WPCTS7

Joe held his head in his hands as he stared down at the list of names in front of him. When the temporary agency told him that they had several available candidates for the nanny position, he had been glad to hear that he would have choice instead of getting stuck with what was left. Now that he had gone through nearly half the list, he was getting worried.

“Okay Ronnie,” he said on a sigh as he braced himself. “Who’s the next one up?”

“Mrs. Peterson,” Ronnie informed him as he handed him the file.

Joe stood from the table and walked over to the rail so that he could see down to the main floor at the SIU. “Which one is she?” he asked as he looked at the remaining candidates. His eyes narrowed when he saw a man actually juggling swords. “Uh Ronnie? See what you can do about getting rid of that guy. The last thing I need is for him to juggle knives around Lucia.”

“No problem.”

“Which one did you say was Mrs. Peterson?” He looked around hopefully.

“She’s over by the entrance.”

“She’s just getting here?” he asked as he checked his watch. “She’s forty-five minutes late.”

“Oh no,” Ronnie corrected him. “She was on time.” He pointed down to a little old lady inching her way up the isle with her walker. “That’s as far as she’s gotten since she has been here.”

Joe slapped a hand over his eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening to me.” He handed the file back to Ronnie in disgust. “Tell her we appreciate her application and send the next one up here.”

Joe took his seat again as he marked Mrs. Peterson off of his list. He was just about to ask Ronnie the name of the juggler when a woman dressed entirely in black slapped a cricket bat down on the table with a loud crack. He jumped back, startled, then stared at the bat which was burned with an array of satanic symbols. His eyes darted back up to the woman. Her hair was colored black, as were her eyes, lips and fingernails. She had daggers hanging from her earlobes and an pentagram around her neck. Joe instinctively leaned back as she put her hands on the table to lean closer to him. “I never have a problem with discipline. Do you have a problem with discipline?”

Joe’s mouth dropped open as he stared at the enormous snake that the next candidate had around her neck. Particularly at the suspiciously large mound of its belly. “Itsy and I love small children,” the woman said in a childlike voice, then cradled the snake’s massive head in her hand. “Don’t we Itsy?” she asked her pet before giving it tiny kissing on the snout.

Joe was already marking through the woman’s name as she sat cross-legged in the middle of the table, her eyes closed while she spoke. “It’s actually my astral body that watches over the children. This way, I can be in several different places at once. I’ve had as many as three children at once, but I’m fairly sure that I can take on two or three more.”

“Any luck in the nanny department?” Nash asked as he walked over to see how Joe was doing. He glanced over his shoulder at what he was reading.

“Don’t ask,” he returned wearily.

Nash chuckled. “Come on Joe. It can’t be that bad,” he said as he picked up the application.

“You wouldn’t believe it.”

“This guy looks pretty good,” he commented. “Sophomore in college. Studying arts, religion, philosophy.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Joe returned with a bit of hope in his voice, straining to look at the application himself. “The job’s only part time. A student would be perfect and I’m all for helping out with higher education.”

“That’s what I love most about you, bubba,” he said and gave his partner a pat on the back as a lanky teen stomped up to the table with a wide grin and dark glasses.

“How’s it hanging, dudes?” the boy asked as he rapped his fists against the table several times, then pointed at them.

Nash’s brows drew together as he looked from the boy to Joe. Surely his partner could see why there was a need for the glasses. If the grin didn’t give it away, the distinctive smell of reefer on the guy’s clothes was the clincher. Nash sat down on the edge of the table as Joe went through a small assortment of questions just so the boy could say that he was interviewed, then sent him on his way.

“Don’t tell me that they have all been like that,” Nash said as they waited for the next prospective nanny to join them.

“Worse!” Joe clarified. “There was the one girl that made out with her boyfriend the entire time that I was interviewing her. All I got was one moan for yes and two moans for no. Then there was the one that bless me with so much holy water that I had to change my jacket. He would have worked out just fine, but I don’t think that his cross would fit through my front door.”

“Cross?” he asked tentatively.

“He carries it on his shoulder. Twelve feet long and eight feet wide. He said he wouldn’t enter a building if he had to leave it outside.” Joe shook his head. “The belly dancer wasn’t that bad,” he amended. “I rather enjoyed her interview. Of course, Inger would have my head on a platter with that one.”

“No doubt,” Nash chuckled, then he noticed the woman ascending the stairs. Her hair was neatly swept back into a bun. Her clothes were conservative and her demeanor was modest. “There,” Nash said, nudging his partner so that he would look up to see who was coming. “Looks like a change for the better,” he said softly, then reached out to shake the woman’s hand. “How do you do, Miss? And you are?”

“Helen Trump. No relation,” she clarified quickly as she sat down her rather large gym bag and smiled shyly.

Joe looked for her application quickly, then smiled when he saw how normal it was. “I see that you’ve had some medical training,” he said tentatively. Things were looking up.

“Oh yes,” she returned with a charmingly lilting voice. “I feel that it’s the responsibility of all of us to be properly trained in the basics at least. So many deaths could be prevented if only people knew CPR.”

“You’re absolutely right, Miss Trump,” Nash agreed.

“And you’ve worked with children before?” Joe continued.

“In daycare and privately,” she responded. “Though I enjoy daycare, it’s the one-on-one aspect that’s so much more rewarding.”

Joe nodded as he looked over at Nash with a smile growing on his face. “Excellent,” he commended her. “And what about availability?”

“I’m able to start immediately and I’m available day or night,” she returned with assurance. “I always keep a cell phone handy for emergencies.”

“Just out of curiosity, Miss Trump,” Nash interrupted as he pointed down to the large satchel beside her. “What’s in the bag?”

“Oh that’s my pod,” she returned as she picked it up and sat it down with a thump on the table.

Joe and Nash exchanged a stunned expression as their smiles wavered. “You’re what?” Joe asked hesitantly.

“My pod,” Helen repeated. “You know, the husk that houses our inner spiritual being to wait for the mother ship’s return,” she said matter-of-factly. “Which reminds me. Does your house have a cellar? Basements are all right although the finished ones tend to be a little too warm. Cellars work out the best to store the pods. Would you like to see it?” she offered as she reached for the zipper.

“Uh no,” Joe said as he stood from the table and took one step back. Nash did the same.

“It’s not a problem,” she said with a cheery smile. “I’m actually rather proud of the way that I’ve disguised it. No one would know that it’s one of our cocoons just by looking at it.”

Nash and Joe didn’t know what to expect when she started working her pod out of the large bag. Then they both sighed when they saw what it was. “A pinata?” Joe said with skepticism. “Your pod is a pinata?”

“It’s great, isn’t it?” she said then pulled open the flap on one side. “Wait until you see what I’ve decided to bring along for the ride.”

“Uh, the ride?” Nash asked.

“On the mother ship,” she said succinctly.

“Of course,” he returned. “It’s going to be a long trip home,” he said, turning to Joe as if that was a logical conclusion. “You need entertainment of some sort.”

“Exactly,” she said and pulled out a camcorder. She held it up to get a shot of Joe as she rattled on about getting images of everyone she meets.

When it suddenly became unusually quiet in the SIU, Nash glanced over to see what was happening down on the main floor. He tried to cover a smile when he realized exactly what was going on. “Uh Joe,” he said and hitched his thumb in the direction he had just been looking. “I think you’ve been had, bubba,” he told his partner. He had meant to sound sympathetic, but his chuckle wasn’t exactly convincing.

When Joe stepped over to the rail again, he saw that everyone in the SIU had crowded together, trying to get a better view of his interviews. At the center of it, were Harvey and Rachel. To make matters worse, Harvey was holding up his camcorder.

“Show us your good side, Joe!” Harvey called out as he zoomed in on his friend.

“I’ll show you my good side, Harv,” he shot back then started to unbuckle his belt and turn around. The crowd erupted in applause, laughter, whistles and cat calls.

“Give it up, Joe,” Nash said with a laugh. “They got you again, bubba.”

* * *

“Nash” he said into the phone, giving the caller only part of his attention as he finished typing in a report on the computer.

“It’s Tory,” she informed him breathlessly. “I’m sorry about calling you at work, but I think I’m being followed.”

He chuckled softly as he pulled his eyes away from the screen. “Relax Tory. It’s one of our guys.”

“Oh please,” she said saucily. “Give me some credit, Nash. I had your guys pegged the moment they came onto my street.”

“Why am I not surprised,” he returned as his concern grew. Tory had a talent for knowing who was dangerous and who wasn’t. If she was certain that she was being followed by someone other than the police, then he had to believe she was. “Do you have any idea who it is?”

“I can’t get a good look at the guy,” she told him. “Whoever he is, he knows what he’s doing.”

“Alright Tory. It’s going to take me a little time to get down there, so this is what I want you to do.”

* * *

“You’re kidding?” Harvey said into the receiver, catching sight of Nash on his way out from the corner of his eye. “Can you hold on just one second? Thanks.” Harvey didn’t hesitate in clicking the hold button, then hurried out the door, catching Nash just as he started up the gangway. “Nash, do you have a couple of seconds?” he asked.

“That’s about all I have. What’s up?”

“It’s kind of personal,” he stressed as a couple of the uniformed officers passed them on their way into the SIU.

Nash glanced around quickly, then they walked over to a distant corner by the railing on the barge so that they wouldn’t be overheard. “What’s going on, Harv? Everything okay?”

He knew that Nash was in a hurry, so he got right to the point. “You know that Rachel and I have been getting pretty serious. Well, now that she’s feeling better we’ve been talking about moving onto the next level, if you know what I mean, and I just got...”

“Ho...hold on a sec,” Nash stopped him as he looked at Harvey with disbelief. “The next level? You mean that you and Rach haven’t...” He left the question hanging.

He shook his head. “It’s not like there has been ample opportunity.” Nash gave him a blank look. “You know, we didn’t want to rush into anything in the beginning, then....” Harvey sighed heavily. “Give me a break. The woman was shot twice.” He received a mumbled response, then Nash waved it off so that Harvey could continue. “Anyway, I’ve been looking at places where we could get away for a day or two and this one cabin just became available.”

“Say no more,” Nash returned. “You put more time in here than anyone else with the possible exception of me. If anyone deserves a couple of days off, it’s you.”

“What about all of that paperwork Rachel has?” He knew he was tempting fate by asking, but he didn’t want to leave Nash in a tight spot.

Nash chuckled. “Hell, half that stuff she has is secretarial. Janet has loved having the afternoons off.”

“You didn’t,” he chuckled in return.

“Maybe next time Rachel has a few days off, she’ll take them.”

* * *

Rachel was entering in yet another case file on her computer when an email from Harvey popped up on her screen with arrows pointing down. “Looking for adventure? Romance? It’s waiting for you. You’ve got thirty minutes to pack and be out in front of your apartment.”

She was stunned by the directive at first. “No way!” she said in response, heedless of anyone listening to her as she scrolled down the page to follow the arrows. “It will take me ten minutes just to get home.”

She smiled when she saw what was typed at the bottom. “You told me you could be ready in ten. “

“All right Leek,” she said as she stood while shutting down her computer. She couldn’t resist a challenge. “You’re on.” Grabbing up her jacket, she was on her way out the door.

Ronnie chuckled as he held the phone up to his ear and watched Rachel jog out. “She’s on her way, Harv.”

“Excellent. Thanks Ronnie.”

The more Rachel thought about Harvey’s cryptic message on the way home, the more intrigued she became. He had a way of knowing exactly what she wanted and, at the moment, the only thing she wanted was Harvey. Anything that he had planned would be special simply because it was from him. A smile grew on her face as Betty pulled her squad car to a halt in front of her apartment building. “Thanks for the lift,” Rachel said as she leaped out and practically ran inside.

She didn’t have a clue what she was going to wear since she had no idea what Harvey had planned, but she definitely wanted to change out of her jeans. She had kicked off her shoes in the hallway and was stripping off her jacket as she walked into her bedroom, then froze. Laying in the middle of her bed was a gold gown. There wasn’t anything glamorous about it, but it was beautiful in it’s simplicity. Layers of sheer gold in the skirt and sleeves gave it a playful look, but there was no doubt that Harvey had a more formal evening in mind.

That surprised Rachel a little. She had always considered Harvey such a grounded guy. Down to earth. Trying to picture him in a formal setting was a little awkward, but she was more than willing to see it through.

Exactly twenty minutes later, Rachel stood on the sidewalk outside of her apartment with a gold satchel, a gift which she thought she would never use, clutched in her hands. She watched curiously as a limousine turned the corner and had barely had time to wonder who it was for when it pulled up in front of her. “Oh no,” she whispered in shock as she stepped back.

When the driver got out, Rachel looked around quickly to see if any of her neighbors had noticed. Of course there were several outside and they were all taking an open interest in the unexpected arrival. “I can’t believe this,” she whispered as the driver opened the door for her. She stole a peek inside, then looked back at him. “This is too much,” she laughed, then climbed inside.

She sank into the plush leather seat, then noticed a single red rose in the seat across from her with a tiny white card. She reached over to retrieve it as the driver pulled out. She closed her eyes as she inhaled the abundant fragrance of the rose, then she looked down at the card.

“You’re worth the effort.”

Rachel wanted to cry when she read it. She wasn’t use to someone spoiling her so much, but she was loving every minute of it. “This is your pumpkin, Cinderella,” she whispered as she looked around the limousine, then back down at the card again. “And Harvey’s my prince.”

She closed her eyes and imagined him waiting for her. She could see his face in her musings, his eyes in particular, but little else. Nothing else mattered to her. If she could spend the rest of her life looking into those eyes, she would need nothing else.

Some time had passed before Rachel looked around once more. The limousine had left the city and was heading toward the mountains. She started to reach for the intercom to ask the driver where they were going, then she paused, switched the radio to an easy listening station and settled back in her seat. Harvey had sent the limousine for her to enjoy and she was going to do just that. She was going to enjoy the mystery.

* * *

“Nash”, he said as he slowed the Cuda to a safer speed.

“Where are you?” Stacy asked. “I thought you were going to drop off that recipe this morning?”

He gritted his teeth. He knew he was going to catch hell for this one. “I’m sorry sis. I completely forgot.”

“You forgot,” she said simply. “As in, I left the recipe at home or you haven’t even looked for it yet.”

“That would be the latter,” he admitted.

“I cannot believe you’re doing this to me again,” she snapped. “I asked you for one small favor and you forgot. Thanks a lot Nash. I told Ginny that I would have everything ready for her at the end of the day. Now what am I going to do?”

“Relax sis. It’s just a recipe.”

“It’s not just a recipe, Nash. It’s something important to me, not that you would understand that since the world revolves completely around you.”

“Stacy.”

“Where are you anyway? Can I meet you at the apartment and pick it up? I have just enough time to make it across town if I hurry.”

“I’m not even in town anymore. I’m on my way down to Pacifica.”

“That’s just great, Nash. I should have known that I couldn’t depend on you for this unless I made some sort of crime scene out of it.”

“That’s not fair Stace.”

“You’re damn right it’s not fair. Do you even know where it is?”

Nash sighed heavily. “I’m not sure.”

“I guess that photographic memory only applies to police cases,” she said surly.

“What is up with you today?” he asked. “It’s just a recipe. Can’t you replace it with a different one?”

“Of course I can, but then it wouldn’t be a complete family recipe book, would it?” she shot back. “Where do you think it is? Maybe Nick and I can find it since you can’t seem to find time in your busy schedule to help out your only living sibling.”

Nash started to throw the cell phone out of the car, then stopped himself at the last minute. He thought about reminding her that, if she had given him a little more notice, he could have found the recipe for her already, but he knew that would only spark further argument. “It could be anywhere,” he responded, then sighed. “I think that I was reading the last time I made that jambalaya and I used the index card as a book mark.”

“Are you telling me that I have to go through every book in your apartment to find it?” she asked in astonishment.

“It’s either that or you can wait for me to get back into town tonight to find it myself.” He hesitated for a second when a thought occurred to him. “Actually, I just remembered that the recipe on the card isn’t the complete one. I added a couple of other seasonings.”

“That’s just great, Nash. And I suppose that you don’t remember what those were either?”

He shook his head. Stacy was going to disown him. “I’d have to see the recipe.” He could practically hear her fuming. “Look sis. I will be back in town in a few hours. I promise, I will find the recipe and bring it over to your apartment even if it’s three o’clock in the morning.”

“I guess I really don’t have a choice, now do I? I know that this isn’t any big deal to you, Nash, but it’s important to me.”

“I promise, I won’t let you down. In fact, I’ll call Nick right now and, hopefully, he can find it before I even get back.”

She sighed. “All right. Just don’t forget again because I’d hate to have to disown you.”

* * *

It was some time before the limousine eventually pulled to a halt next to a large cabin. As Rachel stepped out, she looked around to see that the building was totally isolated. A smile rose on her face as a thought occurred to her and she pulled her cell phone out of the satchel. It was out of range. She nodded as she clicked the power off and tucked it back inside. He had thought of everything.

As she climbed the wide stone steps, she looked around for any sign of Harvey. What windows she could see were covered and there was no sign of any other vehicle. Finally, when she reached the deck, she noticed the PT Cruiser just behind the cabin. “Hello,” she called out as she approached the massive double doors and noticed that one was partially open. She could hear music softly playing inside. “Hello?” she said again as she slowly pushed open the door.

As she closed the door behind her, all that she could make out was a flickering glow somewhere beyond the short hallway. Then, when she took a few steps further in, her breath caught in her throat. The heart of the cabin was one enormous room bathed in the light of dozens of candles. A fire burned in the fire place at one end of the room and a king size canopied bed filled the opposite end.

Harvey stood at the center of it all. He didn’t say a word as she took in their surroundings. He simply watched the joy and amazement on her face. He wore a black, long-sleeve, collarless shirt, black slacks and held a glass of champagne in each hand. His eyes roved over her as she moved toward him. She was a vision in gold. As she took one of the champagne flutes from his hand, his eyes locked with hers. “You’re stunning,” he said softly.

“And you’re amazing,” she returned as she took a sip from the glass. “I can’t believe you did all of this for me.”

He smiled as he reached up to touch her face. “I’m just getting started,” he promised, then kissed her. Rachel slid her hand over his shoulder as she leaned against him.

“As long as we start and finish with me in your arms,” she purred, “I’m up for anything.”

He smiled down at her as they started to sway to the soft music. “Then I’ll just have to make sure that my arms are precisely where they are suppose to be.”

Her smile broadened when he gave her a small dip. “What happened to real men don’t dance?” she asked.

“Actually, I looked that rule up and there’s a little amendment that says real men don’t dance in public. In private with a beautiful woman, it’s mandatory.”

“Oh!” She nodded thoughtfully. “I always thought that there should have been something more to that rule.” She shimmied against him to prove that dancing had its strong points. “I’ve always considered a dance an excellent prelude to an intimate evening,” she told him.

He looked at her a little surprised. “Have experience in that particular area?”

Her smile broadened. “Let’s just say that there are a few dance moves that can’t be done in public without getting arrested.”

“Oh really?” He was definitely intrigued. “Well we have all sorts of options open to us at the moment. I’ve got a decadent amount of food ranging from meatballs to carrot cake. We’ve got a hot tub with a spectacular view overlooking the city. Or, for the more athletic at heart, there’s nature walks,” he teased. “Where do you want to start?”

She stilled from her swaying as she stared into his eyes. “I want to start at the top and work my way down.”

His eyes sparkled. “Good answer.” He leaned in and took her mouth with his again, but was surprised when she pulled away.

“There is one tiny problem here,” she said as she took his champagne flute from him and set the two glasses aside. “I need both hands free.”

His eyes smoldered as she placed both hands against his chest and stepped back into his embrace. His hands skimmed over the iridescent material of her dress as he gently pulled her closer. Rachel held his gaze as she made quick work of the buttons down the front of his shirt, then ran her hands over his skin. The look in his eyes held her captive. Everything that she wanted, everything that she needed, she saw in his eyes. Love, desire, passion. His soul was the essence of her dreams.

She arched against him when she felt the warmth of his hand against her bare back, her dress slipping off of one shoulder. When a small sigh escaped her, his mouth took possession of hers. They had finally reached the moment that they had been waiting for and they were savoring each kiss, each caress. Nothing was hurried. They explored each other’s body as clothes were slowly, enticingly removed. Harvey looked into her eyes as he lightly touched her face. Even with all of his careful planning, everything was perfect because it was Rachel there with him.

He took her hand in his as he lead her over to the bed. Harvey brushed aside the spaghetti strap of her camisole, then kissed her shoulder. The other shoulder received the same attention as the thin bit of satin pooled on the floor at her feet. His hands lightly skimmed over her back as his lips explored the curve of her throat. He held her against him when she trembled at his touch, then he slowly lowered her to the bed.

Her skin was like silk bathed in the warm scent of vanilla. Her hands pulled him closer, kneading the muscles of his back as her legs became intertwined with his. His lips sought hers once more as their passion grew, but then she flinched and everything stilled. One look in his eyes and she could tell that he was concerned about hurting her, but there was no way she was going to let that moment pass because of a tender side.

Harvey rolled onto his back as Rachel rose up on her elbow. When he started to speak, she quickly covered his mouth with her fingers, then with her lips. He sighed heavily as she eased her thigh across his body, then he was looking up into her eyes as she loomed over him. She smiled wickedly from her new position of power and began her torture by nibbling at his ear and throat. Her body brushed against his provocatively as she started at the top and worked her way down.

When neither one of them could stand the wait any longer, Harvey’s eyes locked with hers and their body’s became one. He kissed her deeply, their arms wrapping around each other as if they were afraid to let go. It was their perfect moment, the union of two souls that had been lost. Words were useless in describing the intensity of emotion and the absolute peace that consumed them.

He watched her face as their lovemaking reached its pinnacle. Her eyes grew darker as her breathing became heavy, then she called out his name as he took them both over the edge to ecstasy. There they laid together, completely spent. He buried his fingers in the curls at the nape of her neck, her head resting against his chest. When she started to move away, his arms tightened around her waist to keep her close. Still there were no words. There was no need. She was his and he was hers. That was all that mattered.

* * *