Chapter 14: Just In The Line Of Duty
Hi, This chapter is not quite as long as the last few, but I needed to post it now so I can pull the rest of it all together. This chapter may also get an "R" rating in some circles, so readers beware! Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 14:
Hank sat in his car waiting for his contact to show up. He tapped nervously on his steering wheel. Every minute or so, he would check his rear view mirror, then glance side to side, making sure he wasn’t be watched. He checked his watch. It was 11:50. ‘He’ll be here any minute,’ he thought. Ten minutes passed and Hank was fidgeting even more. He nervously looked behind him in his routine check and jumped when a figure appeared at the driver’s window. “Harmony isn’t what it seems,” the stranger said. Hank breathing a tentative sigh of relief said. “No, there is trouble brewing here.” The stranger walked around to the other side of the car and climbed inside. As he shut the door, he announced, “Just drive. For the time being, head toward the next town. I don’t want anyone seeing us here.”
Hank looked at the man, but didn’t question. He’d never seen him before, but yet, there was something familiar about him. He was fairly non descript, dark hair and eyes, regular build, but still, there was something eerie about this man. “Have we met before?” Hank finally asked. He’d noticed the stranger was becoming uneasy with Hank’s curiosity. “You look so familiar, I have the feeling we’ve met.”
The stranger flashed Hank a smile. “I get that a lot around here. I guess I have one of those faces, huh?” he laughed. “I guess,” Hank agreed with an uncertain smile. So where are we going?” he asked. “Somewhere away from Harmony to talk. I need to tell you what we are going to do tonight. This plan must be perfectly executed. “Mr. Crane won’t be as forgiving this time if his plan doesn’t work.” “Julian Crane?" Hank said in surprise. "No Julian never was the forgiving type,” Hank agreed. “Not Julian,” the man said. “The other Crane. The old man.” Hank’s face lost its color. “You mean we are working for Alistair Crane?” “The one and only,” the man grinned. “And you’re happy about this?” Hank asked. “Why not? It pays the bills and keeps me in the lifestyle I was born to live,” he said.
Hank nodded his head slowly in agreement. “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Hank said as he thought about all the money he would make from tonight’s little deed. “I guess old man Alistair isn’t as bad as everyone makes him out to be, right?” “I don’t know much about Alistair Crane, but when I met with him earlier, he didn’t seem to be the type of man I want to cross. He blames his son Julian for things getting out of hand,” the stranger said. Hank tried to ignore the last comment. “Well, if everything goes well tonight, Alistair will get what he wants, I’ll get what I want and we will both be able to eat at the Seascape restaurant every night if we want.” Hank smiled satisfied with himself. The stranger shot hand an evil smile as they continued down the road to the outskirts of Harmony.
Jake was fast asleep in the chair across from Roger’s bed. Antoine walked over to him and gently shook him. Jake was out like a light. “He’s asleep!” Antoine announced. He gently removed the keys from Jake’s waist and walked over to Roger and Pierre and released them from their shackles. Both men sat there rubbing their ankles for a moment, while Antoine checked the door, making sure there was no one in site. He then walked over to the window and raised it up. “We are very lucky they put us in a room on the first floor facing the rear of the hospital,” Antoine announced with a cynical smile.
“Yes,” Roger agreed. “These Harmony policemen are not too bright. Just that one friend of Sheridan Crane’s. He had a brain.” Roger shook his head in contemplative silence. “Pierre, Roger!” Let’s go now!” Antoine begged in a whisper as he stood holding the window open. Pierre and Roger had no clothes, so they were forced to leave in their hospital garb, wearing nothing but socks on their feet. It didn’t matter to them, however. They’d rather wear backless gowns then face beheading back in Paris. The three men silently crept out the window and ran across the lawn to the Harmony Town Green, on their way to freedom.
The three men ran silently through the green, looking for any signs of a car. Roger and Pierre stayed fairly hidden in the woods, as it would be very obvious to anyone that saw them in their attire, they shouldn’t be there. Antoine finally spotted a car. He glanced around making sure the coast was clear and pulled a small tool kit out of his pocket. He expertly opened the car door. Within a minute he had the engine running and returned to get his friends. Roger and Pierre climbed in the back seat and ducked down. Antoine casually left the green and took the first road he came to that led out of Harmony.
Once they left the town center, Roger and Pierre sat up in their seats. “Antoine,” Roger said. “We must stop somewhere and get some clothes. We can not chance being caught in these clothes. It will look too suspicious.” “I agree, Roger. We must change clothing,” Pierre announced.
Luis put Sheridan back on her feet once inside the bedroom. Their kisses were hot. With her feet planted on the ground, Sheridan removed her arms from around Luis’ neck. She momentarily left her exploration of his mouth, as she moved her attention down towards his chest. She undid several buttons, then ran her hands over his muscular chest. She looked up only to see him staring back with a burning passion in his eyes that ripped through her body. He leaned in and they once again kissed. Luis explored Sheridan’s mouth again and his hands began a serious quest to learn every curve of her body. Sheridan undid the rest of his shirt pulling it away from his waist.
“Luis,” Sheridan whispered breathless, “let me slip into something more comfortable.” She smiled seductively as she ran her hands over his now bare chest. “Let me help you with that Sheridan,” Luis requested in a deep voice. Before she had a chance to say another word, he’d unzipped her dress, letting it fall to the floor. She now stood in front of him wearing only a black lace bra and panties. Luis then arched his back slightly as he removed his open shirt and tossed it to the side.
Sheridan gasped at his slick move and then as she stared at his perfectly formed torso. She felt her breathing quicken as the excitement within her grew. She saw how turned on Luis was, as he stared at her in her underwear. This was causing her to grow hotter than she was. She reached behind her and unhooked her bra. She smiled sexily at Luis as she slowly removed it from one shoulder, then the other, finally letting it slip to the floor.
Luis’ expression was a combination of surprise and pure pleasure. He slowly moved forward, his heart racing. Sheridan could feel her own heart beating rapidly. She was finding it difficult to breathe as Luis approached her with his eyes fixated on her well-developed breasts. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her bare skin against his own. They both reeled in this new sensation. They began kissing feverishly. Luis and Sheridan were walking as they kissed, inching closer to the king-size bed. Sheridan’s legs hit the bed and they both stopped. Luis came up for air and looked down at Sheridan. She returned his gaze, longing, love and passion in her eyes. Luis smiled his famous smile, as he gently lay her back on the bed. Luis placed one knee on the bed as he followed her onto the bed. He gently lowered his body on hers and began trailing kisses down her neck.
Sheridan’s eyes were now closed. She knew she had to be dreaming. This couldn’t possibly be happening, she thought. But it was. Luis’ hands now began massaging her chest and she moaned, “Oh Luis? Do you have any idea what you are doing to me?” “I know what I’m trying to do,” he smiled. “I also know what you are doing to me right now.” Luis’ massaging action quickened and his kisses continued down her neck and shoulders.
“I love you, Luis,” Sheridan managed to say completely breathless. “I love you too Sheridan,” Luis whispered back. Those were the last comprehensible words spoken by either Luis or Sheridan for awhile. The continued their exploration of each other’s body. They slowly learned how to please each other as well as reveling in the sensations they were experiencing. Neither had ever in their wildest dreams expected to FEEL so much. They made love in a way neither one had ever made ove before. They truly were soul mates just finding each other for the first time.
Julian was still sitting at his desk, pounding down the glasses of brandy as he tried to forget his conversation with his Father. His mind was a blur, as he conjured up an image of a grieving Sheridan. Julian loved being a Crane, basking in all the money and power that came with the name. He especially loved the idea that he someday would run Crane Industries as his father did today. He did not, however agree with all the decisions his father made.
Julian never had any intention of allowing any of the many skeletons in the Family closet to escape. He just did not enjoying adding to them. He found it difficult to understand how his father could so enjoy the horrific pain he inflicted on others. This time, part of that pain would be on his own daughter. Julian knew Luis posed a grave threat to their family and understood the need to end any association between Sheridan and Luis. He found the impostor very clever. He thought for sure, this would have ended things permanently, between Sheridan and Luis. He had under-estimated the feelings Sheridan actually had for him. This time, he feared, would be permanent.
Julian was shaken from his reverie as the phone rang. He pushed the button. “Julian Crane”. “Julian,” Alistair bellowed. Julian jumped to attention. “Yes Father?” He tried to regain his composure. “I meant to ask you earlier, What did you do with that mask of Luis’ face?” “It’s right here, Father” Julian assured him as he opened up the top drawer on the right hand side of his desk. Julian reached in to pull out the mask. He pulled the drawer open as much as he could and began to frantically search the drawer and the mask was not there. His face was now pale on its way to becoming green.
“Is something wrong, Julian?” Alistair asked pleasantly. “Nothing’s wrong Father,” Julian responded with a very nervous laugh. “I must have put it in a different drawer.” He continued ripping through each drawer on his desk. He was throwing papers everywhere in his desperate search for the mask. “Don’t bother, Julian,” Alistair said in disgust. “I know exactly where the mask is. Julian you are a fool! How could you be so careless to leave the mask in a drawer with a broken lock on it?” “I was going to have the lock repaired, Father,” Julian said in a pacifying tone. “Besides, everyone in this house knows this desk is my personal sanctuary and not to touch it. No one would dare enter this room unless I was here.” Julian regained his pompousness.
“If you believe that Julian you are a bigger fool than I thought. Remember, nothing is as it seems in Harmony,” Alistair said. “Yes, I understand Father. So where is the mask?” he questioned. “Somewhere that it will help us rather than help destroy us Julian,” Alistair said firmly. That mask is going to help ensure the future of the Crane Empire.”
“By the way,” Hank said, “I’m Jack. Jack Gallagher. Hank extended his hand to the other man. “Frank Smith.” He shook Hank’s hand. ‘Frank Smith, now that’s original,’ Hank thought smiling at Frank. “Pull over there, Jack” Frank said pointing to a hidden driveway off the side of the road. “Turn off your lights and just pull in far enough so we won’t be seen from the road.” Hank did as he was told. Once he had stopped, Hank put the car in park and shut off the motor. He turned to Frank, anxiously waiting to hear their next move. “OK, Why don’t you tell me what you know first,” Frank asked Hank.
Hank sighed in slight disappointment but agreed. “I’ve been out of this ‘freelance’ business for awhile,” he began. “These guys I know kept threatening me, they’d expose me for who I really am if I didn’t go along with them. So far I’ve been pretty lucky, but they were insistent. And they were offering a lot of money.” Hank let out a quick laugh. Anyway the last job I was supposed to do for them was to track down a certain woman who came from Paris to the States last summer. I didn’t know why they wanted her and frankly I didn’t care. As it turned out I tracked her down to Harmony. It turned out Sheridan was in fact Sheridan Crane, Alistair’s daughter. Man is she gorgeous!” Hank let out a soft whistle.
“Once I saw her, I kind fell for her and decided I’d much rather get to know her than grab her and return her to those guys in France. They’d probably kill her and if I played my cards right, I figured I could get Sheridan to fall in love with me. Then being married to a member of the richest family in Harmony, I’d have everything I’d ever wanted including a beautiful life.” Hank smiled as he thought about his dream. Frank shook his head in disbelief at the ego Jack had.
“Anyway, I got to know her pretty well and we dated a few times, nothing serious, you understand. But then my BEST friend had to stick his nose in where it didn’t belong.” Hank’s tone was now filled with bitterness and resentment. “He was always there to play hero for her. Now the two of them are in love.” Hank was very flippant in his last statement. “So now these guys know where I am and where Sheridan is and want me to make sure she stays away from Luis. It must be because he’s a cop. They claim they won’t hurt her, they just want to talk to her and keep her away from Luis. How could I resist an offer like that? Keep the woman that would make my dreams come true away from Luis AND get paid for it?" Hank smiled.
Frank digested the information Hank had just given him. “Do you have any idea how this is going to happen?” Frank asked. “Nope. I was told to meet you and you would fill me in on the details.” Hank said. “I see,” Frank replied. “Well, Jack, if you’ll step out of the car for a few minutes I’ll show you exactly how we’ll manage to take care of your BEST friend and Sheridan Crane at the same time.” “Why do I have to step out of the car?” Hank asked. “Everything will become clear in five minutes. Just step out of the car and in five minutes come back and you will understand everything,” Frank said with an evil grin.
“All right man,” Hank said in bewilderment. He slowly stepped out of the car. He was a little nervous, but decided he’d better get over it. He checked his watch every few seconds waiting for the five minutes to pass. Five minutes had never seemed so long as he slowly watched the seconds tick by. After what seemed like an eternity, it was time to re-enter the car. He climbed back into the car and turned to Frank who was looking out the passenger window. “OK, now what is it that is going to make this all seem perfectly clear?” Hanks asked. Frank turned to Hank and said, “I don’t know, why don’t you tell me?” Hank stared at Frank in total shock. His eyes were wide and his jaw nearly on the floor. He couldn’t utter a sound as he looked at the face of his best friend, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald.
Luis and Sheridan, slumped in each other’s arms, lay breathless. They had just finished making love for the very first time. For what seemed like eternity, they just stared at each other in awe, smiling and occasionally giving each other a gentle kiss. It was several minutes before either of them spoke. “Sheridan,” Luis said, “That was... that was just... just WOW! I don’t know how to describe it!” He was laughing giddily, his eyes gleaming. “Tell me about it!” she said playfully. “That was incredible. Where did you ever learn THAT?”
“Sheridan, I hate to tell you, but that was the first time for me like THAT!” He grinned impishly. “You brought it out in me! I’ve never had such a wild experience in my life. You are always full of surprises aren’t you?” “We’ll I need to tell you Luis, I’ve never been like THIS with anyone. I guess it just must be the way WE are meant to be,’” she grinned. “Oh. I hope so Sheridan,” Luis smiled kissing her fully on the lips. “I think I’m going to enjoy doing this again and again and again...” He raised and lowered his eyebrows in a very suggestive manner. Sheridan smiled, blushing slightly. “I hope so,” Sheridan said. “We have a lot of wasted time to make up for, now don’t we?”
“We certainly do,” Luis grinned. He again kissed Sheridan’s mouth. This time their lips parted and they both moaned in excitement. Luis turned over and climbed on top of Sheridan as they once again began to discover the wealth of pleasure their bodies held for only each other.
To Be Continued…
