Mike woke up minutes before his wake-up call was due from the front desk. Picking up the phone, he called the desk to cancel the call and was informed that a package had arrived for him. Mike requested that it be brought to the room and questioned the desk clerk about the suit he had sent for cleaning. After being put on hold for less than a minute, the operator came back on the line and informed him that the suit was ready and that it would be sent to the room with the package Mike thanked the operator and hung up the phone and got up and dressed, finishing just as he heard a knock on the door. Mike tipped the bellman and put his suit in the closet before turning his attention to the package. The cover letter taped on top was from David Bloodworth's office. The cover letter explained that the package contained Paul's copies of the agreement with Lynnell's mother, the court order of custody of Lynnell and some clippings from the local paper concerning the Franklin family through the years. Mike didn't have time to read through any of the papers so he put them in his briefcase to read on the plane when he flew back to Colorado Springs.
As
Mike prepared for his dinner date with Debbie, his mind keep coming back to the
conversation with Sarah Franklin and the sister who ran away from home
twenty-five years before. It seemed to him that there was something there that
he was not connecting together in his mind. There had to be some small part of
the story that he had overlooked or had just not had access to. Vowing to dig
deeper into the story in the morning, he left the hotel and headed for the bar
and his date with Debbie. Arriving early as was his habit, Mike found the bar
noisy and crowded with young men and women who, from their dress and manner were
members of his own profession. After ordering a drink, he took a position where
he could watch the door for Debbie's arrival.
In
less than two minutes, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turning, found Debbie
standing before him. "Don't you look around a place for the person your
supposed to meet before you park your cute butt on a bar stool?" She asked
with a grin. Mike looked her up and down with a critical eye and found the sight
very pleasing. Dressed in a gray silk suit with a shear maroon blouse and a dark
camisole underneath, she gave the impression of sultry femininity tempered with
the no nonsense suit that gave her the look of any up and coming young female
attorney. "You certainly look like you belong with this crowd. Why did you
pick this bar out of all the bars in the area?" He asked in return. Debbie
leaned forward and kissed his cheek and said, "Why not here? After all, I'm
studying law, why shouldn't I look the part and hang out with what will someday
be my colleagues?" Mike's jaw dropped. Your studying law?" He asked in
amazement. "Sure. Did you think that I was going to spend the rest of my
life as a cocktail waitress?" She laughed. Mike grinned sheepishly and
said' "I honestly didn't think about it but, I am very pleasantly surprised
to find out. Is there some place we can go and talk without all the noise?"
he asked hopefully. Debbie grinned slyly and said "Well, there's always
your room." Mike looked her squarely in the eyes and said, "I really
would like to talk with you and get to know you as a person and not just a sex
partner." Debbie looked at Mike with a new level of respect and said,
"That is the nicest thing anyone has said to me today. Let's go for a walk,
shall we?" Mike downed his drink in one gulp and taking her hand, led her
through the crowded room and out the door.
Once
outside, he turned to her and said, "It's your town, lead the way."
Slipping her hand through his arm, she led him several blocks away and around a
corner to a small restaurant dimly lit with only ten tables and no other
customers. As they entered the door, a small bell attached to a spring tinkled
as the door brushed against it. An elderly man in a starched white apron came
out of the back and seeing Debbie, grinned and started jabbering away at her in
a language that was unfamiliar to Mike. Debbie answered the man in the same
language and the two chatted back and forth for several minutes before Debbie
turned to Mike and said, "Mike, I'd like you to meet the only family I
have. This is my Uncle Nickolas Yasrico, Uncle Nick, this is Mike James, an
attorney in town on business. Uncle Nick held out his hand and in a voice that
had no trace of accent greeted Mike and welcomed him to his restaurant.
"Uncle Nick, we just need a place to talk. I don't know if Mr. James's
stomach can handle your cooking so do you mind if we use one of your
tables." After protesting that there was nothing wrong with his cooking, he
turned to Mike and said, "I bet you have a cast iron stomach like most
lawyers and I bet you like trying new foods. Am I right?" he asked
hopefully. Mike smiled at the man and answered, "Truthfully, I've got
ulcers and can't eat many of the foods I used to eat, sorry." Turning to
Debbie, Nick said, "I'm impressed, a lawyer that tells the truth. Where did
you find him?" "Please Uncle Nick, you’re embarrassing me. I promise
to tell you all about him some other time." "Okay, okay, I'll leave
you two alone." he laughed and retreated back to the kitchen leaving them
alone in the dining room. Debbie walked to a table by the wall and sat down
motioning for Mike to sit down across from her. "You wanted a place to talk
so start talking." she said as she smiled at him. "I hardly know where
to begin now that we’re here. How about telling me about yourself?"
"Do you want the novel or the Reader's Digest condensed version?" she
asked? "Your story, your choice." Mike replied. For the next half hour
Mike sat in silent fascination as Debbie told him her life story. First
generation American, parents both dead for years, Uncle Nick and Aunt Mary (now
dead) raising her and putting her through college; failed marriage, several
affairs with older men, the last was David who had gotten her interested in law.
When she had finished, she stood up and excused herself and headed for the
kitchen only to return in less than two minutes with two glasses of ice water.
Setting one in front of Mike, she sat back down and said, "Your turn Mike,
I'd like to know more about you too." Mike grinned at her and quipped,
"Novel or Reader's Digest version?" Debbie grinned and shot his own
line back at him, "Your story, your choice." Mike replied, "Touche'"
The next half hour went by as quickly as the first as Mike gave her a brief
synopsis of his life. When he had finished, Debbie smiled and asked him why he
was in Cleveland. Mike asked if she had heard or read about the Franklin girl's
disappearance Debbie nodded her head yes and told him what little she had heard
and read. Mike leaned back in his chair and grinning, told her the rest of the
story. Debbie, fascinated with the tale, asked several probing questions and
finally, when he had finished, sighed and said, "It sounds like something
out of a fairy tale." Mike smiled ruefully and said, "Unfortunately
it's true. I only hope that Paul hasn't made love to the girl. "Why? It
sounds to me as if it was love at first sight, as corny as that sounds."
Mike groaned and replied, "I know but I just have a bad feeling about the
whole thing. There is something that just doesn't feel quite right about the
whole thing. Something, some fact that I just don't know yet. I intend to dig
into it deeper tomorrow in Columbus when I pick up the girl's birth
certificate."
Debbie
looked up at the ceiling for several moments before giving a slight nod and
looked back into his eyes, her decision made. "Would you like some
help?" she asked. "What about your classes? What about work? I'd love
the company and the help but not at the risk of you losing your job or damaging
your grades." Mike replied. "Classes are over until next term and the
job isn't important. It was David's way of keeping me close by during our
affair. I just kept working after the affair was over and he won't mind if I
miss a day. Come to think of it, he probably wouldn't mind if I missed several
days." Debbie answered with a questioning look at Mike. "Well your
certainly welcome to come and your help will be deeply appreciated." said
Mike with a sly grin at his double entendre." Debbie laughed saying,
"Crude counselor but effective. It's obvious that our minds tend to flow in
the same gutter." Debbie stopped speaking and cocking her head to one side
asked, "Have you ever played Truth or Dare?" The puzzled look on
Mike's face answered her question and before Mike could speak, she began to
explain the game. "It works like this," she continued, "We take
turns asking each other questions. Before a question is asked, we challenge each
other to tell the truth or do a dare. An example would be if I asked you truth
or dare? And you felt that you couldn't chance telling the truth you would
declare 'Dare' and I would dare you to do something that you would have no
choice but to do. Or, if you said 'Truth' you would have to answer any question
absolutely truthfully. It can get pretty intense with the right questions and
dares. Are you game?" Mike thought for a minute and said, "How does
the game end?" "The game ends when one of us refuses to answer a
question or take a dare. Remember though, the object of the game is to see just
how far you are willing to go to win the game. The only rule is that the dare
cannot lead to injury. You can't dare someone to walk across the freeway
blindfolded or jump off a building, understand." "Alright, I'm game.
Who starts?" Mike answered. Debbie grinned diabolically and said,
"Since you haven't played before, I'll go first."
"Truth
or dare Mike."
"Truth"
"Very
well, tell me how many women are you currently dating?"
"Two.
My turn. Truth or dare Debbie?"
"Truth."
"How
many men are you currently dating?"
"One.
Don't be so predictable Mike. Truth or dare?"
"Truth"
"How
long did your longest relationship last?"
"Several
years. Why do I have the feeling that I've been suckered into this? Truth or
dare?"
"Truth.
I explained the game before you agreed to play."
"How
often do you masturbate?"
"Hmmm.
It seems you've caught on to the game quickly. Every day. Truth or dare?"
"Truth"
"Have
you ever made love in a public place?"
"Yes.
Truth or dare?"
They
continued questioning each other on the most intimate details of each others
lives until finally to break the rhythm Debbie answered Dare.
"I
dare you to remove your camisole."
"I'll
be back in a minute." Debbie replied as she rose
from
the table and walked towards the ladies room. Mike took a sip of water and
wondered just how far Debbie would go with the game. When she returned, Debbie
opened her jacket to show Mike that the camisole was gone. After sitting down,
Debbie grinned and said, "it seems that it's my turn. Truth or dare?
"Truth" Mike answered. "Aren't you going to answer 'dare'?"
"No" he replied. "It's my turn again. Truth or dare?" Debbie
tilted her head to one side, looked back to the kitchen then turned back to Mike
and again said, "Dare." Mike was suddenly stumped. He hadn't expected
her to answer dare again. To kill a few seconds he again took a drink of water.
After downing several swallows, he smiled and said, "I dare you to spend
the next forty-eight hours with me. Debbie giggled and said, "That's not a
dare, that's an invitation." Mike smiled at her and said, "So it is,
but I dare you to accept it." "Done." she answered and added
"Truth or dare?" once again he answered truth and Debbie immediately
followed with, "What makes you feel uneasy about the Franklin woman?"
Mike was taken by surprise by the question and before he had time to think about
his answer he shot back "Her eyes." After realizing what he had just
said, it clicked together in his mind. "My God! That's it. The single
common thread that links it all together. They all have violet eyes! Sarah,
Lynnell, Sandi, and Tammy. They all have violet eyes." Mike jumped up and
rounded the table to clasp Debbie in his arms as he triumphantly exclaimed,
"You're a genius. You took me by surprise and gave me the answer. Come on,
let's get out of here. I've got a million things to do and no time to do
them." He grabbed her hand and started to pull her up from her chair but
before he could more than start, Debbie exclaimed, "Whoa there hotshot.
What in the world are you talking about?" "No time to explain now;
I'll tell you on the way to the car. Now let's go. We haven't got a moment to
spare." Debbie reluctantly rose from the chair, but before Mike could pull
her out the door, she called out, "Uncle Nick! We've got to leave. I'll
call you tomorrow and turned to follow Mike out the door.
As
Mike half dragged Debbie down the street, he rapidly filled Debbie in on what he
expected had occurred Debbie was not persuaded by his argument and soundly told
him so. "Mike stop and listen to yourself. It's just to strange. What are
the odds of something like that happening? It's just not possible." Mike
stopped just short of the car and turned to Debbie and said, "It's my turn,
Truth or dare?" This time Debbie was unsure of how to answer. After looking
Mike in the eyes and seeing the intensity of his convictions in them she
answered, "Dare." Mike put his hands on her shoulders and in a soft
voice, filled with emotion said, "If I'm right, I dare you to come live
with me in Colorado." Debbie's jaw dropped open and Mike grinned from ear
to ear saying, "Well, do you accept the dare?" Debbie swallowed twice
and whispered, "I don't know why I'm doing this, but yes, I accept."
Mike gave her a quick hug and opened the door for her. After she was seated, he
reached in and opened the glove box and removed his cell phone before rounding
the car and getting in himself. Mike immediately began dialing a long string of
numbers, Paul's home phone. After letting the phone ring ten times, Mike touched
the disconnect button started the car and drove towards the freeway. Debbie
questioned him on their destination and was told that they were headed for the
Franklin house. When they arrived, he asked her to wait in the car while he
tried to talk to Sarah.
Sarah
answered the door after about two minutes of repeated knocking. Damn it. Haven't
you caused me enough trouble today?" she asked when she saw who it was.
"Mrs. Franklin, it is very important that I talk to you, now. Please."
Mike said in the most sincere voice he could muster. "It concerns your
family, mainly your sister and your daughter. Will you talk to me?" he
added. "You have five minutes." she answered. "Earlier today, you
told me that your violet eye color runs only on the female side of your family,
right?" Sarah nodded yes and Mike continued, "Your sister had violet
eyes like yours, correct?" Again Sarah nodded affirmatively. "Was your
sister's name Sandi or Sandra?" Mike held his breath as he waited for her
answer. "How did you know? I sure as hell didn't tell you at lunch?"
she replied. Mike swallowed once and said, "Sarah, I believe that the man
who has been given custody of Lynnell is your brother-in-law. This would mean
that your sister, Sandi and your niece Tammy died in the avalanche years ago.
The only way to prove it is with your help. Will you help me clear this
up?" Sarah sobered suddenly with the news. "Are you sure? Can you
prove it?" she asked. Mike answered her truthfully, "No, I can't, at
least not without your help. Will you help me?" "Yes, of course. What
can I do?" Mike breathed a sigh of relief and said, "First, I need to
know your maiden name. Then I'll need a picture of your sister, ideally one
taken just before she ran away." Sarah looked up at the porch roof and
thought for a moment before asking him to wait while she went to look for a
picture. When she returned, she handed him a color photo of two girls, one
obviously her, the other strongly resembling the picture he had in his mind of
Sandi when he had first been introduced to her by Paul. On the back, was written
'Sandi and Sarah at Poppa Rodgers funeral May 1, 1972.' "As you can see,
this was taken about six months before Sandi ran away. She was eighteen. Our
maiden name was Rodgers. This was taken at Grandpa's funeral. Will that
do?" Sarah asked?
Mike
said yes and asked if he could take the picture with him, promising to return it
and with luck, with more pictures of Sandi and her daughter in a few days. Sarah
said yes and Mike thanked her
profusely telling her he would get back in touch as soon as he could.
Mike
handed Debbie the photo when he got back in the car and said, “This is the key
that will unlock the truth. How
fast can you pack a bag for a three day trip?”
Debbie looked from the photo to Mike and back again before saying that
she could be ready to leave in fifteen minutes from the time she arrived at her
home. “Where are we going?” she
asked. “Several places actually.
First to Columbus then we fly to Denver and from Denver to Colorado
Springs. But first, let’s get some dinner and head back to the hotel.
I need my laptop and I need to try to call Paul again.” He replied.
They soon were eating burgers and fries as Mike drove back to the hotel.
Mike
shut off the motor in the garage and handed Debbie the room key telling her that
he would be up in a few minutes. As she turned towards the elevators, Mike
headed to the front desk to finalize his bill, make arrangements for a package
pick up and delivery and set a time for a wake-up call.
That done, he headed to the bar to get a bottle of champaigne and glasses
sent to his room I thirty minutes. Mike
left the bar smiling and headed for the elevator
As he waited for a car to arrive, his favorite detective stepped from
behind a potted plant and tapped him on the shoulder.
When Mike turned and saw who it was, his smile faded. “Evening counselor, I just stopped by to find out why you
didn’t plant the bug we gave you. Oh
yeah, and to tell you htat we heard every word of your little game of truth or
dare. Some fun stuff to listen to
there buddy. I do hope you
weren’t planning to leave soon, like before you returned our, how shall I put
it, hardware.” The short fat
detective grinned evilly at Mike daring him to deny the fact that he was leaving
town. Mike suddenly smiled at the
detective and said, “Actually, I just made arrangements for all of your toys
to be delivered to your office tomorrow. You
can check at the front desk if you like but I would rather you come to my room
and pick them up now since you went to all the effort to come over here.
I’d hate for you to leave empty handed.
As far as not planting your device, the Franklin woman was never gone
from the room long enough to do the deed." Mike reached into his coat
pocket and took out the bug and handed it to the detective.
The
elevator car arrived at that moment and Mike placed his hand on the detective's
back and urged him into the car and up to his room. As they rode upward, the
detective looked at Mike and asked, "Is the story we heard you tell your
companion true? Is the girl really with her uncle?"
“I'm
afraid so. As strange as it is, it is all true." Mike responded. "That
has got to be one for the books. No hard feelings about our intrusion into your
affairs, I hope." the detective replied. "None at all" Mike
answered as the elevator stopped at his floor. Mike and the detective walked to
his door and Mike knocked. "It's me and I'm not alone.” he replied to
Debbie's quarry. A muffled "Just a minute" was heard and in moments,
the door was opened. Mike gestured for the detective to enter and followed him
into the room. Mike immediately began to gather up every article that the police
had taken to headquarters and packed them into his suitcase while the detective
watched his every move. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your
friend?" Debbie asked. "No, I'm not. I'll explain later, OK?"
When everything was packed except for his laptop and two changes of clothes,
Mike turned to the detective and said, "Since I don't know how to remove
your property from mine, I'm making it all a gift to you. I just need a minute
to download my files to disks and it's all yours." The detective stammered
and said, "Councellor I can't take all that, it must be worth over five
thousand dollars. How will I explain it to the department?" Mike coldly
smiled at the detective and said, "I honestly don't give a damn how you
explain it Sparky. If you don't take it, it will all be delivered to your office
tomorrow anyway. I certainly don't intend to keep it after your people have put
their hardware in it. They might 'forget' to remove some of it and I won't take
the chance of compromising a clients’ rights by a possible mistake on the part
of your department" The downloading completed, Mike put the laptop in the
suitcase, handed it to the detective and with a firm hand on the small of his
back, guided the detective out the door and locked it behind him. Paul turned
back around and saw Debbie staring quizzically at him. "What in the world
was that all about? Did I really just see you give all your things to that
detective? Now, you've really got me confused." Mike chuckled as he crossed
the room and folded her in his arms. As Mike began to kiss Debbie's hair and
face he quickly explained what had happened and why he had given his things
away. "I'm not worried about the loss, Paul will pay for it, no questions
asked. He really is as much a friend as a client, maybe more so." As Debbie
quickly became aroused by his ministrations, she murmured, "But won't you
need to replace most of it right away?" Mike, having already removed her
jacket, unfastened her skirt and allowed it to slide down her legs to the floor.
"I can pick up anything I need on the way in the morning." Mike lifted
her blouse over her head and Debbie slid her arms from the sleeves and wrapped
them around his neck. Pressing
her body against his, she kissed his mouth, sliding her tongue into his to
caress his tongue with her own.
As
the sexual tension built up, conversation dropped to a series of moans, groans,
gasps and appeals for more.
As
they lay next to each other letting the sweat from their exertions dry in the
cool air blowing from the air conditioner, Mike turned his head to Debbie and
professed his amazement at the rapidity of their growing relationship. "I
never believed that I would meet someone who was so compatible sexually and
mentally. I mean, not in the same person." Debbie turned her head and kissed his ear and said, "I
may not be all things to all men
but I'd like to be all things to one man."
Mike smiled at the ceiling and whispered, "Didn't I hear
you call love at first sight corny not to long ago? It seems
to me that this is about as close to it as I have ever heard
of." Debbie drove her tongue deep into his ear and said, "I
think that this is more a case of love at first fu…” Mike had turned his
head to hers preventing her from finishing her lurid statement with a deep
passionate kiss. When he finally pulled back he said, "Don't spoil it by
making it seem vulgar. I'm really a hopeless romantic at heart." Debbie
blinked twice, smiled and snuggling closer to Mike's side whispered, "Truth
or dare?" "Dare" Mike replied in a whisper. Debbie giggled and
said, "Good. I dare you to sleep on the wet spot," and immediately
rolled over him to the other side of the bed. Mike sighed and sat up on the side
of the bed. "Can't sleep yet, I've got to try to call Paul again," he
said as he reached for the phone. After letting it ring ten times again, he hung
up and said, "Well, it looks like they get one more night before I drop the
bomb on their relationship." Turning off the light, Mike laid back down
next to Debbie and began carressing her. Debbie responded quickly and said,
"this time I want on top." and started to climb on top of him. Mike
was having none of that and turned her back over to the same side she had been
on and rolled top of her;. When they had finished, Debbie suddenly said,
"Damn. Now there are two wet spots." Mike laughed and informed her
that he wanted them to have something in common during the night. Debbie broke
into shrieks of laughter and throwing her leg over him, sat up on his chest.
Grabbing two hands-full of hair, Debbie pulled his head up and wiggled her hips
forward saying, "No job is finished until you clean up afterwards,"
and thrust her hips further forward. They fell asleep soon after they had made
love for the third time in less than two hours.
The next morning, Mike and Debbie spent the day in frantic haste trying to accomplish all the tasks that Mike felt were needed before their flight to Denver that evening. It was after eleven P. M. when they transferred their meager luggage to Mike's private plane for the last leg of their trip to Colorado Springs, and had joined the ballet of planes, moving about the terminal towards their assigned take off runway. Once in line, Mike began talking about his relationship with Paul and why he was going to so much trouble for his client/friend. "Paul and I go back to the bad old days of living from hand to mouth, to payday. I bailed him out of a couple of jams he got himself into and he has been my best friend ever since. When he won the lottery, he talked me into going back to school for my law degree and has been almost my only client from the first day. Paul pays all my expenses and pays an annual five hundred thousand dollar retainer to make up for the business I have to turn away in order to be available 24 hours a day." "Don't get me wrong," Mike continued after a moments silence, "I do this because I want to do it. It's not like I'm his servant. You know, until this past week, I haven't done anything for him in two months and the last thing I did was look over a business contract for him; it took me fifteen minutes. Sometimes I feel guilty taking his checks but, its these little adventures he sends me on that make it all worth while." Mike turned his head and kissed Debbie's cheek and said,, "How else would I have met you?" Debbie turned into the kiss and returned it with equal passion as permission for their takeoff crackled in Mike’s ear.