Chapters 13-15

CHAPTER 13

They arrived at the restaurant freshly showered, Rico in casual attire and Joey in a less revealing, but classy, bright blue dress. Much to her surprise, she was beginning to feel at ease—sexiness wasn’t so difficult to recapture after all. She had no intention of abandoning her modesty, but did intend on being extra pleasing to her husband’s eyes.

Rico wasn’t the slightest bit surprised that she could wear sensuality so effortlessly. He enjoyed the scenery from every angle. The lady he had just married was looking extra fine—not skinny, but not chunky either, just healthy—a very well proportioned five-foot six indeed.

Rico almost gulped at the sight of the nicely outfitted Jennifer gliding toward them, in high heels even. Unlike Joey, Jennifer had always been aware of her hypnotizing sensuality and made use of it. Some would say that at times she had misused it. She obviously had something to learn about when to tone it down.

Rico, used to seeing Jennifer in more revealing evening attire, wasn’t too stunned by the raving beauty in the satin white slacks and blue halter top; but then again, it had been a while since he had set eyes on her.  Something about those brown eyes and the warm color of her cheeks. He knew it was a natural glow—though less glowing than earlier—because Jennifer never wore make-up apart from lipstick. He had long concluded that she didn’t need that either. Her naturally red, shapely and full lips were always in fashion—even under black and green shades of camouflage.

Rico stared absentmindedly at those very lips; some habits were hard to kill.

Joey elbowed him firmly, annoyance showing on her face. 

“What?” he blurted out. “I was just trying to figure out the color of her … shiny lipstick!”

Jennifer had been too engrossed in thoughts about having gotten fired to notice Rico’s stare.

 Joey wasn’t about to let him continue what she perceived to be lustful staring. She stood to offer Jennifer a seat, purposely obstructing his view. 

“Jacob, maybe you should go check on the girls?”

What girls? Jennifer wondered. Do they have kids already? Rico never ….

“Buth … I’m noth done,” Rico muffled through a mouthful of eggs and ham.

“Oh, all right. But, hurry up! I want to talk with Jennifer.”

“Yeth, Honey,” Rico said with a mouthful of pancakes. He rose to his feet obediently, but wondered what in the world his wife wanted to talk with his old buddy about.

“Oh my goodness, Joey, in all my years working with this man, I have never ever heard such an obedient tone of voice coming out of him. Not even with generals … well, he was even more belligerent with them,” Jennifer said. She exaggerated of course. “But, wow! You have him well trained already!”

Jennifer tried to restrain her laughter to no avail. She was already having one of the most interesting and fun-filled days in years. But her hee-hawing stopped abruptly when she spotted her former boss approaching. Her face became instantly closed as she greeted the man in an uninterested, almost disrespectful tone.

“Mister Robert Jones. What brings you here?” She knew he had made use of his power and influence to direct resources, security people and cameras, to search for them. Even casinos he didn’t own would have obliged him. It perturbed her to have been hunted down like a common criminal.

“Jennifer, may we speak in private for a moment?” Jones asked softly.

“These are my friends and anything to be said between you and me can be said here.”

“I should’ve expected that,” he commented without hesitation, a tinge of hurt registered n his eyes. The stately Anglo man was the owner of several casinos in the city. He was not used to being the odd man out as he was just then. It was obvious he was out of his element; speaking to real people who actually didn’t give a darn about his status.

“Look Jennifer. I want you back. I’ve fired Ted and his second fiddle. Is there anyone else that I can let go to convince you to come back?”

Jennifer shook her head.

“How about the Director position?”

“No thanks,” she said flatly. .

“Ummm … just for curiosity’s sake, how much does a director make?” Joey blurted.   

Rico frowned at her, though he waited for the response too.

“Right now it’s slightly more than one hundred and ninety thousand plus benefits and perks,” he said without blinking.

Joey shot Jennifer a look. Are you stupid or something?

Jennifer eyed her right back.

They had barely become friends and were already trading looks that could kill.

“Sorry, Mister Jones, but I’ve not been comfortable in this town since I got here last year.”

Last year? She must have forgotten to forward her mail. But, why didn’t you answer my E-mails? Rico privately fumed. Girl, we gotta talk.

“I stayed because I thought the place would grow on me. It hasn’t, and I’m glad.” Her tone and sense of finality made Mister Jones concede defeat.

“Very well, Jennifer, God speed to you. I expect you will succeed no matter where you go. I just hope that next lucky boss realizes what he has in you before it’s too late.”

Mr. Jones turned to leave.

“Mr. Jones. One last thing you need to settle,” Jennifer whispered. She pointed at Joey and Rico. “These folks will be visiting their attorney upon returning home. Perhaps we … ummm, you … can cut your losses and settle matters here.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know these were the folks that had a problem in my casino,” he said sincerely. “I was going to my office to review the recording with my attorneys. Some of my gutsier men broke rank with Ted and told me what really happened. He lied to me when I was in L.A.”

The man had left the investor meeting only because Jennifer was involved; and he was running the meeting.  

“Would you like to save those attorney fees and pass them on to these people who didn’t do a da…arn thing wrong last night?” Jennifer said.

“Sir, Ma’am, I would like you to consider settling this out of court for let’s say … two hundred thousand even … and my sincere apologies for the conduct of my security people.”

He waited patiently, thinking he had a cheap winner as he eyed Joey’s wide open mouth and Rico’s wide grin. 

Just before he blurted yes, Rico noticed Jennifer’s two fingers oddly moving her bangs side-to-side. “Considering you would have had to pay mine  and your attorney’s fees, plus damages and other stuff, I think the most fair and equitable amount for forgiveness and silence about this matter would be double that … or four hundred,” he said matter-of-factly, expecting to be talked down to under three hundred and change. 

“You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Rico. If you are a man of your word and agree to sign forms attesting to the fact that you have been satisfactorily recompensed, and will not pursue further legal action of any kind … consider it done.

“My lawyers can have a cashier’s check in six hours, after all papers are signed.”

All Joey and Rico could do was nod in agreement. Jennifer sat wide-eyed. After some awkward moments, Mr. Jones dismissed himself and went to a nearby bar, apparently to quench his thirst.

“Jennifer, promise not to hit me if I say something,” Rico whispered.

“Maybe … OK.” She was still taking in the amount Rico was going to be collecting.

“It really bothers me that you are letting that man … who, from what I could tell, you had something going with … whether you knew it or not … go without a proper send off.”

Oh, she knew it, but she had maintained a completely platonic relationship because she wanted to succeed on her own. No special treatment. Then again, maybe the man’s advanced age had something to do with it, though fifty-two was hardly over the hill.

“I wasn’t mean or anything!”

“You just ripped a man’s heart out and you weren’t mean! It wasn’t a fair fight. I know, I know, he’ll recover the financial loss in a day or two of business. But, he probably agreed to this pay-off because the fight he would normally have in him is gone … at least for the moment. Normally, that would be a good thing, but I have this gut feeling that he’s a more or less an honest man—and a very, very, lonely one inside.” And in that I’m a field expert, girl.

And how would you know that? Jennifer mused, her eyes closing for a second. Her mind considered the extravagant, busy lifestyle the man led.

Jennifer and Rico didn’t know each other as well as they thought.

“Jacob, you’re butting in ...” Joey started to chastise Rico, but wisely stopped short as she noticed a facial hint that Jennifer wasn’t happy with her interference.

“And what do you suppose I do?” Jennifer said, looking at Rico and then Joey.

Seems like Jacob has given someone some lectures before, Joey thought, even as she offered a shrug.

“Pardon my forwardness,” Rico said.

Why stop now? Joey and Jennifer thought at almost the same instant.

“But, I think going over there while you can … and, and giving him at least a goodbye hug would be a great relief to him. At least that’s what I think,” he said, shrugging.

Hesitantly, Jennifer left her comfort zone and joined the broken man at the bar. After all, the man had jumped on a jet just for her. Never mind that it was always at his beck and call. They talked for some time and then she bid him farewell with a hug. Perhaps they would stay in touch they each said, both fully aware of the symbolic nature of such parting agreements.

“Well, I hope I said the right words,” Jennifer pondered aloud as she rejoined her friends.

“Jennifer …” Mister Jones said when he revisited their table. He held out an envelope for her. “Sorry, I forgot to give you this. If it isn’t enough, please let me know.”

He was about to leave when he stopped and, speaking to no one in particular, said, “Jennifer is the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. It must have something to do with the company she keeps.”

With that he walked away, wondering if he would ever find friends of that caliber.

 Perhaps in Rico he already had. 

“Not a bad guy,” Rico mumbled under his breath. “But … what was he talking about?”

“Oh, nothing … I just mentioned that you guys forced me to … you know…”

Each one of the foursome twiddled their fingers for some time. Jennifer picked up the envelope and played with a corner.

Rico, for one, had already mentally spent the money that had fallen into his lap.

“Well, Jennifer, aren’t you going to open it?” Joey insisted. Rico gave her a little elbow love. “What? I can’t help it. Being nosy is in my genes,” she proudly announced.

“Yea, I’ve heard about your investigative reporting,” Jennifer chided. “You won’t find any dirt here.” She playfully waved the envelope in front of the old reporter.  

“Truthfully though, I’m kind of worried. What if he insults me by shortchanging me—or what if he insults me by giving me too much. I’d feel like he was trying to buy me like an everyday prostitute,” she muttered.

“Listen, sweetie,” Joey piped in impatiently. “If he was paying you like a prostitute, that envelope would be much fatter. So …”

“And what exactly do you mean by that?” Jennifer asked, hoping for a direct compliment, or at least, an explicit jab if that was what Joey intended.

“What I mean is … you, like myself, would be in extremely high demand if … we … you were … you know.”

“Oh … uhm, that’s so much plainer. Thank you.”  

“You go fishing, sometimes you catch something,” Joey said matter-of-factly. “Now, open the doggone envelope!” Joey urged.

Feigning fear, Jennifer opened the envelope. A huge grin painted her face as she leaned over to show Joey.

Joey turned red with excitement. “Holy cow!”

It was Rico’s turn to show interest. Jennifer wouldn’t let go of the envelope when Rico tugged at it. She put it up to her nose instead. 

“It says …” Jennifer read out loud from the statement portion of the business check. “… thirty thousand severance, seventy thousand for contract services.”

Jennifer made a thoughtful pose; she couldn’t remember what the contract services might have been. She glared at Joey. “Not a peep out of you!” she whispered threateningly.

“Not a peep … as in …?”

Jennifer turned beet red and then the two laughed hysterically.

Rico slipped away from the attention they were drawing. He returned after paying the tab and stalling at some slot machines, losing a quick five dollars.

Then Jennifer remembered what the contract services were for. She explained to Joey how she had traveled all over the states on a security detail for the rich guy and his teenaged step-kids; the real mother had long been out of the family picture.

Jennifer was slightly insulted when Joey noted that it seemed like an awfully good way of having her nearby—like courting. No, it was because of her security acumen, Jennifer insisted. Just then she realized that Joey was right, and she was full of malarkey. The guy had tried to sweep her off her feet and she had been oblivious.

***

 As happy as he was to see Jennifer again, Rico felt exhausted. “Well, Joey, we ready to go?”

“Sit down for a minute more. It seems that Jennifer here wants to set down roots somewhere once and for all,” Joey said with a hint of secrecy in her voice. She expected Rico to be way ahead of her. But, he hadn’t a clue.

“That’s good, and ...” he didn’t want to say anything stupid, “... that involves me how?”

At least he tried. Joey’s stinging glare and Jennifer’s frown let him know how unsatisfactory his response was.

“Well, anyway, she tells me she likes the desert, but not this Nevada desert ...” Joey gave him a look with a raised eye-brow. “And …?

“And … maybe, you would be interested in visiting the great state of New Mexico?” he piped up proudly, thinking he finally understood.

Joey lowered her shaking head.

“Or ... or better yet, Las Cruces, where we’ve ...” he paused to savor the, we, that he was really part of now. “… made our homestead. Nuestra habitación,” he said with a sense of satisfaction. 

“Yea, but I do have to make a living, you know. I don’t think there’s much of a market for high priced security or bodyguards in that part of the country,” she said.

It dawned on Rico what Joey had been hinting at. “Jennifer … do you want a job?”

“You know someone in the security business in that little town?”

“As a matter of fact … there is … this little itty-bitty, upstart company of a soon to be half-dozen or so folks that might need your services; protective services, of course,” he quickly added. 

“How much?”

“Pennies, for all practical purposes. A little over fifty-K. I know, I know, that’s less than peanuts for someone like you. But, think of the fringe benefits … you get to work with the best looking dude you ever met. And to work with that wonderful woman there,” he said in a full blown sales pitch. Rico figured there wasn’t a chance in million she would take the slim pay and leave what appeared to be an easily recoverable relationship with the rich, and relatively young guy.

His thoughts wandered off to some of the incredible, even superhuman, things he had seen Jennifer do. Her talents were innumerable and invaluable to say the least—and came in a package of the highest caliber of character and ethics. Except of course, those misguided searches for love mentioned before. Now that, seemingly by fate, the opportunity to have her skills at his disposal had presented itself, he just had to convince her. He was about to toss in some extra enticement when Jennifer spoke up.

“Well, the pay is way short of a hundred-K. But, I would get to work alongside my new buddy.” She acted like she was in deep thought. “I’ll take it!” she declared all of a sudden.

Rico was elated, but he decided to savor it inwardly; for safety’s sake.

“Well, I guess I don’t have to throw in Joey’s old place for you to stay in, or the health plan, or ...”

“Or maybe you do,” she said quickly.

“Well … I don’t suppose I’ll have a need for my old adobe place,” Joey said, kicking Rico under the table. “Though, I would miss my nice, cool, one-of-a-kind basement bedroom.”

That brought Michelle to mind. “But the extra room is … temporarily occupied. I need to make a call. Excuse me.” She started to leave. “Oh. Welcome to the company, girl!” she said, leaning over to give Jennifer a hug.

Joey was gone and back in minutes. From the look on her face, all was well. The group chatted about various things for nearly half an hour, until the girls calling on the cell phone interrupted. They were up and ready to work somebody’s legs into the ground. But, Rico had to finish some business first.

“You have kids … already?” Jennifer asked.

“Oh, yea, but adopted, kind of, sort of. You’ll meet them today,” Joey offered.

“Jennifer, I’d like you to get to work right away,” Rico directed, as the others gave him a look. “There’s stuff you can manage from here. In fact, it would be great if you could get down to Las Cruces in the next two days. I could have a list by tomorrow morning. You can fly over while we get a rental to take a road trip back to catch the sights. If you don’t have a PC tablet, get one. And make it a good one.”

Jennifer quickly got into the business mode herself; it started feeling like old times. She ignored Joey shaking her head.

After the requisite farewells and exchange of cell numbers, Rico took off quickly, signaling Joey to follow.

Jennifer hurried to her apartment to pack.

Meanwhile, Rico’s entourage did the sightseeing thing until he decided to end the fun; but not the fun of paying Mister Jones a visit at his office regarding the matter of a four hundred thousand dollar check.

The next day the gang packed into a rented suburban and bid Jennifer farewell. Rosangelica and Tina were dying to know who the raving beauty was who Rico introduced them to in a purposeful rush. No need to risk Jennifer letting slip certain aspects of their past.

The girls also noted that Sarge seemed to know her. They watched Jennifer and Sarge interact for a few minutes standing a few feet away, both wearing big grins, saying good-bye a minute later with an awkward half-hug that Jennifer initiated. That really intrigued the girls. 

Joey promised Jacob would offer all the details while they drove to the first adventure ride they could find. For some reason Rico was more talkative than usual. His recounting of some of Jennifer’s combat exploits mesmerized them.

Joey listened too, intrigued at how passionately her husband recounted the stories; noting how much he raved about Jennifer in general. Joey didn’t have the heart to interrupt when Rico inadvertently revealed some probably classified events. He was going a mile a minute—like a broken dam. Rosangelica seemed not to blink; it seemed she had a new hero.

The stories ended when Sarge drove up to the first of the several thrilling rides they would enjoy the next two days; a sightseeing helicopter ride from which Rico abstained. Some memories were hard to forget.

After those two exhausting fun-filled days—stopping only to rest in a hotel bed for about five hours—they headed back to New Mexico.

CHAPTER 14

The first morning after arriving back in Las Cruces, Rico and the Sarge separated ways. The Azerra’s went house hunting; Rico went looking for and then spending money. Aside from depositing the four hundred thousand from Vegas, spending money proved more successful than acquiring it. One bank took a serious look at his proposal, but only momentarily. Rico watched the amenable lower manager walk into the senior bank manager’s office. Through the window Rico could see the woman’s head shaking adamantly, an obvious no. What did he expect? His was a risky business; much more so in this relatively small burb. Fortunately, he had faithfully stuffed twenty percent of all company profits into a reserve fund. After three years he had accumulated $295,000. His client list netted another $200,000, and then some, after taxes.

Along with those assets, his stock portfolio profits offered a sufficient sum for a reasonably comfortable retirement—if only that was his plan. The sale of his stocks had netted him almost $575,000. In his eyes, the bonanza had to officially qualify him as an eccentric.

Joey had some idea that her new husband was out and about eyeing and buying things. It wasn’t that he bought quantities of useless “things,” as she called them; it was more his tendency to buy the most expensive model and brand, or make in the case of vehicles. Actually, all the vehicles he had purchased for his company in San Diego were from auctions or other firms upgrading. Yes, they were top of the line, equipped with armor and electronic gadgets, and still cost a pretty penny; but it wasn’t like she thought.

Unknown to Rico, though, a few agents on his staff had confided to Joey, whom they got to know over the phone, that it was rather serious over-kill for the threats their type of clients faced.

Joey wanted to address this propensity, though she felt like a mother just thinking about it. When he got home that day she told him she had something to discuss. She didn’t dare say “budget,” a bad word for Rico since she had known him. Her ambush would catch him unprepared and fresh out of ideas for excuses. He would just have to bite the bullet.

It was 4:00 p.m. and Joey promised an hour maximum on the topic. She was anxious to make a good impression on the newest team member, Jennifer, with the first formal dinner she had cooked since returning from Vegas. A veritable cornucopia of Mexican delights—enchiladas, chile relleno, rice, beans, and, oddly enough, a home-made coconut cream pie (Jennifer’s favorite)—overflowed on the table on warming plates. And with the girls out of town for two days at another tournament, Joey would be taking more than her usual accidental extras to her buddies in the park.

Rico would make sure—being the good husband he was—that he didn’t allow a simple budget discussion ruin the homey atmosphere. Missing out on the pie by upsetting her wouldn’t do either.

“Wow!” Jennifer said. “About all I can manage is heating water.”

Rico shot her a quick glance with the obvious intent of saying something. Jennifer shot him back an unspoken threat.

Sure Jennifer, you don’t cook, Joey mused. Unless a certain someone is coming over?

“So, Joey, are we going to talk budget stuff while we eat, or after? Jennifer offered, taking her eyes off Rico. 

Rico wondered why Joey decided to include Jennifer in the budget talk. He was about to find out that the real boss had decided to post Jennifer as comptroller. As such she needed an overview of the numbers, once some semblance of a beginning balance could be determined. Of course, Joey had already taken an extended peek at some of Rico’s bank statements.

The balances seemed healthy, but looking at her husband’s seemingly erratic and impulsive spending habits, she wondered how long it would last. She made it clear that she would have little to do with the fiscal matters of the company. Except for expenditures over $10,000, she wanted minimal involvement. Running her martial arts business was already a handful, not to mention her many other commitments.

What other commitments? Rico wondered. “But how am I going to manage this stuff without you?” he whined.

“Do you have wax in … oh, never mind. I told you I’d be mentoring Jennifer. She’ll manage the books, and I’ll do a monthly audit. I expect, don’t ask me why I know, you’ll be throwing Jennifer a lot of curves. This type of business has quite a complexity to it as it is. So try and take it easy on her.”

“That’s what I mean! I was counting on you to …”

“Well Joey, I guess Jacob forgot about my stint as our unit’s supply sergeant. So if he wants to find someone else … that’s fine with me,” Jennifer interjected.

She had handled millions in inventory after all. And, aside from one case of four mortar rounds gone missing, she excelled at it.

“I didn’t mean …”

“He didn’t mean anything that made sense is what he was going to say …” Joey cut in, “… right Jacob?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, humbly.

Jennifer viewed Joey with extra respect after that. She tried hiding her grin. Someone had really tamed the rebel of rebels.

Rico playfully scowled at her when Joey stuck her nose in the fridge.

“Let’s get to the nitty-gritty, shall we?” Joey urged, pouring some juice.

The other two nodded in agreement. Rico went to grab another soda and more fig bars.

“Don’t over-do those or you won’t have room for a healthy supper,” Joey insisted.

“Yes, Mother,” he retorted, only half joking. Joey, we gotta talk. “Yuppee, they’re whole grain,” he murmured. She had pulled a switch.

“I’m serious … if you leave food on your plate tonight,” she said shaking a finger at him. “You can eat out the rest of the year.”

Oh, that would be unbearable Joey, he thought. Did she think he cooked a meal in San Diego? Then again, I’d miss out on this awesome company.

He dropped two of the four large bars back into the bag. Joey, we really, really need to talk.

Jennifer hadn’t seen the two interacting as a husband and wife and was doing all she could to keep from laughing. Joey noticed and blushed.

“Anyway, here are your current balances, Jacob.”

Joey displayed the figures on a spreadsheet on her laptop. On the split screen she displayed the savings and checking balances. “If every check has cleared you have $470,000 in checking. You had $250,000 in savings a week ago and today you have $450,000. Where did that other money come from? Or any of it for that matter.”

The Vegas money deposit had not posted yet.   

“A loan from the Prince … which I’ll be paying back in a month … or so.”

“You borrowed two hundred thou, Jacob?” Jennifer asked.

He just nodded sheepishly. He decided on not mentioning the fifty plus thousand he kept in his briefcase upstairs in cash and travelers checks. Joey would nag about that too. He had heard enough nagging on the phone the previous three months.

“Do you want part of the winnings from our Vegas adventure thrown in there?” Joey asked. She thought she concealed her glee when he said no. Grand plans for the cash churned in her mind—polar opposites to Rico’s.

“But I’ll keep the payoff from Jenny’s old boss … if you let me, of course.”

Jennifer grinned.

“Maybe half, but don’t spend it. We’ll discuss that later; now back to the matter at hand please. Do you have a receipt for all these purchases shown here on your bank statement? You’ll need them in the event of an audit. Otherwise, we should just start from this balance. I don’t want to back track.”

“That sounds good to me. Isn’t it time? The food might get cold,” Rico offered in Spanish. 

She ignored him completely. “To keep things straight, Jennifer will need to have a memo for everything you ask her to buy or pay for. She’ll photocopy each receipt, annotate what it was for, and post it in the correct ledger. Right off the bat she needs a thousand bucks for a decent accounting program. Later, you can hire my accountant or whomever.”

Rico’s head was reeling. Jennifer didn’t even blink.

“She in turn must give you a photocopy of everything for your review and filing. You have to make sure you look at it in case she received a bill for something that you didn’t purchase or order. Electronic theft is booming nowadays. Do you understand that, Jacob?”

Jennifer sensed that he was being chastised again about past practices. This wasn’t her best buddy’s day. She couldn’t help chuckle inside.

“Yes, of course I look at important papers … a lot more, now,” he mumbled, a crumb of fig flew from his lips, landing on the table. “I think we’re almost at the big five,” he hinted dutifully again, subtly swiping the crumb to the floor.

“Jacob, can you focus a little, please? About managing employee work hours, do you plan to use some form of time card?”

Rico took his time to answer.

“Well?” Joey urged.

“I don’t think so. All I want to know is when they are on post … for legal reasons. The control center operators, currently Jennifer and Sarge, will maintain a running blotter of operational matters. That’s about it. I prefer to run this company on trust.”

“Then you’ll pay them on salary,” Joey said. “One last thing … you must agree to have an executive meeting on budget matters every single month, apart from planning and training sessions. Agreed? I don’t want to have to clean up a fiscal disaster. The IRS is kinder and gentler … but not that much.”

Tell me about it! “Agreed … and I promise to pay attention. Really!” he added quickly when Jennifer almost choked, spitting droplets of water she had been drinking. Rico closed his eyes and calmly wiped his face.

Joey, intrigued and slightly envious about the almost spiritual interaction between the two closed down her laptop, let out a sigh and headed upstairs. Lord, I understand it’s a blessing for my husband to have such a connection with her … but … Yes, Lord … I’ll try to remember you’re in control.

“Jennifer,” Rico said.

“Yea.”

“Women are …” He wisely chose to leave instead of finishing the sentence.

Minutes later they ate dinner, sharing all kinds of memories. Rico mostly listened.

CHAPTER 15

Sometime the next morning Rico was cruising around town, glad to escape the confines of his office for awhile. On Roadrunner Parkway he noticed a newer building. A small sign read, “Doña Ana County Battered Women’s Shelter, Inc.” On a whim—still a positive habit from his perspective and still a negative one from others, including Joey—he decided to offer his services. What better place to reconnect with the community’s pulse.

An attractive high arching overhang led to the front door and reception area. “Hi,” he said timidly to the receptionist. It was too late to put better thought into what he was doing. “Is there someone I can speak with about volunteering?”

“Sure, let me get the director.”

A few seconds later, the director walked up to Rico.

“Hello,” she said courteously enough, extending her hand as the security door closed behind her. Both of them were now outside the secure door and in the lobby. “My name is Antonia Guerra. And you are?”

“Jacob … Rico, Ma’am,” he replied. His mouth was as dry as the desert air. What am I doing here?

 “I understand that you would like to volunteer?”

“Yes, actually I would. I would be willing to provide personal protection for anyone who needed it while they do things around town or go to court. I can also provide tutors for kids, or adults. And my good friend could provide instructors to teach karate or other activities,” he blabbed on.

Getting started had been easy in San Diego because it had fallen into his lap; the future chief of police had been his credibility and biggest cheerleader.

“Sounds like an expensive endeavor, Mr. Rico.”

“Yes, it can be. My company would pick up the tab for the instructors and body guards.”

“Like I said, it seems like an expensive …” What’s in it for you? She paused and looked him over with her eyebrow raised. “You realize that most of the women and children in this facility have an aversion to men due to trauma. Sometimes they won’t be very courteous, and truthfully … sometimes they’ll be downright nasty.” 

Rico concealed his worry. He was extremely sensitive to rejection and second thoughts flooded his mind. Was she trying to say no thanks? Her look seemed to point that way. What was he doing creating more stress for himself?

The lady continued without missing a beat. “There is an extensive background check we would have to run on you before we can even talk seriously about any actual services you could provide.”

“I hadn’t thought of that, actually. Surprise! But, I promise that won’t be a problem,” he said, trying to seem undaunted. Again, his buddy had whizzed everything through back channels in San Diego.

She eyed him intently for much longer than Rico thought was reasonable. What was she thinking? Rico began to sweat.

“I have to be honest, Jacob. It is not every day a man comes in here for good reasons. Even though many do come for court-ordered counseling alongside their estranged partners, most come here trying to bring down the place when they somehow find out that their spouse is here. You do know that everything that goes on in here is confidential, right? You can’t even say hi to people out in the streets that you meet here … unless they approach you first.”

“That makes sense.”

Rico didn’t want to sound smart-alecky about already knowing the psychology of battered women, so he kept quiet. When she told him to fill out the paper work and give it to the receptionist he was sure he had just been brushed off. As it was, the director took his offer seriously and when it turned out he was associated with her good friend Joey, she expedited the clearance procedures and soon put Rico’s company to work. Again, his connections proved very helpful without him knowing it. And once again he began a new life, though sometimes it was a little more exciting than he expected. 

     ***

After making it back to his office, a guilt-ridden Rico felt obliged to visit Michelle. Days had passed since his last visit. He wasn’t exactly ready for her reaction when he suggested having Joey introduce her to everyone else in the family. Up to then only Jennifer, who obviously had to be filled in about Michelle’s existence and presence since her bedroom was next to Michelle’s, plus those Joey had contracted to tend to her sister, knew about her even now. Rico’s logic for suggesting the “coming out” was that the girls’ for sure would cheer Michelle up and help with her recovery.

Michelle recoiled at the idea, even began trembling. “No, because anyone that knows me can be in danger!” she said to Rico in a hoarse whisper.

Danger? Danger from who, Michelle? Hasn’t Joey told you that we’re in the protection business and can take care of ourselves? he thought. “OK, Michelle, you’re right.”

Her face softened and she became calm. Rico had that effect on people, seeming to express a genuine concern after thoughtful listening. He was often told that he had a nurturing sense about him; a gentleness and softness that starkly contrasted with some of the things they had seen in him in combat—and to this day when he got riled.

Rico considered Joey’s sister was delusional, or someone was over medicating her. “Could you … I mean … if you want to, tell me about this danger you’re talking about?” he said.

She cowered a little less this time.

Rico waited a while after he got closer, sat down and gently caressed the still very thin, bony hand. It was everything he could do not to cringe at the feel of the skeletal-like hand. Research he was aware of pointed to the healing effects of touch and prayer; and this woman needed lots of both. He could, at least, manage the touching part.

Michelle sighed and stopped trembling at his touch.

“A drink precedes a story,” she said.

Joey had mentioned earlier that Michelle seemed to favor street Irish, proverbs or vulgarity when stress levels went up. She insisted Rico avoid any serious subject matter. Of course, she forgot she was talking to Rico.

“It is sweet to drink, but bitter to pay for,” Rico whispered back, in case Joey was eaves dropping on his disobedience.

“I take it my sister has put a bug in your ear. You said that like you know the heart wrenching second part … when the liquor is gone the fun is gone.”

She stared at the ceiling.

“Some.”

He was being honest, having dealt with only occasional digressions to alcoholic binges.

“But thirst is the end of drinking.”

“And sorrow is the end of drunkenness,” Rico said, finishing the proverb. “Please tell me your story.”

Her extended silence made him uncomfortable. Had he messed up and sent her to her shell again by disobeying Joey? Michelle closed her eyes. His heart palpitated.

“Wine divulges truth,” she pleaded one last time. Her first sober weeks in more than twenty-five years were proving overwhelming. Without the medication she would have gone searching for some spirits.

Rico’s compassion for the obviously troubled soul made him drop pretenses. “Please, Michelle, I … I want to help. I know you barely know me, and I you, but you’re Joey’s sister. I love her so much, and you’re … well, part of her. So …”

His sincerity overwhelmed Michelle. “I’m afraid to scare you away, Jacob. I don’t want to tell my sister either because she might send me away to keep the girls safe. Not that … not that I would blame her, but to tell you the truth … I don’t know what’s real … and what …” She stopped to catch her breath. “… what are simply my imaginations.”

“It’s OK Michelle. I guess Joey hasn’t told you that we are in the security business. Not only that, all four of us in my company are former Special Forces and can take care of any danger. OK?” he said, tenderly, but with authority.

Michelle’s countenance changed a little and she gave him a strange look. Rico could swear it was one of pity, and then fear.

“Jacob,” she labored to say, “… if half of what is in my head has any substance to it, we  would all be in harm's way.” She was exhausting herself but wanted to warn the ones she loved. “When I am well, I will leave here … and none of those animals … will know I was here. You will all be safe … then. But right now …” She ran out of breath.

Rico wanted to let her sleep, but he might not have another chance to talk with her in private, without Joey there. “Please, Michelle, just give me a hint about what you mean.”

She grimaced and moaned. “These people … animals … control people. They use addictive and other sorts of drugs and torture to keep the women in line. One girl … or woman … I can’t remember clearly, who got out of line was given a box with a finger from her mother’s hand. You …” Michelle was almost blacking out. “Another time, as an object lesson to the rest of us, they demonstrated … some, some, nasty kind of poison. They made a show of using the tip of a pin … in a drink … the girl … horrible!”

Rico considered the matter a delusion and was about to leave. The idea that Ricin—a poison, of which just 500 micrograms would prove fatal—would be used in such a way, and by a non-terrorist group, seemed a major stretch to him. They had to be drugged induced thoughts. They had to.

“You might wonder why they would do that?” she continued. “Instead of beating bunches of them into submission? Well, its simple … you can’t market broken products,” she almost regurgitated, “so one … the impact …”

Rico’s heart dropped. Could it be a coincidence that he had once read a classified report about what she was alluding to?

“Where is this happening, Michelle?” Rico asked.

Michelle opened her eyes wide, surprised that Rico had not dismissed her off hand. “If my mind is not delusional, and sometimes I wonder, those … are ruthless. Jacob, do not start turning rocks over.”

Rico’s firm look made her give in.

“From London to Dublin to Sweden to China … America. Lords and highly …”

Rico nodded as she faded to sleep. He softly patted her hand. Minutes later he headed upstairs, knees quivering, and avoided Joey. Walking into his house he felt a familiar dull ache creep up the back of his neck. Soon the throbbing would engulf his head, and the smallest glimmer of light would feel like red hot spikes piercing his eyes; nausea would follow.