"You don't, by chance have a computer, do you? Preferably, a Macintosh."

"Sure, downstairs. Mostly we use it to play video games, but it's got a good bit of memory, and-"

"A CD ROM drive, I hope?"

"Of course. Can't play the latest games without all the accessories. Is that what you need?"

Glenn chewed her lip. She didn't have a good feeling about involving even more innocent bystanders in this madness. There had to be a better way. As Geoff hit the highlights with Lois, Glenn paced nervously around the room, rearranging the Christmas cards that crowded the fireplace mantle. There were cartoon reindeer, gold embossed Madonna's, Wise Men riding camels under sapphire skies. There were Norman Rockwell families, and children with velvet eyes and striped mittens. Glenn felt a sense of melancholy. It was probably lack of sleep.

"Ma-ma, see my tree." Brianna put her pudgy hands on the backs of Glenn's legs, and pushed.

The tree was eight feet tall-a Scotch pine with a trunk like a telephone pole. Brianna's twinkling blue eyes gazed up at the angel on top.

"I helped decorate it."

"It's absolutely beautiful. You did a wonderful job."

"Yeah," Brianna said, then made Glenn sit in a chair beside the tree. "Know what? Santy Claus is coming to my house."

"Looks like he's already been here. You have a lot of presents under there."

"Those aren't from Santy Claus. Those are for other people. Here." Brianna dove into a stack of red foil. "Here," she said, handing a package to Glenn. "This is for you."

"You don't even know me."

"What's your name?"

"Glenn."

Brianna laughed. "Dat's a boy's name. You're agu-ril . Like Mommy and me. You're silly." She leaned her elbow on Glenn's leg, pointed to a spot, and pretended to read. "Dis-is-for-Glenn. See? Will you put my shoes on me?"

Glenn nodded, and Brianna shot out of the room. Geoff was sitting on a love seat across a coffee table from Lois.

"We have to go," Glenn said.

Geoff looked at her. "What?"

She held the gift out on her palm. "This belongs to you, Lois."

"Did Brianna give that to you?" Lois asked. "I had the kids make gifts to hand out to the less fortunate. It's to help remind them that Christmas is for everybody. Kids get quite selfish, if you let them. Later tonight, we'll take them over to the Children's Home."

"Why me?" Glenn asked.

"Guess that's Brianna's way of saying you're her friend. You took time to admire her tree. You'd be surprised how many grown-ups think they're too important for that."

"She didn't really give me any choice."

Lois laughed. "I know. But, Brianna likes to reward obedience."

"Geoff, we can't put these good people in danger." Glenn looked at the package in her hand. "It isn't right."

"See," Geoff said. "She doesn't mind riskingmy life."

Brianna barreled back into the room, and threw a tiny pair of sneakers on the floor. Glenn sat on the floor, put the small shoes on Brianna's feet, and tied the laces.

"I'm going to school," Brianna said. "With cupcakes."

Lois said, "We really have to go. Stay as long as you like. There's a fresh pot of coffee."

Glenn looked up from the floor. "Do you have anything else to drink? You know, stronger?"

"Stronger?" Lois asked.

"Where's your liquor cabinet?" Glenn said.

"Liquor." Lois laughed. "We don't drink. We're Baptists."

Glenn threw an embarrassed look at Geoff. "Thanks for letting me make a fool of myself."

"You don't have to thank me. I enjoyed it."

Lois said, "Help yourself to whatever you can find. What about a vehicle?"

"I have my grandfather's car, but I'm afraid it might be spotted."

"Take mine. Which do you prefer, the Benz or the truck?"

Geoff looked at Glenn, and shrugged. "The truck would be fine. Can we put our car in the garage for a while?"

"I'm sure we can make room for it."

"Hey, Glenn, when do you have to make your phone call?"

"Noon."

"Phone call?" Lois asked. "Well, that settles it. The Benz has a cellular phone."

"Cellular? I wonder if they're harder to trace than a regular phone line?" Glenn said.

"Don't ask me, that's your specialty," Geoff said.

Lois handed them the keys. "I'll take the truck, but I have to leave right now. Think about it, talk about it. Do what you gotta do."

Glenn stood up. "Thank you so much. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"Just return my car in one piece."

"You got it."

Geoff helped Lois on with her coat, and she hugged him. "It's good to see you again. Don't be such a stranger. What's your family doing for Christmas?"

"Mom and Dad are in Jamaica. It's too painful for them to have Christmas at home this year."

"So, you're alone?" Lois asked. "Not anymore." She hugged him again.

Geoff held her, and closed his eyes. "You're still taking in strays?"

"Some things never change." Brianna wrapped herself around her mother's leg. "Get your coat, Brianna. I'll be seeing you, Glenn. I don't know what your plans are for Christmas, but I hope you'll stop by. It would mean a lot to Brianna."

Glenn looked at the child struggling into a furry pink coat. "Thank you for the gift Brianna. I'll treasure it."

Brianna said, "Okay," and zigzagged across the kitchen, and out the door.

Lois reached for a Tupperware container. "I hope everything works out for you."

"Let me," Geoff said. "I'd be proud to carry your cupcakes."

Lois called, "Washer and dryer are out here on the mud porch. You might want to do something about your clothes. You look like something the dog dug up."

It was the last thing Lois said before leaving, and Glenn wondered why she wasn't insulted by it. Probably because it was true. She looked at the gift in her hand, and for a moment imagined she saw the tag with her name on it:For Glenn, from her friend, Brianna.

Sadie Cozzoli was never more demanding. Pip had been warned. But, nothing prepared him for this. Her assault was vicious, depraved, and the most erotic experience of his life. She toyed with him like a cat with a mouse before pouncing, punishing him, making him pay for eluding her for so long. Afterward, she sat up, pulled the sheet over her knees, and lit a cigarette. She blew a slow stream of smoke at the ceiling.

"I didn't know you smoked," Pip said.

"Only on occasion." Her voice sounded chesty and rough.

"Is this an occasion?" Pip rolled on his side and looked at her. He put his hand on her abdomen. "I hate to think of those pink little lungs getting all smudged."

She looked sideways at him. "Do I look worried?"

He sat up, and ruffled his hair with his hands. "All right, enough of the love talk."

Sadie closed her eyes, and inhaled again. She flicked ash on the floor, and stubbed the butt out on the headboard. "Look at that," she said. "Only half a cigarette. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I don't understand."

"See, the cigarette is halfun smoked. You only gave me half a cigarette's worth of pleasure. This is a Kool menthol. If I was used up, there'd be nothing left, but the filter. There's a lot left here, Pip. Makes me think you weren't trying. Maybe you didn't have your heart in it."

"That's not true. I thoroughly enjoyed you," he said.

"But, we're not talking about you, are we? I gave it all I've got. But, I'm afraid you were holding out on me. Is it because I initiated it? Did that emasculate you?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Lucky for you, I'm going to give you another chance." She held the crushed cigarette up. "But, you're going to have to do better next time. Don't look so worried. All you have to do is make love like your life depended on it."

"I'm not sure I can," Pip said. "Just yet."

There was a small smile on Sadie's lips. "You've obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a damn. Remember, we're not talking about you. We're talking about me." She reclined on a pillow, tucked an arm behind her head, and bent one of her knees. "I'll talk you through it this time."

"Do you mind if I, at least, get something to quench my thirst?"

She dangled her fingers between her breasts. "Anything that helps your performance."

Pip scooted to the edge of the bed, and glanced at his gun lying on the side table. It would be so easy. One shot to the head, close range. But, that wasn't his decision. He didn't go around sanctioning people. Those were her methods, not his. He looked at her. No doubt about it, she was beautiful, and full of poison, like an exotic tropical flower.

"Can I get you something?" he asked.

"Bring back the bottle. I have a few tricks I could teach you with a cold beverage bottle."

"Teach me?" He grinned. "A cold bottle?"

She wet her lips, and traced a line on her thigh with her finger, from her knee to her hip. She fixed a look on him of such sensuality he was momentarily frozen.

"Hurry up, lover boy. Or I may have to get started without you."

She made a guttural noise in her throat that was part laugh, part growl. That predatory sound stuffed itself into Pip's ears, and burrowed under his skin. He either loved it or hated it, he wasn't sure which. The only thing he was sure about was his duty to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States. Another voice came to him. The voice of his Chief reminding him,'by whatever means necessary' . Right now, that meant keeping her here, enduring her sexual advances, and laying body and soul on the line, whatever the cost to him. It was either the most sordid day of his career, or the most interesting. Again, he wasn't sure.

17.

Glenn sat at the kitchen counter wearing a terrycloth housecoat. She sipped sweetened coffee out of the mug she held in her hands like a squirrel. Geoff came in fresh from the shower, smelling flowery and feminine, like scented bath gel. His hair was wrapped in a green bath towel, and he was wearing a plaid robe that hit him above the knee.

"Boy, did I need that." He held out a bruised arm. "Where's my coffee?"

"In the microwave."

Glenn crossed her leg at the knee, and a furry slipper dangled from her foot. He looked at it, and smiled.

"Very chic."

"Ain't it, though. All I need is a couple of hair curlers."

"At home with the Duncans."

"This is not my home," she said. "And, I am not a Duncan."

"Yet," he said.

"If I give you a couple bucks will you buy yourself a new song? This tune's getting monotonous."

"Sorry. But, you look so adorable with fur on your feet. You know, I think this is the first time I've seen you anywhere near a state of relaxation."