CHAPTER 1

The lights of L.A. International loomed in the distance. óWell, Babycake, weòre almost there.ô Rock looked over at Dinah. óIn a few minutes weòll be landing.ô

Dinah had sat up front with Rock the entire trip. óAlmost home,ô she softly sighed. She unbuckled her belt. óIòll tell the others.ô When she opened the cabin door, most of the couples were asleep, the girls with their heads on the guysò laps.

Hunter opened his eyes, then looked down at Summer sleeping. He lifted the hair back from her face. She had wanted him, despite what he had done. óI am one very lucky man,ô he thought to himself. He felt a light tap on his shoulder.

óIn a few minutes weòll be landing in L.A.,ô Dinah said softly, going on to tell the others.

He lightly shook Summer. óHey, baby, wake up.ô

Summer groaned. Hunter shook her again. óWake up. Weòre almost home.ô

Summer groaned again, then opened her eyes and sat up. óDid you say weòre home?ô Sleepily stretching.

óWeòll be landing in a few minutes,ô Dinah replied making her way back up the aisle.

By this time everyone had awakened and were stretching to get their circulation going. Dinah went back to the pilotòs cabin and sat in the co-pilotòs chair. óTheyòre all awake.ô

Rock radioed the control tower for clearance. He was told to land on the far runway, near a hangar. He pushed the lever forward, the landing gear dropped into position. Easing the wheel back, only a slight bump had the girls holding the menòs hands. They came to a stop. The passenger door opened, one of the crew pulling the steps down. OòHaire was the first to exit, turning to help Mimi down the steps. Rock and Dinah were the last to exist after everyone.

óOh to be back at last!ô Brenda yelled.

Jeff looked to his left, noticing two men in basic black suits. óHey guys, looks like we have a welcoming committee.ô

The men came over. Clarice recognized one of them. óThose are government agents. I recognize one of them.ô

óAgent Meadows. Good to see you back. This is Agent Johnson.ô

óItòs good to be back. How did you know we were coming?ô she asked as she shook his hand.

The Embassy telegraphed us. It looks like not all of you made it.ô

óThere are four more in Lima. One of them is in the hospital recuperating from a broken shoulder,ô Clarice said.

óWhat do you want with us?ô Bradshaw asked.

óWe need to talk to the ladies about their capture. What did they see, etc.ô

óCould you wait until weòve rested. Weòre all tired.ô

óAll right. Weòve arranged rooms for all of you. Tomorrow weòll pick you up and take you to the office.ô

CHAPTER 2

It was mid-afternoon when Glen opened his eyes. He turned, hoping to see Felina there, but instead saw Michael and Mark. óWhereòs Felina?ô were his first words.

óShe went to the Embassy to rest,ô Michael replied. óShe stayed here all night.ô

óHow do you feel, pard?ô Mark asked.

óA little groggy. Where are the rest of the guys?ô

óThey left early this morning. Rock flew them back to the states.ô

óWhen is Felina coming back?ô

óShe said sheòd be back this afternoon.ô Michael looked at Mark. óShouldnòt she have been here by now?ô

óMaybe she decided to come later.ô

The nurse came in and checked his pulse and temperature, then fluffed up his pillow. óWeòll have a tray sent in. You must be starving, Senor.ô

The General came in. óAh, Senor Jacobs, you are finally awake! You are looking better than when we first brought you here. Oh, Senorita McFee, Mr. Everett wants to see you. Heòs standing outside.ô

Michael went out to the hallway. óMr. Everett. Have you seen Felina?ô

Mr. Everett handed two envelopes to her. óMiss Vander said to give these to you. One is for you and the other is for Mr. Jacobs.ô

Michael took them. óThank you. Did she say when she was coming back?ô

óShe didnòt.ô

Michael got a funny feeling. She went to the waiting area and sat by one of the windows. She opened the one with her name on it.

óMichael

By the time you read this, Iòll be well on my way. To where, I donòt know. I guess wherever.

I want to tell you, youòre the best, and only, friend Iòve ever had. Funny the hell we went through, despising each another, even fighting. You sure can pack a punch. If we ever meet again, weòll have a good laugh about it.

Tell the girls I wish them all the best. I hope they know I do care about them. I wish you the best, too. You and Mark make quite a pair. Please give the note to Glen. I hope heòll understand why I left.

I do care for him, Michael, but there are too many things still left unresolved, and until they are, there can be no hope for us. There may never be.

Good-by, my friend,

Felinaô

Michael looked out the window. She was half tempted to open the second, but decided not to. She took a deep breath and went back to the room.

óWhy the sad look?ô Mark asked.

óWhatòs keeping Felina?ô Glen was beginning to get impatient.

Michael handed her note to Mark to read. óGlen, she wonòt be coming. Here is a note she wanted me to give you.ô

Glen looked at Michael as she put it in his hand. óHow do you know?ô

óShe told me. Read it, Mark.ô

Mark read the note. Glen looked at the envelope in his hand. He began to become afraid of what it might say. óCould you open it for me?ô

Michael opened the envelope and gave the folded note to Glen. He could see tear stains.

óMy Dearest Glen:

I have to leave because while sitting with you last night you talked in your sleep. It was clear to me that you still have a ghost from your past, and until you put the ghost to rest, we can never have a future together.

But, dearest Glen, please know this. In the short time we were together, I realized just how beautiful love could be, and I thank you for that. I, too, have my own ghosts I need to put to rest. Maybe when I can accomplish that, I can live a normal life. Who knows, perhaps one day we will meet again and things will be different.

But know this, my dearest Glen, I do love you.

Felinaô

CHAPTER 3

Glen dropped the note. óHow could she just up and leave?ô He pounded his fist on the bed.

Michael picked up the note. óDo you remember dreaming?ô

óI donòt know,ô he said, shaking his head. óOh, shit!ô he said exasperated. óNow I remember. I was dreaming of the lagoon. Then Lisa appeared. She told me she was saying good-bye and that she was never coming back. I yelled ñdonòt go!ò I must have called her name.ô He started to get out of bed. The doctor entered. óWhere do you think youòre going, senor?ô

óI have to get out of here now!ô

óSenor, I would suggest you stay in bed for another couple of days.ô

óI canòt stay here that long! I have to find her!ô Glen sat on the side of the bed. óLook, Iòm fine. Just sign the papers so I can get out of here!ô

The doctor sighed. óOkay, senor. Iòll sign the papers, but in the morning. You have just woken up. You need to take it easy, at least for tonight.ô Everyone in the room nodded. Glen lay back down.

ñYou need to rest. Youòre going to need all your strength.ô Michael patted his shoulders.

Glen rested off and on all night, his mind thinking of where she could have gone. Mr. Everett had their papers for them the next morning. óI have the car outside to take you to the airport.ô Mr. Everett had also brought a change of clothes.

The doctor came in. He picked up the clipboard and signed his sheet releasing him. Glen quickly showered and dressed, not bothering to eat his breakfast. All three left out for the airport.

Felina arrived in LA about 8:00 a.m. As she entered the terminal, she noticed a couple of men in black suits looking the crowd over. Knowing they were looking for her, she ducked behind a group that had just come out of the tunnel. Keeping low, she went past them and over to a counter and showed the clerk the letter. óI want the first flight out to New York.ô The clerk checked the screen. óThereòs one leaving in thirty minutes.ô

óGreat! Iòll take it.ô In five minutes she was handed her ticket, being told which gate to go to.

The agents were still looking, then asked the pilot if everyone had gotten off the flight. The pilot said yes, there were none aboard. óWe missed her,ô one of them said. óShe may have gone to pick up her luggage.ô One of the agents felt his pocket vibrate. He took the small phone and answered. óNo, we havenòt seen her. She should be picking up her luggage. My partner has gone to check.ô

There was a pause.

óThree more coming? When?ô

óThey left at 9:00 our time and should arrive toward the middle of the afternoon. Be sure theyòre met.ô

óWhat about Miss Vander?ô

óWeòll have to deal with her later. They may even know where she has gone.ô

CHAPTER 4

While the agents waited at the airport, the couples were picked up at the hotel and taken downtown to the branch office. For six hours they were interrogated separately, their answers recorded. The girls told who and how they were kidnapped and transported to the compound. When asked was there anything else there, the girls told of seeing a huge building, like a warehouse, but never saw what was in it. No one though, said a word about the diamonds.

As soon as the plane landed, Glen, Michael, and Mark were immediately met at the plane. óWould you please come with us?ô one of the agents asked.

óWho are you?ô Glen asked.

óIòm Agent Robbins,ô showing his identification. óWe have a car outside to take you to the bureau downtown.ô

They arrived twenty minutes later and were escorted to a private office. The agents asked them the same questions as the others. Michael told basically the same story, of how she was kidnapped and transported to the compound. Glen and Mark were asked how did they find the location. Both were vague in their answers, not wanting to reveal who or how they were helped.

óWhat happened to your shoulder?ô

óAre there any more questions?ô Glen was anxious to leave. Every minute there was against them.

óNo, we have no more questions.ô

óWhere are the rest?ô Mark asked.

óTheyòre in a meeting room down the hall.ô The agent motioned for them to follow him. A couple of minutes later they were all reunited. The agents said they were free to go. The group left the building. óWhere do we go from here?ô Palumbo asked.

óI, for one, am starving,ô Rock commented.

óLetòs go to our usual meeting place,ô Edge said.

The group piled into three cabs and were soon in Chinatown in front of their old friendòs restaurant. The owner was ecstatic to see them and showed them to the back room. óAh, my friend, it is good to see you,ô he said, bowing.

óIt is good to be back,ô Glen said, bowing in return.

óWill it be the usual?ô

Glen looked at everyone. óI donòt care what it is, as long as itòs food!ô Rock said.

The owner left straight away. In a couple of minutes rice wine and hot tea were brought in for everyone.

CHAPTER 5

The guys slowly sipped the wine while the girls drank the hot tea. Hunter told Glen and Mark of how the agents met the plane and the questions each of them were asked. óWe didnòt tell them about the diamonds,ô he added.

óWe were asked the same questions,ô Mark said.

óWhere are the diamonds?ô Farooq asked.

óI have them on me, hidden,ô Glen replied. óI know of a couple of people in Europe who can sell them for what they are worth. It should come out to just under a million for each of you.ô

The waiters came in, bearing trays of food. They set everything on the table and quickly left. The group ate quietly, wanting to ask but didnòt want to upset him. Finally, Bradshaw asked. óWhereòs Felina?ô

óWe donòt know,ô Mark replied. óShe left late that same afternoon.ô

óWhy?ô Dinah asked.

Michael shook her head. óMark and I came so she could rest. That same afternoon Mr. Everett came and handed me two notes, one for me and one for Glen. She told me she was leaving and that she wished you girls good luck in your new relationships. She wanted me to tell you girls she cares about all of you. Thatòs it.ô

Glen got up from the table and leaned against the wall. óShe left while Glen was still asleep,ô Mark added.

óYou are going to look for her ö arenòt you?ô Summer asked.

Glen quickly turned. óOf course Iòm going to look for her.ô

óAll of us will help,ô Matt said.

óNo thanks. This is personal,ô Glen said. óNone of you are to get involved.ô

The guys understood. óIf you need us, you knowå.ô

Glen nodded. óI know.ô

CHAPTER 6

Felina sat by the window on her way to New York. She tried hard to fight back the tears that blurred her vision. She wiped her eyes, her thoughts on Glen, memories of their brief moments of love flashed constantly. She had to put them from her mind and deal with reality. Should she go straight to her fatheròs office to let him know she was alive?

óNo, I need time to get myself together,ô she said to herself. She thought of all their vacation getaways, but each one was too known. She then thought of the family hideaway. It was perfect. It was up in the mountains, no one knew of its existence. Just the place.

óNow if I can remember how to get there,ô she thought. Who could she trust not to tell. Felina thought to everyone she had known. As she got off the plane, she came to the conclusion that she could tell no one. She had to get out of the clothes she was wearing. As she entered the terminal, she saw men in dark suits. Thinking they were government agents, she quickly ducked into the womenòs room. Felina leaned against the wall to catch her breath. She saw there were five women in there also. She found an empty stall and went to relieve herself. As she came out, she heard the intercom announce what flights were boarding The women left out, one of them in a big hurry. In her haste, she left a small overnight bag behind.

Making sure they had gone, Felina opened the bag. Inside was underwear, one clean change of clothes, and toiletry items. She held up the clothes. They were a bit large but it was better than what she was wearing. After cleaning up, she put the clothes she had worn in the case. As she was packing, she noticed an envelope. Out of curiosity she opened it. To her surprise it contained cash. óHow could anyone be so stupid as to keep their money in here?ô She shook her head. óI had to do this, but this is an emergency.ô She took the cash and the ID clip off the luggage handle, intending on repaying the money she had taken. She went to the cabstand and was on her way to Grand Central Station. She checked the ticket counter for the train that would take her up to the Adirondacks. An hour later she was on her way.

She looked at the scenery as the train clanked along the rail. The thick forests reminded her of the jungle trails they had trudged through. The small ponds, which dotted the landscape, brought back memories of clear blue water, and two people who found one another. Her body became warm as she remembered warm full lips caressing her. óSo close,ô she thought sadly.

The train stopped at a small town called Blue Mountain, named after the lake of the same name. The small town was situated in a valley just below the mountains. óIt has been a long time since I was here,ô she said as she got off the train. As she walked the main street, nothing had changed. It was still the same picturesque town it had always been. She remembered the directions to the cabin, knowing it would take at least a half hour to get there. She found a small clothing store and purchased some new clothes; glad to be getting out of the ones she was wearing. Leaving the store she stopped at the local grocery and bought enough food to last her a couple of weeks; hoping that would be enough time to get herself together. The owner of the store was kind enough to have his clerk take her and the food to the cabin.

When they arrived at the cabin, she found the key in a box underneath the porch. After the clerk and taken her groceries in, Felina tipped him. When he had gone she looked around. It hadnòt changed any, but she did notice there was very little dust, as if someone had been there not too long ago. She took a deep breath and settled herself in.

CHAPTER 7

Shano waited in his hotel room. A few minutes ago his man called, saying he had found the purser and the other man, and would be there in a few minutes. He had called his boos and told him the news. óWhy hasnòt the captain been found?ô his boss asked.

óHe didnòt say,ô Shano replied.

óWhen they get there, take them to the old warehouse I have down by the pier, number 10. Iòll be there in an hour.ô

The man scanned over the ledgers. The profits should have been better this quarter than last. The botched deal on the women had not helped any. óTen million down the fuckinò drain!ô he thought to himself. A lot of questions needed to be answered, and he was going to get them, one way or another. He closed the books and locked them in a small safe he had built into his desk. He pushed a button on the underside of his desk. A wall opened revealing his real office, which was an exact duplicate of his hidden office. Pulling a small candleholder, the wall moved back into position. No one knew of the secret room, not even his bodyguards. Picking up the phone, eh called downstairs and told the security guard to have his car in front. When he got to the lobby, four of his men were waiting, the limo out front, one of them holding the door open. He told his driver where to take him.

Shano, his henchman, the purser, and his agent waited in the car at the warehouse. He shook as he waited. He didnòt care for this part of the pier as people had a tendency to disappear. He strummed his fingers nervously on his knee. A sudden appearance of lights caught his attention. He looked out the rear windshield to see another car coming towards them. He breathed a sigh of relief as he recognized the limo.

Not saying a word, the man had his bodyguards take the purser and Shanoòs agent inside, leaving Shano and his man waiting. Once inside the two nervous men were forced to sit in a couple of chairs.

óAlright, I want the both of you to tell me what happened?ô

The two men looked at him then at the four men and shrugged their shoulders. óWe donòt know.ô The man nodded his head. Two of the bodyguards went to the corner and brought back to large black clubs. The men became scared. óHonest! We never told anyone the location!ô The man nodded.

Outside, Shano heard the screams of the purser and his agent. Shano knew all too well the tactics his boss would use to get information. This was just the beginning. Inside the man raised his hand for the bodyguards to stop. The two men were on the floor, moaning and writhing in pain; their faces bloody.

óPut them back in the chair.ô

The men were thrown into the chairs.

óNow, tell me!ô

óWe didnòt tell anyone!ô the purser muffled, his lips and eyes almost swollen shut.

óWhereòs the captain?ô

The agent gingerly shook his head. óWe donòt know,ô he gasped. óHe disappeared a week after we got back. Thatòs the truth.ô

The man called one of his guards over and whispered. The two men were jerked out of their chairs.ô Where are you taking us?ô the purser asked.

óSome place nice and quiet for a permanent vacation,ô was the menacing reply.

Shano saw the door open, his two men being carried out. He had an idea where they were being taken, permanent cold storage. He shuddered as he could picture their bodies dumped into the river. He turned to his boss.

óI want you personally to find the captain of that ship and bring him here! I donòt care how you do it! Understand!ô

Shano nodded. He and his henchman quickly left. They went straight to the airport and caught a plane to LA to the lineròs headquarters.

The man watched as Shano sped away. óIòll find out where you are. And when I doå..!ô

CHAPTER 8

The next morning everyone said good-bye once again at the airport. Rock again telling Glen to call if he needed him. Rock returned the plane to its own, then left with Dinah to drive to her apartment in Berkley.

The other couples each made their own travel arrangements. Only Michael, Mark, and Glen were left in the terminal. óSure you donòt want us to come with you?ô Mark asked.

Glen shook his head. óNo, I have to look for her myself.ô He paced a bit. óMichael, did Felina tell you of any of the hideaways she could go to.ô

Michael thought. óWell, she did say they had a few. Let me see. Thereòs one in Aspen, Colorado, Las Vegas, Key West, Crater Lake in Oregon.ô Michael rubbed her head. óI think she said they had a small chalet in Switzerland. Thatòs all I remember.ô

Glen raised his brows. óLooks like I have my work cut out for me. Since I have to go to Switzerland anyway, Iòll start there.ô

óSure you donòt want us to come along?ô

Glen again shook his head. óThanks, I have to do this alone.ô

óWhen you get back, look me up.ô

óWhere do I find you? Houston or Dallas?ô Glen smiled.

Mark grinned. óCall both places.ô

Glen shook Markòs hand, and Michael kissed him on the cheek. óGood luck, Glen. I know youòll find her.ô

óSee you when I get back.ô

Glen went to the counter to get his ticket. Michael and Mark heard their flight being announced. They went through the tunnel and got comfortable in their seats. óI hope he does find her,ô Michael sighed.

óHe will,ô Mark said. óIt will be good to get home. I canòt wait to get on a bike and go riding.ô

óSame here. Donòt forget, we have a few things to arrange, remember?ô

óI hate paperwork,ô Mark flinched. óOf course, there is one good thing. You and I get to spend a lot of time together.ô

óRemember what I said? To take things slow.ô

óYeah, I know. I know my mind is made up. Now if I can convince you.ô

Chapter 9

Bradshaw moved in with Catrina when they arrived in Salem. The next day they went to the bookstore. Her clerk was shocked to see her. óOh my God! Youòre back!ô The two women hugged each other. óI canòt believe it! When I got the call saying you had disappeared, I just couldnòt believe it!ô She saw Bradshaw. óAnd who is this?ô

óOh, someone I met,ô Catrina replied. óThis is John Bradshaw. I thought perhaps we could use him in the store for a while.ô

óWe could use the help. The store is backed up.ô

Matt and Victoria decided to split up for a bit. He would go to Atlanta and make arrangements to have his self-defense school looked after, then join Victoria in Ocala and look around to see about opening a second Tai-Kwando school while helping her write her book.

Summer and Hunter got into Vegas the same afternoon. She went direct to the Hilton to talk to the manager about her new show. The manager had Hunter audition, greatly surprised at his ability of tickling the ivories.

Bethany breathed in the crisp air as they drove from the airport to her ranch. óI never knew I could miss something so much,ô she sighed as she got out of the truck. óI think Iòm going to love it here,ô Jeff said, looking at the scenery.

The office was celebrating Suzanneòs return. She introduced Farooq to her boss, telling him only that she met him on her trip back, and of his interest in finishing his law degree.

Mimi was glad to be back at the La Mason. The first thing she did was cook a full 6-course meal for OòHaire. Afterwards they sat and planned how she would be able to open her own restaurant.

Everyone was surprised to see Brenda arrive with Christian as she never had expressed an interest in any of the local males. She showed him the farm. óStill think you want to be my foreman?ô she asked. Christian nodded.

Edge stayed with Ann as they continued their sessions, both professional and private. During that time, she took him to the special school she had told him about. She introduced Edge to the principal, and then took him on a tour. He met some of the children there. It was a mutual friendship from the start.

Clarice and Palumbo went to the main bureau in Washington, DC to talk to the head of the agency about getting Palumbo an ATF application.

CHAPTER 10

Glen landed in Switzerland 10 hours later. He immediately went to see an old business acquaintance of his whom he had met on one of his travels. The gentleman was astute in knowing the value of various items such as gems, artwork, etc. The two men had hit it off, the man knowing the business Glen was in, but never asking questions. He had also advised Glen on how to shrewdly invest the money, thus making Glen very well off. He was shocked and happy to see Glen. óWell, old friend, it is good to see you! Come, letòs have dinner to celebrate!ô

They went to a small restaurant and got a private booth. After they had dined they proceeded back to the manòs house for a small cognac. óI take it you have something for me to look at?ô the man took a sip.

Glen nodded. óActually two things. Here is the first.ô Glen pulled out a bag from his shoe and poured the contents on the table. The man whistled as he saw the diamonds twinkle under the light. He immediately got his jeweleròs glass and looked at each one. óThese are beauties! Where did you get these?ô he asked, looking closely.

óI got these while doing a job in South America,ô Glen replied.

The man took his time inspecting each one. óThese are absolutely flawless!ô

óThink I can get a good price for them?ô

óI can think of four people right now who would pay a fortune for stones such as these! When do you want me to sell them?ô

óThe sooner the better.ô

óThe usual arrangement?ô

óYes,ô Glen replied. óIòm also here on other business. Iòm searching for someone.ô

óOh?ô the man raised his brows. óMale or female?ô

óFemale,ô Glen replied. óHave you ever heard of Felina Vander?ô

óFelina Vander! Iòve heard of her.ô

óHer family is supposed to have a small chalet somewhere here in Switzerland.ô

óMay I inquire why?ô

óItòs personal.ô

The man nodded. óI understand. Iòll make discrete inquiries while arranging to sell the diamonds, which should take about a week. Please accept my hospitality.ô

óThank you.ô

CHAPTER 11

It took about a week for the man to set up the deal and sell the diamonds. In the meantime he got in touch with his contacts to check on Glenòs second request. As he and Glen were dining at the house, the phone rang, his valet answering. Glen and the man toasted their success on the sale.

óI am amazed at how you got the best price. Forty million! This deserves more than the usual 10 percent. Does 15 sound right?ô

óYou are most generous, Mr. Jacobs.ô

The valet entered. óSir, you are wanted on the telephone.ô

óExcuse me.ô The man went into the den.

Glens at there, sipping the glass of champagne. At least one part of the trip had been a success, now if the other part was equally as successful. He thought to the note Felina had left. She said he still had ghosts in his life. He put the glass down. She had been right. He still had not completely let go, but she had also said she loved him. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. óIt will take time, Felina, but I need you to help me.ô

The man entered the room. He saw Glen deep in thought. Glen had told him it was personal, but the man knew this went even deeper than personal. óAhem.ô Glen opened his eyes.

óThat was my contact. He did find their chalet, but no one had been there or the past six months.ô

Glen took a deep breath.

óIòm sorry, my friend.ô

óWell, back to square one.ô

óI take it youòll be leaving as soon as possible.ô

óYes, tomorrow.ô

óI thought as much. I have already made arrangements for an early morning flight. Iòll make the usual arrangements for the transfer of funds.ô

The next morning Glen was on the flight back to the states. He wired Mark to let him know he was coming.

Mark could tell by the content of the cablegram Glen had not been successful in finding Felina. He called Michael to let him know Glen was on his way.

óNo luck I take?ô she asked.

óNo. His flightòs arriving this afternoon.ô

óBring him here.ô

Michael hung up. óFelina, where are you?ô

Ever since they had returned, Mark and Michael had been working on the merger of their two companies. So far everything was going well. They had submitted their proposal to the Waco City Council and were now waiting for their reply.

CHAPTER 12

Glen flew into Kennedy by noon eastern time. As he had a couple of hours till his flight to Dallas, he decided he would kill some time by eating a small lunch and catch up on the latest. Getting a newspaper, he settled in at a corner table. He found very little had gone on as he skimmed over the articles. When he got to the fifth page, he saw a little item that caught his attention in passing. The article was about 2 male bodies that had been found tied to some wooden poles at a run down pier on the lower east side. The article described how the men were beaten and their throats slashed. Ordinarily he would have gone on, but the article mentioned a uniform that had one of the victims as someone who worked for a ocean liner. The article giving the name of the liner. As Glen read, he thought could that have been the same one that the women and Mark had been on? What was the man doing in New York when the liner was based out of California? He tore out the article, putting it in his pants pocket. He finished the paper and lunch, leaving to go to the gate to wait for his flight.

As he sat, his mind was busy, thinking of the article. He got it out of his pocket and read it again. The article had gone on to mention the other body, saying the man was known to have underworld connections. What did it have to do with the kidnapping? Glen heard his flight and boarded the jumbo to Dallas.

Mark arrived early at the airport, checking the schedule to see when Glenòs flight would arrive. His mind went to the merger he and Michael had just completed. At least things were going well in that area. As for their personal life, Michael was staying true to her words, to take things slow. He had not pressed her to escalate their relationship. It was frustrating, having to hold back as Michael wanted their relationship to bloom over time. He had not touched her since the Embassy, and it was driving him crazy. When they would be working, there were many times he wanted to say óletòs finish this later,ô and make love to her on the couch, desk, or whatever place they were at, but he would take a deep breath and try to get the thought out of his mind; but when he got home, he would stand under a cold shower. For how long he could keep it up, he didnòt know.

The announcement of Glenòs flight arriving came over the speakers. Mark went over to the tunnel to wait. After a couple of minutes, he saw Glen walking slowly up the ramp, looking tired. óHey pard, good to see you,ô Mark said, patting Glen on the shoulder. óYou look like you could use a little rest.ô

óI didnòt sleep on the flight over, or at the Kennedy Airport either. Iòm ready to lie on a soft bed.ô

Mark grinned. óMichael says for us to come to her house.ô They went to the baggage claim to get his bag.

óHow are things going?ô Glen asked.

óWhich way, business or personal?ô

óBoth.ô

óBusiness-wise itòs going well.ô

Glen raised his brows. óPersonal-wise?ô

óA snail is faster than how weòre going. At this rate, weòll be too old for anything. Iòve learned to like cold showers.ô Glen laughed.

Part 2

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