Badass Ch. 01

Badass - A Hannah Todd Story

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, interracial sex, Dominance and submission, tattoos and piercings, intrigue, action, romance and affection. There are also threats of violence and a fair amount of heroism and family love and fun.

This is the continuing adventures of Hannah Todd. I would strongly recommend you stop reading this and go back and read at least some of "The Bridge" which provides the back story for most of the characters in this story. I know... it's 30 chapters and lots and lots of pages, but I and a small handful of folks think it's pretty good. I have tried to provide some of the history of the characters so that you can feel like you are getting the full story just by reading Badass. So proceed as you wish. And, bad or good, your feedback is always welcome.

Badass - Part One

You wouldn't expect a six-foot-five, two hundred- and thirty-pound ex- Navy SEAL to be soft and gentle under any circumstance. But that was my Duane. One minute he could be beating the shit out of five bad guys, or laying waste to a villainous organization, and the next minute he's ever so gently massaging my libido. Like I am the only woman on earth.

And he hits all the buttons. All of them rarely missing a one. Odd that I started my sexual journey as a lover of women as well as men. So, I know a gentle touch when I feel it. And boy, do I feel it. Especially when he kisses me. And he kisses me everywhere. And I mean everywhere. From my tiny toes to the tip of my nose, and everywhere in between. He rarely misses a spot.

And warm? Even on the coldest of days, I remain warm at my core. Especially when he is around and I am in my happy place, cozied up into his chest with his big, hulking arm wrapped around me. And those kisses that raise my temperature a degree or two every time our lips meet. He is my rock. My velveteen pillar.

After we make love, there is invariably pillow talk. Sometimes it's just about how much we love each other, and sometimes it's about the kids. But today it is not such a loving topic we discussed. We were talking about the enemy. We were discussing Dieter Rose. Rose was your classic villain: fence, master thief, local fence, abuser of women, trafficker of girls, and all-around evil son of a bitch. Just the kind of target the Queen Bee, that's me, is looking to take down.

Amongst other things, Rose had a successful home invasion racket, and he was hitting the wealthier homes in the most prestigious areas of Philadelphia's western suburbs. He made the mistake of hitting the home of one of my best friends. And a client, to boot.

You see, my lover, Duane Royce, owns a security company that supplies bodyguards and home security for many upscale clients in the Delaware Valley. When Rose's crew hit my friend Gloria Tuttlehill's place they struck a little too close to home and struck a nerve. And my nerves don't get struck. But they also got their asses kicked. As resident badass around here, nobody strikes my nerves. Not without repercussions.

Dieter Rose was locked up in a safe house I'd only just learned about, deep in Chester County. My intel crew, Avi, Herman, and Domingo, drained about every piece of data contained in the brain of Mr. Rose. Herman and Domingo, being the biggest and baddest of my crew, scared the shit out of Rose, and Avi, my ex-Mossad agent, probed and probed till there wasn't any more to find out. And we found out plenty.

All kinds of people were looking for Dieter Rose. Not just law enforcement. Those agents of evil both above and below Rose had their feelers out and were offering big bucks for information leading to the location of the prolific fence and auctioneer. We knew this, because Rose had already given us the names and locations of those who were looking for him. And that's not all he told us.

We also got the names of crooked cops, politicians, and judges he had in his pocket, as well as other fences and leaders of home invasion crews, of which there were three he would cop to, in addition to the crew we laid to waste.

Rose's desperation to stay alive filled our coffers with enough data to keep my hit squad busy for the next year, at least. His fear of receiving any more pain from us was palpable. Those things truly kept him alive, whereas his compatriot was, in our minds, dispensable.

The dispensable man, one Charlie "The Chicken" Tendler, was in constant pain. My boys made sure of that. At the Rose Estate, Ninja had left him with two fractured ribs, a broken nose, a jaw out of place, a displaced shoulder and a blown-out knee, all of which I attempted to repair as best as an out of practice nurse might do. He was more tight-lipped than Rose. He knew, as a soldier, that he had no way out of this predicament, so he sucked it up and kept quiet. That all changed when I made him a deal.

Tendler was a bad man. A very bad man. He was a sadistic swine who got his jollies out of beating and raping young girls. Totally perverted from a twisted upbringing, his goal in life was to bring as much pain to the innocent as he could muster. And muster he did. Some of the poor little things we rescued from Rose's estate were pretty beat up and they were all scared to death of everything when we came in to rescue them. Lizzie, who had shot the contents and people in the 'harem room,' made a comment about the fear in the eyes of these young women. She captured it in the photos she took of them.

I had no inclination to be kind in any way to Mr. Tendler. But I was kinder than I should have been, for the sake of expedience. Have to think with my head, and not my heart. If I don't, this guy is dead in a minute.

Tendler has a distinct fetish. He must know others with this fetish. This fetish has to do with the enslavement and trafficking of young girls. Thinking with my 'Todd Recovery' cap on leads me to want to know who else this 'Chicken' knows. And to see just how chicken he is. And who else is out there, enslaved and afraid?

"Mr. Tendler," I said, cloaked under my black garb and hoodie and black balaclava. "You've been very uncooperative, and I think I know why. I think it's because you believe we are going to kill you. But, Charlie, I don't want to kill you. I want to set you free, and I will. Already, word is being spread that you are the rat who got us into Rose's place. Everyone over you and under you is gonna be gunning for you. I'm the only game you've got. And if I kill you, it might just be at your own request. Fear is an ugly thing, Charlie. Fear. Fear and pain, Charlie. That's all you're gonna know. Until we let you go, you either start cooperating or I turn it up. What you've gone through with my little wrecking machine is nothing compared to what's coming if I don't get some cooperation."

I took a pause to allow him to collect himself. I paced and looked him over, as well as I could, through the mostly opaque mask. Chained to the chair as he was, half naked, he eyed me up and down as well. At the moment it was just me and him, with Dom there behind him as my backup. Real good backup.

"Now here's the deal, and I think it's a sweet one. You get two choices. One, we set you free in the wild with a pocket full of change and the keys to a late model sedan, and try to shield you for a time. Second, we kill you. Either way, I think you should cooperate."

Then I hit him with the closer. "There is gonna be a little pain coming at you soon. You won't expect it, but it's coming. When you are ready to talk, I'll be around."

"What is it you want?"

"Ah, he speaks."

"Don't mean nothin'."

"Oh, but it means everything to me. Tell me, Charlie; who do you work for, did you work for or want to work for? Where are these people right now? And tell me about Rose. Where are the bodies buried, Charlie? Where is shit stashed? There is so much I want to know, and confirm from what Rose told me, I am bursting at the seams."

"I hate to burst your bubble, lady, but..."

"Oh, young man, my bubble is just fine. It's your bubble you should be concerned about. I'm not the one who's chained to a chair. I want to introduce you to someone, though. Wait right here."

And I went out to the living room and got Caroline, dressed in nothing but a black nylon catsuit and a black balaclava. In one hand she had a bag of slushy ice, in the other a device we had grown to call 'The Jailor.' We'd used it before. It was called the CockMate 6; a male chastity device. And Caroline was the master, or should I say mistress of this device. Already down to his boxers, she made short work of them with her ever-present switchblade.

My girl was very practiced in the way she grabbed his junk and plunged it into the bag of slushy ice. More ice water than ice by now, but it did the trick. Boy, did he howl. He was shrunk down in a minute, and the Cockmate 6 was installed in a jiffy. It was a quick fit.

Tendler was unmoved. And then Caroline started to move. Her near perfect figure and her firm 36s caught his attention from the get go. And when she felt dancing was not enough, she approached him and straddled him on that chair, and gave him the old bump and grind for a while. That stirred him up. But still, he did not sing. Instead, he made a big mistake. He spit on our girl, Caroline. He is very lucky she did not take that device off him and castrate him on the spot.

But she did not sit still for it. She asked me for permission to move forward. "Do you mind if I take some drastic action, boss?"

Permission granted, and she shaved every hair off his head, and previously well cared for hair lay on a sheet on the floor. She then covered his head with a latex hood with only holes in it for his broken nose to breath out of it. You could hear his rough breathing between the broken nose and the hood covering it. However, he could not see or speak, and certainly couldn't spit.

Caroline and I left the room, leaving the boring job of watching over Mr. Tendler to Domingo. I left him with instructions to remove the hood after an hour, but not to let him sleep. Sleep deprivation is the next step. It will take time with a guy like Charlie Tendler, but we've got nothin' but time. To assist him, he had a low-grade cattle prod. Something just right to wake someone up.

When we arrived back at the house with Ronnie at the wheel and Caroline and me in tow, it was quiet. All you could hear was Bertha's humming as she prepared tonight's dinner. The kids wouldn't be home for an hour. Holly was at Gloria Tuttlehills awaiting their girls for some swim practice. She would be meeting with Chuck Miller, the swim coach from the U. S. Olympic Committee. After Celeste is to be dropped off at home, Mr. Miller and Holly have a dinner date. Sanctioned by me, Holly's wife. I know it's a little convoluted, but our relationship has gone through a lot of changes since we first met and fell in love. While she is dining with Chuck Miller, I will be dining with my beloved. Duane Royce. See... convoluted.

The silence was broken by my little ones, Dina, who we call Diva and Duane, Jr., the little bull we call Duanee. She is the lightest skinned of all my children with barely tanned skin, green eyes like mine and blonde curly hair. Duane is my Hershey Kiss, milk chocolate skin, deep brown eyes and kinky black hair. These twins could not be more fraternal if they tried. Everything about them is different. Especially the way they interact with each other. I'm learning twins are special. I'll leave it at that for now.

At a little more than nine months of age, it is truly them that run the house. Keep you running all day, and up half the night. But things are starting to settle down with the twins. Their best buddy and Bertha's little girl, Elspeth, now a year old and walking, has been a living example of what is next for my twins. Of the three of them, Ellie is the darkest, but for her bright red curly hair. In every way, she takes after her mother. To the point where she will take the littler ones to task should they frustrate her. But normally she would just lead them and we would chase them all wherever she took them. Drives us all nuts. And poor Bertha. Puh-leeze.

Fortunately, before my big ones got home from school, Becca showed up to give Aggie, Bertha's cousin and assistant, some much needed relief. Aggie was Bertha's salvation; from cook to maid to nurse maid, she did it all. So much like Bertha. Lucky us.

Even a cold-blooded bitch like myself needs her strokes. When my man is around, he treats me real fine and makes my kitty purr. But what really grounds me and makes me feel more saint than sinner is my kids. My little one, Georgie, and my Georgia Peach. Peach by name, and peach by nature. Talk about my little devil and my big angel. If the shoe fits...

When their car comes up the driveway, it just sends shivers up my spine and down to my toes. I just love them so much. And I never forget those days before they were mine. Those terrible, horrible days.

But today is a good day. We're having 'Lulu's Lasagna,' a dish Bertha got from one of her aunts, for dinner. Duane will be home, which means I will have his attention tonight. What kind of attention is really up to him. But I can make my wishes known. And I will.

Holly and Celeste arrived five minutes before Duane got home. Holly ran upstairs with Aggie to get herself all dolled up for her date tonight. She had an hour. She didn't need but fifteen minutes, so after we changed the twins and Ellie, she came downstairs and we played with the kids together. Nice to see Holly in her rebound stage. Dr. Luisa Como, her psychiatrist, says we're not fully there yet, but things are looking up, and Holly's accepting a date with an attractive man may be a big step forward. Unfortunately, a lot of that is up to the man. Fortunately, in this case, I think we have a man of good character who seems to have a proper respect for us gals. But we shall see. The Queen Bee will be watching. If only from afar, my agents will make sure she is well tended. She will be going with at least two wherever she goes. Mr. Miller notwithstanding.

Aggie and Becca took the babies in hand to change them and put them down for the night. Holly and I went to the Sunroom to await the arrival of her date. Bertha and Caroline got the kids fed and Mac took Ellie home to get her situated and into bed.

"So, Holly, what do we know about our Mr. Miller, other than he swims?"

"Well, Hannah, I've been watching him as he guides the girls toward the Olympics, and he appears to be a kind and giving individual. Very polite, always the gentleman. I just don't see a mean streak in him at all. He's competitive, but not combative. I think he's the kind of man you could get with."

"Well, you know my kind of man, and I'm not going anywhere. And you, my wife, do you think you are ready to commit to a relationship?"

"Please, Han, it's just dinner. It's not like I'm dragging him into my bed. And he is only around for another day and then we probably won't see him for a few weeks or a month. Certainly not the foundation for any kind of deep relationship. At this point, it will just be nice to sit across the table from a handsome man who knows what it is to be a gentleman."

"You know, I have no objection to whatever it is you wish to do with Mr. Miller. But understand that I will not allow another Peace Dunbar situation to arise. I'm putting Alec and two other RFS agents on your detail to keep you out of harm's way."

"Believe me, I have no problem with that. Tomorrow, I will give you the full rundown. I have learned that you don't keep things from the Queen Bee."

"Yeah. That's a burden I have to bear more than you can understand. But that's okay. I would rather die than shift that burden to you."

"You really do love me, in spite of everything. I never..."

"That's right, Holly. You were my first true love. I really thought I loved George Barry, but it was a sham love, based on a false premise. You were it, and when I took my vows with you, I meant every word. And I still do. I love you, Holly Bernstein, but I'm madly in love with Duane. I can't ex..."

"You owe me no explanations, Hannah. I love you too and I always will. Nobody ever laid it on the line for me like you did when you took down Peace. You called it an act of love, and I believe it. It's something I won't discuss outside the two of us and Dr. Como, but I will always remember."

"You told Lu that I killed Peace Dunbar?"

"No. Only that you saved me from him. She deduced the rest. She's no dummy, that one. And don't worry. Your secret will be safe with her."

I found Holly's confession to be unsettling. Now, do I have to kill my friend and favorite psychiatrist to keep us from harm? I think not, but it might be time to do a deeper vetting of her, ala Rhee Spanner, my very special private investigator. But not right now. But maybe it's time to book an appointment with her.

Chuck Miller was a tall man, as competitive swimmers tend to be. He had a muscular build and curly salt and pepper hair, befitting a man of his age. When I walked Holly out to his car, he took my hand and thanked me for allowing him to spend this time with my wife.

"You just get her home before the witching hour. I will take great exception if she turns into a pumpkin." From which we three got a big laugh.

"I promise to bring Holly home on time and intact."

"Then go and have a great time. Where are you going?"

"We're going downtown to a farm to table restaurant in Old City. It's called County Kitchen and just recently opened. Most of their stuff is sourced from Chester and Lancaster Counties. One of the owners was one of my back strokers who wound up not making the cut and went to culinary school. I understand you can't get a reservation for weeks. Needless to say it's good knowing someone on the inside."

"Well, you two have a great time. I'll be here waiting when you get home." And I gave Holly a hug and a kiss on the lips. On the lips. And she let me. My, we have come a long way, haven't we?

Now that Holly is taken care of, it's time to get the kids into bed and get to taking care of my man. Once my big ones and Celeste were in bed, I went into the office to catch up with Duane who was sitting at the desk that wasn't mine going over bios and vetting reports from the Spanner organization. Still looking for more agents. Still looking for leaders of men. And women.

There he sat, still in his work shirt with tie undone but still tied around his collar. He'd come home, eaten a quickly prepared sandwich and went right back to work after a long day down at the Navy Yard where Royce Field Services' offices were located. The Queen Bee cannot allow her top soldier to be left in such a condition.

I took him by the hand and led him into the nursery so that we could spend some precious moments together admiring our handiwork. With his big strong arm around me, we watched as the twins, each embracing their favorite plush toys, fell more deeply into sleep. I rolled into Duane and held his cheeks in my hands and kissed him deeply. Hopefully, he would get the message. Thankfully, he did.

Like the strongman he is, he swept me up in his arms and carried me to our bedroom. From the moment he set me down on my feet, he kissed me. He kissed me as we undressed each other. He kissed me as we fondled each other and he kissed me all over as we made a gentle kind of love for the better part of an hour. Lots of holding and, again, more kissing. And even some quality time with that big old thing of his. You know. That thing he attacks me with that makes me scream sometimes. But not tonight. Tonight was for lots of ooohs and ahhs. And the exchange of bodily fluids. And sharing our love for each other.

Pillow talk was mostly about Holly and her date. Duane more than approved. He wished Holly could get on with her life, divorce me so that he can swoop in and marry me. First a wife, then a husband? I don't know. But what I do know is that this man isn't going anywhere, anytime soon, so that's just the way I will have to play it. If putting a smile on his face keeps this smile on mine, that's how I will continue to play it. That is my goal for the foreseeable future. I've learned to deal with the unforeseen as it comes at me.

Saturday was April Fools' Day, and the kids were having a ball with it. Especially our little rascal, Georgie. At almost six, he was a real trickster and he really laid it on his big sister in a big way. He started by piling her many plush toys on top of her so when she awoke she practically had to dig her way out. She retaliated by putting salt in the sugar bowl that Georgie used for his oatmeal. He was pissed. Couldn't get the salt taste out of his mouth till after lunch.

Fortunately, Celeste and Georgia would be going to the Tuttlehills for swimming with Kimmie, Lily Chu and the Untermeyer kids. Domingo's son, little Dom, was coming over to throw the ball around with Georgie and keep him otherwise occupied. Knowing my boy, gardening will also be involved. Young Dom shared Georgie's love of gardening and helped on the Farm and in the Greenhouse during peak harvesting season. With Dom, Jr.'s father in charge of the boys for the day I knew they were in the very best of hands.

I had other fish to fry on the first of April, and my sights were set on the safe house and Dieter Rose. We picked up a lot of data from Rose during our interrogations of him. We didn't really have to beat him up too much. Just let him listen as we beat the crap out of and otherwise tormented his associate, Charlie Tendler, a man he thought lived without fear. Well, old Charlie brought his share of fear but did not do that well handling his own. He held out some, but when we really brought it, he just gave in and took the deal we offered him.

Between what we got from Tendler and what we got from Rose, we played the two against each other facts versus fiction. It's there that we found the truth.

Rose was a second-tier guy. Along with two other names we gleaned from our mishandling of these two men, there was a third that it virtually took pulling teeth to get. We did not pull any teeth, but when a two-hundred-and-fifty-pound man with a vise grip in his hands pries your mouth open, and threatens to start pulling teeth, the word that comes to mind is surrender. And that's what both men did. They surrendered the big name.

It appeared that all this plundering of the homes of the wealthy was done with the blessing of and under the auspices of one Deacon Peacock, an importer/exporter and real estate magnate, out of North Jersey. Isolated and insulated, there was nothing tying him into any of the shenanigans going on in Chester County. Nothing but the word of Dieter Rose and the now cooperative Charlie Tendler.

Time to get Aurelia Spanner involved. From the safe house, I called Rhee on my supercell and asked her to do a deep search of Mr. Peacock. She promised to make it a priority.

In the meantime, Tendler had loosened up and was just confirming everything Rose had told us to date. But he was the one who gave us Peacock. Rose pissed himself when we asked him about Peacock. That was Herman. Scared the shit out of the man. And his confederate, Charlie Tender, the man who was supposed to be not only a stoic, but an unshakeable rock, shook. Given the deal we laid out before him, he had little choice.

A week and a half after his capture, Charlie was still in pretty bad shape. Sure there would be more questions for him, and wanting to give him some additional recovery time before setting him free, we unbound him from the chair but kept his hands bound to a collar around his neck, and his leg in a leg iron with a fifty pound weight, just to keep him immobilized enough to prevent his escape. We would be letting him go, but not when he was ready. It would be done on our schedule, not his.

The two fences, prominent local figures who had seven figure legitimate businesses, were raking in even more, illegally fencing the goods obtained from the home invasion crews. And there was one more thing. Greta Goldheimer, the art dealer, had her own lucrative side line. She trafficked young girls, and had for years, according to both Rose and Tendler. Her private jet had made more than one trip to the middle east and to Asia for nobody's benefit but hers. And her evil crew of sadistic minions.

William Pastor Brumby, the richest merchant on Jeweler's Row in Center City, was the one who disposed of vast amounts of gold and other precious metals. His shop was by no means small, but not nearly the biggest shop on the block. Nor the most successful. But his inside track brought him enough to purchase one of the richest estates on the Main Line.

The tie in between Brumby and Goldheimer, whose Rittenhouse Square townhouse was the envy of her neighbors, was Deacon Peacock. Brumby and Goldheimer were by no means the only merchants in Peacock's stable of earners, but they were two of the most prolific. And being in my neck of the woods, they would be mine to handle, while never forgetting that the main target would be Peacock. It looks like my team will have their work cut out for them. As would I.

It wouldn't be easy, however. The disappearance of Rose has put his 'friends' on high alert, and it would be that much more difficult to confront them. Time for Hoagie and me to do some shopping. Also, it's time to take a look into Mr. Peacock, and ruffle a few feathers.

We had recently brought two new team members into our small tent of trusted operators. They were Juan and Ali. They were both obtained when Duane bought out another security outfit and kept about three quarters of the men we inherited in the purchase. Juan and Ali were the two best, and most certainly most trusted. They were Spanner vetted, and both Duane and Herman trusted them enough to allow them to be charged with guarding our two prisoners.

That freed up Dom and Avi so that they could participate in our next operation. Or operations, I should say. My question would be how to approach things; from the top down or the bottom up. For this I would address the team. Time for a meeting at the Greenhouse.

----------------------------------------------------

I hate to take my family guys, Alec Hoagie, and Domingo, away from their families on a Sunday, but I felt that I needed to know our next direction sooner rather than later. Duane agreed and called our guys to the Greenhouse for an early meeting. So, at nine o'clock all the members of our team showed up and Duane brought the meeting to order. Lizzie was downtown, but we brought her into the conversation via my supercell which we projected onto the greenhouse's big screen television. Lizzie had become a member of the team and would not be denied admission to this meeting. As usual, Duane brought the meeting to order.

"Alright troops, it's time to put our heads together regarding our next mission or missions. First let me catch you up." And he proceeded to bring the gang up to speed with regard to the two local fences and the super-fence over in Jersey.

"There is nobody better equipped to take down the likes of these people than us. No decisions have been made yet as to how to proceed. We have some thoughts, but most importantly, we need your input first."

"Looks like I'm doing some shopping." Hoagie said.

"No, Hoagie. We're doing some shopping. You and me and Avi make three. What worked before can work again."

"I'm in, boss lady."

"Me too, Queen Bee." Avi said.

Dom, not one to ask dumb questions, didn't. He asked a good one.

"Is Mrs. Tuttlehill going with us again?"

"Very good question. I don't want her involved with the jeweler, a Mr. William Brumby, but I may want her to help us with the art dealer. As a collector of fine art, she would not be suspect, especially since she has some wall space to fill due to the destroyed pieces from the home invasion. The art dealer, a Greta Goldheimer, would love to get her hands on a potential client like my friend Gloria Tuttlehill. She and I are quite known in social circles as good buds, and my joining her in this escapade would not be suspicious in any way.

"I'm hearing a but in there somewhere."

"Not a but, Avi, but an and."

"Oh?"

"Yes. On top of these two fences is what I call a super-fence. That which comes to the two I just named then goes up the ladder to a Deacon Peacock. He's big into importing/exporting and real estate and lives and works out of North Jersey. A little out of our territory, but as they expand, we have to contract them."

"The first thing we have to do is bug these people."

"No, Herm, the first thing we have to do is research them. Let's get Herb on that when he's not in the Closet. I want to know everything about these people. I want them followed, and then I want them bugged. We can do it with wasp drones, I expect. Any ideas, any thoughts?"

"Wasp drones sound good to me," said Avi. "If you want to do research, let's make it up close and personal. The more these people say, the more we shall know."

"I say we go shopping, starting with the jeweler." Hoagie said. "With enough of a distraction, I can get the lay of the land in that shop in five minutes, and plant a wasp drone in one more."

"Hold that thought, Hoagie. I see you and me going in with Dom as backup. In fact, I see three of us going in together. You two as my bodyguards and Holly, as the distraction. Nobody loves shopping more than Holly, and this trip will give me a chance to give her a nice apology gift."

"Apology for what?" Duane asked.

"I don't know. I'll think of something. Holly is the perfect distraction. Lizzie, what do you think? Wanna come with?"

"Far be it from me to turn down a good shopping trip. Especially jewelry. Fuck Holly. I'll be your distraction."

"Good. You and I will go in with Hoagie and Dom and Avi can be the usual secret shopper that he is. We good, Av?"

"Super. I like a good shopping trip as much as Ms. Britain. I'm looking for a piece of jewelry, anyway."

"Excellent," Duane said. "We start with the jeweler while we research the art dealer. I think we should hand the research over to Rhee Spanner, lock, stock, and barrel. Nobody's faster and no one is better."

"Agreed, my man. Can you hook up with Rhee and get her on it?"

"Will do, my Queen. We'll talk this afternoon. Her office hours are 24/7/365."

"Anyone else have any input that applies to this matter?"

"Yes, Miss T., Shock and awe." Archer said. "Hit 'em hard and take 'em out."

"Here, here," said my Triple-A team, joining the fourth A in spirit.

"Avi, I want you to do a quick scouting mission at the jewelry store, just to get the lay of the land."

"Perfect. I need to be looking at rings anyway."

"Oh? Rachel?"

"Yep. I think it's time."

"Oh, Av. I'm so happy for you."

"Well, she hasn't said yes yet."

"She'd be a damned fool not to. Have you asked her father?"

"Oh yeah. Did that already. He is good with it. Especially after I bailed out his brother with a couple of antisemites who'd threatened him."

"I hope they learned their lesson."

"Folks like them never learn, but they are too frightened to do anything to Mort. He's a nice man and a gentle man. He'll have no problem with them anymore. Especially the worst of them. I broke six of his fingers and his now bent nose. He'll never forget the likes of me."

"Good on you, Av. It's the kind of thing I highly condone, as long as it doesn't come back to bite us."

"Nah. He's far too frightened. That's the thing about bullies. They are essentially cowards at heart and pick on the weak for their own satisfaction. I have disabused him of that notion and expect he is minding his p's and q's. If he rears his ugly fascist head, Rachel will let me know and I will take it off."

"Really? But how do you really feel, Av?" Everyone got a kick out of that.

"Tuesday morning, you two go looking at rings and scout this place out. Lizzie, I want pictures. On the sly, of course."

"My specialty. I'll just wear my necklace cam and let it do the work."

"Genius, Liz. Anyone else. Questions or ideas?"

"Yeah," Anthony said. "Where in North Jersey is this big mahoff?"

"Not sure, yet, where he lives, but he does business out of Paramus, where he has a shop and at least one warehouse. That is as much as I know from what we got from Rose."

"Well, I grew up in Prospect Park, and I know Paramus pretty well. Always happy to go up and explore if you'd like. I can even pick up Mama and take her for a little shopping. Pick her up a little something just for being the great gal she is."

"Good. Anthony, I want you to focus on this Peacock guy. Get all you can for me. Nothing is too inconsequential. Get it all, but don't tip your hand. Go up there on Wednesday."

"Great call, Queen Bee," Duane said. "Alright, the rest of you go do your jobs or whatever it is you are up to. Send anything you find to mine and Hannah's supercells. Copies of everything go to Herbert in the Closet. He will compile and analyze and report back to us. I expect we will have our next meeting here on either Thursday or Friday. Talk to me if anything important comes to you. Other than that, enjoy the day." I broke the link to Lizzie, and we turned off the TV and off we all went.

The kids were all out doing things. Holly and the girls were swimming. Dom had the day off and he took the boys to a baseball game at the school I was taking classes at, West Chester University. His dear friend and teammate, Alec joined him with his little boy. Well-tended, well-guarded. They were joined by one of the regular RFS agents whose son is the third baseman today for Bloomsburg, the opposing team. Well-guarded, indeed.

I have developed a love/hate relationship with baseball. I like the game just fine. However, the name George Barry holds a lot of sway with sports fans in this town. As George Barry, Jr., my son is like a magnet for eager sports fans. Dom knows that we don't flash that name around. In fact, quite to the contrary, we keep mum about it. I do not want my beautiful baby boy swamped by eager loving fans of his father confusing him at such a young age. Being the son of a sports legend you barely knew is a cross my little man will have to bear all his life. Or as long as his father remains famous, something I would like to make cease before that weight on my son is too heavy. I fear that by the time he is mature enough to carry it; it may break him. I will kill anyone who tries. Or have them killed. Not my first rodeo.

Our meeting with the team having broken up, and with a mostly empty house I wanted to go upstairs and shake the rafters a bit. The babies were all downstairs in the family room and Aggie and Becca had them well in hand. So, I stuck my hand down Duane's pants and swore I wouldn't let go until I had my fill. He said if I took my hand out, he'd take me to his place where we could both howl out loud without regret or remorse.

I put Bertha in charge and off we went, with Danny in tow, just to keep an eye on things while we were gettin' busy. No bag, no change of clothes, just moving out at full speed. All the girls were laughing their butts off as we quickly kissed the babies, and off we went. They know the score.

When we got to Duane's place, we pulled into the garage as usual, and Danny found a good street spot to keep an eye out. As he always does on stake out, he set out a pigeon sized auto drone to have his back. Herb in the Closet will be monitoring that drone as well as Dan, from the monitor on his dashboard. Just a precaution.

Duane and I were done with precautions. Almost as quickly as I could get out of the Navigator, he swept me up in his arms and we were inside in a flash. Once the alarms were set, of course.

Once we hit our destination, we slowed our roll; but not much. Undressing was very unsexy. Frantic and erratic, we pulled and pushed at each other until we were as undressed as we needed to be, which was all the way. Clothes strewn all over the place.

And then the kissing commences. He loves to kiss me and I love being kissed by him. He always starts at my neck and works his way up to my ear and then around to my mouth and that's when I just lay back and surrender to him. Wherever he takes us is where I want to go.

Today he wanted to pay special attention to my breasts, and, having healed up from his son sucking my tits dry, I was amenable. Usually just a pit stop on his way to his favorite place, he really had me humming just from breast play, and then the specialty of the house; cunnilingus.

Oh, joy. And those fingers, each a sizeable cock in itself. And when two go in at a time it just fills me up just right. Prelude to the main event. But I get to do some of the work too. I'm no pillow princess. I'm the Queen Bee and a minor sex queen around these parts. Just a slut with a big bank account.

Once he'd taken care of my basic needs, it was my time for me to get to work. I was on that big black root of his in a shot. I took him in hand then took him in mouth, then I ever so slowly sucked, and licked, and cajoled until that dark stick was stiff and ready for mama to climb on board. And climb I did.

As he lay there, my pillow prince, I straddled him and grabbed hold of that cock and plunged it into my eager, salivating beaver, an attempt at the cowgirl position. I pumped up and down on him for a while, trying to get into a motion, but he sat up and put his arms around me. I put my legs around him and we sat there, making out and fucking in the lotus position. That was fine for a while, but I was getting that itch, looking for the big O. Duane caught a whiff of that and he stood up, never letting me go, and with me wrapped around him backed me into the wall and just drilled me for a solid five minutes. Standing there. Coming? Oh yeah.

Once Duane finally hit the mother lode, we untwisted, and he picked me up and carried me to the bed and lay me down. Purrr. But he wanted to keep on making out. Who am I to argue with a handsome man, a man I love, who wants to love on me? So, we nipped and pecked at each other and he continued to attend to my tits. It was wonderful and all, but I just wasn't feeling a second round. I'd rather have a shower with my man and just put our bodies together that way.

First, we laid a bit and pillow talked, mainly about Holly, speculating about her date with Chuck Miller. Duane didn't understand why she would be interested in a man on a social basis. He thought her first inclination would be to be with a woman, as was mine. But I guess you find attraction where you find it. I did. Twice. Woman and man. Just like Holly, it seems. But we both thought a woman would be a safer bet for Holly. Go know.

At some point today Holly and I would talk and I'd ask her about her date. Let's see how open she is. Not that I expect it to bring about any changes. I still love her so, and I worry about her every day. Since the assault on her by Peace Dunbar and his cronies, she's been working herself back from an acute case of PTSD and rape trauma syndrome. Mr. Miller can be a very good thing for Holly. That is, if he is a good man. A very good man. I worry that Holly's intimacy issues will hold her back from any kind of successful relationship. Especially with a man.

Holly is for later. Right now, it's time to attend to my man and get him into the shower. Ooooh, get us both into the shower. I hate wearing my not so sexy bathing cap to get into the shower, but I don't want to get my hair wet in the middle of the day and have to spend all that time under the hair dryer. Maybe I should cut it. Gloria's looks so cute since hers was all cut off, and it grew back and is now styled in an adorable pixie cut. I can just eat her up. And on occasion I have.

The shower was divine, with lots of skin-on-skin contact. I washed his back, and he washed my front and a good time was had by all. We made sure all the important parts were good and clean. In an hour, we'd be seeing the kids. Always have to show our best selves to the kids. All of them.

The ride home was nice. We were done talking about Holly, so, we talked about us. And I held his hand and swooned over him the whole way from Coatesville back to Romansville. Danny followed. I guess the honeymoon isn't over yet with Duane. I'm feeling like a bride. Don't I wish. Be careful, Hannah, of what you wish for.

------------------------------------------

The Chus booked the day and overnight at the Four Seasons at the Comcast Center, the ritziest hotel in Philly, for a couple's getaway. Even though there would be three of them. Joining Patty and Wen, the Drs. Chu, was Kitty, Patty's lesbian 'friend' she met while partying at Cramps, a lesbian bar, one night with our crowd. That was the night she found out she was bisexual, having succumbed to the advances of the queer redhead.

Although Kitty never touched Wen Chu, her addition to the threesome made for a good time. Especially Patty, who had garnered the attention of both the good doctor and her read haired paramour who'd introduced her to the LGBTQ universe. This would be their first adventure together as a trio, but it wouldn't be the last. Strictly observing his wife with her lover was enough for the good doctor. Especially when, after having her pussy plundered by the aggressive Kitty, he came in as the finisher, affirming Patty's bisexuality.

The littlest Chu, Lily, one of my Georgia Peach's best friends, spent the day swimming with the girls and spent the evening and night with us. Lily is adorable. She is the littlest of the girls, just a little taller than Georgie, who was two years her junior. The girls slept in Georgia's new bunkbeds we had obtained for her to accommodate her many friends for sleepovers.

The addition of Lily Chu to our family unit for the night left Celeste as the odd man out. Never to be discouraged by such things CeeCee, as she is called by her swim friends, would delve into new things on her tablet and spend some time doing yoga. She was the only one of the kids who participated when Holly and I had our at-home yoga classes with our personal trainer/yoga instructor two afternoons a week. Since she had Ellie, Bertha had started to participate as well to keep herself in shape to keep Mac happy. And happy he was. Please. Married to Bertha, who wouldn't be?

Once the kids went to bed, I asked Holly if she wanted some hot-tub time with me and me alone. She said, "yes." Holly seems to be making a great comeback, and I thought a relaxing minute or two in the hot tub might loosen her up. Just in case I made sure the vape pen was loaded up and ready to serve.

Holly looked great. She had been working out and doing yoga with me and our personal trainer, Zeke. Zeke was not one of our squad, but he was an RFS employee who did personal training on the side and bodyguarding for a living. He was built great and worked us hard. Holly could have had a thing for him, but he was gay and interested more in Duane than Holly when he came by. His roving eye was what tipped his hand in that regard.

In a unwifely move, she and I undressed in our separate bedrooms, and she came to me in her big white puffy robe as I awaited her in the filled tub. I immediately handed her the vape pen, and she immediately hit it. She knew she was about to get a Hannah Todd interrogation and she wanted to be anesthetized for the experience. So did I, and hit the pen just as hard as she did.

I remember when we would get into the hot-tub together and I would lay against Holly and we would spoon until the water turned cool. Not so today. When Holly removed her robe and got into the tub she sat at the opposite end and faced me. The only contact we had was our legs touching as we spread them out in the big tub.

"How was your date last night? I'm dying to hear how it went. What kind of guy is this Chuck Miller?"

"He's a real gentleman, Han. He is a giver, not a taker. He recognizes my vulnerability and does nothing to take advantage of me. Very refreshing for a man. He's certainly more William than Peace Dunbar. Way more. And I think..."

"You think, what?"

"He asked me out again. I hope you don't mind that I said yes."

"Mind. I think it's great. I'm so happy for you. Watching you come out of your shell has been hard on me, but I am so happy you are emerging. You have so much to offer, and it's..."

"Hannah. I think I want a divorce."

"You think you want a divorce? What does that even mean?"

"Hannah, we've covered this territory before. You know I just hold you back. You and Duane should be able to get on with your lives together. I'm holding you back, and I think our marriage is holding me back, too."

"In what way are you holding me back? My life is just fine."

"Give me another hit on that pen, will you?"

"Sure, here." And I handed her the vape pen that sat on the shelf of the hot tub. She hit it hard and passed it back to me and I took a light hit off of it.

"Hannah, I'm starting to feel urges. But not for you. For some reason I am not just finding myself attracted to women. That's the reason I haven't attempted to jump your bones. But I find Mr. Miller quite compelling. He moves me."

"Moves you?"

"You know, that way."

"What way is that?" And she started to tear up. Oh no, not my kryptonite. Holly's tears can make me do just about anything. Just one tear running down her cheek can shake my entire foundation and force me to make decisions that are not necessarily in my best interest.

"Hannah, last night when we were at the restaurant, he put his hand on mine at the table and I felt something. I felt sexy; something I haven't felt in a long time. And when he dropped me off last night, he didn't kiss me on the mouth or the cheek. He kissed the back of my hand. And he asked if we could do this again. I immediately said yes, without thinking. I'm sorry if I went over your head."

"Holly, you did not go over my head. You made a personal decision about you and your body. It was your decision to make."

"Well, after I did my nighttime routine, for the first time since the incident, I pulled out one of my old vibrators and gave myself a good old-fashioned orgasm. My first in a year and a half."

"And?"

"Han, I think I'm ready to get back in the saddle, but it's gonna have to be slow and easy."

"And you think Mr. Miller is the solution?"

"I so want him to be. He's made no advances in that way, but I'm thinking of maybe making some advances of my own. I feel attracted to him and I think he is attracted to me. Why else would he ask me out?"

"Did you have 'the talk?'"

"Not at all. We talked about ourselves and our interests and all, but nothing about sex. But he talked about the future as if he wanted me to be a part of it. We've been making eyes at each other for months now, every time I'm at the Tuttlehills and he is instructing the girls."

"How about age? He's got to be ten years older than you."

"Actually, he is fourteen years older, but he is very fit and youthful. And when he swims I find it very attractive. He's so handsome and..."

"So, my Holly is ready for sex. How about me, Holl? Come, hug me. Don't I make you feel sexy anymore?"

"Not really. Don't get me wrong, I still love you the most, but I'm just not feeling the sexual attraction to gals that I used to have. I'm in what Dr. Como calls the Resolution Phase of my Rape Trauma Syndrome and she said that this kind of thing can be expected."

"Did you talk to Lu about Mr. Miller and what he is doing to you?"

"I did talk about the attraction, but not about the latest development. I expect it will be our main emphasis at our next session. But I didn't talk about the latest development."

"Latest development?"

"You know, being horny for Chuck. I'm feelin' it, Hann."

"Well, then you should go for it. At least if Lu Como says it wouldn't bring you more harm. If it will move you forward in your progression toward being fully well, I am all for it and you have my complete support. Flaunt your stuff, girl, and fuck that man."

"Thank you, Hannah. You are a wonderful wife. But I still think we should think about divorce. It could be the solution for both of us."

"I don't know, Holl, I'm feeling mighty fine about where I am right now. Duane's not going anywhere and everyone who has any meaning in my life accepts us as a couple. Why do I need to be single when I still love my wife?"

"I don't know. I'm so confused. I still love you, too. Why does life have to be so fucked up?"

"Because so much of life is a fuckup. Luckily, we have the resources to get past most of it. And we have each other. Married or divorced, we will always have each other and each other's back. Right?"

"Absolutely. Todd-Bernstein is more than an enterprise. It is a love that is unceasing. It is a bond I will not break and I know you won't either."

"Come here, my Amazon. Give me a great big naked hug." And she did. But it was the hug of a dear friend, not a lover. Holly had made up her mind, and I was not going to do anything to stop her. But I am not even considering a divorce. Unless Holly really gets to the point where she needs it. Let's see how things go with Chuck.

"Tell me about Mr. Miller, Holl. What did you guys talk about?"

"Well, he's forty-six years old, but has been swimming and working out all his life. He is super fit and carries himself so well. Lately I find watching him swimming at the Tuttlehills to be a real turn-on. Watching him with the girls is also a turn-on for me as it shows his gentleness and kindness as well as his firmness regarding the sport.

He has three Olympic medals and many national titles in the backstroke. He's got two bronzes and a silver over the course of two Olympics. He grew up in northeastern New York State, and moved to Philly because that is where his coach lived and decided to make it his home. He travels all over the country for his work as a coach and has helped his students earn almost a dozen medals, including a gold in the one hundred. The breast is not his specialty but he has helped Celeste enormously with her swimming in many ways. The gal who has come in to help our CeeCee is a bronze medalist in the breast stroke and just picked up where Chuck left off."

"And you? What did you tell him about us?"

"You know, the usual wife-wife stuff. Nothing too personal, just how good you have been as a wife."

"Did you tell him about..."

"Yes. He knows about what happened to me. But I didn't tell him about Peace. Only that I was gang raped and that I am in therapy for that reason."

"And did you tell him what we did about Mr. Dunbar?"

"NO! Not a word. I may be sick, but not that sick. I would never betray that trust you had in me to end my problem in front of my face. What you did was absolutely the right thing, and letting me in on it really helped to make me whole. Or more whole."

"Thank you for your vote of confidence. That was indeed my goal and it is good that what others thought may be my questionable judgement paid off. Even if it was a bit dramatic."

"I'll say. I never saw anyone blown up before. It would have been horrifying if I hadn't been so mentally and emotionally sedated. When it was happening, it was as if someone else was looking at it through my eyes. It took a lot of guts to do that, Hannah."

"And I'd do it again in a heartbeat, for you, my Holly. I have zero regrets about ending Peace Dunbar's life, or the way I did it."

"But do you have any problems with me dating Chuck? He's such a nice man."

"And as long as he stays a nice man, I have no problem with you dating him. But only if you let me know if there's trouble in paradise. I vow, wife or not, I will never let another man do to you what Dunbar did to you. Not on my watch, and my watch is every day, forever."

"I love you, Hannah. Despite your blooming heterosexuality, you are one great wife."

"Thank you, my love. The water is getting cold. Let's get on with our night."

Holly gave me a hand out of the tub and a naked hug and a kiss on the lips. I think things are resolved and I have Chuck Miller to thank for it. At least I hope I do. We shall see.

I put on my big puffy robe and went to the office where Duane was struggling with an issue with two of his men. They proved to be rude and ineffective, and he was going to fire them. But he had to be very careful not to break any of the employment laws, so he was putting together notes to use when he called Larry Lawrence, our attorney, to make sure he did not screw it up.

I walked around the desk and threw my arms around his shoulders and kissed him on the back of the neck. He flung his head back and gave me a kiss. Not one of his passionate barn burners, but something nice to let me know he still loves me.

Still only in my robe, I flashed him and gave him the look like he'd be crazy not to want some of this, but he was just too keyed up tonight. So I dragged him out of the office and into the bedroom and gave him a naked nuru massage. Then I sucked his dick and got a little something for myself. That's what you do when your man is tense. At least that's what I do.

--------------------------------------------------

On Monday, Avi went down to the jewelry shop of William Pastor Brumby, just to scout the place out. Kind of a pre-mission, mission. Under the pretense he was looking for an engagement ring, he would check out the place and the people and record everything with the camera in his tiepin. He would be prepared to brief us for our appointment on Wednesday.

On Tuesday we met in the office at my home and I reviewed the footage with Avi to get his impressions of the shop. The review was more for Hoagie than the rest of us, as he had a vision for the kinds of things we were looking for. Lizzie joined us and would stay over to accompany me and Hoagie on Wednesday to the jewelry store.

Because I would only have two bodyguards with me, both Lizzie and I went on the trip to Philly armed. I had my custom Glock on my hip and Lizzie had her personalized Smith & Wesson M&P Shield on hers. Didn't we look like the baddest bitches in town? Of course, Avi would come in with Lizzie on the tail end of our visit to potentially seal the deal for an engagement ring for his Rachel. And to act as a distraction while Hoagie did his thing. A trip to the restroom would most certainly be in order.

Because of who I am, Mr. Brumby gave me his full attention and had one of his associates deal with Avi and Liz. Ronnie had driven us and was now with us as my second body guard along with Hoagie Hinton. Hoagie was my master thief. He was a pickpocket, a magician, a stage hypnotist, grifter and master of disguises, among many other things including smart as a whip. He had made his living in the dark until we brought him into the light. His wife was my biggest fan since I gave her husband the first legit steady job he'd ever had. He was even paying taxes. His occupation said bodyguard, but he was so much more.

Every shop on Jewler's Row had some form of security. This shop had one guy, armed and in a security guard uniform. I noticed him out of the corner of my eye and he kept staring at me and Hoagie. And I know he wasn't staring at my saggy old tits.

When Hoagie asked for the rest room this guy went with him. Fortunately for us, as Hoagie was exiting the restroom, a car backfired on Sansom Street and the guard came flying out of the back room, just in case. That gave Hoagie one quick bite of the apple, as he stuck his head in the office and did a quick overview. Something I may not have mentioned about Hoagie Hinton was that he has what is called an eidetic memory, what people call a photographic memory. It is one of the things that makes him such a good grifter and talented thief. It also makes him one hell of a historian. He and I were getting closer every day. His wife didn't' mind. He was home more than ever and brought in more than he did on a regular basis as a thief. He also considered the risk of working for me far less than working on his own. Shared risk and shared reward made for a more stable life for the Hintons.

We were in the shop for about half an hour when Lizzie and Avi came in. She was Avi's second opinion, the rationale for his second trip to the jeweler. He wouldn't buy today, or even from this jeweler, but he liked getting the experience shopping for rings.

Herman's birthday was coming up, so I bought him an antique pocket-watch to give him from Duane and I. The watch would be a symbol, like the ones I gave to Duane and Davante. It was being engraved, so I had a reason to come back or send one of my people for another bite at the apple. Maybe another shot at that office.

We left the shop, and I felt our mission was a success. We had an overview of the shop, I had been introduced to William Brumby and Hoagie successfully placed a wasp drone in the office so now I had ears and eyes where they would do me the most good, albeit small ones.

After our visit to Brumby Jewelry and Gold Outlet, we stopped at my jeweler's. The place where I got Holly's rings. Ten minutes later, Avi and Liz joined us and the real ring shopping began. We spent an hour in that shop. Avi said his Rachel never wore gold because she didn't like the way it looked against her skin. She preferred silver. Avi picked a beautiful platinum setting and a one carat marquise cut diamond. Rachel would not be able to say no to that. Not that she would even think of saying no to Avi. I love a nice Jewish wedding and Rachel will wind up being a beautiful bride.

At Brumby's shop, I had talked about how rich I am and how much stuff I have at home. Valuable stuff. You could almost see the guy salivating as I poured out lie after lie, peppered with the occasional truth. I especially talked up my collection of gold but gave him no specific value. I also talked up my art collection which is worth a small fortune in itself. Thank you Mary Barry.

I got the guy so stimulated that we didn't even make it home before we caught him, via the wasp drone, talking to us through our monitor on the car's dash. He called Deacon Peacock, over in Jersey.

"Mr. Peacock, I had an impressive client today in my store. She is richer than sin and likes to flash it around. I expect she'll make a fitting target."

"Oh, tell me, Brumby, what can you tell me about this rich lady?"

"Her name is Hannah Todd and she was in with her bodyguards today and she even wears a gun. Can you imagine."

"Why, I wear a gun. Whenever I'm out of the house I have a gun on my person, just in case. The bodyguards are great, but..."

"I understand, Mr. Peacock."

"Do we have an address for this woman, Brumby?"

"Most certainly. I sold her a watch, and it's right on the receipt. She gave it to me willingly."

Was that a mistake? Did I blow this? Should I have given a false address, maybe Duane's? I guess I'll find out when I confront him with this information.

"Alright, Brumby, send someone out to scout the situation and report back to me."

And the line went dead. But Hoagie chimed in.

"Time to look for someone strange, and also to look at any new hires coming our way. When he finds out your relationship with RFS he is either gonna bail or try to put someone into the organization to get a leg up on us."

"I think I made a big mistake giving my real address to this guy. Am I putting my kids in harm's way? Am I putting you guys in harm's way?"

"Don't worry about us, Miss T. We know more about them than they know about us." Hoagie said. "By the time they figure out what we are up to, we will already have them where we want them."

"I'll take that under advisement, Hoagie. Avi and Lizzie are coming up to the house, so we should all huddle with Duane before dinner time and see what's next."

"Yes, ma'am."

When we got home, I called my buddy Gloria Tuttlehill to see what she is doing Friday.

"Hannah, what's up, my girl? Your girls are not here today, and the littles are not out of school yet."

"I know Glor. Just calling to ask what you are up to on Friday."

"I'll have to ask Rapper. He's in charge of my schedule, if you know what I mean."

"How's that all working out?"

"Oh sister, it's working out just fine. What a piece he is. I think I'm in love."

"Slow your roll, sister. Don't forget your place in the hierarchy. He's a married man, and..."

"It doesn't stop him from being the best fuck I ever had, as well as the best master."

"So, it's working out."

"Better than even you could expect. What is it with you Hannah? You make dreams come true."

I didn't want to tell her I also make nightmares come true as well. But not for my Glorious. For her, I let nothing stand in the way of her dreams. To say that I would kill for her is literally true. I already have, if only by proxy.

"Ask Rapper about Friday, Glor. I have another shopping adventure in mind. You up for it?"

"You know me, always ready to shop. What's up?"

"There is a lady I am planning to visit with. I expect if you are with me I will get the appointment I want when I want it. She's an art dealer down in Center City who shows her pieces at her home in Rittenhouse. She's a neighbor of Larry's."

"Rapper, can we speak."

"Of course Mrs. Tuttlehill. How can I be of service?"

"Rapper, I want to go shopping down in Center City on Friday with Miss Todd. Do you think we can arrange that?"

"For you and Miss Todd I can always make it work. Just let me know what you need from me."

"Thank you, my Master. I will do that for you always."

"So, it's a go, Glor?"

"I can't wait. Just call me with the particulars."

"Will do. You are so good a friend. There's a piece I believe she has that I want for Holly. She collects Chagall now and there is an etching I want for her."

"Since the invasion I've got a few holes on my wall where I could use something to replace the ruined pieces."

"Oooh, I can't wait. I love shopping with you. You bringing Rapper?"

"Is the Pope Catholic?"

"These days you just don't know."

"You're a card. I'll see you Friday. Whose driving?"

"I'll take Ronnie and Dom, and Hoagie of course."

"Three's company."

"No. According to Duane, three's a minimum."

"Love you, Han."

"Love you, back, Glor."

Getting the appointment with Greta Goldheimer was easy as pie. Especially when I mentioned Gloria Tuttlehill was coming as well. I could almost see the saliva pouring through the phone line.

------------------------------------------------------------

Goldheimer had a four-story townhouse at 21st and Delancey Place. She both lived there and did business out of the building. The outside of the building was classic Philadelphia, but the inside was all early twentieth century wood and marble. The first floor was gorgeous and had pieces from her collection, both large and small. The walls were filled and Gloria Tuttlhills eyes were wide open.

Greta Goldheimer was a woman in her sixties, although she didn't look it. She looked to be a very wise fifty-year-old who happened to make it into her sixties. Her undyed white hair was cut straight across her jawline and hung there unmoving as she walked up to greet us.

"Miss Todd, Mrs. Tuttlehill, I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to meet you."

So don't tell us, lady. Let's just get on with it.

"Your place is magnificent, Ms. Goldheimer." Gloria said. "And the works of art, I don't know where to start. Everything is so beautiful and so beautifully displayed. Kudos to your decorator."

"Well, thank you, Mrs. Tuttlehill, that would be me."

"No surprise," I said. "Not from the best art dealer in town."

"Thank you so much. We generally don't allow more than one body guard at a time, but seeing how special a customer you are three is just fine. My two will make them as 'comfortable' as possible." Our three being Hoagie, Dom and Rapper. I don't know about the other two, but I've never seen anyone say no to Big Dom.

Ms. Goldheimer showed us around and answered our questions about particular pieces. And we were filming everything. And I mean everything. The body cams we generally use are too visible and I wanted to go in silent. Domingo had a cam in his tie pin; Hoagie, who would never wear a tie, had it in his glasses; and Rapper had two wasp drones to be released at the appropriate time, when no one was looking. But the bodyguards were up our asses and it was tough to distract everyone. Fortunately, this was a private showing, and Greta's assistant was not around for now. So, it was three of them, and five of us. I liked the odds.

Our break came when I asked about the Chagall collection which were on the second floor. This gave us a chance to split the guards and give Rapper his break to let loose the drones. Being the brightest bulb, he asked the guy about the restroom, Hoagie's big line. Hoagie, with his gift of gab, had the guard turning away from his partner in crime while Rapper let loose the drones with commands to Herbert to get them flying to a place where they could do the most good. Then he went and had a good pee.

I bought a Chagall etching, The Capture of Jerusalem. Number 23 of 100. Loved the way the theme is handled. I think I like this for myself as much as for her. It will go on the wall in the hall outside the office. That way, I can look at it every day and think about the things we do in a heavenly way. It turned out to be just the distraction we needed. When everyone was crowded into the front hall as Greta wrote up and wrapped my Chagall and Gloria's two great big works were written up, Hoagie made his way to the bathroom, which was feet from Greta's office, and made sure the door to the office was cracked long enough for one of the wasp drones to fly in and perch. It took seconds and the iron wall of Dom kept our guardians from noticing. At this point, Greta was in her glory, having just sold three nice paintings totaling over fifty thousand dollars. Not a bad day's work. And we promised we'd be back. She was lickin' her chops.

We practically all ran to the car, wanting to monitor any action from Greta Goldheimer. I knew what was coming, So I sent Gloria off with Rapper and a driver so that I could monitor the woman in privacy. What I want to hear, I don't want Gloria to hear. Getting her into another car with Rapper Malone was easy. Rapper is the best bait when it comes to Gloria, my glorious one. If she doesn't do it because she wants to, she'll do it because he tells her too. He's Gloria's personal bodyguard and Dominant, and I'm his boss. Ultimately, he answers to me, and me alone.

Hoagie, Dom and I made it to the car just in time to hear Greta placing a call. It was picked up both visually and audibly by drone number 2, the one in her office. Herbert, in the Closet, flew it to a place between two books on a shelf. High enough to be out of eyesight, but low enough to catch any necessary angles. And the microphone picked up everything clear as a bell.

"Yes, Mr. Peacock, Greta Goldheimer."

"Greta. How are you, my dear. And how are things in the art world. Any new acquisitions we need to make... disappear?"

"Not right now. But I had a couple of interesting clients today. Are you familiar with Gloria Tuttlehill?"

"Tuttlehill. Is that the tech billionaire outside Philadelphia?"

"That's right. She's pretty much left the tech world these days and is just living the life of your run-of-the-mill billionaire. Spending lots of that money. She was in with her friend Hannah Todd. She's a multimillionaire out in Chester County."

"Todd. Yes. Isn't she the one who owns the security company that..."

"That what?"

"Never mind. What were they looking for?"

"Well, they walked away with fifty grand worth of art. Not a bad day's work."

I couldn't have said it better. Oh, wait...

"And you're calling me, why?"

"The Todd woman. You know she walks around with a 9 mm. pistol on her hip. Thinks she's pretty tough. I think that kind of hubris makes for an easy target. I'll bet the right crew can make short work of that place. We almost pulled it off before. This time we get it right."

Hubris, huh? I'm wetting my pants here.

"I remember that job. The baseball player. Ugly situation. It's a miracle nobody went down for that. Just one guy still alive in jail and two who got away. I think they're working for Rose. Or were working for him."

"Have you heard anything?"

"Not a fucking thing."

"I can't believe he'd run off. Either someone's got him or he's dead."

"Well, if somebody's got him, we are in some deep shit. Do you have enough people?"

"I think so. I hate to bitch and take a bigger bite than I'm due. But I am bringing in a couple more bodies out of an abundance of caution. I figure I can live with four and travel with two."

"Fuckin' any of 'em?"

"All of them. We have a rotation. Keeping the vagina dentata fed is serious work. Even at my age."

"Well, I'd love to come down and put it to ya, but I'm kinda hunkered down myself."

"Is anybody looking for Rose?"

"Everybody is looking for Rose. You hunker down too. Nothing but legit business for a while. I..."

"But Mr. Peacock, I have transactions to complete. I can't leave people hanging. That only draws attention."

"You're right. Finish all uncompleted transactions and close up shop for a while. And look into this Hannah Todd. I don't think this is the time to hit her place, but that time will come. Just be patient, right?"

"Yes, sir. I'll let you know when we are shut down."

They ended the call and I just knew what I had to do. It was time for a new mission.