Andersonville 8 - The Return Of Tom McClain free porn video

Andersonville 8 - The return of Tom McClain! by Kelly Davidson This story is dedicated to my good friend Darkside, who inspired me to reach beyond what I thought I was capable of writing. Fade in... "Would you like some desert Linda?" Dennis Butz asked politely. "No thanks," I answered suspiciously. The man had been acting way too nice to me today. It had been a pleasant lunch so far. Dennis had started out by asking how my brother was doing, and I could see that he was genuinely concerned about Steve. It had been almost three weeks since my brother's return and his mood hadn't changed much since his first day back. The death of Sally was eating away at him slowly and I was concerned. Dr. Green was seeing him twice a week, and the visits seemed to help for a day or so; but then he would return back to his sad, sorrowful mood. Even Thanksgiving hadn't gotten him out of his depression. Dennis threw out some suggestions to help out - even offering to have someone take Steve on a train trip outside of Andersonville. But for the most part he didn't have a clue as to how to get Steve out of this rut he was in. Next we started going over some of the cases I had emailed him earlier in the month. Again, Dennis was rather nice and polite, avoiding his usual jabs meant to raise my dander. Instead, the conversation was businesslike and straightforward. I found myself letting my guard down - a dangerous thing to do with someone like Dennis Butz around. "Well, this has been a very pleasant meal, don't you agree?" he said smiling. "Yes, almost too pleasant," I answered in a suspicious tone. "So what gives Dennis?" My question caused the director to chuckle slightly. "Can't I take you out for a nice meal without a reason? You're too suspicious Linda, you really need to relax a little." "With you in the same room - I don't think so," I said, giving him a false smile. "Have you ever heard the expression, beware of Greeks bearing gifts?" Dennis laughed but not for the reasons I suspected. "Okay, there are two things I need to tell you," he said. "I thought so." I leaned forward and looked directly at him. "First, I'm going on vacation starting tomorrow, so you won't be able to get a hold of me for a while. "Where to?" I asked with some interest. "Hawaii. My wife and I will be enjoying the sun and surf for an entire week. The last time I had a week off was almost four years ago and I spent half of it on the phone taking care of business. But this time I'm not taking my phone - it's just me, my wife, and the romance of a tropical island." He smiled deeply. "Four years. You must have a wife who loves you deeply." "Very much so Linda. I'm a lucky man to have someone so lovely who puts up with my long hours. I owe her this vacation and I'm not going to let anything get in the way of our enjoyment." "Well, that was painless enough. What's the other item?" "Oh, that's the best part," Dennis replied smiling. "It's a surprise for you." "Oh-oh," I responded. "Is this a surprise I'm going to like or one I'm going to be cussing you out for when I hear it." Dennis got a dumbfounded look on his face. "Linda - I'm hurt. When have I ever given you a bad surprise before?" "How about this body!" I answered. "Finding out I was going to be Linda Anderson for the rest of my life wasn't what I would consider a good 'surprise'." "Come now - you have to admit I made sure you were attractive." "Actually, I think the Andersons had more to do with how I look than you did Dennis. But putting that aside, what is the surprise?" "You remember your friend Kevin Brown?" I nodded my head slowly. "He's agreed to take a job on the Andersonville Police force." I smiled brightly - this was a good surprise. "When does he get here?" I asked. "When I get back," Dennis said with some excitement. "He called this morning to tell me he put in his two-weeks notice. I'm going to fly him and his family up on his day off to look over the place and find him a new home." "Does he know about me - I mean who I am now?" "No, not yet. I'll break the news when you're there. I think it'll be easier that way. So, what do you think of my surprise?" "Dennis, you may be a pain in the ass sometimes but you really do know how to make a girl happy every now and then." We picked up our glasses and I made a toast out loud. "To my friend Kevin Brown - and my sincere, but most likely, short-lived respect to you as a warm human being Dennis." Dennis just laughed as we clinked our glasses together and drank to my toast. ****** The next morning I rolled out of bed with my eyes half-open. Damn, it was tough being a woman. I had to get up an hour earlier than I use to as a man just to get ready. And the worst part was, I wasn't a morning person. I stepped into the shower and ten minutes later felt a little bit more human. I walked back into my bedroom and turned on the TV to watch the news like I did every morning. Even though I wasn't allowed to be a part of the outside world I still wanted to know what was going on. I was drying my hair when I heard the TV announcer say something about a cop shooting over the blower. I switched it off and focused on the TV screen. There was the state of Utah displayed next to the announcer with Salt Lake City hi-lighted. "The shooting occurred around 10 o'clock last night. Utah Trooper Kevin Brown arrived on the scene just as the robber was exiting the store. The suspect fired two shoots, one of them striking Officer Brown in the shoulder and the other in his head." A picture of Kevin's face suddenly appeared on the TV screen. He was wearing his police uniform and had a big Texas smile on his face. "Officer Brown died early this morning. He leaves behind a wife and a young son. The suspect is still on at large. If you have any info-" "NOOOOO!" I fell to the floor crying and screaming hysterically. "Oh God, not Kevin - please. Not him!" My mother rushed into the room and wrapped her arms around me. "Linda - shhhh. What's wrong honey?" What's wrong? Calm down and tell me what's wrong." She cradled and tried her best to comfort me but it was useless. All I could remember was Kevin's picture on the TV screen - his pure white teeth shining out at me. In less then two weeks he would have been here - safe and sound. Now he was lying in some morgue. I wanted to kill the bastard who took his life and I swore on my friend's blood that I wouldn't stop until I found him. Fade out... ****** Voice of Dennis Butz - Thousands of years ago there was a war in the heavens, between the gods of old and the new arrivals. During the process, the earth was almost destroyed by fire and flood as the war ran unchecked. Finally, after centuries of conflict, an uneasy peace was achieved between the two peoples. Both sides recognized that they needed the other, but neither side was willing to trust the other. However, as man grew in power and knowledge, he challenged the gods, themselves. To maintain the balance and keep the peace, a buffer zone was needed. It's a small town - just like thousands of others spread across the land. Quiet streets, family-run businesses, and Saturday afternoon picnics. But this town is different. It's a place for lost souls, for misguided individuals, and for those who are in need of a second chance. It's also the last, best chance I have of freeing my people from their captors. The name of the project is Restoration. The name of the town is Andersonville! ****** Fade in... I walked toward my office with a purpose. I didn't bother with niceties this morning and the people I passed stepped out of my way - sensing it was safer to do so. As I entered my office Judge Herns was already standing at her camber door waiting for me. She had a sad, concerned expression on her face. "Come into my office Linda," she said softly. I walked past her without even saying a word and took a seat. The Judge closed the door and sat down next to me. Her eyes showed great signs of distress for how I was feeling. I almost felt like going over and crying in her arms but fought the desire. I wasn't going to let my girlish emotions get the best of me this time. "I heard this morning," she started out in a low, worried tone. "I know how close you were to Officer Brown and how upset you must be." She placed her hand on my shoulder to comfort me. "I have to go," I told her point-blank without leaving any room for discussion. "His killer is out there and I need to find him. I owe my friend that much." Judge Herns shook her head slowly. "That's out of the question Linda. First of all you're needed here. Second, no one's going to take an 18-year old woman seriously. And third, it's way too dangerous to have you traipsing around the country on your own." "You don't understand Judge Herns, I'm going with or without your permission." A look of anger flashed in her eyes but I ignored it. At this point I didn't care if she was pissed at me or not. "You know you can't escape Linda." Her voice was even-tempered with just a chill in the tone - enough to make a sane person think twice about what she was saying. But I was beyond that point - I was enraged. I didn't care what the cost was; all I could think about was avenging my friend's death. "Think about it my child," she continued in her slow, even tone. "You wouldn't get a mile out of town before you were caught. Then I would be forced to punish you - and for what? A brief moment of anger? A thirst for revenge? It's not worth it, Linda. Let it go." Tears began to form in my eyes but I fought them back. Maybe it would've been better if I hadn't. Maybe it would've brought back some sanity to my thinking. But I wasn't going to cry - not anymore. I was done crying for Kevin. I wanted action! "I can't let it go June - I can't. Kevin was like a brother to me. He was the best man at my wedding. I loved him." "I think you should see Dr. Green," she said softly. "You're upset and not thinking about this clearly. Come on, I'll walk you up to her office. She's already heard the news and is expecting you." The Judge touched my hand but I pulled it away. "I don't want to see the DAMN DOCTOR, Judge! I want you to have your ex-husband turn me back into Tom McClain and let me go after my friend's killer." Judge Herns gave me a patient but angry frown. "It's not going to happen Linda," she said in a slightly raised voice. "It's not, so get over it. Even if I asked my ex-husband to turn you back he wouldn't - and I have no intentions of doing so. Your friend's death was a tragedy but you can't let it ruin your life. Now come with me, I'm taking you to see Dr. Green." "At least let me go to his funeral," I almost begged. She looked at me sharply then shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea either. An 18-year-old white girl all alone at a policeman's funeral - you would stand out like a sore thumb. People would ask questions, maybe even spread rumors about the two of you having an affair. And the last thing the poor wife of this police officer needs is rumors like that. In a few weeks, when things calm down, I'll take you to his grave site myself so you can say your peace." "NO!" I yelled back in anger. "That's not good enough! I have to be there - I have to! And you won't stop me you Bitch!" "That's enough!" the Judge hissed loudly. I found myself unable to speak anymore. "While I understand your emotional state, I won't have you being rude and nasty to those around you. You may not like my decision, Linda, but you will obey it or else I'll 'break you'! One day you'll see I did this for your own good, Linda - not because I wanted you to suffer. Do you think I didn't understand your thirst for revenge? Revenge is something, unfortunately, I understand all to well! Now come with me, I'm taking you to see Dr. Green." I felt an invisible hand grab my body and pull me up out of my chair. I was forced to follow the Judge out the door and down the hallway but suddenly found myself able to speak again. "Judge Herns, please release me. I promise I'll walk there on my own." "You had your chance, Linda," she replied in a testy voice without turning to look back. "Now you'll do things my way!" She pulled me all the way into Dr. Green's office and sat me in a chair. Carol looked at the Judge and then at me with great concern. "Doctor, as you can see Linda is a little upset about the death of her friend. I suggest you activate your security just in case she tries to leave or attack you." "Yes, Your Honor," she replied. I saw a big, muscular man appear in front of the doorway. He had an evil scowl on his face. "I'm giving Linda the rest of the day off to grieve," the Judge explained. "Please make sure you have someone drive her home - she's in no condition to drive herself." "I'll take care of it, Your Honor. Is there anything else?" "I don't think so." I felt the invisible force let go of me. Judge Herns gave me a sad stare, then left the room in silence - walking right through the man who was standing in front of the door. Dr. Green went over and closed the door then turned to face me. "Want to tell me about?" she asked calmly. "What's there to say?" I replied turning to see another muscular man standing right behind me. "I want out of this damn place. I have to find my friend's killer." "The man could be anywhere, Tom, and they have the entire police force looking for him. By the time you got to Salt Lake City he'll most likely be caught." Her voice was low and reassuring. "Dr. Green, I have to try! You have to tell the Judge that I need to try!" "I'm afraid," she replied, "that I can't tell Judge Herns anything. She makes up her own mind in cases like this. My asking her to honor your request would be like talking to the wall; she'll never listen to what I had to say. Besides, I don't think it's a good idea anyway." "Damn it, you have to let me go," I answered in a frustrated tone. The guy behind me, a temp, was giving me the evil eye. "Look, can you at least get rid of these guys, they give me the creeps." "You promise to be good?" asked Dr. Green. "I promise." She whispered a word and they both disappeared. "Look doctor, I didn't have a family like most people. So I adopted people along the way, those that were special to me. One of them was Kevin Brown. I went through the police academy with him and we were roommates for a while. Kevin was as much like a brother to me as Al was. But Judge Herns doesn't understand that. Hell, she won't even let me go to his funeral." "Tom," Dr Green tried to explain, "understand her point. You're Linda Anderson now. Only in this room can you still refer to yourself as Tom McClain and it's with great hope that one day even that'll change. Kevin Brown was Tom's friend, not Linda's. The Judge knows why he means so much to you, but, and this is the key here, you have to let go of your old life. Imagine how it is for some of the other residents who come here. Some have to let go of their mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters. Some of them even have their own children they have to forget. It's not an easy thing to do but they're expected to do it anyway. They're expected to let go of their old life and start over. Judge Herns expects the same out of you - with no exceptions or special treatment. But the truth of the matter is, she's been more patient with your lack of progress than many of the other residents here. She likes you, Tom, and she wants you to be happy in your new life. That's why she's given you time to grow instead of pushing several issues on you." "But I didn't want this new life," I argued. "We've been through this before, Tom," Dr. Green explained in a levelheaded tone. "While you may have felt Dennis Butz mislead you - you did sign a contract with him. And you didn't sign it because of what he didn't tell you - it was because of what he promised you. You came here because you wanted a better life for Al Parker and the Andersons. It was an unselfish act - but even unselfish acts have a price sometimes. You signed on to save your friends from a life of misery but you also agreed to a new life of his choosing. Frankly, you got a better deal than most." "So I should be grateful, is that what you're telling me, doctor? That before I arrived here in Andersonville I was a kind and wonderful person but now I'm just a selfish brat?" "What I'm saying," Carol answered calmly, "is that you should count your blessing by being here. Your current actions threaten all the work you have accomplished so far. Do you really want to be turned into a 13-year old, Tom? Because that's what will happen if the Judge thinks you're not adjusting to your current life. Better yet, how about being turned into a newborn baby. You can spend the next couple of years wearing diapers and literally crying about how much you lost. Don't throw it away on a single act of anger, Tom, it's not worth it!" "I - I want to go home now." The doctor looked at me carefully. "I'm not sure we're done here," she stated. "We are, doctor. You gave me a lot to think about today. You're right, I do need to count my blessings and I'm going to start by going home and hugging my brother. Then I'm going to make a list of everything I like about being here. And then - and then I'm going to say a prayer for Kevin and remember the good times I once had with him. I'm going to put this all behind me." I flashed her a quick smile. "I'd like to see that list if you don't mind," she said smoothly but with a tad of reservation in her voice. "I want you to see me tomorrow morning at 7:30 so we can go over it." The doctor stood up and gave me a hug. "I'm really sorry to hear about your friend, Tom, I know this is hard to deal with." "It's Linda," I said, faking a few tears for good measure to throw her off my trail. "It's one of the cost in exchange for all the good that has happened in my life. And it's not so bad when I think about it. Being Linda Anderson isn't the worst thing that could've happened to me." "No, it's not," she whispered while brushing my long, brown hair away from my face in a comforting fashion. "Being a woman can be very rewarding, but being happy and making the best of your situation has its own reward. Think about that Linda." "I will," I said giving her a weak smile. "I'm going to miss my friend but you're right - I'm fooling myself by thinking I can find his murderer when the entire police force hasn't done so yet. I know one day he will be caught and then justice will be served." "You're being very wise, young lady," Carol agreed. "Now, let me see who I can get to drive you home. Sorry Linda, but that was the Judge's orders and I have to obey them." "I understand. I was here when she said so and I'm not going to argue with you about it. It's one of the things I'm going to work on - accepting things as they are. But do you think you can get Dave Williams to drive me home?" "He's your favorite, isn't he?" Dr. Green smiled while picking up the phone "I'll see what I can do." She talked for about a minute and then placed the phone back on its holder. "Dave's waiting for you by the side door. Why don't I walk you down." "Thank you Carol. You're such a good friend to me." The doctor smiled while grabbing my hand and gently led me downstairs. "That's what I'm here for Linda. To be your friend and help you smooth out the rough edges. I know your friend's death is painful, but I think you've made some positive changes today because of it. Try to remember that you have people who care about you here." "I will, Dr. Green." Dave Williams was waiting for me by the door. "Hello Sergeant Williams." He gave me a sad smile. "Hello Linda. My car's this way." He held open the outside door and followed me out. Dr. Green's smile turned to a faint frown. She was too good of a psychologist to be fooled by a bad acting job. Linda was up to something and she was going to find out what that was. She made her way to the elevator and waited for it to open. Then she made the long drop into the bunker. Colonel Myers was already waiting for her when the elevator door opened again. "Good morning Carol. I saw you coming and thought I'd come out to greet you." Dr. Green almost laughed at the comment. Of course he had seen her coming, they monitored the entire hallway and elevator upstairs. "Good morning, Barry. I think we have a problem that I want to discuss with you." "Let me guess - Linda Anderson." "You know then?" "I saw you walk her down the steps and then have Dave drive her home. I suspected there may be some trouble involved." He motioned for her to take a seat and sat down next to her. "There is," Dr. Green started out. "Did you hear about the police officer who was killed last night?" "I heard something about it on the radio this morning. The shooting took place somewhere around Salt Lake City I think. What's this got to do with Linda?" "The officer was one of her classmates at the police academy - and a good friend of hers." "Wow, no wonder she's upset," Barry said with an understanding frown. "Yes. So now she wants to leave Andersonville to track down his killer. Of course Judge Herns refused so she's threatened to escape." "She said that to you?" Barry asked in a surprised tone. "To both me and the Judge. Then she quickly shifted gears like she had changed her mind so I would let her leave." "But you don't think she did change her mind, do you?" Colonel Myers pointed out. "No, I don't. She's up to something, which is why I'm here. I want you to change her status to a level 1-flight risk. The moment she moves into a secure area where she's not allowed I want to know about it. And I also want hourly checks run on her through the tracker over the next 24 hours. If she doesn't try leaving by then - then I think we can trust her again." "Consider it done, doctor. What happens if she does try to leave?" "Then use whatever methods you need to return her. Remember that Linda is emotionally disturbed right now and won't be very happy when you catch her - so use lots of caution. No special treatment on her either Barry - I want her treated like everyone else." "I understand, Carol. It's a shame, she seems like such a nice kid." "She has her shiny moments, Barry." "Jeff isn't going to be too happy to hear about this," Colonel Myers said. "You know he has a crush on her." The doctor smiled pleasantly. "I suspected as much. You may want to keep him out of the loop on this one." Colonel Myers shook his head. "No - that's not how I treat my men. Jeff's a professional. He may like her but he wouldn't do anything to jeopardize the operation. I won't keep secrets from him or anyone else in my group. If I can't trust any of my men totally then I shouldn't have them on my staff." "That's your call, Barry. Thanks for talking with me." Dr. Green got up to leave. "Anytime Carol. Thank you for the heads up on Linda Anderson." He watched her get into the elevator and the doors close. 'A level 1 status,' Barry thought to himself. The doctor was betting that Linda would be running something soon. He went back into the main room to break the news to his young sergeant. ****** Dave Williams was respectfully quiet as he drove me home. I wasn't crying anymore but he could tell I was still very upset. I guess he felt it was better to leave me alone until I was ready to talk. "Sergeant Williams," I started. "Call me Dave," he said with a small smile. He wanted to make this as easy on me as he could. "What is it Linda?" "Have you ever lost a partner before?" "It's why I'm here, Linda," he answered sadly. "I was involved in a shootout much like your friend was."? "What happened - if you don't mind telling me." "I don't mind. My partner's name was Mickey. We were on patrol one hot, sunny afternoon, a day so beautiful that you didn't think anything could go wrong. We pulled into a convenience store parking lot to get a cup of coffee when a robber came out of the store with a gun in his hand. He couldn't have been more than six feet from where Mickey was standing when he saw us. Anyway, he panicked and before my partner had a chance to react the robber shot him three times. Then he turned his gun on me and I was hit once in the shoulder and chest. Somehow I got my own shots off; don't ask me how; it's all a blur. It's amazing how fast things happen. Anyway, one of my bullets hit him in the heart and killed him instantly. I don't know what was worse for me - having my partner and friend lying there dead or knowing I had killed a man." "But it was self-defense," I pointed out. Dave turned to me with a sad expression. "Does that matter? I still have to live with the fact that I took a life. Maybe I could've aimed lower and shot him in the leg. But it happens so fast that you don't have time to think. Then it's over and you end up with plenty of time to think about it. I still do, every time I'm patrolling Andersonville on a sunny day. I think about Mickey and how my life changed in just a few short seconds." "What happened next?" I wanted to know. "I was lying there in the hospital with tubes sticking in me all over my body. I lost a lot of blood from the chest wound and the doctors were fighting to keep me alive. My wife came into the room - I could tell she had been crying. Later on my kids were allowed in as well. It was hell on all of them. When I saw them I made it a point to live. After a few days I was moved into a private room and that's when the real hell began. "My friends on the police force came in to see how I was doing - and to congratulate me on getting my friend's killer. That's when I learned I had killed him. It was horrible - they were happy and thankful that I had killed another human being but I didn't feel that way. I learned he was only 19 years old - a dumb, scared kid. I felt numb inside. I decided to quit the force." "So what brought you here?" I asked "Trisha Brown. About a month after the shooting I was home recovering when she showed up. At this point I was impossible to deal with and it was putting a big strain on my marriage. I was angry and taking it out on my wife and kids. Little things that never used to bother me set me off and I would become a screaming idiot. My wife was finding more excuses to get the kids out of the house so I could be alone. Then Trisha showed up and started talking to me. At first I was just rude to her but she didn't give up on me. I guess she saw something in me I couldn't see. Finally I started opening up to her - about how I was feeling and the nightmares I had over the shooting. "About a year later she offered me a job working in Andersonville. My wife didn't want me to go back to police work - I could understand why. But Trisha told me this was one of the safest places in the world and I found out why. I was hesitant at first but I really loved being a cop. Not so much the arresting of criminals, but helping people out and knowing I was making a difference in their lives. My wife finally agreed to check Andersonville out and we both liked what we saw." "How long have you been here - I mean before I arrived?" "We got here one month before everyone else. It was like a ghost town but I didn't mind. The temps weren't up and running yet so mainly I spent time with my family exploring the town. And then there were the daily sessions I had with Dr. Green." "You talked to her?" I was a little surprised by this. "I needed to, Linda. I was still having a lot of problems with the shooting. Sometimes my wife and I would drive over to her house and we would talk about it the entire morning. By the time you showed up I was back to my old self again. Andersonville not only saved my marriage - it saved my soul." He turned and pulled the police car into my driveway. "Can I ask you one more thing, Dave? If you hadn't been able to return fire and the robber had gotten away - what would you have done to capture him?" He stared straight ahead in silence. "Anything that I could," he replied with a frown. "Mickey was a good cop, I miss him." "Thanks for the talk, Dave." He smiled as I got out and drove off. Steve was waiting by the door to greet me. "How are you doing, sister?" I could see that despite his own troubles he was plenty worried about me. I knew that would work to my advantage. "I'm doing better than this morning. Where's Jennifer?" Both Steve and my sister were out of school that day due to some kind of conference. "Mom took her over to a friend's house and then went to the church for the bake sale this weekend. She said she wouldn't be back until 5." "Good." I gave my brother a long stare. "They won't let me go, Steve - not even to his damn funeral." "I'm sorry," he said honestly. "Is there anything I can do to help?" I smiled inwardly, knowing I had him. "Yes. Follow me." I led him upstairs to my room and went over to my closet. Inside the closet I removed some of the molding around the floor. Months ago I had dug out a little hole in the wall to hide my emergency pack. Carefully I took it out and laid it on the bed. "What do you think you're doing?" Steve asked, knowing full well what I was up to. "If the Judge won't turn me back into Tom McClain then I'll do it myself." "Linda, this is crazy. Think about what you're giving up." "WHAT AM I GIVING UP?" I yelled at him. I ran over to my dresser and picked up a handful of nylon panties of various colors. "Is this what I'm giving up, Steve?" I said while throwing the panties at him. They struck him in the chest and fell on the floor. "Oh how about these," I shouted picking up a handful of my bras and doing the same. "Or all these pretty slips!" I tossed them at Steve as well. "Now let's look in my closet," I said flinging open the doors and pulling out some dresses. "How about this? Springy - pretty - sophisticated - charming." The sarcastic tone grew while I described each dress and then tossed it on the floor at his feet. "Lacy - enchanting - sexy!" I continued. "This is what I'm giving up Steve! My new and unwanted womanhood! I not allowed to say what I want, or do what I want, or dress how I want. And Dr. Green, Judge Herns, and mom are always after me to find a guy to date. Well I don't want to DATE A GUY - and I don't want to play this make-believe game any more! I want out of here - today - NOW!" "Linda," Steve spoke. "GODDAMN IT, STEVE - IT'S TOM! Don't you fucking remember anymore? I saved your life for Christ's sake!" "I know, Tom, I know," he agreed in an attempt to calm me down. "But I won't help you hunt down a man so you can kill him. Even I have limits to how far I will help you." "I'm not going to kill him," I told him. "That's not what you told me this morning," Steve countered. I sighed and calmed down a little. "I know and I meant it. But I had a talk with Dave Williams on the way home and he changed my mind. He told me what it was like to kill a man and how hard it is to live with the aftermath of it." "He killed someone? Our Sergeant Williams?" Steve gasped. "Yes, and don't tell anyone. It was self-defense. The man killed Dave's partner and was going to kill him. He had no choice but he's been haunted by the event ever since." "So what are you going do?" Steve wanted to know. "I'm going to use all my detective skills to track this man down. And when I find him," I took a deep breath, "I'm going to bring him back to Andersonville for trial." "Do you know what the Judge will do to you!" Steve stated directly. "I have an idea and I know it won't be good. Maybe the Andersons will get that new baby girl they wanted me to give them - only not as a grandchild." "Tom - I don't think that I can do this. What you're asking me to do -" "What I'm asking you to do," I cut him off rudely, "is to respect my decision and put your neck out on the line like I did for you at the Jensen place. Steve, I've thought about this all morning and I can't stand being in this body one more day." "How do you plan to get past the security around Andersonville?" "I'm guessing here, but I believe once I change back totally into Tom McClain they won't be able to track me. I should be able to walk right out of town without them knowing it. I'll catch the five o'clock freight and ride it until I get to someplace where I can rent a car. Then I'll take it from there." I stopped for a moment to stare at my brother. "I know I'm asking a lot, Steve. I know they may come down hard on you. But this is important to me, please understand." "When I was trapped in Jennifer's body," he said slowly. "I would've done anything to get changed back. Because of you I'm a man again, Tom. I guess what I'm saying is, I understand and owe you that much to help you out; even if I may be punished because of it." "Thank you, Steve." I reached over and gave him a hug. I could tell by the look on his face that he wasn't happy about what he was going to help me do. But he was a loyal friend, and he also had liked Kevin Brown. I watched as he got the shot ready, then I took off my shirt and lay down on the bed. He wiped an alcohol swab over the back of my neck. "This is going to sting some," he informed me, "but don't move. I have to inject you in the right spot for this to work. Are you ready?" I nodded my head and closed my eyes. I was about to begin a new journey - one that I wasn't sure where it would lead me too. There was a sharp stick, like that of a bee sting. Then I felt a warm sensation settling in as the serum made its way through my body. I felt Steve pull out the shot and wipe the back of my neck again. "Is that it?" I asked. Steve nodded. "That wasn't so bad," I lied. "When can we start?" "Give it a couple of minutes to work all the way into your system. Try running in place to get the blood circulating more." I did as he suggested and a few minutes later had worked up a sweat. "Okay, you should be ready. This is your last chance Tom. Are you sure this is what you want?" "I'm sure, Steve," I replied while pulling out the modification list. "I know you think I'm making a mistake but this is what's right for me." "Okay," he said solemnly. "I would recommend you get undressed first before starting. Do you want me to trigger the physical modifications for you? "No, you've done enough. I have to take the next step alone. If you could, I'm going to need some clothes to wear after I'm through. Can you find something for me to wear from dad's closet and place them outside my door?" "No problem Tom. Good luck buddy." Steve closed the door as he left. I removed my clothes and stood there in front of the mirror. The naked woman reflecting back at me wasn't ugly - she was even kind of cute. In a way I felt sorry for Linda - and for the Andersons. Dennis Butz had had good intentions by turning me into her, even though I resented him for doing so. Linda had been brought back to life and now I was killing her again. It didn't seem fair even though I knew that it wasn't really her standing there in the mirror looking back at me. What would the real Linda Anderson have turned out to be like if she hadn't been murdered? I wished I could have met her just once. I picked up the list and looked at the first command. I closed my eyes and whispered, "Mecabeach! Height and weight. 49837. Mecabeach!" I felt a burning sensation grow in my neck that was accompanied by a loud buzzing in my head. I felt a slight numbness creeping throughout my body until I no longer felt my hands or toes anymore. Suddenly the room seemed to spin as I grew by several inches. I got heavier, at least 50 pounds heavier, as my body grew in mass. It was kind of creepy watching this happen and I closed my eyes until it was over. A moment later the buzzing subsided and I found myself looking at a taller, more muscular figure than what I once had been. I breathed a sigh of relief that the serum still worked. I looked at the next modification and said it out loud. "Mecabeach! Basic Figure Modification and Skin Modification. 36712! Mecabeach!" I closed my eyes and waited. The numbness returned and the buzzing inside my head was louder - like a swarm of angry bees. I felt my shoulders grow broader as my arms stretched in length and my waist dropped lower on my torso. When the buzzing stopped I opened up my eyes and looked clearly at the image in the mirror. My body was still more female them male but I could see signs of my old body now. The face was still Linda's but it had a much more manish look to it since my skin was no longer as soft as it use to be. I closed my eyes again and said the next phrase that I hope would bring out the old me. "Mecabeach! Facial Modifications and Hair Modifications. 2749726. Mecabeach!" I felt a great deal of sensation around my face, as if it was being pulled in different directions only from the inside. It wasn't painful, just a strange tugging feeling against my skin. And there was also sensation with my hair only not so much. After a few moments everything stopped and I regain my senses. To my horror, I still had the same hairstyle except it was a different color. Then I realized it was a longer version of my old hair. Apparently the serum could cause hair to grow but not shorten on its own. There wasn't anything a pair of scissors couldn't cure. I looked at my face and smiled. It was 'my' face. I'd never been so happy to see myself staring back at me. I touched it, every part of it, and smiled. I was back! ****** Steve gave me a huge grin when he saw me. "Tom, it's you, and with long hair." "Not yet," I replied pointing to the two small lumps in front. "I still have to get something off my chest." Steve and I both laughed joyfully. "You're going to have to carry them around for at least 12 hours," he told me. "I don't have that long," I replied. "I have to get rid of them before five. "Tom," he cautioned, "that'll put too much strain on your body. It can't handle all these changes in such a short time period." "I think I have a way of reducing the strain. I going to go upstairs and meditate until it's time. My body should be recovered by then." "It's risky," Steve warned. "It's the only way," I shot back. "I'm guessing that they can still track me as long as I have parts of this modified body. This means I have to turn myself completely into Tom McClain before I leave. It's going to be now or never." "Okay Tom. I'll make sure I get you up by 4:30." "Thanks, Steve. And find me a pair of scissors so I can cut my hair." I turned and went back upstairs. ****** "How's it going, Jeff?" Colonel Myers asked. The clock on the wall showed it was almost three o'clock but it seemed like the day had been longer. Barry would be glad when this day was finally over. "She's still in her room, Barry - see!" Jeff told him pointing to the small pink dot on his screen. "Don't get your hopes up son. She may be resting up to make a break tonight. That's when most of them try." The Colonel was so sure Linda would make a break later on that he had alerted a response team to be ready for some action tonight. "She's not going to leave," Jeff replied confidently. "She knows we can track her every move." The Colonel slapped his sergeant on the back. "You may be right, Jeff." He didn't see a reason to worry the young man. But Barry Myers had a gut feeling about Linda; she wasn't going to take this decision lying down. ****** I was up before my brother came and got me. It was time - time to put my theory to the test. In an hour I would either be rolling southward on a freight train or standing in front of Judge Herns. Steve looked at me nervously. "Are you ready?" he asked "I am," I said confidently. "Here goes nothing. Mecabeach! Chest and penis modification. 0000001. Mecabeach!" The numbness swept over my body again. A gentle tingling began in my chest and than grew to sharp pins and needles until it was almost painful. I saw both of my breast slowly shrink into my chest before my very eyes. 'Go baby, go,' I said to them. In a moment they were nothing more then a passing memory. Down lower I felt the same pins and needles effect attacking my groin. It was a weird feeling; I felt my vagina closed up and something grow out of where nothing had been. Suddenly the tingling stopped. Steve looked at me nervously, and I returned the same look. I put my hands down into my pants and felt a warm, lump of flesh. My 'old' friend. I started laughing and Steve did the same. He came over and hugged me. "It worked," I yelled out with glee. I'm a man again." I laughed even harder. "Want to feel it, Steve?" I joked. "I'll take your word on it," Steve replied with tears rolling down his cheeks from laughing so hard. I had to wipe a few away myself. "I better hurry. I need to borrow your bike, Steve." "I figured you would. I placed it out on the front porch." He held out his hand to me. "Good luck, Tom, and good hunting." I pushed his hand away and gave hug instead. "I'll call you as soon as I can brother. Take care of mom and dad for me while I'm gone." I released my hold on Steve. "I'd better get going now if I'm going to catch that train." Steve watched as I got on his bike and pedaled away as fast as I could. "Good luck, brother," he whispered. ****** Jeff was doing his hourly check on Linda. He didn't let on to any of his co-workers that he was worried about what she might do. Jeff had already decided that he would go over to Linda's house after work to talk to her. Maybe he could put some sense back into her life and better yet - maybe she would even open up and give him the time of day. There was something about Linda Anderson that drew him to her like a moth to a flame. He brought up her bedroom on the screen but didn't see her mark there. Jeff frowned a little and punched in her id number to do a search. Normally that only took a couple of seconds but after a full minute of searching Jeff became concerned. He switched his computer to the town mode to speed up the process. To his frustration, the computer still didn't find her. Now the Sergeant began to panic a little. He knew Linda couldn't have left town, the computer would have alerted him if she had tried. And without a car she couldn't have gotten very far on foot. The only possibility was that she could have moved into a dead area of the town. They were finding new ones each week. Jeff brought up her full file and clicked on the movement recorder. Next he set the timer back an hour and started going forward. Her pink dot moved slightly at times but it never left the room. Then at 4:34pm she just disappeared. "Oh my God," Jeff gasped. "COLONEL MYERS - I need you out here RIGHT NOW! CLASS ONE ALERT!" The Colonel cut short who ever he was talking to on the phone and made a beeline over to Jeff's computer. "Calm down son, what is it," "It's Linda Anderson sir - she's gone." "What do you mean, gone?" Colonel Myers asked. "Did she escape?" "I don't know sir - watch this." The Sergeant replayed the tape for the Colonel and his co-workers who had gathered around his desk. All of them looked puzzled when she simply disappeared from the screen. "Could it be a glitch on her tracker?" Mac asked. "Maybe - but it's awful damn convenient that it would go out now," Colonel Myers replied back in a very business like tone. "Mac, have your people run a diagnostic on all systems. I want to see if we have a virus or anything else present. Tony, you and Jeff have your men do a check on every resident. I want to see if anyone else disappeared besides Linda. In the meantime I'm going to have one of the Police officers check on Miss Anderson. Let's not panic yet, this may be a computer glitch." Colonel Myers didn't believe his own words for a second. ****** I made it to the freight yard just as the train was pulling out. I quickly climbed aboard a brown BNSF boxcar and sat down inside it. The train was being pulled by two engines, both ex-Conrail units. The lead unit was a SD40 while the other was a GP38. The boxcar was near the end of the 55-car freight train so I wasn't too concerned that I had been spotted by the engineer. Besides, he had been going into a curve when I ran out making it almost impossible to spot me unless he was looking right at me. More likely he was looking forward where he should have been. I watched as the town of Andersonville slowly disappeared in the distance. The train picked up speed and was running about 35mph. I heard the train horn blow as we approached a grade crossing and for a minute I heard the warning bells ringing as my boxcar went by. It was replaced moments later by the rhythmic thumping of the track below. I sat back against the wall of the boxcar and tried to relax. In a couple of hours I would be so far away that they would never find me. ****** Steve saw the police car pull up in front of the house. The cop could only be here for one reason, to see where his sister was. Fearing he may try to take him in, Steve made a mad dash out the back door and into the woods. If the officer couldn't find him then he couldn't ask him any questions now, could he? Officer Candy wasn't very happy about the call. He had been told to drive out to the Andersons and check on Linda's location and mental status. The officer grumbled silently. He was a cop, not a nursemaid for an emotionally distressed kid. Yet here he was checking up on this girl when he would rather be working a speed trap and handing out tickets. Being a police officer in Andersonville wasn't what it was cracked up to be. He knocked on the door but no one answered. Next he tried the door handle but it was locked so he got on his radio. "Base, there doesn't seem to be anyone home at the Anderson house. Request permission to return to patrol." "Hold on Nick," Officer Philips told him over the radio. "Let me check and see what the downtown boys want you to do." Officer Candy waited impatiently over the next couple of minutes for a reply before his radio squawked again. "Nick, Steve Anderson is in the woods behind his house. Barry Myers wants you to locate him and find out where his sister is." Officer Candy cursed silently. It was one thing to be told to check up on someone, now he was going to have to track down her brother to find out where she was. "10-4," Officer Candy replied into his radio with disgust. He hoped to hell this was all worth it. The cop made his way out back and came to the entrance of the woods. "Hey Boy," he yelled. "Stevie, I need to talk to you. Come out here." The cop didn't get a reply back. The officer's radio squawked again. "Nick, they got your transponder code on the screen with your target. According to the downtown guys, he's about 100 yards to your 2 o'clock. Looks like he's just laying there." "I'm on it," Candy replied with some enthusiasm. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad call after all. He carefully made his way in the direction given to him and after a couple of minutes the cop knew he had to be getting close. "Hey boy, I'm on to you. You can't escape me. Come out now and save us both the trouble." Officer Candy was secretly hoping the boy wouldn't come out so he would have to go in after him. "This is your last chance Stevie," Officer Candy said as he took another step forward. Steve Anderson rose up from the ground and started running off in the direction of the house. But Officer Candy was ready for that move and ran after the young teenager in hot pursuit. Just as Steve cleared the woods Officer Candy tackled and pinned him down. "Alright you little punk," he growled, "I told you to come out, didn't I? Now you're coming with me." He grabbed his handcuffs and placed them around the boy's wrist. "When the Judge gets done with you you're going to wish you never ran from me - I personally guarantee that, boy!" Officer Candy lifted Steve up off the ground roughly and forcefully pushed him forward. Steve almost fell over but the cop jerked him back before that happened. "What the HELL do you think you're doing, Nick!" Sergeant Williams yelled out. He was still dressed in the street clothes that he had changed into after getting off two hours before. Officer Candy gave his supervisor a blank stare. "I asked you a question, officer!" Dave Williams stated in an angry tone. "He ran on me so I took him into custody," Officer Candy answered in a defensive tone. "That's proper police procedure." "Not with the force you used on him it isn't, Mister," Dave glared back. "What did you want me to do, Dave, kiss him? He's mine now and I'm taking him in." "Wrong, Nick! You're taking off those handcuffs and turning him over to me. Then tomorrow you and I are going to have a long conversation about what I just saw and why I 'never' better see it again! Now take off those cuffs before I slap a pair on you." Dave gave the other officer a look that showed he meant business. Officer Candy removed the cuffs from Steve's wrist and gave him a slight push forward. "Come with me, Steve," Dave said, putting an arm around the boy as he took him away. Officer Candy followed behind them at a respectable distance. ****** "Sir, it's no use, sir," Mac stated. "We've check all the systems over twice and it's not a problem on our end." Mac gave his boss a frustrated look indicating that he didn't know what else to do. Their relief had arrived about a half-hour ago and was helping out with the system checks. Colonel Myers' counterpart, Ted Jacobs, gave him a nervous glance. "Barry, why don't we talk in the office for a few minutes," he said. They both went into the office and closed the door so no one could hear them. "I don't know how she did it, Barry," the other Colonel stated, "but she got away. We have to report this." "Come one, Ted, she couldn't have gotten far and you know it. I'm going to order a company of men to sweep the southern area. With the night coming soon it'll be easy to spot her walking around." Colonel Jacobs shook his head. "I'll take care of it Barry, this is my watch. I want you to go home and get some sleep. I'll let you know when we find her." "You know I won't be able to sleep tonight!" Colonel Myers replied. "I know Barry, but you can't stay here all night. You have to lead your men out of here so my group can take over. My men aren't used to work with your temps and your men are dog-tired. Go home now." "I don't understand," Colonel Myers stated in frustration. "Where in the hell could she be?" "That's my responsibility now," Colonel Jacobs explained. "Are you sure nothing else left town between the time she disappeared and the time you closed up the border?" "Just those three trucks I told you about. We stopped and searched one of them. The second truck we have a lead on and C-troop should find it soon. The third," he pointed to the southeast corner of the map in frustration, "the third could be anyway." "What about the railroad?" the other Colonel asked. "Wasn't there a train leaving around that time?" "Yea, there was," Barry replied. "But I had my men check the force field twice, it was never penetrated. She couldn't have made it to the tracks." "Barry, Linda Anderson shouldn't have been able to disappear and make it outside of town without us knowing about it but it sure looks like she did. Now I don't know how she did it, but if she was able to get past our monitors without being seen then most likely she could have done the same thing with our force field. We have to assume Linda Anderson could have gotten on the train." "Oh my God, you're right," Colonel Myers said. "And her brother is a railroad nut - he would've known when the train pulled out each night. Why in the hell didn't I think of that before?" "Where would the train be now." Colonel Myers thought about it carefully. "It would be at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe interchange yard by now," he laughed bitterly. "She could be anywhere. Damn it, I screwed up." "We don't know that, Barry," the other Colonel stated. "Look, as commander of this shift I'm asking you to take your men and get the hell out of here. Please Barry, don't force me to make this an order. Go home and get some rest. You owe it to yourself and to your men." "I guess you're right, Ted, we're only getting in your way down here. Thanks for your help." "We'll find her buddy. I'll call as soon as we do, I promise." The eyes of all six men and some of the temps were on both Colonels as they made there way out of the office. Colonel Myers' men saw the painful look in their boss's eyes; he was taking this escape on his watch very hard. "Come with me," he said to his men. Colonel Myers led the three real soldiers and the 75 temps into the massive hallway. "Goodnight," Colonel Myers told the temps while punching in his code. The temps disappeared leaving his three soldiers and him standing there. Silently he led them into the elevator and hit the up button. None of soldiers said anything to their commander on the way up; they knew what he was feeling. Each man wanted to tear the town apart brick by brick to find her. It was bad enough to have someone escape on your shift but what made it worse was that fact they had been warned she most likely would try. When they got to surface Barry bid his men goodnight, something he usually did when they got outside. "Aren't you leaving?" Mac asked his commander. "I'm going to check and see what's going on with the Anderson boy. Maybe he can clear this up." His men offered to go with him but the Colonel held up his hand. "Please guys, I need to do this by myself. I'll see you tomorrow morning." The three of them walked away disappointed while Barry made his way down the hallway to the Police office. He found Dave Williams standing outside the conference door stroking one side of his long mustache. "Anything, Dave?" he asked hopefully "I'm afraid not, Barry," he replied with a frown. "Steve keeps insisting he doesn't know where she is. We've been trying to locate Judge Herns to see if she can help out but so far we haven't found her yet. Steve's parents in the meantime are out in the lobby screaming that we release him. They claim their daughter went camping with a friend, or at least that's what the note says that Linda wrote to them. Of course she doesn't mention who the friend is and when she'll be back." "Do you think he knows the truth?" "Oh yea!" Dave answered enthusiastically. "Steve knows exactly where Linda is. I have Dr. Green in there now talking to him but I don't think it's going to do any good." "Can I talk to him?" Barry asked. Dave gave the Colonel a questioning glance. "Talk? I've already had to pull one person off Steve today, do I make my point," he stated with a frown. Barry nodded his head. "You do' Dave. I promise I won't lay a hand on him or raise my voice. I just want to see if I can reason with him." "Okay, but if you start getting angry I'll throw you out." The door opened up and Dr. Green stepped out. She gave the Colonel an embarrassed look. "Anything, Doctor?" Sergeant Williams asked. "I'm sorry, Dave, he insists he doesn't know what happen to her." "Why did he run from the officer," Barry asked. "He says he was scared," Dr. Green replied. "I can believe that," Dave answered. "Officer Candy is going to have a letter in his file after I talk to him tomorrow. I thought they screened the officers better." The doctor shrugged her shoulders. "Let me talk to him," Barry said. Dr. Green nodded and the three of them went into the small room. Steve was sitting at the table looking rather worried. "Steve," Dave said, "this is Colonel Myers. He would like to ask you some questions." "I'm telling you I don't know anything," Steve blurted out. "Why won't you believe me and just let me go home?" "Steve," Dr. Green sat down and put her arm around the boy, "your sister is in a lot of danger. We need your help finding her so she can be brought back here safely. "Why," he sniffed. "So you can punish him? So you can turn him into a little baby - or maybe a tree or something like that. Why can't you just leave him alone?" "Steve, do you know how dangerous it is for a young woman to be hitch hiking out there alone in the middle of the night?" Dr. Green explained softly. "There're too many crazies out there. I won't lie to you; Linda will be punished for escaping. But she'll be alive and well, isn't that more important?" "Son," Barry spoke in a comforting tone. "I know you and your friend go way back. If you help me bring her in I'll talk to Judge Herns and make sure nothing bad happens to her. In many ways she's done us a valuable service. Linda's shown us a major flaw in the system that needs to be corrected. I'll let the Judge know this and do whatever I can to make sure the two of you aren't separated." "Promise?" the teenager asked while wiping the tears from his eyes. Dr. Green handed him a Kleenex to wipe his nose with. "I promise," Barry said. "He was on the train," Steve said. "How did she get past the force field?" Barry inquired. "He has my cell phone, you'll have to ask him yourself." "What's the number Steve?" Dr. Green asked. ****** I was driving down the highway in a brand-new Honda that I had rented. Looking ahead I could see the open road going into the distance as far as the eye could see. I was free of my prison sentence and the female body they had tried forcing me to accept. I was as man again and it felt great. There was no director to report to, no Judge I had to make coffee for, no more filing that I had to do, and no more shaving my legs or underarms every other morning. I was free to do whatever I wanted. After I rented a car I went to a nearby truck stop and got a haircut at the 24-hour barbershop. Then I drove to an all-night department store to pick up some decent clothes. I took pleasure in the fact that all traces of Linda Anderson were now gone. But the greatest satisfaction came when I stood up to pee instead of fighting with my clothes before sitting down to do my business. That and the fact I didn't see those two grapefruits hanging down from my chest. I was totally free from my female bondage. I heard Steve's cell phone ringing next to me. So it had taken the guys in the bunker this long to figure out I was missing. I was glad I had had some kind of plan already in place before leaving, I wouldn't have made it very far on foot in that short of time. I turned on the phone but didn't say a word. "Linda?" the voice asked. "Linda, can you hear me?" I was surprised to find out it was Dennis Butz on the line. I figured it would have been Dr. Green or Judge Herns but not Dennis. My disappearance must have really caused a stir if he was calling me. "Linda, I want you to say something." I laughed silently to myself before answering. "How's the weather in Hawaii, Dennis?" I said in a deep, male voice. "Tom? Tom, is that you? How in the hell did you - " Dennis stopped in mid-sentence as he figured out his own question. "That's right, Dennis," I chuckled. "I guess Dr. Jensen didn't tell you about the extra batch of her serum that she made up for me. By the way, my contract with you is broken." "Tom, listen to me," Dennis spoke in a serious tone. "You don't know what you're getting into. I'm serious; you're heading into a ton of trouble. Turn the car around and drive back to Andersonville. If you do I give you my personal guarantee that no harm will come to you." "What about being turned into a woman, Dennis? Don't you consider that harmful? Why don't you try living as a woman for a while." "I already have," he replied, "and we're not talking about me, it's you I'm concerned about. Turn the car around and come back now!" "And if I don't?" I said in an almost threatening manner. "Then I can't help you," he stated sadly. "When you're caught - and you will be caught, Tom - I won't be able to stop whatever the Judge does to you. But if you come back right now I'll make sure she changes you back to the way you were before you started this little quest of yours." "And no punishments?" "Let's be realistic here Tom, you know Judge Herns is going to have to punish you somehow. There'll be restrictions of course, most likely some community work but nothing you can't handle. You'll get to keep your job, car, and most important, your age. But you have to turn your car around right now." "You don't get it, do you, Dennis," I said gripping the phone tightly. "I'm not trying to escape. I have every intention of coming back to Andersonville once I'm finished with what I came out here to do." "Tom, there are 10,000 trained detectives and police officers looking for your friend's killer. Do you really think he's going to get away? Do you really think you're going to be the one to catch him? Think about it, Tom, this plan of yours is crazy!" "I have thought about it, Dennis. It's the principle that matters here. I shouldn't have been denied the right to look for him in the first place! I'm not one of those criminals you bring in every week and I shouldn't be treated like one. I'm going to do whatever it takes to find Kevin's killer." "Like you did when you went after your friend, Al Parker?" Dennis pointed out. "Look at the mess it got yourself into over that. How many people will die this time, Tom? One, two, a half-dozen?" "You go to hell you son of a bitch," I answered crossly. "I wish I'd never met you. This is your entire damn fault to begin with. Al and I were innocent pawns in your grand fucking game. Well now I'm out of your clutches and it feels great! I'm free to do what I want and I'm going to find the SON OF A BITCH WHO KILLED MY FRIEND so don't you try and stop me!" I turned off the phone and threw it out the window with all my might. It was most likely bugged anyway and they would be tracing my call to see where I was. It didn't concern me, by the time they found it I would be long gone. I pressed the gas accelerator down a little more. On the side of the road a dark figured reached down and picked up the phone - then inspected it for damage. "You really need to be more careful with your phone Miss Anderson," Officer Merrick said. "I don't think she heard you, Mercury," Apollo replied. "Maybe you should run after her and tell her." Officer Merrick laughed. "So what do we do now?" the cop asked in a serious tone. Apollo's phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket and placed it to his ear. "Yes, Dennis?" Apollo said and listened to what the man had to say. "I understand. Okay then, we'll keep him in sight." He turned off the phone and looked at his half-brother who was smiling. "Follow him to see where he goes, then let me know." In a flash Officer Merrick was gone. ****** I had driven all night, stopping only at a fast-food joint to buy something to eat. I wanted to show up early at my location before anyone suspected I was there. I knew Dennis would have his men watching Kevin's house and as much as I wanted to see his wife and son to wish them my condolences, I knew it was too risky. So I went after a less obvious target, Kevin's partner. I knew he had worked with a female trooper that he got along with real well. I was hoping she could provide me with some clues as to where the suspect might have gone. There were things about the suspect that only the cops would know about and I needed that edge. The sun wasn't even up when I pulled my rental in front of her house. It was a fairly nice home north of Salt Lake City located in a newer neighborhood. There were bikes on the front porch indicating she had kids around. As I stepped up to the door to knock I noticed someone moving around inside. A mid-age man opened the door and looked at me. "Can I help you?" he asked. "I was looking for Karen Jones. Is she home right no