When Corey arrived back in Las Vegas, by habit, he stopped by the precinct office to check in with the Chief and report on the safe arrival of what was still their key witness in a hopefully fading national case. He found the atmosphere in the entire police department somber and strangely inactive.

One of the officers whom Corey had come to trust for inside information, called him over to the hallway.

"Hey Corey. You should know there's been change in leadership here. As of yesterday. It was all of a sudden, man."

'What are you talking about, Rodrigues? What's all the quiet about in here?"

"The Chief announced his early retirement to us. In a short meeting yesterday. And today at six in the morning he shows-up, cleans out his office . . . and leaves. For good, man!"

"What are you talking about, George?" Seriously?"

"Just like I said, Corey. He up and left. Said the decision was final at that meeting. Talk is he's going to live in some vacation place he has. Down in Baja somewhere."

"Mexico?"

"That's what the scoop is. I've heard him talk of the place. Somewhere near La Paz. Down at the end of the peninsula."

"What the hell, man?"

"Exactly, Corey. Makes no sense at all. Why he did this now. So suddenly. I don't think he even had fifteen years here. I mean, the guy is what? . . . mid-fifties maybe?"

"Yeah. Don't think his girl's even in college yet."

"Look, man. I'll be straight. Cause I like you, Bro. Ever since you went East on that Marlow case? A big hush came down around here. And then with Bill dying . . . mysteriously, the atmosphere really changed. Things were brewing you got onto to something big. Maybe too hot to handle. You, Mattingly and the Chief were in on those details, and fortunately no one else. I worry now for you, partner. You best just keep you head down until things blow over, if they ever do . . . You read me, Jeffers?"

"I do, George. Loud and clear."

"Good, man. Right now, you're seen as a pretty toxic element to the force. Just know that. Nothing personal, alright? You're a great guy, Corey. But who and whatever you got into, man, has some big juevos. They can take people out. Maybe already have. Watch yourself. It's no accident the Chief got his ass out of here, pronto."

"No shit, if that's final. Thanks George. Telling me this means a lot."

"No prob, brother. For now, Jackson, our senior officer here? He's going to be our interim Chief. That's until the City Council comes up with someone new. A replacement for Meyers. Could take a week or so."

"Yeah, maybe even longer."

"Well I say, lay low on whatever's left on the Marlow case. Just dig into the minor shits who terrorize this town, Corey. The usual stuff . . . Skimming cash from casinos, prostitution, domestic violence, drug lords, party boys . . . our basic customers."

"Yeah. Thanks George. Seriously. For the heart to heart. And the warning."

"It's got to be tough. Where you are right now, man. Keep the faith."

Corey gave Rodrigues a brotherly slap on the shoulder. "You think Meyers is really going to Mexico?

"Don't know man. Could be safer there. Could just be a story. But he's seriously gone."

"Let's hope he makes it there."

"Amen."

Corey slowly walked into his office and closed the door. It was a cold, and now seemingly pointless place to be.

* * *

That evening, back in his apartment, Corey stayed armed. He was on a second beer and contemplating calling Elora when his house phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Good evening, Lieutenant Jeffers."

It was the same voice he had heard before. Giving him the cryptic forty-eight hour warning of events to come.

"Who is this?"

"Suffice it to say we've spoken before.

"Yeah, I got that."

"I'll be brief, Lieutenant. The four of you who have considerable knowledge, never to be shared, are . . . let's just say a project of mine. To eliminate that from ever happening."

"Yeah, well two are gone already, if that's what you're referring to."

"Excellent math, Corey. So now It's down to you and the girl."

"You killed my partner, Mattingly, didn't you?"

"I think that tragedy is being ruled a suicide."

"It wasn't, and you know it. You killed him."

"Everyone's entitled to an opinion, Lieutenant."

"Is that going to be the same fate for the Chief?"

"Police Chief Meyers just took advantage of a very good early retirement settlement. If he's smart, he'll live out his advanced age in financial comfort. Silently at an unknown location."

"Let's hope that's not underground somewhere."

"That's entirely up to him. If he abides by the terms of his settlement, he should live to a ripe old age."

"Man . . . Who are you? What do you want from me?"

"As I told you. You could be useful to us later, Lieutenant. Should push come to shove . . . down the road on this case. You might provide some very useful firsthand information. That is of course if you're wise enough to cooperate when that time comes."

"Right. And the girl? What's the status of Henley Marlow?"

"Lieutenant Jeffers . . . Who would want to harm a beautiful creature like that? She's already suffered so much anxiety and fear in the hands of her kidnappers. She's lucky to be a live, as she and the whole world now knows. Miss Marlow has a long, beautiful life ahead of her. That is if she moves beyond those few dreadful weeks in her life."

"What's your connection to the FBI? You told me before they were just . . . little fish in all this."

"Excellent memory, Lieutenant. I'll be frank with you. So you don't get to thinking I'm as evil as you may already believe."

"Who then?"

"Let's just say, I'm working for the only true intelligence service in this world."

"The CIA?"

"Excellent guess, Lieutenant.

"Jesus! That's got to be bullshit, man!"

"I'm afraid it's not, Mr. Jeffers. What I won't divulge to you is who we are working for."

"And why can't you tell me that?"

"Because if I did, then you, your former chief, and the lovely beauty queen would also have to die."

Corey was silent. Angry.

"Now I trust our little information session this evening will go unrepeated," the voice calmly stated. "That's to anyone. The stakes for you are too high otherwise, Lieutenant. You see, there's an old adage where my family came from, down South. And that is . . . It's best to let sleeping dogs lie. I believe that wisdom has been clearly handed to you this evening, Lieutenant. Think on it as you will. And have a good evening."

He simply heard the line close on the other end.

* * *

(Late that evening, back in Henley's bedroom)

As with the evening before, Jaelyn came to visit the recovering Henley at her house. Again, she passed freely through the Sheriff's security detail stationed outside and took note of how quiet the street was, figuring the notoriety of Henley's original case would hopefully pass into oblivion. This time Jaelyn brought gifts of perfume and new clothing for her lover, as well as a strawberry cheesecake and a photo album of their past. It was all intended to give sustenance to her, both out of affection and a desire to see Henley get back to her curvaceous and radiant self.

Henley had earlier taken a shower and was in her baby doll pajamas, awaiting Jaelyn while on the Internet, surfing all her favorite sites she had missed over the previous weeks.

"Oh my gosh! What are you carrying, Jae?"

"Just a few things I want you to have. New clothes to make you feel beautiful, and your favorite dessert to fatten you up a little."

"Wow, so you see, I did lose weight, huh?"

"Hey. It's nothing you can't put back on . . . with the help of daily good food . . . and some good sex!" Jaelyn laughed, putting the packages on her nightstand.

"My gosh, lover. You are so sweet!"

Henley got out of the chair and came over to give Jaelyn a hug and kiss.

"Speaking of sex," she said candidly, "I've almost forgotten how nice it used to feel."

"Well, we can change that. When you're good and ready to jump back in."

"Jae? . . . I'm so afraid."

"Of what, lover?"

"That after all they put me through . . . it won't feel the same."

"What? Don't be silly! That's something we always can do. Even in elevators. Remember?" She laughed. "And that changing room once? Back in the mall before you left?"

"Yeah, I do remember. And I do fantasize about it. But I just fear what it will be like now."

"Come on, sweetie. Maybe your body's just not ready for all that good stuff yet. We'll get back to those intense sessions again. Soon. Remember, my record is six orgasms and yours is seven! All in one crazy night!"

"Yes, but . . ."

"But what, lover?"

The two went over the bed and sat. It was where they always convened to discuss matters of importance.

"Jae, I had this creepy dream."

"When? About what?"

"You. And me. Yesterday. We met on the horse path like so many times before. But you were like . . . not yourself."

"Hey lover, it's me. See?"

Jaelyn jumped off the bed and twirled around gracefully, giving the best image of her fit body.

"Yes. I know how you look in reality. How you feel and how you can make me feel."

"So, what happened in the dream?

"Jae, you were like . . . half you and half a guy."

"What? That's crazy. Me, a guy?"

"Well, like half a guy, yeah."

"Oh my gosh! That's so weird! So how did I look?"

"Just more, I don't know . . . guy-ish. Sronger arms and shoulders. Still a cute face. But you lifted me off the horse, kissed me . . . and started grabbing my ass. Just like some rude guy would."

"Well did you slap the shit out of me?"

"No. I didn't."

"Why?"

"I don't know"

"Henley, what are you saying . . . you actually liked me like that?"

"Not really. I don't know. But I think it started to get me hot and I woke up. Afraid. Really afraid of what it meant."

Jaelyn was silent for several moments.

"Yeah," Henley continued. "Like I say. Creepy. You even had a . . . guy's thing."

"Really? You saw that?"

"No. I felt it. All hard against me."

"Jesus, Henley! Do you think it's because of . . . what they . . ."?

"I don't know. I'm afraid to think that! Don't you see? . . . I don't want to change Jaelyn! I love

you. I love the pleasure we share. I don't want or need a male."

"Look. It was just a dream, OK?"

"Yes, but I know the power of them. I don't want to even think how that may have changed things. With me . . . and us."

"Come on, lover. You don't have to let that happen . . . We've spent so much time together doing what we do so well. Loving and making love. They can't change that. Can't take that away from us."

"I truly hope you're right, Jae."

The two were both pensive and quiet.

Suddenly, Jaelyn got off the bed and faced her. She began taking off her blouse and bra. She unbuttoned her tight jeans shorts and lid them down over her hips letting them fall to the floor. She stood in only her light blue string panties close enough to Henley for her to reach out and touch.

"Look at me, lover. Do you still like what you see?" She briefly pulled her panties down exposing her cleanly waxed female anatomy. I don't have a male thingy, Henley. See? But I can still pleasure you. And you me . . ."

She then took Henley's hand and brought it up softly between her thighs. "This is what you do to me. And I do to you, which we need no male for to enjoy."

Henley reacted by moving her fingers there in a slight circular motion, familiar to how they stimulated each other to orgasm on so many other occasions."

"Well? Does that feel like it's me now?"

Henley smiled and brought her hand back while Jaylyn pulled her panties up. Henley then stood and they both hugged. "I love you, Jae," she said. I just want that to be like always. When we're both in the right mood and raging for sex."

"Have no doubts, lover. I think you've made me a little hot already:"

"Give me a little time to get that dream out of my head, sweetheart. And we can give it our best test. Time after time."

"Whenever you feel ready, Henley. I'll be."

"You always have been," she said, smiling. "I just want it to go on forever!"

* * *