.  We do four every year, so there are another four \softline
within the period you missed.  They weren\'92t all in the Tidewater area, of course, so that \softline
might explain it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Would you believe it, Miss Smith?  I found Sylvia in a whorehouse.  She showed \softline
promise and certainly developed.  Every one of the marriages over the last five years has \softline
been to an officer.  Many were Annapolis graduates.  We fooled them all!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What about Homer Knight?  How does he fit in?\'94 she asked.  It was all Kathy \softline
could do to control herself when she learned Ken\'92s former wife had also been a \softline
prostitute.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I like Homer.  I think we\'92ll probably use him again because he\'92s very good at \softline
gaining the victim\'92s confidence.  On the other hand, he\'92s greedy.  He wasn\'92t satisfied \softline
with what Stark paid him and wanted some of mine, too.  So I really don\'92t know.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Rising from his chair he came around the desk and said, \'93Miss Smith, it\'92s been \softline
a real pleasure.  It\'92s been a particular pleasure to watch your nipples move under your \softline
dress.  You are, indeed, a beautiful creature.  TV tape and newspaper photographs do not \softline
do you full justice.  Good bye, Miss Smith.  It\'92s too bad you can\'92t prove any of this.  Now \softline
let me escort you to the door.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They went back to the reception area and Kathy retrieved her handbag.  Under \softline
the guise of ensuring that all of her belongings were intact, she pulled out her new ID \softline
wallet.  \'93Mr. Holmes, you are under arrest for Federal conspiracy.\'94  She showed him her \softline
shiny new gold badge and said, \'93I am a special United States Marshall.  Everything you \softline
said in your office has been recorded for your future listening pleasure.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93It can\'92t be!  There\'92s no way you could be wired!  Where is it?  I demand to see \softline
the recording device.  You\'92re lying to me and trying to trick me.  I refuse to go, and you \softline
cannot make me!\'94  As he spoke, Holmes quickly opened a drawer in the desk.  Kathy \softline
could see the butt of a pistol that Holmes was reaching for.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Holding her purse in her left hand, Kathy\'92s right moved with the speed of a \softline
striking cobra, producing the LadySmith in her hand aimed directly at Holmes\'92 \softline
overweight midsection.  \'93I believe I can, Mr. Holmes.  And I don\'92t think you want to \softline
touch that weapon.  It could be quite hazardous to your health.  And surely you don\'92t \softline
want to add resisting arrest to your list of troubles?\'94  Her pistol disappeared back into \softline
its holster as quickly as it had appeared in her hand.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She escorted Holmes back to Mahoney\'92s office and turned him over to waiting \softline
uniformed officers and an FBI special agent Joe had sent over.  Mahoney had called him \softline
and told him that the tape of Holmes\'92 confession was of broadcast quality.  Returning \softline
to her office, she stripped off her dress and briefs, quickly detached the equipment and \softline
carefully extracted the transmitter from the cigar tube, throwing the tube away.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She dressed again and returned Kowalski\'92s equipment.  \'93Thank you, George.  \softline
I think it went well, but I\'92m no expert.  What did you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It was perfect, Kathy!  Technically, it couldn\'92t be better.  The tape is broadcast \softline
quality, it\'92s so good.  You and the DA know far more about its value as evidence, but it \softline
sounded to me like he hung himself at least a couple of times.  I would like to use this \softline
device with some of our policewomen, but they would kill me if I even mentioned it.  If \softline
the need ever arises, would you come down and explain it to them?  By the way, that was \softline
a great cigar.  I smoked it while you were in there with Holmes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy checked the time and found it was almost four o\'92clock.  She would be late \softline
to meet Ken at his ship.  Waving to Peter, she dashed out to her car, still carrying her \softline
raincoat in her hand.  Heads turned in unison to watch her progress as she ran to her \softline
car.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She arrived at the ship only one minute late and found Ken waiting for her as \softline
she drove up.  As he climbed into the car, he looked at her dress and whistled.  \'93Wow!  \softline
What\'92s the occasion?  You look absolutely gorgeous in that dress!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Beaming at him she said, \'93Thank you, kind sir.  You just answered my question.  \softline
I was thinking about what to wear to the club dance on Saturday, so I thought I would \softline
put it on and let you decide.  You did.  I\'92m wearing it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Anything else happen today?\'94 he asked.  She told him she got a Junior G-Man \softline
kit of her very own.  Ken just looked at her strangely, not knowing what to make of her \softline
comment.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 21}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was New Year\'92s Day and Ken was admiring the beautiful girl asleep beside \softline
him in the bed as he reflected on their months together.  His happiness and good fortune \softline
was due entirely to Kathy.  He could not believe that only a few months had passed since \softline
they had first met.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Bless the United States Navy,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought.  Famous for screwing up family lives, \softline
in his case the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans\'92}{\plain \fs24 \f2  operating schedule fit his personal needs perfectly.  He had met \softline
her only a few days after returning from the Med.  Ever since the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  returned, she \softline
had spent the time at pier-side, in dry dock and back at pier-side again, as the \softline
technicians \'97 ship\'92s company, base, and civilian contractors \'97 found first one and then \softline
another major item that required attention before she could rejoin the fleet.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab His crew had adopted Kathy.  He grinned thinking about fights ashore that \softline
started because his men were thought to be too possessive of her.  They had ben told that \softline
just because Kathy was their captain\'92s lady it didn\'92t mean the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  owned her.  She \softline
was the Norfolk Navy\'92s girl.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab If they didn\'92t know about Kathy, his crew could not have understood his \softline
behavior.  Ken was honest enough with himself to admit that he had a reputation as one \softline
of the hardest-charging skippers in the destroyer fleet.  Pre-Kathy, he would have been \softline
going berserk at the endless delays and pyramiding mechanical casualties \'97 main \softline
propulsion, weapons, and most of all, electronics \'97 that kept his ship tied to the shore.  \softline
Captains make their reputations in peacetime by running more exercises and achieving \softline
higher scores in less elapsed time than their predecessors.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Now living with Kathy, he showed an uncharacteristic patience.  Objectively, the \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  was better off this way.  She was a }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 war}{\plain \fs24 \f2 ship, with no war to fight.  She was \softline
reaching the highest state of readiness she enjoyed since she was first placed in \softline
commission.  Better, in fact, since major weapons systems had been replaced with newer, \softline
even more effective ones.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Now the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  was preparing for sea.  Next week she would be going out for a \softline
two-week shakedown preparatory to another extended Mediterranean deployment.  As \softline
commanding officer, Ken did not stand watches so he had spent every night in Kathy\'92s \softline
arms.  As a result he was facing the first time they would have slept apart since that \softline
fateful Friday night.  When his life was a shattered ruin, this girl appeared and put it \softline
back together in less than a week.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Idly, he ran his fingers lightly over an exposed breast.  Almost instantly its \softline
nipple stood to attention, and a smile started to form on the lips of the still-sleeping girl.  \softline
He quickly took his hand away and watched her relax again.  She nuzzled closer to him \softline
with a soft sound like a purr and was again deep in sleep.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He carefully covered her exposed breast and grinned to himself as he remembered the day that Kathy had picked him up wearing her white dress.  When they \softline
returned to the apartment he had asked her about the curious reference to \'93Junior G-Man.\'94  With a grin she had showed him her Federal badge and Virginia State ID.  \softline
Another expression of the extraordinary regard in which she was held by respected \softline
agencies that knew her.  It was weeks later that he found out about the hiding place she \softline
had used for the transmitter.  He vividly recalled her concluding explanation, \'93You did \softline
it,\'94 she had told him brightly.  \'93I was so stretched from having you constantly inside me \softline
I didn\'92t feel a thing.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab His thoughts returned to the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  and the ship\'92s picnic they had had in late \softline
October.  There had been the usual contests and Kathy insisted on being on the enlisted \softline
men\'92s side competing against the officers and senior NCOs.  The white hats had been \softline
delighted to have her as their mascot but they got a whole lot more.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He remembered with chagrin how she had won the softball game for them with \softline
her hitting and fielding.  He had been pitching for the officers when Kathy came to the \softline
plate with men on second and third.  The usual practice when a woman was batting was \softline
to float the ball up and let her try to hit it.  He knew Kathy better than that, so he \softline
started firing his pitches despite loud complaints from the white-hats.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With the count one ball and one strike, he released his best pitch of the day.  It \softline
was on the letters at the inside corner for a second strike.  Suddenly, Kathy uncoiled and \softline
lined the ball into left center.  The outfielders normally played very shallow when women \softline
batted \'97 more of a deep infield \'97 but he had them playing very deep.  They understood \softline
why as the ball was still rising when it passed between them.  He remembered how she \softline
had sped around the bases so fast she had to slow almost to a walk to avoid passing a \softline
slow runner who had been on second base.  She had hit the ball so deep and had run so \softline
fast, she could have easily circled the bases twice before the ball came back to the infield.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He could have still won the game for the officers, and he thought he had.  In the \softline
last inning he was batting with two outs, two men on, and trailing by one run.  He nailed \softline
a pitch flush, right on the sweet spot of the bat.  The ball was a line drive rising out to \softline
deep center field where Kathy was playing.  He had seen her put her back to the plate \softline
at the crack of the bat and start to fly.  It was probably the longest ball he had ever hit \softline
in his life but she still outran it.  At the last instant, she launched her body out straight \softline
and, with her glove hand outstretched, caught the ball, and then did a somersault as she \softline
hit the ground.  For an instant he though she was hurt, but then she bounced to her feet, \softline
waving the ball in her glove.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There was silence for an instant, followed by pandemonium as the enlisted men \softline
went wild.  The officers and chiefs looked on in awe.  Kathy was mobbed on the field by \softline
her teammates and carried off on their shoulders.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 She really knows how to hurt a guy! \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \f2 he reflected ruefully.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they finally released her, she ran over to him.  There was dirt all over her \softline
legs, on her clothes and in her hair.  There was a huge sweaty dirt smudge on her cheek, \softline
and she looked beautiful.  She smiled sweetly, said, \'93Thank you, dear,\'94 and told him that \softline
the ball she had hit wouldn\'92t have gone nearly so far if it hadn\'92t been his best fast ball.  \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 No wonder the crew love her,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he thought.\par
}\sect \sectd \ds1\sbknone\pgndec\headery1440\footery1440\endnhere\endnhere 
{\header {
\posxr\nowrap \plain \fs24 \f2 {\field{\*\fldinst { PAGE  }}}\par}
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{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1}

\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Then he remembered a dinner they had in Norfolk at the Omni when he first \softline
met Tom and Cindy Donetti.  His first reaction was that they were a handsome couple \softline
and, from the way they were greeted by name, were well-known in the hotel.  He recalled \softline
how very much in love they seemed.  He had a revelation that night when he saw the \softline
way Cindy looked at Tom with an expression of adoration and realized that it was nearly \softline
identical to the way Kathy always looked at him!  They were delightful young people and \softline
they adored Kathy.  Nonetheless, he couldn\'92t figure out how their paths had crossed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy excused herself from the table, he took the opportunity to ask.  Tom \softline
quickly recounted the rape charge and how Kathy had had it dismissed.  Ken had \softline
commented that he thought he had heard all the Kathy Smith stories, but this was a new \softline
one.  Tom had smiled and explained how Kathy had buried the story.  Cindy chimed in \softline
and hinted at the way in which Kathy had helped her and the subsequent weekend here \softline
at the hotel.  Blushing, she explained that she and Tom still came back for weekends.  \softline
As she said it, she took Tom\'92s hand in hers and squeezed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken understood partially.  He still didn\'92t see what was such a big deal.  Of course \softline
Kathy had dismissed the charges; there had been no crime.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tom had looked down at the table and then into his eyes.  \'93Ken, you\'92ve heard \softline
of the Mafia?  My father runs Tidewater, and Cindy\'92s father runs Philadelphia.  We\'92re \softline
used to people being nice to us because of what they think we can do for them... or are \softline
afraid of what we might do }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 to}{\plain \fs24 \f2  them.  They\'92re not friends in any real sense of the word.  \softline
A Mafia kid was caught cold on felony rape.  Make no mistake, Ken, there was even video \softline
tape that would have done it.  She did what was right, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 in spite of}{\plain \fs24 \f2  who we are, not because \softline
of it.  Then she honored us by being Cindy\'92s maid of honor because she loves us.  God \softline
knows, we love her!\'94  Ken recalled his eyes were moist when Kathy returned to the \softline
table.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then there were the Fergusons.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Jane Ferguson is Kathy\'92s closest friend and \softline
confidante}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  He recalled the night Kathy had them over for dinner and he first met them.  \softline
When he greeted Jane, he saw a vibrant, bubbling, beautiful young woman madly in love \softline
with her husband, Bob.  He recalled thinking how her tan, her dancer\'92s grace, and her \softline
lack of self-consciousness reminded him so much of Kathy.  Bob, he knew, was Kathy\'92s \softline
attorney.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they excused themselves to go over some papers, he had a chance to talk \softline
to Jane alone.  He recalled her studying him carefully.  Finally she nodded, smiled, and \softline
said he might do.  He recalled being taken aback by her comment.  \'93Ken,\'94 she had asked, \softline
\'93How old do you think I am?\'94  He had guessed twenty-five to thirty, and she had \softline
grinned, thanked him for the compliment, and said that she was older than he was.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She told him that she had been the widow of a Navy pilot and had been working \softline
as Bob\'92s secretary when she first met Kathy nearly ten years earlier.  She told him how \softline
Kathy had brought her back to life, and in turn, how she had been able to bring Bob back \softline
from the tragic death of his first wife and his daughter.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab He recalled how this beautiful woman had looked at him and said, \'93Kathy has \softline
a wonderful sense of humor.  She loves her little jokes, and she loves to tease.  Ken, her \softline
little joke as far as I\'92m concerned is her \'91wedding present to Bob.\'92  You see, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I am}{\plain \fs24 \f2  the \softline
wedding present.  She dragged me, kicking and screaming, out of the dark hole where \softline
I buried myself after my first husband was killed.  She brought me back to life.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93So please be good to her, Ken.  She\'92s the very best there is!\'94  He recalled her \softline
use of the exact words Sally O\'92Rourke had whispered to him.  He recalled all the people \softline
who loved Kathy and looked to him to give her the happiness she so richly deserved.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Recalling Jane\'92s comment about Kathy\'92s sense of humor reminded him of their \softline
second meeting with Trooper Stockdale.  They were in Kathy\'92s car headed home late one \softline
night at a conservative \'97 for Kathy \'97 115, when the flashing blue lights appeared.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab This time, he recalled, Kathy grinned as she pulled over.  \'93I\'92ll fix him this time!\'94 \softline
she had exclaimed.  He recognized Will Stockdale in the lights.  He had started a repeat \softline
of the previous exchange when Kathy interrupted.  \'93Don\'92t give me a ration of shit, Will \softline
Stockdale,\'94 she had said.  \'93Look at this!\'94  She had passed him her Virginia badge and \softline
ID, followed by its Federal counterpart.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Will, suspecting one of Kathy\'92s tricks, had taken the ID back to his cruiser.  A \softline
few minutes late he ran back towards them, opened Kathy\'92s door and lifted her out of \softline
the car as if she was a feather.  He then hugged her and gave her a big kiss saying, \softline
\'93Kathy, you\'92re really one of us now!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Embarrassed, he then carefully put her back on the ground, at which point she \softline
had kicked him in the shin \'97 fortunately protected by a high leather puttee \'97 and told \softline
him he had a hell of a nerve manhandling a defenseless girl.  Will had just smiled and \softline
Ken recalled he had cracked up laughing.  \'93Defenseless\'94 was not a term he could easily \softline
associate with Kathy.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken frowned as his reverie continued.  For months now he had been asking \softline
Kathy to marry him.  He pointed out that his marriage to Sylvia had been annulled.  He \softline
loved her and she loved him.  But the answer was always no.  She had told him she loved \softline
him more than life itself.  Although he couldn\'92t understand why, he had come to believe \softline
her.  Usually when he asked, she tried to tease him off the subject.  Several times she had \softline
cited Sally O\'92Rourke\'92s comment about a sailor\'92s loves.  Like Sally, she insisted that she \softline
was already sufficiently far down of his list of loves; she was unwilling to move from \softline
mistress down to wife.  There were many other excuses offered, but the answer was \softline
always the same: No.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Yet he wanted desperately to marry this girl.  He was torn.  He wanted to break \softline
down her defenses and get her to say yes.  At the same time, studying her carefully, he \softline
believed that each time he asked, it seemed that she wasn\'92t taking him seriously.  Yet \softline
he thought they were perfect together.  They liked all the same things.  She was radiant \softline
in his presence.  He noticed it, but more importantly, her friends, who knew her before 
she met him, saw it.  They said Kathy was madly in love with him.  He didn\'92t know what \softline
to do.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Becoming aware of soft fingertips moving on his chest and brilliant blue eyes \softline
watching him, Ken was startled again to see she was as beautiful at the instant of \softline
awakening as at any other time.  Her fingers moved lower on his body and soon they \softline
were making love again.  After recovering from their climax together she whispered \softline
softly, \'93Good morning, darling.  Happy New Year!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Later in the day they were side by side on the couch in the library companionably watching a football game.  It was another interest of his that she improbably shared.  \softline
She was nuzzling close and his arm was around her shoulders when he asked, \'93Honey, \softline
what are you going to do when I\'92m gone?  We\'92re scheduled to be out two weeks, \softline
assuming something major doesn\'92t crap out before then, of course.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She looked at him steadily.  \'93I don\'92t know if I should tell you this, but your \softline
mother is coming to visit.  For some reason, it\'92s a secret.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was startled.  It was so out of character for his mother, he thought.  \'93Kathy, \softline
did she tell you anything?  Why she wants to see you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She turned off the TV using her big toe on the remote control.  \'93Make me a \softline
drink?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Uh, oh!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 thought Ken.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Something\'92s up}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He made drinks for them both and sat down again.  He was tempted to say \softline
something like \'93Out with it!\'94 but quickly decided it would be the dumbest thing he could \softline
do.  Rather, he said, \'93Kathy, I would really appreciate it if you would tell me anything \softline
you think you can.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She smiled at him gratefully, and he thought that he might have said the right \softline
thing for a change.  \'93Ken, before I answer, would you answer some questions first?\'94  He \softline
nodded agreeably.  \'93How long have your parents been married?\'94 she asked softly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked embarrassed and was.  \'93Gosh, Kathy, I don\'92t know...  Wait...  Of \softline
course I know!  About thirty-two years: I was born before they had been married a full \softline
year, and I\'92m thirty-one.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How old are they, Ken?  Your parents, I mean,\'94 she asked softly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab This time he did his thinking out loud.  \'93Well, let\'92s see...  They got married in \softline
June, as soon as Dad graduated from the academy.  It was one of those Annapolis \softline
weddings you see on the society pages every year with the arch of swords and all that \softline
stuff.  I guess Dad was twenty-one or twenty-two, so that would make him fifty-three or \softline
fifty-four, I guess.  Mother didn\'92t finish college.  In fact, I think she may have only had \softline
one year \'97 no more than two, certainly.  How old would that make her, Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Do you know if she was young or old for her grade?\'94 she asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Ken said he didn\'92t have a clue.  \'93Damn it, I do, too.  Now I remember!  Of course!  \softline
She wasn\'92t twenty when I was born, so I guess she\'92s just about fifty plus or minus a \softline
couple of months.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How do your parents get along?  I know it\'92s a strange question to ask, but let \softline
me explain:  You refer to your father as Dad and show him a great deal of respect and \softline
affection.  I realize you share naval careers and that probably makes a difference.  But, \softline
Ken, you refer to your mother as Mother.  I don\'92t know if you intend it to, but it comes \softline
across sounding very formal.  The fact is, Ken, you hardly ever refer to your mother at \softline
all.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was shocked at Kathy\'92s astute observation.  He looked at her wryly.  \'93Hon, \softline
as usual, you\'92re right.  I never really thought about it before, but you\'92re right.  Kathy, \softline
since you brought it up, can we talk about it?  I think my mother is irrelevant!  It really \softline
sound terrible when I say it...  But let me explain: I guess, for as long as I can remember, \softline
she\'92s had a life of her own...  That\'92s it!  It\'92s like they\'92re not even married, for God\'92s sake.  \softline
They are more like two unrelated people sharing a house.\'94  He saw Kathy looking at him \softline
fondly.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 She understands! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 he thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 She really does.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy picked up the thread.  \'93Thank you.  On no evidence at all \'97 just intuition \softline
\'97 I agree with you.  To answer the question you asked at the beginning, I think your \softline
mother is frightened.  She has been leading her own life independent of your father.  \softline
Now she\'92s hitting fifty.  She suddenly notices that your father is very attractive to other, \softline
younger women and she\'92s getting scared!  Very scared, I think.  Ken, I never want to \softline
hurt you, but I have to ask a question.  If you don\'92t feel like answering, tell me to shut \softline
up.  Promise?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was startled, but he realized Kathy was deadly serious.  \'93Yes, Kathy.  I \softline
promise,\'94 he answered, maintaining her serious tone.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Does your father play around?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken reddened with embarrassment and remembered his promise to her.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 God, \softline
it did hurt!}{\plain \fs24 \f2   He looked down at the table top and said quietly, \'93I think he does.\'94  He \softline
looked up at her quickly and saw the sympathy in her face.  \'93Kathy, I can\'92t know for \softline
sure, and I know you know that.  But... but... but I hear things and see things.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab His voice was growing stronger as he spoke.  It was becoming easier, now that \softline
he faced it.  \'93There\'92s a young lieutenant commander I hear about.  I\'92ve seen her around, \softline
and she\'92s very attractive.  They\'92re supposed to be }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 very}{\plain \fs24 \f2  discreet...  Do you remember the \softline
first night we met my parents at the O-Club?  I think she was there with an escort.  \softline
She\'92s supposed to be very careful to be seen around with a lot of different guys, and just \softline
as careful never to be seen with Dad...\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s it!\'94 he exclaimed with a note of discovery.  \'93That\'92s what\'92s so damned \softline
suspicious!  She\'92s on his staff, for chrissakes!  Even if she was ugly as sin, service \softline
activities would bring them together in public }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 sometimes}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  But they\'92re }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 never}{\plain \fs24 \f2  seen \softline
together.  Ever!  Kathy, does it sound like I\'92ve lost it completely?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab She grinned at him affectionately and said softly, \'93And to think that I believed \softline
his only feelings were in his cock!  Who would have believed it?\'94  She grinned and \softline
apologized, \'93I\'92m sorry, darling.  I am a hopeless tease.  Will you forgive me?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He took her in his arms and slowly kissed her.  She could feel her internal fires \softline
ignite and quickly build, as she gently pushed away and smiled softly, \'93Can I interpret \softline
that as being forgiven?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They were together on the couch with Kathy lying on top.  He loved this position \softline
because it provided him the opportunity to caress and squeeze her firm little ass.  She \softline
was lying as still as possible making warm, appreciative noises.  He stopped his stroking \softline
and cupped her cheeks in his hands.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she opened her eyes and looked at him questioningly, he said, \'93Kathy, I \softline
have to ask you something.  I want to marry you \'97 I want it desperately.  But hon... you \softline
don\'92t seem to take it seriously.  You change the subject, you joke, you tease.  Kathy, I\'92ve \softline
never been more serious in my life.  Please marry me, Kathy.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With her face inches above his, he saw her smile sadly and say, \'93No.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I give up \'97 for now.  You don\'92t seem to take my proposal seriously.  I \softline
don\'92t know why.  Look, I won\'92t bug you any more, but the offer stands.  If you change \softline
your mind, all you have to do is say, \'93Ask your question.  Okay?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy appeared to be unusually cheerful as she drove him to the pier.  The \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  was sailing today.  Ken thought ruefully of the way Kathy had affected his own \softline
attitudes.  In the few months he had been married to Sylvia, he came to greet the ship\'92s \softline
sailing with a vast feeling of relief.  It got him away from her constant bitching, at least \softline
for a few days or weeks.  Sylvia used to cry and say he didn\'92t love her.  Considering what \softline
he had learned through Kathy, the bitch should have recorded the announcement.  She \softline
had undoubtedly used it over and over with her many husbands.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Now he was with Kathy.  She was so wonderfully cheerful, while he felt that \softline
something was being ripped out of him.  He hurt!  Then with startling clarity he realized \softline
what was happening.  Kathy was trying to make }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 him}{\plain \fs24 \f2  feel better.  He had told her of the \softline
conflict between wives and the demands of the naval service.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 God!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 he thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 what a \softline
woman!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 If only Sandra, the wife of Jack Castle, his executive office, could take a lesson \softline
from Kathy.  But that was far too much to hope for.  He was certain that Jack would be \softline
glad to get away from the shrew, if only for a couple of weeks.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy came into his arms and they embraced.  He kissed her softly and she \softline
instantly responded.  Then he felt tears on his cheek and gently pushed her away to see \softline
her face.  Tears were streaming from her eyes as she desperately tried to control them.  \softline
It was no use.  She clung to him and he stroked her hair.  Then he heard her soft voice \softline
huskily trying to apologize \'97 apologize!  To him?  For what?  Then he heard her say how \softline
much she had wanted to avoid this: making their parting more difficult than it had to 
be, and she was so sorry she had failed.  Ken thought of the women screaming at their \softline
husbands about the Navy, while Kathy apologized because she cried.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sat in her car as the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  was maneuvered away from her berth with the \softline
help of a tug, and out into the channel.  She couldn\'92t drive yet.  She couldn\'92t see through \softline
her tears.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab That afternoon she met Ken\'92s mother, Betty, at the airport.  On the way back \softline
to the apartment they just exchanged pleasantries.  Kathy got her settled in the guest \softline
bedroom and explained how all the equipment worked.  She was not looking forward to \softline
their forthcoming week together.  After her conversation with Ken she concluded that \softline
if anything could help it would have to be shock therapy.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Betty seated herself in a chair opposite Kathy in the living room and Kathy \softline
studied the older woman thoughtfully.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Here goes nothing! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 she thought.  \'93Are you sure \softline
you want to save your marriage, Mrs. Stark?\'94 Kathy began.  The woman recoiled in her \softline
chair as is she had literally been slapped across the face.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Emotionally, she has been,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  the \softline
girl thought.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What do you mean!?  Why the nerve...  Why I\'92ve never been so insulted...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy harshly interrupted, \'93I\'92m sorry if I misjudged you, but I don\'92t believe I \softline
did.  If there\'92s not a major problem with your marriage, why are you visiting Ken\'92s \softline
mistress while he\'92s at sea?  Why is your visit such a secret?  Tell me, Mrs. Stark!  Why \softline
are you here?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The older woman sagged back into her chair and began to cry.  The weeping was \softline
so heartfelt, Kathy\'92s heart was wrenched just watching her.  It increased in intensity \softline
until it became near-hysteria.  Still Kathy sat erect in her chair with her face impassive.  \softline
After minutes \'97 Kathy did not even want to move to glance at her watch \'97 the woman \softline
slowly regained control.  Still Kathy did nothing.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally Betty looked up, her face a tear-ravaged wreck, obviously looking for \softline
tissues to try to repair some of the damage.  Still Kathy remained seated.  \'93The least you \softline
could do, young lady, is to have the human decency to get me a Kleenex!\'94 Mrs. Stark \softline
cried.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kleenex are on the counter in the kitchen.  You may as well start getting things \softline
like tissues for yourself, because if you can\'92t change there will never again be anyone else \softline
to do it for you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Betty Stark returned with the box of tissues and looked at Kathy, puzzled.  \softline
\'93What did you mean by that last comment?\'94 she asked with a note of alarm in her voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mrs. Stark, you\'92re surely familiar with Dickens\'92 }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Christmas Carol?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Do you \softline
remember the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come showing Scrooge what his future would \softline
be like?  I just showed you what your future will be like if you don\'92t change \'97 beginning 
right now!\'94  Changing the subject radically, Kathy asked, \'93When did your husband last \softline
make love to you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Betty tried to remember.  \'93Well, it was... It was...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Never mind, you answered my question.  Here\'92s another.  Have }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 you}{\plain \fs24 \f2  ever \softline
initiated lovemaking with your husband?  Ever?  In your entire life together?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The woman was indignant.  \'93Young lady, who do you think I am?  I\'92m not one \softline
of those cheap little...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93...girls who are making love to your husband?\'94 Kathy finished for her.  \'93No, I \softline
guess you\'92re not!  Do you know what my answer would be with your son?\'94  Betty looked \softline
up, interested, as Kathy continued, \'93It\'92s an easy question to answer.  It was this morning \softline
before he sailed.  He teased me later because my sexual attack delayed his packing.  \softline
Moreover, as a result I\'92m afraid, Mrs. Stark, that my love juices and Ken\'92s are all over \softline
what were his nice clean clothes.  You see, they were lying on the bed when I attacked \softline
him, and they were under us when he entered me.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You can see why it\'92s an easy question for me to answer.  A much harder one \softline
would be how many times we came to orgasm in the twenty-four hours before he sailed.  \softline
My number is something greater than fifty.  Of course, Ken\'92s is a much smaller number, \softline
being a man \'97 probably not more than fifteen or so.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy forced her face to remain impassive as she watched Betty\'92s face register \softline
a kaleidoscopic series of emotions including shock, horror and fascination.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But Kathy, when I met you at the Club you seemed like such a nice girl.  That\'92s \softline
why I came to see you.  I thought you would... would...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93...be sympathetic?  Pat you on the head and tell you it will be all right?  Tell you \softline
there\'92s nothing at all for you to worry about?  That the younger, much more attractive \softline
woman your husband is sleeping with is not a threat to your marriage?  I could say those \softline
things, I suppose.  It would be quite easy, really.  Of course, they would be total lies, \softline
every one!  I know it, and you suspect it.  In fact, Betty, let\'92s be honest:  It\'92s a lot more \softline
than a suspicion, isn\'92t it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With the fear showing in her eyes, the woman slowly nodded.  \'93Would I be any \softline
kind of friend if I tried to convince you to believe those lies?\'94  Betty shook her head.  \'93I \softline
don\'92t think so either, so I won\'92t.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now I want an answer to my first question.  But before you do, has Admiral \softline
Stark asked you for a divorce, yet?\'94  Betty\'92s response was a look of utter horror.  Kathy \softline
had succinctly put into words her worst fear.  Then she began to cry again.  This time, \softline
because of her earlier tears, her crying was dry, wracking and hopeless.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Things are \softline
looking up,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy thought.  \'93You answered my second question, Betty.  Let\'92s get back \softline
to the first.  Do you want to save your marriage?\'94  The older woman nodded her head \softline
slowly then more vigorously.  \'93Okay!\'94 Kathy exclaimed.  \'93Now, are you sure you want \softline
my help?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Betty looked at her, utterly bewildered.  She replied, \'93Of course, Kathy.  But you \softline
knew that when I walked in, didn\'92t you?  I really don\'92t understand your question.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled at the woman for the first time.  It was a very warm smile.  \'93Betty, \softline
the question isn\'92t as strange as it may sound.  Now, I\'92m going to ask you a set of \softline
questions.  I guess you know by now that I deliberately set out to shock you with some \softline
of the questions I asked.  But, Betty, my answers were not exaggerated.  I am so \softline
shameless that I am not embarrassed to say I feel a sense of loss \'97 of incompleteness \'97 \softline
whenever Ken is not inside me.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But back to my questions.  I am going to ask for your reactions and then I will \softline
give you mine.  I\'92m afraid that some of them may require you to go back in time a bit, \softline
but that\'92s okay.  If the situation I describe never happened, answer it in terms of what \softline
you think your reaction would be.  I promise you my answers will be limited to what I \softline
did with your son in this apartment within the past seven days \'97 no longer.  My \softline
reactions are real.  Understand?\'94  Betty nodded.  \'93Your husband grabs your ass?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why... Why I slapped him.  Hard!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy nodded.  \'93I melt.  Then I try to guess whether he wants my cheeks relaxed \softline
or firm, and make them that way.  We play a lot of games.  Sometimes he gives my ass \softline
a smack if I guess wrong.  I was wearing jeans one time, and I pulled them down so there \softline
was no cloth to protect my ass.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She asked her next question: \'93He gropes for your tit when you\'92re not in the \softline
bedroom or undressed?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I tell him...  I give up, Kathy.  And I understand.  There\'92s really no need to go \softline
on: I get the message.  With Ken you are loving and uninhibited.\'94  Betty started to smile \softline
warmly.  \'93Whatever my son wants to do \'97 whether with you or to you \'97 you do it \softline
because you love him.  Right?\'94  Now it was Kathy\'92s turn to nod.  \'93You\'92re constantly \softline
creating new love games to play, aren\'92t you?  I think I heard something about a golf \softline
match you played and won.  What was the bet?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy blushed and replied, \'93Ken was my slave for the rest of the day.  I made... \softline
He came all over my body.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How did it feel?\'94 Betty asked curiously.  \'93Did it feel good?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It was warm and a little sticky...  Nice,\'94 she answered.  \'93I think you\'92re getting \softline
the idea.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Betty, my sense is that you and the Admiral have been drifting apart for years.  \softline
Now I\'92m going to set a scene.  Don\'92t take it too literally, but tell me if it\'92s at least \softline
directionally accurate: You spend your time with the garden club, the Junior League, a \softline
bridge group, a senior officers\'92 wives group, if there is such a thing.  You are home for \softline
dinner, you appear at functions as required, but you live your own life.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You don\'92t feel any particular desire for sex, let alone any need for it.  Sex is \softline
really a sort of dirty little thing that wives have to do once in a while as a favor to their 
husbands.  When you do have sex, your hair is up in rollers or curlers.  You may even \softline
have on some face cream.  You\'92re wearing a ratty old nightgown, which, as a great \softline
concession, you may lift up towards your waist.  On the other hand, it\'92s probably dark \softline
in the room, so your husband doesn\'92t see...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She saw Betty with her head down and her shoulders shaking.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Uh, oh! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy \softline
thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I think I may have overdone it \'97 this poor woman is going to have a total \softline
collapse if she starts crying again..}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  At that moment Betty lifted her head and Kathy \softline
could see her laughing.  And it was real laughter, not hysteria.  She watched in \softline
amazement as the woman could no longer control herself and literally rolled off her chair \softline
onto the floor and was doubled up, still laughing.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Well, I guess she is Ken\'92s mother.  He \softline
has a hell of a sense of humor, too,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy thought.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Slowly, Betty regained control and her laughter died down to giggles.  Instead \softline
of getting up from the floor, though, she just rolled on her back with her arms and legs \softline
outstretched.  Finally, she sat up on the floor and shook her head saying, \'93I\'92m sorry, \softline
Kathy, but you\'92re too much.  \'91Directionally accurate,\'92 my ass!  You must have been \softline
following me around with a video camera.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Slowly she got to her feet.  Although she looked a wreck, she appeared happy for \softline
the first time since she arrived.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  thought Kathy.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 With the worry lines starting \softline
to fade, this is a lovely woman!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 \'93Kathy, now it\'92s my turn to shock you.  Can an old bag \softline
get a drink in this dump?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Minutes later they were sitting in the library on Kathy\'92s favorite couch sipping \softline
very dry martinis.  Betty continued, \'93Kathy, I said you followed me with a video \softline
camera.\'94  She shook her head and added, \'93But I hate to think how far back you would \softline
have had to have gone to get the bedroom scene.  Video cameras probably hadn\'92t even \softline
been invented yet.  I\'92m not even sure Sam\'92s been in me since you met Ken.  In that \softline
period, how many times has Ken been in you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Rolling her eyes, Kathy just shook her head.  \'93Betty, I can\'92t even tell you the \softline
number of times we\'92ve made love on this couch or on the floor right here.  I do know I\'92m \softline
a little embarrassed to have my lover\'92s mother sitting in our cum.  And you probably \softline
are!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Betty just smiled fondly as her eyes took on a faraway look.  She said, \'93Kathy, \softline
could I tell you about a young girl I used to know?  She was younger than you are, and \softline
not nearly as beautiful, but she was pretty enough.  She did have good tits, good legs and \softline
a neat little ass.  She was madly in love with a handsome Naval Academy midshipman.  \softline
He stood tall and straight.  Although she was the envy of all her friends, she was very \softline
young and very innocent.  All she could see was herself in her bridal gown walking \softline
beneath an arch of swords, following his graduation.  This came to pass and she took \softline
that walk under the swords.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That night, she received a shock.  There was something that happened when \softline
she took off her white gown.  Her midshipman, now an ensign, had something big and 
long and straight growing between his legs.  He wanted to put this thing between her \softline
legs.  This wasn\'92t a sword arch, and it hurt.  Particularly the first time.  Once he took \softline
her small ass in his large hands.  He said it was just the right size \'97 a good handful.  She \softline
was shocked, and correctly slapped his face.  After all, she was a good girl, and that was \softline
the right thing to do, because when he squeezed her ass it made her feel all warm and \softline
wet between her legs and we both know that\'92s sinful, don\'92t we?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Once he wanted to make love to her in the morning with the sunlight streaming \softline
in the bedroom.  She felt all warm and languid and refreshed from her sleep.  Then, \softline
when she felt warm and wet between her thighs, she was shocked, so she pulled the \softline
covers up under her chin and said he was evil.  It must have been the evil that made her \softline
crotch so wet.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93One evening she was in the kitchen preparing a gourmet meal \'97 probably tuna \softline
casserole.  He sneaked in and put his hand on her breast!  A bare breast, mind you.  He \softline
had slipped it under her bra!  She did what every good girl would do, of course.  She \softline
slapped his face.  Hard!  This almost made up for the fact that her knees had almost \softline
buckled and she really wanted to spread her legs for him right on the kitchen floor... and \softline
it wasn\'92t even carpeted!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Soon, a strange thing happened.  Her period stopped.  Her breasts started to \softline
swell.  A couple of months later, her abdomen started to swell.  Fortunately, she had \softline
heard enough at the Officers\'92 Wives Club meetings to guess what was going on.  She \softline
went to the base hospital.  Some months later this young girl \'97 still not twenty years \softline
old \'97 gave birth to a baby boy.  The girl was immediately wrapped up with the baby.  \softline
Her breasts that the young officer liked so much were needed to suckle the baby.  She \softline
was shocked at some of the things he said to her.  Clearly, he was perverted.  One day \softline
he took one of her breasts swollen with milk and very gently shook it.  He had the nerve \softline
to call it a milkshake.  He even wanted to try a sip.  She concentrated on the baby and \softline
ignored him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Years passed.  She became wrapped up in her do-good activities.  She couldn\'92t \softline
even get to his ship to meet him after he had been at sea for four months.  There was a \softline
vital meeting of Navy Relief or something, and she was on the board of directors.  The \softline
tall young officer remained attractive to women.  They made themselves available, but \softline
she didn\'92t mind.  Everyone knew that\'92s what these cheap little things were for, after all.  \softline
They did things that no decent woman would consider.  She just got older.  Her husband \softline
didn\'92t.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Meanwhile, her baby had grown up and the girl was now a woman.  She \softline
thought her boy was even less experienced with women than she had been with men, and \softline
that is clearly hard to imagine.  Then he married a woman who his mother detested.  The \softline
mother did not realize at the time what good judgment she had.  A short time later the \softline
son called to tell her that he had been financially destroyed by his divorce.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Less than one week later, the mother meets her son with an angel.  The angel \softline
makes the son with two left feet look like a dancer.  She realized that maybe \'97 just 
maybe \'97 there was help available.  Clearly, this angel can perform miracles.  The woman \softline
hopes she can perform just one more.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, there is one ray of hope.  Now I see that my instincts were right.  My \softline
beliefs \'97 wherever the hell they came from \'97 were wrong.  God, I only wish!  It must \softline
be thirty years, Kathy, but I can still feel Sam\'92s big hand on my firm ass.  God, I wish I \softline
had done what you do.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I hear that you are a very smart girl.  I think you prove it with Ken.  Kathy, I \softline
can\'92t imagine him being happier.  Of course, it\'92s not nice for a mother to say to his son\'92s \softline
girl \'97 I\'92m sorry.  You call yourself his mistress, don\'92t you?  \'97 the only shortcoming I \softline
see is in your judgment.  I really can\'92t see what you see in that big lug!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned and replied, \'93It\'92s easy, Betty.  He may be a big lug, but he\'92s }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 my}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
big lug.  And besides, he\'92s great in bed!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, can you help me try to hold on to Sam?  I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 do}{\plain \fs24 \f2  love him desperately!  Help \softline
me, Kathy.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Please?\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy smiled again and replied, \'93Let\'92s have dinner and give it hell in the \softline
morning.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had just returned to her apartment after taking Betty to the airport.  \softline
Although it had only been a week, she already looked ten years younger.  At the boarding \softline
gate Betty had winked at Kathy and said, \'93Please wish me luck!\'94  Kathy did, and Betty \softline
headed for the commuter plane holding one hand up with her fingers crossed.  Kathy did \softline
wish her luck.  She hoped things would work out for her lover\'92s mother.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab While sitting on the couch, the phone rang.  It was Sandra Castle, the wife of \softline
Ken\'92s executive officer, and she wanted to come over to see her.  Kathy had been \softline
dreaming about cooking her body in the sauna and the last person in the world she \softline
wanted to see was Sandra Castle.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab That being so, she said, \'93Great!  Why don\'92t you come right over.\'94  Hanging up \softline
the phone, Kathy split her time between kicking herself for saying yes and wondering \softline
what the bitch could possibly want to talk about.  All she knew about the girl was that \softline
she was a CPA.  As far as Kathy was concerned, that was enough.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sandra Castle was a tall girl, about Kathy\'92s size.  When she arrived, Kathy led \softline
her into the library \'97 and hated her.  She seemed to be using her CPA brain to price \softline
every item of furnishings in Kathy\'92s apartment.  Kathy amused herself thinking of the \softline
girl coming up with a very large number.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When drinks were offered, Sandra asked for white wine.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Oh shit! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy \softline
thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Just what I don\'92t need \'97 the white wine and Brie bit}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  She opened and poured \softline
a chilled vintage Villages Chablis.  She enjoyed seeing the other girl\'92s eyes widen as she \softline
realized what was being poured.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Eat your heart out, bitch! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy thought venomously.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab After making herself a martini on the rocks, Kathy sat down.  \'93Welcome!  What \softline
brings you here?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just asking the question seemed to release the girl like releasing a tightly-coiled \softline
spring.  Sandra Castle proceeded to unload about the unfairness of life, the unfairness \softline
of the Navy, her uncaring husband, the meanness of Ken \'97 which caused Kathy\'92s back \softline
to stiffen \'97 and back to the unfairness of life.  Kathy listened patiently without saying \softline
a word.  Finally, the girl, who was about Kathy\'92s age, ran down.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Okay, Sandra...  Do you really use Sandra? \'97 not Sandy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ve always thought Sandy sounded so common!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93In that case, Sandra, you\'92ve come to the wrong place,\'94 Kathy said.  Sandra \softline
looked puzzled, and professed not to understand.  \'93Sandy \'97 I\'92m sorry, I can\'92t handle \softline
Sandra anymore \'97 do you know who I am?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course!  That\'92s why I came here.  You\'92re Katherine Smith, formerly \softline
Assistant District Attorney of Norfolk County.  You graduated from Yale, Phi Beta \softline
Kappa and summa cum laude, you...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sandy!\'94 Kathy interrupted, \'93I\'92m proud to say I\'92m Ken Stark\'92s mistress!  I keep \softline
him warm at night between my thighs.  There is no service I will not perform for Ken \softline
Stark.  None!  Fuck the diploma!  It doesn\'92t take me to orgasm to the point of passing \softline
out every night.  Do you know my failing, Sandy?  I can\'92t keep from passing out because \softline
my orgasm is so intense.  If Ken came through that door right now, in the next second \softline
I would be on my back with my legs spread wide to welcome him into me!  It might take \softline
two or three seconds before my juices were running, but it could take that long to strip \softline
his clothes off.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll tell you now, his sex is huge.  It would take a few minutes, but then I would \softline
be passed out on the floor after more orgasms than I could count.  My cunt \'97 yes, Sandy, \softline
my cunt!  \'97 would be flowing rivers all over the carpet you\'92ve been pricing in your mind.  \softline
You know what?  It\'92s easy as hell to replace the carpet.  There\'92s no way in hell I could \softline
replace Ken!  If anything happens to him, I will die.  I don\'92t mean figuratively.  I mean \softline
literally, as in dead and buried.  I really love him that much.  It\'92s very simple.  I\'92m his \softline
mistress and that\'92s all that counts.  Now get out!  Please!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then Sandra shocked Kathy by starting to cry.  She kept on as if her heart were \softline
breaking.  Kathy did nothing as the girl\'92s body racked with sobs, but this time, Kathy \softline
went to the kitchen and retrieved the Kleenex.  She waited for the girl to calm down and \softline
finally she did.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then Kathy handed her a tissue as she slowly regained control and sat up in her \softline
chair.  \'93I\'92m sorry, Kathy.  You won\'92t believe this, but I feel the same way about Jack.  \softline
It\'92s just that...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just what?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Well, women aren\'92t supposed to be that way anymore.  This is the 1980\'92s: We \softline
have important careers.  Surely you understand, Kathy!  You\'92re considered the top \softline
criminal lawyer in the state of either sex.  I\'92m struggling, but I\'92m about be become a \softline
partner in the Firm, and...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Look,\'94 Kathy said, \'93I\'92m tired.  I\'92ve had a rough week.  Ken and Jack will be \softline
back with the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  in just seven days.  I\'92ve promised myself that I am going to be in \softline
the best shape I can be when he returns.  I owe it to Ken to be at my best when he comes \softline
home.  But what the hell!  If you\'92re willing, let me try a little test.  I\'92ll ask a question.  \softline
You answer and then I\'92ll answer.  I promise you, I will restrict my answer to things that \softline
happened with seven days prior to the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  sailing.  Okay?  Do you want to play?\'94  \softline
Sandy nodded and Kathy said, \'93First question: Jack comes up behind you and squeezes \softline
your ass.  What do you do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The homecoming was joyous.  In no time they were out of their clothes with \softline
Kathy on her knees before him.  She was weighing his scrotum filled with his sexual \softline
juices in her hands.  When she made little unhappy noises, Ken asked what was wrong.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She looked up at him with a loving smile and said, \'93We\'92re going to have to work \softline
very hard to empty this all inside me.  Let\'92s get started!\'94\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 22}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The call from Ken\'92s father came as a surprise.  The ship was undergoing \softline
additional repairs to correct problems identified during her two-week shakedown.  She \softline
had been back for over three weeks and was scheduled to sail for the Med in two more \softline
months.  His call was an invitation to come up to their home above Will\-iamsburg that \softline
weekend and Kathy accepted at once.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As they drove over the bridge to the peninsula, Kathy reflect\-ed that Betty had \softline
flown over from Patrick Henry Airport rather than drive.  Today, Ken was driving the \softline
Mazda RX-7 Turbo she had given him for Christmas.  He loved his new toy so much that \softline
Kathy had teased him by saying that she had been de\-moted a notch.  Now she ranked \softline
behind the car which she \'97 like an idiot \'97 had given him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they arrived at Ken\'92s parents\'92 house, the senior Starks were at the door \softline
to greet them.  The Admiral gave Kathy a warm kiss while Ken kissed his mother.  \softline
Pushing her away to get a better look, he exclaimed, \'93Good heavens, Mother, what \softline
happened to you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was stifling a grin as Betty pretended to look herself over for a split seam, \softline
a run in her stocking or some similar disas\-ter.  It was obvious to Kathy that the plan she \softline
had set in motion with Betty Stark was working.  Betty had started with intensive work \softline
on Kathy\'92s exercise machines to tone her muscles and she had promised to sign up with \softline
a fitness center when she returned home.  Now her hair was shorter and it looked \softline
younger.  Kathy noticed it was a carefree hairdo that did not require work at night.  \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Good grief,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Betty\'92s not even wearing a bra.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She and Ken were talking to the Admiral while Betty went to the kitchen, \softline
passing close to Sam\'92s chair on the way past.  Sam\'92s hand went out and gently gripped \softline
his wife\'92s ass.  Betty stopped suddenly and backed up so he didn\'92t need to reach.  Kathy \softline
could see the woman\'92s eyes close as she enjoyed the sensa\-tion.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken had watched the whole thing in utter amazement.  He was completely \softline
nonplused when his mother slid her bottom over the arm of his father\'92s chair and sat on \softline
his lap.  His father\'92s hand moved toward his mother\'92s breast and Ken was astounded to \softline
see her unbutton a button on her blouse to make his access easier.  With his hand \softline
warmly cupping her right breast, his parents began an increasingly passionate kiss.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy wanted to cheer but instead said, \'93Kenneth Stark, you\'92re a peeping Tom.  \softline
Mind your own business.\'94  She put Ken\'92s hand on her own breast and kissed him.  While \softline
they were still engaged, she heard the senior Starks head for the bedroom.  She slid off \softline
her dress and started working on Ken\'92s pants.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 are}{\plain \fs24 \f2  you doing?\'94 he asked, shocked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What does it look like?  I\'92m preparing to be loved \'97 by you \'97 on the living \softline
room floor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But what if...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Ken, your parents are making love in their bedroom.  Who\'92s going to come?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They were sitting on the floor together with their backs to a sofa, fully dressed \softline
when Sam and Betty reappeared.  Betty, positioned behind Sam, gave Kathy a broad \softline
wink.  \'93Ken,\'94 she said quietly, \'93would you do me a favor and call me Mom?  Please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At this point Ken could contain himself no longer.  \'93Would some\-body please tell \softline
me what\'92s going on at this funny farm?  Everyone seems to have lost his mind!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab His parents sat side by side on a love seat facing them and looked at one another.  \softline
They then looked at Ken as if he were a sweet but somewhat feebleminded child.  Betty \softline
looked at her husband feigning puzzlement.  \'93I don\'92t see anything strange, do you, \softline
dear?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well,\'94 the Admiral said thoughtfully, \'93there could be one small thing...  I just \softline
found the lovely girl I married and almost lost.\'94  He turned to Betty and they kissed \softline
lovingly.  Once again, the Admiral\'92s hand slid inside his wife\'92s blouse and cupped her \softline
firm breast gently.  While she returned the kiss, she placed her hand over his to keep it \softline
in its cupped position.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dad!\'94 Ken almost screamed, \'93Look where your hand is!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They ended their kiss with some reluctance and the two looked down.  \'93Ken, I \softline
thought your eyesight was better than that.  My hand is cupping your mother\'92s tit.  It\'92s \softline
full, soft yet firm, and her nipple engorges in an instant every time.  Now where in hell \softline
did you think my hand was?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken glanced to his left and realized that Kathy was con\-vulsed with laughter, and \softline
almost choking in the attempt to avoid making a sound.  \'93Katherine Smith, what is \softline
going on here?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I thought it was pretty obvious, son,\'94 his father replied, \'93While you were \softline
steaming around in circles, Kathy has been saving a marriage: ours.  Which reminds me, \softline
when are you two going to get married?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken felt the floor drop away beneath him as he heard his father\'92s straightforward ques\-tion.  He looked down at the floor and said nothing.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Betty was looking directly at Kathy and saw her go white as a sheet, apparently \softline
with fear!  Betty whispered quickly in her husband\'92s ear.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He quickly nodded, got up and went over to Kathy.  \'93Come on, young lady.  I \softline
want to talk to you, alone.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He led her into his study.  After carefully closing the door he seated her in a \softline
maple captain\'92s chair across from his desk and poured a large glass of cognac for her and \softline
a small one for himself.  He gave her the glass and took his seat behind his desk.  Kathy \softline
looked at him in near-terror.  \'93It seems I said something I should not have.  I jumped to \softline
a conclusion which is a very dan\-gerous practice for an admiral.  Let\'92s start simply.  Do \softline
you believe Ken loves you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She answered in a very small voice, \'93Yes, sir.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93But you don\'92t love him, is that it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Suddenly, it was as if the main burners under a ship\'92s boiler all ignited at once.  \softline
The look of fear suddenly disap\-peared.  She jerked herself up straight in the chair and \softline
looked directly at the Admiral.  \'93Admiral, I love Ken Stark more than life it\-self.  \softline
Anything he asks of me \'97 if it\'92s in my power to do \'97 I will do.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She laughed bitterly \'93The lan\-guage is inadequate.  Love is a simple word.  It is \softline
overused and abused, and it\'92s totally inadequate to express my feelings.  \'91Adore\'92...  \'91Wor\-
ship\'92 perhaps get closer.  But I think you understand.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Are you married, Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, sir.  I have never married.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, you know that Ken is free to marry you.  You did that yourself.  Kathy, \softline
I\'92m stumped.  Before I forget, though, thank you for saving my marriage.  It\'92s clear we \softline
owe you more than we can ever repay.  But from what I know of you, that just puts us \softline
at the end of a very long line of people who Kathy Smith has helped.  Betty told me some \softline
of what you said to her.  Your lovemaking is passionate, frequent and good, so that\'92s \softline
out...  Kathy, what are you hiding?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked into the piercing gray eyes regarding her.  The Admiral was sitting \softline
erect.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 He is a very handsome man.  Ken will resemble him when he reaches his age,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she \softline
thought.  His hair was prema\-turely gray and looked very distinguished.  She suddenly \softline
realized that his eyes were kind.  He was trying to help.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I cannot marry Ken, Admiral,\'94  she said quietly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You are a brilliant, highly-educated young woman.  So I will take the answer \softline
literally.  \'91Cannot\'92 as in \'91not being able to.\'92  Why are you unable to marry him?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Her eyes were fixed on his.  She was sitting as if at atten\-tion.  He admired her \softline
posture.  \'93Because, Admiral, Ken has been married to one prostitute already.  He \softline
scarcely needs an\-other.\'94  Tears started to flow down her cheeks.  She ignored them and \softline
continued to look directly into the Admiral\'92s eyes.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I know you are not a prostitute now.  That means you were a prostitute before \softline
you met Ken.  When was that?\'94  His voice was very quiet and matter-of-fact but he was \softline
being torn up inside watching this lovely girl enduring unbelievable torture.  The tears \softline
were flowing unchecked down her cheeks, yet she made no move to wipe them away.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I was a prostitute until I was eighteen years old.  I spent my time in the whore \softline
house naked.  I am still nude whenever I can be.  It\'92s partially because I like it and, I \softline
think, partially to remind me who I was.  Admiral, I have no pubic hair.  Since I also \softline
have no shame, I would show you now.  I pulled it out, hair by hair, years ago as a \softline
hygiene measure.  Like the nudity, I\'92m now used to it.  But like the nudity, it, too, \softline
reminds me of who I was.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How many people know that you prostituted your body for a living?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was stunned.  She had told the Admiral she was a prostitute and there \softline
was no reaction.  It was as if she said she liked the color red.  It was a fact to him, \softline
nothing more.  \'93There are two: my lawyer and the madam.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You were a prostitute.  Is there any other impediment to marrying Ken?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, there is, Admiral.  I cannot bear his children.  He\'92s going to father strong \softline
children.  You and Betty deserve grand\-children.  I cannot have any.  I\'92m sorry.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The tears continued to flow.  The Admiral could see that her eyes were so misted \softline
with tears she could not possibly see him, yet her head remained erect and she continued \softline
to look at him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll ask the question again.  Why won\'92t you marry Ken?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Anger was replacing sorrow.  \'93Admiral, I\'92m shocked!  That is the first \softline
ungentlemanly thing I have ever seen you do or say.  If it would do any good, I would \softline
prostitute myself for you right now, so you wouldn\'92t tell Ken.  Deep down, I knew this \softline
was too good to last.  Ken will find a girl who comes from a fine background \'97 I have no \softline
background, by the way \'97 who can give him the children I know he wants and deserves.  \softline
Sometimes I allow myself to dream that I could remain his mis\-tress... his wife\'92s maid... \softline
anything to remain with him.  I do everything imaginable to keep his eyes on me and \softline
away from all the other girls who could do so much more for him.\'94  She looked fierce.  \softline
\'93Admiral, your question is unworthy of you.  The idea of a man like your son marrying \softline
a prostitute is absurd!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Suddenly the Admiral\'92s voice changed.  It picked up the command presence that \softline
is a trademark of a person experienced in command, and Sam Stark was certainly \softline
experienced.  \'93Now you listen to me, young lady!  What right do you have to ruin my \softline
son\'92s life!  I thought you said you loved him \'91more than life itself?\'92\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was shocked.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 What was he saying?  Surely after what she had said he \softline
could see it was impossible}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  \'93But I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 do}{\plain \fs24 \f2  love him!,\'94 she protested.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then you\'92re a bigger fool than I would have dreamed pos\-sible!  Look at you!  \softline
You say you grew up as a prostitute.  Where did you go to school?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I didn\'92t, sir, until I went to Hillsdale Academy as a Junior.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How did you get in?  Cheat?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, sir.  I took an admissions test.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What did you do then?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I went to Yale, sir.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How?  I\'92m sorry, sir.  I don\'92t understand the question.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How did you get into Yale?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Oh!  My Hillsdale record, my SAT\'92s and my achievement tests.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Which were?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Straight \'91A\'92s\'92 at Hillsdale.  My SAT\'92s were 800 and 790, verbal and math.  My \softline
achieve\-ments were 800\'92s.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How many men have you had since you stopped prostituting yourself?  Besides \softline
Ken, I mean.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93None, sir.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No one at all?  At Yale, at Law School, any time since then?  None?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, sir.  None.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s enough Kathy.  You\'92ve made my point.  My son is the luckiest man on \softline
the face of this earth.  There is a girl, a pros\-titute no less, who never went to school.  Yet \softline
she achieves a level of academic performance that few can dream of.  She achiev\-es more \softline
in one year fighting violent crime than has been achieved in this centu\-ry.  She \softline
demonstrates a willingness to risk her life and sacrifice her career for others.  A girl who \softline
defines self\-lessness.  A girl who has a body that few can imagine, and a near-infinite \softline
capacity to love and be loved.  Against this, she cannot have children.  Big stinking deal!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now, Kathy, let\'92s take it again from the top.  Will you marry my son?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The tears had stopped, but the tear streaks remained.  She still had made no \softline
move to wipe her eyes, when she heard the Admiral\'92s words.  Her eyes had cleared now, \softline
so she could study his face.  He was still looking directly at her with eyes now warm with \softline
love, waiting for an answer.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Slowly the truth dawned on her, and her face started to brighten.  \'93Admiral, \softline
you\'92re saying that I\'92m one of the world\'92s greatest fools?  My God!  I\'92m not a whore, am \softline
I?  I was, but that was years ago.  I haven\'92t been with a man before Ken since I left the \softline
house.  And all this time...  Do you really think he would have me?\'94 she asked with a \softline
note of hope in her voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Let\'92s see.  Kathy, I would like to ask my wife to join us, as well as my son.  I \softline
know she has some thoughts.  Before I ask them, though, I want to say that you are the \softline
bravest person I have ever met.  Kathy, that inquisition was tearing my guts out.  I was \softline
only }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 asking}{\plain \fs24 \f2  the questions.  You must have been destroyed inside, but you never flinched \softline
or even looked away.  I could see the tears in your eyes to a degree that must have \softline
blinded you, yet you continued to look at me.  Young lady, you were sitting in a position \softline
of attention and never moved.  I want you to know that I\'92ve never been as proud of \softline
anyone, ever, as I am of you right now.  I have never seen such a display of personal \softline
courage in my life!  Now please remain seated.  I\'92ll be right back.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Moments later he was back with Betty and Ken in tow.  \'93Ken, I learned some \softline
things from Kathy that she wants you to know.  First, she was a prostitute until she was \softline
eighteen.  Appar\-ently, she did not like men very much, because the next man she was \softline
with was you.  Secondly, she does not believe that she can have children, so she is \softline
unworthy of marrying you.  What do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Kathy, this is true, isn\'92t it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, Ken, it is.\'94  Kathy was still sitting at attention with her head high.  Once \softline
more, tears appeared in her eyes.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why didn\'92t you tell me about your background, Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Because I was too selfish.  I couldn\'92t bear to give you up, and I knew you\'92d leave \softline
me if you knew.  I apologize for hiding this from you.  I only hope you can find it in your \softline
heart to forgive me.  Of course, it\'92s impossible anyway because of my defect.  You \softline
couldn\'92t possibly want me as your wife.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 \'93Defect?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Defect, she says.  Young lady, the only thing defective around here \softline
today is the way your brain is working \'97 or, more accurately, not working.\'94  Ken was \softline
angry.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dad, there are some things you don\'92t know, but should, I think.  I\'92m sure \softline
they\'92ll come as no surprise to you, though.  Since I\'92ve met Kathy, through her I\'92ve met \softline
some truly wonderful people.  They\'92re very different, one from the other, but they share \softline
one thing in common: They worship the ground that Kathy Smith walks on.  I\'92ve had \softline
several extraor\-dinary women tell me the same thing: She\'92s the very best there is.  She \softline
is the heroine of the organized law enforcement agen\-cies in this state, and beyond.  They \softline
love her!  But Dad, I also know that she is respected \'97 yes, and loved \'97 by the Mafia, \softline
for God\'92s sake.  Dad, I don\'92t think they\'92re wrong, I think she is!  Mom, what do you \softline
think of Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m glad you asked, Ken.  Kathy, I consider your be\-havior today to be \softline
deplorable!\'94  Kathy still did not move, nor make any effort to defend herself, yet her eyes \softline
showed the deep hurt she was feeling.  Betty continued.  \'93I went to your apart\-ment.  \softline
Sam knows some of it, Ken knows none of it, but you and I, Kathy, know all of it.  Did \softline
you or did you not tell me that you loved my son more than life itself?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, ma\'92am, I did.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Were you lying or telling the truth when you said you came to orgasm the day \softline
before Ken sailed over fifty times?  And he came about fifteen or so?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It was the truth to the best of my belief, ma\'92am.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Did you save my marriage, Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, ma\'92am, I certainly did not!\'94  Kathy\'92s eyes blazed as she added, \'93You did it \softline
all, and you did it all by yourself.  I did nothing!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sam,\'94 Betty Stark asked, \'93do you believe this young woman?  Do you really \softline
believe that I could have done anything without her?  Do you think I would have known \softline
the joy of giving if I hadn\'92t heard her describe her relationship with our son?  Do you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I believe you both.  Kathy, when she says that the work was yours, and the \softline
changes were those you made in yourself.  You, dear, when you describe the inspiration \softline
she provided, a sense of direction to move in and the confidence she instilled in you to \softline
make it work.\'94  Sam took his wife in his arms and kissed her tenderly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Meanwhile, Ken was looking at Kathy and said softly, \'93Honey, do you remem\-ber \softline
the promise you made when I asked you the last time?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked in her eyes which were now filled with love and hope as she said very \softline
quietly, \'93Ken, ask your question.  Please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, will you marry me?  Please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With a cry of pure joy, Kathy leaped out of the chair and into Ken\'92s arms.  She \softline
kissed him with the passion that came from the knowledge that she had almost lost him \softline
through her own blindness and then gained him back.  Ken hugged his bride-to-be.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab While the Admiral went out to the kitchen, Betty kissed her and wished her \softline
every happiness.  \'93Kathy, I couldn\'92t hope for a more perfect daughter-in-law.  Will you \softline
be the daughter I never had?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, Mom, I\'92ll try!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Admiral came back juggling a bottle of Dom P\'e9rignon, \'9275, and four glasses.  \softline
He carefully put them down on the desk, gathered Kathy into his arms and held her.  \softline
\'93I\'92m sorry for what I did to you, Kathy.  But the outcome made it worthwhile.\'94  Kathy \softline
had her head buried in his shoulder and was crying.  He lifted her chin and looked into \softline
her beautiful blue eyes.  He realized that he was seeing tears of joy, and kissed her.  \'93Hi, \softline
daughter!\'94 he said.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The toast was offered and drunk.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, would you just hold me, please?\'94 Kathy asked softly.  He took her in his \softline
arms.  He sensed that she didn\'92t want to be kissed, just reassured.  She held him tightly, \softline
and then moved her head back to look at him.  Very softly she said, \'93This is for\-ever.  Are \softline
you really sure?  It\'92s not too late.  I\'92m spoiled goods, you know?\'94  She tried a weak little \softline
smile, \'93There\'92s no 90-day warranty for parts and labor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, you\'92re perfect!  You\'92ve just made me the happiest man alive.  I want you \softline
to know that,\'94 he replied softly, ignoring her attempt to joke.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The four went out to the kitchen and sat in the cozy break\-fast area.  Betty had \softline
prepared salads, and she was glad she had.  After the emotion of the last hour they just \softline
sat and looked at their food.  Finally, Betty asked, \'93When would you like the wedding, \softline
Kathy, and who\'92s going to be in it?  And Kathy?  Even in your present condition, you\'92re \softline
the most beautiful girl I\'92ve ever seen, but wouldn\'92t you feel better if you washed your \softline
face?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked up, startled, and muttered, \'93Oh, my God!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken got up to show her where to go.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Betty looked at Sam with deep affection.  \'93Sam, I would not have believed it if \softline
I hadn\'92t seen it.  At her apartment I broke down at the thought of losing you.  I looked \softline
like... like... like a horror.  With the tears streaking her face Kathy is still love\-ly!  She\'92ll \softline
do, Sam!  She really will!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Betty, that was the worst hour of my life!  I could have destroyed that girl.  For \softline
a moment, I\'92m sure she was contem\-plat\-ing suicide.  But she never flinched.  I was \softline
destroying...  No!  Much worse!  I was making her destroy herself...  her happiness, all \softline
her hopes.  She sat there at attention \'97 attention, mind you \'97 looking straight at me.  \softline
She should have dissolved in tears, or at least turned away.  She didn\'92t.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He took his wife\'92s hand.  \'93I don\'92t know who it hurt worse:  Kathy, who went \softline
through it, or me for having to watch.  God, Bets, I think the outcome made it \softline
worthwhile, but never again!  Please, God, never again!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He continued to hold his wife\'92s hand, and she gave him a gentle squeeze.  She \softline
said softly, \'93Thank you, Sam!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Kathy returned, she looked brighter and happier than they had ever seen \softline
her, and she was still holding Ken\'92s hand.  \'93Admiral \'97 Dad?  \'97 I just realized I need to \softline
call Norfolk.  May I use your phone?  I have some money here...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Katherine Smith!\'94 bellowed the Admiral in a tone that had made flag officers \softline
cringe in fear.  \'93What do you think this is?  I have never been so insulted in my life!  \softline
Military pay may not be the great\-est, but I don\'92t care if you\'92re calling China!  Put your \softline
damned money away and get out of here!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had jumped when he shouted, but ended up grinning.  She winked at him \softline
as she went back to his study to make her call.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Son,\'94 Sam said, \'93that\'92s Kathy!  She does everything for others, but expects \softline
nothing for herself.  You know, don\'92t you, that it never occurred to her }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 not}{\plain \fs24 \f2  to pay?  I \softline
don\'92t know what you\'92ve done to be so lucky!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy immediately called Jane Ferguson.  \'93Jane, I\'92m going to be married!\'94 she \softline
said without preamble.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She jerked the phone from her ear as Jane shrieked.  \'93Oh, Baby!  I\'92m so happy!  \softline
Kathy, words fail me.  I\'92ve been praying and praying and it\'92s finally come true!\'94  She \softline
heard Jane tell Bob about the impending mar\-riage; he had come running to the room in \softline
response to Jane\'92s initial shriek.  \'93Honey, Bob wants to say hello.  And from the look in \softline
his eye, I think I\'92m wanted some\-where else.  I\'92ll talk to you in a bit.  Here he is.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, that\'92s wonderful news!  Ken is a fine young man, and I\'92m sure he\'92ll \softline
make you very happy.  Congratulations!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was shaken by Bob\'92s words.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 He\'92ll make }{\plain \fs24 \b\i\f2 me}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2  happy?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 The idea had never \softline
occurred to her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, Sam would be so happy!  By the way, where are you, anyway?\'94  She told \softline
him.  \'93What did they say?\'94 he asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Say about what?\'94 Kathy asked, puzzled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93About your back\-ground.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93They didn\'92t say anything, ex\-cept...  How did you know I told them?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bob said very quietly, \'93Because you\'92re Kathy.  Sweetheart, I\'92m so happy for you.  \softline
You\'92ve been tearing me up inside, you know.  It\'92s been so obvious to me for so long that \softline
Ken desperate\-ly wanted to marry you.  I knew it had to be you, not him.  I also knew \softline
that if he was half the man I thought he was he wouldn\'92t blink.  He didn\'92t, did he?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, Bob, he didn\'92t.  Neither did his father who I told first, nor his mother.  Bob, \softline
they were so kind!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Not kind, Kathy.  Smart!  They know how lucky Ken is to get you.  They didn\'92t \softline
want to let you get away.  But Kathy, what are your wedding plans?  And may I please \softline
give the bride in marriage?  I know Ken\'92s ship is due to sail soon so you will want to get \softline
married quickly.  Where is it going to be, and when?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t know, Bob!  I haven\'92t let myself even }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 think}{\plain \fs24 \f2  we could ever marry.  I \softline
haven\'92t thought about it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How about the cathedral, in three weeks?  How does that sound?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s impossible, Bob.  There\'92s no way a cathedral wedding could be scheduled \softline
that fast.  It\'92s booked years ahead!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re right.  And it\'92s scheduled for you two for three weeks from today at one \softline
o\'92clock.  The Bishop asks if you would allow him to preside.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Bob Ferguson!  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Have you lost your mind?}{\plain \fs24 \f2   I\'92m serious!  There\'92s a lot to do and \softline
you make jokes, for chrissakes!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No joke, Kathy.  Jane has been making calls on the other phone.  You know how \softline
organized she is!  And if you don\'92t get your little ass back here in a hurry, you won\'92t even \softline
have a chance to pick out your own dress!  Jane knows you better than you think, Kathy.  \softline
She knows...  Wait!  She doesn\'92t know exactly, but she believed, as I did, that you were \softline
the impediment, not Ken.  So she\'92s been making the advance arrangements for months.  \softline
God!  If I try one more piece of wedding cake...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 are}{\plain \fs24 \f2  you talking about?\'94 she interrupted.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m really being serious, hon.  Jane knows you.  She prayed that you would \softline
come to your senses and marry the poor guy.  But she knows that Ken is shipping out \softline
soon so there would have to be a quick wedding.  She couldn\'92t see you sitting around for \softline
months once you accepted his proposal.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Most important, Kathy, she knew you wouldn\'92t allow yourself even to }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 dream}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
of getting mar\-ried, so she\'92s been doing the dreaming for you.  And I was serious about \softline
the cake, by the way.  She\'92s been going to every damned wedding-cake baker in Virginia \softline
getting samples.  It sounds like we\'92re teasing you, Honey, but really we\'92re not!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93One more thing.  Do you remember years ago when I read you Sam\'92s will?  I \softline
said there were \'91a couple of other points\'92 that didn\'92t matter?  Well, one of them matters \softline
now.  There\'92s $1 million set aside.  Sam knew he wouldn\'92t be here, but...  The bride\'92s \softline
family customarily pays for the wedding.  Kathy, he\'92s paying.  It can be used for anything 
related to the wedding or honeymoon, but that\'92s all.  And Kathy, I have a very special \softline
favor to ask: Would you consider asking Jane to be your matron of honor?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Oh, Bob!  While you were talking, I was kicking myself for not asking her when \softline
I told her...  But...  But...  There wasn\'92t a wedding for her to be in!  May I ask her now, \softline
please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane picked up the phone.  \'93I accept!\'94 she said.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Accept what?  I was going to ask you to please consent to be my matron of \softline
honor.  It would do me a great honor if you would.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey,\'94 Jane replied softly, the usual joking quality now missing from her \softline
voice, \'93that\'92s what I accepted.  Thank you so much!\'94  Her voice changed, \'93Now get your \softline
ass back to Norfolk!  I can\'92t do this all by myself!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, Jane,\'94 Kathy said softly, \'93for everything!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had a bemused expression on her face when she returned to the breakfast \softline
nook.  \'93Ken, it seems we\'92re going to be married in the Cathedral in Norfolk in three \softline
weeks.  The bishop is pres\-iding.\'94  She smiled.  \'93It seems, Ken, everyone knew we were \softline
going to get married except me.  Jane has organized the whole thing.  She told me to \'91get \softline
my ass back to Norfolk,\'92 right now.  Do you suppose there\'92s time for a cup of coffee first?  \softline
And I do want to talk with your folks about the guest list and stuff.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was lying in bed the next morning when Ken came in with the Sunday \softline
paper.  With studied casualness he commented, \'93There\'92s a small note on the front page, \softline
Kathy, you may be inter\-ested in.\'94  He passed her the paper and grinned as her eyes sud\-
denly widened.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Below the fold was a small box headlined, }{\plain \fs24 \b\f3 Kathy Smith to Wed}{\plain \fs24 \f2   The small front-page story was datelined Norfolk.  It gave the information, including the date, time and \softline
location of the ceremony.  It ended with a reference to the first page of the society \softline
section.  Ken thought she looked cute scram\-bling across the bed with her bare ass in the \softline
air to get the society section.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There on the society front page was a two-column photo of Kathy followed by a \softline
lengthy story detailing her career and the back\-ground of her intended.  The photo was \softline
a beautiful smiling picture of her she had never seen before.  Ken had never seen it, \softline
either.  He left the room, while she slowly reread the story.  When he returned, he was \softline
smiling and shaking his head.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I should have guessed!  I called the paper.  It seems they received the story from \softline
Jane, representing Bob\'92s office and then they amplified the story from their own file on \softline
you.  It\'92s a rather exten\-sive one, I gather.  However, the story didn\'92t come with a pic\-ture, \softline
and Jane couldn\'92t provide them with one.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab But it seems you are considered by the experts \'97 the photog\-raphers \'97 to be the \softline
most beautiful girl in Norfolk.  One of their guys has shot rolls of film of you.  The photo 
that appears is his favorite.  You see his credit line beneath it.  But he was afraid you \softline
would\-n\'92t like it.  It still doesn\'92t do you full justice, he says, but he\'92s so happy he\'92s \softline
sending over a stack of studio prints.  His wedding gift to you, he says.  Another in the \softline
vast Kathy Smith Fan Club.\'94\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 23}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Wedding March was playing as Kathy walked up the center aisle of the \softline
Cathedral on Bob Ferguson\'92s arm but she still could not believe it was happening to her.  \softline
Ken, standing at the altar with his best man, Jack Castle, beside him, watched her \softline
approach with the familiar mea\-sured pace.  He had never seen a bride look so beautiful.  \softline
Her white gown was magnificent, setting off her tan and her golden hair.  When she \softline
reached him at the altar, he took her hand, paused for a moment and looked into her \softline
brilliant blue eyes.  All he saw was the deepest love.  Together they moved forward to \softline
where the Bishop was waiting.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Later in the ceremony the time came.  After the Bishop told Ken to, \'93Repeat \softline
after me...\'94  she saw his eyes locked on hers as he said in a strong voice, \'93I, Kenneth, \softline
take thee, Katherine, as my lawfully wedded wife...\'94  she was hearing words she had not \softline
allowed herself even to hope she would ever hear.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then it was her turn.  \'93I, Katherine, take thee, Kenneth, as my lawfully wedded \softline
husband...\'94  Her eyes blurred over with tears of joy as she completed her vows.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They heard the bishop complete the ceremony, \'93...and I now pronounce you man \softline
and wife,\'94 and then more softly to Ken, \'93You may kiss your bride.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken took her in his arms.  As he kissed her she could feel her knees weaken, but \softline
then it was over.  As they were going down the aisle together she was dimly aware that \softline
the church seemed full.  When they reached the steps of the cath\-edral, Kathy\'92s eyes \softline
widened.  Flanking the steps on each side were naval officers wearing their blue coats \softline
with the gold on their epau\-lets flash\-ing in the winter sun.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The senior officer gave the command, \'93Officers!  Draw... sabers!\'94  Two dozen \softline
silver blades appeared and formed an arch under which Ken led her to the waiting \softline
limousine.  They got in and the car moved off.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at her husband fondly, \'93Thank you, Ken.  That was so beautiful!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It was Mom\'92s idea.  She said that she saw your eyes light up when she described \softline
her wedding at Annapolis.  Instead of a bunch of ensigns, though, you got some fairly \softline
senior officers.  I\'92m so glad you enjoyed it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, was it my imagination?  Were there lights flashing all over the place?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He grinned at his bride, \'93No, hon, it wasn\'92t your imagina\-tion.  I don\'92t know how \softline
many photo\-graphers were there, but it was a whole bunch.  Maybe you didn\'92t notice, but \softline
there were at least three TV trucks parked alongside the church.  This is clearly the big\-
gest wedding in town in years.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab To Kathy the reception seemed to be a huge blur, but a few events remained in \softline
her memory in sharp detail.  She reflected on them.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bob Ferguson caught them alone for a moment.  \'93Kathy, there\'92s a small matter \softline
of a wedding present for Ken which had to wait for the ceremony.  After all, the chump \softline
could have backed out.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Ken, you\'92ve undoubt\-edly heard about Sam Jenkins from Kathy?  Well, although \softline
Kathy has most of it, there\'92s still a little slush fund that I keep track of.  I guess Sam was \softline
cons\-cious of problems if the wife has money and the husband doesn\'92t.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy and Ken were both looking at Bob as if he were speak\-ing some strange \softline
language.  They were so wrapped up in their love, the subject of money had never come \softline
up.  They said as much to Bob.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He held up his hands, \'93Okay, fine.  I give up!  However, I have a duty to carry \softline
out.  Ken, this is for you from Sam Jen\-kins.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With that he took a check out of his pocket and passed it to Ken, who looked at \softline
it.  His eyes bulged.  \'93Bob, this is a joke!  It is, isn\'92t it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bob shook his head.  \'93It\'92s not a joke, and it is good.  Con\-gratulations, Ken.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy,\'94 said Ken softly with amazement in his voice, \'93this check is for five \softline
million dollars!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She grabbed him around the neck and kissed him.  \'93Wonderful!  I\'92ve always \softline
dreamed of marrying a rich husband, and now you are!  Do you think we\'92ll be able to eat \softline
something besides beans now?\'94  She grinned at him and then kissed Bob.  \'93By the way, \softline
are there any more of these odds and ends lying around in Sam\'92s will?\'94  Bob only smiled \softline
and shrugged.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Her Alpha brothers from Yale, John Robinson and Bill Johnson, were there \softline
along with Bill\'92s wife, Judy, who obviously was expect\-ing a baby soon.  She kissed Bill \softline
and was introduced to his wife.  The girl took Kathy\'92s hand and looked at her steadily.  \softline
\'93Kathy, al\-though we\'92ve never met before, I think I owe you thanks for our happi\-ness \softline
together.  Bill has never told me the whole story, but he credits you for keeping him out \softline
of jail.\'94  Patting her swollen abdomen she continued, \'93I may even have you to thank for \softline
our first child who\'92s soon to appear.\'94  She put her lips close to Kathy\'92s ear and \softline
whispered for a while.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In the meantime, Bill, John and Ken were getting acquain\-ted.  John smiled at \softline
Ken and offered his congratula\-tions.  \'93Ken, I\'92m one of a great many guys who\'92s madly \softline
in love with your wife.  She knows it, too.  Unfortu\-nately, she loves me like a brother \softline
which isn\'92t exactly what I had in mind, although it\'92s a lot better than nothing.  I can see \softline
in your eyes that you\'92re madly in love with her, and I can see that she is with you.  It\'92s \softline
so obvious to me now.  As beautiful as she was at Yale, it\'92s nothing like the beauty she\'92s \softline
radiating today!  Very best wishes to you both.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Later, Ken asked Kathy what Bill\'92s wife had whispered.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She giggled.  \'93It seems that Bill bought a pool table as soon as they bought their \softline
house in Cincinnati.  He taught her a pool game that is sort of a strip rotation.  When \softline
one of the players runs out of clothes to take off, he or she has to grant the other a wish \softline
when the next ball is sunk.  Well, Judy was bare and Bill sank an\-other ball.  He had her \softline
lie on the pool table and made love to her.  She thinks that was when she conceived.  Bill \softline
told her he learned the game from me.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Did he?\'94 Ken asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled, nodded, and looked at Ken speculatively.  \'93Hmm.  I wonder where \softline
we can put a pool table in our apartment?\'94 she mused.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jim and Sally O\'92Rourke had been flown in from California.  Sally took Kathy\'92s \softline
hands in hers.  \'93Isn\'92t this really a bit much?  Even for Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy told her about the special legacy, \'93So, it was use it or lose it, so you\'92re \softline
here.  Thank you both for coming.  Sally you are looking great!  So are you, Jim.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sally grinned.  \'93I\'92m almost as brown as you, Kathy, all over.  Now that we\'92re \softline
married, I\'92m completely naked when I\'92m in the sun.  Kathy,\'94 she said turning serious, \softline
\'93Jim and I feel a tremendous debt to you for all you\'92ve done.  With you paying for our \softline
education, the obligation extends to working to justify your confidence in us.  We just \softline
received our grades for the first semester.  All \'91A\'92s\'92.  We\'92re trying!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The toasts were drunk, the cake was cut and it was time to throw the bridal \softline
bouquet.  Shortly after, she and Ken made their escape.  The reception was held in the \softline
Grand Ballroom of the Omni and they were spending the night in a suite there and \softline
would be leaving in the morn\-ing for Chicago where they were connecting to a nonstop \softline
United flight to Maui.  Ken had a two-week leave for their honey\-moon which they were \softline
spending at Kapalua.  They retreated to their suite and Kathy collapsed on the bed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked at her.  \'93Do you want to change first while I get the car?\'94 he asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at him strangely, \'93Kenneth Stark, are you reading my mind?  How \softline
did you know I wanted to go back to the apartment?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Because I do, too.  Why don\'92t you just leave your gown here?  The bags are all \softline
packed and in the car anyway.  There\'92s just your small bag...\'94 he said.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll meet you down at the entrance in five minutes!  Hurry!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Less than five minutes later, she jumped in the car as Ken pulled away.  She \softline
looked at him and started to giggle.  \'93What\'92s so funny?\'94 he asked, puzzled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Us!\'94 she replied, still giggling.  \'93Just look!  Here\'92s this distinguished-looking \softline
officer with his brand new full-dress blues and this funny-looking urchin wearing Levi\'92s \softline
and a sweat shirt.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked back and forth and started to laugh, too.  \'93Why don\'92t you just keep \softline
your head down, so people won\'92t see me slum\-ming?\'94  At that, she gave him a poke in the \softline
ribs.  \'93My God!\'94 he said in mock alarm, \'93We haven\'92t even left on the honeymoon and \softline
already she\'92s beating me!\'94  Just then a State Police cruiser came up behind with its \softline
lights flashing and siren wailing.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Damn!\'94 Kathy said, \'93Those clowns see us like this and we\'92ll never live it down!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Instead of waving them over, though, the cruiser roared up alongside.  Again, it \softline
was Trooper Stockdale.  \'93Doesn\'92t anyone else patrol this road besides Will, for chris\-
sakes!\'94 Kathy exclaimed, exasper\-ated.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab This time Will just waved his finger in a circle and pointed forward.  He hit the \softline
gas in his souped-up cruiser and moved into the high-speed lane.  Ken stepped on the gas \softline
and followed him.  They roared east on the Expressway to their turnoff.  In\-stead of \softline
continuing his patrol, Stockdale led them off the ramp, through the streets and up to the \softline
rear entrance of the apartment.  He stopped quickly and jumped out of his cruiser.  Ken \softline
stopped to wait for him to catch up.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Stockdale saluted smartly, \'93Congratulations to you both from me and the other \softline
troopers of the Virginia State Police.  Before you get all het up, Kathy, the Captain gave \softline
me permission to escort you all the way home.  Commander, sir, I know today was your \softline
weddin\'92 an all.  Could I kiss the bride?  Please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy jumped out of the car and came around to where Will was standing.  She \softline
held the tall trooper and gave him a warm kiss on the mouth.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He had taken off his hat and was smiling happily.  \'93Thank you, ma\'92am.  Thank \softline
you kindly.  Please accept my sincere wishes for a long and happy life together!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Will Stockdale!\'94 Kathy said sternly, \'93if I ever get a }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 hint}{\plain \fs24 \f2  that you told anyone \softline
what I was wearing when you saw me...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now, Kathy, why would I do a thing like that?  Besides, you\'92re pretty as a pup \softline
no matter what you\'92re wearing and... and...  You\'92re the best pistol shot in the state, and \softline
my mama didn\'92t raise }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 complete}{\plain \fs24 \f2  fools!  Good evening to you all.\'94  With that, he returned \softline
his hat to his head, saluted smartly and returned to his patrol car.  Kathy got back in the \softline
car and they parked it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the elevator door opened, Ken easily picked her up and carried her into \softline
the apartment.  While still being held in his arms, she wrapped her arms around his neck \softline
and softly kissed him.  \'93Thank you, Commander Stark,\'94 she said softly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re welcome, Mrs. Stark.\'94  he said with love in his voice as he carried her \softline
into their bedroom.  In no time Kathy\'92s body was bare.  Ken was just starting to undress \softline
when she said, \'93Please don\'92t, Ken.  Let me.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She approached him and he tried to take her in his arms.  She looked at him.  \softline
\'93Humor me?  Let me.  You stand still and only move if I say.  Please?  For a wedding \softline
present?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How can I refuse my bride\'92s simple request?  Okay,\'94 he said with a smile.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took off his tie, and hung it up.  Then she took off his new dress coat, \softline
examined it carefully, got a clothes brush and brush\-ed off some lint before carefully \softline
hanging it.  She was tantaliz\-ing him and they both knew it.  After helping him off with \softline
his trou\-sers she repeated the process of careful brushing and then hanging them up.  \softline
Ken was getting a massive erection as he watched her glor\-ious nude body move in front \softline
of him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Meanwhile Kathy was making the situa\-tion harder by \'93accidenta\-lly\'94 strik\-ing \softline
very provocative poses as she moved.  Then she had him sit while she took off his shoes 
and socks.  She studied the shoes and wiped them carefully with a shoe cloth.  As she did, \softline
she made sure her small ass was high in the air and fac\-ing him.  She came back and took \softline
off his T-shirt, and careful\-ly examined his chest, slowly running her finger tips over it.  \softline
It was obvious to Ken that her play had aroused her as well.  Her nipples were hard, and \softline
he could see moisture in her slit.  Fin\-ally, she took off his shorts releasing a massive \softline
erection with semen already forming drops on its tip.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went down on her knees, and sat on her heels, pretending to study it.  She \softline
looked up at his face \'97 her eyes were alive with excitement.  \'93Is that for me?  Where \softline
does it belong?  Can you show me?  Please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With that he picked her up and carried her to bed.  Ken was playing her game, \softline
deciding it was fun.  \'93Well, little girl, you have a hole into which it fits.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That can\'92t be!\'94 she said feigning disbelief.  I have only tiny holes, and that is \softline
so big!  Surely, you can\'92t think you could put it in me.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It goes in here,\'94 he said, gentling inserting a finger in her dripping vagina.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No!  Please!  It will hurt.  It would tear me in half!\'94 she said, continuing their \softline
little play.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Let\'92s try!\'94 Ken said, spreading her legs wide.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Slowly, he inserted his now-raging erection into her moist crevice.  He was \softline
surprised as Kathy manipulated her vaginal muscles to tighten her opening.  Very \softline
slowly, he moved his hips back and forth working himself deeper into her each time.  He \softline
watched her head toss as her loins took on a life of their own.  In moments, she had a \softline
small orgasm, while he rested within her.  He began to move in and out with long, slow \softline
strokes, nearly coming out at the end of the backstroke and then burying himself to the \softline
root.  He felt it as she built to another orgasm, while he exercised near-super\-human \softline
control to keep from cuming.  She recovered her breath while he remained still.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she recovered, she started to move her hips in tempo with his mo\-tions.  \softline
Finally, with Kathy moaning beneath him, he could hold on no more.  His release was \softline
massive, flooding her insides.  At the same instant she had reached her peak.  Her loins \softline
jerked convul\-sively as her juices released in a torrent with some forcing past his erection \softline
and soaking the bed.  She screamed and lost con\-sciousness from the sensory overload.  \softline
Ken collapsed on the bed beside her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He was holding her in his arms when her eyes opened.  She just looked at him \softline
with love in her eyes.  \'93Ken,\'94 she said softly, \'93for a newlywed, your balls are awfully full.  \softline
Can we empty them in me \'97 or on me \'97 before we get on the plane?\'94 she said with a \softline
soft smile.  They tried very hard to do just that.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At Kapalua, they rejoiced.  They made love and played golf.  They made love and \softline
played tennis.  They made love and swam.  They made love and lay on the nude beach.  \softline
They made love and ate lovely meals.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab One morning near the end of the honeymoon, Kathy awakened first and \softline
stretched like a tigress.  She looked at her husband asleep next to her.  She couldn\'92t \softline
resist.  Burrowing under the covers with her head, she made a little tent with them so \softline
she could examine Ken while he slept.  Carefully, she felt his scro\-tum, now virtually \softline
drained.  His prick was flaccid as she gazed at it.  Then, with the tip of her extended \softline
tongue, she softly licked the tip and the area around it.  As she did, it started to grow \softline
erect.  She continued to apply her tongue, and as it grew larger, her mouth.  Soon it was \softline
fully erect.  She slowly and then more quickly moved her mouth up and down, taking it \softline
inside her throat.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She felt the covers thrown back as Ken awakened and found her down on him.  \softline
He watched the movement of his wife\'92s golden head as it went up and down.  Finally, he \softline
could hold it no longer and released.  When he did, she had him in her mouth to its hilt.  \softline
He could feel her swallowing rapidly as the pulsations slowed and then stopped.  \softline
Reluctantly, she lifted her head.  She looked at it carefully and daintily licked off some \softline
drops of semen that remained.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, she rocked back on her heels and smiled at him brightly.  \'93Good morn\-
ing, my husband!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93And what, may I ask, were }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 you}{\plain \fs24 \f2  just doing?\'94 he said, trying to cover his grin with \softline
a stern tone of voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Having breakfast!\'94 she said sweetly.  \'93I was hungry, you were still sleeping, \softline
and... and it\'92s very high in protein, I understand.  There\'92s just one thing: Does it come \softline
in other fla\-vors?  Chocolate, perhaps... or straw\-berry?  Or...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He gave her a playful spank and then pulled her to him and kissed her softly.  \softline
He eased her away to get a better look at her.  \'93You\'92re causing me a lot of trouble, you \softline
know?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No I didn\'92t know, but I\'92m very glad to hear it,\'94 she said stick\-ing out her tongue.  \softline
\'93Now how am I causing you trouble?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He smiled at her fondly.  \'93I used to think I was a boob man,\'94 he said, carefully \softline
cupping one of her breasts and giving it a soft squeeze which caused her to shudder \softline
lightly.  \'93And you have gorgeous boobs.  But...  roll over, Kathy, please.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He released her breast as she rolled on her stomach.  \'93But then I see your little \softline
ass, and I think I\'92m an ass man.  Your ass is so firm and yet you make it soft when you \softline
think I want it soft.  In any event, your skin is like satin.  With your small ass and my \softline
large hand, it makes a beautiful handful.\'94  As he said it, he cupped one of her cheeks in \softline
his hand and squeezed.  She closed her eyes, arched her back, and made a small mewing \softline
noise.  Her hips moved slowly as she enjoyed the feeling.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then, of course there are your legs.  Now I\'92ve always been a leg man, and \softline
pickings aren\'92t all that good these days.  There are these girls with piano legs, with pipe-stems, with...\'94  She raised one leg behind her holding it out straight.  \'93Now that is a 
gorgeous leg!\'94  He ran his fingers from the knee, slowly up to the hip.  Kathy turned over \softline
on her back.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He ran his fingers up the inside of her thigh, ending at her slit.  He let his fingers \softline
explore its moistness until he found the clitoral sen\-tinel rising to greet his finger tip.  He \softline
slowly teased it and could feel it stiffen.  Now her whole cunt was flowing wet with her \softline
mois\-ture.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well,\'94 she said with a warm smile, \'93are you just going to handle the merchandise or are you going to do something produc\-tive?  Put some\-thing in it, maybe?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He grinned at her.  \'93I\'92m still sleepy.  You\'92re the one who woke me up.  You do \softline
the work!\'94 he said, rolling on his back.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She feigned a frown, and swung astride him.  \'93My God, I\'92m on my back all night \softline
trying to make enough from these cheap sailors to support the guy!  He takes my money, \softline
spends it on booze and other broads and, when he finally comes home, I have to do all \softline
the work!\'94  She was grinning and Ken was trying to look bored.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He entered into her new little play.  He yawned.  \'93What are you bitching about?  \softline
It\'92s better than keeping you here, barefoot and pregnant, isn\'92t it?  Besides, you get a \softline
chance to meet new people...  Ouch!\'94 he yelled as Kathy gave him a hard pinch.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In the meantime, though, she was moving her hips in a series of intricate \softline
motions and he could feel their tempo rising.  She ended her speech and started moaning \softline
softly as she felt him so deep inside her.  In moments they were both moving rapidly to \softline
a crescendo of passion.  Again, their orgasms came together.  Kathy slumped down \softline
beside him in a faint.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they wakened, Kathy took his prick and balls in her hand.  \'93Look, Ken, \softline
look!  Your great thing is dead, and your balls are empty.  What can we do?\'94  She grinned \softline
at him and kissed him softly on the mouth.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He gently returned the kiss and held her close.  Finally he said softly, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 \'93You}{\plain \fs24 \f2  killed \softline
it!  What are }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 you}{\plain \fs24 \f2  going to do about it?\'94  They laughed softly and went back to sleep in \softline
each other\'92s arms.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 24}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was Ken\'92s last night at home before the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  sailed for the Mediterranean \softline
and Kathy had prepared a magnificent dinner for him.  She had been unable to resist \softline
teasing him that morning, \'93Ken, you\'92re no fair!  I want to fix your very favorite meal for \softline
tonight, and you won\'92t even tell me what it is!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sure I will, hon.  It\'92s your cunt.  Now, browned and sau\-teed...  Ouch!  Why did \softline
you hit me?  I was just trying to answer your question.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kenneth Stark, I hate you!  You\'92re mean and cruel and...  Besides, I think \softline
broiled might be better...  less butter.  But Ken, I don\'92t think I would have grown \softline
another by the time you get back so...  Are you sure?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He held her and kissed her.  \'93Kathy, you keep forgetting who you married.  After \softline
the Navy food I\'92ve been living on for the last fifteen years or so, everything you make is \softline
magnificent.  Re\-member, hon, except for the submarine service, Navy kitchens are \softline
magical.  The food that goes in is the best that money can buy.  Then there\'92s what comes \softline
out!  It\'92s inedible, but as I say, it\'92s magic!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In the event, Kathy prepared Tournedos Rossini with foie gras and truffles on \softline
artichoke hearts, sauce P\'e9rigord.  She had a bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1959 \softline
that she had put away for such a special occasion.  When Ken returned home that night \softline
from his ship, she had a serious request.  \'93Honey, I need a favor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked at her startled.  Ever since they had married, he wanted to buy her \softline
gifts.  She did not eat candy, and after a while the collection of flowers he brought her \softline
gave the apart\-ment the aura of a funeral home.  Anything in his power to pro\-vide, he \softline
would give her.  \'93Of course, honey!  Anything.  What is it you need?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken, you\'92re going to be gone a long time.  I realized this morning that... that \softline
I don\'92t have your power of attorney.  As your wife, of course, I have risen in the eyes of \softline
the law from having been your mistress.  On the other hand, I sank a notch on the Navy \softline
scale of officer values.  By the way, do you have a mistress yet?  I\'92ve tried to make it \softline
difficult for the conniving females by trying to be sure that your balls are always empty, \softline
of course, but some girls are more ambitious than others.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She grinned, and he grinned back.  \'93Anyway,\'94 she continued, \'93I prepared a \softline
general power of attorney, giving me full powers to act on your behalf in your absence.  \softline
Is that okay?\'94  She produced a paper and was amused to see Ken carefully read it from \softline
top to bottom.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked up from the paper and smiled, \'93I hope you notice that the dumb little \softline
kid is trying.  Of course, I don\'92t under\-stand what the damned thing means, but I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 did}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
read it!  After all, sweetheart, if you can\'92t trust your lawyer, who can you trust?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They both thought of Ken\'92s former lawyer, Homer Knight, who had recently \softline
been disbarred.  Ken signed the paper, reached in his wallet, took out a crisp new dollar \softline
bill, and gave it to Kathy.  \'93Now, about those \'91other valuable consider\-ations\'92...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Honey, I\'92ll get Bob or Jane to sign as a witness.  They both know your signature \softline
and will be happy to.  When you said the bit about trusting your lawyer, I saw your \softline
grimace.  Thinking about our dear friend, Homer Knight?\'94  Ken nodded.  \'93Ken, did you \softline
hear what that damned judge did with Sylvia?  He gave the bitch three-to-five and \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 suspended}{\plain \fs24 \f2  it, for chrissakes.  He apparently bought the line Ed Holmes was trying to \softline
sell:  He was the mastermind, and she was just the hired help!  That woman is evil!  \softline
Seeing her in court made my skin crawl!  Ken, am I being vindictive?  I\'92ve never felt this \softline
way about a person be\-fore, but I want her locked up!  In fact, to be honest, what I really \softline
want is her dead!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked up, startled at his wife\'92s vehemence.  \'93Kathy, I feel sorry for that \softline
woman.  I really do!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was surprised.  \'93Why do you say that?  After what she did to you and all \softline
those other officers?  Ken, do you realize most of them lost everything \'97 and for good?  \softline
We got your stuff back because it had only been signed over a few days earlier.  Those \softline
other poor guys are finished.  Their property is gone for good.  So why would you ever \softline
feel sorry for the bitch!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, you made a successful career jailing dangerous crim\-inals.  You cer\-tainly \softline
wanted them locked up, but it was a job that needed doing, like collecting the trash.  The \softline
reason I said what I did is that with Sylvia it\'92s personal.  I don\'92t think it ever was with \softline
the others.  You were just sweeping up the trash.  This is different.  Can I tell you \softline
something?  I\'92m not speaking now as your hus\-band, the guy who\'92s crazy in love with \softline
you, either.  If I were Sylvia and I knew you were after me, I wouldn\'92t be sleeping well.  \softline
You\'92re the best there is!  And you can be deadly!  That\'92s why I feel sorry for the bitch!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, said the black widow to her mate,\'94 Kathy commented as she took \softline
Ken in her arms and kissed him softly.  \'93You know, Ken, a black widow got her name \softline
because she\'92s deadly to her mate?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I know that,\'94 he replied with a grin, \'93but with you, what a way to die!  By the \softline
way, I love that dress on you.  The color exactly matches your eyes, doesn\'92t it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She smiled and did a deep curtsy.  \'93Thank you kind sir!\'94  The smile turned into \softline
a grin.  \'93And I thought you just liked me bare-assed for easier access to my bodily \softline
openings!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The dinner was superb.  It was followed by coffee, cognac, and cigars.  They ate \softline
it in the dining room by candle\-light.  While they were enjoying their final sips, Ken sat \softline
back and contemplated his wife.  \'93Do you know what I love about you?  You do things \softline
because you like to.  Kathy, I can\'92t think of a girl more temperamentally opposed to the \softline
screaming libbers, yet you sit there with a light panatella in your hand.  They would look \softline
on it as a great device to show up men.  You do it because you enjoy it with the cognac.  \softline
Am I right?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She smiled at him warmly.  \'93Of course.  I do enjoy it.  I think you said it, Ken.  \softline
You need a cigar with the cognac and coffee after a great dinner \'97 if I must say so, \softline
myself!\'94  She finished with a note of acid in her voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken was chagrined.  \'93I\'92m sorry!  Kathy, I really am.  It was the finest meal I\'92ve \softline
ever eaten.  I apologize for being a slob and not saying so.\'94  He got up, went over to her \softline
and kissed her softly.  For an instant Kathy kept her lips firm, but then she melted.  \softline
When the kiss ended, he was holding her tight while kneeling on the floor.  \'93Does that \softline
mean I\'92m forgiven?\'94 Ken said hopefully.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She smiled warmly.  \'93Let\'92s just leave the junk and go to bed.  I\'92ve got six months \softline
or so to clean up after you leave.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She led the way, and by the time he reached the bedroom, she was standing \softline
nude.  Looking at her, Ken received a shock.  He went closer and got on his knees in \softline
front of her to get a better look.  There on her hairless mound was red lettering that \softline
looked like a rubber stamp imprint.  It said \'93Property of Kenneth Stark.\'94  She looked \softline
at him with concern.  \'93Darling, there\'92s one thing I\'92ve learned since we\'92ve been together.  \softline
Every damned thing in the U.S. Navy is marked, Proper\-ty of the US Navy.  So I thought \softline
I would extend the idea.  What do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think, \'91Only Kathy,\'92 is what I think.  It\'92s permanent stamp ink, isn\'92t it?\'94  She \softline
nodded.  \'93It\'92s one of the many reasons I love you so much.  Life is never dull.\'94  He sat \softline
on the floor and looked up past her legs, her loins and her breasts to her face.  \'93I love \softline
you, sweetheart!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Are you sure you don\'92t mind?  I knew it would wear off long before you got \softline
back, so I took a chance.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Actually, darling, I think it\'92s neat!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Great!\'94 she said with a grin.  \'93Now get undressed.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He did, and she kissed him, first softly, then with increas\-ing passion.  When she \softline
released him, his prick was standing at attention.  She noted it and said, \'93Great!\'94 and \softline
disappeared.  She returned a few moments later.  \'93Now stand still!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She had a stamp pad and a rubber stamp.  As his prick seemed to soften, she \softline
took it in her mouth to make it rigid again.  She withdrew her mouth and applied the \softline
rubber stamp carefully along its length on top.  When she removed it, there were letters \softline
running along its length saying, \'93Property of Katherine Stark.\'94  He looked down at \softline
himself when she pulled away.  She patted his flat stomach gently and said, \'93It\'92s a good \softline
thing you\'92re not fat.  If you were, you might not be able to read it.  What do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken started to laugh.  He laughed harder and harder until he could no longer \softline
stand.  In moments, they were on the floor in each other\'92s arms.  He kissed her softly \softline
and held her tight.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re not mad?\'94 she asked tentatively.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93No, I\'92m not mad.  Only my wife would label me to keep me out of the clutches \softline
of the whores in the Med.  Kathy, you know what?  You have utterly ruined me!  I see \softline
girls I used to think were the greatest thing since the wheel.  Now I feel sorry for them, \softline
for chrissakes!  They\'92re good enough, I suppose, but com\-pared to you, it\'92s unfair!  That\'92s \softline
what it is!  Unfair!  Why screw around with silver when there\'92s 24-carat gold at home?\'94  \softline
He kissed her deeply, picked her up, and carried her to bed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Their lovemaking that night ran the gamut from unbridled pas\-sion to \softline
tenderness.  At one point during the night they were on their backs.  Ken was holding \softline
her holding her close when he whispered, \'93Kathy?  Did Sandy Castle visit you while we \softline
were out on the shakedown?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He could feel her nod her head, and heard her answer in a small voice, \'93Yes.  \softline
Why do you ask?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He pushed up on one elbow to look at her face.  \'93I knew it!  It had to be!  Kathy \softline
Stark strikes again!  You cost me a top-flight executive officer, I want you to know!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sat up and looked at him, alarmed.  \'93What do you mean?  How?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ever since we got back, Jack Castle, the guy who could be relied on to take any \softline
detail \'97 no matter how lousy \'97 that would keep him aboard, has been going home \softline
nights.  He has been walking around with a shit-eating grin, is why.  I asked him once \softline
if there were any problems at home.  All I got from the lug is that damned grin and the \softline
comment, \'91My wife has a perfect ass.  It\'92s just a lovely handful.  She\'92s not as good as \softline
Kathy in the chest but she has great legs \'97 for a girl, not an accountant!\'92  Kathy!\'94  He \softline
ended on an accusatory note.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked sheepish.  \'93I\'92m sorry, Ken.  It was just after your mother left.  I \softline
was all set to get in the sauna when I get this call from probably the person I least \softline
wanted to see in the whole world.  Of course, that made me feel guilty so I asked her to \softline
come over.  And... Well... We talked.  That\'92s all, Ken!  Honest!  We just talked.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He kissed his wife with warmth and deep affection.  \'93Thanks, hon, for saving \softline
their marriage.  It was }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 on}{\plain \fs24 \f2  the rocks, not just headed for them, and the ship was breaking \softline
up.  Seriously, when Jack went ashore the day we got back he was primed to ask for a \softline
divorce.  That idea died in one hell of a hurry.  What did you do or say?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Nothing, really.  Only... Only... I asked her what she did if Jack put his hand on \softline
her ass when she was in the kitchen.  She said she\'92d slap his face.  I told her I would hold \softline
on to the sink to keep from falling because my knees always feel weak when you do.  \softline
Well, we covered other things, and...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93...And she\'92s been elected a partner in her accounting firm.\'94  Ken interjected, \softline
\'93Jack said \'97 well, he may have been bragging, of course \'97 after the first night, she \softline
couldn\'92t care less about the firm.  She started wearing more feminine clothes, was \softline
thought\-\-ful to her secretary, and...  Well, anyway, she was elec\-ted.  She was told she was \softline
about to be passed over in the selec\-tion but she saved the situation by her changed \softline
behavior.  Some of the other partners were afraid she was acting too mascu\-line.  When 
Jack told me, he was laughing like hell.  I nearly forgot.  He loves you, by the way.  Sandy \softline
\'97 and it\'92s now Sandy, not Sandra \'97 loves you, too.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He took her again, slowly and deeply.  When they reached their climax, her legs \softline
were around his neck to be sure he was in as deep as he could get.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next morning, she drove Ken to the ship for the first time since he got his \softline
own car at Christmas.  He got out with his bags and then kissed her hungrily.  She felt \softline
his crotch and made a small face.  When he asked if anything was wrong, she tried to \softline
grin at him, although he could see her eyes were fogging with tears.  \'93Damn it!  I \softline
thought I drained you last night!  There still seems to be something there!\'94  He just held \softline
her as she clung to him.  Finally she said, \'93Get your ass in gear, Skipper, and get that \softline
bucket underway!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He smiled and ran for the gangway.  Kathy stood and watched, or tried to.  The \softline
tears still got in the way.  As she stood, she sensed someone had come up beside her.  It \softline
was Sandy Castle.  She tried to focus on the girl\'92s face and finally did.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The young professional accounting partner looked woebegone.  \'93Kathy, it\'92s all \softline
your fault!  Whenever Jack sailed before, I looked forward to getting a lot of work done \softline
for my clients.  Now... Now... Now, Kathy, I}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2  hurt!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 He\'92s barely aboard, and we didn\'92t \softline
sleep a wink last night, but... but...  What will I do?  You were so right!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That first night he was home, he came in loaded for bear!  I had his favorite \softline
drink made, and I was wearing this outlandish negligee...  He kissed me.  While we were \softline
kiss\-ing, he put his hand on my ass expecting to be slapped.  I did what I had always \softline
wanted to do.  I melted.  Well, one thing led to another and I was nude on the living \softline
room floor with Jack inside me.  Kathy, it was like heaven!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I never did find out what he was so mad about.  Do you know?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled at the girl and said she had no idea.}}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 

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\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 25}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had spent a miserable night tossing in an agony of sexual frustration.  Her \softline
cunt ached for Ken\'92s cock.  She thought about it, but came to no conclusion.  She hadn\'92t \softline
had a man for years before she met him and it hadn\'92t bothered her at all.  Why was she \softline
so tormented now?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She was thinking along those lines when the phone rang.  It was Tony Donetti.  \softline
Hearing his voice startled her:  He had never called her before.  \'93Angel, there\'92s a \softline
problem I\'92m sure you\'92ll be interested in.  It\'92s in Family Court, downtown.  There\'92s a \softline
young girl named Susan Smith.  She\'92s a runaway from her legal guardian, Sylvia Black.  \softline
Anyway, this kid isn\'92t repre\-sented.  I can help, but I need someone to say some words.  \softline
Can you do it?  She needs you, Angel.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was instantly awake when she heard Tony\'92s voice.  \'93Tony, how much time \softline
do I have?  You caught me in bed.  Do I have time to take a shower?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Tony laughed.  \'93I should have known!  I called the kids first.  They loved your \softline
wed\-ding, by the way, as did my wife and me.  You should never have invited us and we \softline
should never have come, but we did.  My wife cried, Angel.  She said you were the most \softline
beautiful bride she\'92s ever seen.  All she could talk about was your white gown and golden \softline
hair.  You were stunning!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Anyway, it\'92s only seven o\'92clock!  You know the courts better than I do, but I\'92ve \softline
never heard of anything happening before ten.  And Angel?  Please let me know what \softline
happens.  The poor kid is being held in jail pending the hearing.  Will you let me know?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course, Tony.  I\'92ll get right down there.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As soon as she hung up the phone, she got out of bed, showered, dressed in her \softline
lawyer suit, had a cup of coffee and drove down to Family Court.  She went to the jail \softline
where she was well known and asked to see Susan Smith.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The sergeant on duty looked embarrassed.  \'93I can\'92t do that, Miss Smith... I \softline
mean, Mrs. Stark.  Orders.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Orders from whom, Sergeant?\'94 she inquired.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Up high, Kathy.  It\'92s some political influence thing,\'94 he said in a near-whisper.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy left and went to a restaurant close by where she used to eat when she was \softline
in the District Attorney\'92s office.  She had breakfast and was back in the courthouse \softline
before the court was called into session.  The bailiff announced the judge\'92s entrance and \softline
the court was called to order.  The first case called was Susan Smith\'92s.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab A young girl was being dragged into the courtroom from the holding area.  She \softline
was handcuffed and was being dragged by the two matrons who were escorting her.  \softline
Then Kathy saw Sylvia Black again.  She had seen Sylvia for the first time when she \softline
attended her trial on conspiracy.  While she had detested her then, she hated her now.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab The judge looked around the courtroom as if he was looking for something.  \'93Is \softline
this girl represented by counsel?\'94 he inquired.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sylvia started to say that it was a juvenile case and no counsel was required, \softline
when Kathy came forward.  \'93I am Kathy Stark, your Honor, and I am representing \softline
Susan Smith,\'94 she assert\-ed, smiling venomously at Sylvia.  She contin\-ued, \'93I have been \softline
prevented from meeting with my client.  There\-fore, I respectfully request a ten-minute \softline
recess to speak with her now.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sylvia was about to protest, when the judge\'92s gavel came down hard.  \'93The court \softline
will be in recess for ten minutes.  We will reconvene at twenty minutes after the hour.\'94  \softline
Looking at the deputies, he said pointedly, \'93Matrons will assure that Mrs. Stark meets \softline
with her client }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 in private!\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan Smith was brought in to an attorneys\'92 conference room.  The matrons \softline
were about to withdraw when Kathy said to them sharply, \'93Take those handcuffs off my \softline
client\'92s wrists.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But Mrs. Stark, I can\'92t.  This girl is violent!\'94 one of the matrons replied plain\-
tively.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I said, take them off.  Now!\'94  The matron responded in\-stant\-ly to the steel in \softline
Kathy\'92s voice, took off the cuffs, and quickly retreated.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab For the first time, Kathy had an opportunity to get a good look at Susan Smith \softline
and almost fell off her chair.  The girl was Kathy\'92s identical twin but about ten years \softline
younger.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hi, Susan.  I\'92m Kathy Stark, and I\'92m an attorney in Nor\-folk.  I lied in there \softline
when I said I was your attorney.  I\'92m not.  I can\'92t be your counsel unless you ask me to \softline
be, and you haven\'92t had a chance.  May I represent you, Susan?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy almost melted as Susan\'92s beautiful blue eyes regarded her.  Then Susan \softline
did a double take as well.  \'93But... but... you look like me!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I know, honey.  But we don\'92t have much time.  May I repre\-sent you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course!  Anything to get away from that horrible woman!  Miss Stark, please \softline
help me!  I only wanted to go to school.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s Mrs. Stark,\'94 Kathy corrected gently.  \'93Why are you moving so stiffly?\'94  \softline
Instead of answering, the girl lifted her shirttail and turned her back.  Kathy was \softline
horrified to see streaks of blood crisscrossing the girl\'92s back.  \'93Who hit you?\'94 she asked \softline
quietly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93One of the guards, ma\'92am.  She\'92s a sadist, I think.  After stripping me bare, she \softline
tied my hands to a hook that came down on a pulley from the ceiling.  They pulled me \softline
up until my toes were barely touching the floor.  She took off this leather belt and \softline
whipped me with it.  I was spinning on the hook, and she just kept beating me.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was appalled.  There was a phone in the room for attor\-neys\'92 use.  She used \softline
it to call Peter Mahoney on his private line, and he answered at once.  \'93Pete, it\'92s Kathy.  
I\'92m at Family Court.  Can you get down here right away?  And get a squad of police over \softline
here, too?  I\'92m supposed to go back into court within three minutes.  It\'92s Court\-room \softline
Three.  Just stand in the back of the room and have the police in the corridor waiting.  \softline
It won\'92t be a long wait.  Can you come?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll be there as soon as I get my shoes back on.  It\'92ll take about five minutes.  \softline
See you!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy turned her attention back to the girl.  \'93Susan, I\'92m dreadfully sorry!  \softline
Would you please take your shirt off?\'94  The girl was wearing a man\'92s shirt that fit her \softline
like a tent, along with a pair of dungarees tied with rope at the waist.  She took off the \softline
shirt and faced Kathy.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy almost became ill.  The girl\'92s beautiful, but still-immature breasts had \softline
been cut by the belt.  Marks crisscrossed her body and went below the belt line.  \'93How \softline
far down do they go?\'94 she asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93To just above my knees,\'94 was the quiet reply.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How many times did she hit you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t know,\'94 Susan replied softly.  \'93I passed out after about thirty.  It really \softline
hurt, Mrs. Stark.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy\'92s voice was so full of menace she didn\'92t recognize it herself when she \softline
spoke, \'93Never again, Susan.  I swear to you this will }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 never}{\plain \fs24 \f2  happen again.  Come on, it\'92s \softline
time to return to the court\-room.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they stepped outside the room, the same matron was waiting.  She looked \softline
at Susan with a question in her eyes.  The girl shook her head and Kathy turned back \softline
to the matron.  \'93Do you know who I am?\'94 she asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, ma\'92am.  You\'92re Kathy Smith.  Or you used to be.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s right.  Now, who beat this girl?  I want to know }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 now!\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I can\'92t tell you!  Mabel would kill me!\'94 the woman repli\-ed, terrified.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93So we know her name is Mabel.  Is she in court today?\'94 Kathy asked.  Both the \softline
matron and Susan nodded.  \'93Fine!\'94 said Kathy.  \'93Let\'92s go!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They reentered the courtroom.  Kathy escorted Susan to the defendant\'92s table \softline
as the judge returned.  The court was called to order and the judge announced that the \softline
plaintiff, Mrs. Black, the child\'92s legal guardian, could proceed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sylvia Black came forward.  \'93It\'92s a simple matter, Your Honor.  I have the papers \softline
here appointing me the legal guardian of Susan Smith.  She ran away and got caught.  \softline
I want her back.  Thank you.\'94  Sylvia returned to the plaintiff\'92s table and sat down.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mrs. Stark, do you have anything to say on behalf of the minor, Susan Smith?  \softline
However, before you speak, Mrs. Stark, I have a question to ask the girl.  Susan, would \softline
you please stand?\'94  Susan stood up.  The judge continued, \'93Susan, Mrs. Stark has \softline
claimed to be your counsel.  Did you ask her to represent you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Yes, Your Honor.  I certainly did.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, Susan, you may sit down.  Mrs. Stark, you may proceed.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab While the judge had been addressing Susan, Kathy looked around the room.  She \softline
saw Peter Mahoney with a policeman sitting in the back of the courtroom.  \'93Your \softline
Honor,\'94 Kathy began, \'93there is a great deal about this case I do not yet understand.  \softline
First, I do not know how Sylvia Black came to be this child\'92s guardian in the first place.  \softline
Your Honor may not be aware of the fact that Sylvia Black was senten\-ced to three-to-five \softline
years imprisonment less than six months ago after being convicted of larceny, conspiracy \softline
and bigamy.  Her sentence was sus\-pended.  I do not understand how a convicted felon \softline
could ob\-tain guardianship of a minor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mrs. Stark, can you support this charge?\'94 the judge asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At that point Pete spoke up from the back of the courtroom.  \'93Your Honor, I am \softline
Peter Mahoney, District Attorney of Norfolk County.  I can attest to the truth of Mrs. \softline
Stark\'92s statements.  Copies of the relevant documents could be delivered in a matter of \softline
minutes from Criminal Court, if you wish.\'94  Peter sat down again.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That won\'92t be necessary, Mr. Mahoney.  Please proceed, Mrs. Stark.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Your Honor, I request a continuance of this case for ten days.  In the meantime, \softline
I request that the defendant, Susan Smith be remanded to my custody.  Further, Your \softline
Honor, I demand that the matron standing over there be placed under arrest immed\-
iately.\'94  Kathy pointed to a beefy matron standing back in the corner of the room.  \'93The \softline
charge is felony assault and battery!  Susan, please show the judge your back.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan approached the bench, turned her back to the judge, and lifted the back \softline
of her shirt.  When she exposed her back to him, Kathy saw the judge turn white as a \softline
sheet.  Kathy spoke up sharply, \'93That was done to the child by the matron I indicated.  \softline
Perhaps I should ask you to look over this child in your chambers where she could be \softline
fully unclothed.  I saw more, your Honor, and it\'92s sickening!  She has been beaten from \softline
her shoulders to her knees as she was suspended naked from the ceiling revolving \softline
helplessly.  Your Honor, that woman is a brutal sadist!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then a shot rang out, followed quickly by three others.  Kathy felt the \softline
breath of a bullet passing by her head.  She turned quickly to see the matron, Mabel, \softline
crumpling to the floor while the officer who had accompanied Peter was standing holding \softline
a smoking revolver.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy ran to the fallen woman and reached her the same time the officer did.  \softline
A glance at the still-drawn weapon in the officer\'92s hand told Kathy all she needed to \softline
know.  It was a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum, a hand cannon.  Mabel was dead.  At least \softline
one of its bullets had blown her apart.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab During the instant that the courtroom remained in a stunned silence, the judge \softline
spoke quickly.  \'93This case is continued for ten days.  Miss Smith is remanded into the \softline
custody of Mrs. Stark until that time.  This court is now adjourned!\'94  His gavel pounded \softline
down as chaos erupted.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy spoke quickly to Susan, \'93Let\'92s get out of here.  Move!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab On the way out, she spoke quickly to Mahoney.  \'93Thanks, Chief.  This is a lot \softline
more melodrama than I had in mind.  This kid is in terrible shape and I really have to \softline
get her home fast.  May I call you later?  And please thank the officer for saving my life!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They quickly left the courthouse before the press and TV crews could arrive.  \softline
Ducking into a luncheonette Kathy used a pay phone to call the hospital.  When she got \softline
through she asked for Dr. Miller and was told he was off duty.  She identified herself and \softline
asked for his home telephone number.  Calling his home, his wife answered.  \'93Cindy, this \softline
is Kathy Stark.  I need help desperately.  Is Charley home?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley was on the phone immediately.  \'93Charley, I need your help, and Cindy\'92s, \softline
too, if it\'92s possible.  I have a young girl with me who\'92s been viciously beaten.  She recalls \softline
about thirty lashes before she passed out, but God only knows how many there were.  \softline
I could bring her to the hospital, but I think another institution is the last thing she \softline
needs to see right now.  Can you help?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course, Kathy!  What\'92s your address?\'94  She gave it to him.  \'93We can be there \softline
in thirty minutes.  Is that soon enough?\'94 he asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s great, Charley.  In fact, the girl and I are in downtown Norfolk now.  I\'92m \softline
not sure we can be there in thirty minutes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s okay, Kathy.  If Cindy and I beat you, we\'92ll just wait for you there.\'94  The \softline
connection clicked off before she could speak.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Come on, Susan.  We\'92re off.\'94  They went to her car and got in.  Then she \softline
noticed the cellular telephone that she had just had installed.  \'93Damn!\'94 she muttered \softline
under her breath.  Being so new, she had forgotten she had it.  She picked it up and \softline
dialed \'93O.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the operator came on the line she asked for the State Police barracks \softline
closest to Norfolk and said it was an emergency.  She was connected and asked to speak \softline
to the watch commander.  He came on the line and identified himself as Lieutenant \softline
Pinkney.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Lieutenant, this is Kathy Stark.  You may know me better as Kathy Smith.  I \softline
need help.  I\'92m in Norfolk and need to get to my apartment in Virginia Beach as fast as \softline
possible.  Could I get an escort, please?  It\'92s an emergency.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just a moment, ma\'92am.\'94  A few seconds later he was back on the line.  \'93Ma\'92am, \softline
Trooper Stockdale is in that general area.  He knows you and your car.  He will meet you \softline
at the Expressway entrance near the Omni.  He\'92ll be there in two minutes or less.  Is \softline
that satisfactory, ma\'92am?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s perfect, Lieutenant, and many thanks.  I have to come out to see you \softline
folks at the barracks some day soon.  Thank you, sir.  I\'92m rolling.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab She glanced at Susan sitting in the passenger seat.  \'93Honey, the way you\'92ve been \softline
beaten, that seat belt harness won\'92t feel too great, but I think you\'92ll feel better with it \softline
fastened.  This ride is going to be a fast one.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl buckled her belt.  Kathy felt her heart tug as the girl winced just once \softline
as the belt slid across her tortured shoulder.  When she reached the Expressway, Will\'92s \softline
cruiser was pulled off the road, waiting.  When he saw her in his mirror, he waved and \softline
started to roll.  He cut in his siren and flashers and made for the high-speed lane.  Kathy \softline
was on his tail as they were soon up to 100 mph speeding east.  In her rear view mirror, \softline
she saw another police car closing in the middle lane.  He passed them both and moved \softline
far ahead to provide more warning to other vehicles.  In no time they were at the exit \softline
and off the highway.  Again, Stockdale escorted her to her driveway with his siren \softline
screaming.  She had made it in less than fifteen minutes.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Will jumped out of his car and ran up to her, saluting.  \'93I hope that was fast \softline
enough, Kathy,\'94 he asked.  When he peered into the car he did a double take.  \'93Is this \softline
the...  Good grief!  Kathy, she\'92s... she\'92s a younger twin sister!  Woweee!  Ma\'92am, I don\'92t \softline
think this poor old town can take two o\'92 you.  It surely cain\'92t.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at the beautiful girl sitting beside her.  \'93Will, I would like to \softline
introduce you to a girl you\'92ve just helped a great deal, Miss Susan Smith.  Susan, this is \softline
Trooper William Stockdale of the Virginia State Police.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How do you do, Trooper Stockdale?\'94 Susan said in a soft, melodic voice.  \softline
\'93Thank you so much for your assistance.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s a real pleasure to meet you, Miss.  A real pleasure, indeed!  I surely hope \softline
you\'92re feeling better, soon.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Will,\'94 Kathy said, \'93I spoke with your Lieutenant.  Susan and I would like to \softline
visit your barracks soon.  We hope to see you there when we do.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Will blushed.  \'93I\'92ll surely be there, ma\'92am, unless of course, I\'92m on patrol.  Have \softline
a good day!\'94  He went back to his cruiser just as the Millers drove up.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab After Kathy parked her car, the four went up in the elevator together.  Kathy led \softline
them into the guest room.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Charley and Cindy, I would like you to meet Susan Smith, your patient.  Susan, \softline
this is Dr. and Mrs. Miller.  Mrs. Miller is a nurse.  They are a trauma team, and I think \softline
you need their help.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Both Millers had done a double-take similar to Will Stock\-dale\'92s, but Charley \softline
recovered quickly.  \'93Susan,\'94 Charley said, \'93would you please tell me what happened to \softline
you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan told the story of the matron, Mabel, and what the woman had done to her.  \softline
Dr. Miller asked Susan to undress and she did so quickly.  She was standing before them \softline
completely unselfcon\-scious and completely nude.  Kathy glanced at Cindy who had \softline
turned pale at what she was seeing.  The girl had been unmer\-ci\-fully beaten with special 
attention to her breasts, thighs and pubic area.  Kathy noticed that Susan had a small \softline
patch of rather dense pubic hair, a darker shade of gold than the hair on her head.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Charley turned to his wife, \'93Honey, could you start cleaning up Susan, please?  \softline
I would like to speak with Kathy for a few moments.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Cindy started opening the treatment bags and removing needed materials as \softline
Kathy and Charley left the room.  Miller was shaken as he said, \'93Kathy I\'92ve been in \softline
trauma treatment for over five years, as has Cindy.  I know you saw her go pale when \softline
she saw the girl, and we see some terribly beat-up people.  Of course, I suppose the \softline
difference is that the others are victims of acci\-dents while this was deliberate.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Charley, there\'92s one consolation.  The woman who did that to her is dead.\'94  \softline
Kathy said, recounting the events in the courtroom.  Then she asked, \'93What do you \softline
think, Doctor?  Will she be all right?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I honestly can\'92t say yet, Kathy.  Let\'92s go back and take a look.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They went back in the room.  Cindy was continuing to clean out the cuts while \softline
Charley examined the girl carefully.  She was beaten and cut, but no wounds were deep \softline
enough to require sutures.  They were both relieved and amazed to see that the girl was \softline
sound asleep.  As gently as they could they completed the process by putting an \softline
anaesthetic ointment on the cuts.  When they finished, Kathy drew the drapes to darken \softline
the room, carefully covered the young girl and withdrew.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Millers were waiting for her.  Cindy had collapsed in a chair.  \'93Kathy,\'94 \softline
Cindy said, \'93I\'92m getting too old for this.  That is a beautiful girl in there, as beautiful as \softline
you are.  She\'92s a youn\-ger identical twin, except there is no such thing.  Who would do a \softline
thing like that to such a beautiful child?  She\'92s very brave, too.  I\'92m sure that some of the \softline
things I had to do were agonizing to her, but the most she ever did was wince a little.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Charley, you\'92ve had a chance to examine her now.  What do you think?\'94 Kathy \softline
asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think she may be incredibly lucky.  We can\'92t be sure for a while yet, but I \softline
don\'92t see anything that will cause lasting scars.  I would like to leave some anaesthetic \softline
ointment for you to use on her body three times a day.  If you give me the name of your \softline
pharmacy, I\'92ll call them and order out a supply.  With her condition you will need a lot.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She gave him the name and he placed the call.  When he hung up the phone he \softline
said, \'93They\'92re sending out their entire in-stock supply right now and are reordering from \softline
their wholesaler.  They expect to deliver more before the end of the day.  Between what \softline
I\'92m leaving and what they\'92re sending over you should be okay.  I guess that about takes \softline
care of it.  Could you bring her in to the hospital to see me in a week?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course, Doctor.  Now, would you and Cindy care to stay for lunch?  I could \softline
fix something very quickly.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, Kathy, but we want to get home.  It\'92s our day off and Cindy likes \softline
to spend it in bed.\'94  Charley grinned while Cindy blushed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Then can I at least pay you now before you leave?  It would save you a lot of \softline
time and paperwork,\'94 Kathy said.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They were genuinely insulted.  \'93Kathy, you\'92re our friend.  We don\'92t charge our \softline
friends, particularly when our friends are playing Good Samaritan.  We\'92re glad we could \softline
help.  I certainly hope things work out for the poor kid!  If there are any develop\-ments \softline
you don\'92t like the looks of, holler?  Promise?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I promise.  And thank you both so very much!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Millers left and Kathy went into Susan\'92s room.  The girl was sleeping \softline
soundly as she gently closed the door again.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was evening when Susan\'92s door opened.  Kathy was curled up on the sofa with \softline
a book as she came into the room.  When Kathy looked up, her heart was wrenched by \softline
the juxtaposition of the beautiful face on an equally beautiful, but now brutally battered \softline
body.  Kathy put down her book, went over to the girl, and put out her hand.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, after the events of today, I think we should start over.  I am Kathy \softline
Stark.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl smiled tentatively, but took Kathy\'92s hand in a firm grip.  Kathy looked \softline
down at the girl\'92s hand.  It was the same size as her own with the same long slender \softline
fingers.  It was as if she were shaking hands with herself.  Kathy noticed that the girl \softline
seemed totally unconcerned about her nakedness, but she asked her anyway.  \'93Susan, \softline
would you feel more comfortable wearing something?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl smiled and shook her head, but suddenly her face showed concern.  \'93It \softline
doesn\'92t bother me a bit, but if I\'92m embar\-rassing you...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned and shed her own clothes.  She had been wearing jeans and a T-shirt.  It was May, and the weather in Tidewater was hot.  \'93Susan, you certainly don\'92t \softline
embarrass me.  I seldom wear clothes around the apartment.  I was only trying not to \softline
embarrass }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 you!\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl looked at Kathy\'92s body with its all-over tan.  \'93You\'92re very beautiful, \softline
Mrs. Stark,\'94 she said matter-of-factly, But what\'92s that?\'94  She was looking at the \softline
\'93Property\'94 stamp across her mound.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy explained it, and the girl laughed.  Then Kathy heard a digestive growl, \softline
\'93Good heavens!  Susan, you must be starving!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I guess I am a little hungry, Mrs. Stark,\'94 she said shyly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93When did you eat last?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yesterday, I think, ma\'92am,\'94 was the quiet reply.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What would you like?\'94 asked Kathy as they entered the kitchen, \'93How about \softline
a hamburger?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl\'92s face lighted up.  \'93That would be wonderful!  Could I?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In no time Kathy had the grill working, and two hamburgers starting to sizzle.  \softline
Trying to remember her own likes as a teenager, she sliced onions and tomatoes and \softline
took out a head of lettuce.  Hamburger rolls were soon toasting.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy put the plates on the counter and watched as Susan\'92s ham\-burger \softline
evaporated.  Before touching her own, she put two more on the grill.  By now the deep \softline
fryer had reached cooking temperature, and she dropped in potatoes to french fry.  \softline
Finally, she brought the drink mixer in from the bar and blended a milk shake.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The poor girl was famished.  She devoured the food and the milk shake, and \softline
finally looked up.  \'93That was marvelous, Mrs. Stark!  Thank you so much.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy wanted to cry hearing the girl\'92s thanks for a couple of hamburgers.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy led the girl into the library.  She let herself down gingerly on the couch \softline
and then relaxed.  \'93Susan, tell me about yourself.  Let\'92s start at the courtroom and go \softline
backwards, okay?  And Susan, please call me Kathy.  I\'92m not }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 that}{\plain \fs24 \f2  much older than you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl gave her a warm smile.  \'93Sure, Kathy.  Kathy, I live in a whorehouse, \softline
but... but... I\'92m still a virgin.  My birthday is coming up next month.  I\'92ll be sixteen, and \softline
I\'92m the prize in an auction that Sylvia\'92s running.  She made a poster with a picture of \softline
me naked.  There\'92s a place below for the johns to sign up with a bid.  The highest bidder \softline
gets to take my vir\-gini\-ty.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Things weren\'92t so bad until Sylvia bought the house a few month\'92s ago from \softline
old Mrs. Watson.  She brought in a lot of new girls, Kathy.  A lot of them are younger \softline
than I am.  It feels kind of strange and terrible to kneel on a bed and watch a girl four\-
teen taking a huge cock inside her.  One little girl gripped my hand as this guy ripped her \softline
insides.  She was scream\-ing, but he loved it.  He wouldn\'92t let me do anything to make \softline
his entry any easier for her.  He wanted to rip her apart!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I guess they\'92re not considered as pretty as me or some\-thing.  If a John pays \softline
extra, I\'92ll kneel on the bed and caress him while he plows the other girl.  For even more \softline
money, I go down on them and sometimes I take them in my ass.  Sylvia is always there, \softline
though, to make sure they don\'92t get to my cunt.  She will let them carefully feel my \softline
hymen, sometimes, so they know it\'92s still intact.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The recital was the worst Kathy had heard.  Clearly, underage girls were being \softline
prostituted.  She suspected that many were probably runaways who had been trapped \softline
into prostitution.  \'93Susan, would you like a Coke, or something?  I can see I\'92m going to \softline
have to change my food-buying habits.  Ken and I don\'92t stock many things that appeal \softline
to teenagers!\'94  She grinned at the girl and added, \'93Why don\'92t you help yourself to \softline
whatever looks interesting in the kitchen?  You haven\'92t had anything to eat in almost \softline
thirty minutes!\'94  She smiled as the girl bounded out of the library in the direction of the \softline
kitchen.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She picked up the phone and called Tony Donetti.  He was almost instantly on \softline
the line.  \'93I\'92m sorry about what happened today, Kathy.  I had a guy in the courtroom.  
He never expected that creepy matron would go for her gun.  What do you think of the \softline
girl, Angel?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t know how to answer that, Tony.  She\'92s like my younger twin sister, but \softline
there is no such thing.  The reason I called, though, is I want to smash Sylvia\'92s little red \softline
wagon, and do it for good this time.  But I need a little help.  Evidently, Sylvia took over \softline
a house a few months ago and replaced a lot of the girls with underage talent.  I\'92m going \softline
to call Mahoney right now and see if a raid can be staged tonight before Sylvia has a \softline
chance to temporarily clean up her act.  But I need to have a full house at her place.  I \softline
assume you know where it is?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re on, Angel!  She\'92s the kind who gives the trade a very bad name.  You \softline
want a mob of customers present who may get busted.  Kathy, we need to get the timing \softline
exactly right.  It\'92s one thing to be booked for patronizing a house of prostitution, but a \softline
very different thing to be nailed for statutory rape.  Guys can be found with the young \softline
kids, but not being too friendly, if you know what I mean?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I understand perfectly!\'94 she said.  \'93I\'92ll get right back to you.  What }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 is}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Sylvia\'92s \softline
address, by the way?  I don\'92t even know.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He gave her the address and she called Peter Mahoney at home.  \'93Pete, it\'92s \softline
Kathy.  I haven\'92t even thanked you for one favor, and I\'92m going to ask you for another.  \softline
First, though, I don\'92t know what else to say, except that officer saved my life.  Thank \softline
you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It makes good headlines, Kathy.  Thank }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 you}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  The police are delighted.  One of \softline
their own saves Kathy Smith.  The guy is a hero on the force.  Incidentally, I\'92m also \softline
making points because of you.  The women\'92s House of Detention turned out to be a \softline
horror show.  Frankly, the officer did the state a favor.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That matron, Mabel Mason, was a piece of work!  With her out of the way, other \softline
inmates and matrons came forward.  She had them all terrified.  However, Stark, as \softline
usual, you leave me with all the shit paper\-work \'97 taking statements, preparing for the \softline
inquest \'97 all that garbage!\'94  Kathy could hear the grin in his voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 so}{\plain \fs24 \f2  welcome, Mr. Mahoney!\'94 she replied sweetly.  \'93It\'92s the very least I \softline
could do!  Trying to keep the work within the very restricted limits of your capabilities, \softline
I mean.\'94  They both laughed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Pete, could we really nail Sylvia Black?  Raid her place tonight?  Could you get \softline
that Vice Squad sergeant, Tom Tucker, to run it?  Here\'92s what he\'92s going to find.\'94  She \softline
told him of the underage girls forced into prostitution and the rest of the Sylvia story.  \softline
She ended with a request.  \'93Pete, there\'92s just one thing.  I need to know, as accurately \softline
as possible, the time the raid is going down.  Can you set it up and then let me know?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Let me get back to you,\'94 Pete said.  His voice sounded grim, reflecting his \softline
reaction to the story she had just related.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As she hung up the phone, Susan returned to the room.  She had a Coke and a \softline
bag of what had to be very stale potato chips that Kathy didn\'92t even know she had.  
\'93Susan!  Those are ancient!  They\'92re stale and...  You shouldn\'92t be eating them!  They\'92re \softline
all grease!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan grinned and continued happily munching.  \'93They\'92re good, Mrs. Stark \'97 \softline
Kathy \'97 honest!\'94  She eased herself back onto the couch.  Kathy decided that teenagers \softline
must have cast-iron stomachs lined with copper or glass or some similar inde\-structible \softline
material.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, how long were you in the whorehouse?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl looked puzzled.  \'93I really don\'92t know.  I mean I\'92ve always been there, \softline
but...  I mean, it\'92s all I remember \'97 a year or so...  It\'92s very vague.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had the eerie feeling of some\-one walking on her grave.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 she \softline
thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Exactly like me.  She has no past beyond the whorehouse.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, you don\'92t know where you were born, or when.  You have no memory \softline
of your parents or anything back more than a year or so ago, do you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl was shocked.  \'93How... How do you know?\'94 she asked, bewildered.  \'93But \softline
you\'92re right.  I don\'92t!  I created a story to tell if one of the girls asked, but I really don\'92t \softline
know.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled at the girl fondly, \'93Because that\'92s the way it was when I was a \softline
prostitute, Susan.  I was just there.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab This time the girl\'92s jaw literally dropped.  \'93You!  In a whorehouse!  It\'92s \softline
impossible.  Look at this apartment, at you...  It just can\'92t be!  Kathy, you\'92re educated.  \softline
You have fine clothes and a hus\-band, and...  It\'92s just impossi\-ble!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m sorry, Susan, but it\'92s true.  I left the house when I was eighteen, about \softline
eight years ago.  I\'92m glad I could get you out earlier, with your virtue more or less still \softline
intact.\'94  She smiled warmly when she made the last comment.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then you know what it\'92s like.  The johns pawing you, the smells...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93People don\'92t change that much and the smells don\'92t either.  I\'92m pretty sure it\'92s \softline
about what I went through.  Why did you finally run away?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t know... I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 do}{\plain \fs24 \f2  know!\'94  The girl\'92s head came up straight and her blue eyes \softline
flashed.  \'93I want to go to school!  I don\'92t want to be a whore all my life.  Is that wrong?\'94  \softline
Tears started to flow from the girl\'92s eyes, but she refused to lower them.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Just like me,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy thought.  She couldn\'92t hold back.  Taking her in her arms \softline
she could feel Susan\'92s shoulders shaking with sobs.  Although there was no place Kathy \softline
could hold her without touching the vicious lacerations on her body, the girl seemed to \softline
need comforting.  She didn\'92t flinch in the slightest at the con\-tact.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, the girl lifted her head and looked into Kathy\'92s eyes.  \'93Do I have to go \softline
back?  Can they make me go back to that place?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I swear to you, Sue, you will }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 never}{\plain \fs24 \f2  go back!  If it\'92s the last thing on earth I ever \softline
do, you will not go back!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then the phone rang and Kathy answered it.  It was Pete.  The raid was \softline
going down at eleven o\'92clock that night.  She thanked him and called Tony again.  \'93Tony, \softline
it\'92s all set.  The police will hit Sylvia\'92s place at eleven on the dot.  Good enough?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s perfect, Angel!\'94  Tony laughed softly.  \'93It\'92s a shame we can\'92t film it!  I have \softline
a feeling we\'92re going to miss some real Academy Award performances.  One more thing, \softline
Angel.  What\'92s going to happen to that lovely girl?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ken and I are going to adopt her as our daughter, Tony.  You just brought it \softline
into focus for me.  Now all I need is for her to agree.  Thanks, again.  I owe you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You owe }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 nothing!\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2  he said, \'93I owe }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 you!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 It\'92s good for our business to get this \softline
shit off the street!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Fine, Tony!  You win again.  But one of these days...\'94  He laughed warmly and \softline
hung up.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked up to see Susan\'92s mouth agape.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Good going, Kathy!}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought.  \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 You\'92ve done it again!  The poor girl hears about her adoption by listening to you tell it to \softline
a stranger.  Cool move!  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 \'93I\'92m so sorry, Susan!  I didn\'92t mean it that way.  I was talking \softline
to a friend \'97 a friend to both of us, by the way.  He\'92s the one who told me to get down \softline
to Family Court in the first place.  Anyway, he asked what was going to happen to you \softline
and the answer was so simple I just blurted it out without thinking how it would sound \softline
to you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She looked at the girl.  \'93Susan, will you consent to my husband, Ken, and me \softline
adopting you as our daugh\-ter?  Will you be the daughter we can never have?  Please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl had been slowly shaking her head from side to side as Kathy was \softline
speaking.  When she finished the girl said, \'93You can\'92t be serious, Mrs. Stark!  You \softline
haven\'92t been listening to me!  I\'92m a prostitute!  I\'92m filthy!  I\'92m amazed that you allowed \softline
me in your beautiful apartment, let alone in that gorgeous bed.  It\'92s so great!  It feels so \softline
cool, with those luscious sheets on my body.  But I\'92m dirty!  I don\'92t belong here!  The \softline
whole idea is ridi\-cu\-lous.\'94  Tears started to flow unchecked from the girl\'92s eyes but she \softline
still refused to lower her head.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, I was a prostitute.  You weren\'92t.  Remember?  I think I took as many as \softline
thirty johns in a day.  I know what life is like there \'97 the people, the smells \'97 \softline
everything!  I think we can cope together better than any other two people because we\'92ve \softline
both been there.  I don\'92t know if you heard, but my maiden name is Smith, too.  We\'92re \softline
too much alike to be apart, Susan.  Please say yes!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab While she was talking, Susan had been intently studying her face.  The tears had \softline
stopped, and a look of tentative joy ap\-peared.  \'93You are serious, aren\'92t you?  You really \softline
want me... as your daughter!\'94  The girl ran into Kathy\'92s arms and hugged her.  \'93May I \softline
kiss you?...  And can I even call you Mom?\'94 the girl asked softly, and kissed her warmly \softline
on her cheek.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy couldn\'92t answer with words.  She just hugged the girl close.  Her tears \softline
were flowing, and her throat was too choked up to speak.  They went into Susan\'92s room 
and Kathy applied more of the antiseptic ointment on her body.  Susan was sound asleep \softline
before Kathy finished.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 26}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next morning while Susan still slept Kathy was in the kitchen fixing \softline
breakfast.  Remembering the previous night, she fixed the type of breakfast that Ken \softline
would eat and made enough for three.  As it was cooking she heard noises coming from \softline
Susan\'92s bathroom.  In a few minutes the girl was in the kitchen with her hair wrapped \softline
in a towel.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mrs. Stark... Kathy... Mom... I hope you don\'92t mind.  I don\'92t have anything, and \softline
there was toothpaste, and...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s yours, Susan.  Maybe you would like a different brand, but you can use...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Different }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 brand?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 You mean all of that\'92s for me?  And I didn\'92t want to waste \softline
that luscious shampoo, so I used bar soap.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Young lady, you can knock off that stuff starting right now.  Everything here \softline
is for you to use.  Everything!  Under\-stand?\'94  Susan shyly nodded her head.  \'93Good!  \softline
Now let\'92s eat!  It\'92s all ready and I hope there may be enough to fill even }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 you}{\plain \fs24 \f2  up!\'94  The \softline
girl grinned and devoured the break\-fast while Kathy ate hers and had a second cup of \softline
coffee.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Come on, young lady!  Back to your room.  We\'92ve got to see how you\'92re making \softline
out.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan lay on her bed while Kathy ex\-amined her body.  Earlier, she had called Dr. \softline
Miller and asked him about swimming and sun.  He said it was fine, but to apply no more \softline
ointment until they were finished in the sun.  The lacerations were healing rapidly, a \softline
tribute to the recuperative powers of adolescents.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, I would like you to do the next test yourself.  Let\'92s find a particularly \softline
ugly bruise.  Then I want you to press it with your finger to see how intense the pain is.  \softline
Will you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan nodded and they examined her body carefully.  When they found a \softline
particularly ugly bruise high on her thigh, Susan probed gingerly with a finger, and then \softline
harder.  She smiled at Kathy, \'93It\'92s felt a lot better, but it isn\'92t too bad.  I still would \softline
rather not wear anything, Mom, if it\'92s all right with you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled at her, and excused herself.  She caught Bob Ferguson in his office \softline
and quickly briefed him on Susan.  \'93Bob, I intend to adopt the girl.  Can you get another \softline
of your jiffy almost-real birth certificates like you got for me?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I beg your pardon, young lady!\'94 said Bob trying to act as pompous as possible.  \softline
\'93You have a perfectly genuine birth certi\-ficate!  Almost-real, indeed!\'94  He got serious, \softline
\'93I don\'92t suppose you\'92ve talked with Ken, have you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, I haven\'92t\'94 she said with the pomposity in her voice this time.  \'93Would Jane \softline
ask you first if she planned to present you with a child?  By the time you knew anything \softline
about it, the damage would already have beeen done.  Then it\'92s just ripening in her belly \softline
until it decides to make an appear\-ance.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I give up!\'94 he said.  \'93Seriously, Kathy, would you like me to talk to some of my \softline
friends and get this going?  You know, the world we live in is idiotic sometimes.  There \softline
are over a million abortions each year.  Thousands of teenagers get pregnant and go on \softline
welfare.  Yet a solid couple has to endure the torments of the damned with our great \softline
social-service bureaucracy to adopt a child.  And Virginia has one of the better systems, \softline
I\'92m told.  Anyway, they can legally give you all kinds of aggravation.  \'93Do you want me \softline
to start the ball rolling?  And what about Sylvia, her legal guardian?\'94  As he spoke, her \softline
business phone rang.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Bob, could you wait a moment?  There\'92s a call on the other phone that could \softline
provide the answer.\'94  She put Bob on hold and picked up the other line.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was Peter Mahoney sounding glee\-ful.  \'93Kathy, it was the greatest raid of the \softline
century!  Tucker and the vice boys are in seventh heaven.  As usual, though, it\'92s up to \softline
us poor paper pushers to prepare the indictments and do all that other good stuff.  \softline
Felony counts on Sylvia Black will be running pages.  We\'92re moving against her \softline
immediately on massive probation viola\-tions.  She will be in prison before the end of the \softline
week, and in jail until then.  Kathy, thanks for the tip.  And thanks for establishing the \softline
idea that baddies actually serve hard time.  We\'92re moving, and thanks again.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went back on the other phone where Bob was waiting.  \'93Sylvia will be \softline
unable to attend the hearing, it sounds like.  Pete is moving for imprisonment for \softline
probation violations while he gets the new case organized for trial.  He claims the felony \softline
counts will run to pages.  Does that help?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll get on it right away.  And Kathy?  We\'92re looking forward to meeting your \softline
infant daughter.  I\'92ll tell Jane when she gets back.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy went back to rejoin Susan who was resting on her bed.  She rolled over \softline
and looked at her new mother.  \'93What now, Mom?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now we\'92re going swimming!  The sun is hot, and the water\'92s cool.  Let\'92s go!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But, Mom!\'94 said Susan, looking forlorn, \'93I don\'92t have a bathing suit, and I\'92m \softline
not sure I could wear one if I did!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan Stark!  I think it\'92ll be your name starting next week, so you might as well \softline
start getting used to it.  You\'92re not nearly as observant as I thought you\'92d be.  There\'92s \softline
a pool out\-side your window.\'94  Kathy saw the girl\'92s face fall as she listened to the \softline
criticism.  \'93I\'92m sorry, honey!  That was unfair of me.  The drapes have been drawn ever \softline
since you got here.  I apolo\-gize.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As they made their way out to the pool deck Kathy asked the girl if she swam.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t, Mom.  Remember where I\'92ve been?  And I almost never left the house.  \softline
Let me watch you and then I\'92ll try.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled at the girl and strode to the pool edge.  She executed a beauti\-ful \softline
racing dive, pounded down to the end of the pool, did a racing flip turn, sprinted back, 
turned again and then slowed her stroke to the one for distance she used swimming laps \softline
in the pool.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She had completed 100 meters and had just flipped again when she saw a sleek \softline
body arch out in a racing dive virtually identi\-cal to her own.  The girl was beside her, \softline
using the same distance-devouring stroke she was.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 My God! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 she thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Susan does it, too.  No wonder the guys at Yale looked \softline
stunned.  She observed my movements, intui\-tively analyzed the bio-mechanics of the \softline
actions \'97 exactly which of my muscles are doing what \'97 and translated it into bio-kin\-
etics.  She makes her muscles do the things she\'92s just seen for the first time!  That\'92s what \softline
I do, too!}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The two girls were making an endurance contest of it.  It matched Kathy\'92s \softline
superior skill and physical training against Susan\'92s youth.  Up and down the pool they \softline
went side by side.  Kathy had long since lost count of the laps, and was hanging on by \softline
sheer willpower.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I will not be defeated by a battered slip of a girl in my own damned \softline
pool! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 she thought.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, she had to stop.  She finished a lap and grabbed the edge of the pool.  For \softline
the first time in her life she had to hold on to the edge while she gathered enough \softline
strength to pull herself out.  Finally, she did.  She spun around and sat on the edge with \softline
her legs still in the water.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan had her head resting on the edge without enough energy left even to lift \softline
it up.  Finally, she did.  With a grin as big as she had the energy to muster, she gasped, \softline
\'93You win!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned back at her, got out and reached down to pull the younger girl \softline
from the pool.  Susan popped out like a feather.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 How did she do that? }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy wonder\-ed, \softline
then grinned to herself.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The same damned way I do it, is how!}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy could scarcely walk.  She staggered over and dragged back two sun mats \softline
and the sun tan lotion for Susan.  She mumbled something and collapsed on the mat, \softline
sound asleep.  Kathy was lying on her back soaking up the sun when she felt the coolness \softline
caused by a shadow on her.  Opening one eye, she saw Jane standing there, nude as \softline
usual, with her shadow over Kathy.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re in my sun, Jane,\'94 she said, still groggy.  \'93Susan and I swam to Bermuda \softline
and back and I need to rest.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane didn\'92t move, and Kathy reflected that she had seen something different.  \softline
She opened her eyes again, alert this time.  She saw the girl\'92s breasts had begun to swell, \softline
and there was a visible convexity in her abdomen.  She jumped up.  \'93Jane!  You\'92re \softline
pregnant!  You\'92re going to have a baby!  You are, aren\'92t you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane had pulled up a mat and lay down beside Kathy.  \'93Sure am!  It was \softline
confirmed this morning.  I didn\'92t believe it.  Any\-way, I guess I shouldn\'92t be sur\-prised.  \softline
Except I feel so damn good.  Even the swelling in my breasts I dismissed against the \softline
hope that I was getting big-chested at long last.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93You know what the funniest thing was?  I saw this young OB/Gyn guy who gave \softline
me a full checkup.  I was sitting in his office, and saw him change something on the chart \softline
the nurse had filled out.  He was running on about how so many women were waiting \softline
so late to have babies and all the troubles they have.  Anyway, he was so pleased to have \softline
a patient only twenty-five.  He said he was a little surprised, because, from the exam he\'92d \softline
figured I was twenty-two or twenty-three.  He had already changed the date of birth on \softline
the medical history.  I told him it was correct.  I\'92m thirty-five.  He almost fell off his \softline
chair.  Kathy, it was the funniest, most ego-building thing that\'92s happened to me in \softline
years!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What does Bob think about the prospect of fatherhood?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s why I\'92m here.  The poor dear was floating so high, I hope he doesn\'92t hurt \softline
himself when he returns to earth.  He\'92s floating and so am I.  I asked the doctor about \softline
my favorite sport, and he said we could continue to have sex as long as I felt like it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy,\'94 she said with a broad grin, \'93do you suppose any woman ever had it on \softline
her way into the delivery room?  By the way, I think you\'92re cheating.  You\'92re getting \softline
them full grown.  Now will you intro\-duce me?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked over where Susan was watching the ex\-change.  She had pushed \softline
herself up and was resting on her elbows.  \'93Susan, I would like you to meet my dearest \softline
friend, Jane Ferguson.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan popped up from the mat, but her leg gave way and she went down on one \softline
knee.  From that position, she held out a hand to shake.  Kathy continued, \'93I think you \softline
ought to call her Aunt Jane.  It\'92ll help her keep you in mind when she needs a baby-sitter \softline
in a few months and you need some spending money!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane was looking at Susan intently.  \'93She\'92s your twin, Kathy.  Do you remember \softline
the first time we ever met?  I gave you that admissions test?  She looks exactly like you \softline
did that day.\'94  She slowly nodded her head and spoke quietly, \'93Susan also provides the \softline
answer to a question that\'92s been bugging me for months.  I always wondered what your \softline
pubic hair would look like if you didn\'92t remove it.  Now I know.  She\'92s you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mrs... Aunt Jane, you almost didn\'92t get to meet me.  My mother was trying to \softline
drown her newborn.  Don\'92t they do that with girl babies somewhere?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Drown }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 you!\'94 }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy protested.  \'93Why didn\'92t you just stop?  I wasn\'92t hauling you \softline
through the water, for God\'92s sake!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, you were!\'94 Susan retorted with a grin.  \'93You\'92d be damned if some battered \softline
young squirt was going to beat you in your own pool, and I\'92d be damned if my mother \softline
was going to have a quitter for a daughter!  Mom, you almost killed me.  When I stood \softline
up to shake hands with Aunt Jane, my leg collapsed.  Aunt Jane, would it be wrong to \softline
say I have the most beautiful mother in the world?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Jane looked at Kathy critically, \'93Well... top five anyway.  Maybe top three.  I \softline
guess it\'92s okay, Susan.  Your mother is certainly in contention.\'94  She grinned at Kathy \softline
fondly.  \'93Would you women care to help Bob and me celebrate tonight?  One of these 
months I\'92m going to have to knock off the booze, but not today.  Can I interest you?  \softline
Susan, you are the most beautiful girl I\'92ve ever seen except for your mother.  I was \softline
looking at you while you slept, and I\'92m glad that vicious creature who did this to you is \softline
dead!  I think you\'92ll be fine, though.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mother, I would love to!  Can we?  I\'92ve never been to a restaurant before.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93On behalf of my brand-new bedraggled daughter and me, we accept with \softline
pleasure.  Where are we going?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Bob loves the Promenade at the Omni.  Do you mind?  At eight?  We\'92ll meet you \softline
there.  Now I have to go and rescue the poor darling from the ceil\-ing.  And besides, I\'92m \softline
already late for my principal business service of the day.  See you later.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They watched her move gracefully inside, put on her clothes again and leave.  \softline
Kathy explained to Susan what the principal service was and they both laughed.  \'93How \softline
are you feeling, young lady?  Doctor Miller will skin me alive if I\'92ve allowed you to get \softline
a bad burn on top of your other problems.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m fine, Mom, really.  I just got the stuff larded on when I passed out.  You \softline
know, I really think I did, too \'97 passed out, I mean.  Mother, you are in fantastic \softline
condition... for an older woman!\'94 she said with a broad grin.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Young lady, do you know where you are?  If you would like to find yourself \softline
dangling by your heels from six stories above the street, you just keep up with that \'91older \softline
woman\'92 shit!  The nerve of some people\'92s children!\'94  She grinned back.  \'93I don\'92t know \softline
about you, but I\'92m going to soak in my shower and then take a nap.\'94  Susan struggled \softline
to her feet, dragged the mats back where they came from and then staggered off towards \softline
her room.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab  It was seven o\'92clock when Susan came into Kathy\'92s room looking like a dream, \softline
but still nude.  \'93Mom,\'94 she said with a wail, \'93what can I wear?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had just slipped into a white sleeveless dress that set off her tan, her blue \softline
eyes, and her golden hair.  She inspec\-ted Susan closely and thought again of the \softline
recuperative power of teenagers.  \'93Honey, you\'92ve recovered more in one day than I \softline
would have in a week!  Do you feel better?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Much better, Mom.  But I\'92ve seen your clothes, and they\'92re all cut like the dress \softline
you are wearing \'97 close \'97 to show off your perfect figure.  But much closer than I \softline
would care to wear right now.  Don\'92t you have }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 anything}{\plain \fs24 \f2  else?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had a brainstorm, and started laughing.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Fergusons were already seated at the table when two beautiful blondes \softline
entered the dining room.  Both were five feet seven, both had brilliant blue eyes that \softline
were an identical shade of blue, both had hair the color of yellow gold.  Attention was \softline
attracted to the younger of the two who was wearing a blue wildly-pat\-terned muu-muu.  
One guest who had recently returned from the Islands thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 So that\'92s the way they\'92re \softline
supposed to look!}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Bob Ferguson rose to greet them.  He took both of Susan\'92s hands in his, studied \softline
her, and said, \'93She\'92s right... my wife, I mean.  She says you may be even more beautiful \softline
than your mother.  I would never care to have to make a choice.  Welcome, Susan!  Your \softline
mother has christened my wife, Aunt Jane, so please, could you call an old guy Uncle \softline
Bob?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They sat down, and Jane grinned at Kathy.  \'93That muu-muu gets around, \softline
doesn\'92t it?  I remem\-ber when you wore it to our place on Thanksgiving.  Now it\'92s getting \softline
on towards summer, I may get a few myself.  Honey, on you it\'92s spectacular!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The evening was a delight.  As Kathy drove back to Virginia Beach, Susan was \softline
asleep beside her.  She thought about the girl, and realized she had met her scarcely two \softline
days earlier.  Yet the girl was already settling in and changing her life for the better, \softline
Kathy thought.  Now for their day in court.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At ten o\'92clock the following Thursday, Kathy was back in the courtroom.  When \softline
the case was called, Kathy announced that the def\-endant was ready, but there was no \softline
plaintiff present.  Al\-though irregu\-lar, she asked the judge for permission to proceed.  \softline
Per\-mission was granted and she began by calling Peter Mahoney as a defense witness.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He came forward, was duly sworn, and took his position in the witness box.  He \softline
stated his name and gave his occupation as District Attorney of Norfolk County.  \'93Mr. \softline
Mahoney,\'94 Kathy began, \'93are you acquainted with the plaintiff in this case, Sylvia \softline
Black.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I am, Mrs. Stark.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Do you know her current whereabouts?  Do you have any information for the \softline
Court regarding her absence from the proceed\-ings today?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I do.  At present Sylvia Black is serving a three-to-five year sentence in the \softline
Women\'92s Prison.  The suspension of her previous sentence was revoked early this week \softline
as a result of a major felony arrest the night of the prior hearing in this action,\'94 he \softline
replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93As a result of the arrest is Ms. Black facing new char\-ges?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93She is.  She is facing over fifty felony counts.  The indict\-ment is not yet \softline
complete, Mrs. Stark, so I am unable to give you a more precise number.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mr. Mahoney, as you know, this hearing is with respect to returning Susan \softline
Smith, seated with me at the table, to Ms. Black\'92s custody as her legal guardian.  Do any \softline
of the charges Ms. Black is now facing bear on her capacity or suitability to serve as \softline
Susan\'92s legal guardian.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93They most certainly do.  They include Pandering, White Slavery, Soliciting Sex \softline
with Minors and many more.  Mrs. Stark, in plain language, Ms. Black ran a whorehouse.  She had girls as young as fourteen years of age that she forced to prostitute \softline
them\-\-selves.  And I repeat, forced.  The raid was led by the most experienced vice-squad \softline
officer on our police force.  He was phy\-sically sickened by some of the things he and his \softline
men found.  And they are in a line of work in which a strong stomach is an occu\-pation\-al \softline
requirement.  Do you wish me to go on?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy addressed the bench.  \'93Your Honor, Defense sees no need to pursue this \softline
line of questioning further.  However, there is no need to convince me.  You are the one \softline
who counts.  Do you wish me to continue?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93No, Mrs. Stark, that will not be necessary.  However, it leaves the Court with \softline
the question of what to do with the young lady.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Your Honor, if it please the Court, there is a solution available.  May I present \softline
it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93By all means, Mrs. Stark.  The Court is all ears!  Please pro\-ceed.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Your Honor, I have adoption papers signed by all relevant parties.  To complete \softline
the process, it merely requires your signature.  The papers indi\-cate the adoption of \softline
Susan Smith by Kenneth and Katherine Stark.\'94  Kathy held her head up straight and \softline
proud.  \'93I would be honored to be permitted to adopt Susan as my daughter, Your \softline
Honor!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab From his lack of reaction, it was clear to Kathy that the Judge had at least some \softline
advance notice of her proposed course of action.  He said, \'93Mrs. Stark, you are certainly \softline
known to this Court as one of the most honorable and honored citizens of the \softline
Commonwealth of Virginia.  I have never had the good fortune to meet your hus\-band, \softline
but, if I may be so bold, I must believe him to be an outstanding individual for you to \softline
marry him.  The Court finds, therefore, that you meet all tests that could reason\-ably be \softline
imposed on adoptive parents.  It leaves only one question \'97 a vital question \'97 that must \softline
be answered by the young woman herself.  She is fifteen years old, I believe?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That is correct, Your Honor,\'94 Kathy replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The judge continued.  \'93Susan, please rise and approach the bench.\'94  Kathy was \softline
so proud of Susan who was looking beautiful in a lime-green dress she had bought her \softline
for the occasion.  Susan rose from her chair and came forward.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, Katherine Stark and her husband have indicated their desire to adopt \softline
you as their daughter.  This is very important, Susan, and I want you to think carefully \softline
before you answer.  Do you accept the Starks as your adoptive parents?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Your Honor,\'94 Susan began, \'93I understand your question perfectly.  Thousands... millions of children are born every day.  Their parents are whomever they are.  \softline
Clearly, it just happens.  The child has no say in the matter.  My case is different.  I have \softline
a choice, I believe.  Your Honor, if I could pick any set of parents in the world today, I \softline
would pick Ken and Kathy Stark.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Tears were streaming from her blue eyes, but she continued to look steadily at \softline
the judge on the bench.  \'93I have known Mrs. Stark for only ten days.  I love her as my \softline
mother.  I call her Mom.  Please, your Honor, let me con\-tinue to call her Mom.  I love her \softline
and want her desperately.  I beg you!  Please approve the adoption.  I\'92ve chosen my \softline
parents: Ken and Kathy Stark!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The judge was very interested in something on his desk as he fished for a \softline
handkerchief and unobtrusively dried his eyes.  He blew his nose and continued.  \'93This \softline
Court sees many family problems of all sorts.  It is rare, unfortunately, when it is in the \softline
capacity of the Court to create happiness.  Miss Smith, I am moved.  I believe you.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Accordingly, it is with joy on the part of the Court that you are declared the \softline
daughter of Kenneth and Katherine Stark.  Mrs. Stark, I should apologize.  Your \softline
daughter\'92s statement has caused my eyesight to blur.  If the papers are ready, I would \softline
appreciate it very much if you would indicate where I should sign.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Peter Mahoney took care of the chore, carefully blinking his eyes to be sure he \softline
was looking at the correct line.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hello, Daughter!\'94 Kathy whispered with tears in her eyes while she kissed \softline
Susan.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hi, Mom!\'94 Susan murmured as she hugged her new mother tightly.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs28\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 27}{\plain \fs28 \f2\fs28 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Two weeks later Kathy and Susan went north to visit her brand-new grandparents.  Susan had still not recovered from the shock of another of Bob\'92s odds and ends.  \softline
He had been waiting for them at the back of the court\-room with the news that Susan, \softline
as Kathy\'92s legal child, had just received a bequest of five million dollars from Sam\'92s \softline
estate.  She was now a wealthy young woman in her own right.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy could not believe the change that had taken place in Susan in less than \softline
two weeks.  Except for a few deep bruises which were rapidly clearing up, she was back \softline
to her normal self, a truly beautiful girl.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they reached the senior Stark\'92s home north of Williamsburg, they were \softline
heard coming up the gravel driveway and Sam and Betty came out to greet them.  While \softline
Betty was kissing Kathy, Sam was looking at his granddaughter.  \'93Young lady, where \softline
have you been?  I\'92m your grandfather, and I didn\'92t even know you were alive until a few \softline
days ago.\'94  He took her in his arms and kissed her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan looked at the very distinguished-looking man holding her, then wrapped \softline
her arms around him, kissed him and hugged him tightly.  \'93Hello, Grandfather.  I\'92m \softline
your granddaugh\-ter, Susan Stark, and I love you very much!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sam could feel the tears forming in his eyes as he continued to hug this lovely \softline
girl.  Betty looked on.  \'93Kathy, she is so beauti\-ful!  She\'92s a younger you.  Ken will be \softline
thrilled.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mother, do you really think so?  I can\'92t even reach him!  I don\'92t know where he \softline
is.  I\'92m so scared.  Of course I love Susan dearly, but I\'92m afraid Ken will think I\'92ve lost \softline
my mind!  I\'92ve written him, but I don\'92t know if he even got my letter.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They went inside, and Susan went into the kitchen to get to know her \softline
grandmother while Kathy and the Admiral went into his study.  \'93Dad, what do you \softline
think?  I told Mom that I\'92m scared to death!  Ken may not even know.  I can\'92t reach him \softline
by phone.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Admiral Stark loved his daughter so much he refused to think of her as a \softline
daughter-in-law.  He regarded her fondly.  \'93He mar\-ried you, didn\'92t he?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t understand.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My God!  Is my son lucky!  He\'92s sharing his home with two of the most \softline
beautiful women in the world: his wife, and her younger twin, his daughter.  Kathy, \softline
there is no problem.  Abso\-lutely no problem!  Ken is madly in love with you, and I know \softline
you believe that now.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sweetheart, Susan is a younger you!  It can\'92t miss.  Besides, I\'92ve only known \softline
her for a couple of minutes but already I love her almost as much as I love you.  As a flag \softline
officer I weigh probabilities.  It\'92s what we deal with.  There are no certainties in this \softline
world.  But this is as close to a certainty as I\'92ve ever seen:  Kenneth Stark will love his \softline
daugh\-ter, Susan.  Believe me!  He will.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled.  \'93Okay.  I give up.  Dad, I love you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2  \ul0 \tab \'93And I certainly love you.  You should know, Kathy, you\'92re not my daughter-in-law.  You\'92re my daughter.  Period!  Kathy, you are the greatest thing to happen to this \softline
family in centu\-ries!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now, something\'92s been on my mind.  I\'92m sure you remember the fateful day \softline
when we had that... talk... in this very room?  Well, you said two things.  First, that you \softline
had been a prosti\-tute.  Second, that you could never have children.  Kathy, we dis\-cussed \softline
the first and dismissed the second.  But it\'92s been on my mind.  How do you know you can \softline
never have children?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why, Dad...\'94 Kathy began.  \'93Because a doctor who checked the girls in the \softline
house when I was seventeen said so...\'94  She stopped in mid-sentence.  \'93My God!  Do you \softline
mean to suggest...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I\'92m not suggesting anything, I\'92m asking.  But it occurred to me that if \softline
you hung on to the belief that you were a prostitute long after you left the trade, I might \softline
inquire about the other.  Have you had a complete gynecological examina\-tion recently?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m a fool, Dad.\'94  She stood up, bent over, and pointed to her lovely rear end.  \softline
\'93Would you please stimulate my brain by giving it a kick?  It\'92s right here!\'94  She pointed \softline
at her ass.  She went back to the chair, sat down and looked at the Admiral ruefully, \softline
\'93That\'92s what happens when every time you sit down you\'92re sitting on your brains!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy,\'94 he said, \'93that\'92s the one thing I don\'92t like about you.  You take yourself \softline
so seriously!\'94  He grinned at his daugh\-ter and she grinned back.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dad, I promise!  I\'92ll have that complete gynecological checkup as soon as I can \softline
get an appoint\-ment!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Fine!\'94  He looked at her and continued, \'93Now, why is it I sense my daughter \softline
has something else on her mind?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dad, maybe it\'92s because I do.  First, you know your daugh\-ter is utterly \softline
shameless?  If Ken came through that door right now, I would have my legs spread wide \softline
to welcome his glorious cock into my cunt in about half a second?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, your language is... vivid, but so what?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I love to play a little game with Ken, often when he\'92s asleep.  Dad, when the \softline
nipples of my breasts are fully erect \'97 which is most of the time when Ken is around \'97 \softline
I find they neatly fill the depressions in his shoulder caused by bullet holes.  In fact, I \softline
tease him.  I tell him they\'92re holes left by some Viet\-namese wench who left a permanent \softline
impression.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But seriously, Dad, I love the big lug more than life itself.  I don\'92t want to see \softline
him screwed, by anyone, ever \'97 except me, of course.  Dad, I\'92ve been reading books \softline
about the Navy and how it works \'97 everything from }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 The Bluejacket\'92s Manual}{\plain \fs24 \f2  to Mahan.  \softline
And keep your mouth closed, please, thank you very much.  Ken would kill me if he 
knew.  He tells me I\'92ll be telling CNO what to do.  Anyway, one of the books was on \softline
military decorations.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dad, Ken took four bullets in the shoulder, presumably enemy bullets.  Why \softline
doesn\'92t he at least have the Purple Heart?  It\'92s supposed to be virtually automatic in \softline
such cases.  The only thing I know is that it happened in 1975 when we were bugging \softline
out.  That may be part of the explana\-tion.  But damn it, Dad!  He lives with those \softline
wounds.  I just play with them.  If he deserv\-es a medal, he should have it!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93There\'92s something else: Ken\'92s very honest and forth\-right with me.  He tells me \softline
anything and everything about his past, life at the Academy... anything.  Sometimes he\'92s \softline
a little reticent because he doesn\'92t really believe I could be interested, but he tells me.  \softline
Maybe that\'92s why this thing has been bugging me.  He says nothing.  The most he has \softline
ever said is that he didn\'92t duck fast enough.  I don\'92t even know what ship he was serving \softline
on.  My guess is that it was the river navy, though.  It\'92s the only way I could see him \softline
getting hit by small-arms fire.  Do you know anything about it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I don\'92t.  And, as usual, you\'92re right.  As you were speaking, I was kicking \softline
myself because I don\'92t know, either, and I\'92m his father.  You met him years after it \softline
happened.  Hell, I visited him in the hospital and let him put me off the same way he did \softline
you.  Want to make a deal?  You\'92ve promised to see a gynecologist.  I\'92ll promise to find \softline
out what happened to Ken in \'92Nam.  Deal?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa108\sl360\slmult1\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She stood up and extended her hand.  Again, he was a little surprised at the \softline
firmness of her grip.  \'93It\'92s a deal!\'94 she said.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa108\sl360\slmult1\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As they headed back home, she glanced over at Susan.  \'93What did you think of \softline
your grandpar\-ents?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mom, could I answer a different question?  I consider myself the luckiest girl \softline
alive!  I didn\'92t know the judge was going to ask me what he did that day in court.  I only \softline
hope and pray that you understand my answer was from the heart.  I love you, Mom!  \softline
You know something else?  I am the luckiest girl in the world.  I not only have the \softline
neatest parents in the world, but the neatest grandparents, too.\'94\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 28}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was time to prepare for Susan\'92s enrollment in high school.  Kathy reflected on \softline
the events of the summer just past.  Reflecting on it, the summer was the most pleasant \softline
she could remember.  It was exciting to get to know one\'92s daughter... and oneself.  She \softline
smiled, thinking of the fame they had achieved, this time on the sports page for a change.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As a break from the academic tutoring she was doing, she and Susan had gone \softline
out to the club one day to play tennis.  She had demonstrat\-ed the basic strokes and they \softline
started hitting the ball back and forth.  The pace quickened as she saw Susan improving \softline
dramatical\-ly with every stroke.  She developed a vicious topspin drive in no time, lashing \softline
the ball into the corners of the court, but always inside the chalk.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It had been a hot day, and Kathy called a break to catch her breath.  She hit \softline
Susan with the flat of her racket when she heard the girl murmur with a grin on her \softline
face, \'93The old lady\'92s out of shape.  The legs always go first.\'94  Kathy noticed with \softline
satisfaction that Susan was breathing hard as she said it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They found that the mother-daughter tournament was scheduled to begin in less \softline
than an hour.  \'93Mom, could we enter?  For kicks?  You\'92re too tough!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She had agreed and went to see the pro.  There was an open spot in the draw and \softline
he wrote them in.  As she did, Kathy reflected that she and Susan had a running athletic \softline
competition.  Inevitably, it was her experience against Susan\'92s youth \'97 their physical \softline
skills were about equal, but at a level far higher than either realized.  Kathy looked down \softline
at her body.  Because of all the exercise, she decided her physical condition and Susan\'92s \softline
were perfect.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They met their two opponents in the first match.  The girl was about sixteen, \softline
while her mother appeared to be in her for\-ties.  While they had been waiting for the \softline
match, Kathy had briefly reviewed doubles tactics with Susan, who immediately \softline
understood the reasoning behind them.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Their opponents served first.  The girl served to Kathy who hit a forehand smash \softline
down the center of the court.  The girl, coming to net, could manage only a weak volley \softline
return that Susan slammed into her feet for a winner.  The match was 6-0, 6-0.  In fact, \softline
they swept the tournament without losing a game.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was proud of Susan.  In response to a question, she claimed to have been \softline
playing tennis since the age of six.  On the way home, Kathy kidded her about her \softline
answer.  Susan ex\-plained it.  \'93Six or sixteen: the difference is the one, right.  And plus \softline
or minus one is pretty close, isn\'92t it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Following their club win they went on to area matches and finally to the state \softline
champion\-ships.  Perhaps because Kathy was so well known, perhaps because of their \softline
shared beauty, the tourna\-ment \'97 usually reported in the microscopic print on the \softline
sports\'92 page with long lists of scores \'97 had some reporters and photog\-ra\-phers in \softline
attendance.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab In the finals they met a team from Roanoke.  The daughter was eighteen, and \softline
her mother was in her mid-thirties.  It was obvious watching them warm up that they \softline
were very good and very experien\-ced in tournament play.  Susan served first.  Kathy \softline
thought they won the tournament with that single serve.  Susan served to the girl who \softline
was receiv\-ing deep.  Her serve came off her racket like a bullet and kicked up chalk as \softline
it hit in the service box while moving at an angle sharply away from the girl.  She could \softline
only watch it hit the screen behind the adjacent court.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab In many ways, it was a strange match.  Like the others it ended 6-0, 6-0, yet \softline
many of the points and games were hard fought.  Their opponents were real ladies and \softline
congratulated them warmly on their victory.  The girl expressed surprise she had never \softline
met Susan on the state junior tournament circuit, because clearly she was the best \softline
female junior she had ever seen.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As the mother and Kathy relaxed with drinks after the match, the woman com\-
mented that she had never seen a mother-daughter pair like Susan and her.  \'93There\'92s \softline
one thing I don\'92t under\-stand.  You\'92re obviously her mother \'97 you two look like twins \softline
\'97 but you can\'92t be.  You look like her older sister.  And if you\'92ll forgive my jealousy, only \softline
slightly older.  How on earth did you do it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy couldn\'92t remember what she had replied but knew it was some double-talk that seemed to satisfy the woman.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Or else,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  Kathy thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 she\'92s just too polite to \softline
pursue it}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  Their picture appeared in several Virginia newspa\-pers and it was played up \softline
big in Norfolk.  Susan was thrilled.  Kathy was concerned that Susan might be \softline
recognized by some of Sylvia\'92s former customers but realized she had had little customer \softline
exposure, and all traces \'97 including her nude photo on the bidding sheet \'97 had been \softline
destroyed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As promised to Admiral Stark, she had been seen and examined by the best \softline
gynecologist in the area.  She told him that she had been told as a teenager by a \softline
physician that she could never have children.  The doctor gave her a thorough examina\-
tion.  He had a sense of humor and laughed when he saw the now-faded stamp im\-print.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When she was again fully dressed, he reviewed the examination with her in his \softline
office.  \'93Mrs. Stark, we like to think of medicine as a science.  To the extent we know \softline
certain things, it is.  However, there are still far more things we don\'92t yet know.  The \softline
process of conception is one that we still don\'92t really know a great deal about.  Frankly, \softline
I see dozens of women who are physiologically sound, whose husbands are potent, yet \softline
who fail to conceive for whatever reasons.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Clearly, there must be a psychological or neurological element involved, because \softline
it\'92s not uncommon for a woman to give up on ever having a baby, adopt one, and then \softline
become pregnant.  I will say this, however: I don\'92t know who the doctor was who said \softline
you could not have a baby.  I do know I found absolutely nothing wrong with your \softline
reproductive system.  He may turn out to be correct, but to do so he used astrology, \softline
numerology, or some\-thing of that sort.  He did not use medical science.  He could not \softline
have found anything that would make that a physical fact.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I would add only one more thing.  It is rare that I get to examine a woman who \softline
is as beautifully prepared for motherhood as you are.  Barring complications, there \softline
should be no problems.  My only advice to you and your husband is to keep trying.  \softline
Whenever you mention him, your eyes light up.  I com\-mented earlier on your... mark\-
ings.  I conclude you enjoy a very active sex life and clearly you seem to enjoy it.  \softline
Continue to have fun trying to make a baby.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 He\'92s got that right! }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Kathy thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Just the thought of making love with Ken \softline
makes me hurt}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  She realized that her fun with Susan had helped her get through what \softline
would otherwise have been an unendurable separation.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then her thoughts returned to a call she received from Sam Stark a few weeks \softline
earlier.  She recalled it vividly in her mind\'92s eye.  \'93Kathy, it\'92s Dad.  Remember when you \softline
were up here, you turned around, bent over, and wanted me to kick you in your brains?  \softline
Well, I was sure you just wanted me to admire that lovely little rear of yours.  I was \softline
about to say so when I remembered you\'92re the best pistol shot in the state, and you\'92re \softline
armed.  Anyway, if you think you sit on your brains, I must be walking on mine!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It appears that your husband was a real hero.  I\'92m still tracking down the \softline
details, but here\'92s what I have so far:  He was in command of one of those river gunboats \softline
we were using out there and they were evacuating a group of Viet\-namese from an \softline
encircled village.  You were also correct on the timing.  It was when everything was \softline
coming unglued all at once.  At any rate, most of his crew were ashore helping to \softline
organize the evacuation, and then all hell broke loose.  North Vietnamese regulars \softline
attacked the village to try to col\-lapse the defense perimeter before they could evacuate.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93A couple of Ken\'92s guys were hit, and they were all cut off.  He took a weapon \softline
and singlehandedly fought his way to them and then got them out.  The flotilla \softline
commander had been killed in the first attack, so even though he was wounded Ken took \softline
command of the force.  They held off the enemy until the people he came for were \softline
boarded and on their way to safety.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I\'92m trying to speak as an admiral and not as Ken\'92s dad.  What he did \softline
that day deserves a very big medal.  We\'92re talking the Navy Cross or possibly even the \softline
Medal of Honor.  Anyway, I don\'92t know why Ken never said anything.  Perhaps it\'92s \softline
because we left with our tail between our legs while he was still in the hospital.  I don\'92t \softline
know.  However, the record is being recon\-structed from various information sources, and \softline
we\'92re trying to locate some eyewitnesses.  We have names of guys who were there and \softline
we know where to look for them, so it\'92s only a matter of time.  Kathy, thank you.  I\'92ll \softline
keep you posted, and I\'92m glad your brain still works.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy told him she had kept her part of the bargain and reported what she had \softline
been told.  \'93So, Dad, it\'92s a dirty job, but someone\'92s got to do it.  Ken and I will just have \softline
to work harder when he gets back!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, she thought back to the day she and Susan visited the State Police \softline
barracks and saw Will Stockdale.  She had been greeted by the troop commander, 
Captain Collins.  Lieutenant Pinkney, who had arranged the escort for Susan, was there \softline
as well.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Captain Collins, it\'92s a real pleasure to meet you.  I have you to thank for the \softline
escort to my apartment provided by Trooper Stockdale on my wedding night.  It was very \softline
thoughtful of you.  I\'92m afraid you\'92ve been hearing a great deal about me over the last \softline
year or so, and not much of it could be good.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mrs. Stark... but may I call you Kathy?  Around here you\'92re only known by your \softline
first name.  There are so many Kathy stories floating around the barracks, I couldn\'92t \softline
count them.  They\'92re all respectful and \'97 pardon me for saying it \'97 loving.  I hope it\'92s \softline
not too painful a memory for you, but I remember vividly the morning last year that the \softline
call came over the police radio net that \'91Kathy\'92s down.  Somebody shot Kathy.\'92  No last \softline
name, just Kathy.  With Virginia law enforcement that\'92s all the identi\-fication you need.\'94  \softline
He finished with a warm smile.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t believe I\'92ve had the pleasure,\'94 he said turning toward Susan who had \softline
been listening to this senior officer greet her mother with such respect and love.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Captain, I\'92m very proud to introduce you to my daughter, Susan.  Susan was \softline
the one who was injured when Lieutenant Pinkney provided the escort.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How do you do, Susan?  It\'92s a real pleasure!  I don\'92t think you know this, but \softline
the greatest pride we have had in our fellow officers was when we learned a Norfolk \softline
policeman had killed that sadis\-tic matron who shot at your mother.  You see, your \softline
mother spent a brilliant career making law enforcement agencies look very good.  \softline
Mostly, we just stood around and cheered while she did our job for us.  It was long \softline
overdue for us to do some\-thing for her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, if it wouldn\'92t be too much trouble, could I see those famous badges I\'92ve \softline
heard so much about?\'94  Kathy smiled ruefully and took them out.  Susan\'92s eyes widened \softline
as she saw the gold.  The captain looked at them carefully, looked at Susan and smiled.  \softline
\'93Young lady, from the look on your face \'97 and on your moth\-er\'92s \'97 you\'92ve never seen \softline
them before.\'94  Susan shook her head.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Captain looked at Kathy with a question.  She nodded, and he handed them \softline
to Susan.  \'93Susan, as far as I know, those badges are unique.  Your mother is the only \softline
law-enforcement officer with dual jurisdiction \'97 both State and Federal.  She\'92s also the \softline
finest pistol shot in the state.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, I can tell you\'92re looking for someone, and it can only be Will Stockdale.  \softline
Am I right?\'94  Kathy nodded.  \'93He\'92s around somewhere, I\'92m sure.  Let\'92s find him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m right here, Captain,\'94 said Will from behind.  \'93I\'92m delighted to see you \softline
women here today.  He looked particularly at Susan.  \'93Miss Stark, if I may say, you are \softline
looking particularly beauti\-ful.  I\'92m so happy there were no lasting effects.  We heard \softline
what had happened to you.  I shouldn\'92t say this, I suppose, but it\'92s a good thing that \softline
woman is dead.\'94  Turning to Kathy, he said, \'93Now what can I do for you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Will, could we go somewhere and talk?\'94  They found a quiet corner in the \softline
troopers\'92 lounge and sat down.  \'93Will, I have a problem I think you can help me with.  \softline
You know how big a city Virginia Beach is.  You really need a car to get around and \softline
Susan is starting high school next month.  She\'92ll be a junior.  She just got her dri\-ver\'92s \softline
license and...  Well, she drives like me.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, are you serious?  Is she really that good?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled and nodded.  \'93She really is \'97 probably better.  Why?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, ma\'92am, as you know \'97 but won\'92t admit \'97 you\'92re a legend around here.  \softline
And that most particularly in\-cludes your driving.  We have a training track out back \softline
here.  Well, I asked the Captain if we could get you behind the wheel of one of our \softline
cruisers.  He thought about it, but finally said no.  He said you\'92re too big a name in this \softline
state, and he wanted no embarrass\-ment.  But if Susan would be willing?...  If you\'92d let \softline
her?...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93May I, Mom?  Please?  If the captain says it\'92s all right?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The captain said it was fine with him if Mrs. Stark approv\-ed.  Kathy nodded and \softline
smiled at her daughter.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The whole troop off duty went out to the track.  Will fitted Susan with a crash \softline
helmet and a Nomex driving suit and drove her around the track.  It combined a high-speed track with both a skid pad and a slalom course.  First, Will drove the course with \softline
Susan riding beside him.  When they got back to the starting point, Susan prepared to \softline
make her run.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy asked what the track record for the course was.  She had been observing \softline
the car as Will had driven the course.  Turning to the Captain she asked, \'93Are you a \softline
betting man?  I\'92ll wager Susan breaks that record by at least one full second.  If we lose, \softline
you and all your troopers who are off duty will be our guests for dinner tonight.  If we \softline
win, you have to have us as your guests here at the barracks.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, did I hear you say you would buy food for this whole army at a good \softline
restaurant, or we feed you what passes for food here?  Is that the bet?\'94  Kathy nodded.  \softline
\'93Then Kathy, it\'92s a bet!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He raised his voice, called the troopers over, and ex\-plained the bet.  A couple of \softline
troopers ran to set up the elec\-tronic timing equipment they would need.  Soon they were \softline
all ready.  Meanwhile, Will was busy making side bets with his buddies at very attractive \softline
odds.  It was pointed out to him that the record holder had spent nearly three years \softline
bringing the time down to its present level.  Will just nodded, smiled, and took the bets.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When everything was set, a light ahead of Susan went from red to amber to \softline
green.  At the instant the light changed, she was off with her rear tires smoking from the \softline
wheel-spin.  Kathy watch\-ed impassively as Susan found the perfect line on the banked \softline
track and took it with the cruiser running flat out.  Jaws dropped as the cruiser roared \softline
around the track for the three laps agreed, flew out onto the skid pad and executed the \softline
required maneuvers, including a bootlegger\'92s turn at very high speed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Will muttered, \'93Damn!  I forgot to bring out the speed gun!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, she roared through the slalom while the cruiser rocked like a bathtub \softline
with its tires at the very limit of their adhesion in spite of its special suspension designed \softline
to minimize body roll.  She roared across the finish line, spun another 180 degree turn \softline
and stopped on almost the precise spot from which she had started.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The captain had been watching in utter amazement.  He turned to Kathy and \softline
asked, \'93How long has Susan been driving?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned at him.  \'93I apologize, Captain.  That was a setup.  Will has told \softline
me I\'92m pretty good.  Susan\'92s only been driving for three months, but she\'92s probably \softline
better than I am.  She\'92s very good with cars.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How much did she beat it by?\'94 the Captain called out.  The answer was by over \softline
five full seconds.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan got out of the car and ran over to where they were standing, stopping just \softline
long enough to shed her helmet and driving suit.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Captain put out his hand and shook hers.  \'93Susan, that was utterly amazing!  \softline
We\'92re going to get a plaque with the time on that run.  I know you\'92re only in high school, \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 but}{\plain \fs24 \f2 ...  Young lady, we\'92re always trying to recruit young women into police work.  Not \softline
many are interested.  Of the few that are, some are unsuited.  Unfortunately, too many \softline
of the remainder aren\'92t very good.  You are }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 very}{\plain \fs24 \f2  good!  If you ever look for a job, there\'92s \softline
one here for you.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He had another idea.  \'93Susan, have you ever shot a pistol?\'94  She shook her head, \softline
no.  \'93Your mother is the finest pistol shot alive.  She says you are good at all the things \softline
she\'92s good at.  Would you like to shoot a few rounds on our pistol range?  Maybe your \softline
mother would like to shoot, too?  Would you, Kathy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned.  \'93I was afraid you\'92d never ask!  I would love to.  Susan, would \softline
you get that case from the back seat, please.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan came speeding back with an aluminum carrying case in her hand.  They \softline
went to the pistol range where they found the tar\-gets arranged in sets of three.  The \softline
targets would spin, back to front, on a pivot controlled by the rangemaster.  At the start, \softline
there were three black silhou\-ettes.  When they spun so the shooter could see them, they \softline
were combinations of felons: targets to be shot, and civilians: not to be shot.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They decided they would fire it from the draw position.  Kathy opened the case \softline
Susan had brought.  In it were loaded cylinders for her LadySmith which dropped in \softline
quickly to reload.  Kathy went first to show Susan how it was done.  She went out to the \softline
shoot\-ing position with her purse in her left hand.  After putting on sound-absorbing ear \softline
protectors, she waved ready.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The targets spun: all bad.  Her weapon sounded like a continuous thunder\-clap \softline
after a draw the officers admitted they never saw.  Six bullets fired, two each into the ten \softline
spot marking the heart location on the targets.  She continued in her unerring fashion.  
She came back to the line and reloaded the now-empty cylinders while the targets were \softline
being scored.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan had been watching her mother\'92s movements carefully.  She took the \softline
unloaded weapon, and Kathy showed her the sighting patterns.  Then she put a loaded \softline
cylinder in to get the feel.  Final\-ly she was ready.  If there had been videotapes made, the \softline
two images would have been duplicates.  When it was over, she had lost to her mother \softline
by one point.  She had a single nine with all the rest tens.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Captain spoke to his troop.  \'93You have now seen a demon\-stration of how to \softline
shoot this course.  We will forgive Miss Stark her miss.  After all, this is the first time she \softline
has ever held a gun in her hand, let alone fired one.  Also like her mother, she put two \softline
bullets into each target.  The other bullet was, of course, a ten.  One bullet in the heart \softline
is as lethal as two, but then we know Kathy \'97 and her daughter \'97 believe in being sure.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, you shot the highest score on this range ever!  We won\'92t mention how \softline
your mother did.  I hope this serves as a model to you men.  A girl fires this score within \softline
minutes of holding a weapon in her hand for the first time.  It really isn\'92t so hard, is it?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But now I have some bad news.  I made a wager with Kathy and lost.  Mother-love triumphed.  She bet me that Susan could turn the track at least one full second \softline
faster than the best previous recorded time.  You all know the re\-sults.  Therefore, the \softline
only honorable thing to do is to pay up.  Accordingly, under the terms of our wager, we \softline
must host the two women at dinner here in the barracks this evening!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The troopers cheered, and the Captain turned to Kathy, \'93There you see true \softline
Virginia gentlemen: paying a lost wager with a cheer!\'94  He grinned at her and winked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at him speculatively.  \'93Captain Collins, could I make a confession?  \softline
I thought that something like this might happen, and I know that the state doesn\'92t go \softline
overboard on your food budget.  If you keep quiet, I\'92ve made arrangements to have \softline
dinner tonight catered for you and your men.  It can be canceled on a phone call, of \softline
course, but actually, I was planning to take you and your men out to dinner in your own \softline
barracks.  May I still?  Please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy Stark, you are a piece of work!\'94 Collins said with a grin.  \'93I wasn\'92t \softline
kidding when I spoke earlier about all the Kathy stories.  Collectively, they are forming \softline
a legend.  Need\-less to say, you and Susan added to the legend this after\-noon.  We would \softline
be honored to accept your gracious hospitality.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy found Susan talking with Will.  \'93Mother, do you know what Trooper \softline
Stockdale has just done?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy grinned at them both.  \'93No, I don\'92t know what Trooper Stockdale has just \softline
done... but I can guess.  But Susan, I do think he\'92d like it better if you called him Will, \softline
wouldn\'92t you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, I would appreciate it very much if you would.  I call your mother Kathy, \softline
and she isn\'92t much older than you are.  May I call you Susan?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Of course, Will, and I would love it!\'94 Susan replied, with a smile that just about \softline
melted poor Will to the ground.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy continued, \'93Back to your question.  I think Will has probably just about \softline
cleaned out his barracks mates for the next couple of months or so.  Will, I think it\'92s only \softline
fair that you buy Susan a dinner sometime soon.  If you did what I think you did, you \softline
cleaned up!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kathy, it was unfair, I guess.  I know how you drive.  When you say Susan\'92s \softline
good, she\'92s}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2  good! }{\plain \fs24 \f2  Then o\'92 course, they went double or nothing on the range, some of \softline
them, and that\'92s all she wrote!  Susan, it would be a great honor to take you out to din\-
ner.  After next payday, I expect to get about half the barracks\'92 entire pay, so any place \softline
at all.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Will,\'94 Susan replied, \'93I would be truly delighted!  Please call and let me know \softline
what date would be convenient.\'94  She gave him another of her smiles.  Kathy recognized \softline
it as a duplicate of her own.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now that the business is taken care of, I would like to get back to our \softline
conversation about Susan.  Will, do you agree that Susan\'92s a bit better than your average \softline
beginning driver?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ma\'92am, you\'92re joshing me!  She could drive the tracks at Darlington, Charlotte \softline
or Daytona, she\'92s that good.  Yes, ma\'92am!  If it\'92s got four wheels and an engine, Susan \softline
can drive it!  And I\'92m not real sure she needs all four wheels, either.  Susan, I\'92ve never \softline
seen that slalom driven better!  Now, Kathy, what do you want me to do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Will, I was thinking about a car.  I think Sue needs one to get to school.  It\'92s not \softline
a question of money, but I don\'92t want her looking all that different from the other kids.  \softline
On the other hand, I can\'92t stand anything mechanical that doesn\'92t work well... }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 very}{\plain \fs24 \f2  well.  \softline
I want to get Susan a car that looks like the basic high-school junkie, but good.  Do you \softline
think you can help?  I know you have friends I suspect do this for a living.  Am I right?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I caught your drift at the beginning Kathy, and I\'92ve been thinking.  I want \softline
Susan in a car that won\'92t mess her up too much.  Air conditioning, for example, \softline
understand?  I have an idea.  Mazda makes a car, the 323 GTX.  Now it\'92s a real pocket \softline
rocket, with a turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, Recaro seats, three spoilers on the \softline
rear \'97 the whole nine yards.  Now, what if you bought one new?  I have friends that \softline
could take off the spoilers, paint it a standard factory color, that sort of stuff.  It would \softline
look like Susan\'92s driving a 323 which is sort of an econobox.  Now, Kathy, make no \softline
mistake.  Susan would look like she\'92s driving a new 323 you can pick up for less than \softline
$10,000.  The additional work isn\'92t much.  How does it sound?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, how does it sound to you?\'94 Kathy asked Susan.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mom, could we?  Really?  A car of my very own to drive to school?  Fantastic!  \softline
It sounds fantastic.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Okay, Will.  It\'92s a deal.  I\'92ll order the car tomorrow.  Does it matter what the \softline
original color is?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93No, ma\'92am, but a light color would be good if they have one.  Now, the car \softline
comes with some things like a sunroof, rear wiper, and the seats that aren\'92t available on \softline
a normal 323, but I don\'92t think anyone will notice.  My friends will deliver it back to you \softline
a week or ten days after they get it.  Okay?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Will, it\'92s a deal!\'94 Kathy said.  \'93Now, let\'92s see about dinner, shall we?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The dinner was a spectacular success.  Later, while driving home, Kathy said to \softline
Susan, \'93That was beautiful driving, dear.  And beautiful shooting.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m my mother\'92s daughter!  What more can I say?\'94 Susan responded.  \'93Mom, \softline
you\'92ve been holding out on me.  At dinner I learned that you\'92ve killed three men with \softline
that weapon in your purse.  At our table all they could talk about was your shooting.  \softline
\'91Five shots fired.  Four in the heart, one in the brain.\'92  That\'92s true, Mom, isn\'92t it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m afraid so.  I don\'92t really know why I still carry that thing, but it\'92s been very \softline
useful.  Susan, how would you like one with a bra holster?\'94  They both laughed at the \softline
thought.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy and Susan went together to meet the educationists at the high school.  \softline
They had an appointment with an assistant principal named James Worthington.  After \softline
they were shown into Mr. Worthington\'92s office and took seats, Kathy began, \'93Mr. \softline
Worthing\-ton, I\'92ve come in this morning to enroll my daughter, Susan, as a junior in your \softline
school.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s fine, Mrs. Stark.  May I have a copy of the tran\-script from her previous \softline
school?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mr. Worthington, there is no previous school.  Susan has had private tutors in \softline
the past.  She has decided that she would like to meet more young people so she is \softline
enrolling in the public schools.  Now, what is the procedure?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why, Mrs. Stark, this is highly irregular.  Surely, she has a transcript.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93From her tutor?  One could be prepared, I suppose, but it would look like no \softline
transcript you\'92ve ever seen before.  Should we bother?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But... Well... How do we know Susan is equipped to do the work?  I mean...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why don\'92t you give her an admissions test?\'94 Kathy asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why that\'92s ridiculous!  There are no admissions require\-ments.  This is a public \softline
high school.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had had enough.  With her eyes blazing blue fire she declared, \'93Mr. \softline
Worthing\-ton, you have three choices.  First, admit Susan as a junior and we move ahead \softline
to discuss her course of study.  Second, give her an admissions test.  Her scores will blow \softline
your mind and then we discuss her course of study.  Third, do not admit Susan.  Then \softline
I call the Governor and you think about where you might be able to get a job next year 
while I go through this again with your successor who is likely to be more agreeable.  Do \softline
you under\-stand the alternatives?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He nodded, looking like the canary about to be eaten by the cat.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Wonderful!\'94 Kathy said.  \'93Now, which of the alternatives would you like to \softline
pursue?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Admit her as a junior?\'94 he said tremulously.  His statement was made to sound \softline
like a question.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s great!  Now that Susan is a junior, let\'92s talk about her courses, shall we?  \softline
Oh, I will see that a transcript of her prior work is forwarded by her tutor.  She will need \softline
it for her college applica\-tions.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab On the way home, Susan looked at Kathy strangely.  \'93Mother, that was cruel.  \softline
I have never seen you act mean to a living soul.  Ever!  Yet you terrorized that poor man.  \softline
Why did you do it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked thoughtful and finally responded, \'93Susan, there are certain people \softline
I loathe.  Occasionally it shows.  Usual\-ly, when I don\'92t like a person I go out of my way \softline
to be extra nice.  But Mr. Worthington is in the first group.  He stood between my \softline
beloved daughter and her education, an education she under\-went a brutal beating to try \softline
to get.  I\'92m sorry, honey.  I blew my stack.  Was I really that bad?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan was giggling.  \'93I\'92m sorry, Mom, but he was in such terror!  And you are \softline
so beautiful.  I think of the story of the Ama\-zons.  It\'92s just so funny, remembering.  \softline
Mom, will Dad be home soon?  I can\'92t wait to meet him.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Very soon,\'94 Kathy answered.  \'93But, dear God, it can\'92t be soon enough!  Susan, \softline
you can\'92t believe the extent of my love for your father.  I absolute\-ly worship the man.  \softline
But I guess you\'92ll see that for yourself pretty soon.\'94\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 29}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan had just come home from the very first date of her life with Will \softline
Stockdale.  After closing the front door she just leaned back against it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How was your evening, Sue?\'94 Kathy asked.  \'93Did you have a good time?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Spectacular!  The dinner was wonderful.  And Will was so nice!  Mom, I don\'92t \softline
think the people at the restaurant realized I was only sixteen.  Do I look older?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, you look magnificent!  You have no trouble holding up that strapless \softline
dress, even though you aren\'92t quite filled out.  Susan, honestly, your \'91not quite filled out\'92 \softline
is better than most women who have.  You\'92re a beautiful girl.  What did Will think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan had worn a white strapless cocktail dress with white pumps and a single \softline
strand of pearls.  With her flawless skin and tan coupled with her blue eyes and golden \softline
hair, she was exqui\-\-site.  Susan giggled at the memory.  \'93He just gaped, Mother.  He said \softline
I was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen except maybe for you.  We had dinner, we \softline
danced and then he took me home.  Mom, he kissed me.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How was it, honey?  Did you like it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mother, I just melted!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then what did you do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I asked him to please stop.  And Mom...  I asked him to please be strong enough \softline
for both of us because I wasn\'92t in con\-dition to say no again.  He stopped, and gave me \softline
the most tender kiss.  I thanked him for a wonderful evening and for being strong \softline
enough for both of us.  Was that all right?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That was fine, dear.  Will is a real gentleman, and I think you said the perfect \softline
thing.  What did he say?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93He said he couldn\'92t believe I was only in high school.  He said I was a \'91woman \softline
growed.\'92  He said it was the best evening he\'92s ever spent with a girl, and hopes he can \softline
see me again, sometime.\'94  Her expression changed as she added, \'93Mom, Dad gets home \softline
tomorrow.  Do you think he\'92ll be disap\-pointed or angry or anything?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Absolutely not, sweetheart!  He\'92ll love you as I do, probably more.  There\'92s just \softline
one thing I\'92ve been meaning to tell you.  Honey, your dad and I are... uninhibited in our \softline
lovemaking.  Sue, I doubt if there\'92s a square inch of this apartment your father hasn\'92t \softline
taken me on.  Once I was peeling carrots at the sink and he came in, picked me up by the \softline
legs and entered me from the rear while I kept trying to peel the damned carrot.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Usually, we never wear clothes at home.  I don\'92t know what to do about that \softline
now.  But Sue, do me a favor?  As long as your father\'92s home, please call before you bring \softline
any friends home?  I know it won\'92t embarrass us or you, but it would sure embarrass \softline
your friends.  Agreed?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Agreed.  Mom, what time is the ship due to arrive?  Can I come down to meet \softline
her?  Please!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Of course!  Now, what should you wear?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan and Kathy were watching as the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  was nudged along\-side the pier by \softline
tugs.  Mooring lines were made fast and then they saw sailors running along the deck \softline
getting ready to go ashore.  Kathy thought she saw Ken on the bridge and waved.  It was \softline
a beautiful\-ly warm day in early October.  She and Susan were both wearing dresses in \softline
the blue that matched their eyes.  It was a color that Ken loved on her.  They continued \softline
to wait with Kathy unable to control her impatience.  Finally, the brows were made fast, \softline
liberty was called, and men started running down the gangways to get ashore.  The area \softline
was filled with families and loved ones there to meet them on their return.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, Kathy saw Ken and ran to him.  He dropped his bags, gathered her into \softline
his arms and hug\-ged.  He could feel her tears on his cheek.  Finally, he eased her away \softline
far enough to take her in his arms in an endless kiss.  With their arms around one \softline
another they walked over to the car where Susan was waiting fearfully.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When he was still about fifty feet away, he looked at Susan and then down at \softline
Kathy.  \'93Honey, would you excuse me for a second while I greet our daughter?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken sprinted the last few feet, grabbed Susan around the waist and lifted her \softline
high in the air.  Like her mother, Susan was weightless in his arms.  He set her down, \softline
embraced her and kissed her lovingly.  Then he just held her tightly in his arms until he \softline
heard her sobbing.  Stepping away, he held her at arms length and saw that tears were \softline
rolling down the girl\'92s cheeks.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What\'92s wrong, Susan?  What did I do?  Did I hurt you?\'94  His concern was \softline
evident in his voice.  Susan just shook her head from side to side, then rushed back into \softline
his arms and held him close.  He held her and stroked her hair the way he did with \softline
Kathy who was standing close by, saying nothing.  Finally the sobbing died away and the \softline
tears stopped, but still she held him tightly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab At last, she pushed away and looked into his eyes.  A brilliant smile started to \softline
form and she said, \'93Hello, Dad!  Welcome home!  I\'92m your daughter, Susan.\'94  She \softline
grabbed him and gave him a huge kiss.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He eased her away and gave her a big grin while winking at Kathy.  \'93Ease up, \softline
honey.  You\'92ll make your mother jealous!\'94  He then took Kathy in one arm and Susan \softline
in the other and tried to kiss them both at once.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they were back in the apartment, as soon as the elevator door closed Susan \softline
disappeared into her room leaving them alone together.  Kathy stripped off her dress and \softline
was nude except for her pearls and her pumps.  As he was taking off his tie and shirt, \softline
Kathy was on her knees working on his belt and pants.  She let them drop, along with \softline
his shorts revealing his sex.  She caressed his balls, kissed his mag\-nifi\-cent weapon and \softline
was rewarded with a drop of juice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Ken, darling, I missed you so much!  My cunt aches for you!  Please, darling.  \softline
Put it in now!\'94  She lay on her back and lifted her hips to make his entry as easy as \softline
possible.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He had shed all his clothes now, and quickly entered her warm grotto.  Almost \softline
immediately he could feel her pelvis start to take on a life of its own as it jerked \softline
spasmodically in her first orgasm.  It trig\-gered his orgasm, but barely slowed him down.  \softline
For what seemed like hours, they made love together on the floor.  Finally, they got up \softline
and went to the bedroom where their lovemaking continued.  At last they paused and \softline
just lay in each others arms, softly kissing any part of the other within range.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was just looking lovingly at Ken, when, following a knock on the door, \softline
Susan came in carrying a large tray.  She put it on the dresser and quickly left again to \softline
return with a bottle of Dom P\'e9rignon and two glasses.  The tray also held a full kilo of \softline
beluga caviar in a bowl of ice surrounded with all the trimm\-ings: the finely chopped \softline
onion, chopped egg whites, chopped egg yolks, and toast.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Welcome home, Dad.  With the exercise you and Mom have been getting, I \softline
thought you might need something to eat.  I\'92ll pour the champagne.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked at Kathy who nodded.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, where\'92s your glass?  Aren\'92t you going to have a drink with us?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Please, Susan?\'94 Kathy urged.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She went for another glass and was back in a wink.  She pour\-ed a glass for \softline
herself and sat in a chair in the corner.  Mean\-while, Kathy\'92s hand was exploring under \softline
the covers.  It found Ken\'92s cock which hardened instantly at her touch causing the bed \softline
covers to rapidly tent because of the pressure.  He felt his wife\'92s hair\-less mound and \softline
gently ran a finger up and down her slit.  Then he rol\-l\-ed over and found that her legs \softline
were already spread wide to wel\-come him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab This time was as gentle as the previous ones had been vio\-lent.  Their initial \softline
passions had been satiated so Ken entered her and nearly withdrew as he moved in her \softline
with long strokes.  As he moved he could feel the walls of her vagina constricting like \softline
tender lub\-ricated hands on his sex as it went in and out in slowly acceler\-ating tempo.  \softline
By this time they had forgotten the girl sitting sil\-ently in the corner.  Kathy could feel \softline
herself rising to a peak.  She had already had several small orgasms with each more \softline
powerful than the one before.  She could hear the passionate sounds she was making as \softline
if they were coming from someone else.  Finally, they reached their peak together and \softline
she erupted like a volcano.  Kathy lost consciousness at her peak in a sensory overload.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When her eyes opened, she was looking into Ken\'92s face.  Then she realized with \softline
a start that Susan was sitting on the edge of the bed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mom, I only hope that will happen to me someday.  While you were out, I was \softline
telling Dad about me... about what I had to do.  Now I know the difference between \softline
lovemaking and fucking.  It was so beautiful!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy sat up in bed with the covers falling to her waist.  Ken pulled her up so \softline
she was resting beside him against the head\-board of the bed.  \'93Susan, why don\'92t you \softline
bring that luscious cav\-iar and put it on the bed.  Let\'92s all pig out!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The family sat on the bed, two in and one on, eating caviar and drinking \softline
champagne.  When the caviar had disappeared, Susan removed the tray and went to the \softline
kitchen to start preparing dinner while they went back to their lovemaking.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Later, Susan returned to the bedroom.  \'93Mom and Dad,\'94 she announced, \softline
\'93dinner\'92s ready, but would you do me a great favor, please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course, honey,\'94 Ken replied, \'93What is it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dad, Mom says you almost never wear clothes in the apart\-ment.  That\'92s true, \softline
isn\'92t it?\'94  Ken reddened slightly but said it was true.  \'93Well, Mom and I don\'92t either \softline
when you\'92re not here... and... and... you\'92re not dressed now.  And I used to work in a \softline
whorehouse, too.  Daddy, all kinds of creeps used to handle me.  I can see how you and \softline
Mom adore each other.  Well, instead of you two getting dressed, could I take off my \softline
clothes instead?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He looked at Kathy who was busy studying a spot on the blan\-ket.  He just stared \softline
at her, and she could feel it.  \'93I love you, darling,\'94 she whispered.  \'93It\'92s what happens \softline
when your lovely new daughter is \'91born\'92 at the age of sixteen!  Honey, she\'92s absolute\-ly \softline
gorgeous, and I think she\'92s being very honest.  She }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 was}{\plain \fs24 \f2  forced to caress men while they \softline
were plugging girls much younger and smaller than she was.  She\'92s still a virgin, but \softline
she\'92s the most sexually experienced virgin alive!  I\'92m just happy about one thing.  I have \softline
no pubic hair, while she does.  It\'92s a good way to tell us apart.  And honey, in a year or \softline
so, it may be the only way!  Whatever you decide is what we\'92ll do, but my vote is to let \softline
her.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He took his wife in his arms and softly kissed her lips.  Again, he could feel her \softline
melt.  He called out, \'93Okay, Susan.  We\'92ll see how it goes.\'94  Then softly to his wife, \'93Are \softline
you ready for dinner?  What are we eating?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at him quizzically.  \'93I honestly don\'92t have the faintest idea.  \softline
Sweetheart, I hope you ate well aboard }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2 , because this is going to be a sixteen-year-old\'92s idea of haute cui\-sine.  It could be pizza, hamburgers, potato chips, or all of the \softline
above.  You can\'92t believe how excited she\'92s been or how desper\-ately she wants you to like \softline
her.  I guess you know by now that she\'92s madly in love with her father?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You\'92re serious, aren\'92t you, Kathy?  She\'92s really afraid I might not like her?  My \softline
God, she is a living, breathing doll!  She\'92s your twin sister about ten years younger, but \softline
there is no such thing.  My God, I adore you and she\'92s a younger replica.  Incidentally, \softline
what do my mom and dad think about their granddaugh\-ter?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, Susan just cried.  She was so happy, and they love her so much.  But \softline
let\'92s move.  Our pizza burgers are going to get cold!\'94  She hopped out of bed, followed by \softline
Ken, and went into the dining area.  Susan was standing at the table, as if she were \softline
ready to be inspected by her father.  He just looked at her and then looked at Kathy.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93My God, you\'92re right.  Susan, don\'92t you dare do anything to your pubic hair.  \softline
It }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 is}{\plain \fs24 \f2  the only way I\'92ll be able to tell you and your mother apart!\'94  He ran his right hand \softline
up Kathy\'92s flat belly, and could feel her muscles ripple as his finger tips moved across it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She whispered in his ear, \'93Just wait!  I promised myself I was going to drain \softline
your balls dry in less than forty-eight hours.  I sure hope you got plenty of sleep!\'94  She \softline
grinned at him as he gave her a light spank on her tight little ass.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What\'92s for dinner, Sue?\'94 Ken asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Just sit down, please, parents.  This is mine, and I\'92ll do it all.  Mom and Dad, \softline
I know I\'92m only sixteen but... but could I have wine, too?  Just this once because Dad \softline
just got home?  And he\'92s meeting me for the first time.  Please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan Stark, am I being conned?\'94 Ken asked with mock sever\-ity.  \'93I think I see \softline
your glass already on the table, so I guess so.\'94  Kathy hadn\'92t said anything, but she \softline
squeezed his hand and winked at him as soon as Susan\'92s back was turned.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan brought out the first course, carefully serving her mother first, then her \softline
father.  She brought out her own plate, and sat down.  She had made a magnificent lump \softline
crab meat cock\-tail, flanked with Chincoteague oysters served with a marvelous cocktail \softline
sauce she had created.  Ken looked across the table at Kathy, then at Susan and started \softline
to laugh.  Both girls looked at him, wondering what was happening.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You should see yourselves.  Here a sailor comes home after six months of not \softline
seeing a woman.  Then he sits down to dinner and what does he see?  Two of the most \softline
magnificent pairs of tits in the world, with their nipples staring at him.  Is that fair?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy just grinned, and Susan looked down at her chest.  \'93Do you really like my \softline
tits, Dad?  Mine aren\'92t quite as full as Mom\'92s yet, but they\'92re getting there.  I waited \softline
dinner so you could get the edge off your sexual appetite.  I know Mom\'92s cum at least a \softline
dozen times already.  But I hope you enjoy the dinner.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked at her and smiled.  \'93I\'92m teasing you, honey.  Would you like me to \softline
pour the wine?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan jumped up like she\'92d been shot.  \'93Oh, good heavens!  After getting \softline
permission, and every\-thing, I forgot to pour it!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Moments later she was back with Kathy\'92s best and favorite Chablis.  She poured \softline
a tiny bit in Ken\'92s glass and waited for him to taste it.  He nodded, and she filled Kathy\'92s \softline
glass, then filled Ken\'92s and finally poured some for herself.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy offered a toast, \'93Welcome home, darling!\'94  She and Susan drank and Ken \softline
acknowledged it.  Then, with a whoop Susan went back to the kitchen.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The couple sipped their wine as they waited.  Ken smiled at Kathy and said, \softline
\'93Pizza burgers?  Maybe I\'92ve been away too long, but this isn\'92t starting off as a fast-food \softline
special.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy returned the smile with a brilliant one of her own and said, \'93Darling, \softline
please don\'92t laugh.  Whatever happens, don\'92t laugh.  It would absolutely destroy her.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan reappeared with salads.  Ken tried his and savored it.  \'93Susan, what is this \softline
dressing?  I don\'92t think I\'92ve ever tasted anything quite like it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl looked at him anxiously, \'93Do you like it?  I\'92ve been experi\-menting with \softline
a lot of different ingredients.  Since Mom hates me to waste anything, I\'92m turning into \softline
a rabbit eating the darned salads I make just to experiment with different dres\-sing \softline
recipes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, it\'92s glorious!  Bottle it and you make a fortune.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan disappeared and minutes later, reappeared.  She placed plates in front of \softline
Kathy and then Ken, and returned to get her own.  She had made Ken\'92s favorite, \softline
tournedos Rossini with foie gras and truffles, sauce P\'e9rigord.  The older two cut into the \softline
perfectly-cooked meat which was surrounded by beauti\-fully pre\-pared and presented \softline
vegetables, while Susan watched.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They tried it, and savored it.  \'93My God, she not only looks like her mother, she \softline
cooks like her, too!  This is absolutely magnificent, Honey.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan had just one bite and retreated for the wine.  The wine, a grand cru \softline
Bordeaux from 1959, had been decanted earlier.  She poured and served the classic wine.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken, feeling very expansive by this time, asked, \'93Honey, how long were we in the \softline
bedroom, anyway?  We start with caviar and champagne, move on to crabmeat and \softline
oysters, a glorious salad, and then to tournedos.  The meal is exquisite.  Now I would like \softline
to offer a toast to our beloved daughter, Susan: Darling Susan, as your new father, I \softline
want you to know I could not possibly be happier.  Your mother wrote and told me what \softline
you said to the judge in the courtroom on the day you were adopted.  How children are \softline
born by the thousands every day, and their parents \'97 for good or ill \'97 are the luck of \softline
the draw.  You said you had chosen us.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, I don\'92t know how I could be happier.  Susan, to a long and happy life, \softline
and a welcome from your parents who adore you.  Thank you so much for choosing us!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy and Ken drank the toast to Susan, who just blushed.  Kathy could see \softline
tears in her eyes.  She went to her father and gave him a warm loving kiss.  \'93Thank you, \softline
Dad.  Thank you for having me!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the main course was finished, Susan cleared the table and wheeled in a \softline
cart with a chafing dish.  She prepared and flamed crepes Suzette and carefully served \softline
them to her mother, father, and finally herself.  Ken was amazed at her deftness as she \softline
handled the flaming dish.  Finally, she served coffee and poured Kathy\'92s finest cognac \softline
for her parents, while she just drank coffee.  With the cognac she offered cigars which \softline
the two took.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken leaned back in his chair and savored his dinner.  He turned to Susan and \softline
smiled, \'93Honey, that absolutely could not have been better.  It\'92s as good as your mother \softline
could do and that\'92s high praise indeed.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab He grinned across the table at Kathy and said, \'93Susan, your mother told me we \softline
were going to have pizza burgers.  Instead, I get a magnificent feast.  Thank you!  I\'92m \softline
really happy to be home!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy smiled at Susan fondly and said, \'93Susan, I did tell your father that.  I had \softline
no idea you were going to prepare such a meal.  He\'92s wrong about one thing, though.  I \softline
couldn\'92t do it nearly as well.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan sat in her chair and blushed.  Ken choked off a grin as he watched the \softline
blood rise through her breasts, up her neck and to her face.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The next morning, the older two were in bed when they heard the sound of a \softline
splash in the pool.  Kathy gave him a tender kiss and snuggled even closer.  \'93Honey, how \softline
do you feel?  Would you like to see something funny?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken had just had one of the most joyous nights of his life with his lovely wife.  \softline
He just grinned and said, \'93Provided all I have to do is watch.  Okay?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She threw off the covers and ran for the door to the deck.  She arrived at the end \softline
of the pool as Susan was starting her fourth lap.  As Susan com\-pleted her racing turn, \softline
Kathy cut the water in a dive and started speeding down the course with her.  Ken pulled \softline
up a deck chair to watch.  As they completed lap after lap looking like a pair of porpoises \softline
and moving as smoothly through the water, he had an idea.  As usual, the two girls were \softline
stroke for stroke, so they made their turns together.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken had done some serious swimming at the Academy.  As they turned again, \softline
he knifed into the water and was off in a 100-meter sprint, four lengths of the pool.  The \softline
girls had been in a dis\-tance stroke and had already covered almost two miles.  Never\-
theless, with the new challenge they simultaneously shifted to a sprint stroke.  Ken \softline
wasn\'92t in quite as good shape as the women, but he hadn\'92t swum two miles either.  He \softline
beat them by a length, hauling himself out of the pool and sitting on the edge.  With \softline
their golden hair plastered around their heads, no makeup, and their bodies still in the \softline
water, he honestly couldn\'92t tell which was which.  He extended a hand to each, and they \softline
popped out of the water.  Both of them were grinning at him and at each other.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93When you two get in shape,\'94 he said, \'93let me know.  Then we can have a real \softline
race!\'94  He covered himself as two beautiful bod\-ies began to pummel him furiously.  \softline
Finally Susan got up and pulled up three mats for them to lie on.  Kathy was still \softline
breathing hard as was Susan.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How do you two do it?\'94 Ken asked.  \'93I\'92m just asking, not complaining, you \softline
understand.  I hope you know it\'92s not the neatest thing for an old man to come out to the \softline
pool and see the two women he loves most in the whole world pounding up and down the \softline
pool like a couple of trapped porpoises.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s the same as usual, Dad,\'94 Susan said.  \'93Mom won\'92t allow herself to be \softline
beaten by a young squirt in her own pool and I won\'92t allow her to see her daughter quit.  \softline
She\'92s going to lose one of these days, though.  You really get the drive from your legs, \softline
and the legs go first.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked down at her beautiful legs and carefully lifted them up together \softline
from the mat.  \'93Ken, do you think I have two or three more months before I\'92m in pieces, \softline
ready for the retirement home?  They don\'92t look }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 that}{\plain \fs24 \f2  bad, do they?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken just grinned down at her and Kathy said, \'93Honey, why don\'92t you start \softline
breakfast?  Your father needs some help.  We\'92ll come in a few minutes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How do you spell \'91come\'92 Mom?  With an \'91o\'92 or a \'91u\'92?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93In this case, both.  Now get your fresh tail back in the kitch\-en!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As Susan left, Kathy spread her legs.  \'93Kenneth, you\'92ve been holding out on me.  \softline
I thought I drained you dry last night, but either I missed or your powers of recovery are \softline
better than I thought!  Come here.\'94  she said softly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken rolled over and got between her warm thighs and slowly entered her.  As he \softline
slowly moved in and out in her moistness he ran his fingers over her breasts.  She heard \softline
herself making small cries of pleasure as she felt herself taken higher and higher until \softline
she was gasping and shaking her head from side to side.  Fin\-ally, she achieved her \softline
release.  She held him close while her vaginal muscles squeezed him dry.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Are you happy, Honey?\'94 she whispered.  \'93I hope Susan wasn\'92t too big a shock \softline
for you.  You }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 do}{\plain \fs24 \f2  like her, don\'92t you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Nope, sure don\'92t.\'94  he replied softly, watching a tiny element of fear enter \softline
Kathy\'92s eyes.  \'93I love her almost as much as I love her mother.  \'91Like\'92 as a word just \softline
doesn\'92t do it!\'94  He kissed her softly on the lips while his now-softened weapon remained \softline
inside her.  As usual, though, her kiss was like a jolt of electricity to him.  He could feel \softline
himself becoming rigid again, and Kathy could feel it, too.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She grinned at him.  \'93Maybe it\'92s something in the pool water.  Do you think so?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He had just reached another orgasm, bringing her with him when they looked \softline
up as a shadow reached him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan was standing there smiling warmly.  \'93Boy,\'94 she said, \'93wait until I tell the \softline
kids at school.  I work my fingers to the bone slaving at a hot stove and what are my \softline
parents doing?  Fucking like bunnies, for gosh sakes.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She came around so Kathy didn\'92t have to strain to see her.  \'93I\'92m sorry, dear,\'94 \softline
she said in her haughtiest voice.  \'93It\'92s your father.  I can never get him to do me when \softline
I need it... in the theater, a restaurant, while we\'92re driving.  He\'92s very old-fash\-ioned that \softline
way.  But you know how it is with the older genera\-tion,\'94 she grinned at the girl.  \'93By the \softline
way, is our break\-fast ready?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course, dears,\'94 Susan said, imitating her mother\'92s voice perfectly.  \'93It\'92s on \softline
the table, getting cold.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken eased out from between Kathy\'92s thighs, running his hand lightly over her \softline
breasts as he did so.  Kathy murmured with pleasure and stretched, finally bouncing to \softline
her feet.  They went in to the huge breakfast Susan had prepared.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 30}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was getting close to Christmas when Susan and Kathy went to the hospital.  \softline
They stopped by the emergency room to see the Millers.  Kathy was delighted to see \softline
Cindy\'92s abdomen starting to bulge.  Grinning at the girl she said, \'93There\'92s been a lot of \softline
that going around.  Is it contagious?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The dark-haired girl smiled at her and rubbed her belly.  \'93It comes of spending \softline
days off in bed, I guess.  But what brings the mother-daughter twins here today?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s Jane.  She delivered last night, and we came to see the baby.  It looks like \softline
we\'92ll be back to visit you in a few months.  Congratu\-lations to you both.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As they went up to the obstetrics floor, Kathy had her fingers crossed.  Jane had \softline
had a very uneventful pregnancy which Kathy had followed with interest.  The girl who \softline
Kathy thought of as an older sister continued to come by to swim and joke about the way \softline
she was expanding in size.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they found her room and knocked, Jane\'92s familiar voice asked them to \softline
come in.  It was feeding time, but Kathy, as a hospital governor, had full freedom of the \softline
floors.  Jane was nursing her tiny baby and it was the most beautiful thing Kathy had \softline
ever seen.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Jane, you look absolutely gorgeous!  How do you feel?\'94 she asked softly as the \softline
baby nursed at its mother\'92s breast, now swollen with milk.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Like a truck ran over my pelvis, since you asked.  It may be two or three more \softline
hours before I can welcome Bob again,\'94 she answered softly.  \'93You two look beautiful, \softline
as usual.\'94  She cradled the baby closer and then shifted it to her other breast.  They \softline
watched as she put her nipple in the baby\'92s mouth and then heard it make quiet nursing \softline
sounds.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How do you like nursing?\'94 Kathy asked.  \'93What\'92s it like?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93The most wonderful feeling imaginable.  Suddenly you know what it\'92s all \softline
about.\'94  She smiled and Kathy was surprised to see tears in her friend\'92s eyes.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What\'92s wrong Jane?  You\'92re crying!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I haven\'92t introduced you yet.  This is Billy Ferguson.  Kathy, do you know what \softline
Bob did?  He absolutely insisted.  His name is William Wilson Ferguson, named after my \softline
first husband.\'94  She blinked back the tears.  \'93He said that fighter jock did such a great \softline
job of breaking me in, it\'92s only fair.\'94  She cradled the baby tighter as he finished suckling \softline
and went to sleep.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Oh, Jane, that\'92s wonderful!\'94 Kathy exclaimed.  \'93When are you going to be \softline
ready for a baby sitter?  Believe it or not, Susan has been reading about the care of \softline
babies, and she can\'92t wait.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, would you like to hold Billy?  He\'92s asleep, now, but I\'92m sure it\'92s all \softline
right.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl\'92s eyes glowed as she took the baby from its moth\-er\'92s arms and held him, \softline
carefully holding his head.  \'93He\'92s so tiny!\'94 she said softly so as not to wake him.  \'93Oh, \softline
Aunt Jane, he\'92s beautiful!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93May I hold him, Jane?\'94 Kathy asked diffidently.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Are you kidding?  The kid\'92s going to be with his Aunt Kathy at his christening.  \softline
At least I hope he will.\'94  Jane said as Kathy carefully took the child from her daughter.  \softline
\'93Kathy, Bob and I hope you and Ken will consent to be Billy\'92s godparents.  Will you?  \softline
Susan, you know I was your mother\'92s first \'91project.\'92  I was sunk in a hole so deep I \softline
couldn\'92t even see the sky.  Then your mother hauled me out by my hair, and this is what \softline
happened.\'94  She smiled at the girl, \'93Don\'92t you think it\'92s about time I got even?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Jane, Ken and I would be very proud to be Billy\'92s godpar\-ents.  When is the \softline
christening going to be?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Since he\'92s not even one-day old yet, we haven\'92t decided.  We\'92ll check with you \softline
on Ken\'92s availability.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The nurse came in to take Billy back to the nursery.  They could see Jane\'92s eyes \softline
start to close, so they gave her quick kisses and left.  On the way out Kathy looked at \softline
Susan and asked, \'93What did you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mother, he is the most beautiful little thing!  Now I can see why you and Dad \softline
are always working so hard!\'94 she teased.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They went down to Susan\'92s car.  It was Saturday and school was closing for the \softline
Christmas holidays the following Wednesday.  That night there was going to be an \softline
athletic awards dinner for Fall sports at a local restaurant and the whole family was \softline
going.  Susan had played soccer in the Fall, and had been named first-team All-State as \softline
a halfback.  She was also the leading scorer on the team that had taken the Virginia state \softline
title.  Now they were on the expressway headed east back to Virginia Beach from \softline
Norfolk.  Traffic was heavy, so Susan was obeying the speed laws \'97 or at least coming \softline
close.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy leaned back and enjoyed watching Susan drive.  She thought about the \softline
soccer season and the state championship game against Reston, a perennial soccer power \softline
in the state.  It was, by a wide margin, Susan\'92s best game.  The truth was that Reston \softline
had a much stronger team.  It was very well drilled and played beautifully as a team.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab But as good as they were, they were outplayed and outclassed by the human \softline
dynamo playing for Virgin\-ia Beach.  Susan had her hair tied back in a pony tail and her \softline
golden mane was flying all over the field.  Kathy and Ken were at the game.  Later Ken \softline
teased her about the beating he had absorbed as she pounded him whenever Susan made \softline
a great play, and cheered so much she could scarce\-ly talk when it was over.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As a midfielder, Susan had both offensive and defensive responsibili\-ties.  She \softline
concentrated on defense.  Time after time she charged in and tackled the ball, breaking \softline
up Reston attacks.  Virtually the entire first half was played on the Virginia Beach end \softline
of the field.  When the second half started, Susan noticed that the Reston players 
appeared to be tiring.  Because there had been no score in the first half, substitutions for \softline
both teams had been very limited.  The starters had played virtually the entire game to \softline
that point.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Early in the second half Reston was on the attack again.  The Reston right wing \softline
was bringing the ball up when Susan saw an opportunity, streaked over and stole the \softline
ball.  She then took it the length of the field, faking out both halfbacks and full\-backs.  \softline
She faked a right-footed kick towards the left corner of the goal and the goalie bit, diving \softline
to her right.  Susan drilled it into the right corner with a left-footed boot to go ahead by \softline
a goal.  Late in the period she repeated it.  Reston was laying back this time and had \softline
learned that Susan Stark was the girl to stop.  They massed around, and Susan passed \softline
to her right wing who drove the ball in for another goal.  The final score was 2-0.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the final whistle sounded, Susan collapsed on the field and had to be \softline
helped off by her teammates.  Ken and Kathy met her on the sidelines.  In addition to \softline
the trophy for the champi\-onship, Susan won the Most Valuable Player award.  Kathy \softline
just looked at her.  She was bleeding, her face was grimy, and her legs were a mass of dirt \softline
and blood, but she was beaming.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken gave her a big hug and a kiss.  \'93You\'92re beautiful, honey.  And that was the \softline
best game you\'92ve ever played.  How do you feel?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Like I was one of the cars in a demolition derby!  Can we go home now?  For the \softline
last ten minutes, all I could think about was taking a bath and soaking in the sauna until \softline
I\'92m fully cook\-ed.  Can we?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They grinned at her and went to the car.  That evening, Kathy joined her in the \softline
sauna after she had been in for a while.  When she opened the door, she couldn\'92t find \softline
Susan be\-cause of all the steam the girl had created.  She found her asleep on the bench \softline
with the sweat pouring from her pores.  Kathy grinned to herself, and after she broke \softline
a sweat herself, helped Susan up \'97 the girl was still groggy \'97 and took her out to the \softline
cold pool.  She pushed her in and giggled as she heard a startled yelp as the girl\'92s body \softline
hit the freezing water.  Kathy jumped in after her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mom, that\'92s not fair!  I felt so nice and neat and sleepy, and you woke me up.\'94  \softline
Kathy noticed that the girl had adapted to the water.  Although she was now full of goose \softline
bumps, she didn\'92t jump out of the pool.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I give up!\'94 Kathy said as she hauled herself out.  Susan leaped out an instant \softline
later grinning as Kathy handed her a big fluffy towel.  \'93How do you feel now?  You \softline
certainly look better.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93About as well as can be expected,\'94 Susan replied airily.  \'93Of course I don\'92t have \softline
a handsome man to keep me warm at night, so I have to sublimate my sex drive in \softline
sports.  How\'92s that sound, Mom?  Convincing?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I guess it will have to do, Honey,\'94 Kathy had replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They were almost home from the hospital by now and Susan was expertly \softline
threading her way through the traffic on the streets.  \'93Honey, what are you going to \softline
wear to the dinner to\-night?  I hope it\'92ll be something nicer than blue jeans.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Gee, Mom, I was planning on going jeans formal.  That\'92s with shoes.  Isn\'92t that \softline
good enough?\'94  She glanced over at her mother.  \'93Mom, how was it when you went back \softline
to school?  Did you have... problems?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What sort of problems, honey?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mom, I really like the school and I like the kids, but it\'92s so... so strange!  I listen \softline
to the girls talk about boys in the locker room sometimes and it\'92s weird.  They don\'92t \softline
know what they\'92re talking about!  And you know what\'92s really funny?  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I\'92m}{\plain \fs24 \f2  the \'91goody \softline
two shoes,\'92 the untouched virgin!  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Untouched!}{\plain \fs24 \f2   I never say anything, but it\'92s funny.  \softline
There\'92s this one girl, Joyce, who claims to be the most experienced girl in the school.  All \softline
she does in the locker room is comb her pubic hair so it will look nice for George... or \softline
Howard... or whomever. Mom, what did you do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, it was different for me.  I }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 was}{\plain \fs24 \f2  a prostitute.  I made my living on my \softline
back.  With you it\'92s different.  You lived in a whorehouse, but you weren\'92t a whore.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mom, I took a lot of men in my mouth and more than a few in my ass.\'94  She \softline
shuddered.  \'93I can still remember that poor, fright\-ened little girl.  She was so young, she \softline
scarcely had any pubic hair, and her breasts were just starting to develop.  Mom, she \softline
held my hand as this ape just ripped her.  She clutched at me for support as her blood \softline
flowed all over the place.  God, I hope she\'92s all right.  And these dumb girls don\'92t have \softline
the first clue!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab That night the family went to the local restaurant where the sports banquet was \softline
being held.  Susan had squeezed her mother\'92s hand when she quietly offered to cover the \softline
bill for those people who couldn\'92t afford to pay for the dinner.  The school, which used \softline
to pay for such things, no longer did due to budget cutbacks.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan looked beautiful wearing the blue dress that matched her eyes.  Kathy and \softline
Ken could see the girl was so proud when she received her varsity letter in soccer, and \softline
was then surprised to learn she had been elected captain of the team for the following \softline
year.  Kathy also noticed a tall boy whose eyes followed Susan every\-where.  When she \softline
returned to the table, Kathy asked her about him.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Oh, I guess that\'92s Jeff Fuller.  He\'92s a senior and plays football, I think,\'94 she \softline
replied with a seeming lack of concern.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan!  You\'92re not leveling with me.  You \'91think\'92?  Who are you trying to kid?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mother!  He\'92s... He\'92s just a }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 boy!\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93And you\'92re just a girl.  So what?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93He keeps asking me out,\'94 Susan said in a small voice.  \'93And I keep saying no.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why, honey?  He appears to be a nice boy.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl continued in the same small voice, \'93Because he\'92s a senior, and... and I\'92m \softline
scared.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken had been listening to the exchange.  He exchanged looks with Kathy who \softline
excused herself to go to the ladies room.  \'93Susan Stark, what aren\'92t you telling us?\'94 he \softline
asked.  \'93You\'92re the girl who would tackle hell with a fire extin\-guisher.  What do you \softline
mean, scared?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dad, I\'92m afraid I\'92ll do or say the wrong thing.  He\'92s very nice.  He shouldn\'92t get \softline
mixed up with a whore,\'94 Susan said softly while looking down at the tabletop.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken took her chin in his fingers and lifted it to make her look at him.  \'93Young \softline
lady, that\'92s enough of that.  I went through hell with your mother because of that.  I was \softline
in agony.  Did you know she wouldn\'92t agree to marry me, and finally I find out it\'92s \softline
because she had been a prostitute nearly ten years earlier?  Do you think I love your \softline
mother?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan was startled.  \'93Love her?  Dad, you adore her.  We don\'92t wear any clothes \softline
at home, but if I ever feel chilly I just look at you looking at Mom \'97 you always are, you \softline
know \'97 and feel warm all over.  Do you know what I pray for every night?  I pray \softline
someday I\'92ll meet a man who\'92ll love me just a little bit as much as you love Mom.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then honey, do me a favor?  Do you like Jeff Fuller?\'94  She nodded her head.  \softline
\'93I can tell the signs.  You\'92re both very young, of course, but he thinks you\'92re great.  How \softline
often does he ask you out?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93A couple of times a week,\'94 she replied in a very small voice.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93And how long has he been asking?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93For a couple of months, I guess.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then for chrissakes, say yes the next time!  Okay?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan grinned.  \'93Okay, Dad.  And Dad?  I love you very much, too.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab There was a small high-school dance band playing.  Kathy had returned to the \softline
table when the tall young man came up to their table looking very nervous.  \'93Susan, \softline
would you like to dance?\'94 he asked diffi\-dently.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, Jeff.  Thank you, I would.  First, Jeff, I would like to introduce you to my \softline
parents, Commander and Mrs. Stark.  Mom and Dad, this is Jeff Fuller.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken stood and shook hands with the boy.  \'93How do you do, Jeff?\'94  Kathy shook \softline
his hand too.  The kids went out to the dance floor.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Would you like to dance, darling?\'94 Ken asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I would love to.  Let\'92s!\'94  She was out of her chair, on the dance floor, and in \softline
Ken\'92s arms.  He held her closely.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What do you think, honey?\'94 she asked.  \'93What did she say to you?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93It\'92s nothing I can\'92t handle.  She\'92s }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 exactly}{\plain \fs24 \f2  like you.  She likes the boy but is \softline
afraid of having been a whore.  Does that sound like anyone you know?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had her head resting on his shoulder.  She murmured, \'93Of course not.  \softline
Who could you possibly be thinking of?  After all, I was practically a virgin when you met \softline
me.  But my virgin\-ity didn\'92t last very long... about an hour or so, if I remember \softline
correctly.\'94  She tipped her head back and he kissed her softly on the lips.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93God, am I ever lucky!  Sweetheart, you are the best thing that could ever \softline
happen to a guy.  Do you know that?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She snuggled closer in his arms.  \'93No, but keep the thought.  I like it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As they were driving home that night, Susan\'92s eyes were dancing.  \'93Mom and \softline
Dad, that was terrific!  Boy, did I ever score points.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken and Kathy looked at each other.  \'93What does that mean?\'94 he asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Well, you saw a lot of families there.  Most of the adults are ten or fifteen years \softline
older than you two.  That\'92s one.  The other thing was your necking on the dance floor.  \softline
One girl came up to me with her eyes as big as saucers to tell me she saw you kissing \softline
Mom.  I told her you were married so it was all right.  She almost choked.  \'91But Susan, \softline
it was a }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 real}{\plain \fs24 \f2  kiss!\'92  I told her I had it on good authority that kissing hadn\'92t been invented \softline
in just the last six months.  \'91In fact,\'92 I said, \'91it wouldn\'92t sur\-prise me if your parents kiss \softline
that way once in a while, or used to, anyway.  After all, you\'92re here aren\'92t you?  Your \softline
parents might have even had sex!\'92\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken and Kathy both laughed and Kathy said, \'93Susan, that\'92s awful.  What a \softline
terrible thing to say to the poor girl!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Why?\'94 Susan asked innocently.  \'93Don\'92t you think they ever did?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The family drove up to the Peninsula for Christmas leaving their own Christmas \softline
tree in the apartment.  As they stuffed packages into the BMW, the biggest car they had, \softline
Kathy made a face.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What\'92s wrong, honey?\'94 Ken asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I was just thinking.  We\'92re getting old or something.  I was thinking I\'92ll have \softline
to buy a station wagon to haul junk around now that there are three of us.\'94  She grinned \softline
at him.  \'93Isn\'92t it ridiculous?  There are three of us, we have three cars, but I\'92m thinking \softline
of getting a fourth just to haul the junk!  That\'92s what happens when the three are all \softline
\'91personal\'92 cars.  More than two people and you\'92re dead.  Susan\'92s legs are going to be \softline
crushed!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s okay,\'94 Ken replied.  \'93Young people are supposed to suffer.  Why when \softline
I was her age...  Ouch!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy had punched him in the arm and then grinned.  \'93Right!  You walked seven \softline
miles each way to school, through a raging blizzard uphill both ways.  You couldn\'92t even 
get the horse to leave the barn!  Yes sir!  It was really tough in the olden days.  Let\'92s \softline
see...  That was about sixteen years ago?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He grinned back at her.  \'93Okay, okay, I give up!  But it\'92s still no reason for you \softline
to assault me \'97 except with your cunt, of course.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then Susan came up.  \'93Mother\'92s assaulting you how?  And with what?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They all laughed, got in the car and headed over the bridge to the Peninsula.  \softline
When they arrived Ken hugged his mother and gave her a kiss.  He then held her at arms \softline
length.  \'93Mom, you look gorgeous!  Every time I see you, you look younger than the time \softline
before.  What\'92s going on?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s something very special Ken.  High-protein injections.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Protein injections?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, dear.  I get them from your father.  Sometimes two or three a day.\'94  Just \softline
then Sam Stark came up behind her and squeez\-ed one of her now-very-firm buns in his \softline
hand.  \'93Samuel Stark, you\'92ll upset the children.  They\'92re much too young.  Except \softline
Kathy, of course.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Admiral had greeted his granddaughter with a very warm kiss.  \'93Honey, \softline
now I get some respect!  A lot of DOD and White House brass live in Reston.  I\'92ve never \softline
had so much fun!  They come in talking about this Susan Stark who singlehandedly des\-
troyed their team in the state championships.  I try to stifle a yawn and say, \'91Oh, yes.  \softline
She\'92s my granddaughter.\'92  I even made a few bucks.  It\'92s great, and so are you.  And \softline
you\'92re looking particularly lovely today.  Merry Christmas, sweet\-heart!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab As they were driving home that night, Susan pretended to sulk in the back seat.  \softline
Finally, she attracted Ken\'92s attention.  Kathy was driv\-ing.  \'93What\'92s the trouble, honey?\'94 \softline
he asked.  He wasn\'92t concerned because he was pretty sure he knew what it was.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93It\'92s you people.  All of you.  Just wait until I tell my friends!  \'91What did you do \softline
on Christmas, Susan?\'92 they\'92ll ask.  And I\'92ll say, \'91We went to my grandparents.  We \softline
opened gifts, and grandmother served a magnificent Christmas feast.  So far, it\'92s great.  \softline
Then I get stuck with doing the dishes while my parents }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 and}{\plain \fs24 \f2  my grandparents, for God\'92s \softline
sake, go upstairs and fuck like rabbits.\'92  They probably guess it about you two, but \softline
grandpar\-ents?  That\'92s ridiculous!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Does it bother you a lot?\'94 Ken asked with a straight face.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan grinned broadly.  \'93Absolutely not!  My God, Dad, your mother is beautiful!  \softline
Just before you came home she was down visiting, and you know how Mom is.  The three \softline
of us were lying nude by the pool.  Grandmoth\-er has a body like a 35-year old... and one \softline
in beauti\-ful shape at that.  Do you know what she said?  She said as long as she\'92s bare, \softline
she\'92s Betty.  She\'92s only Grand\-mother when she has her clothes on!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab New Year\'92s Eve found them planning on going their separate ways.  Susan had \softline
been dating Jeff Fuller and they were going to a party while Ken and Kathy went to the 
Officers\'92 Club.  They were meeting Sandy and Jack Castle who were already there when \softline
they arrived.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What in heaven\'92s name has happened to Sandy?\'94 Ken whis\-pered.  \'93I\'92ve never \softline
seen her look like this.  She is beautiful!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Protein injections, dear.  They\'92re administered, usually in the cunt, with a \softline
massive thing sometimes called a cock.  Of course, Sandy was telling me she\'92s now at the \softline
point where she likes to take it orally almost as much.  She\'92s funny now, sweet\-heart.  \softline
She called to ask how you get it out of a carpet.  It seems Jack took her three times \softline
before they made it to the bed\-room the day you got home.  Don\'92t you think she looks \softline
good?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They had drinks and dinner and then danced.  Ken got a chuckle when he saw \softline
Sandy move Jack\'92s hand from the small of her back to her buttock as they danced.  \softline
\'93Honey,\'94 he said, \'93I can tell this is going to be an early night.  Or else you\'92ll have to help \softline
Sandy.  She\'92ll be dripping all over the floor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was an early night.  They were back at the apartment a little after one.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab He was entering Kathy for the second time in the new year when they heard the \softline
door open.  She was on top, and straigh\-tened up as they heard the door open and Susan \softline
say good night to Jeff.  They heard the sounds of a very passionate kiss.  Then Susan \softline
came bounding into the room.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I might have known I would find you two like this,\'94 she said with a grin.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Like what?\'94 Kathy asked, slowly moving her hips as her vaginal muscles \softline
gripped the massive instrument inside her.  \'93Your father\'92s giving me a protein injection.  \softline
You know what wonders it does for your grandmother.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She grinned back.  \'93How was your evening with Jeff?  I see your lipstick\'92s \softline
smeared.  I hope he liked the flavor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mom, it was great.  Before we came in, I let him fondle me on top.  He likes my \softline
boobs.  Was that awful?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy could feel herself reaching her peak, and could feel Ken\'92s sex beginning \softline
to throb.  She lost interest in the conversa\-tion for a minute as she and Ken came \softline
together.  Then she just collapsed on top of him and just lay there while they caught \softline
their breath.  Finally, Kathy rolled off to the side and nestled in Ken\'92s arm.  She gave \softline
him a soft kiss and then turned back to Susan.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think you asked if it was awful.  Was it?  When your father handles my boobs, \softline
I melt.  On the other hand, I melt if your father is within one hundred yards, so maybe \softline
that\'92s not fair.  How did it feel?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Absolutely glorious!  He thinks I have a beautiful body.  Do you think he really \softline
means it?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken spoke up.  \'93Since there is no indication that he\'92s blind, I think he probably \softline
does.  But why do you sound skeptical?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I don\'92t know, Daddy.  It\'92s just that...  Well, Mom said I could wear my strapless \softline
dress tonight.  It\'92s got a bra sort of built in.  Anyway we were in Jeff\'92s car and he took \softline
me in his arms to kiss me.  And it was really great \'97 not like you and Mom, but pretty \softline
nice.  Anyway, we kiss again, and again.  I guess I\'92m teaching him a little bit about \softline
kissing.  Then he moves his hand, and it\'92s inside the top of my dress.  He touched my \softline
breast, and I could feel the nipple harden.  Then he touched that.  Mom, I could feel his \softline
hand shake.  Why do you suppose it was shaking?  He\'92s not sick or something, is he?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was lying in her husband\'92s arms.  His right arm was around her and he \softline
moved it to cup her right breast.  Her nipples instantly stood erect.  He slowly moved his \softline
fingers across her body as she melted even closer towards him.  \'93Was it like that?\'94 Kathy \softline
asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That\'92s the point, Mom!  It wasn\'92t.  Daddy moves his hand so gently over your \softline
body.  It never shakes or twitches.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, there are two reasons for that.  First, your father is familiar with every \softline
square inch of my body.  He\'92s kissed it, stroked it, and probably even poured his cum \softline
over it.  The second thing is he\'92s been home for a while now.  Do you remember the day \softline
he got back?  Honey, it would have been funny if we hadn\'92t been so des\-perate.  He was \softline
trying to get his cock inside me and I was try\-ing so hard to help, I\'92m amazed we didn\'92t \softline
both just cum all over the carpet.  He can afford to be relaxed.  He\'92s got me, and we both \softline
know it.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken picked up the thread, \'93Sue, The poor guy was probably so ner\-vous he \softline
couldn\'92t see straight.  You are a truly beautiful girl!  Didn\'92t you tell me he\'92s been trying \softline
to date you for months?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But Dad, this wasn\'92t our first date!\'94 Susan protested.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How many dates have you had?\'94 he asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93This was the fifth,\'94 she answered proudly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93So he\'92s gotten to kiss you on five occasions?\'94 Ken contin\-ued.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course not!  What do you think I am?  I let him kiss me goodnight the last \softline
time.  Before that when he went to kiss me, I turned my head away.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93So the poor guy only got to kiss you goodnight once before tonight?  And \softline
because it\'92s New Year\'92s Eve, you kissed him several times and let him feel a tit?  Is that \softline
it?\'94  She nodded.  \'93Honey, you\'92re lucky he didn\'92t acciden\-tally rip your dress!  No wonder \softline
the poor guy\'92s hand was shaking.  It\'92s a good thing there aren\'92t any buttons or he never \softline
would have gotten his hand in.  Kathy, what do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I think I love you both very much,\'94 Kathy said.  \'93And Honey, your dad\'92s right.  \softline
Look at it from Jeff\'92s point of view.  He\'92s out with the most beauti\-ful girl in the whole \softline
school, a girl he\'92s been trying to date for months.  She wouldn\'92t even kiss him goodnight \softline
until the fourth date!  And then she lets him car\-ess a boob.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Sweetie, I don\'92t think Jeff drove home.  I think he just floated.  But don\'92t worry \softline
about it.  Believe me, there\'92s nothing wrong with him.\'94  She smiled at her beautiful \softline
daughter.  \'93Now when is he going to get farther with you.  He hasn\'92t seen your breasts \softline
bare, has he?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course not, Mother.  I\'92m not one of those cheap little sluts at school who...  \softline
My God!  I forgot!  I was the whore.  And I\'92m calling those girls...  Oh Mother!\'94  Susan \softline
jumped on the bed and kissed her mother.  Kathy took her in her arms.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sweetheart, now do you understand what your father and I have been telling \softline
you?  You }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 aren\'92t}{\plain \fs24 \f2  a whore.  Your instincts are those of a good girl \'97 a very good girl.  Now \softline
do you see?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, I do.  And thank you both so very much.\'94  She kissed Kathy and went \softline
around the bed to kiss Ken.  \'93It\'92s really neat to have such great parents.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Suddenly, she looked embarrassed.  \'93But Mom, what am I going to do when he \softline
finds out my breasts are tanned.  There\'92s no bra mark or any\-thing.  Do you think I \softline
should start wearing a bathing suit?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken answered.  \'93Don\'92t be silly.  If he sees you bare to the waist, it will blow his \softline
mind!  You have perfect breasts.  But that\'92s because you\'92re our daughter.  Right?\'94  \softline
Susan grinned and went off to bed while her parents went back to their lovemaking.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Chapter 31}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was a Saturday in March and Ken was home when the phone rang.  Kathy \softline
picked it up.  It was Susan calling.  \'93What are you and Dad doing?  Or rather, where are \softline
you doing,\'94 she asked softly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hi, honey.  Your father is doing me.  I\'92m sitting on the kitchen counter.  He \softline
says he hasn\'92t had a taste of hot cunt in a long time and misses it.  He says I\'92m not fair \softline
because I\'92m always getting his protein injections, but don\'92t give him a chance.  So my \softline
legs are spread as wide as they\'92ll go, and he\'92s doing my cunt...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She moaned as she felt her hips take on a life of their own.  \'93Can you hold on... \softline
a minute... sweetie.  I\'92m... almost... }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 there!\'94}{\plain \fs24 \f2   She came in a sudden flood, and Ken was \softline
licking furious\-ly to get every delicious drop of her liquid.  Kathy continued her phone \softline
conversation.  \'93What\'92s up, sweet\-heart?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mom, you and Dad are too much!  No wonder you two are in such great shape.  \softline
There can\'92t be two people in the world who get more exercise.  Can I bring some kids \softline
home, please, Mom?  They want to talk to you and Dad.  Is it all right?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My God!\'94 said Kathy, feigning horror.  \'93Do you mean to say...  We have to get \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 dressed?  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 Besides,\'94 Kathy said with a pout in her voice, \'93you\'92ll be going to college soon, \softline
and it\'92s very expensive.  Your father and I have to save money, and this is much less \softline
expensive than going to the movies...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan had now been around long enough to know when her mother was teasing \softline
her \'97 which was most of the time.  \'93Mom, I know Dad\'92s trying to keep you barefoot and \softline
preg\-nant, but there might be a usable flour sack around you can wear.  And I know Pa \softline
still has his over\-alls.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy laughed.  \'93I give up.  When will you be here?  Can you give us three \softline
minutes?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Of course!  Mom, I love you both so damned much.  We\'92ll be there in a bit.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy took Ken\'92s face in her hands and kissed it.  \'93I love you so damned much!  \softline
Thanks, honey.  That felt marvelous.  Almost as good as taking you in my mouth.  That \softline
was Sue.  As you proba\-bly guessed, we have to get dressed.  You know some\-thing?  This \softline
business of going around nude is really a great idea.  This way there\'92s no risk of one of \softline
Susan\'92s friends accidentally sitting on a bra or a pair of your shorts.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She kissed him again.  \'93Kenneth Stark, I would send your picture in to }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Playgirl}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
except I want to keep you all for myself.  Yum!  Come on.  Let\'92s get dressed.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When the door opened a few minutes later, Kathy was wearing her favorite \softline
Levi\'92s and a Yale golf shirt.  Ken was wearing a pair of tan poplin pants with a golf shirt.  \softline
They were drinking coffee in the kitchen when the kids came in.  They recognized Jeff \softline
Fuller, but his was the only familiar face.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When Susan introduced the group, Ken noticed that Jeff was em\-barrassed to \softline
shake hands.  Ken figured the poor guy was far more shook up about caressing Susan\'92s 
breast than she was \'97 or he and Kathy were.  It was also obvious that Susan was the \softline
spokes\-woman for the group.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Mom and Dad, we\'92ve got a prob\-lem.  We just got word a couple of days ago that \softline
we can\'92t have a spring prom this year.  Or it appears we can\'92t.  Because of the budget \softline
cuts, they can\'92t be sure teachers will be available to chaperon.  I guess they get paid \softline
extra or something.  Then there\'92s the problem of paying the janitors, hiring a band and \softline
all that stuff.  We want the prom badly.  Can you help us?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy asked, \'93What exactly do you need?  How many chaperons, for example?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan looked around at her friends.  They just shrugged.  It was obvious they \softline
hadn\'92t thought about it in any detail.  \'93I guess the answer is, Mom, we don\'92t know.\'94  \softline
Susan looked abashed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How about the hall?  Do you use the gym?  How much do the janitors cost, and \softline
would the school charge for the use of the gym or just for the janitors and the District\'92s \softline
out-of-pocket costs?\'94  It was clear to Kathy they didn\'92t know the answer to that question \softline
either.  Rather than embarrass the kids further she went to her office and came back \softline
with paper and a pencil.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sit down, kids.  Ken,\'94 she asked with a smile, \'93could you take care of \softline
refreshments?\'94  Jeff Fuller got up to help.  He accompanied Ken to the kitchen.  Ken got \softline
out Coke and munchies and Jeff helped carry them out.  Kathy\'92s grocery buying habits \softline
had changed substantially since Susan arrived.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken looked on in some amusement as Kathy proceeded to organize their dance.  \softline
The students just looked at her in awe.  From a very puzzling problem, in no time \softline
everything was on track.  After Kathy made assignments to each of the kids, they got up \softline
to leave.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab One girl, Linda, said, \'93Mrs. Stark, aren\'92t you Katherine Smith...  I mean before \softline
you got married?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, Linda, I\'92m Kathy Smith Stark.  I\'92m flattered you recognized me.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The girl\'92s eyes widened in awe.  \'93Then you\'92re the District Attorney that sent all \softline
those people to jail.\'94  The girl\'92s eyes got bigger still.  \'93And some people tried to kill you \softline
but you killed them first.  My mother thinks you are the finest person in Tidewater, Mrs. \softline
Stark.  She\'92ll be so impressed when I tell her I met you.  It\'92s a real privilege.  Thank you \softline
so much for all your help.  Now I feel so much better about the prom.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But what about the band?  Are you sure you can get one?  We don\'92t have any \softline
money...\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92ll take care of it,\'94 Kathy promised.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was three weeks later.  Kathy had made several phone calls to Sam Stark.  In \softline
her first call she asked about Ken and his medal.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93Kathy,\'94 the Admiral said, \'93it\'92s all set.  Ken\'92s getting the Navy Cross along with \softline
the Purple Heart.  DOD is trying to get its collective act together to figure out where and \softline
when to make the presen\-tation.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dad, I have a wild idea.  Susan\'92s school is in Virginia Beach as you well know.  \softline
Now there are thousands of military families in the school district.  I think Susan \softline
estimated over half her class are military brats.  We haven\'92t been shooting at anyone in \softline
a serious way for a very long time, and we forget how fast things change.  Now Ken will \softline
be getting medals for events that took place in 1975.  Dad, the high-school kids in that \softline
school ranged in age from about five to just born in 1975!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My idea is this:  Could we borrow the Navy Band to play at the prom?  Get the \softline
Secretary of Defense or Secretary of the Navy, or whoever will be making the \softline
presentation to come down and make the award at the dance?  I know it\'92s far out.  But \softline
look at it this way:  One of the biggest problems the Armed Forces face is retention.  \softline
Many of your best people are leaving for civilian jobs.  Now think about the real \softline
careerists:  These are the people whose sons and daughters are in Susan\'92s class.  Twenty-year-olds don\'92t have children of high-school age.  If their kids have no sense of what their \softline
fathers are doing, why should the families put up with the garbage?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dad, the other night \'97 between attempts at making a grandchild for you and \softline
Mom \'97 I was resting on Ken\'92s shoulder.  You know what he said?  He said he has it all.  \softline
He says he\'92s doing something important, but what\'92s more important to him, Susan and \softline
I think it\'92s important.  He says we do everything to try to make his life easier.  Dad, he \softline
said, \'91If every family was as support\-ive as this one, there would be no retention problem.\'92\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Let\'92s face it!  We bugged out of Vietnam.  We sure didn\'92t cover ourselves with \softline
glory, particu\-larly in the way we left.  These kids know nothing about it.  Some of them \softline
do know their dads are still bitter about it but don\'92t understand why.  They really have \softline
no conception of what was going on back then.\'94  She took a breath.  \'93Dad, that\'92s my \softline
idea.  Is it completely crazy?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93My daughter isn\'92t crazy,\'94 Admiral Stark said.  \'93It even makes sense.  You want \softline
the Navy Band and SecDef for an evening.  It just might be possible.  Anything else?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Yes, Dad, there is.  First, how\'92s Mom?\'94 Kathy replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Getting younger every day!  My God, if our whole life together had been like the \softline
last year or so, Ken would have so damn many siblings we would have had to number \softline
them.  Kathy, I really don\'92t know what to say.  But the quick answer is, she\'92s great.\'94  He \softline
laughed.  \'93She says it\'92s regular protein injec\-tions!  Honey, could I make a confession?  \softline
I was... fooling around with a young\-er woman.  In fact, over the years there were several.  \softline
I guess I got pretty egotistical about my physical condition.  Well, your mother is in \softline
better shape than any of them, and I\'92ve been working out secretly to try to keep up with \softline
her.  Does that answer your question?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was grinning as he spoke.  \'93It sure does!  Dad, don\'92t you think Mom would \softline
like to get a new evening gown?  Then you and she could help chaperon.  Can you 
possibly imagine a little high-school kid getting fresh with a four-star admiral?  Besides, \softline
I think his parents would like to see their son receive his awards.  What do you think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Honey, I think it\'92s a wonderful idea!  Let me see what I can do.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The prom was set for late April and Kathy had been working with the kids and \softline
the school adminis\-tration.  Finally the Board of Education had given permission to invite \softline
the faculty with the understanding that their attendance was voluntary, not a profes\-
sional assignment.  It was another way of saying any faculty members attend\-ing would \softline
not be paid.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Admiral Stark had lined up the Navy band from the Naval Base at Norfolk and \softline
Kathy kept her fingers crossed that the arrangements for the award ceremony would \softline
work.  When the arrangements were complete, she talked to the school principal, Mr. \softline
Whitaker.  She told him about the award ceremony and the fact that the Secretary of \softline
Defense would be present: \'93Mr. Whitaker, it\'92s strictly up to you, of course.  Perhaps you \softline
would feel better if you checked with the Board of Education.  However, the Secretary \softline
will be here and I think it would be appropriate if someone in authority at the school \softline
greeted him.  The whole presentation is set for ten o\'92clock.  What do you want to do?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Whitaker called the Superintendent of Schools who in turn called the president \softline
of the Board of Education.  It was finally decided that the Board president and the \softline
principal would attend.  Kathy reviewed the list of chaper\-ons with Whitaker when the \softline
guest list had been settled.  She and Ken were coming, along with Bob and Jane.  Jane \softline
had made arrangements to have a nurse for Billy.  Sandy and Jack Castle would also be \softline
there, along with Admiral and Mrs. Stark.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Finally, Kathy called a couple of friends on the newspapers and at the TV \softline
stations.  She told them, very much off the record, that the Secretary of Defense would \softline
be at the high school in Vir\-ginia Beach and gave them the date, time, and some details, \softline
omit\-ting Ken\'92s award.  They appreciated the call.\par
}\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 * * *\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab It was agreed that Sam and Betty would meet them at the apart\-ment.  On the \softline
evening of the prom Susan was finishing her dressing and looked magnifi\-cent in a white \softline
full-length gown.  Kathy\'92s was similar, but its color was the sap\-phire-blue of her eyes.  \softline
Ken was wearing Navy full-dress.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy looked at him and put the final touches on his bow tie.  \'93Darling, I love \softline
you so much,\'94 she murmured.  \'93Kiss me, please?\'94  Ken took his wife into his arms and \softline
kissed her tender\-ly.  She snuggled up to him and murmured, \'93Ken Stark, you are the \softline
best thing that ever happened to me.  I adore you, you know.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken ran his hand lightly over her exposed back and shoulders and thought again \softline
of his good fortune.  She was all a man could ever hope for and he said that to her.  She \softline
gave him a squeeze.  \'93Honey, for the occasion, I\'92m even going to wear lipstick.  Do you \softline
think I\'92m going to the dogs?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Ken marveled at how beautiful Kathy always looked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then Susan came in and stood in front of her father.  \'93Dad, do I look all \softline
right?  Do you think Jeff will think I\'92m pretty?\'94 she asked with concern showing in her \softline
eyes.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sweetheart, what do you think of the way your mother looks?\'94 he replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan glanced at her mother.  \'93Mom?  Mom is an absolute vision!  But she \softline
always is,\'94 Susan replied.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Then stand next to her at the mirror.\'94  Susan did and showed, in rapid \softline
succession, shock, amazement, and then pleasure.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But, Dad, I look almost like she does!\'94 Susan exclaimed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93We\'92ve been telling you that, sweetheart, but you haven\'92t been paying attention.  \softline
And, we love you so dearly.  Susan, you make your mother and me very proud to have \softline
you as our daughter.  Will you give me a kiss?\'94  She did, and it was sweet and loving.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then the doorbell rang.  It was the senior Starks.  When Ken opened the \softline
door, he was genuinely shocked.  The radiant woman standing there appeared to be his \softline
own age.  His mother just grinned as Ken stood there open-mouthed.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then she said, \'93Ken\-neth, you\'92re really embarrass\-ing your father and me.  We \softline
thought we\'92d trained you better than to stand in front of guests with your mouth open.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But, Mom, you\'92re gorgeous!  You\'92re abso\-lutely radiant!  And you don\'92t look old \softline
enough to be Susan\'92s mother, let alone mine.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The Admiral was positively beaming.  \'93I\'92m going to embarrass your mother, \softline
Ken.  Last week she was told by a young gynecologist to be sure to stay on the Pill.  \softline
Otherwise we might have grand\-children older than our own children.  What do you \softline
think?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Betty was wearing a very pale grey evening gown that set off her grey eyes which \softline
were now dancing with joy.  She had a light tan and, like his girls, her gown was \softline
strapless showing off her per\-fect skin.  \'93Do I pass, dear?\'94 she asked Ken quietly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab For answer, he gathered her into his arms.  He whispered in her ear, \'93I have to \softline
have the only mother in the world who\'92s lost at least twenty-five years in age in the last \softline
twelve months.  Mom, you\'92re gorgeous!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab While Ken was admiring his mother, the Admiral went back to the bedroom.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan saw him enter and gasped, \'93Grandfather, I\'92m impress\-ed!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Indeed, the Admiral did look impressive in his full dress uniform dripping with \softline
the gold of his four-star rank.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93And I\'92m more than impressed,\'94 he responded.  \'93You two are absolutely too \softline
much.  Do you know, Kathy, right now with three generations of Stark women \'97 I\'92m \softline
not sure how we got so lucky \'97 there appears to be about a ten-year age spread, top to \softline
bottom?  Susan, go and see your grandmother.  I want to talk to your mom for a second.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab They could hear Susan\'92s yelp of surprise as she kissed her grandmother and \softline
exclaimed over her appearance.  Sam looked at Kathy.  \'93Sweetheart, I\'92ve been asked to \softline
make an official request.  Would you please bring your Medal of Freedom tonight?\'94  \softline
Kathy looked at him and saw at once he wasn\'92t joking.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Dad, you meant it when you said, \'91official request\'92, didn\'92t you?  I\'92ll see if I can \softline
find it.  But do I have to put it on now?\'94 she asked.  She found the medal in her drawer \softline
and gave it to the Admiral to hold.  He opened the box, looked at it, shook his head, put \softline
it in his pocket and closed it.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The doorbell rang again, and it was Jeff.  His eyes almost popped when he saw \softline
the combination of gold braid and beautiful women.  He was absolutely tongue-tied when \softline
he met Betty Stark.  Suddenly, he bright\-ened.  \'93Ma\'92am, I\'92m truly delighted to meet you.  \softline
And you\'92ve just solved a mystery for me \'97 or maybe just created another.  I couldn\'92t \softline
figure out how Mrs. Stark could possibly be Susan\'92s mother.  But now I meet you, and \softline
you\'92re not old enough to be Susan\'92s mother either, let alone the Comman\-der\'92s.  Maybe \softline
it\'92s something in the water.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Betty chuckled and kissed the boy on his cheek.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The young people left and the older Starks went downstairs where limousines \softline
Kathy had hired were waiting.  She had decided there was no sense in wrecking their \softline
gowns before they even got to the dance.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they arrived the dance was about to start.  Kathy was startled as she read \softline
on the bass drum, \'93U.S. Marine Corps Band \'97 Marine Barracks \'97 Washington, D.C.\'94  \softline
She looked at the Admiral who just shrugged.  The presence of the Marine Band was \softline
news to him.  Kathy was worried.  She remembered the Marine Band was the only \softline
military unit under the direct command of the President.  The bandsmen were in their \softline
dress white uniforms as well.  Kathy knew the band \'97 once directed by John Philip \softline
Sousa himself \'97 was still one of the finest collections of musicians in the country.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She greeted Sandy and Jack Castle.  Sandy took her aside to the corner and took \softline
Kathy\'92s hand.  She pressed it to her abdomen.  Kathy could feel the swelling.  She looked \softline
at the girl who was also wearing a strapless gown and saw her breasts were swollen.  The \softline
girl\'92s eyes were radiant.  \'93Kathy, there\'92s no way Jack and I can thank you enough.  He \softline
knows what happened, now.\'94  Her eyes grew serious.  \'93And I do, too.  He told me he was \softline
coming home that day to ask for a divorce.  Kathy, if it\'92s a girl, may we please name her \softline
after you?\'94  Sandy grin\-ned, \'93After all, she\'92s your responsi\-bility!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The dance progressed.  Kathy floated around the floor with Ken and noticed the \softline
admiring glances from the students as they danced by.  As the hour approached ten \softline
o\'92clock, Kathy was growing con\-cerned.  Events were not following her script.  First, the \softline
band was scheduled to take a break at ten.  Instead, she saw other members of the band \softline
appear to augment the dance band.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Promptly at ten o\'92clock the band hit a fanfare and Mr. Whitaker came up on \softline
stage.  \'93Ladies and Gentlemen, it\'92s a great privilege and plea\-sure to welcome the \softline
Secretary of Defense of the United States, Mr. John Connors.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The band played ruffles and flour\-ishes, the appropriate honors for the Secretary.  \softline
Kathy had earlier heard the sounds of helicopter operations coming from the parking \softline
area outside the gym.  The Admiral had said they were using special chop\-pers which \softline
were sound-muf\-fled.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The secretary came out on stage to be greeted by applause from the obviously \softline
very puzzled children.  When the gym had quieted, he said, \'93Ladies and gentlemen, the \softline
President of the United States!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Suddenly the entire Marine Band \'97 all its members were present \'97 struck up \softline
}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Hail to the Chief}{\plain \fs24 \f2 .  The side door opened and Secret Service agents moved in preceding \softline
the Presi\-dent who came in and went directly up onto the stage to the microphone.  He \softline
stood at attention waiting for the completion of honors.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.  I\'92m very happy to be here this evening.  \softline
For the two or three people in the country who care about such things, the official White \softline
House sched\-ule says I\'92m at Camp David, fishing.  Well, the fishing wasn\'92t too good today, \softline
so I thought I would come down here instead.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Would Susan Stark please come up on stage?\'94 the President asked.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Susan gasped as the President called her name.  She then went up on stage to \softline
where he was standing.  While this was going on and all eyes were riveted on the \softline
President, Kathy felt the Medal of Freedom at her throat and could feel Sam securing \softline
the catch behind her neck.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93How do you do, Susan?\'94 the President greeted the girl.  He stood back to \softline
admire her, nodded, and went back to the micro\-phone.  \'93When I\'92m in the Oval Office, \softline
the place is lousy with advisors.  These are people who claim to be experts at everything \softline
imaginable.  Well, some of these experts were making some mi\-nor \'97 and some not-so-minor \'97 wagers on the outcome of a soccer match last fall.  It seems a number of them \softline
live in Reston.  The next thing I know, these experts aren\'92t so expert.  It seems there\'92s \softline
a beautiful young woman living in Virginia Beach who took their team apart by herself.  \softline
I can\'92t personally attest to the latter, but I agree with their judgment on the former.  \softline
Young lady, you are one of the most beautiful young women it has ever been my good \softline
fortune to meet.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But I didn\'92t come down here for that.  There\'92s another reason.  Susan, do you \softline
know what your father did in Vietnam?\'94 the President asked quietly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The room was still.  Susan replied, \'93No, sir.  I don\'92t.  He never talks about it.  \softline
I do know he has four bullet holes in his shoulder, but he\'92s never told us how he was hit.  \softline
Mom and I ask, but he never answers.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Thank you, Susan.  Please stay here with me, if you would.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab The President looked around the now-packed gymnasium.  \'93I refer\-red to \softline
\'91experts\'92 awhile ago.  Well, they did something they }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 are}{\plain \fs24 \f2  good at: tracking down obscure \softline
bits of information.  It seems that this school enrolls sons or daughters of the \softline
commanders of more than half the warships in the United States Atlantic Fleet.  Almost \softline
70 percent of you are sons or daughters of career military personnel.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I\'92m here tonight to try to explain what your fathers do \'97 besides not being \softline
home on days that are so important to you, like the day you won the State Soccer \softline
Championship.  Susan, I know your dad was there.  I also know that the fathers of nearly \softline
half your teammates were not.  Kids, they were defending the country.  What, exactly, \softline
does that mean?  Well, I came here tonight to tell you a little bit of what that means.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Commander Kenneth Stark, front and center!\'94 the President called out.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken\'92s jaw dropped.  Kathy gave his hand a squeeze and pushed him toward the \softline
stage.  He mounted the steps, saluted smartly and stood at attention in front of the \softline
Commander in Chief.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The President reached for a piece of paper which his naval aide handed him.  \softline
\'93Kenneth Stark, for wounds suffered from enemy action on April 2, 1975, it is my \softline
pleasure to award you the Purple Heart Medal.\'94  The President took the medal from his \softline
aide and pinned it on Ken\'92s uniform.  Ken saluted smartly and was about to go when the \softline
Presi\-dent said under his breath, \'93Stand fast!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93That medal should have been awarded years and years ago.  It wasn\'92t.  It wasn\'92t \softline
awarded because Commander Stark was wounded at a time quite a few people would \softline
rather forget about.  We weren\'92t defeated in Vietnam, we were bugging out.  That\'92s what \softline
we were doing in April, 1975.  Commander Stark, then an ensign and a recent graduate \softline
of the Naval Academy, was doing what so many before and since have done \'97 his duty.  \softline
What happened that day so long ago?\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ensign Stark was second in command of a flotilla of river craft.  It was assigned \softline
to help in the evacuation of a unit of the Army of Vietnam that had been cut off by North \softline
Vietnamese regulars.  The town was encircled.  The only way out was by water.  Stark\'92s \softline
unit was given the task and it arrived on sched\-ule.  Americans went ashore to supervise \softline
the embarkation of the Vietnamese troops, many of whom were wounded.  With almost \softline
all the Americans now off the boats, the North Vietnamese mounted an all-out attack \softline
with everything they had including heavy artil\-lery.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Ensign Stark formed a detail of boat holders and led a charge to rescue fourteen \softline
Americans who had been cut off and were being massacred.  Single-handed, he charged \softline
an enemy machine gun and destroyed it.  He is given credit for killing over thirty of the \softline
enemy himself.  But that wasn\'92t all.  Attacking a manned machine gun carries a price \softline
\'97 a price he paid.  He was hit four times in the shoulder and later nearly died.  \softline
Nevertheless, he got his men back inside the rapidly collapsing perimeter.  He organized \softline
the evacuation of all the troops, particularly includ\-ing the wounded Vietnamese he had \softline
been sent in to get.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93I said he was second in command.  Now he was in command.  The command\-ing \softline
officer of the flotilla had been killed.  Ensign Stark got them out and stayed on the bridge \softline
of his lead boat, now covering the retreat, until they were out of danger.  At that point, \softline
he collapsed and came to quite awhile later in the Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93What I have just said to you is a paraphrase \'97 trying to translate jargon into \softline
English \'97 of an award I am about to make.  You know \'97 or possibly don\'92t \'97 the face \softline
on the Purple Heart is that of a great Virgin\-ian, George Washington.  Well, it gives me \softline
great pride to recognize another great Virginian, Kenneth Stark, by presenting him with \softline
the Medal of Honor.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The band struck up }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Anchors Aweigh}{\plain \fs24 \f2  as the President secured the medal with its \softline
blue ribbon with white stars around Ken\'92s neck.  \'93Congratula\-tions, Commander.  Well \softline
done!\'94  Then in a low voice he added, \'93Don\'92t leave yet, Commander.  We\'92re full of \softline
surprises tonight.\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The band stopped playing and the President returned to the microphone.  \'93You \softline
know, the award I just presented to Susan\'92s father is the highest award for valor our \softline
country can bestow.  There is another element to the award.  Over 80 percent of the \softline
Medals of Honor given are awarded posthumously.  That\'92s a ten-dollar word meaning \softline
the recipient is dead.  Typically, he died in the action for which the medal is given.  \softline
Commander Stark came within a whisker of being in the same boat.  I\'92m happy he\'92s \softline
here, and looking at Susan beam, I\'92m sure she is, too.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93There\'92s more, Susan.  I also know you and your mother are the Virginia state \softline
mother-daughter tennis champions.  Am I correct?\'94  Susan nodded shyly.  \'93However, I \softline
also happen to know something else about your mother.  Would Katherine Smith Stark \softline
please come up on the stage?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy felt a push in her back and she climbed the stairs.  Before greeting the \softline
President, she had something more important to do.  She kissed Ken, and held him in \softline
her arms.  \'93Darling, I\'92m so proud for you,\'94 she whis\-pered.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She then went to greet the President who was obviously enjoying himself \softline
immensely.  He shook her hand and looked from her to Susan and back.  \'93Wow!\'94 he said \softline
quietly as he held up his hands for quiet.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93I don\'92t know if they know which end of the racket to hold, but I do know these \softline
two are the most beautiful mother-daughter combination in the world.  As pleasant as \softline
that is, though, there\'92s more.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93You see Mrs. Stark is wearing a medal around her neck, too.  Although she \softline
doesn\'92t know it, she\'92s wearing it as a special favor to me.  It is the Medal of Freedom, one \softline
of our lesser-known national awards.  Nevertheless, it is the highest award our nation \softline
can bestow on a civilian.  Susan, I want you to know you have a most remarkable set of \softline
parents.  Your father is a winner of the Medal of Honor, while your mother holds the \softline
Medal of Freedom.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab \'93But there\'92s even more.  Admiral Stark, would you and your wife join us, \softline
please?\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Sam and Betty Stark joined the party on the stage.  \'93Susan, I\'92m told you\'92re very \softline
fond of your grandfather.  I also know he\'92s very fond of you... and substantially richer \softline
because of you.  I mentioned that several senior members of the White House staff were \softline
consid\-erably poorer after you beat Reston.  It seems your grandfather was covering their \softline
bets.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93However, the reason he\'92s here is because, along with being your grandfather, \softline
he is also the former Commander in Chief of the United States Atlantic Fleet.  In that \softline
position he commanded all the ships in our Navy operating in the Atlantic Ocean, inc\-lud\-
ing everything based here in Norfolk.  I can\'92t tell you what his present job is except to \softline
say it\'92s bigger than his old one, and you can see how big that was.  Sam, welcome.\'94  The \softline
President shook hands with his friend and key military advisor.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Susan, your family manifests the highest possible standards of honor, integrity, \softline
and bravery.  Susan, I hope you\'92ll try to live up to the standards your parents and \softline
grandparents have set for you.  And you\'92re off to a helluva start!\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Kids, I\'92m sorry for taking up too much of your time this evening.  There\'92s an \softline
old joke that says if you put a politician in front of a microphone with two voters he\'92ll \softline
make a speech.  And I guess I just did.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93But kids, there\'92s a serious message for you.  If your dads aren\'92t with you when \softline
you want them \'97 and need them, sometimes \'97 it\'92s not because they don\'92t care or don\'92t \softline
love you.  They\'92re doing something very important and making great personal sacrifices \softline
to do it.  Try to understand.  To them and to you, I say, thank God they are there!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The band began to play and the President came over to Kathy.  \'93Kathy, how do \softline
you do?  I hope you don\'92t mind if I call you Kathy.  I understand just about everyone \softline
does.  This has been a rare privilege for me.  I\'92ve heard Kathy stories for years.  Now I \softline
have some idea of what the fuss is all about.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Sam told me it was you who raised hell about Ken and the medal.  But he says \softline
you\'92re a specialist at raising hell.  Inciden\-tally, the substitu\-tion was my own doing.  I \softline
read the award, did some research, and decided the DOD was sweeping it under the rug.  \softline
It\'92s not that the Navy Cross is a cheap award \'97 far from it.  But what he did clearly \softline
deserves the Medal of Honor, and I\'92m delighted to make the presentation.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Now I\'92m afraid I must leave before the Secret Service starts having fits.\'94  He \softline
grinned and moved off.  Moments later they heard the throb of helicopters taking off.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab The band was playing and she went to Ken.  \'93Will you dance with me, please?\'94 \softline
she asked him softly.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab When they moved out on the dance floor, they were the only ones there.  She was \softline
in heaven, moving in his arms, and floating around the floor.  Ken hadn\'92t said anything.  \softline
He just held her in his strong arms.  Finally the music stopped.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \ul0 \tab Suddenly the whole gym erupted in cheers.  They were instantly surrounded by \softline
well-wishers including, it turned out, virtually the entire off-duty sections of the }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 Evans}{\plain \fs24 \f2  \softline
who had come to see their skipper receive his award.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Later that night back at the apartment, Kathy was standing in the bedroom \softline
nude \'97 and worried.  Ken had scarcely said anything to her since the award ceremony.  \softline
He was in the kitchen, so she got into bed and waited for him.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 I did it this time,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she \softline
thought.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 He\'92s never going to speak to me again.  I meddled once too often.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Ken came into the bedroom and got into bed, still without }{\plain \fs24 speak\-ing}{\plain \fs24 \f2  a word.  He \softline
put his arm around her and gave her a hug.  She responded by molding herself to him.  \softline
\'93Do you want to find out if your nipples still fit the bullet holes?\'94 he asked, as he played \softline
with her nipples which instantly hardened.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab With a little yelp, she clambered on top of him and started with one of her \softline
favorite games.  At the same time she could feel his hand on her crotch with a finger \softline
penetrating her cunt.  Ken was playing one of his favorite games, too.\par
}\page 
\pard \fs24\qc\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 }{\plain \fs28 \b\f2\fs28 Epilogue}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy was lying in her bed when she received the memento from Julie.  She had \softline
been saddened to learn of the woman\'92s death.  Since that time so many years ago, she \softline
had seen the woman only once, and that was only a few months earlier.  At the time the \softline
woman who had kept the house had not looked well.  Kathy had visited her with Susan \softline
shortly after learning Susan had been accepted at Yale.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Julie had commented again on how beautiful the two girls looked, but now she \softline
was dead.  Kathy had learned that she was the beneficiary of Julie\'92s estate and was \softline
amazed to find it was worth over $2 million, all in negotiable securities and certificates \softline
of deposit.  In addi\-tion, there was a memento.  She opened the package and found a \softline
lovely little music box.  She opened the lid and heard it play a strange but lovely tune \'97 \softline
a tune she had never heard before.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Then something truly remarkable happened.  She watched in aston\-ish\-ment as \softline
her fingers appeared to take on a life of their own.  With no apparent guidance from her \softline
brain, her fingers moved across and around the little box as if it were a child\'92s puzzle.  \softline
She was pushing, pulling, and turning at different points on the box.  Suddenly, it was \softline
in two pieces.  Inside it she found a small metal container shaped like a cigarette case, \softline
but smaller in all its dimensions.  Without stopping to look at the case closely, her \softline
fingers began to move again.  Although it was absolutely plain, her fingers pushed and \softline
pulled and probed at apparently known loca\-tions.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Suddenly, the container popped open like a clam.  Inside was a carefully folded \softline
sheaf of papers.  Kathy unfolded them, realizing they had a different feel from anything \softline
she had ever touched before.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab She smoothed them out.  It was a letter to her!  She began to read:\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab }{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 My darling Kathy,\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab Your mother and I are delighted you have received this.  If \softline
any person ever reads this letter, dear Kathy, it must be you.  Our \softline
scientists have programmed your brain to react to the music the \softline
little box plays.  I have watched them rehears\-ing our little girl \softline
and watched your fingers fly through the puzzle.  They tell me \softline
the knowledge you have is permanently embedded in your brain.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab We are both happy and sad.  We look at you now in a strange \softline
state.  The scientists call it \'93suspended animation\'94 but to your \softline
mother and me it appears our golden-haired child is in a coma.  \softline
Your mother is in tears.  You are leaving us forev\-er here and \softline
going to a planet its inhabitants call Earth.  Since you are \softline
reading this, it must have succeeded.  Your trip combi\-nes things \softline
we know, things we suspect, and frank\-ly, things we hope.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab Arrangements have been made for you to be placed in a \softline
strange place.  It\'92s called, we understand, a \'93whorehouse,\'94 a 
place where men come to take advantage of the women sexual\-ly.  \softline
Your mother cried when she learned her darling daughter would \softline
be subjected to such treatment.  I\'92m sorry, darling.  We did it for \softline
two rea\-sons.  First, we have been told people \'97 and the women in \softline
them \'97 come and go quickly.  A strange girl is unlike\-ly to be \softline
noticed.  Second, we believe their sexual customs are similar to \softline
ours, but we can\'92t be sure.  You will learn those customs quickly.  \softline
You may wonder about this strange location we have selected.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 There is one more thing: The woman in charge will have had \softline
her memory somewhat altered.  If you were to ask her, she would \softline
say you were always in the house.  It is with her we are leav\-ing \softline
this little music box.  We are told the tune it plays is unique, and \softline
considered to be very melodic.  We want her to keep this safe for \softline
you without knowing what it is.  When you hear the music, you \softline
will act.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab In this connection, there is a difference between here and \softline
Earth.  Women here are prepared for sex almost instantly.  They \softline
secrete a great deal of vaginal fluid which releases quickly.  The \softline
doctors tell us you are unlikely to suffer great pain from your \softline
sexual experi\-ences.  Now you may wonder, \'93Why Earth?\'94  The \softline
reason is \'97 and in this we com\-bine hope with some knowledge \'97 \softline
the people of Earth are near-duplicates of us, genet\-ically.  We \softline
believe you will be able to mate and bear the chil\-dren of Earth \softline
people.  At least we devout\-ly hope so.  But this is a hope, not a \softline
scientifically established fact.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 There are only two other things they know to be dif\-ferent \softline
between us and the people of earth.  The first is our ability to \softline
combine bio-mechanical analy\-sis with bio-kinet\-ics.  Basically, we \softline
have the ability to analyze physical motion, break it down into its \softline
bio-mechanical pieces, and then replicate exactly what has just \softline
been observed.  You may find \'97 or may have found \'97 this ability \softline
useful.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 The second is an ability that seems to be concentrated among \softline
our women.  It is a phenomenon for which we have no name.  \softline
Basically, it\'92s the ability to make yourself light.  If a man picks \softline
you up to carry you, you can be almost weightless in his arms.  We \softline
have found no practical application for this talent, honestly, \softline
but there may be one on Earth.  Your mother insists I tell you, \softline
\'93Because,\'94 she says, \'93It\'92s fun!\'94\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab Now, you wonder, why did we send you on this great voyage \softline
when you\'92re so young and vulnerable?  We face the total 
destruction of our home.  There is no doubt it will happen; the \softline
only question is when.  I would like to tell you something of your \softline
people, but I cannot.  I have been told by our scientists that they \softline
have cleansed your brain \'97 you will have no memory of your life \softline
here.  However, they are afraid of the chance of even a small \softline
mention triggering a chain reaction and causing you to remember \softline
your home.  It is a chance they have ordered me not to take.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab There is one other thing I should tell you.  Although I know \softline
you are reading this, I don\'92t know when it will be.  I should have \softline
mentioned this fact before.  The reason I can be so sure you are \softline
reading this, dear Kathy, is there is only one correct way of \softline
opening the box and this container.  Any other way of attempt\-ing \softline
it will result in the paper\'92s destruction.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 But I interrupt my narrative.  The thing I wanted to tell you \softline
concerns your ability to have children.  Our physicians have im\-
planted in you a long-release birth control device.  It has an \softline
active duration of about ten years.  It is our devout hope that \softline
within that time you will have found your way out of the house \softline
where you are being placed and into a better life.  Clearly, with \softline
so many uncer\-tainties, we can have no great confidence in the \softline
full period of its activity.  But if you are within the period and \softline
feel you are barren, please don\'92t give up hope.  Although you are \softline
still very young, our doctors assure your mother and me you will \softline
bear children very easily.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab My darling, there are only three final notes.  The first is, in \softline
spite of what the scientists want, I must tell you if you wish to \softline
know what your mother looks like, just look in a mirror.  She is \softline
the loveliest woman I have ever seen, and you will look exactly \softline
like her.  The second \'97 and your mother insists I tell you this \'97 \softline
is the likelihood you will find a mate to whom you will give your \softline
whole heart and soul.}{\plain \fs24 \f2 \par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy stopped reading for a moment to dry her eyes.  The tears were running \softline
so much she could no longer read the writing.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Mom, you sure got that one right, }{\plain \fs24 \f2 she \softline
thought, re\-flect\-ing on her adoration of Ken.  }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Darling,}{\plain \fs24 \f2  she thought, }{\plain \fs24 \i\f2 Moth\-er\'92s right!  It }{\plain \fs24 \b\i\f2 is}{\plain \fs24 \i\f2  \softline
my whole heart and soul.  }{\plain \fs24 \f2 She dried her eyes on the bed sheet and went back to the \softline
letter, a letter with answers she thought she would never learn.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \ul0 \tab The third is you have a baby sister, Susan.  We hope we will be \softline
granted enough time to send her after you, but we don\'92t know.  \softline
Kathy, you are sixteen years old in Earth time as we send you.  \softline
You will remember nothing of your past life.  You will feel you \softline
were always in the house.  We pray that we\'92re granted the time to 
send Susan.  We cannot send her before she\'92s about fourteen, and \softline
she\'92s only six now.  If you ever meet her, you will know her.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab Finally, darling, the reason for all of this: Our people face \softline
extinction.  We hope you \'97 and your sister, if we last long \softline
enough \'97 will be able to have children on Earth.  You carry the \softline
very best of our gene pool.  In your children, you will carry on, \softline
at least in a small way, our people.  We have reason to believe our \softline
genes may be dominant.  From what we understand, you will be \softline
considered to be as beautiful where you are going as your mother \softline
is considered to be here.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab Darling, we pray for you.  You have all the love your par\-ents \softline
can bestow.  We hope that it may be enough.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab This paper will destroy itself in less than thirty minutes.  It \softline
could be analyzed, and we do not wish it to be.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\li864\ri864\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab We love you, darling Kathy \'97\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \scaps\f2 \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab Mom and Dad\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Of course Susan was her sister.  Who else could she be?  And she had made it \softline
away from the place in time.  Tears flowed from her eyes, think\-ing of her parents who \softline
loved her.  Minutes later the paper disappeared before her eyes.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Just then a nurse appeared with a tiny bundle.  \'93It\'92s feed\-ing time, Mrs. Stark,\'94 \softline
the nurse said, carefully handling her the small bundle.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab Kathy held the bundle in one arm while she opened her pajama top to expose a \softline
milk-laden breast.  She looked at the tiny baby and watched his hands wave.  His eyes \softline
had not yet focused.  When she gently put her nipple in his mouth and watched him feed \softline
hungrily, Kathy found the sensation marvelous as the new\-born nursed at her breast.\par
}\pard \fs24\qj\fi432\sa72\tx432\tx864\tx1296\tx1728\tx4680 
{\plain \fs24 \f2 \tab \'93Hello, darling.  You\'92re a lovely addition to Earth\'92s gene pool,\'94 she said softly.}}}}