The Bridge Ch 30 End on a Rose

The Bridge - Chapter Thirty - Rose

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work is copy written by the author. All characters involved in sexual activity are eighteen years of age or older at the time of portrayal.

This work will, at times, contain instances of lesbian sex, pregnancy, interracial sex, chastity, group sex, Dominance and submission, tattoos and piercings, slavery, intrigue, action, romance and affection. There are also threats of violence and a fair amount of heroism and family love and fun.

I have put this into the Lesbian Sex category because it is where I seem to be getting the most hits. This could have easily gone into Interracial Love, but they don't like me there. Your positive ratings and comments, positive or negative, are welcome and appreciated. If you have read this story from the beginning, I would like to thank you. I hope someone is enjoying reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.

Chapter 30 - Rose

I didn't need to meet Dieter Rose to not like him. The interrogation of 'Whips' Wilder was enough for me. And when I met him for the first time in his Center City shop, it just sealed the deal. I couldn't wash my hand enough after shaking his. Gloria, even in her ignorance, felt the same. She just had a feeling he was dirty, even though she did not know he was the one who initiated the raid on her home. She had a gut feeling as to why we visited that shop on that Friday afternoon.

When Ninja reported his findings at the Rose estate of young women being held against their will to the team, I decided to fast track our next mission, before another neighbor gets hit. I felt that now was the time to move because of the success we had in reducing the number of his minions at the Tuttlehill home. It was time for a meeting at the Greenhouse. Time for the team's next mission.

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"I've gathered you together today to talk about our next mission." I told the troops as they milled around in the Greenhouse. "Some of you have already participated in a breach of the Rose Estate and have a feel for what we are up against. This mission will be much different. This time it will be a rescue mission and a data collection effort. I want to know what's there and I'm sending a non-team-member in to help. Lizzie and I have discussed it and she will be gathering photographic evidence while the rest of you palookas secure the space."

"Do you think it's wise to bring a non-team member in on an operation? I'd hate to have to spend my time on an operation to protect a non-combatant." Caroline said.

"Non-combatant, my ass," Lizzie said. "What do you think this is?" And she slapped the pistol on her hip.

"Don't take offense, Lizzie. Caroline is just looking out for your ass. Which is what she will be doing during this operation. Car, your assignment will be to keep Lizzie safe as she goes about her part of the mission. You literally will have her back. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Duane, why don't you and Herman outline the operation for the gang? I'd like to see what you have in mind."

"Thank you, Hannah. This will be an all hands on deck operation and a full breach of a substantial property. We may or may not meet with greater numbers resisting our effort, but I know we will out-talent them at every turn."

Hoagie stood up from his seat and raised his hand. "Do you think we have enough people, Duane? When we went in before, there was a pretty good contingency of people, mostly guards. Maybe fifteen people altogether. They were easy enough to evade, but confrontation is a whole 'nother story."

"Good call, Hoagie." Duane said. "We do have the element of surprise on our side. They have no reason to believe this is coming. There has been no evidence they are aware of our prior breach. Also, I expect after we took out so many of the gang Rose was using to do home invasions that he is looking for new people to replace those we left dead and bloody in the field of battle that was the Tuttlehill residence. There will be a dozen of us going in and I think we can hold our own against fifty of them, let alone fifteen. But make no mistake, this will not be an easy mission. This is a fifty/fifty operation, so success is by no means assured. We start training tomorrow. Herm."

"That's right, Duane. Everyone's seen the drone photos we have in our possession regarding the property, both inside and out. Ninja placed drones inside the property, and we have a good handle on the layout of all three floors. Unfortunately, Duane and I are at odds as to how to proceed and complete the mission. I think we should go in full destruction mode, and kill all the bad guys and rescue the girls from the basement. Duane thinks we should make minimum impact and get law enforcement involved. He thinks we should let them rescue the girls."

"After what I saw, I say kill them all, including Rose, and rescue the kids. They are no more than teenagers and don't deserve to go through what the cops will put them through. I say full Monte," Ninja said.

"I'm with you, man." Hoagie said.

Archer, who was standing there next to Ninja, put his fist in the air and said. "Let's go in silent and kill them all before they ever know it. Then let's rescue the girls. And according to Ninj, we should be bringing clothing for these poor things."

There was a mumble through the team as they chatted among each other and Alec was the first of our veteran team members to speak up.

"What are we going to do with Rose? I expect we will have to kill or waylay in some fashion the members of his paramilitary force. How about the real devil? How bad is this guy? Is he a Peace Dunbar or Makoo grade bad guy?"

"In ways he's worse." Duane said. "We believe this guy is raping and abusing the girls he is holding, but we are not sure what his position is regarding the buying and selling of these poor young things. But we don't know the extent of his reach and the number and quality of his contacts. I think we have to make off with this guy and do a real number on him to drain him of everything he knows."

I agreed with my man, "Taking down a major fence with great connections could be our greatest contribution to the wellbeing of the people of Chester County. I say we go in silent, like Archer recommends, but capture and restrain as many of their operators as possible without killing any more than we have to. Then we take off with Rose to an 'undisclosed location' and pump him till he's got nothing left. Let law enforcement do the cleanup and rescue the girls. That won't take more than a phone call. What say you all?"

"Hoo-rah," came the call from my veterans and affirmation from our new guys in the way of nods and other gestures. Looks like the Queen Bee does it again.

"Alright," Herman said. "We'll be using the new duo-guns on this raid. I have one for each of you, to take with you today. Familiarize yourselves with the weapon and start practicing so that your skills with this weapon are on point. Especially you new guys."

"Even me," called out Archer.

"Even you, Archer. As is becoming our new M. O. you will be one of the first ones in, and I want one of these guns on your hip."

"Yeah, but my arrows don't have a stun setting. You get hit with one, you're dead. Simple as that."

"If need be, your job may be that simple, but I doubt it." Duane said. "I'd still like to leave as few dead bodies around as possible. Especially ours. And I want Rose out of there alive and well. The Queen has plans for him and means to see them through. Problems?"

Nobody had any problems and Herman gave them the homework of studying the photos and diagrams he had sent to their supercells and orders to meet at the gun range with their new weapons at 10:00 hours tomorrow morning. Lizzie and I would be with them as well. For support and for practice. And to learn a whole new weapon.

After further discussion, the meeting broke up and everyone went to their assigned posts or home if they were off. I was thinking of getting Rapper involved in this mission, but decided against it. I still need him bonding with Gloria as much as possible right now.

When I brought up to Duane that I wanted to be on this mission, he balked, but eventually gave in when I both seduced him and actually acted as the voice of reason.

"Danny will be coming on this mission in the van to monitor the goings on from up close. I will stay with him and bring my bag in case I have to patch anyone up. You know you want me there. Right?"

"Not right. You should be in the videoconference center monitoring everything while Herbert is riding the Closet. Lizzie can represent you. You're more valuable to the mission being at home."

"Yeah, tell that to one of our team members lying on the ground bleeding. Then we'll see where I'm most valuable."

"Hannah, I love you, but..."

"There's no buts, just the love. The kids won't be home for several hours. Let's take a minute and make the most of it."

He decided it was more important that I take my new gun and strip it down and rebuild it. After which I dragged him upstairs, stripped myself down and gave him a quick blow job and stripped him down and let him do the rest. And he does that better than anyone. Anyone.

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We had been tracking Dieter Rose's movements for over a week, at the shop, at his home, and just about anywhere he traveled. We just wanted to establish a baseline and give the troops plenty of time to familiarize themselves with their new weapons. The duo-guns with the dual kill/stun capability.

Thursday, March 23rd, was the date we chose to conduct the raid. From established patterns, we expected Rose to be at his home when we made the assault on his property, and had flown a wasp drone into his vehicle to monitor his location when he traveled.

At five-fifty-five on the dot, Rose's Mercedes pulled onto his property and the trap was set. Danny was parked, with me in the van, in a neighboring cul-de-sac. I had my medical bag and could be onsite in a matter of minutes if need be. Until then, Danny and I monitored the actions of our teammates via their body-cams. Everyone was on the comm-link, so we all knew each other's status. We were also monitoring the wasp drone that was inside the property, monitoring both the placement of his people as well as Rose.

Avi, Ninja, Archer and Hoagie all snuck onto the property. Hoagie and Archer would waylay the guards at the front gate and let our people on foot and in vehicles in while others followed the first team in. Going against the flow, but following his instincts, Archer took the gate guards out with two quick bursts from his bow. Whack, whack. Two down, and the rest of the team, save the two drivers, Ronnie and Domingo, who would drive up to the front door of the house once the place was secured. And secured it was.

The team did a great job with their new weapons and preparing to enter the house; we left behind us four dead, and five stunned, locked up and awaiting disposition. Then the team entered the house where we encountered another eight of Rose's operators, two of which we killed, three stunned and three just outright surrendered.

And then there was Rose and his two personal sadistic guards. The ones who kept watch over and abused the girls currently in their possession. The three were down in the basement, what Ninja called the 'harem room,' which was little more than a tiled room with a small wading pool and accommodations to both torture and rape his poor victims, of which there were six currently.

All three men surrendered when Ninja, Avi and Hoagie entered with guns drawn. Ninja wasn't having any of it and he beat the shit out of the one guard and drowned the other in the pool. Both were bigger than him, but only in physical size. We took with us both the guard Ninja beat up and Dieter Rose. Caroline and Lizzie brought sweats for each of the girls and had them dress as Hoagie and Ninja led Rose and his beaten soldier to one of the cars. We left the girls behind with instructions to stay where they are and that the police would come and rescue them. Because of the dead body floating in the pool, we moved them to the living room up on the first floor.

After Lizzie shot the entirety of the house, and the girls were settled down, she went out to the place we called the Barn and took hundreds of shots of the space and its contents. She also got shots of all of Rose's operators, living and dead, so that we could evaluate who they were and where they came from. Hoagie rummaged through some of the contents of the barn and brought a selection of items with him to see if we could find out who their owners were.

Upon exiting the property, we left the doors all open and the front gate fully open. Then we had Herbert route a call around the world, and notified the 9-1-1 operator that the Chester County property had been attacked. We left behind only a wasp drone to monitor the police activity after our departure.

By the time the police arrived at Rose's property, we were at what you might call an undisclosed location. This particular one was the basement of Duane's house in Coatesville, which he still maintains and keeps as both his getaway and his secure storage.

The next morning, the news reported a major assault on the property out in Chadds Ford where multiple individuals were found dead and others were bound with zip ties. The individuals found alive were being questioned, but no determination of who the aggressors were could be determined, as everyone was masked and dressed all in black. The homeowner could not be located at this time and the reporter said they would update throughout the day. Hopefully, after the homeowner is found. Yeah, right? Good luck with that.

To this point, neither of the men in our possession had seen their aggressors, as our faces were covered by the balaclavas everyone wore, including myself when appropriate. That created the illusion that at some point we might set our prisoners free. Nothing could be further from the truth. But the illusion worked. His compatriot was in no shape to talk after Ninja beat him within an inch of his life, but Rose was singing like a bird with the hope he could still save his skin.

Herman and Domingo stood there scaring the shit out of him, literally, and Avi asked question after question. Rose got to where he was so scared and confused, he started speaking in German, his native tongue, even though he had spoken English almost exclusively for the past four decades. Even then Avi, a Yiddish speaker, followed him as Yiddish is derived mainly from the Germanic tongue.

There is a reason Avi is our intel guy. He did great. From Rose's confessions, we discovered two more fences who Rose knew and the pot of gold that was the place most of the stolen merchandise eventually landed. He also named several leaders of three home invasion crews and gave up where their location information was hidden at his shop as well as the combination to his safe.

Before the police decided to explore the contents of Rose's shop, Hoagie made the trip downtown, and gathered some intelligence of his own. Rose's desk was a hotbed of great information, as was the safe, and Hoagie knew exactly what to look for.

The memory sticks Hoagie returned with and the ledgers and other contents from the safe revealed much about Rose's trafficking activity. Not only was he a pervert, but he was trafficking dozens of young girls every year, in this country and overseas. The paper trail revealed the extent of his depravity and how far he would go to make a buck.

After reviewing the film Lizzie had shot and the data collected from Rose it was pretty clear that the only way he would receive proper justice is at the hands of Hannah Todd. But Duane disagreed and said that while he still doesn't know who we are that we should gather the evidence we have accumulated and turn his ass into the cops.

"Hah!" I said. "This guy's got way too many assets and connections. He'll be out on bail and in some foreign land in a day. No way we can let this guy go."

"Hannah, I had this guy chipped in his sleep. He has no idea we can track him anywhere. Just think of the possibilities if we let him go. Just think of what Avi and Les can do with that intel if they get their hands on it at Recovery."

"This guy Rose can really be a long-term asset, you know. We can get anything out of him, apparently, as long as we hold him captive. And then when he goes all Stockholm Syndrome on us, we won't know which way to go. There will be so much data."

"There you go again, Hannah Todd, playing 3-D chess while the rest of us are playing checkers. What would we do without you? I know what I would do. Not a whole hell of a lot. I love you, Hannah."

"Ooooh, mama likes the sound of that. I think I know where to have the rest of this conversation."

"Pillow talk?"

"Pillow talk. Don't we find our best solutions there?"

"That's where I find the best of everything in my world."

Gush. Time to celebrate our victory. I held my arms out to him and he grabbed me and picked me up and up to the bedroom we went. Happy place. Happy time. What came first, the talking or the sex? You guess. If you can't by now, shame on you.

It started with a bevy of kisses, followed by his hands lighting me on fire as he touched every part of me. Deeply. Clothes flew through the air as we undressed at full speed. The love we made was gentle and soothing. Not the stuff the Big 'O' is made of, but a nice, warm, comforting feeling that just washed over me as his big body took me to the places I love to go. He gives me goosebumps on my goosebumps.

After my goosebumps subsided, we pillow talked about next steps.

"So, Duane, what are we going to do about Rose? We have our share of options and they look better for us than him. All of them. He could be far too valuable to kill, but how and where do we keep him?"

"There's always the safe house."

"The safe house. And I don't know about this, why?"

"Plausible deniability."

"Oh? That's a mouthful."

"Nobody should ever know you have any involvement in this at all. At all."

"Have I ever told you what a good man you are?"

"I'd rather you showed me."

I outright attacked him, and this time, I got my pound session. Without that pillow, the babies would have been howling after I did some howling of my own. Purrr.

Now that I somewhat knew about the safe house and that Rose would not have to be held in Duane's basement indefinitely, I felt more at easy taking into consideration a longer-range plan. One where we could reap many benefits and keep both Recovery and Acquisitions very busy.

"Duane, we need more people. And I think we need to do some promoting. We have some great talent and it's time they were recognized."

"Boy, I didn't see that coming. I thought we were dealing with Rose."

"Done. He just became a non-urgency. Throw his ass in the safe house with a couple of the guys, and we will deal with him on a day-to-day basis. In the meantime, I have a Tuesday appointment with Mr. Rose at his shop downtown. I plan to keep that appointment."

"I see. Tell me more."

"I want to take Hoagie and Dom with me. Hoagie to investigate, and Dom to intimidate. Someone is employed at that store, and there has to be a second in command. I'm also thinking of bringing in Avi as another set of eyes. Before Tuesday, I want to interrogate Rose some more and find out about the goings on at the shop. Whoever shows up is going to be freaking out on Monday when they can't raise Rose."

"What if they don't have the keys?"

"I never worry about such things, Mr. Royce. I'll have Hoagie with me. He's my key to everything."

"Except my heart, which you own exclusively."

"Are you trying to get another round out of me? If I wasn't so exhausted and sore you would. But not tonight. Maybe tomorrow night we can revisit tonight's joyous activity."

"I live in hope."

And I live in my happy place whenever I get the chance. Tonight is one of those times.

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When I scheduled the appointment with Rose for Tuesday at one, I knew ahead of time he would never be there. I just wanted to know what kind of disarray we'd left his world without him in it. Dom, Hoagie and Avi, with Ronnie at the wheel, took me to First Republic Antiques to watch the circus that would play out before us. And I was ready to be the ringmaster.

At quarter to one, the shop was open when we got there and Hoagie, Dom, and I walked through the door. Avi wouldn't be far behind and Ronnie would be circling the block. There was a woman and two men trying their best to maintain order in the now, except for us, empty shop. One of the men, the one who seemed to be in charge if you want to call it that, came up to me and inquired if I was Hannah Todd.

"I am Hannah Todd, indeed. And where is Mr. Rose? We have a one o'clock." I said it in my most serious tone of voice, doing everything in my power to hold back the belly laugh that would emerge from a less disciplined person.

"Miss Todd, my name is Emerson, and I am the shop manager. I run things when Mr. Rose is otherwise occupied. I see Mr. Rose has you on his calendar. May I be of some assistance?"

"I came down here with a big dollar in my pocket today, Mr. Emerson. I expected Mr. Rose would respect that."

"Again, I'm sorry, ma'am. There was a disturbance at Mr. Rose's home last night and he has been incommunicado ever since. I'm not sure what to tell you."

In the meantime, Hoagie was walking around getting a lay of the land during this, his second trip to the store. Big Dom was around just showing off his meanest face, just scaring the shit out of the help. He went up to the woman to ask where he could go to relieve himself and I believe she pee'd herself. This very attractive woman should only know that there is an even more beautiful woman waiting for him at home who could wrap him around her little finger in a heartbeat.

Emerson glued himself to me and all but begged me to let him help me. I purchased a lithograph of "The Woman Who Defeated Pain," by Shepard Fairey. It is a portrait of Freda Kahlo, a hero of Holly's who she has formed a spiritual bond with as two women in torment. This one goes on the wall outside where my office is. I really got it for Holly. That calmed Emerson down a bit. Then when I went to look at jewelry pieces, the woman who called herself Hecate jumped in to help me, hoping, no doubt, to pull a nice commission from my purchase. I couldn't tell if she wet herself cause of Dom, but she did go into the back for a few before waiting on me.

I didn't disappoint her, and purchased a pocket watch for Davante so he could match his brother in yet another way. My plan was to give it to Harley to give to him. Every time I saw them together; I was liking them more as a couple. She would get the watch, give it to him, and tell me the story. I'd call that a worthwhile investment. Especially if Davante decides she is the one. The two of them should only know about the real me.

Avi walked in the door as I was discussing jewelry with Hecate. The man I hadn't met approached him and they spoke briefly and Avi just walked around the store unattended at that point. When on an assignment like this, and even when he is working at Recovery, he is a natty dresser. Always well cut and beautifully presented. Why he's not married, I'll never know. I guess he's just waiting for the right nice Jewish girl.

Avi let his eyes do the walking and I'm sure he's picking up on everything around. Things we may not think of.

As we were wrapping up, Emerson asked me about my gun.

"Miss Todd, do you always carry a gun?"

"Only when I'm not in bed."

"In the boardroom?"

"Sometimes, most especially then."

We had a good laugh, but only because I laughed first. His was a nervous laugh.

As Ronnie turned the corner, we jumped into the big Navigator. We went around the block and picked up Avi, who bought nothing but left a fake business card to see if they would try to contact him. He had let on that he and friends collect art and he is considering coming back as a group to survey the art in their possession. If there is someone higher up, they will be interested in this potential big fish. Great work, Avi. As always.

When I left my card with Emerson, I scrawled the number of my red line. That's the line where I never mention who I am until I know who is at the other end. The line where my voice is scrambled until I say it's not. When that line rings, it means it's business time. Time to confront the unknowns.

But for now, it's business as usual. All the way home, we discussed what we saw and where things are and the state of the help. Avi said you could cut the tension in there with a knife.

"I asked the guy I talked to, a guy named Bertram, where the boss is and I swear he teared up. And he shrugged and just shook his head. But I gave him my Financial Advisor card. It has my red line number as the listed number. No address, no email, just the phone. And that second line always routes around the world. A feature courtesy of Mossad as of 2041. It also has my usual handle, Isaac Rabinowitz. There are things I wish to hide, but not my creed. Not my heritage. As the saying goes, 'Not that I can hide it.' And I will always be a proud son of Zion."

Hoagie was bursting with his news. He took a cue from Domingo and followed him into the restroom as Dom was coming out. He whispered to him to put space between him and the people on the floor. Of course, Dom knew just what to do to wrap up the woman and the man while I had Emerson under control. Hoagie went in and hit Rose's office for two full minutes. That's the power of Dom. Hoagie spent a minute of that time filming and documenting what is in the room and where things are. He had plenty of time to hit the bathroom, flush the toilet and be out in time for us to hit the road.

But in the time in the room, he had found the safe under the desk, and one in the wall behind a mirror. He had hit the safe under the desk the other night, but today he hit the wall safe pretty quickly. He took everything in the safe except the.357 Magnum long barrel revolver.

Dom stayed mostly quiet during the ride and took credit where it was due, and Ronnie just drove and took it all in. We were yucking it up, and I called ahead to Bertha to throw something together for the gang when we got home. Call it a late lunch.

"The beers are on me, fellows. We just did a very good day's work."

"Hoo-Rah," was the call of my wild bunch of warriors.

"Hoo-Rah, indeed my brothers."

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We were all sitting around the dining room table when Duane got home. Bertha immediately set a place for him and gave him the options.

"I'll have what she's having," he said glibly.

"You can't, my man."

"And why is that woman who is supposed to love me?"

"Because I'm havin' you." And I got up and slinked over to him and wrapped myself around him. The gang went wild. Laughing their asses off. And then they all stood up and applauded. Even Holly was there and she applauded, too. It's a little early for my birthday, but I'll take that gift all day, every day.

The kids were all over at Patty Chu's, where little Lily was having a tea party. Good for them, 'cause we were drinkin' beers. Damned straight.

With Duane's arrival at home, a late lunch became an early dinner. We had so much to talk about. Patty Chu was feeding the kids dinner and there was a talk of a sleepover. So, we shall see.

I'm getting tired of screaming into a pillow. Maybe tonight I can let it fly. Let Becca and Holly hear my screams and let the twins go wild. Mama needs to let off some steam. If Bertha's around, well, she's heard everything, so it doesn't much matter with her.

After the gang left, Duane and I went up to the videoconference room to evaluate some of the items Hoagie brought from our excursion into First Republic Antiques. First, there was a ledger that looked oddly like the ledgers we had in our possession from George Barry, Peace Dunbar and Clyde Makoo. Not exactly the same, but similar enough in purpose that it was undeniable that this was a trafficker's book of business. An awful, insidious business. Then came the memory sticks.

By the time we tapped the third memory stick, it was apparent that what was being memorialized was the sale of tender flesh. And lots of it. Each stick contained presentations of several obviously distressed and imprisoned young females. We would follow up with Rose regarding this unsavory business and get to the root of any trafficking rings he was a part of. Les McKelly at Recovery would have her hands full with all the new work. I definitely had to get her more people. For Acquisitions too.

After this tragic show, I lost my mojo and told my Duane that what I needed tonight was just some good old-fashioned cuddling. I was not even up for the gentle love making we often ended even the longest day with. Sleep came uneasily for me this night. All I could do was think of the awful things I wanted to do to Dieter Rose and the million questions I wanted to ask him. And then there is the ambivalence of having to keep him alive. He truly deserves to be landfill. Or shark bait. Yeah, shark bait. I think that's appropriate. Now where can I get a shark? These are the things that keep me awake while Duane Royce lays there snoring away. It must have been four in the morning when I finally dozed off.

The week was all about evaluating the items we had taken and the hours of video and the photos Lizzie had taken. In this regard I spent a bunch of time this week at the Navy Yard, working with my Recovery crew and Tillie and one of her girls at RFS.

When we woke up at seven on Saturday, I offered Duane a complimentary blow job, to make up for the quiet week sexually, but he passed as he needed to get down to the Navy Yard to meet with two new agents that had been fully vetted and would be coming aboard as regular guards. Not members of my special team. He would see them in the morning and be home by noon.

Dressed in his usual three-piece suit, pocket watch in his vest pocket, I walked him to the car in my pajamas and sent him off with a really good, deep kiss, and a promise that tonight we would make up for what we missed last night. As usual, Bertha had my coffee ready, and some freshly baked biscuits. And we visited as we played with the three babies who were scooting around in their little bumper cars, exercising those muscles that would soon propel them through life unassisted. Before long, they would be walking on their own and then look out.

Before long Holly joined us for coffee and kids and, at least now we were not outnumbered. That is, until my supercell rung in. It was Rhee Spanner. "Excuse me ladies, I've got to get this up in the office. I'll be down after I get showered and dressed."

"So, Rhee, how is my favorite mystery woman?"

"Takes one to know one, Miss Queen Bee."

"Yeah, that name is making the rounds now, isn't it?"

"Most deservedly. So, tell me about Dieter Rose. Is this your doing? It has your fingerprints all over it."

"Thank goodness only you know that. And thank God the police don't."

"The cops have no idea what to make of this. They rush in expecting the victims of a home invasion and find a devastated paramilitary force and a missing homeowner. They also find a shitload of stolen merchandise and an unknown amount of possibly trafficked girls. Those fools are out there arresting everyone and trying to figure out who hit the place and didn't really take anything of note. That's what I know. How about you?"

"Well, your instincts serve you well, my friend. We did indeed hit the Rose estate and did the damage being reported. We didn't take the girls. Instead, we let law enforcement handle them. I have enough on my plate. I have Rose. He's alive, but not well. I also have one of his minions who we will be interrogating probably today or tomorrow. I'm gonna give him to Avi and Dom initially. If they can't get what they want, I'll let Ninja loose on him. He's got a particularly large hair up his ass over this guy who calls himself Danger Don."

"Danger Don, eh?"

"Yeah. During Ninja's first encounter at the house, he saw this guy beating one of the girls who was strung up and helpless. It frustrated him to know end that he was in stealth mode and could not act on his feelings. During this raid, Ninja drowned one of the abusers and beat the shit out of this Don character. I don't want to unleash the Ninja until I'm good and done with this guy."

"That little guy has been a good fit for your team, hasn't he?"

"Excellent. I always think back to the time he bested Herman in the ring. I've never seen him as little since."

"Your vision serves you well, my friend. Do I see any work coming my way from this little venture of yours?"

"As a matter of fact, Rose has already given up a treasure trove of intel and I expect even more by the time Avi is done with him. There will be much to be acted upon and I think your particular expertise will be needed, as usual. You should come up here for the day and we should huddle with the possibilities. Do some brainstorming with Lizzie and Les and a couple of the guys. Some of the names coming up would blow your mind. William Pastor Brumby."

"The jeweler?"

"Well, he's more than a jeweler. More illicit gold passes through that man's hands than any ten on Jeweler's Row. And how about Greta Goldheimer? You've heard of..."

"The area's most successful art dealer. Who hasn't?"

"And there is a whole underground network of these people who either fence or purchase from fences to pass stolen goods off into the black market."

"Now that's where I can be of service, Hannah. I have some deep ties in the black market and could give you a deeper insight into who is doing what and with whom."

"I'm counting on that, Rhee, and I'm planning to hold Rose and his idiot indefinitely and see just how much fruit I can pick from this particular tree. If I get in over my head, you will be hearing from me. Just keep your eyes on the news for now. You'll know when it's us."

"You be careful, girlfriend. It won't be long before law enforcement, in their infinite wisdom, ties together your endeavors of the past year or so. You have a style and I don't want to see any of this lead to you. Maybe it's time for you to lay back a little with the Batman routine. Give the dust a chance to settle."

"We'll see. I don't see us slowing down anytime soon. But maybe I'll just have to change my style a little."

"Yeah, blowing people up and castrating them is a bit dramatic."

"But I love me some drama. I feel so... satisfied with it."

"Hannah, you should garner satisfaction from the good that you do, not the harm. Do not minimize the good you have done, my friend."

"Thanks, Rhee. It is indeed a small audience I play to, and you are one of my most respected fans."

"On that happy note, I will leave you to your day. Let me know when it's time to get together and I will make the time."

"Love you too, Rhee. Thanks for your ever-present support."

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The Chus do not eat pork, and the kids had fruit for breakfast, so when they got home at lunchtime, all they wanted for lunch was BLT sandwiches. After all, it is Sunday, and what is Sunday without bacon? Bertha makes them double decker and it's just funny watching the kids try to eat them.

It was Ronnie's turn in the Closet, and Caroline, Anthony and Dom had the house under control. Two other non-team members of RFS were patrolling the grounds and surrounding roads while Duane and Herman were downtown, conducting business. Dom was playing ball with Georgie and Anthony was demonstrating a sparrow drone to Georgia, who was just starting to express interest in such things. After about an hour of demonstration and instruction, the Peach was flying that little drone all over the property, using her own little supercell to control its actions.

Bertha, Holly and I put down the twins and little Elspeth for a nap when Holly pulled me aside and said that we have to talk. Uh oh. This sounds serious, and that's rarely good. But sometimes it is.

"Han, there's something I need to ask you and I hope it's alright."

"Holly, you can ask me anything. You know that. Give it up."

"Mr. Miller from the AOC asked me out on a date. I told him I'd ask my wife."

"You don't have to do that, Hol. Go, have your date."

"I just thought after the last time and I didn't ask--"

"Please, Holly. Chuck Miller is no Peace Dunbar. Go have your date. I hope you enjoy. But I'm surprised after everything you'd want to date a man. Does he know about your intimacy issues?"

"Oh Hannah, I've been so lonely lately. With Celeste so wrapped up in doctor stuff and her swimming, and you have Duane. In a house full of people, sometimes I just feel alone."

"Come here, wife." And she moved to me and I wrapped myself around her. Just like the old days. I kissed her on the lips, not passionately, but lovingly. She posed no resistance and even kissed me back. I held on to her and she held on for dear life. We just stood there hugging for a few minutes and when we let go, she was smiling broadly.

"Go, chicha, call that man and accept his invitation. He's a good man, Hol. I've watched him as he works with the girls. He is kind and giving and a man worthy of associating with. You have my full approval and blessings. The last thing I want is for you to feel alone. Ever."

Danny, my cop, and Archer, my Robin Hood, were watching Rose and Danger Don at the safe house. Tomorrow, Monday, Avi and Dom will spend some time pumping Don for any information or confirmation of what we have gleaned from 'interviewing' Dieter Rose. He doesn't look quite as bad as when Ninja finished with him, but he is still pretty bruised and black and blue. But the shoulder Ninja dislocated was reset by me, and he could see with both eyes now.

Dinner was a little on the late side, but the Quinoa bowls Bertha made for dinner were a treat. After dinner, it was bath time and tablet time. Then bed. Duane was with us at dinner time, while Herman was downtown at Peggy's place. My man was surprisingly helpful with the babies at bedtime. Becca had shown for dinner and was helping get Diva ready for the night while Duane took care of his little man. Yeah, little my left tit!

Once Holly and I had the big ones down for the night and Duane had the little ones settled, I dragged him into the office and the videoconference room and put a lip lock on him that he could not let go of. Not that he wanted to. He picked me up, and in front of Becca and Holly, carried me into my bedroom, stripped me down, and took me six ways to Sunday to where I most definitely wanted to go. And trust me, nobody can smooch the cooch like my big Duane. It was a great session.

Holly set something in me free when she asked if she could date a man. Like I finally got permission to go all in on Duane, not that I hadn't already. Something had been missing, and he saw it too.

"Hannah, where is that coming from? I never..."

"Oh yes, you have. You do it every time we make love. Only now, for some reason, I am more receptive. And it sure feels good."

Then I told him about my conversation with Holly about dating a man. He was shocked and never thought Holly could trust a man again. He was surprised she didn't latch on to a woman. I too would think that would be the next logical move on her part if she is looking for companionship. 'Hair of the Dog' and all that.

"You ready for some pillow talk, my love?" Duane asked.

"Nope. I'm ready to go again. This time I want to scream bloody murder into that pillow till my throat is sore. Well."

Well, my throat was not the only thing that was sore Monday morning. And the pillow and bed were soaked. And the wet spot was so large we shared it. We didn't have the energy to change the bed. Becca must think I am a real slut given what she has heard come out of my bedroom. Well, if the shoe fits...

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Monday morning after the kids had left for school, I got a call from Jake Johnson, who had conferenced in Laura Beeble, the head accountant. It appears after the growth at Royce, the sale of several properties and some pretty savvy investments by Jake, I did it. I hit my first billion. Laura was on the call just to confirm. I was over the moon. Not that I let money go to my head, but it had become a goal to prove that I was not just some wench who inherited big bucks and danced through life spending it. Jake let us know that it was the expansion at Royce and the investment in the Tuttlehills that put us over the top.

"Well, if I'm a billionaire now, it's time for bonuses all around. Laura, we'll talk."

"Anytime, boss. You're my first billionaire. We'll talk whenever you want."

"Thanks, team, thanks for the good word and the great work." I was floating from the news. Certainly, I'm not in the Tuttlehills' league, but I'm sitting in the ballpark and we are full speed ahead.

I booked a room and dinner reservations at the Stottsville Inn, and called Duane.

"Are you sitting down?" I asked him. "I have news for you that you are gonna like."

"Hit me with it, beautiful."

"Oh, I'm not just beautiful, I'm rich."

"And this is news? You've been rich since you moved to Chester County."

"Yeah, but now it's billions with a B that I am rich with."

"No. You're a billionaire?"

"Just heard from Jake and Laura, and it's confirmed. The growth at RFS and the Tuttlehills put us over. We are in a cash position like nobody's business. And tonight, we celebrate. I booked us into the Stottsville tonight and we're having dinner there. When am I going to see you?"

"About the usual time. Around sixish. Dinner and..."

"Dessert. That would be me. Or you. Depending on your point of view."

"I've never slept with a billionaire before."

"Well, you better do more than sleep with her tonight!"

I got off the phone with Duane and went upstairs to pack. While I was getting my sexiest pajamas out, my supercell rang. It was the red line. Shit! That can only be trouble.

"Hello." I said, not wanting to give myself away.

"I know who killed Peace Dunbar and I have proof."

"Shit!"

This is the end of The Bridge. Actually, it hasn't been much about The Bridge at all lately. So, I am bringing it to an end. I do plan to write further tales of Hannah Todd and squad, but not under the Bridge heading. My ratings are getting worse and, unless prompted by many who wish to read on, I am finished with it. Maybe I will have better luck, and you will have better reading, if I just take Hannah in a whole 'nother direction. For those of you who have been with this story from the beginning, if you wish me to continue with Hannah, her squad, the Bridge girls, the family and the other characters I have felt made this story worthwhile, please let me know. The story may die, but the characters live on, if only in my head. For those who follow me, look for what's new. Whatever, whenever. Thanks for reading. MPW