McKEE

Book Two

BY

AC HENLEY

Ebook by
PDAFiction.com

Disclaimers:

The characters of this fiction are the sole property of A.C. Henley. There is drama, violence, sex between women, and bad language.  There is a mention of rape, but nothing graphic. If any of these things upset you, move along. This is a sequel to McKee, you might want to read that first as some of the story line carries through.

If you have good or bad things to say feel free to email me at

henleyac@yahoo.com

Special thanks to Eddiey, Sal, Brenda, Liz, Kathy, Chris, Christine, Teryl and Laura. I don’t know how I would have gotten through these last few months without you.

Dedicated With All
My Love To Sherry

McKEE
Book Two

CHAPTER ONE

VIVIAN WAS SERIOUSLY pissed. The blonde twitched the tight satin costume for the umpteenth time so it at least covered her ass. Not that it mattered, since she would soon be taking the skimpy outfit off, stripping to be more precise, in front of a room full of strangers. She blew out a breath of air, her bottom lip directing it up to ruffle the wisps of hair hanging loose about her face. She rolled her neck trying to release some tension. It was a futile maneuver, though, and she sighed at the persistent ache. She watched from behind the stage curtain as the act ahead of her finished up. This is the craziest fucking thing I have ever done, she thought, once again nervously running her fingers along the edges of her outfit, trying to pull nonexistent material over her rear.

The woman on stage, a one Ms Bambi Boom-Boom, finished her act and was collecting her tips as the music faded into another song. The dancer walked up to Vivian, pausing behind the thick blue drape separating the backstage area from the stage and patted her on the stomach. Vivian could smell the combination of sweat, baby oil and cheap perfume roll off the overheated dancer as Bambi leaned into her, whispering,  “Good luck, I think I saw her off to the right side. Just take a deep breath and dance for her.”

Nodding briskly., Vivian closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The announcer called her to the stage using the fake name the girls had concocted earlier. Determined, she opened her eyes and squared her shoulders. Quinlan McKee was in so much trouble.

TEN DAYS EARLIER

Sally Usher leaned against the shiny black Cadillac, watching the sleek jet roll across the tarmac. Her boss, Quin McKee, had called her five hours prior informing her she would be coming to town for her regular meeting. She also informed her that she was bringing one Vivian Walsh with her. Quin had called several times in the last month, and every call wound up on the same subject. The fact that Quin McKee had even looked at another woman, let alone discussed another woman, was quite a surprise. What was even more astonishing was that Quin McKee was bringing that woman with her to Chicago to meet her family. Sally pulled her coat tighter as the wind tried to blow it open. She brushed away an unruly curl from her eyes as the plane came to a stop about thirty feet from the car. She could hardly wait to meet this woman who had won Quin’s heart.

"I have a little business to take care of before we go to the house," Quin informed Vivian as they descended from the jet. It was already dark, yet Vivian could make out the cloudy sky easily. She was relieved to be on the ground again, as flying wasn’t one of her favorite things. Quin had made it easy, plying her with champagne and good conversation, thus allowing the trip to pass quickly and smoothly. She was pleasantly surprised by the warm clothes presented to her by Quin, having to suffice with her pajamas for the bulk of the flight. The sleek black pantsuit and vibrant blue silk shirt were very classy, and… by the look of the labels… very expensive. More than she could have ever afforded on a cop's salary. Vivian was reminded that she had underestimated the brunette before in the arena of fashion. She wouldn’t do it again. Now if only Quin had remembered some shoes she wouldn’t be sporting a pair of pink fuzzy slippers that was crying 'fashion don't' against the midnight black cashmere coat the brunette had wrapped around her shoulders. It was the first real coat she had ever owned and what a beauty it was. In Southern California there was hardly a need for anything heavier than a windbreaker unless you were inclined to ‘visit’ the snow in the local mountains. Is there anything that this damned woman isn’t good at? Vivian’s mind snapped while Chicago’s frozen winter air nipped at her face as they hurried to a waiting car. This time around nothing as fancy as the Bentley that had picked her up in L.A., this one was a simple black Cadillac sedan.

Waiting by the car was a slightly plump woman of average height with curly brown hair. The woman received a kiss on the cheek from Quin., and she reciprocated by planting one on the PI’s lips. Vivian felt jealousy well up as the two women shared a long hug, during which they seemed to hold an entire whispered conversation.  Quin must have noticed her green-eyed demeanor because she extended a hand toward Vivian, her eyes wordlessly willing the blonde to grasp it.  Vivian didn’t hesitate to take the brunette’s hand, and let herself be led into the warm shelter of the idling car and the beckoning warmth of Quin.

Sliding in, Quin pulled her hand into her lap, leaned over and whispered, “Freezing?”

Vivian shook her head, “I’m okay.” The front car doors opened and closed., with the woman taking the passenger seat and an older gentleman sitting behind the wheel.

“Sally.” Quin said. The woman in the front seat turned around to face them. "Sally Usher, this is Vivian Walsh.” The woman extended a hand over the leather seat toward Vivian, who was wearing her best ‘I’m not jealous’ smile.

“Nice to meet you, Vivian. I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s wonderful to have a face to go with the name.” Sally smiled warmly at the blonde.

Vivian blushed but hoped her wind burned cheeks covered it. “Nice to meet you, too.”

Vivian looked over at Quin, who was shuffling through papers Sally had handed across the seat. The car moved forward smoothly and soon they were speeding toward the famous city skyline. Vivian remained quiet, not wanting to interrupt the animated conversation between Quin and Sally. There seemed to be quite a lot to catch up on. The word ‘Sentinel’ kept popping up, and Vivian realized they were talking about a corporate security company which handled a number of well known clients. Vivian had read an article about the firm some time ago in Newsweek. The security giant was painted as a private army of sleuths and professional bodyguards, literally a ‘Pinkerton on steroids, times ten.’ The list of their clients was a Who’s Who of the Fortune 500. Now Vivian’s silent question was who was Quin McKee to the Sentinel Corporation? Vivian’s attention snapped back as the two women turned their focus to her.

“We have this drink thing then it’s off to the house.” Quin informed her.

“Drink thing...” Vivian pondered out loud.

Quin shifted a little and smoothed her slacks. “Some people I know.”

“Could you be any more vague?” Vivian asked as she pulled her coat closer around her. Her thin California blood was taking its own sweet time to warm up.

“Don’t challenge her like that, Vivian, because she’ll try.” Sally quipped from the front seat of the car.

Vivian smiled, knowing it was true. Her lover was quite incapable of passing up a challenge. The smug look on Quin’s face echoed her own acknowledgment of the fact.

The car came to a stop after an hour’s drive through the city. Vivian cringed at the thought of being out in the freezing Chicago air as Sally hurriedly left the car and rushed to an entrance across a wide expanse of sidewalk. She held the door as Vivian made a her own mad dash from the car to the promised shelter beyond the door.

It was much warmer inside... and much darker. It took several seconds for Vivian’s eyes to adjust. The door whooshed open again and Quin stepped through.

“Chilly out.” Quin commented as she took off  her coat. She reached out to take Vivian’s coat, but the blonde seemed reluctant to surrender her cozy warm wrapper. With a sigh, the Californian finally shrugged off the thick cashmere coat.

“I’m going to freeze to death.” Vivian whined.

“Come on, I’ll buy you a drink,” Sally offered.  “That’ll warm you up.” She took the opportunity to look Vivian Walsh up and down., doing  a double take at the tall blonde’s feet housed in a rather loud pair of pink slippers. Sally barely contained a laugh as she looked back up to meet embarrassed blue eyes. “She forgot to bring shoes, didn’t she?” The woman clicked her tongue in disgust. Vivian nodded and tucked one foot under the other.

Sally swatted Quin on the shoulder, “You hijacked her and didn’t buy her any shoes?”

Quin rolled her eyes. “So I am not perfect.”

“No shit.” Sally commented as she once again swatted the PI lightly on the shoulder. Sally looked back at Vivian, “What size do you wear?” She retrieved her cell phone and dialed a number.

“Eight and a half… wide.”

Sally nodded and relayed the info over her phone. There was a brief exchange of words before she nodded again to no one in particular and ended the call. “I’ll have something for you before you head to the house,” she assured the blonde.

Quin cocked her head to the side. “We’re just going to the house after this. The slippers would have done fine.”

Vivian scowled. “I’m meeting your family, for the love of Pete, and you think I should do this in pink friggin’ fuzzy damned slippers?”

Quin shrugged, “Believe me, they’re going to be focused on other things.”

Sally shook her head, “You’ve told her haven’t you?” she asked Quin, as the brunette led them through another door where the noise level increased by ten fold.

Quin looked around the pub as she spoke. “Some. The rest needs to be experienced.”

Vivian frowned. “She told me she had an unusual relationship with her parents.”

“That’s an understatement.” Sally pointed to a table across the darkened room.

Quin took Vivian’s hand and led her in the direction Sally had indicated.

The pub was small, dark, and noisy. It was exactly the kind of place Vivian would imagine Quin to frequent. The Quin she knew in Los Angeles anyway. Upon entering a chorus of welcome’s nearly deafened her. She was quickly introduced around, but only remembered a few names as she sat down between Quin and Sally. A dark glass of mulled wine was placed in front of her.

“So you’re a California native, Vivian?” Sally asked, leaning into the blonde so she could be heard.

“Yes. San Diego .”

“Did you go to school there, too?”

Vivian shook her head, “No. I went to Loyola Marymount, in LA.” Vivian tried to speak clearly above the pub’s noisy din.

“Oh… a Catholic girl.” A smiling dark headed man commented across from her. His blue eyes sparkled in the dim pub light.

Vivian shook her head again and fingered the side of the glass in front of her. “No, sorry, not Catholic. I don’t prescribe to any faith.”

Quin rested her cheek on her open hand as she propped her elbow up on the table. “Why Loyola?”

Vivian turned toward Quin, “I went on scholarship.” I can do vague also Quin McKee, she thought as she decided to be brave and try the spicy hot burgundy.  A sip of the warm brew was to her liking so she took another.

Quin narrowed her eyes. “Scholarship for what?”

“Sports.” Vivian licked her upper lip to taste the sweet remnants that had gathered there.

Sally giggled next to her and gave her a little shove with her elbow. “I like you. I like you a lot.”

Vivian smiled back at Sally and nudged her back with her shoulder. “Thanks, I like you a lot too.”

Quin frowned. Then suddenly she understood. “Oh. I get it.” Sally and Vivian laughed. She tried to pout but couldn’t keep it up. She smiled at her lover and her friend, “I’m not sure it’s a good thing that the two of you get along so well.” Vivian leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek, eliciting a round of hoots from the gathered group. Quin shyly grinned and waved off the table's occupants with her hand. “Ingrates.”

When the conversation noise rose to its former level Vivian leaned back toward Sally, “Why are we here again?”

“See Liam across from you?” Vivian nodded. He was the man who had questioned her about being Catholic. “He is Quin’s information pipeline here in Chicago . He’s also one-tenth owner of Sentinel. The woman who is flirting with your girlfriend at the end of the table is Shea Collins, she also owns a tenth, and her expertise is security systems. She breaks into them.”

Vivian craned her neck and frowned at the obviously flirtatious slim redhead at the end of the table making a move on Quin. Vivian growled just loud enough to be heard by Quin who immediately turned innocent eyes toward her for just a moment before turning back to the conversation on that end of the table. Sally tugged her shirtsleeve gaining her attention once again. “Don’t worry, they’ve been at it for years. Quin is most definitely with you.” Vivian let out a sigh and nodded looking once again at the woman. Sally continued, “Travis and William down there with Shea are brothers. They each hold ten percent also. They make sure everything is legal. They’re the corporate attorneys.”

“Wait.” Vivian held up her hand to stop Sally’s commentary, “We’re at a board meeting?”

Sally laughed, “Yes.”

Vivian turned and looked around the table. There were four men and the one women besides herself Quin and Sally at the table. Quin was animatedly talking with several people at once. Vivian watched as her lover told a joke, holding the group in her hand as they responded enthusiastically. Vivian simply smiled. It was strange to see Quin so relaxed around these people. Gone was the stiff back and stoic façade, leaving in its place a warming glow. The brunette’s gray eyes shined with a brightness she hadn’t witnessed until now.

Quin had just given her some very basic information on the plane. Basic and vague seemed to be standard operating procedure for the brunette. So the basics were that Quin was rather wealthy… old money rich, which she inherited from her grandfather, who seemed to have snubbed his own daughter and several other grandchildren by leaving the money to Quin exclusively. This was a constant sore point with the family, as was the fact that she was a Lesbian. Vivian didn’t know quite who had the problem, but she knew she would find out soon enough. However the fact that Quin was rich bothered her. Should their relationship become something more permanent, what could she give to it if Quin had it all? She wondered how Grace had dealt with such a one-sided money relationship.

Sally watched the blonde woman’s profile as she took in the people that surrounded the table. Vivian was a tall, curvaceous woman. Her hair shone in the low lighting, almost glowing amber when the blonde would tilt her head just so. Sally smiled to her self. Vivian Walsh was a very beautiful woman… a very smart, very beautiful woman.

Sally glanced at her boss. Quin wouldn’t be happy with her if she knew about the background check she had done on Vivian. She shrugged her shoulders, what’s done is done. No sense in dwelling on it. A loud roar of laughter erupted from the far end of the table. Sally leaned past Vivian to see what was happening. Quin and one of the brothers were playing rock paper scissors. Sally shook her head, “Children.” She pronounced.

“What are they doing?” Vivian asked leaning close again to Sally to be heard above the noise.

“They do that when they disagree on something. Best two out of three wins.”

Vivian gaped, “That’s insane.”

“You’re telling me? I’ve been witnessing this behavior for over twelve years. It’s a miracle that anyone is willing to do business with them at all.”

A compromise was reached and the friends all shook hands. Quin looked at Vivian who had an odd perplexed expression on her face. “Are you okay?” She questioned.

Vivian cocked her head to one side. “I’m fine. I just think this is crazy.” She waved her hand to indicate the people sitting around the table. “I don’t get it.”

“It’s just how we work. It’s a job, not a prison sentence. So we decided a long time ago to have as much fun as possible.” Quin sipped her drink thinking of how to explain better.

“So this is Sentinel? The six of you?”

“Seven.” Sally interjected. “I own twenty percent.”

“Okay, seven of you. Do you have an office?” Vivian waved off the waitress who had approached the table, indicating she was fine with her half glass of wine. She  watched as Quin also waved off the offer of a second glass.

“Yes. The office is on the eighty-fourth floor of the Sears Tower,” Quin replied as she shuffled through a thick sheaf of paper handed to her by Liam. “We’ll go there later if you like.”

“Eighty-fourth floor?” Vivian paled.

Quin heard the slight quiver in Vivian’s question and looked up at her lover. “Problem with heights?”

Vivian drank the rest of her wine placing the glass firmly on the table as she nodded. “That’s about eighty floors higher than I’m willing to go.” She licked her lips and brushed her hair back from her face. She laughed tiredly, “The flight was enough for me for a while.”

Quin laid the stack of papers on the table in front of her and tapped them with her index finger. “I’ll look these over at the house, Liam. I think we’re going to call it a night. We still have an hour’s drive ahead of us.” She stood and extended her hand to Vivian.

Vivian took the offered hand and rose easily to stand by Quin’s side. She smiled at the people around the table as Quin helped her into her coat. “It’s nice to meet you all.” She commented. “I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

Liam stood and reached across the table taking Vivian’s hand. “Welcome to the family Vivian Walsh.”

Vivian smiled wider as the woman and two men at the end of the table raised their glasses in silent agreement. She felt welcomed. She turned and nodded to Quin indicating that she was ready to go. Sally rose and walked with them to the door. She snaked an arm around Vivian and hugged her close whispering in her ear, “If you need anything call.” She held Vivian out at arms length and repeated, “Anything.” Vivian nodded her understanding as the pub door whooshed open and a young man stepped through holding three shoeboxes. “Perfect timing Mr. Harris!” Sally exclaimed causing the young man to beam. Sally took the boxes from her assistant, handing them to Vivian. “As promised, suitable foot ware.”

Quin rolled her eyes, “Suck up.” She mumbled.

Vivian swatted her shoulder lightly.

“Hey! Injured arm!” Quin protested feigning being hurt as she held onto her wounded shoulder.

“Yeah yeah.” Vivian retorted. “Let’s get this show on the road McKee. I need a bed.”

Once again Vivian was surprised as she was led to a large dark maroon colored SUV. She wondered exactly what Quin’s net worth was.  As she snuggled into the already warm interior, Vivian took a long look at the brunette as she settled into the driver’s seat. Her brows drew in and her lips thinned in thought.

Quin fastened her seat belt and adjusted the strap across her shoulder. She turned and beamed a smile at her lover, which quickly faded to a questioning frown. “Is everything alright?”

“Not really.” Vivian admitted. “I’m having some issues.”

“With?”

“Who the hell are you Quinlan McKee?” Vivian asked as she snapped her seatbelt into place. “I feel like I don’t even know you.”

Quin sat back. She ran her hand through her short hair, wincing a bit as she scraped a few bumps along the way. “I’m the same person you met in Los Angeles. This is just more of me.” She explained then sighed. “I’m the same.” She said softer, as if to convince even herself.

Vivian reached out and took her lover’s hand, “I was just getting use to the sorry assed, beat up, piece of shit PI.” She smiled to take any sting out of her words.

Quin smirked and shrugged her shoulders slightly, “I’m still that, but add with oodles of money on the end.”

Vivian chuckled, “Is that a technical term? Oodles?”

“I’ll get you a full accounting if you like Vivian.” Quin said earnestly with a nod. “I don’t want there to be any secrets between us. I really wasn’t trying to hide this part of me. I don’t know why Tom and Ruth hadn’t told you.”

“Oh believe me, Tom Ross and I will be having a long talk the next time I see him. And I don’t need a full accounting of your finances.” Vivian tucked a bit of blonde hair behind her ear, “But I do think you need to know that I have exactly seven thousand, two hundred, and sixty three dollars, with a bit of change, in my savings account.”

Quin’s eyebrows raised, “Okay then.” She turned back to stare out the windshield for a bit.

“I love you Quin McKee. Now let’s go. I’m a bit tired.” Vivian commented as she relaxed into the seat and let her eyes close.

The brunette took one last look at the blonde and blinked a few times. “I love you too, Vivian Walsh.” She checked her mirror and pulled into the light evening traffic with a smile on her lips and her heart thumping just a bit faster.

CHAPTER TWO

VIVIAN WALKED OUT on the raised catwalk., The lights making it nearly impossible for her to see past the men who lined  both sides of the stage. She involuntarily blushed at the ribald attention, and took a deep breath as the music she had selected began. Her mind’s eye conjured a picture of her lover, and she let her body go. The bluesy saxophone punctuated every twitch of her body as one of  Quin’s favorite singers belted out Vivian’s intentions.

I don’t want you to be no slave
I don’t want you to work all day
But I want you to be true
And I just want to make love to you

Vivian closed her eyes as she peeled the short waistcoat of her costume away. The blue satin garment floated ethereally  to the catwalk leaving her in a matching blue lace bra and satin short shorts.

All I want to do is wash your clothes
I don’t want to keep you indoors
There us nothing for you to do
But keep me making love to you

Off came the shorts and the room erupted in a cheer as Vivian revealed a barely there piece of material that the girls in the back assured her was a thong. Vivian was grateful for year round tanning in Southern California as she turned and bent completely over, her backside to the audience as her hands went to the front clasp on the lacy bra. She unhooked the clasp and was about ready to stand, turn, and reveal when a coat was draped over her shoulders and she was hustled off the stage to the angry shouts and boos of the club’s patrons.

TEN DAYS EARLIER

Quin parked the Denali in front of her house. The usual forty-five minute trip to the house on the lake had taken nearly twice that due to a sudden but not surprising snow storm. Amazingly Vivian had slept nearly the whole way. The brunette unfastened her seatbelt and sighed as she let the tension of the drive go. She looked over at her slumbering lover. The blonde’s mouth was slightly open and she snored softly. Quin smiled as she reached over and gently shook Vivian’s shoulder. “Hey, Viv. We’re here.”

Vivian smacked her lips and swatted away Quin’s hand. She turned a bit in her seat, away from Quin, seemingly returning to sleep. Quin chuckled and opened her door, cringing a noticeably as the frozen air assailed her. She made her way around the front of the truck, the newly fallen snow crunching underfoot. The fresh falling snow tickled her face and clung to her eyelashes. She blinked the flakes away as she eased open the passenger door and once again shook Vivian’s shoulder. “Vivian honey, we’re home.” Sleepy blue eyes opened to regard her, then blinked.

“Close the damn door, McKee, it’s freezing.” The former detective pulled her coat around herself, her eyes drifting closed again.

“Oh no you don’t, Vivian Walsh. Come on, wake up. It’s nice and warm inside.” Quin cajoled as she again gently shook Vivian’s shoulder.

Vivian opened her eyes and turned toward Quin, confused. “We’re already there.”

“Here. We’re already here. Come on. Up and out.”

Vivian swung her legs out the truck door. Her toes curled up as they met the fresh snow through the open toe of her slippers. “Cripes!” She quickly retreated back to the truck seat , pulling her feet up onto the running board. “Is that snow?” She looked up into the sky and squinted. “Is it snowing?”

Quin chuckled, “Yes. But if you hurry we can have your fuzzy slippers in the house and warming by the fire in just a few moments.” She tried to convince the blonde who peered over her shoulder at the door just a few feet away.

Vivian nodded and once again put her feet on the ground. Her toes once again curled away from the wet snow as she took quick steps toward the closed door. Once under a shallow overhang she shook each foot to dislodge any snow gathered there. Quin was beside her in seconds, and reached out to turn the door knob. The modest door swung open easily and she ushered Vivian inside where it was much warmer. She shook off her coat and took Vivian’s from her.

Vivian looked around the small entry way. This was not what she had expected. Not to say that the small house wasn’t warm and cozy and welcoming. It just wasn’t the huge lavish mansion she had imagined a multi-millionaire would live in. This was more of a cottage. She could see into a small living area to her left where a fire burned brightly in a stone fireplace. A colorful rag rug lay in front of the hearth and there were pictures on the walls and candles on the mantle. The room held  some rather expensive looking craftsman style chairs and a long wide couch. There were pictures on the wall and candle holders on the mantle. Vivian fought the urge to examine each artifact there. She glanced  right, where a closed door beckoned to some mysterious place Vivian was sure this wouldn’t stay unknown for long.  There was the clanking of dishes from somewhere down the short hallway. Quin gently took her hand and led her in the direction of the noise. As the clatter and bustle grew louder, a delicious smell wafted to greet them. She let Quin pull her into the kitchen where a petite gray haired woman looked up and began to shake a wooden spoon at the PI.

“You up and disappear for weeks. Do you call? NO.” The spoon waggled in mid air, coming dangerously close to Quin’s nose. “Who calls me? I’ll tell you who.”

Quin was now back peddling to avoid the wrath of the small woman. “That sweet saint, Sally Usher.” Quin cringed at the tone of the woman’s voice, squeezing her lover’s hand in a silent plea.

Vivian smiled and shook her head. “You’re on your own, sister.” She commented, enjoying Quin’s discomfort. Her voice seemed to draw attention to herself as the wooden spoon was pointed at her.

“And you are?”

Vivian’s smile faded as her eyebrows rose. “Vivian.” She squeaked out.

“Nice slippers, Vivian.” The woman commented as the blonde blushed.

The spoon was pointed back at Quin. “You are grounded.” The little woman pronounced as she turned back to the stove that held several steaming pots. “now Sit your asses down.”

Both women complied immediately. Quin glanced sideways at Vivian and mouthed a silent ‘sorry’. To which Vivian mouthed back a silent ‘grounded’. They chuckled at each other until the sound of the wooden spoon being tapped against the rim of a pot warned them to behave.

Taking a moment to study the cook, who had so easily put Quin in her place, Vivian wondered who this fiery woman was to her lover. She was thin, but there was still obvious strength in those limbs. There were no obvious physical attributes the two shared except for the lack of height. Quin reached across the table and took her hand, entwining their fingers.

“You two can get all fresh with each other later.” The stern voice startled them.

Quin blushed as she released Vivian’s hand and sat back, allowing room for a plate of hot food to be placed in front of her. “Thanks Grams.”

Vivian sat back too and did a double take at the slender woman and Quin. The elderly woman bent and placed a soft kiss on the top of Quin’s dark head. “You’re welcome, and you are still grounded.” Quin’s grandmother then turned and placed a hot plate in front of Vivian. “Welcome to my home, Vivian.”

Vivian gawked at the two women.

“Is she suddenly mute?” The elderly McKee asked with a grin.

Quin studied her lover for a moment. “I think she’s in shock or something, Grams.”

Scowling at the brunette across from her, Vivian retorted, “She’s not in shock, she’s just trying to catch up,” and picked up her fork from the steaming plate. She identified some kind of fish sitting on a bed of baked rice. Her stomach warmed , anticipating something solid besides the champagne and wine she had partaken earlier.

“Vivian Walsh, this grumpy old lady is Mary Agnes McKee, my Grandmother and the family matriarch.” Quin introduced as she also picked up her fork.

“I’ll show you a grumpy old lady , you good for nothing whelp!”

Vivian giggled as she set aside her fork and extended her hand, “Pleased to meet you ma’am.” And she truly was, here was a person who knew her lover. A person who, if plied properly, could possibly divulge all kinds of information.

“Phht’” Mary waved off Vivian’s formality, “Call me Grams, everyone calls me Grams.”

Vivian smiled softly and nodded. She’d never had a grandmother. Not one she knew of anyway. This was turning into a pretty surprising trip. She looked back at Quin who was tucking into her food with an occasional hum of satisfaction. Vivian picked her fork up and joined her lover in the feast set before her.

After dinner Vivian was given the grand tour of the house which didn’t take long. There were three modest bedrooms, the living room, kitchen, and two baths. Quin had led her to the small hall bath and presented her with pajamas and toiletries. She took a leisurely bath in the claw foot tub until the water became tepid. She decided Quin needed to get one for the Silverlake house. Two people could have a lot of fun in a big claw foot tub. She dried off slowly, enjoying the lush terrycloth towel as it brushed against her skin. The alcohol had ignited her libido a bit and the nap in the truck had returned a little bit of energy to her weary body. Now Vivian found she was in a very amorous mood. She wondered just how soundly Grams slept as she slipped the pajama bottoms on. She pulled the top over her head without unbuttoning it, moaning as the material brushed against her already sensitive breasts. Maybe they could be very quiet. Quin’s room was across from her grandmother’s, so at least there wasn’t a shared wall involved. Plotting as she combed out her hair, a plan formulated in her head. Quinlan McKee was about to get lucky.

Quin emerged from her grandmother’s bathroom freshly showered and very aroused. It had been a long day but something about the way Vivian had looked at her over the kitchen table as they ate had started a small fire that had now seemed to have grown to a blaze. She would blame the hot shower but that would be a ruse. She wanted Vivian Walsh. She really wanted Vivian Walsh. Her Gram’s already was snoring quietly as she exited the small master bathroom. She crossed the bedroom silently and eased out the door closing it quietly and made her way across the hall wrapped in a thick towel.

Her own room wasn’t big but it was cozy. A small fireplace warmed the room and cast a soft glow across the queen size bed. Quin didn’t want there to be any question about what she wanted from Vivian. She shed her towel and turned the covers down on the bed, Quin then positioned herself across the mattress. The glow from the fire painted her nude form in soft orange and yellow shadows.

Vivian peeked out the bathroom door and found the hall deserted. Gram’s door was closed but Quin’s bedroom door was slightly ajar, letting the light from the fireplace within beckon to her. The blonde stepped in and turned to shut the door as quietly as she could, not wanting to disturb the woman across the hall. When she turned back around to face the bed, her breath caught as she found one very naked, amorous, sorry assed, beat up piece of shit PI, worth oodles of money, laying in the middle of it.

The former detective did a happy dance in her mind as she began to strip off the pajamas she had just donned as she approached the bed. She enjoyed Quin’s smile as it turned into a sultry leer the closer she got to her destination. Vivian started at Quin’s feet with tiny kisses, stopping at one particular juncture for a long languid oral exploration that had the PI squirming in pleasure and begging for certain favors that Vivian was more than happy to bestow upon the small brunette. Her own body hummed with arousal that was heightened with every gasp and moan that Quin emitted. She lavished every scar with wet kisses. She traced every imperfection with her tongue. She absolutely loved this woman regardless of money and baggage.

Her fingers sought out what Quin begged for. Soft, wet heat greeted her digits and she lost her breath. Her heart surely skipped a beat. The sounds and smell of their lovemaking overwhelmed her senses and she lost herself in the moment. Before she knew it Quin was desperately trying to get her attention. The brunette held her wrist in an iron grasp pleading for her to stop. She immediately held her position. Her breathing fast and labored as she collapsed against Quin. It was several moments before she settled down her breathing to something close to normal. She could feel Quin twitching around her fingers as the brunette’s orgasm subsided.

“Where did all that come from?” Quin asked as Vivian’s fingers wiggled just a bit. “Please don’t move.” She pleaded softly still gripping the blonde’s wrist.

The blonde was becoming accustomed to Quin’s quirk of wanting to retain their intimate contact. Vivian rested her head against Quin’s damp shoulder trying desperately not to move her hand. She didn’t want to cause her lover any discomfort. “I don’t have a clue what just happened.” That was the truth. Vivian had never lost control like that during sex. “Did I hurt you?” Quin’s head shook and she barely caught a whispered ‘no’. Her hand and wrist were beginning to ache. “You’ll let me know when I can move?” A quick nod. “I love you Quin McKee.”

“And I love you Vivian Walsh.” Quin  breathed, then gave Vivian’s wrist a little squeeze before releasing it. “I’m ready.”

Vivian closed her eyes and slowly removed herself from Quin. Tears welled up and spilled over. She let Quin hold her as she cried. She felt so much at the moment she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t even know if she could speak. Quin seemed quite content to hold her so she was just going to go with that.

CHAPTER THREE

QUIN PRESSED VIVIAN against the backstage wall. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She hissed, pulling the coat closed while trying to hide the blonde's practically naked body.

Vivian swatted Quin's hands away from the front of the coat. "I'm looking for you!" She retorted angrily. "I've been looking for you for the last eight fucking days!" She spat as she turned and stalked toward the dressing room.

Quin's head thumped the wall as she leaned forward. Crap, crap, crap, The PI thought as she turned her head in the direction her lover had disappeared. She sighed and stood straight. "Crap!" She stomped her feet, jumping up and down. "CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!" She knew she was in trouble. She knew it before she headed out on this little adventure eight days ago. There really was no way to avoid it. She settled down and twitched her clothes back into place following her little tirade. Quin paced back and forth in the narrow hall a few times before stopping and shaking her head. She needed to explain herself. It was simple. She needed to walk down the hall, find Vivian, and explain. It was a solid plan.

Vivian had stripped off the rest of her skimpy outfit and was putting on her street clothes. The seven other women in the room were huddled together well out of the blonde's way. The former detective tucked a white t-shirt into her jeans and pulled on a black cable knit sweater. She knew instinctively when Quin had entered the room, angrily picking up the discarded coat and flinging it at the brunette. Vivian stormed past the PI, yanking on her gloves as she hurried out.

"Crap! Vivian! Wait!" Quin called as she followed the blonde down the hall and out the club's backstage exit. The cold air stole her breath away as she quickly pulled on her coat.

Vivian trudged onwards, her feet slipping on the icy pavement in the alley as she stomped toward the street. She could hear Quin behind her but had no interest in stopping to let the PI catch up.

Quin cursed the ice as she slipped around the corner. She was unable to keep her feet under her as she hit the slick sidewalk and ended up in a snow bank at the curb. "Fuck!" She struggled to gain her feet only to sink deeper into the snow.

Vivian turned just in time to see the brunette slide, then crash, into the heap of snow at the curb. She tried to keep walking but her heart refused to let her. She turned around and carefully made her way back to where Quin was flailing her arms and legs, attempting to free herself. Vivian couldn't hold back a chuckle at the sight, and was still giggling as she reached to haul the PI out.

Quin was grateful to one word whomever had taken pity on her. Her feet finally found traction on the slippery sidewalk and she began to brush the snow from her body. She yelped when a sharp pinch was applied to her rear.

"Serves you right, Quin McKee." Vivian whispered in the brunette's ear as she brushed off the clinging clumps of snow from the top of Quin's head.

Quin's head dropped. "I'm sorry, Viv."

"You certainly are." Vivian looked up and down the street.  It was practically deserted, and the businesses all seemed closed. She looked back toward the club. At least it would be warm in there and maybe Quin could dry off a bit. "Come on." She grabbed the PI's arm and led her back to the club.

The bouncer at the  door shook his head at the two women, indicating no entrance. Vivian reached under the back of Quin's coat and retrieved the .45 that rested there. She pulled the gun out and pointed it at the surprised man. "I'm having a bad week, buddy."

Raising his hands in placation he moved aside to allow them in. "I sincerely hope it gets better, miss." He muttered as the two women passed him.

Vivian didn't even try to contain the smile that blossomed on her lips, "Thanks." She lowered the gun, " And Sorry." she apologized to the man as she handed the gun to Quin and proceeded into the club where it was much warmer.

Quin shrugged at the door man. "She sometimes gets cranky." She fumbled with her .45 as she returned it to its place at her back.

"I understand."  The man nodded, turning back to his station.

Quin pulled off her coat and shook the wet snow off and out of it. She stepped into the club and did a quick scan looking for Vivian. The blonde was at the bar chatting with the rather busty bartender.  Still looking, Quin then found the table where she had been sitting with four of Chicago 's most notorious gang leaders. The three men and one woman were still seated, drinking and enjoying the. Quin relaxed a little realizing that maybe all hadn't been lost. She strolled over to the bar and took the stool next to Vivian.

Vivian smiled and thanked the bartender for her whiskey. She gulped the double in one swift motion, relishing the burn of the amber liquid as it traveled to her stomach. That'll warm me up! She thought as she motioned for another.

"Don't you think one is enough?" Quin asked as she reached over the bar and snagged a towel off a fresh stack. She ruffled her wet hair with it until it was soaked, then grabbed another and dried behind her ears and neck.

"I'm not speaking to you." Vivian muttered as she smiled sweetly at the buxom blonde behind the bar. She threw in a wink this time as she downed her second whiskey.

Quin frowned, "If you would let me explain..."

Vivian looked toward her lover, silently waiting.

"I couldn't tell you and I couldn't ask you to come with me. I have already broken the law a good dozen and a half times, and I won't ask you to put yourself in that position." Quin said seriously.

Vivian's eyebrow rose but she remained silent.

"It's  complicated, Vivian."

Vivian raised her glass and was rewarded with another shot. This one she sipped, letting the whiskey roll around her tongue. She could taste the smoky oak that was used to age the alcohol. She closed her eyes in appreciation and finally let the liquid slip down her throat. She set the glass down on the bar with a thud. "I'll tell you what..." She turned to face her lover, "Why don't you let me decide for myself what is within my ethical and moral parameters. "Take this for example." She motioned toward the catwalk, where a skinny redhead was working one of the three brass poles on the stage. "I'd say me getting up in front of a room full of men and taking my clothes off, just so I could finally get close to you, is beyond my personal moral limits." Vivian slid off her bar stool, the whiskey making her head spin as she stood between Quin's legs. "You have no earthly idea what I have been through the last eight days, Quinlan McKee. I have lied, stolen, threatened, even beaten people to find you. So don't tell me you up and left to protect me, because it didn't do an ounce of good." She leaned forward and placed a wet kiss on Quin's lips. "I'm not as innocent as I seem, McKee." Vivian licked her lips and turned back to her drink.

Quin raked her face with her hand and muttered, "Crap." She looked over her shoulder at the table she had abandoned. There was work to be done. She looked back at the former detective. Would Vivian really be able to handle what Quin had in mind? If what the blonde said was true and she survived eight days on the streets of Chicago looking for her, and eventually finding her, perhaps Vivian Walsh would be an asset to her scheme. "Okay."  Quin sighed.

Vivian turned quickly back to Quin, her head spinning at the sudden change of direction. She steadied her head as she asked, "Okay what?"

"Okay, I would like you to work with me on this."

Vivian narrowed her eyes at the PI. "Equal partners?  As in I know what you know? No secrets? No running off in the middle of the friggin' night?"

Quin nodded, "Equals. What I know you know. If I run off in the middle of the friggin' night, I'll take you with me."

Vivian sat back, ."I want a gun."

"You don't have a license."

Vivian folded her arms over her chest. "I bet you know how to get me both."

Quin raked her face again. "Fine" She growled. She looked back over her shoulder at the table. "I have some people I want you to meet."

NINE DAYS EARLIER

Vivian was roused from sleep by the pleasant sensation of an orgasm. Her body jumped and twitched as the ripples of pleasure receded. She thought she had been dreaming but found it to be reality as Quin pressed her lips to hers and she tasted herself there. "No fair." She mumbled sleepily.

Quin smiled against her cheek. "I couldn't help myself."

Vivian rolled the PI onto her back and straddled her. Her still damp center pressed against Quin's muscled abdomen. She slowly ground against those firm muscles, causing the brunette to moan.

Quin grabbed Vivian's hips and held her still. "I'll wake you next time. I promise."

Vivian smiled as she slid to lie on top of her lover. She nudged Quin's legs apart . Pressing her belly against Quin's mound. The PI moaned and widened her legs to give the blonde more working space. Quin was nearly there when someone knocked at their door.

"You girls had enough of that last night. Breakfast is ready."

Quin's grandmother's voice sliced through the pleasurable haze of both women, causing Vivian to break down giggling and Quin to growl. Vivian rolled off the brunette.

"Now that's not fair." Quin complained, sitting up.

"Well if you weren't so loud..."

"Me? You should have heard the racket you made while you were asleep!" Quin tossed a pillow at the rising blonde.

"Hmm, well I wouldn't know now, because I was ASLEEP!" Vivian retorted tossing the pillow back and hitting the brunette in the face. "Come on, we're both sweaty and need to shower before we face your Grandmother."

"Why?" Quin grumbled as she sat on the side of the bed. "Not like Grams doesn't know what we've been doing."

Vivian rolled her eyes. "You are a pain in the ass, McKee." She walked around the bed and tugged on her lover, "Come on. We'll shower together. Maybe I'll even things up." She winked.

Quin's eyebrows rose and she smiled as she let herself be led out the door and across the hall to the bathroom.

Mary McKee shook her head, smiling to herself as she listened to her granddaughter and her new love giggling like schoolgirls in the bathroom. She had thought it would be awkward to meet and accept this new woman in Quin's life. Her mind was set at rest when she first laid eyes on the woman. There was no doubting the look of love that Vivian Walsh bestowed on Quin.

Quin. Dear sweet Quin. Mary had thought she'd lost her for good when Grace was murdered. The girl had come home a wreck. She confessed to Mary her wish to end her life and how she had tried to carry out her plan. Mary had convinced the distraught woman to seek some professional help to cope with her grief. The six month commitment to a private hospital was probably the hardest thing Quin had done on her own. She worked through her anger and grief, and returned to Mary almost whole. There was a persistent sadness about her granddaughter after she returned, though, and Mary had tried repeatedly to break the barriers Quin had erected around her heart. Just when she was losing hope of Quin being happy again, along came Vivian Walsh.

Mary sighed as she set the kitchen table for breakfast. Vivian was a bit of a mystery. Sally Usher had provided some information, but Mary was quite certain that Quin's trusted assistant wasn't revealing all. The elderly McKee tilted her head as she heard the water finally shut off in the bathroom. Probably ran out the hot water! She chuckled to herself. Nope... Mary McKee would be doing her own snooping into Vivian Walsh.

Vivian and Quin dressed side by side. They nudged each other out of the way to get a clear view of the large oval mirror in Quin's room.

"I have to admit I was expecting some kind of mansion Quin, not some cozy little cottage." Vivian stated as she pulled a cream colored sweater over her head. Somehow Quin had arranged for a small wardrobe of clothing in Vivian's size to be delivered ahead of time to the small house.

"The big house is just up the road. I haven't lived there since I was fourteen." Quin worked up the spikes in her hair. It was a tedious operation but Quin always liked the look one it was accomplished. "Lived here in my grandparents' house until Grace and I moved to Los Angeles ."

Vivian looked at Quin's reflection in the mirror. "You stopped living with your parents when you were fourteen and never went back?"

"I would go visit." Quin paused. "Mostly my sister and younger brother. My parents have issues and so does my older brother. They really can't keep me out of the house since I own it, but I respect their rights to be assholes." Quin tweaked one more spike before turning to take in her lover. "Wow, you clean up nice."

Vivian spread her arms and looked down at her clothes. "Well, it does help that my girlfriend has impeccable taste in clothes."

Quin grinned as she stepped into Vivian's arms. "Well, it does help that you have a spectacular figure." She ran her hands over Vivian's curves. "Incredibly spectacular." She emphasized with a firm squeeze of the blonde's backside.

Vivian smirked. "Let's go eat, you letch."  Quin smiled and took Vivian's hand and led her to the kitchen.

CHAPTER FOUR

VIVIAN SAT IN the back seat of the Denali. She had insisted that Grams take the front seat next to Quin. They were going to the main house on the expansive lake front property. They traveled slowly down a snow covered road that was flanked by bare trees. The trees nearly blended in with the snowy ground. Glimpses of the gray sky flickered between the icy branches. Vivian was nervous. No one had ever taken her home and introduced her to their family before. She had little hope of making Quin’s parents or older brother happy. She would like to have her sister and younger brother like her, simply because they were much closer to the brunette.

The big truck rounded the final curve and the big house was revealed. Vivian had seen mansions before. Southern California certainly had its share of rich and powerful people who projected their wealth with huge opulent houses. But this was different. This was a castle sitting on wooded lakeside land. She was sure that the landscaping was impeccable, and if it were late spring or summer she would be taken aback by its beauty. Today, however, the snow covered everything and the drive looked to be freshly shoveled as the snow was banked high on each side leading to the grand entrance.

Quin pulled the truck to a stop and looked over her seat at Vivian. “All set to enter the lions den?” She smiled to ease the nervous blonde.

“Phht.” Mary blew from her lips. “More like a cat cage with all their scratching and biting at each other.”

Quin chuckled, “You promised to be nice Grams.” She gently reminded the elderly woman.

Vivian pulled her shoulders up to her ears and then let them roll back and relax. Some tension faded from her neck. “How bad can it be?” Quin and Grams both chuckled at the blonde’s innocent question as they opened their respective car doors. Vivian sat in the back seat frowning until Quin opened one of the doors.

“Out with you Vivian Walsh, there is family to meet!” The brunette informed with a slight Irish lilt that caused Vivian to smile. She reluctantly scooted out the door.

Vivian adjusted her clothes under the warm coat and nodded to Quin she was ready. She took Quin’s offered arm. A moment later Grams hooked her arm on the other side smiling up at Vivian.

“We McKee’s will protect you from what lies forth and we will lay waste all that oppose us!” Grams proclaimed as they stepped toward the door.

Quin rolled her eyes, “So dramatic Grams, sheesh.”

Vivian giggled in spite of her nervousness. It was enough for her at that moment that she was loved by Quin and accepted by her grandmother.

*  *  *

Clara O’Malley sat with her right leg draped gracefully over her left knee in a wing back chair just feet from a roaring fire. She sipped on a glass of amber liquid. Her fifth such glass since she received a phone call from Quinlan McKee.

Clara was a tall slender woman. At age fifty-seven she was still a beautiful woman. She had been born into money and had never held a job in her life. The sad truth was she was momentarily dependent upon Quin’s good graces to remain in the lap of luxury.

Quin was a necessary evil, Clara thought as the nearly empty glass dangled between her thumb and middle finger. She hated that she had to deal with Quin coming into her home anytime she liked. She hated that she was forced to tolerate her perverse lifestyle. She hated that her own mother and father chose an abomination over their own child.

The door bell signaled that her torment was to begin. She lifted the glass to her lips and drank the last of the alcohol. She palmed the heavy glass for a moment, watching the distorted dance of the fires flames as the light passed through the thick transparent surface. She could hear the polite voices of the house’s servants welcome the unwanted guest. There was no sense in putting off the unpleasantness any longer. She gracefully stood and straightened her skirt. Perhaps the visit would be short.

*  *  *

Quin didn’t care much for the house of her childhood. Just looking up at the grand stained glass dome in the middle of the foyer was enough to cause her stomach to tighten unpleasantly. She took Vivian’s hand and pulled her close by her side. The comforting squeeze the blonde returned to her own hand caused a smile to pull at Quin’s lips. Their coats were taken by an unfamiliar domestic. Quin knew her family didn’t retain anyone for any length of time. It was hard to work for Clara O’Malley. She was overly demanding and non appreciative of hard work. Quin was sure this stemmed from never having to perform any kind of physical labor in the past. Quin doubted she would recognize any of the current staff of the house after a year since her last visit.

“I suppose I should be honored the two of you decided to grace us with your presence for lunch.”

Quin cringed at the sound of her mother’s voice. It always made her feel like she was seven again. She squeezed gently on Vivian’s hand and took a deep breath. “Mother.” She greeted. “I’d like to introduce you to Vivian Walsh.”

Clara pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes, “A new project of yours dear? Some gutter waif you’ve rescued and rehabilitated like the last one?” She knew she hit a sore spot as Quin looked away for just an instance.

Vivian found herself growing angry. This woman that Quin acknowledged as her mother was coming dangerously close to a well deserved slap. Vivian gripped Quin’s hand all the tighter.

“You’re an ass Clara.” Mary fumed as she took a step forward.

Clara shrugged. “I am doing my best with the situation Mother.”

“We should have beaten you more.” Mary stated coming to stand beside her granddaughter.

Clara scoffed, “We tried that with Quin here and as you can see it had little effect.”

Vivian growled low in her chest. She did not like this woman at all. Quin surely must have been abandoned on the door step or possibly switched at birth.

“Mother.” Quin calmly spoke. “Is lunch ready?”

“Of course.” Clara replied and turned her back on the threesome as she walked away.

Quin’s shoulders dropped as her mother moved off. She had the beginnings of a headache brewing behind her eyes. She used her palm to rub her forehead a bit before leading Vivian and Grams to the dining room.

Vivian took in the huge house as they walked silently. Mostly silently anyway. She could hear Grams muttering to her self on the other side of Quin. She was also certain that Quin was having her own internal discussion. Vivian just wanted to slap someone. She was sure it would make her feel better.

The dining room was spectacular. Vivian wondered if they took all their meals here as she was escorted to a chair by Quin. There were several other people already seated around the huge table. Some smiled at her others nearly snarled. It seemed there were two camps in the house. Those who liked Quin and those who didn’t. Vivian had guessed this was the way it was, she just didn’t expect it to be so clearly evident. Those who had little regard for Quin had no problem in letting it show openly.

As soon as Grams was settled the food was served. Conversation was sparse at one end of the table where Quin’s mother sat holding court with a man who looked just slightly older than Quin. Vivian assumed this was her older brother. She knew from snippets of conversation with Quin that she didn’t get along well with her oldest brother. The end of the table she was seated at with Quin and her grandmother had almost erupted immediately into chatter as greetings and hand clasps were shared. She was eagerly introduced to Quin’s younger brother Sean and his wife Nan. Quin’s sister Catherine introduced her self along with her husband Ian. Vivian liked this group immediately and actually settled in and had a enjoyable lunch. Soon though it was over. Sean had to return to the city, Ian excused himself asking to ride along with him, and Catherine had to pickup children from school. The rest of the group was invited to the parlor for coffee and tea.

The parlor was warm and inviting. Vivian settled herself onto an ornately upholstered couch. Nan and Grams joined her. Clara sat in her customary wing back chair. Quin was taken aside by her older brother.

“I wonder what Michael wants?” Nan questioned aloud.

“Money.” Grams supplied. “His business isn’t fairing well. The IRS is breathing down his neck, seems he’s been a little negligent on his returns.”

Vivian looked at her stoic faced lover who stood motionless as her older brother waved his arms. The man was turning red from exertion, his voice became louder and louder by the minute. Vivian watch in horror as the man grabbed the front of Quin’s shirt and violently began to shake her. She stood to intervene.

“Enough Michael.” Clara boomed. She gracefully walked over to her  oldest son and placed a calming hand on his arm. “We wouldn’t want to bite the hand that feeds us now would we?”

“This is between Quin and I mother.” Michael seethed between clenched teeth.

“Asking your sister for help is a mistake.” Clara stated for everyone to hear. “She never forgets. She’ll never let you forget.”

Michael let Quin’s shirt front go with a growl and stalked off out of the room.

“An unfortunate turn of events for Michael lately.” Clara returned to her chair and retrieved her tea cup from the small side table.

Quin nearly snarled at her mother and left the room.

Vivian started to stand again but was held in place by Grams firm hand on her knee. “Stay with us dear. Those two need a bit of time.”

*  *  *

Quin went after her older brother. He had never asked her for anything before. For him to loose control in front of their mother, in front of strangers even, was a sign that something was terribly wrong. He hadn’t made much sense in the parlor and his physical attack had seem more desperate than aggressive. She had to do a bit of searching but eventually caught up with the man on the back veranda. “Michael.” Her brother turned a bit, barely acknowledging her. “Tell me what’s going on, I can’t help unless I know.” Quin pleaded as she came to stop next to him. The cold air bit at her cheeks, and she curled her arms around her self in an effort to stay warm.

“Jacob is missing.”

Jacob was Michael’s only child. He lived with his mother, Michael’s ex-wife, in Chicago. Diane didn’t last long at the estate. Quin’s mother didn’t like her and made it a personal crusade to force the two lovers apart. It had only taken eighteen months for Michael to file divorce papers under his mother’s guidance. That had been the beginning of the rift between the siblings.

“How long?” Quin asked staring out at the bleak landscape.

“Six months. Di thought maybe he had taken off for California again.” Michael shoved his hands in the pockets of his suit pants.

“California?”

“He met some person on the internet and took off out there to meet them.” Michael shifted from foot to foot. “He called me after about a week asking for a plane ticket back.”

Quin nodded her understanding. She noticed he had said ‘person’ not gender specific. Very curious indeed, she thought.

“I sent him money and arranged for a ticket. That was a year ago.”

“You don’t think he went back to California?” Quin was formulating a plan of action as she made mental notes.

“No. Di said she saw him last week, or she thinks she saw him. He…”

Quin placed her hand on Michael’s arm, “I need to know what you suspect Michael or I can’t help.”

Michael took a deep breath. “He has a drug problem. I cut him off about eight months ago. I tried to force him into a drug program”

“That’s not all is it.” Quin’s voice was soft and encouraging. She was familiar with coaxing information out of people.

Michael turned toward his sister. He had spent a lot of time and effort hating the small woman in front of him. He had believed every thing his mother had told him about Quin and how she had cheated her and by all rights himself out of their rightful inheritance. He was for the first time in his life going against his mother’s wishes and involving Quin directly in his life. “No, there’s more.” He glanced back at the house. “Would it be okay to go inside?” he asked.

Quin smiled, “I’m freezing my ass off.”

Michael nodded, “West coast pansy.”

Quin looked shocked at her brother.

Michael blinked “Sorry.” He apologized dropping his head.

Quin chuckled, “Oh no you don’t, that’s the nicest thing you’ve called me in twenty years.” She tugged on his sleeve, “I’m sure the staff wouldn’t mind us using the kitchen.” She offered, knowing well that her mother wouldn’t be likely to find them there. The woman had an aversion to anyplace work took place. “I’ll do everything I can to help Michael.” Quin promised as they entered the much warmer confines of the house.

CHAPTER FIVE

VIVIAN LOOKED AT the wide parlor door where Quin and Michael had disappeared to twenty minutes ago.

"So where did my daughter find you Vivian? Some squalid whore house perhaps?" Clara enjoyed the anger that brewed in the blonde's eyes. "The last one, what was her name Mother? Grace. Yes that's it. She was a crack whore Quin picked up somewhere along the river…"

"That's enough Clara!" Mary fumed.

Clara waved off her mother, "Nonsense, Vivian should know she isn't the first noble cause of Quin's."

Vivian was close to exploding. Nan placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear. 'She's baiting you.' Vivian took a deep breath and relaxed her muscles. "Mrs. McKee…"

"O'Malley. Quin changed her name after we kicked her out. I think it was for spites sake. I actually was relieved that less people would associate her with me." Clara interrupted.

Vivian smiled insincerely, "Mrs. O'Malley, I doubt you're really interested in where Quin and I met. I doubt you're interested in anything about us. I think you wish to inflict pain on Quin for whatever imagined infraction she has set upon you." Vivian paused and had a sip of coffee, "I could give a rats ass what you think about me." She set the china coffee cup down gently upon the dark wood table in front of her. "Excuse me please." She stood and gracefully left the room to the sounds of Grams having a hearty chuckle.

Vivian walked the long halls of the grand house looking at everything but actually seeing nothing. Her mind was on her lover. How fortuitous that Quin had escaped her mother's evil clutches at an early age. Vivian smiled at her thoughts. It was like a fairy tale. A young maiden in the clutches of an evil witch escapes to a life filled with love and wonder. Vivian giggled at the image in her mind of Quin dressed in some poofy gown at a huge ball given in her honor for vanquishing the evil witch.

"What are you laughing about love?" Quin asked coming up behind the blonde and embracing her.

Vivian sighed and pulled Quin's arms tight around her. "You." She replied.

Quin frowned over her lover's shoulder. "I don't know if I should be insulted or not."

Vivian patted Quin's hands. "It was a mental image honey."

Quin shrugged, "Alright then." She brushed aside the long blonde locks and kissed Vivian's neck. "Have you had enough of Mother?"

"Absolutely. If your father is as bad I might end up in an Illinois correctional facility."

"There's no same sex conjugal visits in this state." Quin quipped and placed another kiss on Vivian's neck. She enjoyed the shiver and little goose bumps that rose up along the delicious flesh under her lips.

"Okay, I'll scratch doing harm to evil parents off the list of things to do." Vivian smiled. "I really am ready to go though."

"Me too." One last kiss. "I have a huge headache for some reason." Quin let Vivian turn out of her arms.

"A nap before dinner then." The blonde took up Quin's hand. "Let's go rescue Grams and let Nan off the hook."

"Chivalrous."

Vivian giggled again.

"What now?"

"Mental image thing honey."

*  *  *

"How did you meet Grace?" Vivian was snuggled against Quin's back in the soft feather bed. They had made for the bedroom immediately upon returning to the cottage. Mary had teased them relentlessly as they moved down the hall. They each laughed upon discovery of their shared blushes. Who knew an eighty-seven year old woman could reduce adults to blushing teenagers.

"I hate my mother." Quin groused then rolled over to face Vivian. "I was on an errand for my grandfather."

Vivian growled, "So help me Quin McKee, If you don't use some details I'm going to have to do something drastic!" The blonde extended her fingers toward the PI's middle.

Quin squealed and scooted back as she grabbed hold of Vivian's questing digits. "Okay, okay! No tickling!"

Vivian's eyebrows rose, "Details McKee."

Quin nodded and linked her fingers with Vivian's, "My grandfather was less than legitimate when it came to some of his business dealings. He was desperately trying to correct that the year I turned seventeen. There were times though when he needed to send me on an errand less than legal, knowing I was a minor and less likely to do any hard time. At the time I was excited to be included in his world."

"Wait." Vivian squeezed Quin's hands gently, "Your fortune is dirty money?"

Quin tilted her head, "Some of the dirtiest." She answered solemnly. "I really didn't know it then, well until that day anyway. That day I learned a lot."

"Does your mother know this?"

Quin chuckled, "She pretends that her father was a great industrialist."

Vivian thought on that a moment. Clara O'Malley was a real piece of work. Why would Quin want to keep feeding that particular monster? "Go on." She gently instructed her lover.

"Pop sent me to pick up a package for him. All I had to do was walk into a warehouse by the river, drop his name, receive the package and get my ass back home. Simple." Quin shook her head a little, "As you might have come to realize I do almost nothing simple."

Vivian smiled softly at the brunette. "You are a black hole for trouble."

"Precisely. I get to the warehouse just fine. Drop the name without trouble. I even have the package in my hand walking out the door when it happened." Quin closed her eyes as the memory played in her mind. "I walked through the door into the alley between the warehouses. It was pretty well lit considering the activities taking place inside so it was easy enough to see. I heard a soft pleading 'no' just off to my left. Then a sharp thud and a whimper. I should have just walked the other way." Quin's eyes opened. "I should have minded my own damn business, but something pulled me around the corner."

"You were a do-gooder even then Quinlan McKee."

"I was young. I had that whole invincibility thing going. Death was not a creature I knew of at that point." Quin reflected. "What I saw around that corner changed me forever Viv. That was the one moment in my life that defined me. The man was huge. Over seven feet tall and as wide as a door. He was repeatedly beating someone in front of him. I couldn't see who because his bulk blocked my view. I moved further into the alley. I remember the smell of the air. It was summer, and the air was thick and humid. I smelled blood for the first time that night. As I shifted a bit more to see who this hulk of a man was beating for what ever reason, I noticed the blood. It was flying with each blow of his fist. Each contact made a wet squishing noise. A bit of blood splattered on my face as he pulled back his massive fist for another punch. That's when I saw her. Her eye's connected with mine for just that instance." Quin fell silent for a long moment. "I've never seen eyes so green before." Quin went quiet again. It had been a long time since she remembered the true color of Grace's eyes.

Vivian brushed Quin's cheek with the back of her hand, "It's okay to love her Quin."

"I have to look at her picture sometimes to remember what she looked like. I can't believe I forget."

Vivian cupped her lover's cheek, "She's moved from your mind a little but she still lives in you heart Quin." Vivian reassured the brunette.

Quin nodded then took a deep breath before continuing. "I didn't have a gun, but he did. I could see it in the small of his back. I grabbed for it and missed it, but he knew I was there then and stopped hitting her at least. I darted back behind him and made another grab for the gun this time with success. I pointed it at him." Quin examined her right hand, "I pointed it at him, straight in his face and pulled the trigger."

Vivian hadn't seen that one coming. Her blue eyes grew round at Quin's admission.

"I didn't know anything about guns, so when nothing happened I panicked. The girl on the ground moaned 'safety'." Quin's hand formed a fist, "I was really clueless." She chuckled sadly. "My hand was shaking so much I had to steady it with the other. I dropped the package tucked under my arm and it splashed in a puddle of who knows what at the man's feet. He looked down at it for a moment. That's when I thumbed off the safety on the gun. I think he must have read my Pop's initials on the paper bag cause he looked up at me and sneered something about me being one of Joe McKee's slags. He kicked out to his right and stuck the girl again. I closed my eyes and pulled the trigger. This time a shot went off and I heard the man fall. I didn't check to see if he was alive or dead. I didn't care. I had enough rational to shove the gun into my own waist band as I scooped up the package. I helped the girl up. Her face was badly cut and bruised. Her shirt was torn and she was bleeding all over the place. I knew she needed help but also knew that a hospital would bring to many questions. I practically dragged her to my car." Quin remembered how her grandfather ordered the Falcon to be burned because of all the blood inside the car. "I drove her to my grandparents house, and as they say the rest is history."

Vivian blinked. "How much trouble did this all cause your grandfather?"

Quin sat up in the bed and crossed her legs. The light had started to fade outside casting the room in a purplish shadow. "Let me just say that I never ran another errand for my grandfather."

"Where's your father?" Vivian asked rolling to her side.

"Somewhere in Brazil. Unlike my mother, he really is trying to keep a legitimate business running. I think he's relieved to be away from her. I don't hear from him except for a Christmas card from him every year."

"Your family is odd Quin McKee." Vivian propped her head up on her folded elbow. "I love you Quin." She smiled softly at the woman sitting beside her, "I knew you could string together more than ten words at a time."

Quin rolled her eyes. "I am not a talker."

"Ya' think!" Vivian extended her hand and let her fingers tickle Quin's stomach.

"No tickling!" Quin squeaked rolling away and right off the queen sized bed.

Vivian crawled to the edge and peered over at her lover. "Oops."

"Oops indeed Ms. Walsh." Quin smiled up at Vivian.

Vivian reached down and ran her hand through Quin's short hair. "Pretty."

Quin blushed. "Sweet talker."

"Come back to bed Quin." Vivian tugged gently on Quin's ear.

Quin rolled over and sat up. She held up a finger and pointed it at the blonde hanging over the edge of the bed. "No more tickling."

Vivian held up her right hand and swore. "No more tickling." Quin crawled back into the bed and let the blonde curl up behind her once again. "Until later." Vivian added with a little evil smile.

"Rat." Quin muttered, as she let her eyes close. She soaked up the warmth of the long body pressed behind her.

"Hush. Sleep." Vivian commanded as she let the days tension go an let her own heavy eyes close.

"Sleep." Quin repeated as she drifted away from the world.

CHAPTER SIX

DAY THREE

VIVIAN AWOKE ALONE the next morning, wearing the same clothes she'd had on when she and Quin had taken their nap. She sat on the side of the bed for a long moment; It was just becoming light outside. The soft glow of the fireplace still lit most of the room, bathing it in a soft orange glow. The blonde stretched her back and sides, and finally stood. Her toes curled in response to the cold wood under her feet. Vivian shivered. She hadn't really been warm since arriving in Chicago two days ago. She raised her arms toward the ceiling in a final stretch then padded off to the bathroom.

Vivian entered the small kitchen twenty minutes later, still cold and with a damp head. A Steaming cup of black coffee and a French press was were settled in front of her, the persistent frown she had been wearing all morning faded into a smile of pleasure.

Mary pushed a soft warm cinnamon roll across the table. It came to rest in front of the blonde, who promptly stuck her finger in the icing. Vivian brought the finger to her mouth and hummed in satisfaction as she licked off the sweet icing. She glanced around the kitchen then looked at Mary with a new frown, "Where is Quin?"

"Left early," Mary muttered as she picked up a well used cross word puzzle book.

Vivian's frown deepened, "Didn't say where she was going?"

"Not a word." Mary bit her pencil. "Might have had something to do with what happened with Michael yesterday."

Vivian tore a piece of cinnamon roll off and popped it into her mouth. She chased it with a sip of coffee. What was Quin doing? She thought. Who would know besides Michael? She really didn't want to ask the man; he seemed only marginally friendlier than his mother. Sally Usher had said to call if she needed anything; This seemed to fall in the "anything" category. It was a place to start anyway.

Sally Usher hated the holidays. She hated the traffic. She despised the cheerful disposition of the taxi drivers. She would much rather have her bikini area waxed than enter a shopping mall three weeks before Christmas. Yet here I am, she thought as she moved up fifteen inches in line waiting for some pimply faced kid to ring up her purchases. "Ha!" she voiced aloud, "It's not even my crap!" The woman in front of her turned and stared at Sally as if she had lost her mind. Her ringing phone saved her from explaining herself to the woman. She juggled the stack of items in her arms to retrieve her cell phone from her purse. "Usher." Ahhh… the lovely blonde has found her princess missing; Sally had been expecting the call. Quin had phoned at five in the morning with precise instructions. High on the list was 'don't tell anyone including Vivian where I am'; Sometimes Quin McKee was a real asshole to work for. "No I haven't seen her," Not a lie. "Yes if I hear from her I'll let her know." You'll pay for this one McKee. "Vivian, I'm sure it's just a bit of business she needed to attend to in the city," There's a little clue. "I'll call you first I promise."

Vivian stared at the cell phone, "Business in the city huh?" She put the phone in her pocket and pulled on a sweater that Grams had thrown at her during breakfast. Going back to Quin's bedroom, she rifled through the dresser, finding a black watch cap and a pair of lined leather gloves. She checked her money situation. Vivian counted Eighty bucks in cash and her debit card; Her emergency credit card was always an option. All she needed now was transportation. She searched the small house for the elderly McKee and found her napping beside the fire in the small living room. Damn. Vivian didn't want to wake the woman.

"Going out?" Mary mumbled as she pulled the crocheted blanket up a bit to cover her shoulders. "Going out to look for Quin?" One blue eye cracked open to take in the blonde woman.

Vivian smiled and nodded. There was no use denying it, she was caught.

"Need a car?"

Vivian nodded again.

"Hmmm. Cabinet next to the fridge." Mary snuggled back down in her warm cocoon.

Vivian stared at the sleeping woman for a moment, then went to the kitchen she opened the cabinet next to the fridge. Hanging on neat little cup hooks were precisely labeled keys. Examining the labels, She settled on a Jeep Wagoneer.

She went to the back door and peered out. There was a four car garage about fifty feet from the house. With the sky clear and blue, she decided not to take the cashmere coat. it was far too nice to get ruined; Though Vivian was certain something would get ruined before day's end. She took a deep breath and patted her pockets down to be sure she had the minimum requirements. Sometimes less was more. Satisfied, she opened the back door. The air was cold but the wind had dropped since last night. Down the three icy steps, she crunched her way across the snow to the garage; The side door was unlocked. Vivian needed to have a word with Grams about security issues. She spotted the Wagoneer easily and found it too was unlocked. These people obviously think they are exempt from thievery because they live in the boonies, Vivian groused to herself as she settled into the Jeep. There was a garage door opener clipped to the visor and with a push of a button the door in front of her slowly rose. She started the Jeep and let it idle, feeling the muscles in her neck and shoulder tighten at the thought of driving in snow. Vivian could recall only three instances in her life so far that had required her to drive in anything more solid than rain. Either she would make it to the city where the streets were more likely to be cleared, or she would end up in a ditch before making it to the main highway. Regardless, she was going to give it her best try.

The Jeep emerged slowly from the garage. The sound of the hardened snow under the wheels was foreign to Vivian, but she suspected she would grow accustomed to it. She made it to the main road with little trouble. A small gas station sat on one corner. Vivian glanced at the gas gauge and found it full, but she decided to stop anyway and get a map. She knew if she got to the city she would have little trouble finding the Sears Tower as Vivian slipped out of the Jeep and into the cold air she had only one thought; Quin McKee was in a lot of trouble when Vivian caught up with her.

Quin was befuddled. The information she had gathered so far about Jacob was so contradictory to what Michael had told her it was hard to know which was true. Michael had been very adamant that Jacob was involved with some kind of drugs. The young man had filched several blank checks from his father, the eventual amounts of the checks certainly leading one to believe that Jacob was into some sort of trouble, but the sheer quantity of money pointed to something bigger than drugs for personal use or gambling debts. She had done every background search she could finagle; Jacob came up clean. She called every street contact at her disposal, no one knew the name Jacob O'Malley. No one knew anyone fitting the description of Jacob O'Malley. If Jacob was into drugs or gambling in the city of Chicago he was doing an incredible job of hiding it.

The unknowns were eating at her. Who had Jacob visited in California ? Where was he now? She had an appointment to meet with Di, Michael's ex, for lunch, hopefully Di would have more information. Anything would be better than where she sat now.

Quin stood and stretched. Vivian, she thought as she turned to look out through the glass wall behind her, the cityscape spread out below her. Vivian was going to be pissed. Quin just knew she wouldn't be able to do what she normally would do in these circumstances, if Vivian was watching her. Laws were destined to be broken. "Oh well, consequences be damned." Quin mumbled aloud to herself as she pulled on a well worn leather bomber jacket. She opened her desk drawer and pulled out several items that she transferred to her inner jacket pockets. Quin had stopped at the bank on the way in and made a sizeable withdrawal that was split then snuggled into her front pockets. Bribes and incentives for information were a must. She checked her watch and sighed. So the chase begins.

Diane O'Malley was a stunningly beautiful woman. She had caramel colored skin and eyes so dark they appeared black. Truth be told Quin McKee had a crush on the woman from the moment she had laid eyes on her. Grace would tease her mercilessly about it. Quin couldn't help herself though and the teasing was well deserved.

The PI had little trouble locating Di in the crowded south side deli. A waiter was leaning close to her ex-sister in law, flirting no doubt, Quin thought as she waved off the hostess on her way to the table. She sat down and waited to be noticed as Di toyed with the young man. She lost patience after several minutes and cleared her throat. She sighed and smiled as shimmering dark eyes turned her way

"Quin!" Di squealed and leapt from her chair. She stepped around the table and engulfed the sitting PI in a hug squishing Quin's face into her chest.

Quin blushed red from the tips of her ears to her toes. She spoke a muffled, "Nice to see you too Di."

Di stepped back and looked down on the blushing woman, "You're simply adorable. Who marked up your sweet face? Point the bastards out and let me handle them."

Quin smiled shyly as she ran her hand over her face in an effort to rid herself of the blush. "I had some trouble in Los Angeles ." She said in reference to her face.

Di slowly returned to her seat. "You went back to LA?"

"I had a job to do."

"And now you're looking for Jake?" Di knew there was little sense in questioning the woman further, Quin McKee offered only what information she chose.

Quin nodded, "Michael asked me to. How long have you two been seeing each other?"

Di smiled and dipped her head. "Nothing gets past you Quinlan McKee."

"I'm glad Di; You two were magic together." Quin reached across the table and took the older woman's hand. "He was an ass to let you go."

"His Momma didn't like having a black girl in the family." Di stated as she raised her hand gaining the waiter's attention once again.

Quin chuckled, she and Di always referred to Clara O'Malley as Michael's Momma. "I'm glad he's growing a backbone." Quin sat back in her chair and cocked her head to the side. "Tell me about Jacob."

Di's smiled faded. "I don't know where to start, I'm not sure what he's gotten himself into. He came to my house about three weeks ago and asked to borrow my Jag. I've never been able to tell that boy no," Di's dark head shook as she chuckled, "He has me and his father wrapped."

Quin smiled. The boy was incredibly good looking, smart, and confident. A deadly combination.

"He didn't come back, but I thought I saw him last week."

"Where?"

"Logan Square ."

Quin nodded, "Did you report the car stolen?"

The elegant black woman shook her head, "Michael asked me not to. He thought maybe you could help and spare Jake trouble with the law. Do you think I should report it?"

"Let me take care of it. Jake is old enough to do serious time for theft of the car, not to mention the money." Quin warned, "I'll handle it. This person in California he went to see, do you know anything about that?"

"Michael was frantic. He called me after talking to Jake about a plane ticket to get back. I don't think Jake found what he was looking for out there. He was really different when he came back; So quiet and jittery."

"Di. Do you think he's doing drugs?"

There was a long silence.

"Quin, I just don't know. I know about the checks and the money, I know that looks bad, but I just can't believe my Jake would do drugs." Di turned away to stare out the window. "If he is…" She turned back with glistening eyes that threatened to spill over, "… if he is involved with drugs what are we going to do?"

Quin took a deep breath. "We'll help him."

Vivian stared up at the Sears Tower . It seemed like it took her longer to find parking than it did to drive the entire distance to the city. Now that she was here she was having second thoughts about entering the massive building. Sentinel was eighty-four floors up, that would be a personal record if she could carry through with her intentions. A gust of wind pushed at her as she stood looking up. The cold that blew through her was enough to propel her forward into the building's lobby.

In the elevator all she could think of was how far down the small car would plunge if something were to happen to the cable. Her fellow occupants left one by one on various floors until she was all alone. Her grave thoughts of plunging to an untimely death came to an end as she finally arrived at her destination. She wondered if perhaps someone on the eighty-fourth floor might have some good whiskey to share to help ease the trip back down.

Okay Walsh, you're up here, now what? She looked to the left and then to the right, off to the right was a large reception desk. A friendly inquiry. She moved toward the desk dodging office workers as they milled about in their daily activity. She was about to ask if Quin was in when she was nearly bowled over by someone.

"Oh! Ms. Walsh! Are you alright?"

Vivian had managed to maintain her upright position by grabbing the edge of the long desk, "I'm okay," she took a look at her apologetic assailant. "Mr. Harris right?"

The young man beamed a bright smile, "Yeah." Then he shook his head. "I mean yes. Yes Ma'am."

Vivian smiled, "Great. Then can you help me?"

"Sure!" Then the young man frowned, "I'll try." His eyes moved just slightly to look at the receptionist who was shaking her head in a negative manner, "If I can… might we move to someplace more private Ms. Walsh?"

Vivian scowled in the general direction of the receptionist who had suddenly picked up the phone and started dialing, "Yeah, sure. Lead on Mr. Harris." Vivian found her arm gently but firmly gripped by the young man as he steered her away from the bustle of the main corridor. They made several turns down different halls until Vivian was quite sure she wouldn't be able to find her way back to the elevator. Harris stopped suddenly and pulled her inside a small empty office.

"Sorry about that," He explained shutting the door softly. "We were told not to talk to you if you came in today."

Vivian's scowl grew deeper. "By whom?"

"Grapevine! It sort of trickles down that way." Harris winked. "Mrs. Usher would have my hide if she knew I was even looking at you let alone talking to you."

"Why Mr. Harris? Why am I off limits?" Vivian was getting angry but knew it wasn't this young man's fault. She needed his help.

"I can't tell you that. What I can tell you is this," Harris held up several pieces of paper he had in a folder that was tucked under his arm. "Ms. McKee was here today. She caused quite an uproar around here for about four hours and then she left. She had everyone making inquiries about one Jacob O'Malley."

Vivian took the documents from the man and shuffled through them.

"He came back clean on everything, no one found squat on him. Not through legal channels. Not through any channels." Harris had made some of those non-legal calls himself. When reliable, never fail sources have nothing, it's never a good sign.

Vivian studied the documents more closely. "Any possibility that I can have these?" She asked with little hope.

Harris cringed, "It would be my job if someone found out."

"They wouldn't find out from me," Vivian promised.

Silence.

"Please?" Vivian pulled out all the stops with that whine. She blinked her soft blue eyes at the young man and let a small smile play upon her lips. "I'll owe you one."

Young Mr. Harris blushed and smiled. Who was he to refuse a beautiful woman one simple request? "Okay." It was just a job after all. He gave the blonde time to fold the papers and stash them in a snug jean pocket before he opened the door. Checking both ways before stepping out, Mr. Harris motioned Vivian to follow. He escorted her back to the elevator and saw her off. As he walked pass the reception she mouthed the word 'busted' at him causing his heart to flutter just a bit. What's done is done. He thought as he went on his way.

CHAPTER SEVEN

VIVIAN FOUND HERSELF slightly frustrated, and at a distinct disadvantage in being a complete stranger in the city. She had to stop and buy another map for if she wasn't confused before, she was now. In LA there was the ocean to orient oneself; Here Vivian just couldn't find a landmark to center herself. If she knew where the damned lake was, she'd head there. Aggravated, she threw the map in the back seat of the car and picked up the creased papers Harris had given her. There had to be someplace to start.

She had lifted a pen off the counter of the gas station where she bought the map; Vivian gripped it, trying to ignore the teeth marks along its casing, and studied the information carefully. Quin was looking for Jacob O'Malley, who was somehow related to Michael, and this had something to do with the siblings' altercation the previous afternoon. Vivian wrote all the players' names in the margin of the first page. She had a list of names and addresses, and first was Diane O'Malley. Vivian put that name in the margin with a line drawn to Jacob and a question mark. The next name was actually a business. She shuffled through the documents until she found another paper with the business' name at the top. This document was an account summary from a bank, covering withdrawals over a three month period. Vivian's blonde eyebrows drew together, she didn't have a clue what this information held and wondered how it connected to any of the players. A long sigh followed.

Diane O'Malley was her first target. She reached back for the map and found the closest intersection to her. She couldn't tell north from south so she decided to turn one way and see the next street. Vivian marveled at how clear the streets were; She could only imagine the disaster LA would be if it snowed. Pulling over at the next intersection, Vivian found herself on the map. A triumphant smile appeared as she made a little pen mark at her current location. She located Diane O'Malley's street on the map, and finger-traced the quickest route. There was no stopping her now.

Quin drove around Logan Square before parking. There was still no sign of the Jaguar. She sat in her car for a bit, pondering why Jacob would have dealings in this particular neighborhood. She bit her lower lip and fished the little black book from her back pocket. Her cell phone beeped when she turned it on, and she checked the display. She winced as she realized there were seven messages from Vivian. Quin chewed the inside of her cheek, then decided she would listen later. She flipped the black book open, found a number and dialed.

Marco Sandoval had been watching the big Denali drive around Logan Square. The side windows were too darkly tinted for him to see who was driving, and he was this close to walking across the street to confront this ballsy interloper when his cell phone rang.

"Marco." He answered smoothly.

Quin smiled "Where are you? I need some information."

Marco rolled his dark eyes and crossed the street trying to avoid the dirty slush and any deep puddles. He tapped on the window of the Denali and shut off his phone. "Damn McKee you're scaring off all my customers." He said as the window came down.

Quin shook her head, "Get in the damn truck, Marco, before some cop thinks I'm buying."

"You are buying." Marco retorted as he shuffled and slipped his way around the front of the rumbling SUV. He shook off his boots as he stepped up and into the truck, careful not to muddy the expensive interior. "It's damn cold." The door shut with a solid thump.

Quin turned in her seat to look at the thirty something man. "You really need to stop selling and get a real job, Marco."

"Yeah, yeah." He waved off the brunette. "Two more years and I can retire. My customers are becoming more affluent."

Quin nodded sadly. It was too true. It didn't matter what the neighborhood looked like or how many yuppies moved in, there was always a market for exactly what Marco was selling, which was anything you wanted. "Have you seen a silver blue Jag around here lately?" Quin thought for a moment. "Last three weeks or so."

"Yeah. I've seen one. Young kid driving, sharp looking. He's doing business with Crane."

Quin frowned. "Crane is back?" Her heart skipped a beat. Brandon Crane was the lowest form of criminal. He used others for his own gain, never getting his own hands dirty. If Jacob was mixed up with Crane then this was going to get very messy very fast.

"He's been back for about three months."

"Where was he?" Quin already thought she knew the answer but needed confirmation.

"Word is he was in LA."

Quin growled. "Shit."

Vivian Walsh took a deep breath and extended her finger toward the doorbell of the lovely two story red brick home. She had gotten lost three times finding her way to Diane O'Malley's house, and it was getting late. She checked her watch, grimacing as it was approaching five pm. The sky was darkening quickly. She rang the bell again and rubbed her arms to warm the muscles that shook from the cold. "I really need to buy a coat." She said aloud just as the door opened. To her surprise Michael O'Malley stood staring back at her. "Uh…"

Michael frowned and looked behind the tall blonde. His sister was not present. "Are you lost?"

Vivian chuckled. "You don't know the half of it."

Michael's frown deepened. "Ms. Walsh, I find myself confused."

Vivian was about to reply when a feminine voice came from behind Quin's oldest brother.

"Who is it Michael?" Di poked her head around his shoulder. She didn't recognize the tall woman on the porch.

Michael scratched the side of his face. "This is Quin's new…." He searched for a proper word, "Friend?" He flinched.

Di blinked then smiled wide as she reached by Michael and drew the blonde into her house. "That little fink didn't say anything about you!"

Vivian was literally dragged into the warm house by the beautiful black woman, only faintly hearing Michael's 'Good grief' as the door was shut behind her. She was whisked into a sitting room and pushed into an over stuffed chair close to a fire, where Vivian warmed instantly. Soon she was looking into a set of the darkest eyes she had ever seen as the woman pulled up an ottoman and sat facing her.

"Name?" Di asked as she rubbed her hands together like a child ready to steal a hot cookie.

"Vivian Walsh. And you are?"

"Di."

Michael came to stand behind Di and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Vivian looked at the two of them together. "Diane O'Malley?" The dark woman nodded and smiled. Vivian nearly swooned. She looked up at Quin's brother who also was obviously under this beautiful woman's spell. Then it clicked. "You're married to Michael?"

"Divorced." Michael said quietly. He was desperately trying to figure out why this woman was at Di's house.

"Ah." Vivian settled back into the chair. That figured. What little she knew of Clara O'Malley dictated she wouldn't have approved of her son marrying a black woman no matter how stunningly gorgeous she was.

"So start talking, Vivian Walsh." Di instructed.

Vivian held up a finger, "Actually, I had a few questions for you."

"Just tell us why you're here." Michael ground out between clenched teeth.

Vivian scowled at the man, "I'm looking for Quin. Why are you here?" Fair was fair.

"None of your damn business." Michael retorted.

Di stood and gently took Michael's hand. "I'll be back in just a minute." She said to the blonde.

Vivian watched the couple as they moved back into the hall. She extended her still chilled arms toward the fire. There was an exchange of words in the hall that ended with the front door opening and then closing rather loudly. Soon the woman was back. "I'm sorry if I have ruined your evening." Vivian offered.

Di shook her head, "He's being an ass. He'll come back after he's had time to think about it and cool off. Now how can I help you?"

"Who is Jacob?" Vivian sat up a bit and pulled her small bundle of papers and the pen from her back pocket.

"Our son."

Vivian stopped a moment, processing that tidbit., "I'll bet Clara was thrilled."

Di laughed "She was not pleased." Di cocked her head to the side, "So you and Quin huh?" She let a visual play in her mind. "Yum."

Vivian blushed to her toes.

"Oh sorry." Di apologized. "I can't help myself from wondering what it would be like."

Vivian tried to control her body's reaction to this woman's frank perusal. "I think we've fallen off track."

"You maybe have, but I'm right where I want to be." Di scooted her makeshift seat closer to the blonde. "Is she good? Grace never would say, she was sort of shy about stuff like that. Which was weird because of what she did before she met Quin." Di grinned, hungrily. "Just between us girls, does Quin McKee rock your world?"

Vivian blushed harder, if possible, and covered her face with her hands.

"Maybe it's a lesbian thing. You just don't kiss and tell, is that it?" Di was teasing now.

Vivian looked through her fingers. "Have you seen Quin today?" She squeaked out.

"Oh fine. Yes I saw Quin. We had lunch. She's trying to track down Jacob."

Vivian sighed and dropped her hands. "Any idea where she was going?"

Di shook her head, "No idea. We had lunch, talked about Jacob and what might be going on with him. Did she ditch you at Grams?" She received an affirmative nod from the blonde "She would only do that if she thought she was going to run into trouble Vivian. I'm sure she doesn't want anything to happen to you."

"I'm a cop." Vivian frowned, "I'm an ex-cop. I can take care of myself. She's not in top physical shape and someone should be with her, watching her back."

Di appraised the woman in front of her. If she overlooked the surface, which happened to be a pretty nice package, she could definitely see the power the woman obviously projected. "To Quin, though, you're someone who should be spared harm, even the possibility of harm." Di spoke thoughtfully. "She definitely doesn't want a repeat of what happened to Grace. If Quin has included you in her life she's going to do everything she can to protect you and keep you safe."

Vivian's shoulders dropped. "She is a stubborn ass."

"It's a family trait." Di responded, glancing toward the hall. "Do you have someplace to stay tonight?"

"I'd thought a hotel."

"Nonsense, you'll stay here. I'll tell you everything I can, maybe you can catch up with the little fink. In the mean time, we can get to know each other. Don't worry about Michael, he's probably gone home to mother. He hates when I point out his short comings." Di stood and extended her hand down to Vivian. "I'm sure Michael has some jammies here you can borrow.

Vivian took her new ally's offered hand and rose gracefully from the chair. Watching slyly, Di could not help but be impressed. "My, but you're a tall girl." Di commented, letting another visual play in her mind and smiling. "Yum, yum."

Vivian blushed again. How in the world had this woman ended up with Michael O'Malley?

Quin was back in her office seeking information on Brandon Crane. There were still a few people running around the place so she enlisted their help. Sometimes It was good to be the boss. The PI sat back in her chair as information began to flow in. Whatever Jacob was involved in went way beyond drug use and theft.

Then there was the matter of clearing Michael's name with the IRS. The Feds were accusing him of embezzlement and tax evasion. The recent activity of his personal and business accounts certainly pointed to someone taking liberties with the company's funds. His board members were calling for his resignation, and his stock holders were calling for his arrest. Jacob would have to own up to some things to take the heat off his dad.

Quin's phone beeped signaling another message. \ Pulling out the phone, she checked the number, already knowing it was Vivian. Quin replaced the phone; She'd call her in the morning.

Sally entered Quin's office with a stack of files and flopped them onto the already overflowing desk. "Some courier from some nameless government agency dropped these off for you." She informed, slumping into one of three chairs opposite the big mahogany desk. "I'd really like to know how you get this kind of information on people."

Quin grinned, "A lot of people would like to know."

"Start with me and get it all off your chest." Sally encouraged.

Quin smiled and shook her head no. "Nope. Not gonna tell."

"Fine." Sally pushed her curls behind her ears. "Please be careful with Crane. He's not some two bit thug."

Quin leaned forward and grabbed the top file off the stack. "He's messing with my family."

"Just be careful." Sally's phone rang from her hip. She flipped it opened. "Usher."

Something told Quin it was Vivian on the other end. She glanced at her assistant and received an extended middle finger as confirmation. Quin drew back in her chair and held the file a bit higher to hide.

"I'm sorry Vivian, but no one has been able to contact her today. I'm sure she'll call you soon." Sally hated lying to this particular person. She stared daggers at her boss. "Vivian. I'll personally tell Quin McKee to call you when I see her next. I understand your concern." Pain in my ass that Quin is, Sally thought. Her eyes widened at the next bit of conversation. "Oh really?… Okay." Interesting. "Yes, good night to you too." She flipped the phone shut loudly and stood. She reached across the wide desk and firmly lowered the file Quin was pretending to read. "I will not lie to that woman again. I'll quit first."

Quin sighed, "Sally, I just don't want her to get hurt."

"Bullshit! You don't want her to see you break a hundred different laws!"

Quin slammed the file shut and shot out of her chair. "She's a good person! I don't want anything to change that. I don't want anything to happen to her. And YES! I don't want her see me break the fucking law!" Quin was shaking as she tried to control her anger.

Sally softened her voice. "Quin, she loves you. She will understand that sometimes you have to skirt the law to get the bad guy. She did work with you in LA, didn't she? And she ended up with you anyway."

"Damn it, Sally." Quin deflated and sank into her chair. "I'm in love with her and I don't think I can take it if she left me."

Ahhh! The truth! Sally thought. "You're going to have to risk it Quin. You've been lucky so far. Some people haven't had it as good as you. So what if she leaves? People change and sometimes move on. Sometimes people don't have a choice in leaving. If she leaves, you decide whether or not to put yourself out there. You took this chance when you got involved with her in the first place. So suck it up, McKee, this is how life is lived. Take your chances with the rest of us."

Quin sighed. "I hate you."

"Yeah, well, you're not the most lovable person sometimes either. God only knows why Vivian Walsh fell for you." Sally made her way to the door. "I'm going home. By the way, Vivian is on to you. She's spending the night at Di's tonight."

Quin gaped at the woman's retreating back. "Fuck. Me." She banged her fist on the table as her head fell to the desk top with a thud. "I'm in deep shit."

DAY FOUR

Diane O'Malley was bent over staring at the coffee maker on the counter. The clear glass pot was filling up way too slowly for her liking. She mentally urged it to fill faster.

She and Vivian had stayed up till all hours the night before. She got the whole story of what had happened to Quin in Los Angeles. There was a lot more involved than Quin's condensed version of 'some trouble'. "Drip faster, you sadistic bastard." She mumbled at the coffee maker.

"Talking to inanimate objects could be considered a sign of senility." Vivian said as she walked into the kitchen.

Di squinted over her shoulder and growled, "I've got to have caffeine. This is non-negotiable. And this damned machine is seriously impeding my intake of said caffeine."

Vivian chuckled. "I'll take a cup, black, when it finishes." She pulled out a wooden stool and sat at the marble breakfast bar.

"Did you get a hold of her last night?"

Vivian shook her head. "No. I talked to Sally."

"Sally is a good bean, but she'll cover for Quin."

"I figured as much. I appreciate all your help." Vivian wasn't sure if she was going to continue looking for Quin. It could prove futile. If she were to change course and look for Jacob instead she could just happen upon Quin. She looked toward the woman stooped over at the counter. There was no way she was able to believe Di was in any way capable of loving Michael O'Malley. How was it possible?

Both women's heads popped up and turned toward the hallway at the sound of the front door closing. A few moments passed before Michael appeared in the kitchen doorway.

He smiled at his ex-wife's position at the counter. That's where she always was first thing in the morning. Michael had offered time and again to replace her old coffee maker with a timed system but she always refused. He personally believed she enjoyed the wait. His smile faded as he noticed the woman sitting at the counter in his pajamas.

Vivian watched the play of emotions on the man's face, obviously he was still very much in love with Di. Equally as obvious, the man did not much care for her. Vivian squared her shoulders. She was no stranger to hate.

"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting." Michael said as he walked up behind his wife. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry about last night."

"Don't apologize to me." Di retorted.

Michael looked over at the woman at the counter. Di had a way of putting him in his place; She always had. He sighed. "Please forgive my behavior last evening, Ms. Walsh."

Di shook her head and mumbled "Pathetic." She pulled the pot from the coffee maker and poured herself and Vivian steaming cups.

"S'okay Di." Vivian accepted her cup as Di also took a seat at the counter. "He's probably done the best he can with that."

Michael folded his arms across his chest.

"He's being an ass." Di stated as she cocked her head at her ex-husband. "I think he's upset."

"Damn right I'm upset." Michael was happy for the opportunity to have his say. "I'm put out of my house in the middle of the night, only to return the next morning to find my wife with my sister's…." Michael floundered in his tirade.

"Lover." Vivian supplied

Michael only growled, "In my clothes, having…" He stalled again.

"Coffee." Di held up her cup.

"Damn it, I'm talking here!" Michael stomped his foot causing the two women to look at each other and then break up, giggling.

Gaining control and stifling a smile, Di sighed, "Honey, please sit down." She patted the stool next to her. "Come on. Sit." She gently urged.

Michael stood for a moment more in defiance. Di beckoned to him with a curling finger; unable to resist, he took a seat on the stool.

Di took his hand and gently squeezed it. "First, this is my house. Has been since I took you to the cleaners eighteen years ago. Second, it's ex-wife. Refer to my first point if you need further clarification." She smiled at the proud man next to her. "Now what's the real problem here. Surely you don't think I slept, in the biblical sense, with Vivian?"

Michael pressed his lips together in a thin line. "I…" He looked at the two women sitting together. "No."

"Is it that Vivian knows your sister in the biblical sense?" Di questioned and could nearly feel the heat of Vivian's blush radiating off the woman beside her. Michael blushed right along with the blonde. His silence was all that Di needed. "Honey, you need to get over it. Vivian isn't a threat to you. What she and Quin do together isn't your concern so just take that off your shoulders, honey. They're just another couple. The sooner you can see them in that light the sooner you can accept them and the sooner you can come back to my bed."

Michael cringed at the threat. He took a deep breath and looked past his ex-wife. There sat his sister's lover. Vivian smiled back at him and waved her fingers. He rolled his eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, Vivian. I have been an ass." He was rewarded with a warm kiss to his lips.

Vivian smiled back at him giving him a little wave

"Now wasn't that easy?" Di smiled, squeezing his hand.

Vivian raised her cup in Michael's direction. "Apology accepted!" She took a sip of her coffee. Maybe I've been too judgmental of Mr. O'Malley, she thought. "Now Michael, want to tell me what you told your sister?" As long as we're being friendly…

CHAPTER EIGHT

DAY FIVE

VIVIAN SPENT THE better part of the previous day watching Logan Square . She had plenty of time to think on how she was going to deal with Quinlan McKee as she familiarized herself with the area.

The blonde shoved her hands deeper into her borrowed coat pockets for some reflective warmth. Michael had been kind enough to loan her the light blue down coat. Vivian smiled at her reflection in a store window. Quin's older brother reluctantly gave her the complete story with a little help from Di, then she decided that Quinlan McKee was going to get a big piece of her mind when she caught up to her. She was not going to call the brunette anymore. She was not going to call Sally Usher anymore. She was going to locate Jacob O'Malley and Quin McKee. Then she was going home. She loved Quin but she was not going to play games with the woman. The PI needed to realize that she wasn't some fragile, innocent flower that couldn't take the reality of the world. There needed to be an end to Quin's overly dramatic protective streak. Her smile faded as she caught site of a Hispanic man conversing at a car window.

Vivian knew that Quin kept street contacts for information., and she knew she would need a contact to get information for herself. While awaiting the man to complete his business, Vivian looked down at the boots she had also borrowed from Michael. It took an extra pair of socks for the fit to be snug, but at least her feet were mostly warm and very dry. She looked back up at the reflection in the store window. The man was just stepping away from the curb as the car drove away. She waited a moment more for the man to nestle back into his cozy alcove between the two door ways.

Vivian turned and crossed the street, dodging as many icy puddles as possible. She had almost made it across when a van drove past and drenched her jeans legs with partially frozen sludge, she cursed as she reached the safety of the sidewalk and shook each leg alternately to rid herself of most of the moisture. So much for a graceful approach, She thought, catching the amused look on her target's face. Vivian sighed as she walked past the man, turning just enough to smile softly and wink at him. She continued down the sidewalk just a bit further and paused. She looked back to see if he was watching her. She smiled at him again and entered a small café. The warmth inside was sheer heaven. A smiling man next to a cash register pointed to a booth for her. Vivian said a soft thank you and gladly took the seat. She had barely picked up a menu when the bell above the door heralded another patron arriving.

Marco looked left and right down the rows of booths. The blonde had given him an invitation, he was sure of it. Ahhh, there she is. He shrugged out of his jacket and waved to the café's owner as he made his way to the booth. He slid in without asking and waited to be noticed by the curvaceous creature across from him.

Vivian lowered the menu a bit and smiled. Men are so easy. "May I help you?" She asked sweetly. She watched his reaction. His smile shifted to a little frown.

"You winked at me." He stated as to convince himself that the event truly did occur.

"Was that you?" Vivian cocked her head to the side.

Marco smiled and sat up a bit straighter, "Yes. In the doorway down the street."

Vivian smiled and nodded. "Selling." She stated.

Marco's smile faded.

"Relax big boy." Vivian soothed, "I'm not a cop." Wow, how odd to admit that. "I just need some information."

Marco sat back and snarled, "What makes you think I'll tell you anything."

Vivian kept her smile in place, "If you don't cooperate and tell me what I want to know you'll be very sorry." Her smile faded to be replaced by a cold hard stare.

Marco swallowed. At heart he was a lover, he did what he did for money only. He never messed with the product and he never left his neighborhood. He also never gave free samples and to his knowledge had never 'hooked' anyone on his product. He was a salesman. Plain and simple; Demand and supply.

He tried to glare back at the woman across from him. She didn't even flinch. Damn. "Information about what?"

The ex-cop leaned forward and asked evenly, "Jacob O'Malley or a blue Jaguar."

Marco stood and jerked on his jacket. He turned and walked away from the blonde.

Vivian was hot on his heels. "Hold up," she called as she rushed out the café's door, racing after the man who disappeared around a corner. She pursued him without thinking and found herself slammed against a brick wall.

"Who the fuck are you lady?" Marco sneered.

Vivian reacted as she was trained. She grabbed onto the man's wrist and pulled with her entire weight, effectively breaking his hold on her and reversing their positions. She kicked his feet wide to throw his balance off then leaned into the middle of his back pulling his wrist up until the man moaned in pain. "Now. What's your name?"

"Marco."

"Pleased to meet you Marco. You can call me Ms. Walsh. Why did you walk out on me?" When no answer was forthcoming she jerked up on the arm in her grasp.

Marco grimaced, "Okay, okay. Ease up lady." He sighed in relief as his arm was eased down a bit to a more comfortable position. "Someone asked me about a blue Jag a couple of days ago."

"McKee." Vivian said between clenched teeth. "You're an informant for her aren't you?" How lucky for me.

"I help her out sometimes."

"Well today you're going to help me out."

Marco groaned.

Vivian used her unoccupied hand to empty Marco's pockets several small bags of drugs, a large roll of money, and a switchblade knife hit the ground at their feet. She then turned him around and stared him square in the eyes. "I don't like drug dealers. If you refuse me I will turn you in and testify against you. I'm a great witness and will make sure you go away for a long time. And don't think you'll call up Quinlan McKee and have her make me go away. Let's just say I have my own arrangement with Ms. McKee." When Marco offered no resistance she let his wrist go. As soon as she did he took a wild right swing at her that she ducked. She used her forearm and elbow to catch him across his nose, which broke with a small snap. "Damn it." Vivian mumbled she stooped down, gathering the money and knife and shoving them in her coat pocket. The drugs she held onto.

Marco slid down the brick alley wall, the blood flowing freely from his nose. It had been a long time since someone had been able to lay a hand on him. His size and demeanor were usually enough to deter others from messing with him. He watched as the blonde opened each bag of his product, emptying them onto the alley floor.

Vivian used the toe of her boot to distribute the drugs into the dirty iced sludge effectively destroying the substance for sale and use. "Fucking bastard." She rubbed her elbow that had slammed Marco. "I'm going to have a bruise." She reached down and took Marco by the hair and dragged him upward. "Want to try this again asshole?"

Marco held his hands over his bleeding nose. He shook his head up and down, eyes closed from the pain the movement caused in his head. His hair was released and he was guided to the street by a firm grip on his arm.

Vivian pulled the Marco along to the Wagoneer that was parked halfway down the block. She kicked at the snow bank blocking the passenger door until she had room to open it and firmly placed Marco in the passenger seat and closed the door. Vivian worked her elbow back and forth as she rounded the car. She slid easily behind the wheel and looked over at her new friend. Remembering a box of tissues in the back seat, she reached for them offering them to Marco who grabbed a stack from the box and pressed them to his nose.

"Do you think you need a doctor?" Vivian asked hoping the man wouldn't bleed all over the interior of the Jeep.

"I'll be fine as long as you don't hit me again." Marco answered from behind the tissue.

"Don't be an ass and I won't need to." Vivian turned the ignition. "Where do I go?"

Marco lowered the tissue and looked at the blonde woman. "Ms. Walsh I really don't think you want to get involved in this."

"Too late Marco. I'm on a mission now."

"Are you insane?"

"No. In love."

Quin walked into a posh Chicago restaurant dressed in ripped faded black jeans, and a long sleeve t-shirt that had the words 'Porn Star' in huge red letters across her chest. She had a red and black plaid wind breaker tied around her waist and her feet sported a brand new shiny pair of red Docs.

The maitre d' hurried to stop her from getting very far but was stopped by a large caliber hand gun in his face.

Quin smirked and cocked her head to one side. "It's been at least two weeks since I've shot someone; I may be due."

The man raised his hands. "You must leave or I'll call the police."

"Fine with me, bring them on back to the little room behind the kitchen where your boss is illegally making book," Quin offered sweetly with a smile. She lowered her gun as the man backed away. She smiled at the shocked faces of afternoon diners while stowing her gun. Out of the corner of her eye she recognized someone she knew and angled toward their table. The man seemed to try to hide behind his napkin as he sank back into the thick padding of the leather booth. "Lieutenant Schmek! I'm pretty impressed you can afford to eat here." Quin settled into the booth and gave a toothy smile to the too skinny woman who accompanied the slightly balding and out of shape detective. "I heard Crane offers discounts to those who are willing to forget their oath of office." She added as she reached out and plucked a slender piece of roast something off the man's plate. Eww, veal. She thought as she swallowed hard. "Want to share your secret of wealth with me?" She asked as she took a hearty swig of red wine from his glass.

Randall Schmek pursed his lips. If there was one person in all of Chicago you didn't want in your business it was McKee. She was in good with the top brass of the city and had nearly every respectable thug on the street under some kind of control. "I received a gift certificate." He replied.

"Convenient." The brunette quipped. She smiled again at the woman and asked, "Escort or private?"

"Well I never." The woman exclaimed.

"I bet you have." Quin said with a devilish smile. "I'll be calling you Schmek." She said and stood, winking at the woman as she headed in her intended direction through the restaurant. She pushed through the kitchen doors, dodging the bustling wait staff and cooks. She liberated an éclair from the dessert counter on her way through, and opened the next door entering without knocking. All activity on the other side of the door ceased she smiled and waved her hands, "Please don't stop on account of me." The stunned silence continued until a long moan erupted from a closed door off to the right side of the room, Quin blinked and looked at the assembled men and women asking a silent question. When the moan came again followed by some begging of the blatant sexual kind she couldn't help herself moving toward the closed door. A huge wall of a man moved into her path. The noise returned to the room as the bookies went back to work. Quin chewed her cheek, she was in no shape to get into a physical altercation with anyone, especially not with someone who out weighed her by two hundred pounds. She looked up at the man and surprisingly found some intelligence reflected in the soft brown eyes. "Do you know who I am?"

The big man nodded slowly answering, "McKee."

Quin smiled and nodded. "Do you know how much damage a .45 will do to you at this range?" She poked the solid chest in front of her for emphasis.

The man paled and seemed to think about it for a moment.

Quin reached into her rear pocket and came back with a small business card that she held out to the man, "Come by tomorrow, I'll match the pay and you get to be an honest citizen."

The man looked around the room then back to the small card being held out to him. He snatched it from Quin's fingers and exited the room with as much grace as a brick wall could. Quin stepped up to the closed door and listened for a moment with her ear pressed flat against the obviously less than solid object. Blushing a bit at what she heard, she stood back, took a deep breath and then opened the door entering the room silently. She had a mental image of what was happening on the other side of the door, but the reality was way beyond her imagination. The two men in the room were so preoccupied that Quin was able to walk right up to them, taking a seat on the edge of the queen size bed.

"Who would have ever guessed that Brandon Crane was a leather slut?" She questioned aloud causing both men to cease their activity. Quin shook her head in dismay as Crane bellowed for his bodyguard while he struggled from his bound position on the bed. "Boris got a better offer." Quin stated taking in the whole picture before her.

"Who the fuck are you?" Crane's sex partner questioned. He removed himself from Crane, who whimpered as he struggled on his stomach, straining against the knots that held him fast in place.

"Quin McKee. And you?"

The man obviously had an inkling of who she was as he started to get dressed "Leaving." He stated, pulling his black t-shirt over his head and grabbing his boots and jacket as he exited the room without glancing back.

"Well, well, well, quite the predicament we have here Crane." Quin said as she tested the leather bonds holding her adversary in place. "I wish I had a camera."

"Untie me now!"

"Why? This is just too precious." Quin ran her finger across Crane's welted backside causing the man to squirm. "Does the little wife know about this…" She couldn't help herself as she smacked the reddened flesh with her open palm, "…side of you?"

"I'll kill you for this McKee." Crane threatened from his prone position.

"It's not nice to threaten people Brandon. Besides it could be a long time before someone unties you. If you're nice and answer my questions I might be inclined to help you out."

Brandon Crane wasn't a stupid man. He knew when he was beat. The sandy brown head turned away from the notorious PI as he considered his options. He made his decision with a deep sigh. "What?"

Quin smiled. "Jacob O'Malley."

"What about him?"

"Where is he?"

Crane turned back to look at the brunette, "What's it to you?"

Quin leaned down and spoke softly into Crane's ear. "He is my nephew."

The words were spoken so evenly and with such passion that Crane paled at all the implied punishments that came to his mind if he didn't answer the woman truthfully. "He's gone to Detroit, he'll be back in two days."

"What does Jacob do for you?"

Crane laughed. "Hell McKee. I work for him!"

Quin was having a moment. One of those moments where things just seem to crash down all of a sudden and there's nothing to do but deal. She looked at the bound man in front of her. She reached out and wrapped her fingers in his hair and yanked his head back hard. She looked into his hazel eyes and spoke evenly. "Explain. And be careful." She warned. "If I think you're lying there will be pain, and I guarantee it will not be the kind you enjoy." She jerked his head hard for emphasis.

"The kid came to me in L.A. about three months ago."

"How did that begin? How did he first contact you?"

"An email. The email implied we had a common friend and he wanted to help me with my cash flow problem." Crane sighed in relief as his hair was released.

"Who is your common friend?" Quin sat back on the side of the bed.

"I have a silent partner here in Chicago . I've never met her, but we've had a very profitable relationship. So when I wanted to branch out to California she financed me. But L.A. isn't Chicago and I was in trouble after just a few weeks." Crane shifted on the bed, "Could you untie me?"

"No." Quin replied and stood. She paced a few feet away then came back to the bedside. "Jacob emailed you and offered to bail you out," she stated. "Why?"

Crane sighed. "He's an odd kid. I get the feeling someone else is pulling his strings. I couldn't say no to the help. My police contact had his own troubles I guess…"

"Who was your man on the force?" Quin paced away again.

"Richard Franklin." Crane's breath rushed from his body as McKee landed across his back straddling him and pressing a gun to his cheek.

Quin had a sinking feeling in her gut. Her breathing was uneven and she was very close to splattering Brandon Crane's brains across the room. "I want you to tell me about Franklin ."

"For God's sake McKee please!" Crane pleaded.

"Tell me about Franklin ." Quin twisted the barrel of the gun into the prone man's cheek.

"She set me up with him. He even picked me up at the airport.! Please don't kill me!"

Quin leaned down and whispered menacingly into Crane's ear. "We're going to have a very long talk so I hope you're comfortable."

DAY SEVEN

Vivian was cold and tired. She glanced at the man on the phone in the corner of a bustling south side bar. Marco's broken nose had blossomed into a full face of bruises that resembled a raccoon's mask. He was proving invaluable, Quin was to be commended. She certainly knew how to cultivate informants. After a whole lot of searching and good old detective work, Vivian had found the Jag. Logic would dictate that Jacob wouldn't be far. Logic wasn't always easy though.

Marco had stuck with Vivian even after being released from service by the blonde. He insisted that he could get further information. Vivian scrubbed her face with her hands trying to revive herself, it had been nearly forty-eight hours since she slept. She was ready to crash hard.

"She'll be here in just a sec." Marco sat down beside the blonde at the bar.

Vivian peeked through her fingers at her reluctant partner. "She who?"

"Me."

Vivian snapped her head to the stool beside her that was now occupied by what she could only classify as a hooker. Vivian was sensitive enough not to blurt out her observation and simply raised an eyebrow at the slender brunette.

Marco cleared his throat, "Ms. Walsh this is Cookie. She owns this corner." He threw his head toward the street.

Vivian nodded her understanding. "Nice to meet you Cookie. Is that your real name?" She grimaced as soon as the words left her mouth.

The woman simply smiled and nodded, "Well sure it is. I have a brother named Biscuit and a younger sister named Cupcake. My mom liked to bake." Cookie smiled bigger.

"I didn't mean any offense." Vivian said earnestly.

"None taken Ms. Walsh. Marco says you're looking for the owner of the classic Jag in the parking garage across the street."

"Do you know him?"

"Naaa, but I've seen him. Just a kid really, I bet he isn't even twenty-one."

Vivian produced a small photo that DI had given her. "This him?"

Cookie nodded, "Yeah, that's him. Good looking kid. He dropped off the car about a week ago, gave the manager a bunch of money to take extra good care of it. He was picked up by a big black car."

"Did you recognize the big black car?" Vivian asked impressed so far.

"Oh sure, it was one of Crane's cars."

Vivian nodded as Cookie confirmed what Marco had told her about who Jacob was meeting with in his neighborhood. "Does Crane frequent this area?"

Cookie laughed, "Crane frequents everywhere."

Marco nodded his agreement of the statement.

Vivian thought for a moment. Then put a question up for debate. "Why would I stash a classic Jag that belongs to my mother in a city parking lot and pay the attendant extra to do a job he should do anyway?"

"Cause you don't want mom to be pissed at you if it gets stolen?" Marco threw out.

"Maybe. But I don't think this kid cares about that. He took the car weeks ago and not even a phone call to mom to say he and the car are okay. Why did he need the car? He's stolen enough cash from his dad to buy a dozen Jags with money left over."

Cookie tilted her head. "His mom clean?"

Vivian blinked, "She's not in any trouble I know of."

"Has she pissed the kid off someway and he's planning some revenge?" Marco asked.

"Possible. But again I don't think so, she would have mentioned that I think." Vivian ran her fingers through her hair, "I know the grandmother doesn't much like the kid's mom."

"This kid is into something bad if he's hooked up with Crane." Marco said then looked at the two women next to him. "Maybe he needed a clean car. Maybe he needed a car that if someone checks doesn't come back to him, doesn't come up dirty, and won't be reported stolen because mom wouldn't do that to her son."

"Okay all that sounds good. But why ?" Vivian questioned.

The three sat silent at the bar until Cookie gasped, causing her conversation mates to turn tired eyes toward her.

"Maybe he has something stashed in the car. The extra money to the attendant guarantees that he doesn't go snooping and insures nothing happens to the car!"

Marco shrugged. "I can get into that car if you like and see if something is stashed there." He offered with a little gleam in his eye.

"Oh can I help?" Cookie asked.

"I don't think so you guys."

"Aw, come on Ms. Walsh, it would be fun. Don't you want to know? We've been watching that car all fucking day. Let's go see what the kid is hiding." Marco pushed.

Vivian sat silent for a moment considering her options. Information was power. If the car did have something stashed inside, it was better to know. Was it prudent to let a drug dealing thug and a hooker help her? Maybe not, but that was what she had at the moment. If life had taught her anything it was that you had to work with what was given to you. She sighed and slipped off her barstool. "Okay." Marco and Cookie whooped like children headed for recess. Vivian held up her finger, "But we do it my way. No arguing." Her comrades nodded their understanding. "Fine, lets see what the kid is hiding."

CHAPTER NINE

VIVIAN WALSH DID not have a lot of experience breaking into cars. She didn't have a lot of experience breaking into anything. Marco had assured her she didn't need to know how since he did. Cookie was distracting the attendant while Marco showed Vivian the finer points of getting into a locked car with an alarm. She was literally holding her breath as Marco lifted the door handle and not even a beep erupted from under the hood.

Marco smirked as he slid into the driver's seat. "Piece of cake."

Vivian rolled her eyes, "Just open the damn trunk." She rubbed her hands together, her feet and legs were in constant motion. It was cold in the concrete parking structure. The only consolation was the wind wasn't blowing at thirty miles an hour inside as opposed to outside.

"Hold on." Marco implored as he fumbled under the dash a bit. The car rumbled to life suddenly. "Get in!"

Vivian threw her hands up, "We can't steal it!"

"Why the hell not! The brat stole it first!" Marco shut his door and gunned the engine.

"Shit, shit, shit!" Vivian ran back around the car to the passenger side. Marco had pushed the door open for her from the inside. She pulled the door shut as Marco backed out of the parking space. Leaning over and hooking her seat belt, she hissed "The brat had keys and the permission of the owner! Asshole!"

Marco shrugged, "Schematics."

Vivian growled. "Why didn't you just pop the damn trunk?"

"Cause this model doesn't have one of those nifty buttons in the glove box. I'm going to need more time than Cookie could buy us to work my magic on the trunk." Marco checked his mirrors, adjusting them before he exited the parking garage. He honked the horn twice at Cookie who conveniently raised the fiberglass arm at the exit just in time for the Jag to slip through smoothly. The angry attendant chased after them for a few yards knowing full well he had little chance of catching the car.

Marco didn't drive far. The heater in the car didn't even have time to warm up before they were pulling into another parking garage. Only this one had an automatic door that slid up on Marco's press of a button on a small remote hanging around his neck. Vivian raised an eyebrow in the man's direction. "Hide-out?"

"Something like that." Marco commented, pulling into the dark space. As they moved further inside, the car's headlights revealed glimpses of the interior.Llight abruptly flooded the garage, causing Vivian to squint a bit. As her eyes widened, she gasped. "Oh wow."

The heart of the garage was completely furnished. See through walls separated rooms. There were carpets on the floor and art hanging in mid air from wires suspended above. It looked like a large maze of rooms that reached three levels high. If Vivian thought she had the energy she would have liked to explore the whole place. As it was though, all she really wanted was to snuggle into the warming leather of the car and sleep.

Marco smiled to himself. "This won't take long."

Vivian placed her hand on his arm before he could exit the car. "Is there a warm place to sleep?"

"Two bedrooms; The Box has central heat and air."

Vivian thought for a moment. She was one up on Quin; She had the car. Literally. Even though she felt like she was possibly using Marco beyond her initial purposes, she couldn't help but demand some down time to recharge. "I want to sleep."

Marco looked out the car's window at his home. His broad shoulders moved up and down in his signature shrug. "Sure, follow me. Some artsy guy built this place, but got in over his head to me so I took it in trade. Makes a nice hideout as you said."

Vivian nodded as she followed. Who ever the artsy guy was he sure had a knack for design. The place would probably have sold for more than he owed the drug dealer, but drugs tended to make one stupid.

Twenty minutes later Vivian was snuggling into a warm soft bed. She was clean and her clothes were being washed. Marco had loaned her a set of pajamas and some clean warm socks. Her eyes drifted shut as Marco promised to wake her in a few hours.

Brandon Crane was in fear that his life would soon be over. He had tried to answer all the woman's questions but she just wasn't satisfied. His wrists and ankles were raw from straining against his bonds and his bruises had bruises. Only one thing was clear at the moment; Quin McKee wasn't finished yet.

Quin stared at herself in the mirror of the small bathroom that was connected to where Crane laid.

She was slipping. She could feel it. Everything was beginning to churn inside. The information Crane had supplied was surreal. It was as if the suffering she had endured the last three years of her life was orchestrated by this mystery woman.

Grace.

Quin's heart raced at the mere thought of her name. It seemed she and Grace weren't finished yet. Grace was purposely murdered by Franklin . This was a fact. She'd thought she had the reason why two weeks ago. She was wrong.

Grace was purposely murdered.

Not because she was onto Franklin 's operation. Not because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. No. Grace was murdered because it would cause Quin pain. This realization nearly undid the brunette. It nearly killed Crane.

Quin studied her own face. She looked as deranged as she felt. "What to do with Crane?" Was the question she now asked her reflection. Crane was her connection to the mystery woman. She needed him alive. She also needed his cooperation. Crane would have to go with her.

Jacob was a whole different task now. Jacob was her second connection to the mystery woman. Jacob was dirty and hooked on what he was selling. Jacob was a liability.

Michael and Di were going to be crushed. Quin decided she could take care of the IRS for her brother, it wasn't an insurmountable amount of money. In doing so she would clear his name. There was something more going on with this entire drama; Quin just couldn't put her finger on it.

Vivian. Quin's head dropped to her chest and her eyes closed as she conjured up the image of the blonde in her mind. She wondered what Vivian was up to.

DAY NINE

Vivian swatted at the persistent hand pushing on her shoulder. "Go away." The resulting giggle made her crack an eye.

"Marco has the trunk open. He says you need to come and take a look." Cookie said through a friendly smile.

Vivian rolled onto her back and stretched, then sat up on the edge of the bed. "Why didn't he come up here and get me?"

Cookie giggled again, "He's afraid you'll hit him."

Vivian rolled her eyes and stood. "Okay." She slipped on her borrowed house shoes and followed the brunette from the room. Out in the hall, Vivian could look through the glass wall to the warehouse floor below and see Marco staring into the car's trunk. His hands alternated between the top of his head and his hips. Descending the stairs, She walked out the entrance of the 'box' and came to a stop next to him. "What is it?" She asked, nudging aside the drug dealer.

"Heroin. And lots of it." Marco stated. "I'd say a few hundred million in street sales if it were cut properly." He reached out and ran his fingers over a brick. "I've never seen so much in one place before." He looked over at the blonde, "And I've seen my share."

Vivian reached up and slammed the trunk closed. "FUCK!" She paced away from the car then back again. "I have a fucking stolen car with a fuck load of smack in the trunk! And a missing nineteen year old kid who is in serious fucking trouble when I get a hold of him!" She pointed a finger at Marco. "Don't get any smart fucked up ideas, asshole." She warned. Marco held up his hands and backed away from the car.

Cookie softly spoke up from behind the duo. "What now?"

Vivian pulled at her hair with both hands comma thinking. "I need to find Quin." She said as she began to pace. "I need to calm the fuck down." She stopped in her tracks, looking at Marco. "You." She pointed again at the drug dealer who looked like he was ready to bolt. "You know where to find her." She stated factually, willing it to be true.

Marco shook his head, "I don't have a clue, she finds me. That's the way it has always worked."

The blonde's pointing finger dissolved into a fist. "Damn it all to HELL!"

Marco watched the blonde closely as she paced the polished concrete floor. He could feel the energy roll off the woman and was a bit concerned that if she blew he might be the target of her anger. He glanced at Cookie, who also was watching the blonde, and let out a little 'psst' to gain the brunette's attention. Cookie looked at the drug dealer and simply shook her head. It seemed they were both at a loss as to what to do next.

Vivian stopped her pacing and stared at the car for a long moment. The car needed to stay put. She glanced over at Marco. Since their alley confrontation he had been very cooperative. But a car stuffed full of heroin might be enough to end their odd partnership. She opened the driver's side door, leaned in and pulled the hood release. Vivian eased up the hood and scanned the engine. A grim smile crossed her lips as she reached in and yanked back the distributor cap. Another yank and she had the sparkplug wires too.

"Why the fuck did you do that?" Marco fumed as he rushed up to the car.

"I did that because I don't want this car going anywhere without me knowing it. And don't think you can just take the crap from the trunk. I will find you and when I do, it won't be pretty." She studied the bruised face in front of her and sighed. "Sorry about your nose."

Marco's eyes widened. "Ya' wanna know what I think Ms. Walsh? I think you've lost it!" He threw up his hands and stalked into the Box.

Vivian watched him go, the distributor cap dangling from her hand.

Cookie shook her head. "There's a lot of bad Karma here. I need to meditate." She too entered the Box.

Vivian sat down cross legged on the cold concrete floor looking at the car. If this was what Quin's life was like on a regular basis she wondered how her lover stayed sane. How the hell was she going to find Quinlan McKee? How does one find someone who doesn't want to be found and is damn good at it?

Quin dragged Crane up the steps of her Lakeview home. The man had been given the rules and warned if he broke any of them the consequences would be dire. She left him standing in the entry way while she bolted the door and set the alarm. If Crane tried to leave she would know. "You have the run of the house. The guest bedroom and bath are at the top of the stairs to the left. Clean up. I need you to contact your partner. We're going to have a little meeting." She instructed as she disappeared down the hall.

Crane looked up the stairs and sighed. He was in a world of deep, deep shit. He had little doubt that McKee would kill him. The woman was obviously walking a fine edge, and he didn't want to be the one to push her over. He took the steps slowly, his entire body aching. He wondered how someone so small could inflict so much pain. Crane decided he would do as he was told. There had to be a small chance he would come out of this alive if he could just keep McKee happy.

Quin settled at the kitchen counter and retrieved the cordless phone from its caddy. She had favors to call in; There was a huge score to settle and she needed the wrong kind of help to do it. By the time this was over she probably wouldn't be able to step foot in Chicago again. Just as well, she thought, I don't even want to be here anymore. She thumbed through her address book.

The PI had been planning a break from Chicago for several weeks. She had intended this trip to be final. Quin had asked and her Grams had agreed to come to Los Angeles with her to live. She had also prepared a resignation from Sentinel, leaving her shares evenly distributed among her fellow owners. She didn't even consider asking for a pay out. Quin had plenty of money. Her investments paid well and there was no need to be greedy. There was the untouched inheritance from her Grandfather to deal with. She had decided the money would be evenly divided among her brothers, sister and father. Respecting her Grandfather's wishes, Clara would get nothing.

She wondered about her father. He was nearly invisible over the last few years, spending most of his time in Brazil working on his import company. She and her siblings wondered if their father had had enough of Clara and was seeking to separate from her. Quin's relationship with her father was only marginally better than her relationship with her mother. Perhaps things could be better between them if her mother was not controlling her father.

She ran her finger down the names listed in her book. She stopped on one and picked up the phone.

Vivian was dressed once again and ready to go. She decided she would take Marco and have him show her some of the places he would meet with McKee when they conducted business. It was her only plan at the moment. She searched the Box for the drug dealer but came up empty handed. She found Cookie having a smoke beside the partially opened warehouse door. The afternoon sun was painting the city in purple and orange shadows. A wedge of red-gold light cut across the polished floor. Vivian cleared her throat as she approached the woman. "Have you seen Marco?"

Cookie turned her head a bit to look at the blonde, "He got a call and left about an hour ago while you were in the shower."

Vivian's lips thinned. "Any idea from who?"

"McKee."

Vivian's shoulders dropped. She fell silent.

Cookie smirked. "They're meeting at a club in mid-town. I know the place."

Vivian's eyes went wide as a smile broke on her lips. She grabbed the brunette by the shoulders and planted a wet kiss on her lips. "Marry me?"

Cookie blushed and slapped the tall blonde's arm. "Who are you kidding. I know what's up Ms. Walsh. If you want to find your girl I'll help you. I had my fingers crossed when Marco swore me to secrecy." She confessed.

Vivian planted another kiss on the woman's lips. "You're brilliant."

Quin woke up Crane a little after eleven pm. They had a little meeting to get to. While Crane had been sleeping the PI had been busy orchestrating the takeover of a lifetime. She had no problems finding willing and even eager participants. It seemed that Brandon Crane and his silent partner had stepped on more than just a few toes on their way to the top. Including Crane in the takedown of his own organization was the cherry on top.

She hustled a mostly cooperative Crane to her truck. "One rule for you. Do as I say."

Crane nodded and fastened his seat belt. The trip to the club was short. It had started to snow again and most sane people were home. Warm in their houses with their families, Quin thought as she pulled the truck into a back lot to park. Vivian. Quin hadn't a clue what to say to the woman when she next saw her. She knew one thing for sure, There were going to be consequences for her actions. She just hoped for the best.

Crane followed obediently as Quin flashed her membership card to the doorman. She led him through the crowded club to a table just off the stage. Already seated at the table were Marco, sporting two huge shiners and a swollen nose, a tall slender black man named Horatio Macks, and a blonde woman called simply Ms. Smith. Quin pushed Crane into a chair and took a seat for herself.

"Brandon Crane, meet your demise." Quin waved to the group. Crane tried to stand and bolt but was quickly put back in his chair by the small brunette. "What happened to you?" Quin asked Marco as she took a pair of handcuffs from her jacket pocket and connected one end to the table leg and the other to Crane's wrist.

"Ms. Walsh happened to me." Marco replied as he retook his seat. "And she's coming for you next."

Quin frowned. "Vivian Walsh beat you up?" It seemed so unfathomable.

"Oh yeah." Marco drawled, "In an alley on my own damn street. She has a way of making a point."

As she thought about the trouble she was in, Quin patted Crane's head. "Don't go anywhere." Crane jerked his wrist and growled. "Good boy." Quin complimented. "Now, to the business at hand. You all know our objective, any suggestions?" She smiled and looked around the table. Horatio was the first to speak. It was going to be a long night.

Cookie tilted her head up at the brawny man who was refusing them entrance into the members only club. Vivian wished she had a gun, the undeniable membership card for clubs like this. Cookie tugged on her sleeve and guided her around the corner from the front door of the establishment.

"We can get in the dancer's entrance. But the only way to get into the main room from there is the stage."

Vivian threw her hands up. "So what do I have to do? Strip?"

Cookie rocked back and forth on her heels and smiled.

"No fucking way. I made a promise to myself a long time ago that I would never do anything degrading." Again. Vivian shook her head and crossed her arms.

Cookie lost her smile. "You don't have that many choices. Its cold out, and waiting could get long. If it were me, I'd suck it up and dance. It'll certainly get her attention."

Vivian huffed. snow was falling steadily and she was once again chilled to the bone. "We're sure she's in there?" She asked hoping for an alternative.

"I'm sure. McKee is punctual if anything."

Vivian's blond head slumped to her chest. "Okay. Lead the way. I can't fucking believe I'm going to do this."

Brandon Crane fumed in his chair. The table's four occupants were well on their way to planning his downfall. The one called Marco and the black man were on their cell phones organizing God only knew what, while McKee and Ms. Smith had their heads together discussing a proper location for a meeting. Brandon closed his eyes and shook his head. He was so screwed. He cursed the day Jacob O'Malley entered his life.

Quin listened to the blonde Ms. Smith as she described the layout of an abandoned river front warehouse. It fit the needs of the operation;. Secluded and only one way in or out. Marco and Horatio were busy making trouble for Crane via the nameless rabble of thugs in their employ. By dawn it would be obvious something was terribly wrong with the Chicago crime machine. Quin smiled to her self herself. She was finally going to get her revenge for Grace's murder. A familiar saxophone ripped through the smoky air of the club. Focused on the task at hand, Quin hadn't given the stage a second look all night, but it was hard to ignore Etta James. She had to squint a bit to filter out some of the stage lighting but was stunned to see a familiar form revealing far too much flesh. Quin was on the move as the dancer bent over giving a good view of her soft curvy rear comma and reached her just before sixty plus perverts got a good look at Vivian Walsh's exquisite breasts. Quin covered Vivian with her coat and rushed the blonde off the stage and into the narrow hall behind the platform.

Pressing Vivian against the wall backstage, Quin growled "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

CHAPTER TEN

VIVIAN SAT AT the table as Quin introduced her. She scowled at Marco, silently vowing some kind of retribution for him leaving her behind at the warehouse. "How's the nose?" She questioned with a sneer. The well dressed black man beside the drug dealer snorted.

"It's an improvement." He slapped Marco hard on the back.

The slender blonde on the other side of Quin smirked then extended her hand toward Vivian, "An honor to meet the woman who finally put him in his place. I'm Ms. Smith."

Vivian accepted the hand and shook it firmly. "Nice to meet you." Out of the corner of her eye she spotted some kind of silent exchange between Marco and the handcuffed man she had yet to meet. She jerked her head all the way to the right and frowned, "And who are you?" She questioned the handcuffed man.

Quin leaned forward, "Brandon Crane," she supplied.

"Oh really?" Vivian smiled evilly and leaned closer to the man, "I have a car you might be interested in."

Marco cringed as the rest of the table's occupants became excited at this news. Quin banged the table surface with the flat of her hand, causing empty and full glasses to jump and tip. "Shut up!" She fixed those making the outburst with a stony glare. Quin cocked her head at Vivian, "You have the Jag?" A smile that would tame the devil was her answer.

"I can't believe my dear friend Marco didn't tell you." The blonde looked at the drug dealer, "Unless he has some kind of fucked up idea about the contents of the trunk."

Marco huffed and crossed his arms. "Bitch."

Vivian launched across the table knocking over any glasses that survived Quin's pounding. Her fist caught Marco square in the chin. Quin pulled her back into a chair and looked at her, concerned. "I'm okay." The blonde pulled at her sweater, straightening it. "I'm okay." She repeated.

Quin didn't let go of Vivian's arm right away. There was a lot of tension in the muscles under her hand; The woman nearly radiated with energy. Quin dipped her head and spoke softly to her lover, "Hey. Its alright." Dark blue orbs turned toward her and blinked.

Vivian studied the face of Quin McKee for a long moment, and wondered if it would be too cliché to drag the smaller woman off to the bathroom for a fast and heated toss. She felt like she just needed to have some kind of personal contact with Quin and soon. "I'm okay." She repeated again softly letting her voice drop a bit lower. "I'm tired of this particular game Quin McKee."

Marco was being checked over by his comrades. Horatio waved off Quin's silent question of concern and sat back in his chair. If this was McKee's new lover they were certainly a pair to be dealt with. He made a mental note that if it came down to it he preferred to handle them separately. He glanced at the drug dealer who was rubbing his quickly bruising chin and dabbing at his fat and bloody lip with a paper napkin. Definitely a divide and conquer situation with these two, he thought as he held up a spent glass of whiskey for a refill.

Marco mumbled around the loose teeth in his mouth and nursed his lip. How the blonde had gotten the drop on him twice was beyond him. It certainly wouldn't happen again. The sooner this whole deal was over the sooner he could get even with the woman.

"We're done here tonight. Marco and Crane, come with me." Quin let go of Vivian's arm and stood. "I'll talk to you two tomorrow morning," the brunette nodded toward Horatio and Ms. Smith. Her words were clipped and strained. "Get going." She stepped around Vivian and unlocked the cuffed man while whispering in his ear.

Vivian watched as Crane paled and nodded. He held his hand out in front of him. Marco didn't know what was happening until the cuff was around his wrist attaching him to Crane.

"What the fuck?" Marco jerked his arm causing the short link of chain to tighten and Crane to groan in pain as his much abused wrist was jerked forward.

Quin grabbed the cuffs in the middle and pulled them roughly toward her and down. "I don't like being lied to Marco."

The man looked to disagree but seemed to think better of it as a low growl came from the blonde behind McKee's shoulder. "I'm cool." He held up his hand, "Take it off."

Quin jerked the chain back down. "No." She turned her back to the two men and looked at her lover, "I have a place not far from here, will you come with me?" She wasn't going to assume anything at the moment.

Vivian knew in her heart that she wanted to be with the brunette despite the last nine days. There was no hesitation. "Yes."

Quin's mouth quivered into a smile as she sighed with relief. She turned back to the two men and explained the rules for the evening. Their protests died quickly as the PI elaborated on the consequences of not behaving when they got to her house, she pulled on the chain causing the men to follow. Now all she had to do was convince the blonde she was truly sorry. Quin frowned. Just how on earth am I going to apologize for all this crap? She thought as she found Vivian's hand, squeezing it gently and inwardly rejoicing as that little squeeze was returned. She guided the group out of the club into the cool night air.

Marco kicked at the closed bedroom door and banged upon it with his un-tethered fist. "You suck McKee!" he yelled at the door.

"Would you calm down." Crane jerked on his end of the cuffs.

"Shut up faggot." Marco seethed then gave the solid door one more kick. He turned to survey the room. A double bed took up most of the space. A small wooden dresser was beside the door and another door was opened so he could just make out the porcelain toilet of the bathroom. There was a second closed door that he assumed was a closet. Marco sighed.

"Let's make the best of it." Crane suggested.

Marco growled and held up his index finger and leveled it at the smaller man. "Do not even think about touching me in any way." He pulled the man with him to the bed. "Stay on your side. I'll stay on mine."

Crane slid onto the bed from the foot of it on his back. He arranged the pillow under his head. "She'll come for us tonight." He said then yawned.

"I know." Marco replied as he placed his pillow between himself and crane, Then bent his arm under his head. There wasn't anything else to say, Tomorrow would come regardless of anything they did tonight. Rest was the best course of action. He let out a long yawn.

Quin paced the room. Vivian watched her go the seven paces between the door and the wall. The blonde was reclining on the bed dressed in a pair boxers and t-shirt, her head propped up on the palm of her hand. Quin would stop and look at her every so often as if she was going to say something. Vivian let her head drop on the bed and rolled onto her back. "Quin, just come over here and say whatever it is you want to say."

The brunette stopped and turned toward the bed. "Are you sure?"

Vivian's head turned just enough to look at the PI. "I'm positive. You're making me dizzy."

Quin rolled her eyes and moved to the bed. She flopped down turning on her side so she was facing her lover. "I'm sorry."

"Okay." Vivian replied.

Quin raised her eyebrows. "Is that it?"

Vivian mimicked Quin's raised eyebrows, "Do you really want me to elaborate?" A slow nod answered her. "Okay. Let me recap my week for you. Your mother is a mean asshole. You left me. I'm cold. Driving in the snow sucks. Sally Usher and I are going to have words. Your brother Michael is a real piece of work. I stole a car full of heroin. I beat up a drug dealer. My hand hurts. I really hate drug dealers. I chased you all over this damn city. I can't get warm. You fucking left me! And I'll tell you one more thing. I am leaving to go back to LA after this little adventure is over."

Quin blinked as she processed Vivian's litany. "By yourself?"

"That's up to you. I'm not some little fragile flower that needs protecting and I thought we had agreed that we were going to try the together thing. I might have misunderstood, but I'm pretty sure we had an understanding."

"I should have confided in you." Quin stated.

"And?"

"Given you a choice?" The brunette answered uncertainly.

Vivian sat up and slapped her hands flat against the mattress. "YES!"

Quin pulled back a little not sure what Vivian's next action would be.

"For the love of Pete, Quinlan McKee! I knew you could learn." Vivian smiled over at the brunette. "So lets recap shall we? We're a partnership. We decide things together."

Quin's dark head nodded quickly up and down.

Vivian turned on her side as she sank back down to the mattress. "Now. Tell me everything you know."

"Jacob is missing. He took his mother's car about two weeks ago and hasn't been seen or heard from since. He also took checks from his father's business that he cashed in various amounts totaling nearly two million dollars." Quin took a deep breath and started again. "I traced him to Brandon Crane."

"The guy handcuffed to Marco." Vivian stated as fact.

"Yes. He's into everything in this town, prostitution, drugs, gambling. There's not a vice that Crane isn't involved with."

"How did Jacob get involved with Crane?"

Quin shrugged her shoulders, "Some third party mystery woman who is a silent partner of Crane's. She hooked Jacob and Crane up in Los Angeles . She also hooked Crane up with Franklin ." The PI fell silent.

"Franklin ?" Vivian's head tilted.

"Franklin was Crane's hookup in the department."

"Wait. Franklin was on Crane's payroll?" Vivian began to wonder just how dirty Franklin was.

"No. The mystery woman's. Franklin belonged to her it seemed, before Crane even decided to venture west."

The blonde sat up on the side of the bed with her back to Quin. " Franklin killed Grace, Crane was under Franklin 's protection. Your nephew is involved with Crane." Vivian listed her facts aloud trying to make sense of it all. She looked down at her hand and ticked off fingers with her thumb starting with her pinky. "The mystery woman has a connection to Franklin, Crane, and Jacob." Her thumb hovered over her index finger. "Grace was onto Franklin ." Her thumb touched down to meet the tip of her finger.

"Crane told me his partner was worried about Grace, seems that Grace was onto the mystery woman." Quin added quietly.

Vivian turned around and crossed her legs underneath her, "So Franklin killed Grace."

There was a long silence between the two women.

"Shit." Vivian finally said running her hands through her long blonde hair. "Shit."

Quin rolled onto her back. Tucking her arms under her head. "Yeah."

"There's a lot of drugs in that car Quin.- Million's worth. This woman isn't playing games." Vivian stretched out beside Quin and laid her head on the brunette's chest.

"Where is the car?"

"Cookie has it."

"Southside Cookie?" Quin questioned.

"Hooker, short, brunette, feisty?"

Quin smiled, "That's Cookie. You can trust her."

"She has my cell phone. We just have to call her." Vivian yawned and snuggled closer to the brunette.

Quin was making plans in her he as she wrapped one arm around Vivian and made slow circles on her back. "We'll arrange the meeting in the morning, and use the car as bait."

"I don't trust Marco." Vivian mumbled.

"I know. But he's what we have."

"Don't like him." Vivian added.

"Sleep Viv. Tomorrow you can hit him again."

"Promise?"

Quin chuckled. "I promise."

Vivian thought she was dreaming. She fought to end the dream and wake up, her eyes struggling to open in the darkness. A faint red glow engulfed her. Trying to move her arms and legs, Vivian found them tethered together and behind her; she was hog tied. Darkness came again as she rocked backwards, and It was then she realized she was in a car trunk. Vivian tried to figure out how she got into this predicament.

She went to bed with Quin, that much She remembered clearly. Vivian recalled their conversation and snuggling up to the PI before drifting to sleep. That was it. She closed her eyes and thought hard on it but nothing was clear. Then she became angry. Vivian drew in a deep breath and screamed. It didn't take long for the car to slow to a stop. She heard mumbled cursing and a car door slam. Blackness descended upon her just seconds after the trunk lid opened and a large fist connected with her head.

Quin could hear her cell phone ringing nearby somewhere. Her head throbbed as she fought to open her eyes. She blindly reached for the phone from her position on the floor at the foot of the bed. The small phone scooted out of her reach as her finger tips just brushed it sending it further across the wooden floor of the bedroom. The ringing ended for a moment. Quin basked in the welcome silence as she took stock of herself. Besides the pain in her skull she had a dull throbbing in her injured shoulder. Her legs felt like lead and her feet tingled. Someone had whacked her good on the back of her head. She couldn't sense anyone else in the room with her and that was alarming since Vivian should be here with her.

Her cell phone rang again. She groaned as she rolled over and grabbed it. She opened it and pressed it to her ear. "McKee." She hissed.

"Are you missing something?" The voice asked on the other end of the phone.

"You're a dead man Crane." Quin quickly looked at her cell's phone display for any information about the number Crane was calling from. The word 'PRIVATE' scorned her. She placed the phone back to her ear.

"I don't think you should be threatening me McKee. Here's the deal. The car for the slut."

McKee closed her eyes. "When and where."

"I'll call you back." The line went dead.

The PI rolled to her stomach and pushed herself up to a standing position. Her head felt fuzzy and she fought the urge to vomit. Quin took several deep breaths while she probed the back of her head. She sat on the side of the bed and rested her head in her hands.

"Vivian." The blonde's name was a mere whisper from her lips. She picked up the cordless phone from the night stand and dialed a number from memory. The line rang busy. She hung up and tried another number.

Busy.

She tried four more numbers. Three were all busy, one was disconnected. She threw the phone down. It slid across the hardwood floor and slammed into the wall. Quin stood and paced. The battered phone blared its off the hook tone as she walked from the door to the window and back again. She stopped and stared out the window, The sun was just beginning to rise. The sky was clear and brightening from a dark purple to a turquoise blue. Quin spun and retrieved the phone, resetting the dial tone. She dialed another number. Holding her breath as she waited to see if it would ring; She exhaled as it did.

"Schmek." The cop's gruff voice answered.

"I need help." McKee stated as clearly as she could to the man on the other end of the line.

Vivian came to consciousness slowly, taking inventory of herself. Her hands were cuffed behind her back. If possible, she would have placed her hands between her legs, where she knew she would have found blood and semen, and tried to wipe away the evidence of the assault. She jerked as a hand caressed her head in comfort. It was then she realized her head rested on someone's lap.

"Vivian?"

The blondes eye's fluttered open at the sound of Di's soft voice. "Where am I?"

"We're not sure." Di answered.

Vivian moved her shoulders and whimpered in pain. "Fucking Marco." She hissed between clenched teeth. Then she thought about what Di had said. "Who is we?" She questioned.

She moved her head a little to see Michael sitting against the wall opposite them, he gave her a thin smile and a small wave.

"Welcome back." He said softly, looking at his hands. "I'm sorry about…"

Vivian's eyes closed. "I'm sure there wasn't anything you could do." She took note of his state of dress. A sleeveless t-shirt and dress slacks. She looked down at the light blue dress shirt that was draped over her. "Thanks for the shirt."

Michael nodded.

"Vivian, they want to know where the car is." Di said, while still stroking the blonde head in her lap.

Vivian shifted a little. "I don't know where it is."

The door to the small room slammed open. Michael jumped to his feet and charged the large man who entered. He was soon subdued by two more men who were both twice his size. The first man pointed at Vivian. "The boss lady is ready to talk to you." He took two steps forward and pulled the blonde up by her arm, she had little choice but to follow. Michael's shirt fluttered to the floor as she was dragged naked from the room.

Vivian did her best to keep up with her handler. The floor was ice cold and her bare feet ached with numbness as she slipped in puddles of unknown fluid. She could feel the sticky mess between her legs as she walked, and Bile rose in her throat as she dry heaved. The man didn't even miss a beat as he continued to drag her down the dark hall.

They rounded a corner into a large room. She was thrown into a circle of light with two chairs facing each other. Collapsing into one of the chairs. Her handcuffs were unfastened.

"Cover her up for Christ's sake."

Vivian froze at the sound of the voice. She'd heard it before, briefly, a few moments over a week ago. There was no denying who it belonged to. A rough wool blanket was thrown at her and she quickly drew it around herself.

"Now Ms. Walsh, let us talk about where my merchandise has gotten off to."

CHAPTER ELEVEN

QUIN LET HER assistant fuss over her weaponry one last time before slapping her insistent hands away. "I think I have enough of everything Sally." She said as she adjusted the twin shoulder holsters and practiced a double draw. She spun the guns in her hands and reset them in their holsters. She reached back and patted her trusty .45 in the middle of her back, then checked the clips on the shoulder holsters one last time before pulling on a black cotton jacket. She tapped her feet to settle the twin knives that were snug in each steel toed boot.

"You can never have enough. This is Crane and some bitch of a mystery woman, who might very well have had Grace murdered. I don't think you can be armed enough for this situation." Sally held up a thin switchblade. Quin frowned and took it.

"Have my jet ready right?" The brunette reviewed her plans. "I want out of this city with Vivian as soon as possible. Gram's is ready to go." Quin fussed with the zipper on the jacket. Her hands shook too much for her to manage the connection.

Sally sighed and took Quin's hands in her own. "Vivian is going to be fine. She's a smart woman." The redhead gave McKee's hands a squeeze then picked up the jacket ends. "She has a degree in Psychology. Did you know that?" Sally didn't look up for the PI's reaction. She knew those dark eyebrows rose in surprise. "A big fat PhD. She paid for it herself working three jobs." Sally managed to get the stubborn metal bits to fit together and pulled the zipper closed. She looked up into soft gray eyes. "Vivian is a strong capable woman who has been taking care of herself for a long time. She's going to come through this in one piece." Sally took hold of Quin's solid shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze, "You are going to come through this in one piece."

Quin pressed her lips together and nodded. She leaned over and grabbed up a small duffel bag. "You have all the paper work sorted and ready for delivery?"

"Everything is settled Quin." Sally extended her hand and cupped Quin's face, "I'm proud of you."

Quin had no words at that moment. She suddenly felt ten feet tall. "I'll miss you."

Sally thumped the brunette's arm with a loose fist. "No you won't. I'm coming to visit! I've always wanted to see California . Now get going. You have a girl to rescue."

McKee took a deep breath and turned. She walked through the door without looking back. It was game time.

"A cup of tea?" Clara O'Malley asked Vivian as she crossed her legs and sipped at her own cup of hot tea.

Vivian blinked. "No."

"I'm sorry for your trouble. I did not authorize such action against you."

"My abduction or the rape?" Vivian questioned bitterly.

Clara lowered her cup and tilted her head. "The rape. The abduction is your own fault. You shouldn't have gotten involved. I want that car."

"I don't know where it is."

"I don't believe you." Clara nodded once.

Vivian's head snapped to the left from the blow delivered by the man who had dragged her from the room.

"Not quite so hard next time Frank. I don't want to lose her before we have my answers."

Vivian blinked her eyes which had blurred. She reflexively lifted one of her hands to her face and probed her jaw. Her fingers became coated in her own blood trickling from her lip. One finger slipped inside her mouth and tested a few of the teeth on that side. She wasn't too surprised to find a few jarred loose. She lowered her hand and glowered at the big man as her tongue ran across her loose teeth.

"Once again. The car."

"I left it at Marco's." Vivian decided that some truth wouldn't hurt.

"Yes. Marco has said as much." Clara sipped her tea.

Vivian took a moment to think. "Why the kid?"

"My son's mistake?" Clara asked calmly. "Well you see, Michael has decided he wants to go against me. He decided that he couldn't give up his nigger bitch. I don't tolerate dissension. What better way to punish him but to destroy his little make believe family."

"He's your son."

"He's a traitor." Clara threw back her truth of the matter. "The boy was happy to help his grandmother. Eager even. The fact he was so easily hooked was icing on the cake. That child became mine. Too bad he won't make it back from Detroit ."

Vivian bolted from the chair only to be put back into it forcefully. "You're fucked up lady."

Clara shrugged. "It's business." Another calm sip of tea. "Where is the whore, Cookie?"

"I don't know." Vivian steeled herself for the blow. She watched as the older woman's head moved up and down. This time she was ready and rolled her head with the punch. It still hurt but caused much less damage. She checked her teeth with her tongue finding no new teeth rattling. "Marco has her number."

"Oh really?" Clara threw her head to the side.

Vivian heard a commotion off to her left. Soon a much battered Marco was thrown on the floor between the two seated women. His head was jerked up to look at Clara who addressed Vivian.

"Punishment for your violation my dear. If you continue to cooperate I'll let you finish him off."

Vivian's lip curled in disgust. "You're insane right?"

"To the contrary. I'm quite sane. Don't equate the lack of compassion for a lack of sanity Ms. Walsh." Clara then directed her cool gaze at the man on the floor. "You have some information for me Marco. Information that you didn't share earlier as we agreed. Tell me how to contact the whore."

Marco spat a mouth full of blood out on the floor. "Give me a phone."

Quin sat in the passenger seat of Di's Jaguar, with Cookie behind the wheel. They were waiting. Cookie's incessant tapping on the steering wheel grated Quin's nerves. As the tempo-less beat continued, a low growl started in the pit of McKee's gut. Cookie was saved from Quin's frazzled patience by the ringing of one of the cell phones perched on the narrow dashboard. "That's mine." Cookie reached for the phone, but her hand was caught in a firm grip. "Remember our agreement." Quin warned.

Cookie nodded slowly as she was permitted to answer the ringing phone. She swallowed hard, glancing at the display. It was an unfamiliar number. She pressed the little green button, "Hello."

Quin held her breath. She had scouted the location Crane had given her and found it to be a bogus address. Feeling she had been sent on a fool's errand, the PI confirmed this when she had spotted the two cars tailing her. She lost the tails then found Cookie.

"I don't know, Marco, Ms. Walsh was pretty specific." Cookie looked at Quin. "Yeah, I know it." Cookie grabbed for the little notebook and pen that Quin had laid out and scrawled down an address. "You guarantee it? McKee will be out for blood. The whole town knows you double crossed her." Cookie had to pull the phone from her ear as Marco spouted off on the other end. She looked at the stone faced PI in the passenger seat as Marco's words hung in the air between them. She pressed the phone back to her ear. "I'll be there in twenty minutes, Marco." She quickly ended the call and looked at the brunette beside her. "I'm sure she's fine. Marco is all mouth, you know that." She tried to soothe the woman.

"He's a dead man." Quin pronounced without emotion.

Cookie started the car. "Do you know this place?" She asked, tossing the notebook into McKee's lap and pulling away from the curb. The warehouse was really only five minutes away. She thought McKee could use a little extra time to get everyone in place.

Quin looked at the address. She was pretty sure all the color drained from her face as she recognized the location. Her mind recalled the riverside warehouse where she learned what it was to kill. Where she learned her grandfather was a crook and where she found love. Now fate was taking her back to the place where she had lost her innocence. She was sure there would be more killing tonight. She retrieved her own phone and made her first call.

Clara O'Malley's mouth quirked into a slim, forced smile. "Now we'll wait." She tilted her head as she considered what to do about the woman across from her. She was no longer needed. Nor was her son and his lover. "Ms. Walsh, if you could have one last request, a last wish, what would it be?"

"For you to drop dead." Vivian said with a sweet smile.

Clara roared with laughter. "I can see why Quin is so taken with you." She stood and approached the seated woman. She slowly reached her hand out and brushed her thumb over the blonde's swollen lip. "You're a beautiful woman. Tell me, was Marco your first?"

Vivian went to grab the wrist of the older woman's hand but was restrained by the man who had punched her. She jerked her head away from the cold touch. "Does it matter?"

"No. I was curious. I thought we could chat while we wait for the car and for your Quin." Clara looked at the man holding the blonde's arms and gave him a silent command; he complied and tightened his grip. She replaced her hand on the blonde's cheek and caressed the smooth skin. Pushing aside the blanket, She let her hand trace down the graceful neck and delicate. "Tell me." her hand traveled lower to cup and caress the blonde's breast.

Vivian stilled her breathing as best as she could. She willed her body not to react to yet another violation. "No. Marco wasn't the first to rape me. My father had that honor." She wasn't sure what the game was now. She did know that if the car arrived with the drugs her life was over.

"Really." Clara breathed as her thumb played across a nipple several times before getting it to rise. She knew it was a purely physical reaction, yet it was exciting to know she was the cause. "Was he gentle, or rough.?"

"He was drunk." Vivian's head tilted back as Clara roughly pinched her nipple. "Why are you doing this?"

"I want you to tell Quin what I did. I want her to know that I touched what was hers."

"She's your daughter." The hand tormenting her breast suddenly lashed across her face in a hard slap.

Clara strode away. "She's many things but my daughter isn't one of them." The older woman refilled her cup with hot tea and sat again. "She's my father's daughter."

Vivian jerked her arms free from the man's vise-like grip. "You don't make sense."

"My father had fallen in love with one of his whores and she bore him a daughter. He brought the child to me to raise after the woman was killed by one of her johns. He paid me to keep his secret."

Vivian tried to make sense of what she was being told. "She's your sister?"

"Half. And my father's favorite. I exposed her for the pervert she was and he loved her more. I did everything that old man ever asked and he disowned me.

Vivian watched as the cool, collected woman became enraged.

"He protected her and coddled her. He loved her." The tea cup flew into the darkness of the warehouse. "HE LOVED HER AND NOT ME!" Clara screamed as she rose from her chair. She advanced on the seated blonde, who shrank back as an unbalanced Clara leaned over her. "I'll destroy her and all she loves and she'll know it was me." Clara grabbed Vivian's face in her hands and kissed her hard.

Vivian pushed the woman away and wiped her mouth. There was a loud pop and then a thud. The glint of a brass shell casing flashed in the bright circle of light. The bouncing casing hit the cold concrete floor with several 'tinks' before a shocked silence consumed the warehouse. Vivian could see one twitching foot of the man lying beside the chair. She looked up at Clara's stunned face and involuntarily smiled at the dark figure standing beside the older woman, calmly pressing the barrel of a semi-automatic to Clara's temple.

Quin held the gun head with a steady grip. "Do not move." A sound on her left was greeted with two quick shots from one of the 9mm's from under her arm. The resulting scream faded to moaning, then silence. Quin looked at her lover and mouthed a silent "Sorry." She moved away from Clara and pointed her gun into the darkness. "I want Marco!" She yelled into the void and took what seemed a blind, wild shot. Her warning salvo hit dangerously close to the toe of a man who wasn't quite ready to meet death.

There was a shuffling of feet then the sounds of someone on the receiving end of a flurry of punches. Silence; then a shaken, prone Marco slid into the circle of light. Quin leveled the 9mm at him and shot twice.

Vivian cringed and looked away as the rapist clutched his shattered, bleeding knees to his chest, agonized screams echoing through the warehouse.

Two short horn blasts accompanied the writhing man's cries. "Open the door!" Quin shouted to no one in particular.

A shaft of amber light flowed from the alley through the opening, and a blue-gray car rolled into view. headlights were dimmed as it came to a halt a few feet from the warehouse center.

Quin looked at the woman under the barrel of her .45. "I find myself relieved and elated."

"And who would have thought I would evoke those emotions." Clara stated with a slight smile.

Cookie emerged from the car. Quin nodded toward Vivian. "Get her in the car."

Vivian stood and wrapped the blanket a bit tighter around her. "Michael and Di are here." she said as Cookie helped her toward the car.

Quin pressed the barrel tighter against Clara's head. "Tell them to bring them to me."

Clara nodded her head. "Do it." she ordered the darkness. Quin had the same crazed look in her eyes she'd had three years ago after arriving from California . The older woman thought back then Quin was going off the deep end. Her mother had convinced Quin to seek help. "Feeling a little edgy dear sister?"

Quin tipped her head. Her gray eyes had narrowed to dark slits. "Are you sure you want to find out, big sister?"

"Franklin told me all about how Grace begged." Clara began. "I didn't know she was with child. It made it all that more personal, didn't it? The child being yours. That must have been awful for you."

"Shut up!" Quin exploded.

"Don't listen to her Quin." Vivian pleaded.

"You loved her. Yet you've replaced her so easily."

Quin's head spun a bit. "I haven't replaced her." She tightened her grip on the pistol.

"You have though. One whore for another."

"Don't call her that!" Quin stepped back and faced the woman. She held her arm out, the gun in her hand wavering slightly. "You didn't know her."

Clara laughed cruelly, "But I did. I owned her!"

Marco laughed from the floor.

"Shut up!" Quin's head was pounding now. "You killed her!" She yelled at the older woman. Her reality began to slip away.

"I couldn't pass it up." Clara dug in, enjoying the brunette's obvious pain. "I have always wanted you to suffer like I did, without love."

Vivian shook loose of Cookie's weak hold and approached her lover. She took a step back as the recently fired 9mm was pointed at her chest.

"Don't come any closer." Quin's hand began to shake. Her heart pounded in her ears.

Vivian held the rough blanket closed with one hand as she slowly extended the other. "Quin. Listen to me."

Michael and Di were brought into the light. Quin's eyes narrowed as she reached for some kind of recognition of all the people around her. Overcome, her breathing became erratic and her eyes closed. Memories flashed and shattered against her eyelids as Quin slipped into darkness.

Clara moved first as the brunette collapsed to the floor. She grabbed for the .45 that clattered across the concrete only to have her wrist pinned by a bare wet foot. Her fingers brushed the cool metal of the gun's muzzle.

Vivian had managed to get a grip on the 9mm before Clara could seize the .45. She held the gun against the older woman's back. "I'd absolutely love to pull this trigger." The blonde waved Michael and Di toward Cookie and the waiting car.

Clara twisted, staring down the black barrel. "You won't pull the trigger. You're not a killer." She stammered, panicked as she laid on the cold floor.

Vivian growled and kicked the .45 away from the prone woman. She then flinched as gun fire sounded just behind her and tiny shards of concrete ricocheted up from the floor nicking her face. Vivian spun around and instinctively pointed the gun in the direction of the shots. Quin was standing, pointing another 9mm pistol at her or Clara, Vivian wasn't certain. "Drop it Quin." She ordered evenly, barely recognizing her lover in the vacant gray eyes that bored into her.

"Get out of the way, Vivian. I don't want to hurt you too." Quin's voice was a dead rasp.

"You'll have to shoot me, Quin." Vivian lifted the gun she held a little higher and adjusted her mostly numb fingers on the grip. Sirens could be heard in the distance. "Let the police handle it. Let justice work."

"JUSTICE!" Quin's voice boomed in the warehouse as she took two quick steps forward. Her hand shook wildly as she pointed the gun. "She killed Grace. She killed my daughter! I kill her now and we're even!" She licked her lips at the prospect of getting her revenge.

Vivian stilled her breathing. "Is this what Grace would have wanted, Quin?" She asked quietly. "You knew her better than anyone here. What would she have asked you to do?" Vivian stood to her full height over Clara. The sirens were very close now and she suspected some of Chicago 's finest would be rushing through the door any minute.

Quin took another step and extended her arm. She looked into the deep blue eyes of her lover. Vivian's breath froze on every exhale, sending a curl of vapor up over the blonde's head where it disappeared. Quin slowed her breathing as she searched for the answers to the former detective's questions. Her eyes tracked to the alley and the open door as the sirens came to a deafening halt. Grace wouldn't want her to kill anyone. She remembered long conversations where they would debate different scenarios in which deadly force might be necessary, Grace always managed to come up with a peaceful reconciliation to the situation. Would Grace want to be avenged? The answer was a resounding 'no'. Vengeance was for the living. For Quin to claim vengeance for Grace and their child would dishonor their memories. Quin slowly eased her finger from the trigger and lowered her weapon. She flipped it around so she was holding the barrel and offered it to the blonde. As the woman she loved with all her being took the gun from her hand, Quin finally felt free of the past.

Vivian let out a long held breath and took the gun. She lowered her own just as the police charged into the warehouse. Surrendering the weapons, Vivian was escorted to one of the empty chairs. She sighed as she sat, her nerves frazzled. Clara was pulled from the floor and silently led away . A police woman gently squeezed Vivian's shoulder and began asking questions, receiving one-word answers for her trouble. Vivian heard the officer call for an ambulance as her eyes drifted closed, trying to shut out the ruckus around her. Moments later she felt hands on her knees and something being pressed into her lap. Vivian jerked back, eyes opening, and She recognized the top of Quin's dark head. Her body instantly relaxed as she combed her fingers through Quin's thick spikes. "I love you." She whispered in a frosty breath, reassuring her lover. "It's going to be okay."

Quin nodded against Vivian's lap. "I believe you." There was a commotion behind them as Marco was loaded onto a gurney, screaming profanities and threats at the two women. Quin growled from her position and pulled a thin switchblade from her back jeans pocket.

Vivian felt the subtle movement and grabbed the PI's e wrist before she could make the throw. She gently removed the blade from Quin's hand and retracted the blade. "I love you." She repeated earnestly.

Quin lowered her hand back to Vivian's knee. "I love you, Vivian Walsh."

CHAPTER TWELVE

BRANDON CRANE'S BODY washed up on a Lake Michigan beach two days later. His throat had been slashed, and the knife plunged deep into his heart. Two days later Clara O'Malley was charged with first degree murder with special circumstances. She was also charged with a slew of other crimes that would almost certainly guarantee she would never see daylight again. Marco DeLeon was charged with rape and drug trafficking, his injuries would delay his trial for some months.

The PI and the former detective were sitting together quietly in a white Crown Victoria they had rented shortly after landing in Detroit . Quin had sent her plane with Grams aboard back to Los Angeles . Anthony Davis had reported in, informing Quin the elderly woman had been safely retrieved from the airport and was settling in nicely. Quin still had no idea how to approach the woman with her new found information. Mary McKee was the only family she had counted since her grandfather turned father's passing. Could life be any more complicated? Quin thought. She glanced to her left at Vivian, who was inspecting a brand new Heckler and Koch, Mark 23 .45 ACP pistol, the gun permit laid across her lap. "Is it okay?" Quin asked, concerned over her lover's silence.

"It's a very nice gun." Vivian pronounced as she released the full clip.

McKee watched in silence as the blonde inspected every inch of the weapon

Vivian reinserted the clip, checked the safety and then eased the .45 into the new shoulder holster Quin had also given her. In the driver's seat, She leaned forward just enough to pull on the holster and settle the gun under her left arm. It was a bit bulky, but she was sure with some adjustments she would get use to the gun resting there. Vivian picked up the permit. "How did you manage to obtain a gun permit for Michigan just a few hours after landing in the state?"

Quin shrugged, "I know people."

Vivian chuckled at her lover's standard vague response.

"How do you feel?" Quin asked the question she had been holding on to for almost a week. Maybe moments before entering a dangerous situation wasn't the best time and place to ask, but Quin needed to know if Vivian was in the right frame of mind to carry through with the evening's activities.

"I'm a little edgy,." Vivian admitted. "I'm pissed too." She fell silent for a long moment as she stared out at the quickly fading day. "I feel raw."

Quin turned in her seat and cupped Vivian's face in her hands. "If I could take it away I would. I'm in love with you, Vivian. I'll be right here for you." She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on the blonde's lips.

"You talked to Ruth didn't you?" Vivian asked with a soft smile.

Quin blushed. "I don't want to fuck up. You mean everything to me and I don't want to lose you."

Vivian patted Quin's knee, "You're doing great. I'm in for the long haul, sweetheart. I just need a little time to work through this."

Quin nodded her acceptance.

"Ms. Smith sure about this place?" Vivian asked, looking out her car window at the abandoned building across the street. Quin had sent the blonde and her Southside counterpart, Horatio Macks, to Detroit to locate Jacob O'Malley. It seemed the two gang leaders had not only been able to locate the young man but had come to an amicable alliance. There was a lot of territory up for grabs in Chicago and the two newly minted allies were going to cash in on that fact.

Quin pulled her own gun from behind her back and checked the clip. "She and Horatio were certain he's here. They didn't want to step on any toes by getting involved."

Vivian shook her head. The inner workings of gangs and organized crime was beyond her sometimes. The fact that Quin could coerce these people into doing anything at all was incredible. "I'm ready whenever you are."

Quin leaned forward and placed her own .45 back in its spot. "Let's try and stay close in there." Vivian answered her with a nod. "He's not going to look like his picture and I doubt he'll answer to his name, so take good hard looks. Let them know you're carrying; That .45 should deter almost anyone from messing with you."

The blonde held up a hand to forestall any further words from her lover. "Quin. I have been in similar situations."

"Yes, I'm sure you have." Quin agreed, then added. "Please be safe."

"You too." Vivian smiled.

They exited the car and walked across the street together, Vivian pulling her leather coat close against the cold. She couldn't wait to get back to California and milder temperatures; It seemed like forever since she was truly warm. Quin led them around a corner to a row of boarded doorways. They passed three before finding one that was obviously rigged to allow entry to the four story brick building. Vivian entered first followed closely by Quin, who produced two penlights. She handed one to Vivian, who shook her head. "What?" Quin questioned, perplexed by her lover's reaction.

"Do you always have everything you need when you need it?" The blonde clicked on the small light and illuminated Quin's face. She wasn't surprised to see the cockiness rise to the surface of the brunette's features as she answered.

"I simply believe in being prepared."

Vivian growled, reached out and grabbed a handful of Quin's jacket. She hauled the smaller woman toward her until she was able to press her nose to Quin's "I'll figure you out someday. I'll know all your secrets. Then, Quinlan McKee, I'll know you." She lowered her lips and began a deep passionate kiss, breaking it off when the brunette whimpered into her mouth. She licked her buzzing lips and smiled. "Now let's go find this kid so I can go home and get warm."

Quin stumbled a little as she was released by the blonde. She blinked, still stunned, "M'kay.", said mostly to herself as she pulled her jacket down.

Vivian's smile faded as they turned to begin their search. This place was a hell hole if ever there was one. The stench grew as they got deeper into the building. The first floor was empty so they climbed the steps to the second level. Vivian could hear the murmurs of conversation from various rooms. She tapped Quin's shoulder and pointed to the first door on the left; Quin nodded and tossed her head to the right. Vivian knew they had come to an agreement. She peeked around the door. There were at least a half dozen people huddled around a small metal trashcan burning bright with fire. Just on the edge of the glowing fire were two women. One was injecting the other with some substance that, if Vivian had to guess, was probably heroin. Taking a deep breath, she entered the room, holding up her hands as the occupants of the room started to scatter. "I'm just looking. I'm not a cop." The wide, wild eyes staring back at her were anything but trusting "I'm looking for a kid from Chicago ." The silence was broken only by the popping of the fire. Then a disembodied voice spoke out.

"He's upstairs paying."

Vivian cringed. She knew exactly what paying meant. She dropped her hands and rushed back into the hall. "Quin!" She yelled as she took the stairs two at a time to the top, pulling her gun as she reached the third floor landing. She would do anything to spare Jacob another moment of torment. Quin arrived just a moment later. Vivian closed her eyes and listened. She heard a thump and a whimper from somewhere above and was off at a run again.

Quin put her trust and faith in her lover and followed her up to the top floor of the building. She tried to slow her breathing to almost normal as Vivian once again came to a stop, listening. She didn't stay still for long. Quin watched as the blonde took two long strides to the left. Vivian raised one long leg and kicked down a door that was obviously between her and her objective. Quin followed her lover into the room, taking a quick look around, a naked light bulb swung from the ceiling illuminating the dingy interior. They had interrupted something, that much was obvious. Vivian had one participant frozen in her sites; The other two people in the room were in a somewhat compromising position. Then it happened. A moment of recognition that jumped up and slapped Quin. She growled viciously just before kicking the man off Jacob. Quin held her gun on the man, who was now reaching for anything to cover himself. Kneeling, she turned Jacob's head so she could see his face. His large eyes, blank and glassy, stared back at her with no recognition. She searched around for his clothes.

Vivian sneered at the man she held at gun point as she pressed the barrel of her new HK into his forehead. "The boy's coming with us."

"He belongs to me, he owes me big time." The man managed with a bravado which was lost on Vivian.

"You'll have to write it off as a loss." Vivian tapped the barrel against the man's head. "He's coming with us. Now you can be alive when we leave or you can be dead; no one is going to care but you." This seemed to make the man rethink his case. Vivian moved so she could see what was going on behind her. She saw Quin helping her Jacob get dressed, the man who had violated him having disappeared. "Are we in agreement?" She asked with another tap of the gun.

"He's leaving with you." The man grunted.

Vivian's lips quirked into a mean smile. "I'm so glad you could see it my way." She looked over at the PI, who had managed to get Jacob standing. "No one follows us out." She warned, moving to hook her arm around Jacob and help Quin. She kept the gun trained on the man as they exited the room. They didn't waste any time getting out of the building and into the car.

Vivian sat in the back seat gently cradling Jacob's head in her lap as Quin drove. They didn't stop until the sun was rising. Quin found a clean roadside motel more interested in money than asking questions. They had driven for twelve hours, and Jacob was becoming combative as he begged for a fix. It was going to be a long day in Iowa .

"I need you to get some junk food, Quin." Vivian stretched her long body out beside a restless Jacob. "Anything with sugar."

Quin blinked at her lover. "How…?"

Vivian's head rested on Jacob's shoulder as her hand moved across the boy's chest in soothing circles. "I've been here, Quin; I know what he feels. The desperation, the longing, sugar will help; caffeine too." Jacob rolled on his side and curled up into a ball. Vivian followed him and wrapped her own body around his. "We have about thirty hours or so before he'll be ready to move again, so you'll want to bring us something to eat too."

Stunned, Quin left without another word. She found the local supercenter and gathered a good amount of food with no evident nutritional value. She also grabbed bottled water and soda pop, and detoured through men's clothing for some new outfits and winter gear for Jacob. Satisfied that all bases were covered she went back to the motel.

Upon her return, Quin was pushed into service as orderly. Vivian insisted they give Jacob a bath, and Quin did exactly as ordered. Something told her not to question the blonde. Bathing Jacob wasn't an easy task. It took a fully clothed Vivian, in the tub, with the young man before they could make any progress. Quin was in awe of the blonde's patience and compassion, and she fell deeper in love as the moments passed.

A clean and exhausted Jacob O'Malley passed out shortly after being dressed. Vivian curled protectively around the boy, while Quin snuggled as close as possible to her lover.

Two more baths and three more trips to the store were required before the sun rose again. Quin was quietly coaxing Jacob to eat and drink as Vivian slept.

"Who is she?" Jacob managed after forcing down a bite of pancakes his Aunt had produced from somewhere. He felt his empty, aching stomach begin to rebel as soon as the food hit bottom.

Quin looked over at her lightly snoring lover. "I don't really know much about her at all. I do know she's an awesome person, and I know I love her."

Jacob nodded as he concentrated on keeping the food down. The truth was he didn't have any appetite, but his Aunt wasn't giving up. She offered him a small cup of 7up.

"Vivian said to drink this because your sugars are all messed up."

Jacob accepted the cup and downed it in several small sips. He would do just about anything to feel normal again. "Why is she helping me? She doesn't even know me."

Quin shrugged. "She has her reasons, comma Jake; I'm not privy to them just yet. How are you feeling?"

Jacob groaned. "Like I was hit by a train." Running his hands across his short kinky hair, he peered into his Aunt's clear gray eyes. "I feel alive; I haven't felt anything for weeks." He looked over at the sleeping woman who had kept him company during the lowest point of his life. "She's beautiful. You lucked out twice, Aunt Quin."

The PI smiled. "Don't I know it, kid."

Another twelve hours passed before Vivian pronounced Jacob fit for travel. The trio headed west across the plains, Jake even taking a turn at the wheel while Quin and Vivian took a short backseat snuggle.

They debated stopping in Utah for a rest, but after much discussion it was decided they would drive straight through. Truthfully, it wasn't so much a discussion as it was Vivian taking the car keys and ensconcing herself behind the steering wheel, the blonde mumbling something about "tired of being cold." Quin and Jacob shrugged at each other and raced for the front passenger seat, Jacob winning "shotgun." The PI's frown faded as she realized she could nearly stretch out her full length on the back seat of the big car. She quickly drifted off to sleep, lulled away by the simple tune of some country song on the radio. Several hours later she was roused by Vivian to share a fast food feast.

Vivian gave up the wheel in Sacramento and Quin drove the rest of the way. She nudged Vivian awake as the Los Angeles basin came into full view during their descent from the Grapevine. Vivian smiled over at the brunette. "We're home."

Pulling up in the driveway, Quin hurried into the house and headed directly for a shower, leaving Jacob and Vivian in awkward silence at the bottom of the stairs. Vivian spoke first. "I'm sure if you wanted to call your parents to tell them you're alive it would be welcomed."

Jacob looked around the entry way of the big house, finally meeting Vivian's blue eyes. "Maybe you could call them and tell them I'm okay. You know… so they won't worry." Truth was he wasn't really ready to talk to anyone.

Vivian slowly nodded. "I can do that. I'll let them know that you'll call them in a couple of days."

Jacob suddenly leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the tall blonde. Heartfelt and muffled words spilled out. "Thank you."

It was easy to return the hug. Vivian gave the young man a good squeeze, "You're welcome, Jacob O'Malley." She let the embrace go on a bit longer and then patted his back. "Come on. I'll show you where you'll sleep." She led him up the stairs. "I want you to know a few things, Jake. I know what you went through." She opened the bedroom door. "I know what you're going through now." She sat on the bed and patted the spot next to her. "I know what you will be going through."

Jacob sat on the bed next to the blonde. "You've been…"

"Yeah." Vivian admitted. "My drug was crack."

"Not many kick that one, huh?"

Vivian's blonde head shook. "No. And not a day goes by that I don't think about it."

Jacob nodded.

"So here's the deal. You need to come to me or your Aunt if you think you need a little help coping. These next few days are going to suck. Not as much as the last two days, but they are going to be rough. The good part is you are in a strange place with no connections; that'll help. You also have plenty of people who love you, and together we'll help you." Vivian looked around the room. It looked safe enough. "Any questions, friend?"

Jacob could feel the tears start to rise. "I'll do my best."

"I know you will, Jake." Vivian patted his knee. "Your Aunt will be in to check on you later. Is there anything you need?" A solid shake of his head answered her. "Okay. We're across the hall and two doors down. Knock before entering, and no teasing the adults if you hear things that make you blush." She smiled as she stood and walked to the door. Looking at the young man sitting on the bed, she knew from experience it was going to be a long hard road. She also knew that if Jacob truly wanted to be clean he could do it. She would be there to help him any way she could.

Quin took her time in the shower. The hot water would take awhile to replenish before anyone else could get a hot shower. Ruffling her hair with a towel as she exited the bathroom, her heart dropped as she found her lover curled up on their bed sobbing. Quin eased onto the bed and curled herself around Vivian. "I've got you."

Vivian twisted around in her lover's embrace and buried her face against Quin's chest.

"I've got you," Quin soothed again. "We'll get through this together."

Vivian let the tears fall. She had felt like crying for days but couldn't muster the energy to release the emotion. She cried for herself, and she cried for Quin and Jacob. "Please don't leave me again," She whispered with a shaky breath.

"Never." Quin promised.

Vivian's tears subsided after several minutes. She boldly wiped her face and nose on Quin's clean white t-shirt and smiled at her lover's groan.

"That's just gross." Quin stripped the shirt and handed it to the blonde. "Here. It's yours."

Vivian mustered a smile. "Thanks." She sniffled. "I needed that."

"I'm glad you shared it with me." Quin started to get up for a clean shirt only to be stopped by Vivian's firm hand.

"I like you the way you are." Vivian gently pulled her naked lover back down on the bed.

"Are you sure?"

The blonde nodded. "I need you. I need you to touch me. I need to touch you. I need to forget."

Quin leaned forward and pressed her lips to Vivian's. She gently began to relieve the blonde of her clothing until their skin met. The brunette continued her gentle ministrations much to Vivian's dismay. She growled and flipped Quin onto her back, pinning the smaller woman's wrist above her head. "I want you." Vivian took Quin's lips in a bruising kiss.

Quin strained a bit against Vivian's grasp as her lover stole her breath away with the fierce kiss. The brunette stopped her struggling and simply melted.

Vivian noticed the brunette relax beneath her and smiled. "You're beautiful, Quin McKee." She kissed a path from Quin's chin to her collar bone, then flattened her tongue and pressed it the length of the ridge to the brunette's shoulder, where she took a little nip of the flesh. She repeated the procedure in the opposite direction, stopping at the purplish pink star shaped scar. She took a long look at the mark before placing a soft wet kiss upon it.

Quin moaned and squirmed beneath Vivian at the attention her sensitive flesh was receiving. She freed her hands and grabbed two handfuls of Vivian's blonde hair, pulling the woman's lips back to her own, and flipping their bodies over once again. She slid her entire body up and down Vivian's, every nerve she possessed alert and aroused. Her center was wet and swollen, her breasts hard and tense. "I want you," Quin hissed through clenched teeth. She continued her thrusts against Vivian's long body, their mingled sweat easing her way.

Vivian captured one of Quin's thighs between her own and moaned at the contact on her heated sex. She pulled Quin's head down until she could meet her lips. With one hand firmly entwined in the brunette's thick spikes and the other on Quin's ass, Vivian broke the kiss just long enough to make a request. "Inside, Quin."

The PI stilled. "Are you sure?"

Vivian's hand cupped her lover's cheek. "I need you inside," She said softly. "Please."

Quin leaned down and placed a soft reassuring kiss on Vivian's lips. "If it hurts or you want me to stop…"

"I'll let you know." Vivian reassured with her own kiss.

Quin closed her eyes as she adjusted her position a bit to allow her hand access to Vivian's center. She gently parted her lover, her gray eyes opening again only to fall into the blue depths of Vivian's eyes. Slowly she entered her lover, breathless as her fingers connected her to the blonde. She set a gentle rhythm.

Vivian moved with Quin; slowly at first, letting her body adjust to the invasion of Quin's fingers. She had been worried she wouldn't be able to take the sensation, but her body didn't balk at all. She closed her eyes and moved a bit faster, urging Quin to increase her speed. The soft wet noise of sex and their mutual moans of pleasure obliterated any doubts lingering in her mind.

Quin increased her tempo as Vivian's thrusts demanded. She smiled as the blonde's head fell back and Vivian's long gorgeous neck was exposed to her lips. She pressed harder against Vivian's thigh as she marked the graceful neck, her breasts brushing back and forth against the blonde's on each thrust. She could feel her lover begin to shake and quiver beneath her; Vivian was close. Quin reluctantly left the tender flesh under her lips as she doubled her efforts, her arm muscles burning and her wrist beginning to cramp. She all but forgot her own pleasure as she reached for Vivian's.

"So close." Vivian exhaled.

"Come for me." Quin urged into her lover's ear. "All for me." She thrust hard twice more.

Vivian arched her back up off the bed, carrying Quin with her as her orgasm exploded through her. She sank back into the mattress, quivering from the little aftershocks of pleasure. Quin removed her hand from her with a wet moan and quickly positioned her hands on either side of Vivian's shoulders. The brunette's thrusts were hard and long as she raised herself again and again. Vivian reached down and assisted the brunette's efforts by grabbing Quin's ass and pressing up into her with her thigh. "That's it baby. Give it to me." Vivian whispered.

Eyes closed, Quin gritted her teeth as she worked, her breathing stopping as she crested to her own orgasm. She pressed hard into Vivian as she milked her own pleasure for all it was worth. Quin's sweat slick body finally came to rest atop her lover as her breathing struggled to return to normal. Her eyes blinked open to a still taut nipple, which she kissed. "I'm done." Her eyes slipped closed again.

Vivian chuckled. "I'd say so." She ran her fingers through Quin's damp hair. "I love you."

Quin's lips curved into a soft smile. "I love you too. Now stop moving, I'm trying to sleep." She jiggled up and down as Vivian laughed.

"Now who is the romantic?" The blonde teased.

"Shhh… Sleeping"

Vivian continued to run her fingers through Quin's hair. Everything was going to be alright, she thought, and smiled as Quin's soft snore blew across her nipple. She suppressed a moan as her rebellious body part became erect. She closed her own eyes and settled in for the night.

Tomorrow. She thought. Tomorrow they would begin again.

END
Book Two

I would like just to put a little note here for my readers to consider. I'm forty years old and have Stage IV Ovarian/Uterine Cancer. I had no warning signs besides a heavy period. I am now going through treatment and fighting the fight of my life. Please, at your next physical ask for a sonogram. It may save your life.

henleyac@yahoo.com
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