CHAPTER 102
As the weeks dragged by in their usual seasonal misery, I found my worry about Diane’s resilience increasing steadily. She called me at home one evening, suggesting a meal out, and it took the verbal equivalent of a kick up her backside before she mentioned Frank.

We sparred a little, and in the end agreed that if it was just going to be her and her little boy, we could meet up at an Italian place near hers. I just knew that it would mean a grilling, so my devious mind pulled a favour from Charlie.

After being rude to a hairdresser, a young man finds himself on the receiving end of a rather enchanting makeover.

It took a few minutes before Steve or the rest of us said anything.
Steve’s only comment was, “Spencer, my friend, that was heart heavy.”
He then closed his eyes for a moment, nodded twice and then looked up to see another of the young men raise their hand.
This man had the look of rings under his eyes like he was ready to rip his heart out at any second.

“Bye, kids!” Julia watches as her children exit from her patrol vehicle and heads towards their friends.

“Bye, mom.” Haylee waves goodbye to Julia.

Chayton waves goodbye to Julia as well. He spotted the other members of the school’s basketball team standing around. He recently joined the basketball team and was one of their star players. His grandfather had turned the tennis court into a basketball court for him to practice.
When he was having problems with his shots, Julia came out and practice with him. She uses to play when she went to school.

Most often people talk about being in the right place at the right time. Maybe they achieved a beautiful photo of a sunrise, or the antics of children or animals. Maybe they found something someone lost and received a big reward when it was returned. But how often do they talk about being in the wrong place at the right time? If they do, it’s often about the death of someone or maybe witnessing a crime. And if this is the case, they are sad or horrified. Walter Williams often is in the wrong place at the right time, though his reaction to the incidents he encounters is much different than anyone would expect. And, life-changing.

Most often people talk about being in the right place at the right time. Maybe they achieved a beautiful photo of a sunrise, or the antics of children or animals. Maybe they found something someone lost and received a big reward when it was returned. But how often do they talk about being in the wrong place at the right time? If they do, it’s often about the death of someone or maybe witnessing a crime. And if this is the case, they are sad or horrified. Walter Williams often is in the wrong place at the right time, though his reaction to the incidents he encounters is much different than anyone would expect. And, life-changing.

4

Gina’s Hotel Room, Courtyard by Marriott Washington Downtown/Convention Center:
Arnold looks at Gina as she laid in bed. He had woken up early to work on a case he brought with him. He also had a meeting at the Justice
Department. He was still amazed at what happened to the Golden Eagle Squad and how they were able to pass as normal-looking people.

In 2010 Maggie, Nancy Cole and I were all busy writing about stories about strong female characters. For Maggie it was her wonderful Maiden by Decree. Nancy and I had just finished Legend of Alfhildr, following on from The Frozen Balance.

We often chatted and shared ideas when one day, a humorous idea occurred; why don't we write something with all three of our heroines as a bit of a spoof?

CHAPTER 101
Two days later, I got the call from Rosie, and of course it came while I was up to my eyeballs. Nita had rung, and for the first time in ages it hadn’t been a social call but a new referral. I was in the van with Faye, fourteen, yet another who had been pursued on the internet after trying to build a new profile for herself. I picked her up at Nita’s office, which saved a lot of crap, Rosie’s call arriving just as I parked up there.

“You free later? With that copper?”

Chapter 38

The following morning Marcy was rudely awakened by her alarm at 6:30 am. It was still very early and a bit nerve wrecking since her parents were still home. With her elaborate morning ritual she would need the time to get ready and be at John’s door by 8 am. God the last thing she wanted was to return to that bastard, but if she wanted to keep her secret secret then she would have to. At this point it wasn’t only the being turned out as a sissy that worried her, but also the sheer perverseness of all the things she had done to keep her secret.