The trial starts and Erica gets a precursor of the abusive cross examinations awaiting her.

This story differs slightly from most of my other stories.
a) It's one of the longest stories I have posted here
b) It's more of story/tale than usual
The r rating is for violence, not really graphic and mostly referred to. NO graphic sex

Part 17

I chatted with the guys while Tom did his thing. There was Alan on the piano, Joe on drums, Alec on bass and Chico on guitar. When Tom brought us the discs I found out these guys were called the ‘Four Winds’ and the album we had just cut as play was called ‘Four Winds and a Gayle.’ So shoot me, I didn’t get to name it.

Sam has to face some ugly facts...and pretty dresses...

7. I don't have to wear dresses...

Chapter Two - Proof of Life

The search continues for kidnap victim Sharon Granger who handcuffed herself to mysterious case that is so badly wanted by underworld criminals. But is Sharon really a victim?

The video calls back home leading up to Luke’s Christmas visit did more than preserve his connection with his family. That time together strengthened the connection. His mom, dad and sister asking to be updated about previous topics showed how much they were invested in his life. Luke hanging on their words did the same to them.

Kissy has a new nickname.

Casey looks at her wives “are sure about this, Charlotte?”

“Yes, I’m sure about us leaving and being the third wife in our polygamy marriage.” Charlotte didn’t mind being the third wife.

“Okay, when the tide comes in, we are going to leave.” Casey needs to inform their Captain they were leaving.

“Okay. I do want to call my aunt and inform her.” Charlotte figures Cheshire needed to know she was heading towards England.

“Okay.” Casey turns and heads out of their bedroom to speak with the Captain.

Leader of the Pack Part 1

I have to admit that seeing my picture on the front page of the Sunday paper was a shock. For most people it would be a pleasant one, the fifteen minutes of fame that is often promised but hardly ever given. It was not, for me, very good news at all.

The Helper
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

I had not realized how far the house was from the main road until the taxi finally drew up beside it. It was a large house with a veranda on all sides, even larger facing the sea. Mr Golbenkian was waiting for me near the front door. He was seated in his electric wheelchair. I had not met him before then, but his warm brown eyes were as friendly as his voice on the phone.

I screeched to a stop, the engine running.

My heart was in my mouth.

There, in front of us were no less than three police cars, a police van and an ambulance.

CHAPTER 57
I couldn’t wait for another evening, and so I loaded up the van with mugs and selected girls, Rachel and Emma this time, as soon as the meal was finished and the rest had settled down for yet another run-through of the pictures. I had taken twenty minutes for a quick internet search about Ms Stevens, and the results had left me feeling utterly horrified. I didn’t waste time asking myself stupid questions about how people could do such things, et bloody cetera, as I had met Cooper and Hamilton, so had an intimate knowledge of what alleged humans could be capable of doing to others.